::pant:::pant:::WHEW!!

I'm really impressed by the Virtual Academic Center USC has for the MSW (Master's in Social Work). Honestly, the first thing that pulled me in was the flexibility of having an all-online forum. That, coupled with my long-standing desire to be a Trojan and USC's rank of one of the top THREE schools for Social Work. It seemed like an all around good situation. So I wrote my entrance essay, and submitted my application...and was accepted!

I ordered my books online (sorry budget), and started browsing the Virtual Classroom. It is the craziest, most innovative education platform I've ever seen! This program has "live" classroom time (webcam and phone needed), study groups online, a library system that is ridiculous (if you can't find something within the USC library system they will purchase it for you for free!), mobile apps, 24-hour student support just for the online students, online office hours, technical support, student caucuses (cauci? :) and is RELEVANT to the job market now and society now. I am totally blown away. I sat in front of my computer last night watching all of the orientation videos and I probably said 4-5 times to Patrick, "Wow. This is no NAU." Don't misunderstand-my undergrad at NAU in Music Education was perfect for me then, and was exactly what I needed in my education including the necessary experience that most undergrads don't get. BUT! USC has got it going on. I will say though, all those things come with a very large price tag. But to have the networking that USC offers, the field-experience right here where I live, and this kind of education...long term it will be worth it. Did I mention I will be finished one year from September?! Yeah, pretty amazing.

Now it's crunch time. We're closing on our new house on Friday, moving in Saturday. I start classes the following Tuesday. Phoenix Christian finals and graduation that same week, while I'm unpacking, remodeling and purchasing new kitchen appliances. Oh yeah, and we're singing at church Saturday and Sunday :o) That's how I roll. I like to cram tons of stuff into as small a space of time as possible, lol. Please pray for us in this busy but necessary time. I'm excited for the new things coming up!