No more teachers, no more books!

At least until August.  :)

Like I said in my previous post, even though I'm graduating next month with my Associate of Arts, I'll be right back for the fall semester to pursue my Bachelor's in Radiologic Technology.  This semester has been the hardest for me because since I returned to school in 2010, this was my first time as a full-time student.  I wish with everything in my heart and soul that I could just go to school full-time each semester and not work.  I've been in college now for three years and I have at least two more years before I can apply for clinical part of my degree.  If I quit working, however, I'd have to rely on E (that's what I call my boyfriend for short) 100% financially and I refuse to do so.  I've learned over the years to NOT rely on anyone for anything.  I don't mean any negative connotations with that, either.  It's fine to rely on others for emotional support, but as far as financially and educationally....no.  I am my own person who is capable of earning her own wages and earning her own stable education.  I don't want anything ever given to me.  I see so many people now who rely on others for EVERYTHING and it sickens me. 

Thankfully, my mother and my BESTEST FRIEND EVER (who I'll tell you more about later and I'm ashamed of the fact I haven't already mentioned her because she's the BEST!) have always encouraged me to stand on my own two feet and to do for myself.  I will never be able to thank them enough for that, because over the years, it has stood true. 

This past semester, I took courses in American Literature, Sociology, Music Appreciation, and part two of my French language requirement.  The American Lit was for the minor that I'm pursuing, but the other classes were all part of my general education requirements.  What really turned me towards the English minor was my English class last semester that was part of my general education requirement.  I had the most AWESOME teacher, and he woke up the love of literature and the English language that I'd forgotten existed.  I figured it's better (for me) to minor in English rather than major in it because I don't want to be a teacher and I really don't have any career desires as far as writing goes. 

So today officially begins my summer break (if that's what you wanna call it).  Just working full-time and TRYING to save some money so I can spend it on textbooks and other school-related expenses.  Ah, the life of a college student.  I know the rewards are great, but it seems like the journey lasts forever.

Now it's time to brag on my best friend.  Her name is Melanie and I gotta tell you...God hand-picked her for me!  If there was someone who I could call my sister without being related to her, it would be this woman.  We knew each throughout elementary and middle school but didn't really become friends until our freshman year of high school.

This is her and I back in 2002 getting ready to go to an Aerosmith concert.  She knows me better than I know myself, always knows how to make me laugh, pick up my spirits, and encourage me with just the right things to say because more than likely, she's been through it as well.  She is one of the ONLY people from school that kept in touch with me when I got pregnant and never left my side.  Even though we're not biologically related, I consider her my sister and am forever grateful and proud to call her my friend.  She moved a few years ago a couple hours away but each time we talk, it's as though there is no distance between us.

It's so true.  I really do have the BEST best friend!

Allow me to introduce myself...

This will probably be a rather long post.  I am a talker (even though I know this isn't technically "talking") and sometimes I don't know when to stop.

As I said before, my name is Alane.  I was born and raised in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, a small city about twenty minutes from New Orleans.  And just because I'm from the NOLA area does NOT mean I go there and party.  I'm actually a homebody who spends most weekends cooking, cleaning, and being entertained by my wild neighbors.

I was the person who always said they would never have a child.  But nine years ago on Saint Patrick's Day I found I was pregnant and had just started my second semester of college.  Here I was young, naive, and unprepared to take on life for myself and I was going to bring another life in the world.  I was petrified.  Thankfully I had (AND STILL DO, THANK GOD!) the support of her dad, my family, and his family.  Her name is Abigail Josephine Dykes and I wouldn't trade her for the world.  I see so much of myself in her and she is the reason I wake up every day, go to school, and do what I do.  I want to show her that you can do anything you want as long as you are passionate about it and work hard for it.

This is an older picture of her, but I just LOVE it.  She is such a doll!  I know every parent brags on their kids, but I feel Abigail has earned every bit of bragging.  She hasn't had a "typical" childhood.  When she was born, she had a large red mark on her left thigh.  The doctors said it was a hemangioma, a type of birthmark that would go away as she got older and shouldn't give her any problems.  SHOULDN'T.  They gave us a referral to a dermatologist at Children's Hospital in New Orleans just to check things out.  They couldn't have been farther from the truth.  They did a biopsy of her leg and found out this wasn't just ANY red mark.  This is Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma (KHE).  It is a VERY RARE benign tumor that traps blood platelets.  It's not cancerous, but they ultimately treated her with two eight week treatments of chemotherapy when she was two years old.  She had the best group of doctors EVER that did ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING they could for her.  Thankfully now she goes to CHNOLA (Children's Hospital New Orleans) annually for blood tests and everything is fine now.  But yeah...that's why I feel she deserves EXTRA BRAGGING RIGHTS.

I have a pretty awesome boyfriend/baby daddy/fiance' too.  His name is Emmett and we have been together since the end of my sophomore year in high school, so this year makes twelve years together.  Without him, I wouldn't have Abigail and wouldn't have somebody to keep me on my toes, to make me laugh, and be my rock.  We will get married, but I'd rather get done ultimately with school before I start planning a wedding and he loves and respects me for it.  

Another older picture, from about two years ago.  I'm BAD about keeping pictures!  :(

But a little more about me...I attend Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans.  Small college, close to home, and awesome people and teachers there.  I couldn't ask for a better school to go to.  I am excited to say that I'll be graduating on May 19 with my Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts.  Don't laugh, I'm not gonna be a Liberal Arts major working at a burger joint.  I am returning to OLHCC in the fall to major in Radiologic Technology and minor in English.  I go to school part time and work 3/4 of the time at an AWESOME company named Belle Chasse Marine.  I've been there for almost seven years now and I really couldn't ask for a better place to work at.  They worked out my schedule for me while Abby was going through chemo and they're allowing me to work flexible hours so that I may go to school.  I have made some awesome friends there and I'll be so sad when I leave when I'm REALLY done with school.


One more member of my family that I must mention in the most recent addition.  Her name is Lola Belle.  She is almost a year old and is like a second child to me.  She has filled all the voids we've had in our life and brings such joy and happiness to our family.

We adopted her from a local rescue named Puppy Power Rescue.  We think she is a mix of beagle and Jack Russell terrier.  Whatever she is, we love her with all our hearts!

I guess I will stop here because it's taken me three days just to write what I have here!  :)  I know I have plenty of opportunities to write more and I promise to be good and write on a regular basis.

I'd like to end with a nice quote that I think describes me well...