eyes on the prize

Eye on the prize It was an enthusiastic decision I made, going back to school. Fall term, 2013, I ventured back to Mount Hood Community College to finish my business transfer degree. It was a familiar place, in its structure and appearance, but the energy I had to be there made it seem so much more exciting than my past experience. I had taken a couple terms at this school before, but I found myself completely uninterested. I needed a break from school. The last 13 years of my life I spent in a classroom, behind a desk, with #2 pencils and homework and teachers. I made the decision to take a little time for myself by working instead of studying. This would give me a chance to save a decent chunk of change, actually have some free time and relax my life a bit. I got a job working at a restaurant close to my house. The schedule was flexible and the money was fast and easy. I was exactly what I needed. I was working the night shift, four days a week at a local Old Chicago, a pizza place I loved and ate at frequently. My shifts would begin around 4:00 in the evening and I would be off anytime between 8:00 and 10:00 at night. This was perfect, in my case at least, for I am not a morning person. My schedule gave me the chance to sleep in and wake up naturally, instead of using a pesky alarm clock. While also giving me enough time before and after work to do all those other things I needed to do. House hold chores, eating, and don’t forget fun things like hanging with my friends, playing sports or catching a late movie. My life was feeling very rich and well balanced. I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted, with that in return, I wasn’t doing that main thing I sought out to do. Save money. After a year or so, I started taking notice of my friends and peers and the accomplishments they were making. One was starting his own company, the other buying a house. Why didn’t I have that money saved up to buy my house? I didn’t have money saved up at all; in fact it was