A lot of good things are happening for me, however

[Tobin S.]

the past four months have been one of the most challenging periods of time for me in my life. Between work and school, the work load has been starting to get to me. I've been going to school part time and working 50-55 hours a week since May of 2012. I took three classes this semester: commercial law, intro to managerial accounting, and economic statistics. Several people have told me they remember statistics being one of the hardest classes they took as an undergraduate. I find accounting harder than statistics. I probably spent an average of 12 hours a week just on that accounting class.

I have two more finals to take within the next week and I'll be off from school until January 13th. I really need this break. I post so infrequently now days that I doubt anyone has noticed, but if I've sounded out of character here recently the mounting stress is probably why. But I am starting to feel better. I'm going to take a sanity break today and have some beer and tacos and hang out with you guys. May the force be with you.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I have so much respect for what you're doing, my dear Tobin...

I have noticed that we don't see you until the weekends, but I sure understand!

You do not sound out of character, not one bit. Your posts are always interesting and full of good thoughts.

Hang in there! It will all be worth it.

[Tobin S.]

2. Thanks, Peggy.

I appreciate the encouragement and the compliment.

I'm really going to get it done this time. This is my third attempt at college and by far the most successful.

[elleng]

3. May the force be with YOU, Tobin,

WE surely are!

[Tobin S.]

4. Thanks, ellen!

It's good to see you this afternoon. I hope all is well there.

[elleng]

5. Things here are fine, thanks.

For diversion, check out my pics in Photography Group!

[Tobin S.]

6. 10-4. I'll check it out. n/t

[RebelOne]

7. I know it is tough now, but it will finally pay off, Tobin.

Enjoy your holiday and don't even think about school until next year.

[Tobin S.]

9. I've got my eye on the prize.

[femmocrat]

8. Good luck on your finals, Tobin!

That break is going to feel great!

I never had to struggle through any of those courses, but just thinking about them makes my hair hurt! Just those three courses would be a full-time endeavor..... plus you are working long hours! No wonder you sound stressed out!

Good to see you whenever you can make it!

[Tobin S.]

10. Thank you!

It's good to see you, too.

[Demoiselle]

11. All the best, Tobin, and have a beautiful rest...

[Tobin S.]

12. Thanks

Just the idea that I've made it through another semester is giving me a boost.

[Lars39]

13. You have a whole lot of people rooting for you, Tobin.

You've set yourself a tough schedule, but you're doing beautifully.

[Tobin S.]

14. Thank you very much. That means a lot to me.

I'm feeling the crunch of time. If I can keep going at my current pace, I'll graduate in the summer of 2015...then I'll be competing with a bunch of people half my age.

[Lars39]

15. No matter how long it takes we'll be popping the bubbly in your honor.

[MiddleFingerMom]

16. I am extremely proud to call you my friend, my friend.

.
.
.
You have fought your way through some extremely challenging obstacles (never quite sure that
you COULD, but you DID). Now you have a chance to lick your wounds, rest your muscles until
you have to move on to the next challenges AND you have another important weapon in your
arsenal -- you can look ahead and say "I can't do this" -- then you can look behind you at all
that you HAVE accomplished and say "Hell, I went through all THAT pressure, I can without a
doubt handle the challenges in front of me now".
.
It will be tough but you are tougher.
.
.
.
Much tougher.
.
.
And someone will ALWAYS be here for you to put your arm over their shoulders if and when
you feel you need more help.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Hell, Tobin... you can do this. Just look at what you've done.
.
.
.
I think of you as The Lounge's mythological hero
.
.
.
The BAMHT.
.
.
.

[Tobin S.]

17. Thanks, MFM :)

I've got a big smile on my face right now. The Lounge's mythological hero!

You're a good guy, MFM. I know a lot of people here love you, but I don't know how many of them understand just how good you are.

I don't know if you remember, but I was going to drop out of school in the beginning of my second semester back. I actually tried to drop out electronically over the phone, but the school's automated system was down. That made me have to think about my decision over night and into the next day. That's when I decided I was going to succeed. That's when I decided I was going to do what it takes to make a better life for myself and my family. If it had not been for that fluke of technology, I probably would not be where I am at today.

Strange days indeed. Most peculiar, mama.

I'm not a superstitious person, but if fate and divine intervention existed I might be paying homage to the gods.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

18. Good to hear from you, Tobin.

I am sure you will do just fine on your tests. Enjoy your break. You deserve it.

[Tobin S.]

20. Thank you, Tuesday.

[Locut0s]

19. Congrats on your success Tobin you deserve it!...

Not only deserve but more than earned it working your head off like that! I'm rooting for you, though I know I don't have to! I took a lot of math at university but never a stats course, one day maybe. Do you have any plans for what's going to happen post graduation, job wise I mean?

[Tobin S.]

21. Thank you!

After I graduate, I will seek a better position at my current employer. If they have no need for an accountant or a manager, or if they offer me a position but I think I can do a lot better elsewhere, I'll move on. I'll be trained as a managerial accountant when I graduate and I'd like to put that training and my natural talent for numbers to work in that field. I think I'd be a natural fit in the accounting department of a large trucking company given my background as a trucker.

But I'm going to give my current employer the first crack at me. They have been good to me there and have been fair when I've asked for more money in the past. That's more than a lot of people can say about their employers. So I do feel a sense of loyalty to them.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

22. I can only gape in amazement at your ambition ..

... I'm not sure I could get my lazy self to do all that.

I'm sure you'll do great on the finals.

[a la izquierda]

23. Take a deep breath...

I know how you feel. My first semester as a full-time university professor has totally kicked my ass.