Breathing

Yesterday I got some rough news.

A few months ago, I petitioned to waive a course all education students are required to take.  I did not have the space in my schedule during any of my four semesters at this University to take the course.  There are many reasons for my petition, and I won't bore you with long-winded explanations, but here is the list in bullet form:

• I already have the knowledge and abilities the class is designed to confer
• I am moving three hours away in just two weeks, and the class starts in three (and meets 2x/week)
• I do not have the $1000 I need to take the class
• It is going to hold up my graduation and teaching certification

My petition was denied.  I recently appealed the denial, although it's not much of an appeals process, simply resubmitting the same exact thing (I added a few artifacts, however) to the same exact people who are likely going to say the same exact thing.

Yesterday I talked to the man responsible for making the decision.  He basically told me that there is no way he will agree to waive the class, but did agree to see me in his office next Monday.  This is a man who is too busy to return his own emails or even record his own voicemail greeting.  He actually laughed when I told him I was hoping to graduate this month.  I think it's going to go well...

I did not take this new information very easily.  In fact, I sorta flew off the handle into CrazyVille and dragged Mr. Peaches along with me, freaking out about possibly failing the Praxis along the way.

After we ran some errands and I spoke with my mother, Mr. Peaches, Mr. Holden, and I decided to splurge for some Chipotle and eat it in the park next to the lake we leave near.  We enjoyed our dinner, and then spent three hours playing fetch and staring at the water.

By the time we were ready to leave the park, I was a much calmer human being and I kept thinking about the picture I posted above.  It's NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day, from May 2, 2010, and it is called the Coma Cluster.  According to them, each one of those little lights is an entire galaxy, just like ours.  There are thousands in the picture alone.  The astronomer writes that "the Coma Cluster is so big it takes light millions of years just to go from one side to the other!"  That link is their own link to the interactive version of the photo, and I suggest visiting if you've got the time.

Perspective.