In this economy, having any job is something to be proud of. However the company I work for does not have any chances for advancement and it does seem like a dead end job when many of the full time positions got consolidated and the redundant employees got demoted. Working part time and living with family cannot go on forever. For the last two years I have became motivated to work on my goal to become an educator for the Social Sciences for the 7^th thru 12^thgrades.

I did not expect to return back to Chaffey College. I graduated in 2001, transferred to UC Riverside and earned a BA in Political Science in 2003. I have flirted with the idea of becoming an educator for a few years, but never did anything about my goal until now. I took most of the tests needed in order to be eligible to enter a teacher preparation program, but each school I wanted to attend had its own criteria for admission. One school wanted me to have previous experience working with children while most programs that focus on this aspect already want people already experienced so there was no way I was going to get my foot in the door, while the school I eventually considered said what I have done is great, but I still needed more classes in order to be eligible for admission.

I was eager to start as soon as possible, however with five classes needed to finish I was in a state of panic and realized that the place I began my higher education would be the place where I could complete my goals and transfer so I could finally make good use from my education from Chaffey College and UC Riverside. It was way past the registration date to get several classes to sign up for, but something did catch my eye when I saw an advertisement for Fast Track classes were added that semester and I raced to get admitted into one of them so I could get ready for completing my goal. Sociology was my first class and I did have some minor issues in juggling work and school at the same time. Sadly there was no online classes to take advantage of where I could work my assignments at my own time, but my employer ignored my schedule change the first week and I was worried that I was going to be dropped from class. With this unfortunate economy we are all suffering its effects and I was worried that I was going to lose my seat due to not showing up. However I was one lucky individual because my instructor had to go to the hospital on the first day and there was no worry about being dropped from the roll sheet. Then after talking to the corporate office of my company they fixed my schedule for the week ahead and things did go smoothly.

It may be odd for some students and some instructors to see someone seasoned in their classes, but during my Sociology class I ended up helping to lead study sessions for my classmates and even gave advice on how to write proper research papers such as how to find sources and how to begin a paper with a thesis statement. In my World History class I was complimented on the perspectives I provided during class discussions on the various topics we studied in class.

I thought taking these five classes was going to be redundant, but personally I learned more from these classes that would help me do better in my future studies academically and professionally. Right now I am working on my final class in order to transfer to Western Governor’s University, and I am using my experience and wisdom to help me through the finish line. I was basically a C student when I was at Chaffey a decade ago, but my grades have turned for the better in the last year where I have earned A and A minus grades mainly. Education is indeed a terrible thing to waste, when I was a student a decade ago I did not take school as seriously as I have done today. With higher tuition and lack of seats it has driven me to succeed at the first moment so I do not end up prolonging my journey any longer.

However just like my part time job and my experiences at the dentist, I will traverse my struggles. Instead of the dentist costing me over 990, I expect this year’s expenditures to be half as much due to improved dental habits. Its sad that my poor dental habits in the past could of paid for half my student loan or a trip to England.

I am ready to roll and the journey is only beginning. Because I eagerly want to transfer to WGU and start my teaching credential program by July. I previously wrote a column criticizing some of the most infamous instructors at Chaffey College, if I only had a different instructor for US History I would have been starting the program for my Social Science teaching credential next month. It just makes me wish for the sentiment that if I have my own classroom, I want to be fair to my students and not fail people just to get my kicks. 

I am hoping to finally enter Western Governor’s University so I can hopefully earn that secondary social science teaching credential. I have one class left to complete.

I am hoping to get my nomination signatures for State Assembly in the 52nd Assembly District which used to be the 61st.

I would love to have an instant successful life, but if you want those glittering prizes you have to fight and persevere through the obstacles we face.

School was average, got a A- or B+ in Geography class about world regions and a B- in World History after 1500, last class this Spring so I can transfer to Western Governor’s University. Also I am hoping there will be a tutoring vacancy at Chaffey College’s success center so I can help students on Political Science.

I donated some money to Ron Paul’s campaign. I may not agree with him entirely, but he is one of the best front runners, I was warm to Jon Huntsman, but he was for intervention in Iran and that removed him from primary consideration.

Expect Road Runner Standard in the Los Angeles area to cost us now $52.99 from $50.99, when will these price increases end? We cant absorb this much longer. However if they don’t cap data for the time being to a fair use standard then the price suggested for their service is still a good deal.

I was hoping to get a laptop since I returned to school to hopefully get my credential eventually so I could become a school teacher.

However with the parking lot crowded and people crowding the parking lot surrounding Best Buy, it was hard to make a decision on what to buy. I also had some tween girls going on Facebook, but if it is the most crowded time in the store web browsing should be quick and short so customers can investigate products so people can actually BUY stuff.

Also I noticed when I was looking at the screen while trying to get an opportunity to check to see if the pc was worth buying. The 11 or 12 year old girl was faking she was 21 to get on Facebook, I hope no expecting guys think she’s legal due to her status information on her profile page. I tried to tell the tween and her friends that I will report her to Facebook to kill her account if she doesn’t let me use the pc due to breaking Facebook regulations. But even if they vanished from that pc, and I bought that laptop waiting in line in that zoo was a bad idea. I saved a hundred dollars just buying elsewhere. (Parents, please monitor your child’s online activity and even if you do not give them online access. Check their names to see if they signed up without your permission.)

Best Buy was not a fun visit, I ended up picking up this at the Microsoft Store. I hope it turns out to be a good laptop. It may not have the good gaming graphics. However it can play most of the indie games on Steam and Final Fantasy 11.

I wish there was something well done for the people who do not want to utilize computers to find out what is the right Medicare combination that would fit them well.

I know the Wiley Company has one about Medicare Part D, but maybe a Medicare for Dummies that covers the spectrum of Medicare plans might be a good idea. Pack the book with an interactive program people can fire up on their mac or pc made with Adobe AIR and we could get something that might sell big copies since many baby boomers are entering the system and would help make it better for those individuals.

Common questions should be answered such as:

If I am currently working, do I still need to sign up?

What do Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) offer and how do they differ from each other?

Will I owe any extra money if I am still working if I enroll for Medicare Part A, while I am still working?

Working on getting US History post 1865 enrolled again is going to be a fun challenge, I could either CLEP it or take it at Riverside Community College’s summer session. I want to make sure I start my credentialing program at Western Governor’s University by March at the latest.

The positive thing I would like to state is at least I am working on future progress, it may not be immediate. However it is getting there.

Also I did get some criticism for eating at Subway due to their sponsorship of Michael Vick. Problem is its not my personal choice to eat there, my sister drags me there. Anyways just like how people pay carbon offsets, I guess I could donate to an animal shelter or a rescue to make up for that. However Subway is not endorsing him per say, but the award in the BET awards was sponsored by them in general.

My other website is here, its my future political website. I am pondering my options and will make a formal announcement if I get the right connections to make political realities come true.

My sister was noted on the Unclaimed Property search site for 39 cents owed to her. But for her to get the money back she has to mail a form which costs more money than that unclaimed money, how about my sister could give it back to the state and she can take that 39 cents off her taxes. How about making a regulation that states that any unclaimed money under the current cost of a stamp  can be taken care of without a signature towards credit off taxes.

I would like to see my state senator and member of the board of equalization to consider legislation on this issue.

Best,
Matt Munson
Ontario California