Getting Back to It

The season of loss continues, but the world doesn’t stop. I mourn, I handle what needs to be handled for court, I go to therapy, and I try to find time to do the things I need to do and balance those with the things I want to do. My nana’s idea that Creator intended for me to be someone that helps others—either directly or to teach them something—is starting to make more sense to me, though I’m not sure I could make sense of my thoughts enough to explain it. But I want to put myself first, even if time does not allow for it as often as would be typical. Right now, that looks like continuing my education.

I’m skipping over statistics again this semester because I don’t want the added stress. I’ve found that it’s much harder to be an online student when you already struggle to learn certain topics in person. For me, math is that topic. Hopefully I can audit our course so I can make an informed decision on whether I’ll be able to understand and keep up, or if I should do the course in person and have the credits transferred. Most of my courses are upper-level courses this semester: American History I+; HR Management; History of Native American Activism; and Tribal Corporations, Economic Development, and Taxation (and possibly a fifth course, but I’m hoping to settle the need for that before the semester starts).

Despite the load compared to previous semesters, I have a great set of instructors and know I have a lot of good learning to look forward to. Having the opportunity to learn about Native topics from intelligent instructors is nice, but when those intelligent instructors are also Native? Amazing. Choosing a TCU has turned out to be the best decision I could have made for myself because that type of environment is often indescribable to me. Amazing doesn’t quite cut it. But I know that through my education at a TCU, I’ve constantly been given opportunities to help others either directly or when what I’m learning becomes something that can benefit others.

I’ve also been working on some writing as well, using things that I wrote in previous courses, such as Primarily Creative Writing and Native American Literature. Earlier this month I submitted a manuscript for a poetry chapbook contest with the hopes of being published, but I have also been putting time into workbooks and academic writings. As a Native student who frequently writes on Native topics, I’ve seen the need for more resources and so I hope to compile all my academic writings into one volume so that other students might benefit from having that resource.

Focusing on my education and what branches from it is providing me with a very good sense of structure right now, but it’s also very exciting to think of what the future can hold! And I have to say, the heat is wearing me out so I’m fully ready to get this semester started knowing winter weather will be on the way.

Halito, holisso apisa!