To master or not to master

This blog is about two different topics.

First: I have taken to listening to my iPod on the way to work. I get looks because of it because I imagine not many people (adults anyway) listen to a walkman here. I saw a very old woman walking towards me carrying a heavy load, wearing tattered clothes, with a scarf covering her wiry silver hair. She reminded me a bit of my grandmother, and it occurred to me that the iPod was likely more expensive than the money she would see in an entire year.

Why is life so imbalanced? Why do some live on so little when other piss away so much in a day- AN HOUR!?!?

I guess I am socialist at heart, though we all know it only works in theory. People are greedy, and I include myself in that. We always want more. This brings me to my next point.

I have been considering doing my Masters for a long time. I just found out that the school is willing to do more "good" by paying for my masters degree, if I commit to another five years after the completion of my degree. This apparently is negotiable, but half the fee for half the time may be an option.

A friend recently told me he was going to do a degree in Psychology, which made me respect him, since his vocation is something entirely different, but it also made me think of myself and the degrees I have considered in life.

Now we have the Dean of Graceland University here as an advisor and he just gave us all books by a "world renowned psychiatrist" William Glasser. Now I didn't know this man from Adam yesterday but you bet I am going to research him and the online Masters degree at Graceland.

Apparently its 9 credits, so it should be affordable; time wise as well as financially. Apparently his degree combines the disciplines of teaching (classroom management and motivation) with psychology and behavioral issues. I am not too sure but will know more soon. We are talking about doing the first course as a group here with all the teachers and if that is the case, it will count towards my degree should I decide to continue.

I quite enjoyed being a student in the CELTA course this summer so it should be fun and inspiring. And if its paid for, then so much the better.

AND, as for the "Ammunition" issue affiliated with this school, I have decided to look at it this way: If they will fund me to start a recycling programme with the students in VT, then I will have a new found respect for them. I am about to meet with the owner in a few minutes, and I am going to feel him out. I may not mention the specifics to him right now, but rather ask if they would be intersted in funding an environmental project executed by the students.

Who knows, I may reach a greater goal here over and above teaching. I was told before leaving that I would achieve great things here, and that kind of comment fuels me. After all, who am I to prove anyone wrong?