Week in Florida

So I have spent the last 6 days in Clearwater Beach, Florida.  Before you start to complain that I got to spend part of February in Florida, look at the weather reports for the last 6 days.  I was lucky if the temp reach 60. I did not pack for the weather.  Regardless of the crapy weather I have a very good 6 days.

I am actually here on business at a NACADA conference; or at least I though it was a conference.  Silly me, I actually had "homework" to complete.  The symposium was actually on two subjects, student retention and Advising administration.  I am actually returning to Joint-Base Lewis McChord with some action plans to implement.  My main goal is to develop a relationship with the advisors at FSC.  Let's see if I still have a job in six months. :)

Another bonus for this trip is that I actually got a chance to talk to an admissions advisor for the Grad program program I want to start.  I asked about the admissions test, undergrad GPA and the program in general.  There is a way to start with out taking the test and without my GPA be reviewed; I can start with the certificate and then transfer right over to the Masters.  The only downside is that is that based on Financial Aid rules you can not utilize FA for a certificate, only a degree.  So the certificate is 15 credit hours of course work at $338 a credit so about $5000 for the certificate.  So now the decision I have to make is do I take the MAT and see if I can get admitted directly into the Grad program or do I start out at the certificate level and pay out of pocket.

I am tired of decisions; but then what would life be without decisions.

Florida

So my trip to Florida has been extremely uneventful (Knock on Wood!!!)  Both my flights left on time, my rental car was waiting and my hotel room was waiting for me.

That's not to say there weren't some odd run-ins through out the day.  The first odd moment of the day was when I was waiting for my flight to board in SeaTac.  Because of all the bad weather on the east coast my flight was over booked, and AA was offering a $250 voucher and a connection through Chicago.  Seriously, Chicago!!!!  Yes let me give up  my perfectly good seat to hope I can get out of Chicago.  NO THANK YOU!!!!

The only other memorable moment was as I was boarding my second flight.  I am walking through first class and all I hear is a dog barking.  Not a cute little purse dog but a full fledged woof woof.  I couldn't help but laugh.  You spent all that money for a first class seat and you get to hear a dog park the whole two hour flight.  :)

I checked in for my rental car and I got a 2010 Heavenly blue VW Beetle.  I actually like that little car.  It was fun to drive and it is very girly.  The blue is almost an exact match to Tiffany Blue, and I like my Tiffanie's.  Then I get to my hold room and I have a balcony and a view of the gulf coast.  I can't wait for tomorrow night and have a glass of wine while sitting and looking at the water.  I'll post pictures.

Tomorrow start's the conference and there will a sign up sheet for different dinners.  I think I will actually participate.  I'm not going to make contacts if I hide in my room.