Every once in awhile, I just have to sit back and realize that throwing caution to the wind is really the way to go in life.



Up until my early 20s, I used to master plan every move I made. I’d even have a back up to the backup plan.



But in my mid 20s, I was working at a job where the company was making shady, unethical moves while trying to screw me over in the process. I did something then that forever shook up my personal philosophies on life. I was on a winter vacation in Sun Valley, Idaho, and I sent in my two week’s notice from an Internet café with absolutely no game plan for after the fact. Looking back now, that was the smartest thing I could’ve done because the company started to go under after I left, and I somehow scored another sweet job just weeks after leaving the previous one.



As each year passes, I’m happy to say that I have a deeper belief in the notion that if things are meant to work out they really, truly will; that calculated risks are a good thing, and Karma does indeed kick good things back.



Such is the case when I applied to The Evergreen State College to get my master’s degree in public administration.



I went into that application process with great ambition, but I kept on telling all of my friends that I had absolutely no idea how I was going to pay for two years of schooling amongst all of my other bills — especially the mortgage.



Well, this week I learned that I’ve been approved for financial aid that will cover the first year for all expenses, and very soon I’ll be working with my employer to see how much coverage they are willing to offer.



Best of all, I think I’ve gotten my personal finances to a point of true stability where I might be able to pay for this graduate degree without having to use much of that financial aid.



However, several doubts still remain. How am I going to deal with the fact that I’ll have no social life? I really don’t know if I’ll be able to manage working full time and writing for this fine rag while trying to balance a full load of credits. Once again, I don’t need to have that all figured out now, and regardless of what happens, I can simply adjust, adapt and move forward.



In my younger years I probably would’ve held off on applying to graduate school until I had every penny counted and question answered. But now, in spite of these and several other unanswered questions, I’m so glad that I took this little leap of faith.



I’m dearly looking forward to starting that Evergreen program, becoming a Geoduck, meeting my fellow classmates and professors, getting my hands on the books that I’m stoked to read (I know, I know, I’m a geek), and scoring this education that will hopefully help in developing a brighter future.



So, dear readers, here’s some unsolicited advice:

Believe in yourself, push forward, and let the rest of the pieces fall into place.



Tell me where you like to party at permanentlipstick@hotmail.com.