This is going to be a good year
Feb. 1, 2010

Happy New Year! It officially is the year 2010, and I swear every year that passes seems to pass just a little faster than the last one. But nonetheless here we are again after another break that just seemed too short. It amazes me that this is already the start of my fourth semester. However, the way I see it, I’m just getting that much closer to my goals and dreams. Hopefully this year will bring good luck and fortune. Something tells me this year is going to be a good year.

Within the last semester to the present I have moved to the north side of Chicago, started a new position at my workplace and am falling into a nice groove of living life to the fullest. Sure the commute is pretty lengthy, but I believe it’s definitely worth it. I have always celebrated the fact that I know Moraine provides me the best opportunity to push forward and succeed. I know that distance really shouldn’t be an obstacle for my education. So I will not let it be. I started at Moraine and I plan on finishing this half of my education at Moraine. So here is to the adventure that awaits.

Moraine’s Amazing Staff
Nov. 18, 2009

Two and a half weeks ago, life, school and work seemed to be working in perfect harmony. I set aside a schedule in which I could attribute some amount of time to each in order to maximize my success. However, as unpredictable as life can be at times, I was thrown a curve ball. Nothing that would be life threatening or altering; I don’t want to give you that idea. But, just enough change to throw a wrench in my own personal harmony.

A couple of visits to the hospital and my ankle in a walking boot later, I found myself, for the first time, falling behind in my classes; not an ideal spot to be in the middle to late in the semester. I emailed my professors and to no surprise of my own, they were great. They completely understood the situation that I was in. While I was at home on doctor’s orders, they emailed me any and all work that would help occupy my newly found free time. I was able to catch up and kept my falling behind to a minimum.

I’ve said it before and this just solidifies it, “The staff here at Moraine is amazing!” They rose to an occasion when I needed their help, as I’m sure they have done for other students a million times before. It just goes to show that they are dedicated to helping everyone at Moraine succeed. Moraine proves to me time and time again, although it was by chance I ended up here, I couldn’t have asked for more.

School Mode
Sept. 25, 2009

The days are flying by this semester. Hard to believe that it’s week 5 already. Nonetheless, I’m here plugging away: working, studying, reading, working and studying some more. So now that the wheels in my brain are in full motion after a not-so-summer vacation, I have successfully shifted my brain back into “school mode.”

I remember when I used to hate “school mode”: the homework, the quiz, the pop quiz, the test, the exam and the FINAL. I used to believe these were forms of torture in some countries. Up all night writing, reading and studying for a subject you had no interest in. I felt it to be a waste of time in the grand scheme of things. If I knew then what I know now; I was not, am not, the only one. In fact I would be comfortable in saying that the majority of students have felt or feel this way. Why is that? I attest the easy “A” is the reason. We all want it. We all dream about it but we just don’t want to have to do any work for it. Not that we won’t work for it, but wouldn’t it be nice to just sit there and get an “A” just for showing up?

Today I have a new “school mode.” A mode that is more responsible, disciplined and focused. A mode that is not looking for the easy “A,” but would rather earn that “A.” I don’t know why my way of thinking has shifted. Maybe it is my age or the Marine Corps that has changed my way of thought. But I do know from experience that when you reach your goal, not only do you actually gain that knowledge, but you feel more gratified having actually earned it.

Here is to everyone who is shooting for and earning that “A.” Keep up the good work.

Where does the summer go?
Aug. 4, 2009

That’s the question I’m asking myself right now. Year in and year out, doesn’t it feel as though summer is the one season that just seems to go by too quickly? With summer already winding down and school fast approaching, I ask where did the summer go? The summer plays the perfect role of, The Passerby. Driving by with its big warm yellow smile only to honk its horn, wave and drive off with fall close behind it. Every year that passes, the summer seems to be shorter. I long for those days to be young again; not have to worry about work, just outside playing with friends, family and actually soaking in the summer sun. I can’t help but love the block parties, backyard barbeques, family reunions, bike riding and swimming at the beach. Summer is my time to let loose and put the worries aside just for a little while.

So with only one month left for summer fun, I would have to say that I had a great summer so far. It’s now time to make the preparation and get in the mind set of starting school again. I notice now this can be a daunting task to try and switch gears. However, for my future it has to be done, it can be done, and it will be done. Working full-time and going to school full-time was no picnic last semester, but I know many students at Moraine, much like myself, do it every year. It boils down to your desire, the fire that burns inside that says you want more in life than what you have. Sure it can get difficult juggling life, school and work all on a full-time basis. The way I see it, at the end of the tunnel is a reward so worth the trials and tribulations you have to go through. So now it’s time to buckle your seatbelts, hands and arms remain inside the car, because at the end of this ride, much like any rollercoaster, it will be worth the wait in line.

Enjoy the rest of your summer.

School, work and life in general
June 27, 2009

Michael Jackson passed away the other day and it just helped solidify the age-old cliché, “Life is too short.” Even at times where things may seem too busy, we need time to reflect and enjoy this gift we have in front of us: the gift of living. The reality is we only have ONE life. Take advantage of that gift and live it the best way you can.

Speaking of life, mine has been extremely busy lately. Not that it’s a bad thing. I have transferred departments at work and am loving my new position. Although at times I’m working more than my share, I can’t help but love the overtime pay. It also has helped me appreciate the day that I do have off during the week just a little more, especially now that the summer seems to be doing what it was created to do and have people enjoy it.

Summer has finally arrived and for a second I thought it wasn’t going to come at all. It went from one week of being in the fifties and sixties to high eighties and nineties. Go figure. That’s Chicago for you. I can’t help but love this city and the weather right now. It is definitely something to appreciate as well. I’ve taken the summer off from school as I need to recharge my batteries and get pumped up for the fall semester. I’m looking forward to the rest of the summer and I have to get my classes in line for the fall soon before there’s nothing left. So until then I will keep doing what I have been doing so far this summer; enjoying life.

Life is precious... life is short… too short... although at times this seems clear and evident, we tend to forget or even neglect how much our lives really mean. Why is it we tend to only remember this when something tragic happens? Live your life like there’s no tomorrow. Live it with love, joy, hope and faith... I promise the rest will follow.

My road to Moraine
May 10, 2009

My name is Nicholas Garcia. I’m a 27-year-old Marine Corps veteran returning to school for the first time in nearly a decade. I’m a born- and-raised Chicago northsider (also spent some time growing up in Kenosha, WI) who now resides in Tinley Park. Even though it seems at times that I am in Sox country, I’m never ashamed to chant, “Go, Cubs, Go!” I am an absolute sports nut: football, baseball, basketball and hockey are all professional sports I follow religiously. No fair-weather fan exists here, only Chicago teams all the time. I like to write, but I don’t want to be a writer. However, I’m looking to major in elementary education. I feel that shaping the minds of our youth is a very important task that by no means can be overlooked. These future generations are exactly that—our future. I believe they need positive role models instead of the ones they see on TV. I guess to understand the type of person I am, you really have to understand where I came from.

I graduated from high school in 1999 not really knowing what direction to take my life. In living the myth of modern day living, I believed that college was the only way to go. I mean everyone else seemed to be doing it, so should I, right? I applied and was accepted to the University of Wisconsin. Congratulations to me. Now what? At that time in my life, I was always fascinated with police work. I believed the major I was going to pursue should ride along with what I felt I wanted to do. Criminal Justice seemed too perfect. Two weeks of solid studying and hard work, then I stopped going. I got involved with the university party life. Partying all night and sleeping all day was my lifestyle. I’m sure you could safely guess that I didn’t succeed at my first semester and dropped out. I found myself asking the same question, “Now what?” I needed to do something in my life that didn’t involve sitting around and doing nothing.

I found out after my first semi-semester that I really didn’t know who I was but I needed to find this out in order to succeed. That’s when I started working odd jobs: collections, working at a video store and even movie theater management. Working the typical 9-5 p.m. shift with no real days off and rarely a weekend off, I found that I was underpaid and overworked. This was not the life I dreamed about growing up. I was still interested in law enforcement but knew I didn’t possess the discipline to go back to college. What could I do that was similar? That was when I decided to join the Marine Corps.

October of 2000, I walked into what I thought to be a sure thing. I get a roof over my head, food in my stomach and my medical and dental expenses covered. I rest assured knowing that a conflict had just happened 10 years ago during the Gulf War and had no reason to worry. We all know what happened next... 9/11. The worst day in our nation’s history made my involvement in the Marine Corps a reality. I was going to war. Ten exotic countries and two tours of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom later, I knew that staying in the service was not for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a Marine. It runs deep into the person I am today. I just have other dreams I wish to fulfill. I want to start a family and live with them, not having to go on deployment every other year leaving them behind. Semper Fidelis, or always faithful, was more of a lifestyle than just a Marine Corps motto. I had to choose being faithful between the Corps or my future family, I chose family. After my four years inside the lean-mean-fighting-machine, I chose to continue my dream of law enforcement.

In October 2005, I graduated as one of the top recruits in my law enforcement class. I attribute that success to the Marines. I could definitely see the change of discipline I now have as opposed to that of when I was 18. However, my dream of being a police officer was shortlived. I decided that this wasn’t the life I wanted to live either. I was stuck and in a rut once again not knowing what my “calling” was. I knew that I wanted to help people and after working as a youth football coach, it hit me. I knew what I wanted to do, become a teacher. I loved working with kids and I loved teaching them new things. It was only logical what my real passion was. I was meant to be a teacher. I managed to find excuse after excuse not to go back to college. “I was too old” or “I will do it next semester” seemed to be the default answers I would run to when asked, “Why don’t you go back to school?” With the help and some encouragement from a loved one, I decided to take that first difficult step, that first step of returning to school.

I must admit, I really didn’t know anything about Moraine prior to coming here. I only knew that I didn’t want to jump into the university life in fear of history repeating itself. Moraine just seemed to be close to where I lived and was affordable. What I found was something more than I bargained for. Great class selection, the small classrooms seemed to be a huge plus and not to mention that the staff has been more than friendly and helpful in my transition. After finishing my first “real” college semester, I no longer had the fear that I would not succeed. Moraine has provided me with the tools and the teaching that I know will be beneficial in my pursuit of an education degree. I know that it sounds generic and too good to be true. I thought so myself, but it is true. After my shortlived knowledge of life experiences, I know this is where my true beginning takes place. I’m excited about the journey ahead.