Something Creative

13 Jun Something Creative

It’s 5 ½ days before graduation I feel like a 17 year old, senior ready to cross the threshold. I look happily at the journey, anxious and overwhelmed by the load, yet I try to stay focused. I went to Codetalk today and totally had a frustrating day. I allowed my need for precision and perfection to blind my ability to create. By the time the clock struck 1pm, I was ready to run out of the door. I finally returned home only to swirl around the thoughts of graduation next Wednesday.

After the final wishes, I’ll hit the freeway on my 2-wheels and ride all the way out to Gary, Indiana. Free to move about in the wind! However, before I can even make it to that point, I need to revamp 5 projects, create 3 versions of my resume and cover letter, submit 5 more applications, update my Linked In profile, debug any code that needs attention while updating my readme’s on Github, and finally, make sure that all of the above is connected to my digital portfolio that I need to build out. All of a sudden 138 hours doesn’t seem like much time.

So I finally made it home after coding academy, and I walk through the door, only for my computer to be staring at me. It stared as if to say, “Come use me!” So instead of doing the suggested, I made up things to do; like wash the dishes that I avoided since yesterday, picked up my son’s toys that I’m always adamant he puts away himself, and even took out the trash! Then I came back to reality after a breeze of fresh air and said, “Ok, it’s time to show up!” So I sat down at my computer and created my work environment. I opened a tab for Gmail, logged into my Github, opened my Google Drive and finally logged into Canvas! Here I would see the gaps that needed filling so why not start with what would get the momentum flowing!

“Great! There’s a blog due that needs to get done, that should be fairly easy! Let’s see what the topic is!” That’s what I thought to myself as I opened the assignment. I read down the page only to read, “Write something! Get creative. 200 – 500 words.” My initial thought was,”Share the journey!” The universe was divine because instantly, I felt my mind’s freedom. In another moment where I was almost derailed for another hour, I came across a reason to create. Codetalk has taught me a lot about myself in the last 15 weeks and I am forever grateful for the lessons I have learned and the resources that have been shared. Not only have I learned invaluable skills such as coding HTML and CSS, I have learned how to set up a professional work environment that will allow me to be successful no matter where I travel in the country. I received an Ivy League coding academy education worth $25,000 for FREE.

Well, not completely free. I traded off time, my ego, my steal walls, and my past in order to pay my way through this coding academy. Looking back now, I think the price should’ve more than what I was asked for. The best lesson I take from my journey is that a person is never too old to learn or turn over a new leaf, and sometimes life gives your tragic endings so you can appreciate the beautiful beginnings to come. Codetalk was my beautiful beginning and now I stand confident that I can display a skill set worth presenting the world. I thank the staff (Dawn, Kimberly, Nicole, Rachel, and Sharon), my classmates, and the additional staff (Jessica) that lent me never-ending support and guidance. I can only hope that my digital portfolio is displays enough time and effort to show the level of my gratitude and persistence all the way until the end! <3 Codetalk 19-1 <3