I’ve been thinking since I talked to Nikki on Monday. We talked about school, and how she goes to Southern. She’s an English major there, and highly recommended the department. So it got me thinking.

I went online and looked at their programs, and they have a concentration in Creative Writing. It would probably be easy to transfer, too, since some of the requirements look the same as some of the classes I’ve taken at NVCC. New Haven is only thirty minutes away (I’d have to leave early, knowing my habits of perpetual lateness) and I could still live at home. I could probably get financial aid–see if FAFSA will still hook me up–and I could keep my job and still work part time.

Of course, that kills the plans of moving into my own place. And I’d have to have a reliable car if I’m going to be driving that far every day.

I was going to use the leftovers from this year’s FAFSA grant and buy that reliable car. If I want to go to Southern, I should get started as soon as possible–like, the spring semester. There goes that car. I could still save up for said car, but there goes any trips or the possibility of an apartment. Poof. Gone.

But Creative Writing. I would be going to school to read and write. What in the world could be better than that? (An apartment.) Besides, this gives me something to focus on after I have my Associate’s. I still have something to do. It won’t actually be like school, because I’ll be taking classes on how to write novels, short stories, plays and poetry. (Unless they make me take more math or some kind of science. BLEGH.)

Did I mention they have a literary magazine? NVCC has the once-a-year Fresh Ink. (I’m not too modest to admit that I won this year’s writing contest. “Moon Prayer” was published and won first place.) I could be on the staff for Folio and work at getting stuff published.

I love web design, but the more I think about it I want my full-time career to be in writing. Sure, web design will make a great side business. I can do both. I can do anything I want.

For the first time, I’m actually sure about something. I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me! I was really stressed out about this. Now I’m going to call Southern when I get home from work and talk with them about their Creative Writing program and transferring in the spring. I can save up for a better car between now and then, and the rest of this year’s FAFSA can go to the spring semester.

I think I’m going to cry, I’m so relieved.