Historical Road Trip

Ch-ch-ch-changes..

2010-09-28T11:54:00.006-05:00

So much has changed since the last time I wrote on here that I don't even know where to begin.

It has been a whirlwind type of year and I am still having a hard time wrapping my head around everything. Last time I wrote I had just taken the GRE and decided that a history PhD program probably wasn't in my best interest. None of that has changed - everything else? Yep.

Spring semester at U.A.B. proved to be my most difficult term yet. The classes were challenging and a number of outside issues prevented me from doing as well as I should. Around the midpoint of the semester the law firm I worked for announced a merger with a larger firm out of New Orleans. The exact day of the merger? The Saturday before finals week. Getting our systems working together and meeting with the new group took up a lot of my time that should have been used for studying. I ended up with 2 B's and 1 A for the term - still over a 3.0 but my worst term here since I started.

In spite of all of the time I spent on the merger, as soon as it was finished I was let go. Not overly surprising since they never would give me a job description but very disappointing in that they did not even see if they could find a spot for me. So like 10% of the U.S. workforce - I was out of work.

The good news to help offset this was at the same time I was meeting with several professors that run different Engineering PhD programs at U.A.B. Shortly after one of these meetings I received a letter from the school letting me know I had been accepted into the 'Interdisciplinary Engineering' PhD program. Sounds impressive right? My MBA GPA combined with my background and my GRE made me an ideal candidate for the program. Dr. Shih has an idea for me to create a computer program that will merge thousands of different MRI images into one 3-D "super image" that can be used for computerized testing and education. Very challenging project but also very interesting.

I started my final semester at U.A.B in August. Just two classes and one of them is an "online" computer course. For the most part the majority of my grades for these two courses will take the form of large group papers. Not exactly my strong point.

So here I am, it is the end of September, I finish the first part of my journey in about 8 weeks and graduate with a Masters degree that I never thought I would get. I am still unemployed and I am having to think seriously that I will not get a chance to begin the PhD. program I have been accepted to. No one in Birmingham is hiring, the PhD does not pay for the first 2 years and there is no way I can envision staying here unless something drastic changes.

So the road in front of me is just as cloudy as ever. Some bright spots? I have a wife and son who love me, I will soon have a M.B.A., I have a kick butt GRE score. With these I can do just about anything. I just have to find the job that will support us, and then find the school that calls to me and begin the next step in the journey.

Wha?!?! What Happened? Where Am I?

2010-01-24T21:48:00.002-06:00

Have you ever been so sure about something you can almost see it happening? So sure you have figured out the endgame that you begin to miss plot points showing you an alternate ending possibility. Well it happened to me. I am going head over heels looking at different education options for a history degree. Checking out schools, tracking down alumni, reading up on alternatives.

And here is where the left turn comes in. I was doing all of this, thinking through how this would work out, actually seeing myself as a history teacher. I had this ALL figured out, then this little voice in my head started whispering. Call my crazy but I actually thought about it for a bit and began to listen. That little voice was telling me to rethink my decision. So I did. I started looking at why I was doing certain things, why I was looking to throw away all my education up until now and why I was going down this path. I did some soul searching and really looked at what the coursework for the history program would be, how I would be judged, how I would be able to use the degree(s) once I finished.

I feel that the way my brain works - I am much happier getting an answer to something. I want to work on something until I get an answer. Despite having this ..thing.. to write my feelings on I hate writing for others. The classes I have always hated are ones where my grades were subjectively determined based on how well I could write. So here I am math=good, writing=bad and I am looking at a degree where 90+% of my grade would be determined by essays I write? What am I nuts? So...I have rethought all of that and decided to pursue history, but on the side and for me not as part of some grand plan to become a history professor.

This does not mean I want to stop pursuing teaching as a career option, just that I will not be doing it in history. Instead, I have decided to apply for a doctorate program in Computer Engineering from U.A.B. I spoke with the head of the program and he seems to think I am a good match for the program. I am worried about my undergraduate GPA but hopefully I can overcome that.

Oh yeah, I took the GRE yesterday. I probably should have studied more but it is hard to do that with all the other things going on in my life. The PhD program has minimums of 550 in both verbal and math, I tested at 570 verbal and 740 math - see I told you I liked math better. Between the test scores and the MBA's GPA hopefully I can relieve some anxiety the powers that be might have about my ability to perform in their program.

I hope so cause I really don't want to keep waffling on this.

First Big Step

2010-01-14T18:37:00.004-06:00

Well now I have done it. I signed up to take the GRE so I can move forward with this crazy, mixed up dream of mine. I have changed school ideas so often I can not say for sure where I want to go, but regardless of school, the GRE is the necessary first step.

I need to score over a 1000 on the test to show the schools I am serious and can do the work, so that hopefully they will overlook little things like "required undergraduate GPA" or "number of hours of undergraduate history". Small things like that.

Anyway, the test is next weekend, just 3 days before my 40th birthday. I will send the scores to Sam Houston, U.A.B. and Austin Peay just to be on the safe side. I would love to include Georgia Southern on that list but I have not heard back from the director of their program so I am not sure they still have the online degree option.

As far as the M.B.A. goes, I started back to class last Wednesday. Once again three classes over two days, but this is the last time - only two classes to go before I graduate. So far, top to bottom, I would say this is the best group of teachers I have had - usually I have one or two lemons in the group. This time they seem to be great. I don't agree with their style or the way they control the class, but none of them instill that instant sense that they are in over their heads. I am taking an Economics class, a Finance class and finally a Marketing class. Guess it makes sense the closer you get to graduation, the better the professors get.

End of Term

2009-12-13T12:21:00.006-06:00

Well it is the end of the fall term at U.A.B. and I am happy to see it end. This was by far my busiest semester and the first one that really made me wonder if I was overdoing it. It appears as though I will end up with another 3.66 GPA this term (2 A's and 1 B) bringing my GPA down again, this time to 3.83. Still better than any single quarter I had as an undergrad, much less any 2 years.

I wonder about the decisions I have been making lately. I know I want to study, I know I want to learn more about history, I am just worried about this path I have chosen. I am still working hard to get into Sam Houston State for their military history program but ... It is hard to explain, but for starters I wonder if I will ever have enough time to actually use the degree. Sam Houston recommends only taking 1 class per term, which means the degree would take 5 years to finish, and that is just the Masters. I can't imagine being in school for another 10-12 years just to get the degrees in order so I can start teaching. That just seems insane. So I have to start thinking that if I get these degrees then they are for me, not for some pie in the sky teaching dream, but because I simply want to learn it. If the teaching happens then great but that can not be the 'end all be all' of the discussion.

Anyway, I'm taking the time between semesters to study for the GRE, as well as catch up on some "pleasure" reading. I have been reading several books on the GRE and honestly don't think it will be that hard. Since I have been in school I believe my math skills as well as my writing ability have both been "refreshed". I find that I am remembering things I had forgotten due to disuse.

As far as the reading goes, is the thing I miss most during the school term - reading a book simply because I want to read it. I can sometimes squeeze an easy book in here and there but I can never count on that ability.

Of course my idea of pleasure reading doesn't usually match other peoples'. Last night I started reading "An Army At Dawn" by Rick Atkinson. It is an acclaimed book on the North Africa campaign of World War II. Everyone has their favorite campaigns in a war and this is one of mine, I have liked it ever since I was a kid watching reruns of the old TV show "The Rat Patrol". I mean the names Rommel, Patton, Montgomery are a who's who of World War II generals and they all cut their teeth in North Africa. You have Montgomery in the East, Patton in the West and between them Rommel's Afrika Korps. Beleaguered Brits versus unstoppable Nazis, with untested Americans entering the War for the first time.

Options

2009-11-09T23:01:00.009-06:00

Well I have spent the last few days checking out the history programs available at several schools as I look for a better option than the one offered by Norwich University. Currently I have received information from 3 schools and still have one information request outstanding. Here is how the ones who have responded stack up...

1. University of Alabama - Birmingham campus

Pros - Local school, already familiar since I am getting my M.B.A. there, classes available after hours so I can actually attend classes, affordable tuition

Cons - No military history specialty, would only be able to take 6 credit hours per term

2. Austin Peay - Clarksville, Tennessee

Pros - Military history program available, affordable tuition, seem to be understanding about my undergraduate GPA

Cons - Program appears to be an essay course, not a widely known program

3. Sam Houston State - Huntsville, Texas

Pros - Military history program available, charged as "in state" for tuition, respected program - several graduates in PhD programs

Cons - Haven't really found any

I am still a little wary of online programs - they are so new and you have to worry about any perception problems in the academic community. The good news is that all of the programs that I have looked at that offer the degrees online do not make any reference to how you attended. That is your transcripts and diploma show that you attended the school, not some "online" portion of the school. For this reason I did not count it as a pro or a con for any of the schools.

If you can't tell, at this time I am leaning towards trying to get into Sam Houston State. The program looks difficult but rewarding and even though it is online, there seems to be a good bit of interaction with the professors.

One thing this change is going to mean is that I have to break out the books and start studying for the GRE again. Since Norwich did not require the test I had stopped studying the material back in June. Honestly, that was one of the first red flags that went off about Norwich - it told me they were willing to let anyone in the program and really just wanted the money. Anyway, I am hopeful that I can study after this semester, during Christmas break, and then take the test in early January of next year. SHSU has a requirement of a 1000 on the GRE and since I will already be under the requirements for number of history courses and undergraduate GPA I had better do well on the GRE. Hopefully, between that, a writing sample and my references they will decide to let me in, even if it probationary.

Changes? Wow that was quick

2009-11-03T18:00:00.005-06:00

When I started writing this blog back in July, one of my stated goals, #2 in fact, was to get accepted to Norwich University and complete their MMH program. Well...there goes THAT one. After talking to several other history buffs, as well as doing some more research, I just can not justify the decision. The school seems to have a great history program, but three troubling facts have come out to make me rethink my analysis.

Cost - From what I can tell, Norwich is 2 to 3 times more expensive than other online history programs. I am not made of money and can not see how the quality will be THAT much better at Norwich
Structure - The more I thought about it the more I began to realize the big problem with Norwichs' 'survey' course structure. While having a 50,000 foot viewpoint of history is necessary, being able to zoom in on those areas that appeal to you is also necessary if you want to be truly happy with the program
Lack of visible alumni - Several bloggers with much larger audiences than I have questioned the Norwich MMH program, looking for more information. None of them have been able to find more than 1 alumnus willing to discuss the program. For a degree that has been offered for several years this is not acceptable.

So what does this mean? It means I have contacted several other schools about their programs. I have every intention of getting my history degree. A PhD is still my goal. It just looks like I will be having a different school help me reach it. Hopefully as I get some more information from the schools I will post Pros and Cons from each.

Something to think about

2009-10-29T14:49:00.005-05:00

I have made no secret of the fact that this site is all about my travels towards getting a firmer understanding of history in general, Military history in specific. Lately though I have had some misgivings about my decision to go with Norwich University. I just can not find credible, independent information about the quality of their program or chances for further education after I receive the degree. The last thing I want is to spend that money and be laughed out of the building when I present it as proof that I am serious. In addition, I am also worried that there seems to be very little opportunity for specialization inside the program. While most people would feel that "Military History" is a specialization, the fact is that we have been fighting wars for millennia and that is a lot of ground to try and cover.

Anyway, I spent several hours today going over online blogs of other historians facing the same decisions and choices I am as well as historical society pages and very few of them "like" Norwich. Like the other historians I want to earn my degree, I want to learn, I want to do so many things, however one thing I do not want to do right now is move. While I could attend U.A.B. or even the University of Alabama for the degree, both would require me to quit my current job to attend classes during the day and that is also something I do not believe I can do. That leaves online programs. One site did list a college I had not previously looked at - Georgia Southern. I went ahead and contacted them for more information.

Not sure what the final decision is going to be now, I am really almost back at step 1.

All Hallows' Eve

2009-10-29T13:10:00.004-05:00

Told you that I would not be writing to this thing on a set schedule. I might be considered long winded by some but I fail to see the reason to post the same "had class, work is lousy, dull week" post over and over again just to have something new up. Sorry.

Fall semester is about going to be wrapping up in a month and it continues to keep me busy. In a strange twist, I am doing best in the class I was most concerned with at the beginning of the term. I am doing fairly well in my Finance class but my other two courses are proving to be much more difficult than I had thought possible.

My classmates keep asking why I am so concerned with getting A's, the program only requires a B average really. Most of them don't know about the history degree I wish to pursue, but I can still understand the question. My rallying cry all through my B.S. program was "All I need is a C" and my GPA reflected that. Well I got a new answer for them last week. Xander made "All A" honor roll on his first report card. He did not say it but I know he was trying to be just like me and I was so proud of him.

Halloween is in a couple of days so it is time for one of the few family traditions we have managed to build - fall festival at Tannehill State Park. The parks three RV areas get decorated with all manner of ghosts and goblins and around 400 people show up in costume to trick or treat. Several years ago Paula and I started going and our participation has grown through the years. We come early and stay late, making s'mores, carving pumpkins and having a great time. It is the one "minor" holiday we always make time for. The forecast is for rain, and that will definitely put a damper on the celebration but I am hoping everything works out.

And What Have We Learned?

2009-09-27T01:10:00.003-05:00

Well we are almost halfway through the semester and things have been a blur. Lots of things going on at school, home and with Norwich.

As far as UAB goes, the first round of midterms are coming up in about a week so I have begun preparing for that. This is another change from my undergrad days. Back then it seems like I would begin studying for tests the day before they were scheduled - if I gave them a thought at all. Looking back it is amazing I performed as well as I did. This semester has slowed down a little since the beginning but this is still the busiest I have been since I started. Every week there is something due, and of course there are still the 'term projects' to think of. While none of the classes qualify as entertaining, they all have had extremely interesting moments.

At home, my son received his first ever report card. He was upset until we told him that the 'numbers' he had on the card meant he had all "A's" just like Daddy. We are extremely proud of him. His reading and writing have really improved this year, and it comes as no surprise to me that he is REALLY doing well at math. We also settled a lawsuit with the builders of our house. We are waiting a little impatiently for the check, but once it arrives it will rebuild that bit of a cushion we had to destroy last month.

Finally, I heard back from the admissions department at Norwich. Apparently they do not want send you the application package unless you are close to your enrollment date. The only thing I can guess is that they do not want you to have too long to work on your enrollment essay. I told them I was looking to start next Fall so they are going to call me back early 2010.

Busy, busy, busy

2009-08-30T18:40:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow starts my third week of the semester and I think the wife and son are a little upset with me. In my defense, up until this term, I have had to work on my classes to get the grades I want, but it has usually been spread out over the whole semester. It seems like this term, all of my classes have multiple projects due right away. Between presentations, reports, research and the ever popular chapter readings, I have spent most of the last two weekends doing school work rather than helping around the house. My wife does a great job of making sure dishes are done, laundry is clean and we are all well fed so I guess I lucked out there, but I worry about not being there for my son. He tells me how much he likes that I have school just like he does, but how many times can I turn him down for some "Daddy time" before he just stops asking?

On a side note, have you ever noticed that you can't get ahead regardless of how hard you try? We got a little extra money this month and were going to have some breathing room. Then my wife's car needed new tires. Then our dog had to see the vet for an infection. Then I had to get a crown and a root canal. Suddenly all of our extra money is gone. It always seems to work this way, and I try to believe that I am not snake bit, but each time it happens I get that same feeling.

Be Careful What You Wish For...

2009-08-18T23:01:00.002-05:00

Well, tonight was the first night of classes for the fall term. I have managed to avoid that little voice in my head and stay with only three courses for this semester rather than adding a fourth, though it was difficult at times. Two of my classes met tonight, the third does not meet until next Monday. Five long hours later and I have a little better understanding of what is going to be expected of me. All I can say is - I am glad I avoided that fourth class!

I already have 2 presentations due over the next week and the ever present chapters to read out of our textbooks. And these were the classes I was counting on to give me a break after Finance.

This has already been a busy week and it looks like there is no slowing down in sight. I have a seminar to go to tomorrow, a root canal scheduled for Thursday and a major server upgrade scheduled for Friday. Add to that this unexpected homework and I should have an... interesting time... and we all know the proverb about that.

Not much on the Norwich front. I have sent an email to them requesting an application packet but so far I have not heard anything.

It's August - Time for School

2009-08-02T21:40:00.006-05:00

Well it is August and school starts in a couple of weeks and I can't wait.

I guess that is one of the true indications of maturity. When I was a kid, I, like most of you, hated the start of school. I looked towards the start of school as a condemned man viewed the gallows. Six hours of sitting in a room being taught by people who I was sure had received their diplomas out of a box of cereal..sorry teachers...typical teenage hubris. And of course now I want to be one of those same teachers. Well not quite the same actually, I would probably prefer teaching at a community college.

Anyway, we spent some time this weekend getting me and my sons' supplies so we can start back to school with all the right tools.

You know back when I was starting a new school year my parents pretty much had to guess what the teachers would want us to have for class. Would we need 3 ring binders or would spiral notebooks be o.k? Do we need pens or are pencils o.k.? We eventually learned the smartest thing to do is wait until the day after school started to pick up on these supplies.

Well, now my son has started school and not much has changed. We get a list of the school supplies they require but we are still guessing. You would think they would say what they want in nonspecific terms, instead they ask for very specific items. They don't want a pencil box, they want a Spacesaver School Box. They don't want a notebook, they want a HBJ Handwriting Tablet. Who actually knows what these things are?!?

Honestly, between these supplies and the community supplies we provide because of budget cutbacks, I would prefer just paying the school $40 and have them do the shopping.

Norwich Webinar

2009-07-29T15:41:00.007-05:00

Today I had the opportunity to sit in on a webinar given by the Director of the MMH program at Norwich University, Dr. James Ehrman. He spent about 10 minutes going over the history of Norwich and another 10 minutes discussing the MMH program details. The interesting thing for me was the 40 minute question and answer session that followed.

Most of the general information about Norwich and the MMH program can be taken from their website, wikipedia etc. During the Q&A however, Dr. Ehrman was able to answer a lot of questions about the program that had me concerned going into today. He provided some information about pursuing a PhD after the program, identified some of the professors currently involved with the program as well as the general format of classes.

The course structure seems to resemble what I am used to from Ohio State - namely they are offered on 11 week quarters rather than the traditional 16 week semester. This means we get 4 courses in a year rather than 2 with a shortened course available during the summer.

Another thing I discovered is that getting accepted into this program is not going to be "easy". Grades are looked at, GRE's are not, but by far the most emphasis is placed on your references (BFF = no, employer/teacher = yes) and on your entrance essay. What is the entrance essay? I wondered the same thing. Apparently when you contact Norwich about applying you are presented with a list of possible topics to write about. The paper is supposed to be 5-6 pages long and is the #1 thing that the admissions team looks at when deciding on your enrollment. Possible topics range from "Was the outcome of the Civil War an inevitable one given the strengths and weaknesses of both sides? " or "Is the belief that the outcome of World War II can be summed up as 'Eisenhower out managed Hitler' accurate?" Looks like I better start studying the "Chicago Manual of Style" and reading up on my history to prepare for the essay.

All in all the webinar left me a little worried if I am up for the rigors of the program and if I will even be accepted. I believe I am and will do all I can to make sure the acceptance is a guarantee.

Ramping Up

2009-07-23T23:35:00.003-05:00

While doing some searching on Google I actually found a student that recently finished the MMH program at Norwich. In fact, he is apparently in an administrative position at the school and so can provide some first hand knowledge of the application process as well as the coursework in the program. From what little he has told me, he loved the program and mentioned that as long as you can write a well thought out paper and think critically you will do o.k. I can live with that.

School is right around the corner, and as proof I received a pair of interesting emails today.

The first was from the professor of my computer "elective" course I will be taking this fall. Like most of the professors (and most of the M.B.A. students) at UAB he has a regular day job and then teaches at night. Add to that a couple of professional societies and they are a pretty busy group. He is offering extra course credit for attending a meeting of the professional society he is on the board of. The society concerns itself with Project Management so I could probably learn something by attending, plus since I am trying to keep up the grades attending would not be a bad idea. I just have to find some way of convincing my current boss of the former reason without dwelling on the latter.

The second email was much tamer, but to me much more interesting. It was from the MMH program at Norwich announcing a webinar with the director of the program to be held next Wednesday. The timing is a little odd (early afternoon) but I think I can work something out to attend. At least I certainly plan on trying.

Fall Semester 2009

2009-07-21T22:15:00.000-05:00

Fall classes begin in a little less than a month and I am waiting (not very) patiently for them to start. My wife will tell you I am not patient under the best of circumstances and having me sitting around for 3 months during the summer has been very difficult on her.

Because my undergraduate degree was in computer engineering, I did not get credit for any courses needed for my M.B.A. - not even the computer classes. This means to obtain my degree I have to complete a minimum of 17 courses, right now I have finished 9. One of the best things about the UAB program is that they geared their M.B.A. program for "working professionals" so all the classes have either been on line or at night. Each course is 3 credit hours and if there is a class, it meets for 3 hours 1 night a week.

I have several friends who I have met along the journey and we try to work it so that we are in the same classes, so there is always a friendly face, and getting a study group together is as easy as a couple of phone calls. They are a good group of friends and I am thankful that I have met them.

I have spent the last week or so going over the pros and cons of taking 4 classes this fall. The 'pro' is that with 4 classes in the fall and again next spring I can actually graduate a semester early. The 'con' is that 4 classes means 3 nights away from my wife and son rather than "just" 2. I think I have talked myself into going with just 3 classes and taking an extra semester to get out but there is this thought in the back of my head telling me to go for it. So far I have been able to drown that out. As of today I am signed up for 2 "core" classes - Finance and Operations Management plus I have a computer "elective" course on Re-engineering Business Processes, but there is always time for that voice to get louder.

Why....

2009-07-21T12:47:00.000-05:00

Why? Such a simple question and such a difficult one to answer. Why am I doing this? Why am I driving myself nuts? Why did I pick Norwich? Why even finish my MBA? We are told the philosophical answer to all of these is, of course, 'Why Not'. Unfortunately that really does not work (even on philosophy exams - I tried it), so I figure I will take them one at a time.

Why am I doing this? Because I want to learn and I can't do it by myself. I am honest enough with myself to know that I do not have the focus to stick to one topic long enough to learn it. I have to jump and move around attacking a million things at once. Without a teacher I will always be a "trivia buff" who knows a lot of stupid facts but very little of why they are important. If I can find a teacher who can push me, I know I can accomplish all the things that alone I never could.

Why am I finishing my MBA if I will never use it? A few reasons actually. The first is pretty straightforward - I need to be able to show the high GPA. Remember I have already said I did not apply myself all that well in school. If I went for a different Masters degree or a PhD. they would laugh me out of the room if all I had was my undergrad GPA. After three terms at U.A.B. I have a 3.88, and if I can keep it there, it should help with getting into my next school. The second is that I want to finish it because I want to prove to myself that I can get a Masters degree despite having a full time job, a wife and a son; the final reason is a little bit harder to explain - I want the last year and a half I have had to spend away from them to have meaning. If I quit now that year and a half is wasted and time I can never get back. Besides, just because I don't PLAN to use the MBA does not mean that I won't.

Why did I pick Norwich? That is a tough question. When I say history appeals to me I don't really mean the day to day history of a people, what really interests me is the history of warfare. Who we fought, why we fought them, etc. I don't really care that King George III was the first of the 'Hanover' Kings of England to have been born in England. I care that King George III was the guy we fought in the Revolutionary War.

As I said I looked at the local and on line colleges offering History Masters programs and thought about the pros and cons of each. Don't get me wrong there was not a lot of work involved - as far as I can tell it amounted to 5 colleges total. While a lot of schools have embraced having some classes available on line, having an entire degree program offered that way is still frowned upon. At first I was a little wary of Norwich - I mean they advertised the program in the little side ads you get on websites. I was not even really considering them until a coworker of mine mentioned them. Then I started looking closer (thanks wikipedia), and discovered they are a very good university. They have top accreditations, excellent professors and a rich history. Then I started thinking - you know we don't think too much about seeing an ad for Ohio State or Alabama or any other "big name" school when we see them during football games, we don't mind seeing billboards for some smaller colleges as you drive past their campus, why should I mind seeing an on line ad about an on line degree program? The more I think about Norwich, the more excited I am to give their program a try. It is a history program with an emphasis on the military and that is exactly what I want.

Introduction

2009-07-21T11:21:00.000-05:00

I guess you could say this blog is mainly for me. I am not posting on any set schedule and there might not even be too much coherent thought behind a lot of what is written here. This blog is here so that in 5 years when I am toiling away on some thesis or dissertation research wondering what in the world I was thinking, well I will know the answer.

Me? I am a 39 year old M.B.A. student at the University of Alabama's Birmingham campus. I started the program about a year and a half ago because, honestly, I was bored. I felt like my career was going no where and I could actually feel myself getting dumber every day. I was always a mediocre student in high school and college. I freely admit that the only reason I did not have better grades is because I did not want to put in the work.

Anyway, I studied for the GMAT, did rather well on it and was accepted to UAB. I am about halfway through their M.B.A. program, and while I am learning a lot and enjoying my time, I begin to realize that it is just not....me. I will finish the program in Fall 2010 but doubt I will ever "use" too much of what I have learned. There is a reason I tended to avoid business classes when I was getting my undergraduate degree, I feel there should be more to life than just numbers on a sheet.

This all leads me to my "new" goals and the reason behind the title of the blog. After talking with my wife and consulting with my son, I have decided to pursue a different degree once I am finished the M.B.A. - but this time in a subject that I have always shown an interest in, namely History. I have checked out the local (and online) colleges that offer masters degrees in history and more importantly I have begun studying for yet another standardized test...the GRE.

I hope to take it sometime this fall, maybe around the Christmas break. My goal right now is to be accepted into Norwich University's Masters of Military History program for the semester after I finish my M.B.A. It is an 18 month program that will get me on my way towards my goals. Looking through 'Rose colored' glasses I guess you could say my goals right now are:

Finish my M.B.A and maintain my GPA
Get into Norwich and finish my MMH
Get accepted into a history PhD program
Teach

How many of my goals I get to accomplish and how far down this path I will actually get to travel is going to be my 'Road Trip'. I don't kid myself, it is going to be hard, it is going to be bumpy and I might even get some surprises along the way but in the end I think I will be happier and that is what I am looking forward to.