The next big thing

Wednesday represents a major change in my life. Not a birthday, or a anniversary. Today is the day I took the big plunge and left work to go back to college.

I'm 36 years old, so the decision to restart my college degree is probably a bit unusual. Fortunately I wont have to worry about schleping around on campus-I'll be doing college online.

The biggest change comes from being the breadwinner of the family to being Mr Mom. Although, I will still be bringing in income. The GI Bill pays me over a $1000 a month to go to college, and federal tuition assistance will pay for my college costs. In essence, I can have a part time job from home, college, while my wife works. Not a bad deal when you think about it.

But now I go from inventorying military equipment to organizing Barbie dolls. From ordering food for 130 soldiers to cooking for myself and 2 kids. From keeping track of dozens of rifles to keeping track of dozens of loads of laundry. And figuring out just when the heck I'm supposed to use Woolite and when I can use Tide.

Honestly, though, the most terrifying prospect for this Iraq combat veteran is figuring out how put my 5 year old daughter's hair into a ponytail. I have a hard enough time finding clothes for me that match, now I will have an 8 year old boy and a 5 year old girl looking to me for fashion advice. I've been wearing army green for the last 1,095 days. I may be out of touch.

In any case, I hope to have more time for blogging, especially as the election draws near and the war in Iraq moves closer to a victory. The same rule applies to what I post on though-I try to only talk about things I can speak about intelligently, and hopefully on subjects where my experiences and perspective are not just preaching to the choir.