THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE
Although I do remember my first day of Kindergarten, I don’t remember the rest of the year (or practically any reading, writing, or math for the remainder of elementary school). What I do know, is that I’ve always had a thirst for knowledge. Even before I started school, I enjoyed scissors, paste, crayons, coloring books, my father’s tape measure, building blocks and most of all story books.
This is me before Kindergarten looking into the well. You can see how thirsty I was for knowledge. Playtime is a time for discover. That’s my father, watching me from a distance.
GROWTH IN WORK AND STUDY HABITS
By the time I finished Kindergarten, I had mastered all the skills with a star, except for two. According to my report card, I knew my birthday, telephone number and the colors. I did not know my address. The skills I learned to master included: tie shoes, buckle, write my name, match words and pictures, follow three directions, count one to ten, hear and play stories, speak plainly in full sentences, like music, keep time, do what the music tells me, say my prayers and tell the truth. In growth study habits, I could play and work well with others, listen when others talked, take care of school materials, be polite, finish what I start, color, cut, paste well too. With regards to health and safety, I could come to school on time, take off and put on my own wraps, rest quietly, eat well, be neat and clean, obey the patrol boys, wait my turn quietly. But I failed to cover a cough.
ATTENDANCE RECORDS
During the first semester I missed 22 days, second semester – 20 days, third semester – 26 days. Fourth semester – two days. My attendance records stayed pretty consistent until I reached fifth grade. Therefore, I have no recollection of most school activities, but I did get promoted, without failure. Here’s my Kindergarten photo to prove it.
SCHOOL DAYS WERE SICKENING!
During my early childhood I spent most of my time in hospitals, the doctor’s office, or sick in bed. In kindergarten I had heart problems, a broken nose, scarlet fever, ear aches, high fevers, many colds and chicken pox. Between Kindergarten and fourth grade I continued to have electro cardiograms and other weird things happened to me. For example, a steel pipe fell on my head while walking to the movie theaters, my foot slipped inside a manhole cover, fell down a lot, had a head concussion, passed out, fell off the swing sets, busted both knee caps, plus I had an emergency appendictis attack which nearly caused death causing me to miss more than six weeks of school. But through it all, I had lots of popsicles, lollypops, coloring books and crayons. Somehow, I never flunked school.
EVERYTHING I AM DOING RIGHT NOW AS AN ADULT, ALL STARTED WHEN I WAS IN KINDERGARTEN
I am who I am because of my adversities. Challenges, life adventures, traumas and dramas were many, but I managed to overcome obstacles and jump over hurdles. Yes, I may have fallen, was bruised, broken, tied down, hooked up, bended and mended, learned to cover my mouth, know my address and the beat goes on…
I lived through political unrest during the Chicago riots of 1968. I smelled tear gas, heard and saw rioting, lived through the days of the hippie movement, survived aches, pains, migraines, heart aches, tooth aches, ear aches, broken bones and skull fractures too. I have been beat up and shot at but I always managed to get up and put up a fight. I’ve tasted good medicine and bad. I learned to swallow my pride. I learned to read, write, and count. I built a life and raised my children. Through it all, I’ve had a thirst for knowledge. Between 1986 through 2006, I never stopped going to school of higher education. I graduated from the University of Kansas, The College of Lake County, National Louis University, University of Dallas, Kaplans School of Real Estate and South Eastern Career Institute. I have successfully graduated in Education. Associates in Computer Science, Computer Operations, and Microcomputers for Business. Bachelors in Applied Behavioral Sciences. Masters in Business Administration, Masters in Human Resources, Paralegal and licensed REALTOR® with continuing education.
The skills I am most proud of include my interpersonal relationship with God and nature, raising children, compassion for people and determination to succeed in education and in my professional career as a REALTOR®. I believe in self-servant leadership. I have faith in God, respect for all people and creatures here on earth. Earth is my home – I love to sell homes and help people build their dreams within their own means.
All photos and written contents by Patricia Feager, 2011. Copyrighted.
Life is good!
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