Officially, I will be on a leave of absence from school effective with the conclusion of this class. I am torn between being anxious about delaying my program and being grateful for the needed break. Perhaps this comes at an opportune time?

I have always maintained that momentum is crucial for me to keep on track and reach my goal in this program. I sort of view it as having no time to waste, being the age that I am, and to wait any longer will minimize any opportunities for me to put my hard-earned degree to work in the barely-two-decades left of my career. At 50 years old, and presuming I am in a financial position to do so, I have only a scant 12-15 years left before retiring. If I lose momentum in my degree program now, I jeopardize that.

To me, making excuses and creating rationalizations about this forthcoming and unexpected break in my program is dangerous. If I can justify a break now...what is to prevent me from doing it again? And again? Sure...taking a break now will ease some pressure at home--pressure from too many pots on the fire, so to speak, and pressure from being so darned tired all of the time, and pressure from knowing the holidays fast approach and we are barely ready, and pressure from trying to get the house ready for company.

Not to mention getting a few things done around here for a change!

Yet delaying my schoolwork does bother me. I recently took a 4-week break and it was difficult to get back into the rhythm of schoolwork. I am concerned that taking a 9-week break will be too long. I guess time will tell.

I am looking forward to sleeping more though.