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Strange how things work out sometimes. I thought that I had this week all figured out. I cleared my schedule so that I could devote my entire being to one class for one week and I was determined to excel. But it didn't work out that way -- I guess I took on a little more than I bargained for.

When I got to school Monday morning, I was in for quite a shock, and while I was expecting to be very busy this week I wasn't prepared for four and a half hours of lecture -- before I even had time for a cup of coffee! I was expecting a one- credit course like those in which I used to assist. Those courses were self-paced, work on your own, and ask the instructor (or the assistant) if you get stuck kind of courses. Instead, I found that this was an intensive two- credit lecture, hands-on, follow the leader kind of course.

There was just no way that I could have kept up with that pace. I did learn, however, that I *can* program in Visual BASIC, though. Using voice output and keyboard commands, most all of what can be done with a mouse can still be accomplished, but the intense nature of this particular course left no time for finding alternative methods of accomplishing each task. I was already two programs -- albeit very rudimentary ones -- behind by lunch time.

The instructor had a overhead projector which displayed his computer screen at the front of the classroom, and each student had a computer in front of them. I sat and listened to Ralph (the instructor) explain as he demonstrated and then I listened to the tapping of keyboards and clicking of mice as the other students copied his actions. From what I heard I believe that I will be able to learn and use Visual BASIC effectively, but I will take it during the fall semester when the pace is more realistic. It was not the visual nature of the language that forced me to drop the class but the visual nature of the training method. I'm looking forward to fall and I hope that Ralph is again teaching the class.

While it was very disappointing to drop that class that I was so determined to complete, I bounced back quickly and replaced that class with a general course in Windows 95. It certainly won't be as challenging but at least I'll strengthen my foundation.

I've also found that I have another possibility for employment. I had a job interview on Thursday with an insurance company that I never really considered before. The position for which I interviewed is very similar to my last job and I'm not really interested in getting back into that kind of situation. I would not have even gone to the interview were I immersed in Visual BASIC, but I decided to go since I had the time -- good practice, anyway. As it turns out, I was impressed with the company and although I would rather not get back into operations, the company holds promise for career growth. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Yeah, it's strange how things work out sometimes. I learned a lot this week . . . just not what I expected to learn.