Deep Breaths

If a background check is mandatory I shouldn't have to pay for it. Unless we're dealing with the government, of course.

I think what frustrates me more about it is the absolute lack of warning. If one of my friends hadn't said something, I would have walked my happy butt into the administration building of CISD and filled out the paper work, then had to walk right back out, because I can't shell out the money. I have to choose between eating and putting off my background check another week and a half? Yeah, that's a hard one.

We received an email from the education department telling us to get the background check done, where to get it done, etc, etc. But not one mention of a mandatory fee, cost, price, money, anything of the sort.

Unlike every other major on campus, I'm already student teaching. Been doing it off and on since May, hitting it hard the past two weeks. I don't have time for a job. I'm poor. Yes, probably poorer than you English Major. That poor.

I hate surprises. I hate fee surprises even more. And mandatory fee surprises just might be the most pernicious and evil of all.

To be fair, apparently this will cover the cost of the hard copy of my Teaching Certificate, once I manage to miracle the money to take my last certification test.  Why finger printing and a piece of paper cost fifty-five or sixty dollars is beyond me, other than a tax on would be educators. I guess it's the same reason my electronic certification tests, which are all multiple choice, cost $125.00 to process and email me my scores.

*sigh*

Yeah, most underpaid profession I think is right.

Raised

On the evening of August 17, 2010, I was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. Boy, it's been a long time coming, but it made the anticipation worth it! Very excited that I am now wearing the ring that's been sitting on my desk for the past few weeks. Hopefully, sometime soonish, I would like to take a few pictures of myself dressed up in my apron, more for me than anything else; though if I do, I'll probably post a picture or two here as well.

Already have a couple of brothers dropping hints about the York Rite, which I am most certainly interested in since the brother who sponsored me is the Right Eminent Grand Commander of Texas. But as with all things in college, I think it will come down to time and [most importantly] money! Perhaps some of the brothers with real jobs will cut a deal with me, allowing me to pay them back over time... how far can you stretch the poor college student excuse in life? The Lord knows its still true in my case.

A Mason and a Man

My Brother, Masonry means much more
Than the wearing of a pin
Or carrying a paid-up dues receipt
So the Lodge will let me in

You may wear an emblem on your coat
From a finger flash a ring
But if you're not sincere at heart
This doesn't mean a thing

It's merely an outward sign to show
The World that you belong
To this great Fraternal Brotherhood
That teaches right from wrong

What really counts lies buried deep
Within the human breast
'Till Masonic teaching brings it out
And puts it to the test

If you practice out of the Lodge
The things which you learn within
Be just and upright to yourself
And to your fellow men

Console a Brother when he's sick
And assist him when in need
Without a thought of personal reward
For any act or deed

Walk the world in such a way
That the world can see
That only the best can meet the test
Laid down by Masonry

Be always faithful to your trust
And do the best you can
Then you can proudly tell the world
You're a Mason and a Man

By: Bro. C.F. Reynolds