What could the future hold?

I've officially decided: I shall apply to Masters of Teaching, but also Bachelor of Arts (Honours). Both shall fight to the death: whichever one I actually get into first shall be the victor.

Choosing which one has been infuriatingly difficult. Earlier this year, the stupid thing in my back called a "spine" decided to betray me and slipped a disc. I've been in a state of chronic pain since, and to say it's impacted my work ability is an understatement. I've effectively lost my job -- a disc protrusion causing sciatica isn't conducive to the hospitality environment, and DJing requires me to wrangle missing brides and grooms too often to be beneficial to that set of nerves running down my leg. I DJed my last gig today.

Injury changed the course of how I wanted this year to go. 2023 has been a wash-out. I've barely managed. But I'm determined to get my Bachelor of Creative Writing this year even if it kills me.

Mentally, it's taking its toll. Turns out even sitting is problematic for long periods with this stupid disc problem, requiring much of my coding work in my Web Design class to be done laying on my stomach, on my bed, with my dog snoozing at my side. My How to Write About Art class will be even more challenging, as I'm actually required on-site to view some galleries and performances. (Wish me luck!) Surgery cannot come soon enough.

Masters in Teaching (Primary & Secondary?)

This year, I've had to take house-sitting to the next level. I had the pleasure of baby-sitting some kids belonging to a work friend of my father's. I believe they are 8 and 11 respectively, and sure enough, they were tremendous. I was still injured during that period, of course, but they were incredible. Respectful. Curious. And suspiciously diplomatic in their negotiation skills. It cemented something my family (and even a few friends) had told me: I should go into teaching.

So, much to the terror of logical people, I put Masters of Primary Teaching onto my potential list of things to do. To think, when I started this blog -- this writing journey -- I was committed to becoming a Star Trek screenwriter. Perhaps I will one day. I'm still committed to Starbase 118, a play-by-email script-based RPG, and they've been monumental in my continuing to flex my creative writing.

But at the same time... someone has to teach new writers. I started writing fanfiction (Twilight nonsense) when I was 11. I've grown to have published a small memoir, short fiction, and thousands upon thousands of Star Trek sims with memorable characters. I imagine none of that would've been possible if I hadn't been taught some English skillz by one of my poor teachers.

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

The Honours course is more a flex than it is an intention of finding work. It'll be a research-based project -- and if I'm good at anything these days, it's pulling nonsense out of my ass and getting straight As for it. I don't imagine it'd be as much of a breeze as I've found other aspects of my university units, but it is at least something to add to the resume.

Even if I don't know what I should do with that resume. At this rate, it'd be kindling. Did you know I've worked as a DJ since I was 16? Performed overseas when I was a kid. I worked in retail for a short period. Got a job in hospitality, became a bar tender. Worked in radio for a year or so. Self-published a book. Went on a charity road-trip from Melbourne to Cairns. Released a digital album as an adult (entirely original works). These achievements sound amazing when I tell someone about them. They look pitiful on paper. As a creative writer, you'd think I'd have found a way to make these look remotely interesting in dotpoints. Ultimately, they're always glossed over. I had to start my own damn social media marketing business (which I've now named Deanna Troy Social Studios) because of my inability to get hired. And now I've got a physical inability to get hired. But working for meagre coin (good work, for good people, don't get me wrong) is the best I can do until something finally sticks to the wall.

Let the battle begin.

I'm not sure which I'll get into, if I get into either at all. But I certainly will try. When I started my Bachelor, I said I'd do a Masters. Though I never said what Masters.

Here's to a successful 2024. And also a job. I'd love a job, that'd be swell.

Side note: why in the nine realms of Hell did someone decide that *some* degrees need their own separate application site, meanwhile others can stick with the university site? Also, the amount of times I have to repeat that I am, in fact, an existing person (in my opinion, at least) is causing a brutal disillusionment.

...also, the fact I typed that sentence indicates it's certainly more possible the Honours course might win the battle royale.