I can see you are interested in how I came to know everything I do. Well, it's been a long process that is still in the making. In reverse chronological order...
(2010), Clinical MSW from the Boston University School of Social Work
In Fall 2007, I decided to take advantage of the tuition remission benefit available to full-time employees of Boston University. After one semester, part-time, I decided to officially apply for the program. I continued part-time, working full-time, for another year and a half and was suddenly confronted with the dilemma of how to work a 16 or 24hr/week internship into my already tightly packed schedule. So, I quite my job, and in the summer of 2009, I became a full-time student again. I had my first internship, and it was awesome. (See Employment for more information.)
2004, BA in Mathematics from Boston University
In the Spring of 1999, I found out that I had earned myself a place among the incoming class of 2003 at BU. I took leave for a year, and headed up for September of 2000. With the leave of absence on my record, I was seen administratively as a sophomore. SO, I got registration and housing numbers accordingly. This meant I lucked out in getting whatever classes and available housing I wanted. And so it was for three years, until all major university offices caught up with me and made me do things like decide my major and correct my standing. I chose to major in mathematics, and minor in astronomy. The math part was because that's what I had been doing most of my life, and well I may add. The astronomy was because it interested me very deeply, and I was inspired by a lower lever course to continue upward with the subject. It involved some physics I didn't want, but it introduced me to the department in which I later had a job (for almost four years!). You could say it was written in the stars ...
1999, HS diploma from St. Catherine's School
I began my high school career at the age of 14, with a 5-month-old baby sister at home. When you show up to a small private high school located in one of the richest areas of one of the oldest towns of the country, you can feel a little intimidated. I did what I had come to do -- classes, homework, volunteering, being the teacher's/administrator's pet. I took some ballet classes and then joined the dance troope on campus. I made friends, ran a multi-cultural group, and signed letters for Amnesty. I tried out for the fall musical my senior year. And then, I broke down. I'd had enough, and decided to rebel against the tried-and-true method of living life -- doing what everyone else thought was right and looked good. I decided to explore my nature, and I found that it was pleasant even though not always accepted/impressive. After graduation, I took a year off and did "nothing" with myself. I was then ready for college, realizing that an unproductive and unmotivated routine was actually NOT in my nature.