Celia Avitia

05/29/2015

Spring Quarter

While I was attending Pierce College last year I got a phone call from a relative in Alaska. It was the week before finals week, and they asked me if I could pick up my cousin who wasn’t in a good place. She was only 13 and was already dealing with adult issues, so I jumped on the plane the next day. That was on a Tuesday. The ferry down from Ketchikan only leaves on Wednesdays so time was limited. As soon as I got her down here I opened a custody case, which turned into a criminal case against me. I managed to finish that quarter on Deans list and I walked that quarter.

After I earned my associates I took the next quarter off so I can face the judge for my custodial interference charge in Alaska. That charge started off as a felony but was dropped down to a misdemeanor. My grandmother took care of my cousin since she was born, but I didn’t know she didn’t have custody until I got her to Washington. While I was in Alaska I got the news that my biological father was dying of cancer in Arizona. So after my 3-week trip to Alaska was over I then had to drop my toddlers off with their father who I separated from while I was in Alaska and jump on the plane a week later to say good-bye to my father.

By now we were well into fall quarter however I didn’t enroll in a four-year college yet because I didn’t want to have to leave for court. By now I have 2 cases going on. While I was in Arizona my sister and I decided to open another case in the immigration court so my father can become legal for medical purposes. After that case was opened I returned to Washington to only find out my toddlers dad left the state with them. I then opened my fourth case involving my children. That took a big toll on me. So by the time winter quarter started I was overwhelmed with life. By December the Alaska DA said if I opened another custody case in Alaska involving my cousin they would drop all charges. By now my children were returned to me and I started my shared custody with my Ex. I took another trip to Alaska to close my criminal case only to open another custody case.

By the time March came along I decided I was going to enroll in school. If I didn’t enroll now I would of put it off again. I originally enrolled in Central Washington University’s satellite campus at Pierce College. The only thing I didn’t like was that they didn’t offer any classes I was interested in. So after I enrolled I decided I wanted to go to Evergreen. Before I could enroll at Evergreen life happened again. My brother-in-law wasn’t in a good place and needed a sitter; so thinking I would only have the 6-month-old baby over night I took her.

Two days passed by and I didn’t hear anything from her father, and her mother was in Alaska. So I was stuck with the baby along with my 5 kids. Again I was thinking about putting school off. I looked on Evergreens website and noticed I had one day to enroll. I ended up enrolling on the Friday before school started. Not knowing if I could even attend since I didn’t have a sitter for the baby. Luckily her father was released from jail.

Since I was late signing up for classes I was very limited with my selection. I entered this class as a last resort. My 1^st few weeks were hard trying to keep up with the reading because Proust is a hard man to follow. I was diagnosed with PTSD four years ago. When I was in high school I could never figure out why I had such a hard time focusing, it was hard to understand anything I read. I ended up dropping out. After I got diagnosed and got help I finally had an answer for why school was hard for me. Once I had a documented illness I was able to get extra help while I attended Pierce College. They showed me a few techniques to reading and understanding what I was reading. Before I would forget everything I read and have to reread it. Once I got the extra help and learned the techniques my grades changed drastically. I made Deans list for at least half the time I was at pierce. I don’t regret taking this class at all.

I also had a timing problem with my interview with Diane Formoso. I also cut her right out of my paper, fortunately I was finally able to interview her. I am so glad I did because I got an amazing interview from her and her family. I got the real feel for the organization. Something I wouldn’t be able to make up.

Getting anything done at home was near impossible. There were a few times when my daughter Myra had to get on my about my work and point out how they had to have their work down before they did anything. Since my daughters insisted on watching my toddlers I was able to get some work done. My first quarter at Evergreen was a struggle but I’m glad I got my foot in the door. I’m also glad I was able to dabble in Proust’s world. The volumes are full of such dynamic culture that I would of never been able to touch on if it wasn’t for this class.