My next step

August 30, 2026

I'm officially done with my summer classes. It was brutal, and I'm glad I'm done with those classes. Fall classes begin now. I'm afraid it won't work. The whole thing. People with Masters degree's are struggling to find work. So things aren't looking optimistic. We'll have to wait and see.

I'm getting a jumpstart on the next class. I want to work ahead so things don't build up and get stressful.

I also recently downloaded an app to learn ASL. That has been a fun experience. Additionally, I was lucky enough to be offered a free subscription to DataCamp, so I want to go through some courses to learn new things.

I'm also using AI to help me learn about topics on the SIE exam. So far I've learned about call protection, preferred stock, and more. All the courses I found make you pay to get the course material, so I'm using a free open resource site. The way I'm taking notes is that I pretend that I'm going to be teaching someone.

So, how can I comprehensively explain this concept to someone who has zero previous knowledge of this type of thing?

It's pretty fun, but a lot of work. It works for me though.

I'm not going to be able to travel for a long time. I'm bummed about it. My knees aren't getting any younger. I think that's why I want to do so much. Try so many things. I'm deeply upset that I can't travel. It's really the only thing that makes me genuinely happy.

To cope, I'm distracting myself with online courses and painting classes. There are also programs like this. I'm planning to maybe travel domestically. Everyone without a passport keeps raving about this country. I already have "New England in the Fall", and "The Obama Center in Chicago" on the list. I'm also a two hour drive from the greatest city on earth. I'll be fine.

-Dani