RealTalkAJ

What advice I would give to a single parent planning on returning to community college (FYI)

October 16, 2025

Going back to school as a single parent takes guts, planning, and a bit of faith in yourself.

Balancing studies with parenting means time becomes your most valuable resource—but the right strategies can make it work.

As someone who graduated early through the College of Lake County while still in high school, I’ve seen how smart decisions early on can open doors later.

And since many in my generation are already parents, I know firsthand that the college experience can be reshaped to fit family life instead of fighting against it.

What advice I would give to a single parent planning on returning to community college

Single parents heading to community college should stay connected on campus, plan early for credit transfers, integrate learning with their child’s interests, and make the most of on-campus career opportunities. Each step builds not just toward a degree—but toward a more sustainable, rewarding college experience that benefits both parent and child.

Stay Involved with Campus Activities

Many community college events are family friendly—picnics, student fairs, cultural festivals, even movie nights.

Staying involved builds a network of support and helps you feel less isolated.

It also introduces your child to the college environment early on, showing them that education is a lifelong pursuit.

Connection is often what keeps single parents from burning out; when you show up for your campus, your campus tends to show up for you.

Figure Out Where You’ll Transfer for Your B.A.—Early

If a bachelor’s degree is part of your long-term goal, research your transfer options as soon as possible.

Not every four-year university accepts all community college credits, and discovering that too late can set you back.

Talk to academic advisors, compare transfer guides, and stay organized.

When I was earning college credits through the College of Lake County during high school, that head start was what allowed me to graduate on time later.

Getting clarity early saves both stress and tuition.

Base Projects Around Your Child’s Interests

If your program includes independent or creative projects, consider shaping them around your child’s world.

For example, a psychology paper on child development can double as insight into your own parenting.

A marketing project could explore products for families.

Aligning coursework with your life as a parent makes learning more meaningful—and your workload, more sustainable.

It’s about letting your roles complement each other instead of compete.

Work with the School for Career Opportunities

Campus jobs, internships, and volunteer roles can do more than help with bills.

They root you deeper in the college community and can lead to professional connections that last beyond graduation.

Being part of the school ecosystem—career center, tutoring programs, student leadership—often pays off in unexpected ways.

The benefits compound: experience, support, and confidence grow together.

Conclusion

Returning to community college as a single parent isn’t just about chasing a diploma—it’s about rewriting what education looks like for your family.

Stay active on campus to build your village. Map your transfer path early so your work counts.

Let your studies reflect your child’s world, and plant yourself deeply in the college’s ecosystem.

Each decision feeds into the next, creating a version of success that fits your life now—and sets the tone for your child’s future too.
How do your views on value change as you get older? (Explained)

October 14, 2025
Value is one of those words that evolves with you.

What you once thought was “worth it” as a teenager might not hold the same weight as an adult with responsibilities, ambitions, and memories that shape how you see the world.

Over time, experience becomes a teacher — helping you redefine what’s truly valuable, beyond just money or possessions.

How do your views on value change as you get older?

My views on value changes as I get older because I’m learning that inflation happens formally and informally. You have control over your value as I become more ambitious in life. But one thing I find to be most constant is the fact nostalgia holds value in whatever age.
- Nostalgia is one of the lasting forms of value you will ever experience
Inflation happens formally and informally

Inflation as I understand it is when the value of your dollar becomes weaker.

It can be announced professionally via news.

That’s when preparing to spend money on a specific good reveals to you that the price isn’t the same anymore.

Literally, your dollar means less than what it used to be. I instantly think of Arizona Iced Teas.

Photo credits to Pinterest

I’m not sure if they’re the same price, but it trends at times for others saying how they don’t cost the same anymore.

The informal element is when the public decides items and service aren’t worth what they used to be.

Let’s take it back to the early and mid 2000s when these ugly (yet trendy) cartoon shirts were popular.

Photo credits to looking ton on Pinterest

If you ask someone now in 2025 whether they see someone being valuable for wearing this or not, chances are they’ll say “no.”

My point is that you choose value on a social level. If your friends would support it.

Do they respect you for getting whatever the item is?

There’s not a bulletin board you check to find this out.

It’s a term I might coin called Cultural Marketing. We the people determine value too.

You Have More Control as You Become More Ambitious

Ambition changes how you assign value.

The more driven you are, the more intentional your spending — not just financially, but mentally and emotionally.

You begin prioritizing experiences, people, and goals that multiply your growth rather than drain your potential.

In your 20s, you might buy something just because it’s trendy.

By your 30s or 40s, you realize investing in tools, education, or environments that support your mission is worth far more.

This stage of life introduces a new kind of wealth — freedom.

The ability to decide what deserves your time, energy, and investment becomes the clearest sign that you’ve matured in how you view value.

Nostalgia Is One of the Lasting Forms of Value You’ll Ever Experience

Over time, you realize that value isn’t always measured in money — sometimes it’s measured in moments.

Nostalgia reminds us that even the simplest things can become priceless.

A childhood memory, an old song, a familiar place — these hold emotional worth that no currency can replicate.

As we age, we naturally crave reconnection with what once brought us joy.

This doesn’t mean living in the past, but rather recognizing how memory creates emotional wealth.

The longer we live, the more we realize that value is not just about possession — it’s about preservation.

What we remember fondly becomes an asset that shapes our sense of meaning.

Final Thoughts

As you get older, your perception of value transforms.

You begin to see inflation as both an economic and emotional reality — where time and energy gain more worth.

You realize that ambition gives you power over what you define as valuable.

And you understand that nostalgia offers emotional dividends that no paycheck can replace.

Ultimately, the true measure of value lies in how something enriches your growth, peace, and purpose — not how much it costs.
Vegeta vs. Majin Buu

October 11, 2025

Among the most emotionally charged battles in the Dragon Ball Z universe, Vegeta vs. Majin Buu stands out not just for its intensity, but for what it represents — redemption, pride, and self-sacrifice.

This fight wasn’t merely a clash of power; it was a defining chapter in Vegeta’s lifelong journey from villain to hero.

The Prince of the Saiyans: Vegeta’s Redemption

Vegeta had always been known as the serious fighter, driven by pride and rivalry.

As the Prince of all Saiyans, his every move was fueled by the desire to surpass Goku — his greatest challenge and mirror image.

But in this battle, Vegeta showed a different kind of strength.

It wasn’t about proving superiority anymore.

It was about atoning for his past, protecting his loved ones, and doing something entirely selfless.

When he unleashed his full Super Saiyan power, it wasn’t to claim glory — it was to buy time, to give Earth a chance.

His choice to sacrifice himself against Majin Buu marked a turning point in his character arc — the ultimate moment of humility and courage that made even the proudest warrior shed his ego.

Majin Buu: The Unstoppable Chaos

On the other side stood Majin Buu, a creature of pure destruction.

Rogue, unpredictable, and terrifyingly powerful, Buu had already defeated some of the strongest fighters in existence — Gohan, Piccolo, Gotenks, and even the original Majin Buu himself.

His raw, unrestrained power made him a nightmare to face and a symbol of chaos that couldn’t be reasoned with.

He was so uncontrollable that he even destroyed his own creator, Babidi, proving that his rage and independence went beyond anyone’s command.

Fighting Majin Buu wasn’t about winning — it was about surviving long enough to make a difference.

Why This Fight Hits Different

This wasn’t a flashy contest of who could scream louder or throw the bigger energy blast.

It was a story of growth, sacrifice, and legacy.

Vegeta’s farewell to his son before the explosion remains one of the most emotional moments in the franchise.

His self-destruction wasn’t in vain — it symbolized everything he had learned about love, humility, and what it truly means to be strong.

While Goku might be the face of the series, Vegeta became the heart of it in that moment.

The prideful prince who once sought to destroy Earth chose instead to die protecting it — and that’s why Vegeta vs. Majin Buu remains one of Dragon Ball Z’s greatest and most meaningful battles.
Why does saying goodbye come with such a high price tag — and what does that say about how we value life and death?

October 9, 2025

When you really think about it, funerals aren’t just about closure — they’re about cost.

The price of parting ways isn’t only measured in dollars, but in the emotional toll of cutting your losses with the memories you made.

It’s not just the person we mourn, it’s the version of them that lived in our heads — the one frozen in the moments we still replay.

We often say people’s value rises after death, and maybe that’s true — but only because we cling to who they used to be.

Memory turns into currency. Reflection turns into reverence.

And before long, loss becomes an investment of both heart and money.

Even the physical act of goodbye carries a bill — from burial plots to flowers, to the very ceremony we call “paying our last respects.”

The tradition itself frames death as a final transaction:

a going-away service that blends love, guilt, and duty all at once.

But maybe the real cost of saying goodbye isn’t financial.

Maybe it’s how it forces us to reconcile the uncomfortable truth — that we spend our lives accumulating attachments, only to be asked to let them go.

So yes, saying goodbye has a price. But the question worth asking is:

Are we paying for peace, or for the illusion that we ever had control over loss in the first place?

What do you think we’re really paying for when we say goodbye?
What does working from home look like? (Explained)

September 30, 2025

I’ll be explaining what working from home looks like.

What does working from home look like?

Work from home often looks like balancing personal reflection with professional responsibilities. It means appreciating how your career has developed up to the present while staying focused on both short- and long-term goals. Daily tasks may involve marketing the company’s work, maintaining productivity, and ensuring progress is visible. At the same time, remote work relies heavily on consistent communication with colleagues, whether through virtual meetings or team chats. Ultimately, it combines independence with collaboration to keep projects moving forward effectively.

Reflecting on life up to the current day

Reflecting on life up to the current day is an important practice that allows you to pause and take stock of where you are compared to where you’ve been.

It helps you notice your growth—or even the lack of it—by highlighting the changes in your character, mindset, or circumstances that shape the opportunities you now face.

This kind of reflection becomes a personal moment of honesty, where you acknowledge your strengths, weaknesses, and the lessons learned along the way.

A meaningful part of this process is considering the people who have played significant roles in your life.

Family members, mentors, friends, or even colleagues often leave lasting impressions, motivating you to keep building relationships beyond your work.

Reflecting on these connections reminds you of the importance of community and how others influence your journey.

For many, reflection also means relaying and processing lessons from experiences—both positive and negative.

Every success, setback, or challenge becomes part of a larger story that gives you perspective and resilience.

By looking back with honesty and gratitude, you’re better equipped to move forward with purpose and make choices that align with the person you’re continually becoming.

Plenty of marketing on behalf of the company

Mass marketing on behalf of the company is more than just pushing out advertisements—it’s about sharing a story that aligns with both the business and its audience.

This is your chance to communicate what you’d like to see differently happen in the market.

By voicing unique perspectives and values, you position your company as a thought leader, not just another competitor.

The more universal and transparent you can be, the better, because people trust honesty and clarity over vague promises.

Marketing also allows space to pay homage to the individuals or organizations you emulate your life around.

This adds authenticity, showing that the company’s vision is built on admiration, influence, and aspiration.

Another powerful tool is affiliates—partners who believe in your product or service and are willing to share it with their networks.

They can be some of your greatest selling points, extending your reach and strengthening credibility.

In the end, plenty of marketing isn’t about flooding people with promotions.

It’s about building genuine trust, leveraging connections, and demonstrating values in a way that resonates with the larger world.

That’s how a company truly grows its presence and earns loyalty.

Emphasis on goals being set (short and long term)

Setting short- and long-term goals is essential for creating direction and measuring progress.

In business, this means more than simply having a checklist—it’s about doubling down on values that align both personally and professionally.

When you’re clear about where your company stands and what you believe in, each goal becomes a reflection of integrity and purpose.

The focus should always be on where progress levels are expected to be, and on holding yourself accountable to reach them.

From a personal perspective, I consciously set my focus on building a legacy through quality work.

Every project, large or small, contributes to how I’ll be remembered, and that drives me to keep raising my standards.

Working among different generations also plays a role here, as it offers opportunities to learn, adapt, and leave a genuine impact.

The influence of those interactions can either enhance the quality of your life or diminish it, depending on how you approach them.

Ultimately, emphasizing goals—whether short-term benchmarks or long-term visions—creates a framework for progress.

It’s about clarity, consistency, and the discipline to align actions with the bigger picture you want to create.

Communicating with colleagues on your team

Communicating with colleagues on your team is one of the most important skills to develop in any professional environment.

It goes beyond simply exchanging information—it’s about building trust and alignment.

This is where the phrase “sharing is caring” takes on a professional meaning.

By letting your teammates know what’s on your mind before executing an action, you create space for feedback, gain their support, and avoid unnecessary criticism from outside your group.

Strong communication also means balancing your closest associate’s interests with the overall goals of the company, ensuring that no one feels left behind while still advancing collective success.

It’s important not to wait until a crisis or mistake forces conversation.

Instead, let curiosity and genuine interest drive regular discussions about your organization’s priorities and direction.

Proactive communication prevents misalignment and shows that you care about the bigger picture.

Additionally, encouraging positivity within the team strengthens relationships.

Share the good you notice in your colleagues and suggest they highlight those strengths with their wider networks.

Doing so not only boosts morale but also enhances the reputation of your team as a whole.

Ultimately, thoughtful and intentional communication helps cultivate a supportive, forward-thinking workplace culture.