"In the 173 days since I joined GetSetUp, I've taken 563 classes. This amounts to approximately 3.25 classes a day, which is hard to believe because I didn't enjoy learning as a kid. I loved the social aspect of school, but anything scholastic challenged me. So I did not go to college after high school. Instead, I enrolled in cosmetology school and worked as a hairdresser. Over the next four years, I worked and often traveled, eventually settling down to get married. I stayed home with my children until I learned about community colleges. The day my youngest child started first grade, I met with a 'Returning Women's Advisor' at my local community college and registered for my first class. 

In a few years, I transitioned from working as a hairdresser to selling commercial real estate and completing tax audits. Today, I am a big proponent of education, especially online learning. It's efficient and convenient. I often encourage people to hop online and try a few classes. 

My most recent educational endeavor is learning Spanish. Three years ago, I took a few sections of Spanish at a community college, and after that, I joined a group of friends who are also learning the language. We meet every Tuesday to practice. In between our meetings, I take Spanish classes on GetSetUp. Right now, I can speak Spanish at the level of a five-year-old. 

On top of Spanish, I am constantly learning new technology skills. I plan on taking a class on the latest drone updates soon. It is fascinating. For me, technology feels like a disassembled puzzle. If I can pick up one piece, I can make comparisons to another part and hopefully fit them together. Each class I take boosts my confidence in the technology around me, including my tablet, which I now use for Zoom and social media. These tech skills bring me into the 21st-century. More and more of our lives involve technology, and if you're not tech-savvy, you are at a disadvantage. I refuse to be at a disadvantage. 

I've learned enough about Zoom to co-host an online class called 'Living with Less.' This class is essential to the GetSetUp audience because all of your life, you gather and save. Then you age and begin moving to smaller residences where you can only keep what you need. Even though it is emotionally challenging to rid yourself of possessions, I love helping people learn to live more minimally. 

I also love learning about the technology driving our future. There are new advancements every day. Living in 2022 is thrilling. This year my husband and I attended a New Year's Eve Party where guests dressed in the best era of their lives. I showed up in denim and a blouse, 21st-century clothes. The same clothes I wear now because right now is the most exciting time of my life."