Thank you both for the links, I have an interview with Lowes Thursday. Better than fast food and it full time 40 plus hours. I also think I'll be able to get a vehicle soon so that will help expand my options. I know I can achieve this goal whether it be one year or twenty it'll have to be done.

Santa, well to be honest I have thought about trying to take an EMT certification course, possibly even a full paramedic. I feel it's something that would be useful for a life time.

I suppose I could go into a bit more detail about my parent. They adopted me when I was about five. We were never really close by any meaning of the word. I was the youngest of their children and the only one adopted. They told me once when I was fifteen that there was only one reason my mother want...

Thank you James for your thoughts. And no I have not set down and actually worked out the details. I understand fast food isn't the best out even good money, but it's a start. The majority of my pay well be going to the couple helping me. I hate taking from them and giving nothing in return. And the...

They are and believe me I asked. It always came down to we'll think about it or "maybe next semester, your loans already cover this one" that was my favorite one. As I said they are greedy and their money is their money.

Hello, I have not been to this site in some time but I recently have been able to use the internet again and just thought I would inform you all of what I am currently doing. I dropped out of college a while ago because I honestly was only there to please my parents. All I have wanted for the longes...

I was also wondering if when you do go to a monastery to stay for a while and study is it generally okay to go to another one? I don't think every monastery has they same teachings and messages. Honestly I want to learn from quite a few.

Thanks Farmer, that could actually be a very good option for me as its fairly close and in a familiar area.

Thank you BuddhaSoup. Honestly, traveling and learning in a foreign country does interest me, but due to money reasons I feel I may be limited state side for a while. Plus I believe I would like to get a better understanding and maturity before traveling outside the states.

Thank you Aloka, I will definitely look into it. Hopefully I can visit and learn from many monasteries across the US.

Hello, I have been thinking about this for years now and believe that I am at the point where I would move on these feelings. I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with visiting/being a lay resident at a monastery. I am finding it very difficult where I am to study and get a gasp of Budd...

Earlier I was studying the works of Miyamoto Musashi, as I am interested in his teachings, and I came across his piece of work called the Dokkodo "The Path of Aloneness". Instantly it got me thinking. I not sure if anyone here knows him but it is well know that he did not mix swordsmanship...

Thank you all for the warm welcomes

Ah, cool. Thank you both

I apologize if this is the incorrect forum but I was curious if anyone here could recommend books for study or leisure. I recently picked up "My Spiritual Journey" by His Holiness (not so much for study but more for insight into his life) and I would say I would recommend it to everyone Bu...