cutting my teeth

I got into my Digi F@b class! I wasn't sure if I would because I was one of nine on a waitlist, but it turns out I was bumped to being confirmed anyways (that's a long story in itself). AND, this semester, we WILL be doing 3D pr!nting! Hooray!
I also helped a senior Chinese couple find P@sadena, and I think they were so thankful, it helped with my good karma today :)
So I'm MEGA excited! Also, I'll be doing some m@chining, as well as learning Aut0cad and S0lidworks. Plus, my good friend and first teacher of my favourite software ever gave me a lifetime subscription to the tutorials he teaches, (which include S0lidworks), so I'll be hitting those up too!
Also, I"m taking two online Pyth0n classes and one M@chine Learning class, a well as buying my own R@spberry Pi setup to make and pr0gramme my own stuff. I want to be able to just come up with my own ideas and have the ability to build them and make them.

I know that right now there is a lot of push for STEM this and that and the other, especially for females in the field and all that. I refuse to be used as part of a political agenda. I think that in many cases, it's selfish to the craft of what we do. (bear in mind, I may change my opinion as I mature, but these are my thoughts currently, at this time in my life).
I want to say that there have been so many times that I've been encouraged (by other women no less) to use my gender or who I am to get further and make a big deal out of my ability, but I want to be known not for who I am, but my competence and talent and ability to do things really well. So I'm cutting my teeth right now.
So for now I guess I"m 'one of the guys'. I don't want special privileges or anything, and I'm just happy to push myself more than ever. I remember in welding class, I got a LOT more respect from the guys for not being that whiny little girl who thought she should get a special privilege just for being a girl. I've been doubted over and over again at a glance by guys who just thought "she'll drop out just like the others". But I stuck it through. I don't take it personally, and people do change. I've had people do a complete 180 in their opinion of me just because I stuck it out and gained some respect.
I just put my head down and did the work. I'm so used to being the only girl over and over again, it doesn't even phase me anymore. I've gotten so many 'man hugs' at the end of a long day (which involves their clubbering me in group form via a hug) and drank so many beers with the guys that I see them as my peers; that's how they should be. I want to work with the best people. Period.
I used to think that I should make a big deal about it, as in some classes where I was expected to give an opinion as representative of a certain group. Believe me, if I have something to say,  I will say it. But I can't stand for every 'other' out there. I challenge those people to step up and become a part of these fields too, so that they too can have their own voice.

My mom, who is one of the best at what she does, has been the same, and she is an inspiration to me. She was never into the politics regarding who she in terms of physicality or gender, but she worked her butt off to be one of the best, and ended up getting an award by her peers for her efforts. She's also mega great with chemistry and math and repairing cars. How's that for an awesome mom!? She also is a GREAT cook, btw!

I think that for me, I just aim to be my very best and keep learning for the rest of my life. If you love it, the love for what you do carries you really far. As for me, right now, I"m just really excited. Great times are ahead, so stay tuned!