One of my dreams was to go back to school and pursue a master’s degree in, well honestly, anything. At age 34 and after dealing with anti-depressants for a decade, I am living out that dream earning a master’s in Holistic Nutrition online and at my own pace. True, being single has allotted me the extra time to spend studying, but anyone in any relationship at any age can do it if one’s mind and heart are into it.

Though online schooling is not the traditional way of attending classes, one can still meet a diverse group of students, graduates, advisers and professors through e-mail, bulletins and chat rooms. It has been a fun way to meet new people from all over the United States, and it is another great space to possibly meet singles with one’s same interests.

I started thinking about school and life. The most important things I’ve learned are from real life experiences throughout the years, but there is still a place for school. Taking classes gives me a chance to step back from my daily trials and tribulations and learn something new. With each course I complete, I gain more knowledge and new perspectives that I can weave into my daily routine.

I am at a turning point in my life, and am learning to appreciate every relationship and lessons learned through them.

In each relationship, I can learn more about myself and what I need, even if the relationship itself fails.

I’ve learned that in any relationship or friendship one should:

- Let go of grudges. Harboring negative feelings is unhealthy and can also cause illness (it’s true!).

- Never go to bed angry.

- Always find forgiveness in your heart for any wrongdoings. Sometimes in the end, you’ll find that the other person’s wrongdoings may have been out of their control or just a big mistake.

- Forgive yourself for mistakes made. You are allowed to make mistakes as long as you do what it takes to make things right, and sometimes that takes time.

- Let go of the past, good or not so good, because you can never get it back or change anything. Keep what’s positive, and keep moving forward with time — the only constant.

One doesn’t have to earn a master’s degree to realize that life is too short. Always remember that in life, the principal lesson to learn is to love with your whole heart, and love will be returned to you.

Looking for a place to study, work online, or just read a good book?
Et Café is the newest coffee shop in town, nestled in East Hill in the old Sacred Heart building. It’s open Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and has WiFi Internet access with a nice Bohemian lounge setting. The shop offers a variety of fine coffees and teas, pastries, and a light lunch, as well as fine liquors and beer for your post-study session. You can always pop over next door to Ozone or Madison’s for dinner.

End Of The Line Café is another favorite spot, where I can be caught writing my latest Bella column or hitting the books. The creative atmosphere offers the perfect place indoors and an outdoor area to study, get online (the computers offer WiFi), play chess, or grab a healthy vegan bite. There’s also Thursday night dinner, and my favorite time to hang at EOTL is Sunday brunch with a good cup of coffee or green tea. EOTL is at 610 E. Wright St. and is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mike D’s Eatery has recently added WiFi for public use. This café is nestled in historic downtown at 221 E. Zarragoza St., and the walls are lined with fine folk art and photography for sale by local artists. Enjoy gourmet sandwiches, soups (my favorite is the roasted red pepper), and yummy desserts inside or out on the patio while you study. Mike D’s Eatery is open for lunch Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mike D’s/Culinary Productions also offers quality catering.

Raela Marie Villanueva is a wellness coordinator for Juice Plus+ and is working on her master’s degree in Holistic Nutrition. She is a long-time resident of Pensacola and enjoys creative writing. For comments/questions, visit www.myspace.com/msraela.