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I am officially a staff writer for Bakersfield College's bi-weekly newspaper "Ther Renegade Rip." 

My 19 year-old son Dustin is taking the class with me as well.  It's kinda strange but cool to be in the same classroom with your kid. 

Our first paper of the Fall semester was published on Sept 10.  You can read my articles at the following address:

http://www.therip.com/user/...

If you want to offer advice, hints, or constructive criticism...that would be great!

 Pictures accompanying this blog entry are from the Gold Wing Road Rider's Association California District Rally Held at the Doubletree Hotel Labor Day weekend.

Well, I got through the first week of classes without a scrape...but with very tired feet...because the parking is terrible!!!  Even worse I am driving my husband's pick up...which is like parking a bus, so if I do find a parking space it is darn near impossible to get into it, or you have to pull some fancy moves...something this girl does not know how to do.

Classes are awesome.  I have the same professor for all three of my journalism classes.  I am also the oldest person in all of my classes.  At first it bothered me but then I got to thinking...these kids have nothing on me.  I have wisdom that only comes from age and experience.  I have been there, done that, seen it and am ready for the next big thing.  They are still in search of their first big thing.  I have no desire to relive all of that.  I have the complete advantage and I am sure before it is all said and done...they will all be calling me MOM. 

My 19 year old son is also taking the Newspaper Production class with me.  He needed a little bit of a kick start...and after watching me come home, all excited about classes, he decided to go as well.  We are also taking an online PE class together.

My other kids were asking how the heck do you do PE online.  My 16 year old daughter thought that you had to broadcast yourself on a webcam doing jumping jacks...crazy kid!!!  Actually it is more theory than physical. 

Well off to bed...it's a school night!!!

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I wrote about this in a blog on Bakersfield.com and it was printed in the paper last week on Saturday.

On February 21 of this year, my 14 year old daughter told me she was pregnant.  I think in the next 5 days I felt every emotion imagineable to a human.  Anger, guilt, frustration, disappointment, joy, sad, you name it, I felt it. 

I remember a few years ago, I had a lady in my chair at work.  She was the sister of my best friend's husband and all three of us...me, her and my best friend...were all pregnant with our first kids all together.  Well, her daughter had just turned 17 and was pregnant...with TWINS.  While I was cutting her hair, I said to her "So I hear you are going to be a grandma." without much enthusiasm.  She said "Oh I know isn't it great!!!"  I was thinking...how crazy do you have to be to think it is great for your teenager to be having one baby...much less two!!!???

Now I understand where she was coming from.  I want to shout out to the world that I am going to be a grandma...but it sure is hard to say that it is my 14 year old daughter that is making me one.  I am not embarassed by her in any way...it is just the looks that I get when I tell people. 

I am thrilled that I am going to have a grandson...I am not thrilled that my 14 year old is having a son.  What do you do though?  You accept it and move to the next step.

I have heard people say that they would kill their daughter if she came home pregnant.  Now really...KILL HER???  True, it is just a figure of speech...but in reality, when it does happen...what you do has nothing to do with killing her...You stand by her whatever her decision is whether you agree or not.  You still love her no matter what.  If she decides to keep the baby, you go to the doctor with her.  When you hear your grandbaby's heartbeat for the first time...you are amazed...that you gave life to the life that is giving it life.  You cry tears of joy and then you plan.  Life goes on. 

I don't want my daughter to give up every bit of her youth.  I will help her out as much as possible but she will ultimately have the most responsibility for him.  This baby was not a mistake as a baby never ever is a mistake in God's eyes.  He is just coming sooner than we expected...like five years sooner.

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Hello, my name is Elka Wyatt.  I was not born here but I was raised in Bakersfield.  I moved away a few times...but have always come home to Bakersfield.  I recently moved to a home in the Northwest and really love it out this way.  I certainly do not miss the chaotic and usually criminal environment of the South part of Bakersfield.  The Northwest is a welcome change for my family.

I am a self employed hairstylist.  I work at Hot Hedz Salon on White Lane and Stine Road.  I am also working part time at Mod Hatter in the mall.  I am always accepting new clients.  In fact, if you mention this blog, you will get services at the Friends and Family rate.  You can check out some of my work on myspace...  www.myspace.com/hair_by_elka  Just call or text me...661-364-9835 or on the salon phone 661-831-4339 as I only see clients at Hot Hedz by appointment only.  At  I will usually post my schedule in a bulletin on myspace so if you are interested, add me as a friend.  My ultimate goal is to get enough clientele in the Northwest so I can eventually move to a better salon in this area. 

I have been with my "forever fiance" for nearly 11 years.  We have six kids ages 19, 17, 17, 16, 14, and 8.  We also have a grandson due in October which I will get into in another post. 

I am starting college on August 25 at Bakersfield College.  My major is journalism.  I am not sure how far I would like to go with it but it will be pretty cool to find out how far I can go with it.  I will probably be using this as kind of like a journal.  I am always open to advice, constructive criticism, and comments. 

I am outgoing, usually pleasant, fun loving, and charismatic.  I enjoy karaoke, dancing, blogging, talking with friends on myspace, barbequing, going to the beach, reading  and spending time with my family.