Know Your Audience

This was one of the most exciting discussion boards thus far. It is very interesting to me to hear where everyone comes from along with their like and dislikes; what makes them tick. The wide span of questions were very intriguing. I think that probably one of the most expected questions was about "favorite food". What was even more interesting about this question was how many people seemed to like mexican food. I love it too - although not my top pick; but out of all of the food that this country and world offers and so many had the same tastes. Probably one of the least expected, and yet relatively humorous questions was regarding your plans for today if you had to go to prison tomorrow. Hadn't much thought about that before but you really start thinking about all of the possibilities. A lot of people would choose to spend it with family and make the most out of that day. I do recall though, one response I read talked about robbing a bank and such. This really is quite hilarious - what a creative response. When you stop to think about it, as Lauren said, you are going to jail anyways! I think so many in our class have so much in common without completely realizing it. When you read through the responses; so many are completely family-oriented and that is what their life's dreams and ambitions revolve around. There was one more thing that caught my attention, although I can't really explain why. The "birth order" question. As I looked back through these responses, it appears that no one in our class is an only child! Why this is so fascinating is beyond me, but what is the likely hood of 18 people in a class all having siblings? This discussion really let us into each others lives and made me really even think back to some of my responses as I read others. That leads back to maybe that is exactly what this class, or at least the interaction part is all about; getting everyone to provoke their inner thoughts and portray them on a screen for others to interpret.

June 30, 2013

Another day: this is a good thing, right? It was going really good until I just realized that I missed another deadline for my English assignments! REALLY? This is just frustrating. I have to find a way to get my self under control and to keep better track of all of my assignments. Sitting here complaining about it though is not going to change anything so I am going to continue this blog with my day and then proceed to my missed assignment and my assignment that is due today. Had a wonderful morning at church and teaching our little babies about Noah and the Ark. It puts such a smile on my face to see them light up. Then we took the 2 middle kiddos to get their hair cut. My daughter had hair down to the end of her back, now it is SUPER short - and SUPER cute! I can't believe she did it though. We are donating her hair to Locks of Love; so I think it was a very rewarding day. The house is clean, and the family is hanging out while I proceed with my homework. I really am blessed! They are so patient and supportive of my schooling - although not always easy for them, they really do try. One day it will be a very good payoff - and my whole family will be rewarded! I didn't know how well I could get into this whole blogging thing, but I really do enjoy it. It's not always easy to decide what to write about - I don't feel like I should always be talking about my school or about my home life. Maybe tomorrow I will check out the Writing Resources for suggested topics. It's time to continue on to another blog, so I can complete yesterday's assignment that I missed.

June 29, 2013

Well here is another day! The weekend has been fairly well so far... with one exception! I have yet to get used to the fact that I am supposed to be blogging EVERY day. This being said - I missed blogging yesterday. Sigh.  Guess all I can do is go forward from today and do my best and hope that missing one blog won't mess up my grade to bad. I am so agitated with myself. I go back to feeling like I have WAY TOO MUCH on my plate right now. We had a great family night last night as we enjoyed the fireworks display and activities in our hometown. The kids had so much fun; the 3 youngest did pony rides, some got their faces painted, and others jumped in the bouncy houses. It was just fun hanging out with my family, my best friend, and her family. I did have one REALLY scary incident thought. Our 10-year-old daughter went missing after dark. She was supposed to be sitting with a friend and her mother. The mother comes up to me at 10pm and asks me if my daughter is with me! Talk about panic mode... I went to the police immediately and reported all of her information. They said they couldn't make any announcements until after the fireworks were over but they would dispatch it to all of the officers. Fortunately, about 10 minutes later she showed up at our location. I don't think I have ever been so scared in my life. Have you ever lost sight of a child? Needless to say, she will not be away from me for a long time. My frustration is so unbelievable with this mother. I do understand that children "wonder" a little but how to you just all of the sudden realize a child is missing!? I have so much homework to get down and I still have a discussion board post to do. This assignment is really difficult for me for some reason. Posting on a reading from my Power of Language book. I know I can do this; I just need to get away from all of the distractions. I also had a great opportunity today to meet some extended family that I have never met. It fascinates me to learn about my family history and to try and put the pieces of "puzzle" together. Guess it's about time for me to start focusing on my other assignment, so that I can post an intelligent and meaning discussion board post.

Credo of mine

I really had not thought about having a credo before now; but as I reflect on my life I would have to say it's pretty clear. If you want something, make it happen! This used to be a hard concept for me to follow through but over the last 3 years, this has become my life. You can have and do anything you want, if you are willing to put the equivalent work into it. If you aren't willing to work for it; then you can't sit around and complain about what you will not change. We have countless opportunities put in front of us through our lives; some easier than others to see and some you really have to be paying attention. It is up to each one of us to go after it and take the bull by the horns!

Frustration Overload!

So you will have to bear with me tonight! I am not one who typically spends a lot of time complaining or being negative; I just don't feel like it is productive in most cases; but tonight might be a little different for me. It has been a day full of frustration. I had my unit 2 test in Anatomy & Physiology tonight; and although I have spent all day studying - I don't think the results are going to be good. It makes me wonder if I should go ahead and drop the class. I need this specific course for my degree but if I don't carry an A or B in it, it won't matter because the nursing program is so tight. I guess the next day or 2 will tell how I really did. It's going to be really hard to wait.  Then I feel like, because of all of the studying I am having to do for that class, it is making it hard to get my other two course assignments completed. I am far from getting sleep, going to bed at 2 every morning and starting again by 6. I feel myself burning out fast. Then you add people that continual complain. Wait, how ironic, that's exactly what I am doing! I am making a decision to reverse this conversation into constructive writing. We got a new puppy yesterday - his name is Oreo! He is a Yorkie/Bichon mix and he is so darn cute. My husband doesn't fully agree with me and tonight made that situation a little more frustrating. Oreo has done really well for me going outside and not tearing up things in the house. While I was at class tonight though, he had 2 accidents in the house and was chewing on the back of the couch. Needless to say, my husband is not happy with the dog! He has become my homework buddy though, he just sits at my feet with his toy or up on the couch next to me. I am getting so tired and not really sure where I should be going with this whole journal project. Honestly, the whole lesson 4 is confusing me! (Other than the reading assignments.) Probably the lack of sleep is not making things any easier to comprehend. I just have to remember to take it one step at a time and I will get through it. I am really hungry right now - or am I? Maybe I just want something to comfort my frustrations and fatigue. I don't even feel like I am being a good mom right now. With everything I am having to try to get done with school - I feel like I am spread as thin as a sheet of tissue paper. Much more weight and I am liable to just completely disintegrate. God is on my  side and i will get through this - I just have to remember, He is my strength even  when I can't be. My weekends are being completely taken over by family - and that would normally be the best thing ever! I love family reunions and spending time with those that I don't get to see often but right now it is just too much. I don't feel like I can say "no" because they are all pertaining to my grandfather in some way or another. See, he lost my grandmother on January 2nd of this year after 63 years of marriage. So how can I expect him to tackle these reunions and other events on his own. I know in the future, it will get a little easier. I miss her so much and these past few weeks of get-together's have been rough. She really was an amazing woman. I knew that she was always there for me no matter what. When no one else "got it", she did. Grandma always seemed to have the right words to make everything better. Grandma, why can't you still be here? I could really use your ear right now. I know she can still hear me and that she watches over me, but I miss her. I think this night is going to have to come to an end soon because I am emotionally spent. I thought by writing out this blog, maybe I would feel a little better - but instead I sit here in my own tears wondering where I am going and what I am doing!

I took too many credit hours this summer - This I believe

I believe I took too many credit hours this summer. I loaded myself with 9 credit hours. This is my first semester of college and I am taking 2 online courses and 1 hybrid course. I originally was only going to take 2 classes, with 6 credit hours but with the way financial aide works I decided to add the extra course. I should have listened to everyone that warned me how heavy a load this would be. I guess I thought I could be super woman. I didn't give full thought to having 4 children, a husband, and a house to take care of. I also didn't take into consideration that I spend atleast 1 day a week at my grandfather's house in Ash Grove helping with his financial and administrative matters. It seems as though everyone else needs my time and i don't have anytime to focus on what I need. Like studying as much as I would like and especially not at one or two in the morning. I have learned that getting 3 or 4 hours of sleep wears on me. I just got my blood work back from my yearly exam and my B12 is extremely low. Now I get to go through a series of shots for the next year to try and get the levels back up. I asked her what caused this level to be low and she says fatigue! You think I could possibly be suffering from fatigue? How? I can do it all, right? Appearantly not since I have 2 loads of laundry sitting on the couch next to me and a list a mile long of what I need to get done tomorrow. Will I be able to have enough time to study for my Anatomy and Physiology class? Will I ever even "get" that class? I have to succeed with my courses to be able to fulfill my dreams of being a nurse. But am I trying to do too much at once? I am extremely hot right now and the baby is crying. At 1am! Lord help me... I need longer days and need the time to go much slower than what it currently does. I am not sure what to type right now. I feel like my mind is trying to go off course. I need to get back to reflecting on the fact that I believe I took too many credit hours this summer. I debate whether I should drop a class. But this makes me feel like a failure inside. I keep telling myself I have made it through 3 weeks - only 5 more to go. Will I make it? Will I pass? I don't know, I honestly don't know. Has it been 10 minutes yet? I feel like I need to crank the air conditioner down. I am burning up. I guess I will keep typing and thinking. Maybe I can do this. After all, how are my children supposed to learn what hard work can do for you if I don't stick with it. I am going to make it through this - dead or alive. I have finally hit ten minutes!
Total words: 531

This I Believe Statements

I believe that I am a loyal friend.
I believe that life is way too short.
I believe there are a lot of people who do not think before they speak.
I believe I love my husband with all my heart.
I believe that my children are my first priority.
I believe that I took too many credit hours this summer.
I believe that I will do my best in my classes.
I believe that it is extremely late.
I believe God is the creator of all.
I believe time goes by fast.
I believe this weekend is going to be a great reflection with family.
I believe there is not enough time in my days.
I believe my youngest child has the most pure heart.
I believe my son is very intelligent.
I believe my oldest daughter has a heart of gold and would help anyone.
I believe my stepson really does love me.
I believe that life will get better.
I believe that this computer is very hot sitting on my lap.
I believe the color lime green is the best color ever.
I believe that tv's can be a distraction to life.
I believe that I have a lot of housework to catch up on.
I believe my mother did the very best she possibly could raising me.
I believe my dad watches over me from heaven.
I believe that it would be wonderful to be in the Bahamas right now.
I believe that my children will grow up way too fast.
I believe I will live a long life.
I believe that everything happens for a reason.
I believe that forgiveness is the key to love.
I believe that we need to laugh more.
I believe we all could help someone else.
I believe that my grandmother knew how much I really loved her.
I believe roller coasters are a really exciting past time.
I believe that food can be evil.
I believe my weight loss has been a success.
I believe that I will be a nurse within a few years.
I believe that I am getting really tired.
I believe that we should give 100% in all that we do.
I believe in equality.
I believe it's ok to cry.

Jung Typology Reflection

So I not so long ago I completed the Jung Typology test... what an interesting tool this is!  As I went through the questions, I was amazed at how I had to really reflect on my daily life and how I handle different things. But even more interesting and enlightening - the typology indicator! At the conclusion of my test, I was typed as ESFJ (Extraversion, Sensing, Feeling, Judging). Reading over the indicator report, it is intriguing how this nailed me to a tee!

Myself as a student find it, when distracted, very hard to focus on my schooling and homework. This becomes very challenging around my house - being a stay-at-home mom of 4. It's a constant obstacle as I begin this first semester of college. It seems as though someone else always in need of something. Everyone always comes before me - or at least it seems that way. It's always been a down-fall of mine to be a people-pleaser. The typology indicator pinned this one! I have to find a way to put myself first, so that I can more efficiently and with less stress complete my assignments. I do not like to procrastinate and yet find myself doing homework assignments on the day they are due - it is more than my brain can handle at times. Very interesting to me is the fact that my typology indicates that I like to discuss and work in groups; which should may my English course a success, if I take full advantage of my resources. The discussions make me feel involved and with an online course, I think this is going to be key! One of the other areas regarding me being a student that I really could learn from is that I require structure for my learning - especially to be able to process. If only I could find structure so there is adequate time for me to focus on nothing but my school work.

After evaluating the writing segment of my indicator - I have a lot to learn that could be essential to my writing. I do prefer to write (and read) on personal experiences as opposed to specific topics. I am very opinionated and emotional so it can be difficult not to reflect this in the little bit of writing that I do. The previous work that I have done in my composition class (which consists of about 2 weeks) is wanting to hold me back because I haven't seen the results of them yet. I find myself wanting to reflect back on my previous work as an indication of how I am doing. Am I communicating properly? Are there things that I am reflecting on that I shouldn't be? Is my time being well-used in forming my thoughts and feelings onto a page? This blog is probably a real good reflection in how I could better learn from the concept of needing to review my writings and editing them of useless personal information and feelings and making sure I am including proper elements.

I think I am going to have to spend a lot more time really reviewing my typology indicator to better myself as a person, a student, and a writer.