Reflection.....................
This is how my writing went for me......
I started this class with very high expectations for myself. Learning things about myself through the entire process. I learned that I can go back to school and that I do have the ability to write more than I thought possible. Honestly when I found out I was going to have to make a blog and write every day I was a little upset. I thought blogging was more of a social media type of thing. I know now that I can actually use my blog as more of a journal for my journey. I will probably use this tool for myself for my entire process of all of my classes.
It hasn't been easy for me with my work schedule, but I made it happen. The writing every day sometimes gets in my way if I don't have time. I did realize though through this process that I have used my blog to help calm myself down. There was one particular assignment that wasn't going well for me because I couldn't find a link for the "Research Assignment." I was making it way too hard because I thought it was something we were trying to research the library for. Well I was on my computer for about 4 hours looking for it. I was making myself ill, and wondering what the hell I was going to do. I opened my blog and started writing and found that it helped just to write about it. That's how powerful it was for me. This tool has allowed me to bring back some great memories of things that I haven't thought about in a long time and has given me a way to put them down on paper because I don't keep a journal.
I feel like I can put things on my blog that maybe are not so appropriate for the classroom discussions. Like things about my struggles and my personal life. These are useful tools to me since I don't really have too many people I can talk to about these things since it is an online class. Some of my struggles would be, trying to get to a computer every day to be able to write on the blog. I was able to overcome this by writing a couple blogs on some days and writing at all hours of the day or night. Sometimes it is hard to find things to write about, the blog prompts that you (Ms. A.) post on the resources button allowed me a few times to write some fun things. THANK YOU!
I feel like this class was a refresher in some ways, but some of the things that I learned weren't even things that I learned in high school because that was almost 30 years ago for me. I do know that everything I'm taking away from this class will be things that I am able to use through my journey of going back to school.
I feel like writing the blogs everyday helped me keep on track because it was more fun than I thought it would be. It was actually the fun part of the class. I have never thought of myself as a writer, and still don't, but I think now I CAN if I put my mind to it. It's just not as enjoyable for me as it might be for other people.
I actually like the Blog and will probably keep writing, even though we don't have to. :)
Ms. Anthony, you have pushed me to my limits, thank you. I didn't think it was possible to get this much done in an eight week period, but we did!!
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Journal entry #24
Tulsa here I come..................
Wow what a stressful week. I am leaving town today for work and heading to Tulsa. Not my idea of fun, but it is what it is. I hope the rest of the week goes a little better than the first part of the week. I went to Kansas City last week, leaving on Wednesday and coming back late on Saturday evening. I will be going to Tulsa in about 3 hours and coming back on Saturday evening again. This does not work well with a Summer Semester in school. I'm so glad that this is almost over and I can have some breathing room. It has been a wild ride for me trying to juggle home, work and school. I did it though and only have a few more assignments left to go. I think I have learned some valuable lessons with the online classes I'm taking. I need more time management. I have had lots of wake up moments and now know why kids should absolutely go to college straight out of High School. You are younger and can handle it!! You also don't have children to divide your time. Your mind is still fresh with most of the things that are happening in the academic world. Technology is a huge thing as well. I seem to have problems every time I log on and if it weren't for those moments it might have been a bit less stressful. I have one more blog to type and it will probably look similar to what I'm writing right now. It has been an amazing ride.
I think I am packed and need to go to the bank and pack my food for the week and I will be ready to walk out the door. Geez I just need about 3 more days at home to be able to get what I need done for school. Maybe work will call and say the trip is cancelled? FAT CHANCE!!!!!
Wow what a stressful week. I am leaving town today for work and heading to Tulsa. Not my idea of fun, but it is what it is. I hope the rest of the week goes a little better than the first part of the week. I went to Kansas City last week, leaving on Wednesday and coming back late on Saturday evening. I will be going to Tulsa in about 3 hours and coming back on Saturday evening again. This does not work well with a Summer Semester in school. I'm so glad that this is almost over and I can have some breathing room. It has been a wild ride for me trying to juggle home, work and school. I did it though and only have a few more assignments left to go. I think I have learned some valuable lessons with the online classes I'm taking. I need more time management. I have had lots of wake up moments and now know why kids should absolutely go to college straight out of High School. You are younger and can handle it!! You also don't have children to divide your time. Your mind is still fresh with most of the things that are happening in the academic world. Technology is a huge thing as well. I seem to have problems every time I log on and if it weren't for those moments it might have been a bit less stressful. I have one more blog to type and it will probably look similar to what I'm writing right now. It has been an amazing ride.
I think I am packed and need to go to the bank and pack my food for the week and I will be ready to walk out the door. Geez I just need about 3 more days at home to be able to get what I need done for school. Maybe work will call and say the trip is cancelled? FAT CHANCE!!!!!
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Journal entry # 23
My Grand baby.........
I have been so busy with school and going out of town for work that I haven't had much time for the things that are important to me.
I took a much needed break today and had my daughter bring my baby for a visit. She was only here for about an hour and a half..... but let me tell you, she has grown so much in the past couple of weeks that I couldn't believe it. She will be 6 months old on the 28th of this month. She is the cutest thing I have ever seen. Ms. Kaidance Rylee is one of the highlights of my life. When they walked in and she seen me her eyes lit up and the smile on her face was amazing. She was wearing a white onsie with pink and brown cheetah print on it. her hair is so long that it is often in her eyes. I got to hold her for a while and make her giggle. Those are the best moments for me ever. I also gave her a drink of water with orange drink mix in it. I thought she was going to steal the bottle away from me. Her mother hasn't given her too much of anything except what the doctor says yet.
I don't know about any of you, but when my kids were little we gave them stuff all the time. Times have really changed in the way you raise kids and what is good for them and what is not. When my kids were young, they wanted you to lay them on their bellies to sleep, now you have to lay them on their backs. When my oldest was a baby they didn't even have the seat belt laws. The older I get the more things change.
I have been so busy with school and going out of town for work that I haven't had much time for the things that are important to me.
I took a much needed break today and had my daughter bring my baby for a visit. She was only here for about an hour and a half..... but let me tell you, she has grown so much in the past couple of weeks that I couldn't believe it. She will be 6 months old on the 28th of this month. She is the cutest thing I have ever seen. Ms. Kaidance Rylee is one of the highlights of my life. When they walked in and she seen me her eyes lit up and the smile on her face was amazing. She was wearing a white onsie with pink and brown cheetah print on it. her hair is so long that it is often in her eyes. I got to hold her for a while and make her giggle. Those are the best moments for me ever. I also gave her a drink of water with orange drink mix in it. I thought she was going to steal the bottle away from me. Her mother hasn't given her too much of anything except what the doctor says yet.
I don't know about any of you, but when my kids were little we gave them stuff all the time. Times have really changed in the way you raise kids and what is good for them and what is not. When my kids were young, they wanted you to lay them on their bellies to sleep, now you have to lay them on their backs. When my oldest was a baby they didn't even have the seat belt laws. The older I get the more things change.
Journal entry # 22
States I have visited..........
I think the first state I visited was Oklahoma. This is where I would go to gamble the first few times I have been. I also have gone there for work some. We went to Oklahoma City and Tulsa for work. I can't say that they were extremely fun for me, but I went.
I went to Pennsylvania once when I was married. We went to visit his sister about Altoona. I remember going for a motorcycle ride over the mountains and I was scared to death.
I went to Texas driving through Dallas at the rush hour was horrible I will never do that again. I just went to San Antonio in March for vacation and it was amazing. I would love to go back there.
I have been to Florida a few times, always around the Orlando area. My father used to live in Cocoa Beach area and when I graduated high school I got to go out and go to SeaWorld and Disney. Then in 2007 I flew my mom and 2 of my kids out to go to Disney again.
I have been to Arkansas to go waterfall chasing. I love to do this. Around the Buffalo river area there are some great waterfalls that you have to have a guide book to get to. We have lots of pictures and memories from those trips.
I have been to Georgia. I was in PeachTree City for about 5 days for work. This is an amazing city and I wrote about that one on another of my blogs.
I went to Brentwood Tennessee, this is another one that I would love to go back to. I went in to Franklin where you can find lots of civil war history at the battle of Franklin. Very cool place.
I went to New York City and stayed on Times Square this was an amazing experience and one that would take up an entire blog post.
I have been to Michigan, this is a beautiful place just outside of the Detroit area. The lakes are beautiful.
I went to Nevada probably 4 or 5 times to go to Las Vegas. LOVED IT.....
I have been to Kansas in the Witchita area for work....I can't really tell you too much about that one. It was last year and spent most of the time working.
I was in Washington D.C. in 2007 and I loved this trip I can't wait to go back and take my son.
I think the first state I visited was Oklahoma. This is where I would go to gamble the first few times I have been. I also have gone there for work some. We went to Oklahoma City and Tulsa for work. I can't say that they were extremely fun for me, but I went.
I went to Pennsylvania once when I was married. We went to visit his sister about Altoona. I remember going for a motorcycle ride over the mountains and I was scared to death.
I went to Texas driving through Dallas at the rush hour was horrible I will never do that again. I just went to San Antonio in March for vacation and it was amazing. I would love to go back there.
I have been to Florida a few times, always around the Orlando area. My father used to live in Cocoa Beach area and when I graduated high school I got to go out and go to SeaWorld and Disney. Then in 2007 I flew my mom and 2 of my kids out to go to Disney again.
I have been to Arkansas to go waterfall chasing. I love to do this. Around the Buffalo river area there are some great waterfalls that you have to have a guide book to get to. We have lots of pictures and memories from those trips.
I have been to Georgia. I was in PeachTree City for about 5 days for work. This is an amazing city and I wrote about that one on another of my blogs.
I went to Brentwood Tennessee, this is another one that I would love to go back to. I went in to Franklin where you can find lots of civil war history at the battle of Franklin. Very cool place.
I went to New York City and stayed on Times Square this was an amazing experience and one that would take up an entire blog post.
I have been to Michigan, this is a beautiful place just outside of the Detroit area. The lakes are beautiful.
I went to Nevada probably 4 or 5 times to go to Las Vegas. LOVED IT.....
I have been to Kansas in the Witchita area for work....I can't really tell you too much about that one. It was last year and spent most of the time working.
I was in Washington D.C. in 2007 and I loved this trip I can't wait to go back and take my son.
Journal Entry # 21
This weather........
I have been holed up in this house every night for the past 7 weeks except for a few that I have had to travel for work. I woke my son up this morning to go out and mow and weed eat the yard before I leave for Tulsa tomorrow. Needless to say that he didn't get it done before he was carted off to his fathers house this afternoon. I knew the yard was going to have to be mowed one way or the other. My boyfriend came over to see how I was coming along with school and see if he could help me do anything. I reluctantly asked him to mow my yard. I go outside and help him get the mower out and put gasoline in it. WOW!!! I can't believe that the temperature is so comfortable out there. I love it. I would love to have some free time to be able to go out and enjoy the cool weather. On days like this I would love to take a very long walk and just look at the yards in the neighborhood to find ideas for my landscaping in my yard. I love to see what others have thought looked nice and to find things that I may not have thought of. It is absolutely beautiful out there. I think what we will do is find an hour or so and make the time. I am even willing to maybe be a bit late for an assignment, just so I could squeeze in a walk tonight. I love the cool weather anyway and it reminds me of fall, which is my favorite season.
I am looking forward to the break from school. We only have about 9 days till the end. I am going to celebrate for sure.
I have been holed up in this house every night for the past 7 weeks except for a few that I have had to travel for work. I woke my son up this morning to go out and mow and weed eat the yard before I leave for Tulsa tomorrow. Needless to say that he didn't get it done before he was carted off to his fathers house this afternoon. I knew the yard was going to have to be mowed one way or the other. My boyfriend came over to see how I was coming along with school and see if he could help me do anything. I reluctantly asked him to mow my yard. I go outside and help him get the mower out and put gasoline in it. WOW!!! I can't believe that the temperature is so comfortable out there. I love it. I would love to have some free time to be able to go out and enjoy the cool weather. On days like this I would love to take a very long walk and just look at the yards in the neighborhood to find ideas for my landscaping in my yard. I love to see what others have thought looked nice and to find things that I may not have thought of. It is absolutely beautiful out there. I think what we will do is find an hour or so and make the time. I am even willing to maybe be a bit late for an assignment, just so I could squeeze in a walk tonight. I love the cool weather anyway and it reminds me of fall, which is my favorite season.
I am looking forward to the break from school. We only have about 9 days till the end. I am going to celebrate for sure.
Journal entry # 20
Things I want to do on a camping trip.......
I absolutely love camping, it's one of my favorite summer activities. I don't like to camp for only one night because I hate putting everything up and taking down the next day.
I like to go and set everything up. We have 2 tents and air mattress' we find the perfect spots for our tents and then get the air mattress aired up first. Then make the beds with sheets and pillows. I then set up my little kitchen. I have a special camping table that allows me to set up the cook stove and hang all the utensils I will need on hooks. It even has a hook that extends for one of our lanterns. Then we drink some beer while collecting wood for the fire, so we are able to cook our dinner over the open flame as well as the cook stove. I let my son cut the potatoes for the famous french fries that he loves to make. I make sure all of our clothes and things are zipped up in the tents. After dinner we will sit by the fire and roast marshmallows for s'mores. We stay up pretty late this first night and wake up early for kayaking.
After a breakfast of pancakes and bacon, or hashbrowns and eggs we go to the waiting area for the JamesRiver Outfitters to take us to the drop off for the float.
While floating the 11 mile float we stop a lot to enjoy the river and sunshine. We have found a very cool place to make a day of it. You can walk back through this clearing and find some very cool rocks and lots of crawdads. Skipping rocks, swimming, and swinging off the rope swings throughout the float are more of our favorite things to do.
I can't wait for our next float trip. We always have so much fun. The only thing I hate about it is the coming home. You are doing more work by putting everything away and washing the bed clothes. That's the hardest part.
I absolutely love camping, it's one of my favorite summer activities. I don't like to camp for only one night because I hate putting everything up and taking down the next day.
I like to go and set everything up. We have 2 tents and air mattress' we find the perfect spots for our tents and then get the air mattress aired up first. Then make the beds with sheets and pillows. I then set up my little kitchen. I have a special camping table that allows me to set up the cook stove and hang all the utensils I will need on hooks. It even has a hook that extends for one of our lanterns. Then we drink some beer while collecting wood for the fire, so we are able to cook our dinner over the open flame as well as the cook stove. I let my son cut the potatoes for the famous french fries that he loves to make. I make sure all of our clothes and things are zipped up in the tents. After dinner we will sit by the fire and roast marshmallows for s'mores. We stay up pretty late this first night and wake up early for kayaking.
After a breakfast of pancakes and bacon, or hashbrowns and eggs we go to the waiting area for the JamesRiver Outfitters to take us to the drop off for the float.
While floating the 11 mile float we stop a lot to enjoy the river and sunshine. We have found a very cool place to make a day of it. You can walk back through this clearing and find some very cool rocks and lots of crawdads. Skipping rocks, swimming, and swinging off the rope swings throughout the float are more of our favorite things to do.
I can't wait for our next float trip. We always have so much fun. The only thing I hate about it is the coming home. You are doing more work by putting everything away and washing the bed clothes. That's the hardest part.
Journal Entry #19
Trying to do research for the English Comp class I am taking.
I am literally crying my eyes out here. I am going out of town for work on Wed and will not be back until Sat evening. I can't find what she is trying to make us search for and am about to have a nervous breakdown here. I took the day off work so I could catch up on some homework and I feel like the clock is ticking. I know that she is making us do this for a reason but I really don't have time to do this assignment. I hope that one of my classmates gives us a clue soon on our discussion board before I have a nervous breakdown. I had no idea that this class would be so difficult this week. I don't have any choice but to go out of town.
I keep typing in the keywords "Research Assignment" and I am getting no where. When I type in the instructors name, it's like OTC has never even heard of her. I'm sure it's there, I just can't find it. I am feeling much better as I write this out. I guess I just needed to vent a bit. I'm starting to calm down.
I have got to finish writing my blogs and my reflection. I have about 5 assignments left for this week in English and have to finish my paper for the "What is a Place" essay that we are doing and this has to be turned in on Friday. I hope something changes and I can get it all done. I don't want to fail this class. As the tears come I feel so out of my league with this class.
I have learned a very valuable lesson, I WILL NEVER take another difficult course in the summer months. It has been a very rough summer for me because I refuse to fail. I won't give up and I will give 110% always. I will die trying to get this done. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Only one week to go. I think next summer I will be using it for a break. I have courses set up...... but I'm cancelling them for sure.
Hope everyone else is having an easier time with this than me.
I am literally crying my eyes out here. I am going out of town for work on Wed and will not be back until Sat evening. I can't find what she is trying to make us search for and am about to have a nervous breakdown here. I took the day off work so I could catch up on some homework and I feel like the clock is ticking. I know that she is making us do this for a reason but I really don't have time to do this assignment. I hope that one of my classmates gives us a clue soon on our discussion board before I have a nervous breakdown. I had no idea that this class would be so difficult this week. I don't have any choice but to go out of town.
I keep typing in the keywords "Research Assignment" and I am getting no where. When I type in the instructors name, it's like OTC has never even heard of her. I'm sure it's there, I just can't find it. I am feeling much better as I write this out. I guess I just needed to vent a bit. I'm starting to calm down.
I have got to finish writing my blogs and my reflection. I have about 5 assignments left for this week in English and have to finish my paper for the "What is a Place" essay that we are doing and this has to be turned in on Friday. I hope something changes and I can get it all done. I don't want to fail this class. As the tears come I feel so out of my league with this class.
I have learned a very valuable lesson, I WILL NEVER take another difficult course in the summer months. It has been a very rough summer for me because I refuse to fail. I won't give up and I will give 110% always. I will die trying to get this done. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Only one week to go. I think next summer I will be using it for a break. I have courses set up...... but I'm cancelling them for sure.
Hope everyone else is having an easier time with this than me.
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