Week 10

These two classes for me have now successfully ended. It is time to take a week off only to get started at it again. I have enjoyed classes, the professor, and classmates. The holiday was wonderful and now I am looking forward to Christmas and New Years Eve. I always say Christmas is for the kids and New Years Eve, for the adults. LOL It was amazing last year to sit outside by a pool bringing in the New Year. Florida is now home for me. If I was in Chicago I would be racing, slipping and sliding on ice, to make it to some heat. I never would have thought that I would be living so far from my original home to a whole new territory and scene. Yesterday, I saw three deer in my yard. I went in the house and found a baby frog on my door. All in one day. The day after Thanksgiving. It's growing on me daily living in Orlando. It's just different. However, it's peaceful. Everyone, goodbye and good luck. Thanks for the feedback and growth.

ARE WE THERE YET

I feel like the saying from the movie Are We There Yet? I love to read and write but using an APA format, citations, in-text citations, paraphrasing, paramedic methods, they can all be a bit much to do at one time. I do understand the importance of it all but I am sooooo glad to have finally completed and submitted this final paper. Learning the APA format is not too hard. 12 point, Times New Roman, double space, 1 inch margins, that's simple. But those citations, references, and paraphrasing is a challenge at times. I liked this class a lot. I enjoyed the structure of the seminars and the feedback from all involved. I learned something I will be able to carry with me for the rest of my life. I have highschool children and they haven't come to me about an APA format yet. However, when they do, I am ready. They just better refer to a teacher and tutor for all math questions.

WEEK 8 ENDING WEEK 9 BEGINNING

Have you ever felt as if once you overcame one obstacle, another was laying in wait? Oh the joys, thrills, and roller coaster effects of life. Yes, it's like a ride and I am not ready to get off. LOL I am really looking forward to the holidays. Just a little peace, relaxation, and tranquility. This term in school is about to end. I can't believe that it went by so fast. I had titled this blog Using Time Management. I was horrible at multi-tasking before. The truth is that it wasn't even about multi-tasking, it was more about being a procrastinator. Next term will be exciting because I have no clue about anatomy and physiology. I look forward to learning more about it. As the terms go by, I know the more challenging the courses will become. I hate math and have been putting it off for the longest. I will have no choice but to face it soon. It's Monday night and I need to post to my discussion for this week. Since I had not yet attended seminar, I decided to wait. The more I post, the more I see procrastination here. However, it's not tuesday and it's not 11:59 p.m. That is one of the reasons I love online. I know a week in advance what needs to be done and I have a week to do it. It's amazing how far technology has come. I never would have thought that earning a degree online was possible. Technology, just like everything else, sometimes causes concern for me. Just imagine if America had a black out and electricity would not be up and running again for two weeks. Many would suffer. I need to take a look at survival tactics. Oh well, I know I seem to be rumbling but that's the benefit of posting a blog. I can do that if only for right now.

ALMOST THERE WITH TEN MINUTES TO SPARE

WHEW, is how I feel right now. I thought I was not going to make it. But, I am here. This week has been fast and hectic. Things popping up with the kids, having to stay late at work unexpectedly. I made it though. This weekend flew by as well. I looked up and it was Monday again, back to the grind. I need a vacation. I just need to take a break from it all. "UH, OH," I just quickly told myself "DON'T DO IT!" This is when I feel overwhelmed like I have my hands full. I know it's going to be alright though. Enough of the procrastination already for me. I had ten minutes to spare, but I am there. I am here posting this blog and making sure all work is submitted. It's 11:56, I barely made the deadline. I am however, about to make a beeline to the bed. I'm sleepy.

WEEK SIX

I am feeling more at ease since my last post. I'm still stressed but I need to stop complaining. I complain,complain, complain and fail to see so many things I should be grateful for. I just had to stop and say thank you. I know everyone has their own beliefs but God is good. He has bought me a mighty long way.

I went to the library to get more books on steroids. They had such a limited selection. I almost wanted to change my topic. However, I will move forward. This is another area where I won't complain. I will look at it as more of a challenge. I do have some great resources but wanted more. I also found an educational DVD on steroids. I can use information from that in my paper and cite it. Things are coming along smoothly. I  must say I have been more focused this term than any other.

People in Florida are so helpful. I had car issues, everyone was there to help. They made sure I made it to work on time, lent me their cars to grocery shop, and much more. The car was up and running today. Then it started leaking again. The mechanic came to my job and fixed it in the lot. Co-workers leaving work would stop and ask if I needed help. I even have one co-worker who has a degree in history, agree to come over thursday night to help me with my assignment. I have never seen so many people volunteer to help someone out. So many people have their own issues that they can't handle for self, so they aren't prone to trying to help others in a time of need. I do help others but I am selective in who I choose to help. Maybe I should change that about myself.

WEEK 5

Time is moving along and the holiday season is almost amongst us. I plan on cooking a jerk turkey this year for the holidays. I work for Kaplan in their admissions department. I worked for them downtown Chicago and they relocated me to their Orlando office in September of 2009. I really enjoy living in Florida. I relocated because I have three children. Two are in highschool. Chicago is such a violent city. I have seen many people die due to the gangs and drug distribution there. I know violence is world wide but living here is much better than the things children are exposed to in a big city such as Chicago. I love Chicago and I miss my family and friends dearly. I had to make this sacrifice for my children. My life is advancing so much since being here. I recently moved into a house. I didn't purchase it but am renting. However, this is a stepping stone for me. In due time, once things are more secure and stable, I will look into buying a home of my own. I want to have a huge Thanksgiving day dinner. Christmas will be better this year as well.

I lost an aunt last week due to Cancer. I won't be able to travel back home for the homegoing services. I will be there in spirit though. I did see her in August when I was home for a vacation. I did call her periodically to check on her as well. I lost my Grandmother to Cancer back in March. This is just a time for me to really focus and get my priorities together. I never thought I'd be in a situation where I couldn't be home to support my family. I know I made a sacrifice to be where I am. I know my aunt would not be upset. It's importanct to show people you love them and care when they are alive. Once they are gone, it's too late. God is good. Life and death are real. I never knew when I left that this terrible disease would come quick and destroy my loved one's body as it has. My Mom always tells me to be happy that I have good health. I love my family and these are times when I get homesick. I just remember what bought me here. I can't have my children going through metal detectors to go to school. I can't afford to have them exposed to gangs and drugs. They are not cut from that cloth. They need me. It's best that I am here because I will hurt someone to protect my kids. It's not a good look to have a mother incarerated. However, I will do all that I can to protect mines. Obviously, I am cut from that cloth. Survival of the fittest. You would not understand the method to my madness unless you grew up in a city where seeing a 14 year old shot in the head and killed is normal. It happens so much that it gets to a point where it is accepted by many. It will never be accepted by me. I am just venting in this post so please excuse me. I want everyone to enjoy their week. I will talk with you all in seminar, on the blog, or on the discussion post.

Week Four

Hey, this is week four and I am moving along. I had a few issues last week by feeling intimadated with excel and also with my Comp Research Paper. I decided to write my research on Steroids. I am feeling good this morning. I am now at work until 7pm. This week I won't wait until the last minute to post on the discussion board. I wanted to stay home today but I knew I needed to be at work as well. I am in much need of a vacation. I used all my time earlier this year and now wish I held on to some for the holiday weeks which are nearing. Such is life. I know next year to at least put a week to the side to use later in the year. I am so happy I made the decision to get back in school. I feel like I am doing something constructive and productive and it feels good. When I am on the computer logged into class you would think there was a do not enter and do not disturb sign posted. My children know I do not need any interruptions. I had a friend contact me last week. They wanted me to do them a favor and got upset when I stated they would need to give me a minute because I was doing homework. They got so upset that they hung up on me. Oh well, they have a degree and I don't. Also what they wanted was not an emergency and it wasn't even important and could have waited. I am growing and maturing. I am weeding people out of my life who are simple minded and petty. I am advancing and have little tolerance for things like that. That was one of the reasons I couldn't focus the many times I wanted to further my education. No more, I am in it to win it. It feels good.

Week 3

I am doing it and loving it. I am in week 3 of class and am doing very well. I see that my Software Applications course is starting to introduce excel in our word assignments. It's all good though. I say that because I feel intimidated with excel. It's just something tricky about those formulas. But, the purpose is to learn. GO KAPLAN UNIVERSITY!!!!!

TGIF

I am so glad it is Friday. I get to sleep in tomorrow. I love the weekends. They do by quite fast though. This week went by fast for me and I am happy. Much rest and relaxation is on the agenda.

managing school, parenting, and work

I just recently started school back. I so want to finish this but I know I will have my hands full. I have children, I work full time, and I am a student. I know I will be able to post on discussion boards, read, and do some assignments during the week. However, I know the majority of my work will be done on the weekends. Any suggestions anyone?