Until we meet again

I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this class. I was very intimidated because I have always been more of a math person than a writing person. Now that it is all over I can say that it was not at all what I expected. I have learned how to formulate a research paper, improved my writing skills and create a blog. Who knew that I would be blogging and actually enjoy it? As for future students writing their first research paper, I would say, follow your instructor. If you use the guidelines provided in your KU handbook, follow the prewriting exercises and post writing exercises then you will come out with a pretty good paper. Take everything one step at a time. Do not think focus merely on the final paper, but the steps taken in order to get there. Finally, I would like to thank everyone in this class for being encouraging and supportive. I love what everyone had to contribute to the discussion boards and in the seminars. I felt like I not only learned from the instruction, but from my fellow peers. Thank you all….until we meet again.

Is is over already?

It has been a long term that went by way too fast. I have learned an immense amount of information, but feel like I have much more to learn. Now that my final paper is almost complete, I am experiencing a little bit of nervousness and accomplishment. It is hard to put your words out there to be graded and get feedback on, but at the same time it is exciting to have completed something that had so much time and effort invested in it. I am definitely, less intimidated by writing. It does not seem like such a daunting task. I try to think of writing more like math. If you follow the rules, you should be able to have some success with it. I am making an effort to be more of myself in my writing instead of what I think I should be. It is bitter sweet for this term to end. I have really enjoyed this class. I am sad to leave this class behind, but I am excited to start a next chapter in my education. Next, I would like to research to correlation between physical health with diet and mental and physical illness. There is a lot more for me to learn. I cannot wait to experience more.

Is this contagious?

First of all, I would like to mention that I just found out that I am pregnant! I think I caught it from this class. It must be some sort of computer virus. All kidding aside, I am really excited for another addition to my family.
Blogging is a way of expressing my thoughts freely and openly. I thoroughly take pleasure in this whole process. I am learning new things about my writing. I have been making the same grammar mistakes over the last few years. This process will help me throughout my career at Kaplan. I look forward to writing now, instead of fearing it. I do enjoy when I get feedback from my fellow classmates. I am happy to have another input or have someone agree with what I am writing. I do not really mind if people do not comment on my blog. I know that people are reading it, but I do not think the point is to have someone comment. My blog is like a journal. The blog is a way for me to articulate my opinion. I get to practice writing. Writing is like reading to me, it does not matter what you read, it is all stimulating. I will write on my blog after this course. I may not write on it every week, but I plan to use it as an outlet.

Peer Reviews

Peer reviews are a great tool in improving your writing. It is important to have another set of eyes to look at your work. They may notice something that you did not see. It is also another point of view. Maybe your paper is completely one sided and needs to at least address another point of view. This often helps the reader to make their own decisions on the topic. For me personally, I understand the process and I do enjoy the benefits. Peer reviews can only help you. Take what you want from them and throw back what you don’t. That is not to say that I do not get a little anxiety when someone else reads something that I have written. I have a little fear when I go to open up an email or notes attached to an assignment. I know that is for the best, but I fear it will all be criticism. I care about what people think when it is my work. I have never been the best writer, but I have been able to make it this far. For some reason though, this blog does not bother me. I know that everyone is reading this, but it is more of a free feeling for me. Blogs are less intimate than a journal, but more personal than a tweet, email, face book or text. Right?

Life is just begining!

These past six weeks have been a whirl wind. Do not get me wrong, I have enjoyed almost every minute of it. ;-) This is only my second set of classes at Kaplan, so I am still getting used to the balance of family, friends, work and school….. Then we had Christmas and New Years thrown into the mix. Not to mention that I currently work at a restaurant where we thrive during the holiday season. Plus I have been visiting preschools for my son and my husband started student teaching during the day and he bartends at night. So we have not really seen each other in a few weeks. We tag team everything. As soon as he gets home I tag him in and I am out. It is making this set of classes go by so fast. I am trying to absorb and enjoy everything that I possible can. I do not want these classes to pass me by. I know after all of the hard work, that not only myself, but my family has put in will pay off in the long run. I am still young and have at lot to look forward too. So, it is okay for me when I have to pass up a night out with the girls, because I need to study or spend time with my son. Or if I miss the release of a new movie, hey that is what Netflix is for. This hard work will all pass. Life is just beginning…….

...a new chapter

I took education for granted when I entered college right after high school. I thought I could balance school, work and having fun all on my own. I did not want to listen to people. I wanted to make my own rules and like every cliché story…my life caught up with me. I burned myself out and no one could help me besides myself. When I was almost finished with school, I just stopped going and started to work full time. I had a debilitating anxiety that kept me from finishing. Years went by and I got promoted, I got married, I had a baby, I bought a house and then I realized that I hate what I am doing. I am not contributing anything of real value. I have no retirement plan set up. I make too much money to qualify for low cost preschool and yet cannot afford it on my own. I am stuck somewhere in the middle. I want more out of life than living paycheck to paycheck. I want to take family vacations when my kids are in high school. I want to put money away for their college tuition. I want to retire at an age where I can still function and enjoy life. That brings me to my current enrollment in school. It is a new beginning, a fresh start and a new chapter in my life. My son gets to see me finish school. Hopefully he will be influenced by it. I love learning and this time around I am embracing every moment of it.