The End of It All

So, this is my last blog for this class. I will probably keep my blog however, as I have been following a couponing blog of my friends. I feel that I did not take my writing as seriously this term, due to outside forces. I wish I would have. I scored great on my final paper, but not perfect, and I think that I would have if I wouldn't have polished it at the last minute. Rewriting for me is a process and I cut that process short this time. The only person I cheated was myself.

Amanda

Almost done

I have been super stressed lately. I feel extremely overwhelmed and with two final papers due on Tues I don't think this week will be any better. I'm almost done with my paper but it is not quite what I want yet. There are still quotes I need to find and some rewording I need to do before I am happy with what I will turn in. My paper for my other class, sorry to say, hasn't even been started yet and it is 7-10 pages. I need to get in gear and start getting things done. Today is my day off work but I still have dishes to do, laundry to get done, a trip to pick up my son's t ball schedule, and a work meeting at 4 that is mandatory. I wish my off days were really days off, not just days I cram more stuff into.

Whew, wish me luck at getting everything done.

I don't have issues I have subscriptions

While working on my final paper I have had time really making my words pop. This isn't usually a problem for me but I think I have been a little distracted this term. My family life has not necessarily been hectic, but more demanding. I have not allotted as much time as I usually do to work on writing projects. I work day shift now and even though I only work 7 hours they are very fast paced and exhausting. I have been coming home from work, spending time with my son, and then falling asleep around 9:30pm, just to get up and do it all over again the next day. That doesn't include cooking dinner, doing laundry, spending time with my fiancee, or even watching tv. I feel very worn out and drained a lot of the time.

Thank you Justin

My Ah Ha moment was all thanks to Justin. I was unsure where I should go with my writing when Justin cleverly pointed out that he is not afraid just lazy and that people feel they have no time to relax.

AH HA!!!!!!

I have heard people time and again say that they don't have time to do anything. When really they don't normally have their priorities in order. You need to make time for the important things in life, family, friends, love, health, the things you enjoy. If you spend every moment of the day doing things you hate then one day you will hate yourself. What is going to happen if you don't answer a phone call? It will surely go to voicemail, leaving you a while to enjoy yourself with what you love. You can always call them back. And if they don't answer, well, they are probably out getting ice cream with their kids enjoying their life as well. If not, tell them to.

Looking back

The past six weeks have held many things for me. My last name finally changed back to my maiden name, I gained sole custody of my son, and I became a Reiki practitioner. I recently received my Reiki I certificate. : ) I'm very proud of myself and the things I have accomplished. However, my fiancee is still looking for a job, and there is never really enough money. But I try not to worry about money. You either have it or you don't. If you do, you argue about what to do with it. If you don't, you argue about why not. Things like that aren't really worth it to me. Other than that I have just been working, school, and being a mom. I have read several books and I started playing God of War III on PS3.

It's awesome. Check it out.

Of emerald meadows and energy

Well, it turns out that school has influenced me more than I thought it would. Before going back to school I never dreamed of my future career. Nor did I get so excited about what I was learning that I proudly told my coworkers and family that I have been on the Dean's List since I started. It also has broadened my horizons. I am working at my degree in Health and Wellness. I plan to pursue Alternative Medicine when I am finished. Because I am in school I decided to start looking at those different modalities.

Yesterday, I obtained my Reiki I certificate. I am so excited, and happy, and proud. I have accomplished something amazing and I can use it to help other people. If you don't know what it is, Google it. I will tell you it involves using the body's natural energies. I can't put into words how this has already begun affecting my life. I think about things a little different than I use to. For instance, I never quite noticed how remarkable the daffodils look against the dark green of the grass in the distance, just after it rains and the sky is a slate gray.

Love and Light,

Amanda

What if.....

If someone stole my ideas without giving me credit I would be very hurt and extremely enraged. The way people disregard others these days and disrespect one another I am almost leery to openly talk about my ideas or perspectives on issues as others are very quick to take claim. If someone steals your work and you don't have it properly documented so that it is "yours" then they usually get the credit. People in general are not honest beings anymore and a lot of them will stab you in the back faster than they would feed you if you were hungry.

Times have changed from the days of a man being as good as his word. Now, he as good as the words he stole from others.

An online student this time around

This is my second time in school since high school. I already have a certificate in Medical Coding and Billing, even though I do nothing with it. My first time, I was straight out of high school, pregnant with my son, and attended a local college that didn't really seem like a college at all.

We were in classrooms, but the class work seemed easier than high school and I passed with flying colors. But I was bored. I was not challenged in any of my classes and it felt that that particular school was not what I was looking for.

This time, however, I have decided to do online schooling. I like the idea of being able to attend my classes and do my school work from home. I have an almost 6 year old son, work full time, and I try to have a family life, so traveling to get to school was not a possibility to me. I was skeptical at first. I have a friend who also attends an online school, but for lack of better terms, it doesn't compare to Kaplan. She is not challenged at all.

I cannot see racking up thousands in student loans to attend a school where you don't really learn anything. I want to learn, I want to struggle, and I want to take long hours to do some of my work.

A degree is something to strive for, not something that is handed to you because you showed up. I do miss the face-to-face conversations and personal relationships you can build with traditional schooling.

I have not really connected in stayed in contact with anyone from any of my classes so far. It is a little sad as I like forming new relationships.

I'm not exactly sure how we could build a closeness as a class, but I do miss getting to know my fellow learners.

If you noticed the change....

I changed my last name today. Almost a month ago my divorce was finalized after 4 years : ) It took a long time and a lot of money to finally get it done, plus a slew of court dates, but I am back to my maiden name. In case any of you wondered why the heck it changed.

A path once forgotten

Writing used to be my passion. I did it every day just because I wanted to. I would describe things that forced people to feel and experience. However, I have lost that path somewhere among the twists of life and the people it puts in our way.

I want it back.

I want to sit down and write the things I have felt, experienced, and dreamed of. I can't. I start to write "just because" and all I do is critique myself that the things I think and feel are not good enough to share with the world. I have not written a short story for almost ten years. I am only 24.

Since I haven't been writing I have taken up a greater liking for reading. I love to read. I love the smell of used book pages that have been turned by many before me, each enjoying every word they take in.

I have been through many things in my life, most of them painful, someday I want to write and share them with the world. Wish me luck on finding my lost path in writing.

Good luck to everyone this term.