Okay, I have come to the end of my ropes and realize that I just need to get through these final weeks of school and work! There is WAY TOO much on my mind that I'm getting a bit frustrated. I truly am one that does not "try" to procrastinate but this past weekend I did and it hit me like a brick wall on Monday morning.
My weekend was so chaotic - First Communion weekend within the Catholic Church. Well, I had one that I needed to attend in the Madison area on Saturday evening and then to Elkhart Lake on Sunday afternoon. With the time frame and traveling involved I chose to stay overnight Saturday at my brother's house in Sun Prairie. It was a nice weekend and the kids had fun too. However, the preparation for just being gone two days drove me nuts! Chasing around for the cards and gifts, attending a Friday evening event at my son's school, making sure all laundry was done prior to leaving, and then doing laundry again once I got home at 6:30 Sunday evening. Besides that, my husband did not go grocery shopping for me - my most hated chore in the world! When do I catch a break?
I felt pretty good by the time I went to bed Sunday evening and accomplishing what I needed to do. Wait! Monday morning came and that is when it hit me! My goal was to do my blog entry for last week on Sunday evening when I came home. Needless to say, my procrastination didn't work in my favor. Does it ever? I FORGOT MY BLOG ENTRY! No need for sympathy Azor! This was brought upon by me and now will suffer the consequences. Has anyone else ever forgot this just due to a busy schedule? Probably not - just me!
As you can see I'm moving forward and getting the blog posted immediately for the week. No more putting things off. I need to get things done, stay focused, positive and move in the right direction. Live and learn from mistakes has always been a motto for me to follow. Believe me I have learned from many mistakes in my life! Can't beat myself over the head - not worth it!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Eyes Have Opened
After discussing with my husband that I just can't think of anything to blog about I opted to go with Azor's prompt on my perception of research and writing. I kind of laugh as this blog is being typed just due to the fact I need to reflect back in high school when research was so different and ancient as what is done today.
Our research was old school using newspapers, books and encyclopedias. Sure, interviews were done but not as deep as what I have learned thus far. The internet really didn't exist back then and it is such a phenomenal resource tool that for me it becomes overwhelming. I feel the need to look at everything out there instead of focusing in on just a few sites. How does one get beyond that point? Is my curiosity going way too out there for my own good? How do some of you finally narrow it down?
Don't get me wrong! The process that I have learned this semester has helped me tremendously since returning to school. I feel that each time I have written a paper I have improved my skills and process along the way. I truly hope that it all comes together in my last paper and that I feel like I have come full circle in research and writing.
Working in an elementary school (Comprehensive Literacy Charter School), they stress much of the same techniques with the young children such as creating a draft, revising and then editing. In middle school they definitely reinforce the entire research/writing process - saw it in my own 8th grade daughter this year. I do sometimes wonder though, is spelling as important as what it was when I grew up. My children are 10 and 13 and I really never saw spelling lists coming home for study and a ton of spelling tests. Has the computer age eliminated that benchmark skill due to the fact we now have spell check or a computer that automatically corrects the spelling for you? Off the subject it reminds me of how there is no longer any thought process at the grocery stores in giving change back. That could definitely be an entire blog entry!
In all my papers my final product was definitely enhanced by the peer feedback I received. I was always able to go back over my notes and enhance my final product. The flow of writing has become a bit more relaxing and natural once I'm in that "zone" and I actually look forward to the final challenge of the synthesis paper. Bringing everything together will be a challenge, I know that for sure, but hoping to having a unique topic that makes it interesting to not only me but my readers as well.
Our research was old school using newspapers, books and encyclopedias. Sure, interviews were done but not as deep as what I have learned thus far. The internet really didn't exist back then and it is such a phenomenal resource tool that for me it becomes overwhelming. I feel the need to look at everything out there instead of focusing in on just a few sites. How does one get beyond that point? Is my curiosity going way too out there for my own good? How do some of you finally narrow it down?
Don't get me wrong! The process that I have learned this semester has helped me tremendously since returning to school. I feel that each time I have written a paper I have improved my skills and process along the way. I truly hope that it all comes together in my last paper and that I feel like I have come full circle in research and writing.
Working in an elementary school (Comprehensive Literacy Charter School), they stress much of the same techniques with the young children such as creating a draft, revising and then editing. In middle school they definitely reinforce the entire research/writing process - saw it in my own 8th grade daughter this year. I do sometimes wonder though, is spelling as important as what it was when I grew up. My children are 10 and 13 and I really never saw spelling lists coming home for study and a ton of spelling tests. Has the computer age eliminated that benchmark skill due to the fact we now have spell check or a computer that automatically corrects the spelling for you? Off the subject it reminds me of how there is no longer any thought process at the grocery stores in giving change back. That could definitely be an entire blog entry!
In all my papers my final product was definitely enhanced by the peer feedback I received. I was always able to go back over my notes and enhance my final product. The flow of writing has become a bit more relaxing and natural once I'm in that "zone" and I actually look forward to the final challenge of the synthesis paper. Bringing everything together will be a challenge, I know that for sure, but hoping to having a unique topic that makes it interesting to not only me but my readers as well.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Last Supper at Harry's
Took the kids out for supper last night at Harry's Diner on Calumet Drive. Not sure if anyone has eaten there or not but they have a 50's type atmosphere with, what I would call, great food. Nothing extremely out of the ordinary but a nice variety and reasonable prices. Never had a bad waitress at the establishment either.
So, we were a bit disappointed to hear from our waitress that it was the last evening they were going to be serving supper. :o( I guess one of the chefs was quitting and the hours will now only be 7:00-3:00. Bummed me out. I guess I should have asked where he would be going or what his plans were but then it also dawned on me how many others would be affected by his decision.
As I was paying the bill and talking with the hostess she as well made note to the sign of the new hours. She talked about how tough it was going to be on some of the girls working there for they will be losing around 2 hours per day. You begin to add that up (tips and all) and it could be big bucks for some. Once again the whole economy issue is dealt to individuals and small business owners.
As I left the tip - probably a bit more than usual - sadness did reign over me a bit. Kind of the end of an era. A comfort zone and always a backup plan for supper now fades away. It tends to make me think of all the little people (businesses) that seem to be affected by major decisions by an individual (or government). Can you sense my bitterness or slight sarcasm? Walking out of the diner my only thought was "There's always breakfast!" Try it sometime - omelets are awesome!
So, we were a bit disappointed to hear from our waitress that it was the last evening they were going to be serving supper. :o( I guess one of the chefs was quitting and the hours will now only be 7:00-3:00. Bummed me out. I guess I should have asked where he would be going or what his plans were but then it also dawned on me how many others would be affected by his decision.
As I was paying the bill and talking with the hostess she as well made note to the sign of the new hours. She talked about how tough it was going to be on some of the girls working there for they will be losing around 2 hours per day. You begin to add that up (tips and all) and it could be big bucks for some. Once again the whole economy issue is dealt to individuals and small business owners.
As I left the tip - probably a bit more than usual - sadness did reign over me a bit. Kind of the end of an era. A comfort zone and always a backup plan for supper now fades away. It tends to make me think of all the little people (businesses) that seem to be affected by major decisions by an individual (or government). Can you sense my bitterness or slight sarcasm? Walking out of the diner my only thought was "There's always breakfast!" Try it sometime - omelets are awesome!
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