Hurry Up and Wait

Hurry up and wait is a way of life in many arenas. I first heard of this concept while I was in the military. It seems to have become a common thread throughout my life; right now, I'm seeing it in my acedemic career. Professors will assign homework or projects with a definitive due date, but in between such assignments, there's a lot of waiting involved. For writing assignments, I tend to do them immediately to get them "out of the way." It has led me to a start-and-stop pattern. However, some classes require a ton of reading. Thankfully, I enjoy my program of study, so most of the readings I have to do are relatively enjoyable--if not entertaining. Today, since most of my homework and reading is complete, I plan on going home from school and forcing myself to relax. Yes, I have to force myself to relax. I've learned that I push myself too hard, and sometimes a little forced break in the normal grind is the only remedy for my inability to turn off. Sara Gehrke...out.

Can You Feel the Tension?

Ugh. It's that time again...finals. Every end of quarter it's the same thing: workload and study time increase; and stress levels are at their peak. I have OCD--actually diagnosed, not simply self-assessed. I always create Excel spreadsheets to help me figure out hypothetical scenarios for final grades. It helps ease my anxiety level to know exactly how poorly I could perform and still receive the desired grade. My friends tell me that I'm crazy for being so obsessed with routinely calculating my grades. Um, yeah, that's what OCD is. I look forward to a week and a half from now when the term is over, and I have a month-long break from school. Even on breaks, I have a difficult time relaxing. I make lists. I get things accomplished that I otherwise do not have time to do. Even a break is not really a break (See the picture of me on vacation reading a book about improving memory). Nonetheless, I look forward to having less stress in my life after December 14th. I may as well enjoy it; next term I will be taking 18 credits. Ugh, again...

Hope, Love, and Charity

Last year for Christmas, the only item on my list was an iPad for me to give to my best friend's autistic son. It made me feel so good to give to another something that would help him connect with the world. This year, my boyfriend asked me about a charitable gift again. Being as it felt great to give back, I selfishly want that same feeling again. The problem is that I cannot decide what charity is near and dear to my heart. I mentioned giving to the adopt-a-family drive at South University, but I want to be sure that I have a personal connection to my giving. In the next few weeks, I will be giving serious thought to the beneficiary of my gift this Christmas.

What I Know Is True

When I was younger, I thought that I didn't want to live to be older than forty. Ha! Since I have turned thirty, my life has become so much more enjoyable. I am more secure with who I am and what I believe. What I now know to be true is how important it is to be genuine--true to oneself. I wasn't the "normal" kid; I was bullied and tormented for being different. I never really conformed to the latest fashion trends or to the appropriate social behaviors. Yup, I was weird. What I know to be true is that the qualities that make children targets for bullies are the same qualities that will make them outstanding adults. Individualism is not a cherished quality among children--teens especially--but where would our world be without independent thinkers? It is important for people to express their opinions, however different they may be. I feel very fortunate to have survived my childhood, and I look forward to exploring more of who I am in the future. I've added a picture of me from the first grade in which I displayed all of my untapped awesomeness.

Holiday Card Complete!

Usually my family takes its annual holiday card photo on Thanksgiving when everyone is dressed up. This year we were away on vacation for the holiday, so I had to improvise. I decided to use the photo of the boys and I swimming with the dolphins at Atlantis. I'm very pleased with the way it's turned out. Shutterfly offers amazing services for creating photo cards and photo albums. I use the site all the time. I am known for always taking vacations, but my friends also know that I create a photo book for each of these vacations. On the coffee table at my home, you will find a stack of these books created on Shutterfly. Here is the link to this year's holiday card.

The Importance of Being Literate

Many people use social media to communicate--whether Twitter or Facebook. I have noticed that there are a plethora of people who seem not to care about how they present themselves to others. When I went to elementary school and junior high, we were expected to know the difference between an adjective and an adverb as well as to be able to diagram complex and compound sentences. I am in love with the English language. I find it impossible to text without using proper grammar, so posting on Facebook "c u l8r" will never happen! My composition class, in combination with most other classes at South University, has helped me to better appreciate proper grammar, syntax, and punctuation.

I just returned yesterday from my vacation to the Bahamas on the Disney Dream cruise ship, and I wanted to share a picture of my children and me with our dolphin Atlas at Atlantis.

Vacation Brain

Have you ever "checked out" of the mundane things or everyday life a few days before a vacation? I do this a lot. Over the weekend, I wrote three papers that are not due for a few more days; this affords me the luxury of allowing my brain to start its Thanksgiving vacation a little early. I stress out before vacations--remember to pay this bill, don't forget to pack that. Tonight, I need to start the task of packing. I haven't gone on a vacation (besides a couple days at Disney) with my children in a few years. Now that they are teenagers, I should trust them to pack their own suitcases...but I don't. If left to their own devices, they would pack a bathing suit and little else. I have already prepared them for the requirement of wearing at least a polo shirt for dinner. I don't do well with people showing up for dinner in tank tops and cut-offs. I think it is important for children to know that there are times when dressing up is important.

We are leaving in two days, and I cannot wait for the Mickey Mouse ice cream bars!!!



Sublime Inspiration

I've been thinking heavily about my topic for the next assignment. I wanted my topic to have some personal meaning to me but not be too emotionally overwhelming. I finally think that I have struck that balance in the topic I have chosen: governmental control of food. I've done online research, and the more I read, the more I am infuriated. I think the topic fits my requirement for a subject perfectly. Now that I have chosen a topic, all that's left is actually composing the paper--easy, right? We shall see. This is going to be a looooong weekend. Last night, I finished one of the three writing assignments I have for the weekend. My goal is to write one paper a day, so I am on task. Let's hope by tomorrow evening that I have all of the work out of the way. I need to pack for vacay! Only four more days remain until we set sail.

Writer's (Topic) Block

Ugh! I can barely think straight at all today; my brain is fried. I know I am supposed to have chosen my topic for Document 3 already, but it hasn't happend yet. This morning, I took my TEAS exam for entrance into the nursing program. I performed well--not as well as I would have liked, but well. Taking this very important assessment exam in combination with an extensive Pathophysiology test last night has absorbed all of my free time. Now that these two events are in the past, I will focus on the next tasks at hand: Document 3 for Comp III, a disease comparison paper for Pathophysiology, and a nutition and disease paper for Nutrition. All these assignments must be completed by next Wednesday when I leave for my Disney cruise over Thanksgiving. It's going to be a very busy weekend for my home computer's keyboard.

Strength of Argument

What do I feel so strongly about that I could defend the topic to the death? The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is my children's health. I am currently in a battle with my ex-husband--really his new wife--over what is best for my chronically ill child. I get emotional about this topic; my feelings range from sadness to extreme anger about this subject. This is indeed an area where I am impassioned, but could I write a persuasive document about it? I'm not sure. I need to contemplate more about what topic I will choose.

For Argument's Sake

Document Three, my third (duh!) and final document for my Composition III class, is on a topic of my choosing. I cannot seem to feel too strongly about any subject right now. I am waiting for some divine inspiration. I need to pick a point of view that a lot of people disagree with and make a strong argument for it. Oh, piece of cake...not! This paper is also due the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the very day I am leaving for vacation. I would like to get a jumpstart on it and finish it early, so that I can concentrate on more important things (i.e. ironing, packing, get my mani/pedi). Hopefully, I will be struck by an idea soon.

The Good News or The Bad News?

The good news is: my only midterm exam is completed, the house we want to rent between Christmas and New Year's is available, a continuation was granted in my pending court case (regarding time-sharing and child support), and I have lost ten pounds in the past five weeks. So, what's the bad news? Even though I am elated that the election is finally over, I do not find the result favorable. Ugh. Four more years of the same nonsense can be expected. Today is mostly filled with positives; I will let go of the negative.

It's Election Day Tomorrow!!!

Like I wrote a few weeks back, I cannot wait for this election to be over. Tomorrow, I will head to my polling place--which is in my gated community-- early in the morning while still wearing my pajamas and slippers. It is sad to me that schools are out tomorrow for safety issues regarding the election. I grew up in a small town; the only polling place was at the fire station (at least, that's how I remember it). It's scary to think about opportunistic criminals using the election as an excuse to gain access to children. With technological advances, I wish voting from my home PC was an option. Cyber-security would need to be tightened up, obviously. Let's hope that four years from now we can all vote from the comfort of our own homes. However one votes, it is imperative to remember the importatnce of voting itself. So, no matter what, VOTE!

Upcoming Holidays/Vacations

I am so excited that I can barely stand it! I have a tendency to future-trip to upcoming vacations. This Thanksgiving, from November 21-25, I am going on a Disney cruise to the Bahamas. I took the same cruise last Spring Break, but my children didn't get to come along. This time, I am really looking forward to sharing the experience with them. Also, there is talk about us heading to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, again this year between Christmas and New Year's. Last year we had such a blast (see a picture of the house we rented, above), but again, my boys were with their dad and could not come along. Along with the future-tripping in my head, I feel an overwhelming need to shop for clothing well in advance. For a trip to the Bahamas, it is not such a big deal for us Florida folk. Taking two teenage boys, who live in Florida, to Wyoming in December and January is another story. In preparation, I have purchased so far today: snowboarding jackets, snowboarding pants, boots, warm socks, gloves, hats, sweatshirts, sweaters, and a scarf. I have yet to buy goggles for all of us and long underwear for the boys. Is it premature to purchase the gear before booking the trip? Yes. Do I have a serious issue with over-planning? Yes. I definitely need to relax. Perhaps a vacation is in order...

Where's My Stuff?

In my last post, I wrote about cloud services and the fact that almost everyone uses them. To be honest, I'm still learning about the ins and outs of cloud services myself. Upon reading an article recently, I finally solved the mystery of where all the "stuff" in the cloud is stored. I cannot say with all certainty that my stuff is in any particular location, but I do now have a better idea. According to the article linked above, information from an iTunes account is stored in facilities in Oregon, North Carolina or California. Weird, right? I thought so. I, probably not unlike many others, tend to envision some sort of magic to be responsible for things I don't understand. Now that I am ready to look beyond the myth, I'm finding ansers and becoming better informed. Is a cloud magic? No. Is it still completely amzing? Yes.

Cloud Nine

How many of us utilize a cloud service? Anyone with a smart phone or an email address certainly does. The bottom line is: almost everyone uses a cloud service. But, why? Cloud services allow our information to be easily accessed from anywhere with an internet connection; this may include emails, documents, or contact information. Cloud services help us to streamline communication and our lives. After I synched my iPhone to the cloud last year, every time I purchasde a new iPhone, my information is "magically" transported to the new device before I even exit the Apple Store. I have one word for this: awesome!

Hurricane Preparedness

As I type, Tropical Storm Sandy is barreling towards South Florida. Once again, we are in "the cone of uncertainty." I must admit, I do not prepare for these storms. My hurricane preparedness plan consists of waiting for others to put up my hurricane shutters, and then I head over to my boyfriend's house, which has an in-ground generator to run everything. I probably should be more accountable for my children's and my own safety, but it's too easy to just rely on the plan I have in place. I am curious if anyone else has even gassed up a vehicle or purchased extra water.

Blog Topics

For many years, I believed that I hated to write. The only time, though, I believed this to be fact are the years that I wasn't writing. In junior high, I was writing a novel (I wonder what happened to it?). During high school, I prided myself on my ability to produce writing assignments with ease. Then there were the in-between years; the years I was raising young children and could barely put a sentence together to have a conversation, let alone formulate intelligible manuscript. Upon re-entering an academic environment, I found myself at home, once again, with jotting down the dialogue in my head. I like to write. No, I love to write. What is it about assignments that seem to strip the joy from an otherwise enjoyable activity? I like to write about simple things. I would enjoy writing about my favorite travel experience or my most enjoyed meal. Who doesn't love food? I don't even like to cook, but I watch cooking shows, and I read recipes like they're Harlequin novels. I totally understand the term "food porn." I think I could really enjoy writing about food. But, then again, if it's an assignment, a sense of duty accompanies it to snatch away at least a piece of the joy.

The Dreaded Peer Review

What is it about having one's peers review a person's work that is disconcerting? It has never bothered me to have a teacher or professor read my work, even in its most infantile stages. This is in sharp contrast to how I feel about having my classmates review my work, even if it's finished. I have a tendency to want only expert opinions regarding my work. I am a perfectionist; I have a very hard time letting go and letting others take control of a situation...any situation. To me, the peer review process is an exercise in tolerance and uncomfortability. It's more psychological for me than academic. Nonetheless, regardless of the benefit, I realize that it will make me a better, more well-rounded person. Simply by experiencing something new and uncomfortable, I am conditioning myself to be more receptive to others' assistance.

Sports Teams

My whole life--at least as long as I can remember--I have been a Green Bay Packers fan. It's easy to understand why; I grew up in Wisconsin where seemingly everyone is a Packers fan. I thought upon moving to Florida that my affection for the Green and Gold might waiver. It hasn't. I still cried when we they won Superbowl XLV. I felt like it was a personal victory. What does seem a bit foreign to me is my more recent fan affiliation to the Saint Louis Cardinals. First off, I have never been a fan of baseball. Second, I am not from the arched city. However, my boyfriend was born in Saint Louis, and a great portion of his family still lives there. Last year, we stayed up late to watch the awe-inspiring games of the World Series. Their performance in Game 6 was extraordinary. I couldn't believe the pride I felt in the Cardinals when they won the championship. I had all these feelings for a team that wasn't even mine. This year, the Cardinals have had a strong showing in the post-season as well. I am excited to watch Game 5 of the National League Championship Series tonight. If they win, they will be heading to the World Series for the second consecutive year. How exciting is that?! Also, go Packers and beat the Saint Louis Rams on Sunday!

Long Island Debate

Last night, I watched the Presidential debate broadcast from Long Island, New York. The contrast between the two Presidential debates held thus far was, quite frankly, substantial. I felt President Obama performed much better than in the previous debate; he must've spent countless hours in preparation. I felt that both candidates were at the top of their game--so much so that it was almost uncomfortable to watch. Neither man held back. I found that the questions posed by the undecided voters were very telling. I cannot wait until next week Monday when my home state will host the third and final debate. Even more exciting, the election is mere weeks away. Finally, political ads will slow to almost a halt...thank God.

Vice-Presidential Debate

Last week, I watched the vice-presidential debate. It's very difficult to be unbiased because not only am I a Republican, but also I am from Wisconsin, Paul Ryan's homestate. Saturday Night Live parodied the event, which I knew it would. Paul Ryan's widow's peak seemed so much more pronounced than I had remembered it to be, and clearly, SNL picked up on that fact. I felt that Vice President Biden showed blatant disrespect for Congressman Ryan by continuously laughing, smiling, and interrupting while Ryan spoke. I thought that Congressman Ryan performed well, especially since this was his first debate in such a capacity. As a Christian, I was offended by Biden's response regarding abortion. How can one consider oneself a Catholic and still support abortion? I do not envy any individual who puts himself or herself into the public arena. I would never subject myself to such scrutiny.

Halloween Costumes

Although some retail locations would like to skip straight to the big, money-making holiday of Christmas, it is only October, which means it is the Halloween season. As a child, I would dream-up my costume many months in advance; I never was satisfied wearing a run-of-the-mill store-bought costume. A few years back, I spent more than I care to admit on a custom costume. It seems that expensive purchase has become my go-to attire for the sugar-laden holiday. Just because I wear the same costume every year, it doesn't mean that I don't fantasize about creating other ensembles. I'm curious to know if other adults also fantasize about dressing up for the holiday, even if they do not act out on it. Are you going to dress up in costume this October 31st? If so, what will your costume be? Or, if cost was not a factor, what costume would you concoct?

Big Bird Tweets

I just read on Facebook that the most tweeted about political event is Mitt Romney's spiel about cutting funding for PBS in which he referenced Big Bird. I find it a little misleading that individuals mention that this event or that event is the most tweeted about happening; Twitter was officially launched a mere six years ago. I will continue to hold the belief that if certain political events occurred in the past six years, they would have easily surpassed the ridiculous volume of tweets that Romney's Big Bird received. In my opinion, there are a handful of tweet-worthy political events that happened just in my lifetime: the fall of The Berlin Wall, President Clinton's "I did not have sex with that woman" speech, the events of 9/11. My only hope is that something--anything--happens soon to replace this event in the Twitter record books. I feel confident that by tomorrow there will be a plethora of contenders.

Mitt, Mitt, He's My Man!

I am going to let you in on a little secret: I have a crush on Mitt Romney. I suppose it is not too unusual for one to have a crush on such a public figure, but there are many who believe that he is so straight-laced and stiff, like a stuffed suit. I see an attractive man with perfectly "seasoned" salt-and-pepper hair. Although at this point in my life I consider myself to be a republican--a fact that only serves to increase Mitt's attractive factor for me--I feel that I would be open to voting for a democratic nominee if he or she had a platform that better reflected my beliefs. This election I lucked out. Not only do I feel strongly  about my Mitt's candidate's platform, I get the opportunity to see his face plastered throughout  the media. In addition, I have grown weary of the years of high unemployment numbers. In 2009, I was "let go" from a wonderful job because of the downward-spiraling economy. I love this country and the ideals it was built on, and I believe we as a nation have it in us to return to our former glory. This November, I will vote for change; however, it will not be for the campaign with the ironic motto "Change."