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...