December 18, 2010

Whether the Weather be: A Few Clouds (54F/12C)
Events of Note: Unit 2
In the News: U.S. Senate votes to repeal "Dont ask / Don't tell" military service policy.

* It's that slightly odd, misplaced 'window'-the final weekend prior to Christmas. Were we in New Zealand at the moment, we might find ourselves basking in the glory of some sunshine. Then again, I pause to think of Europe's record cold-snap and can only shudder.

* On today's academic agenda, is some discussion responses, and a minor paper on a case of pancreatic cancer, explained in layperson's terms. The class platform continues to experience technical issues. Online class environments leave little redundancy in the system when the electronic environment falls over.

December 15, 2010.

Whether the Weather be: 54 (F) Clear & Chilly-with Winter Storm on the way.
Events of Note: Kaplan platform was down last night.
In the News: Assange

* Can't believe it's been a whole other Term since I've managed to update this web-log!. My previous Term went reasonably well (everything considered). I did well in both Pharmacology and A&PII. This Term (started Dec. 8th), I'm now taking Diseases of the Human Body and Billing and Insurance (both 200-level courses). Dec. 8th, I went back to Stanford University Medical Center for a continuation of my medical treatment- a rainy trip/appointment/adventure that I was quite contented to have behind me. 11 hours is some commute, especially with full-on Bay Area traffic.

* Kaplan platform was down for a considerable number of hours from approx 4:30pm PST yesterday. Right on time to clash dramatically with end of Unit assignment and Seminar deadlines.

*My/our daughter is with her grandparents, tonight, so I'm using this opportunity to start and finish a # of different projects/agendas happening around the Holidays. Only 10 days until Christmas, which is my absolute favorite holiday of all, although it's celebrated quite differently here than in my native country.

*I'm no longer actively maintaining any of my blogs anywhere else at the moment. At least, not for the time being. Some of my focus has deepened on supervising and participating in my daughter's schooling and education. Beyond that, I'm 'dry' on inspiration, as far as actual, biographical and op-ed writing is concerned. There is only so much to say, and so many different ways of illustrating my life, I guess.

*Found out today that one of my former, undergrad Professors is in very poor health, and now in a wheelchair. Yes, even, and especially academics (and notable ones) wither up and die.

October 23, 2010.

Whether the Weather be: 60 F) Rain (1st storm of Winter predicted)
In the News: Cholera outbreak in Haiiti
Events of Note: Unit 5-A&PII Seminar 10/24 4pm EST (note change of day/time).

* Rain is here. First significant rain of this Summer/Fall-up to seven inches predicted over this weekend-but I'm picking between two and four, instead. Since I completed my Unit 5 assignment for Pharmacology ahead of time, and had it graded immediately (and scored full marks), I'm having an easier unit this week. Which is just as well, because A&PII this week has two course sections combined together into the one unit. I'm bored with A&PII, which is not a good sign. I found myself having to seriously twist my own tail to do my DB initial response this week. Granted, I still have some health issues bothering me in the background, but even so....This time last weekend, I was in the ER of the local hospital, being pumped full of opiate pain relief via I.V.

October 14, 2010

...it's been a while .... In Unit 4, already!

* I'm not having a wholly bad Term, so far. Continuing on with the same routine for Kaplan, in spite of the Seasonal shift has been a little squiffy. On an upside, really enjoying Pharmacology, and am a little disappointed that it's only ten weeks, frankly.

* Taking it easy, today. I have a medical appointment at 5:45pm, tonight. Something that couldn't be left to become worse over the weekend, basically. My clinic was backed up, so I really had to do all kinds of begging to even be seen, today. The key is to physically show up, and that way, you are less likely to be overlooked.

September 28, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Foggy/overcast (55F)
In the News: CA re-introduces executions.
Events of Note: Unit 1 almost done!.

* I'm unhappy with how this new Term isn't shaping up. Lots of technical difficulties with the Seminar platform, as well as with course-related and school emails somehow landing in my Junk email folder. This really sets me off on the wrong foot, and is not the strong start that I needed or wanted. Oh, well.

* Today, I continued to volunteer in my daughter's kindergarten class, which I am enjoying in new and surprising ways. A friend who has been visiting with us from Montana, left today, to continue on with their Pre-Winter travels. It was a welcomed diversion having them stay!.

Well, that's it from here-I have an exam for A&PII to study for, and some student responses to post on DB. Hopefully certain issues will self-resolve soon.

September 20, 2010

Term Break (cont...)

Whether the Weather be: Fair (59F/15C) A beautiful day!.
In the News: Bed-bugs close Nike store.
Events of Note: Final Grades posted.

* Well, I accomplished what I set out to do this last Term, with an A in Comp II. I ended up with an A- in Anatomy and Physiology, which was pretty pleasing, everything considered. Yesterday's party went well. It was a lot less stressful on me than those events typically are-likely because it was a Children's Party. So, there was a much nicer atmosphere, and far fewer bad manners in evidence (less alcohol being consumed by guests). No "Jolly Jump" unfortunately, because of torrential rain, but there was an abundance of different and engaging, indoor art activities, games, dress-ups, movies....

* This morning, I volunteered in my daughter's Kindergarten classroom. A great group of children. I put together homework folders, worked in groups in a comprehension color, cut and paste activity, and worked one-on-one with a student who was trying to learn how to write his name more clearly. It was a real pleasure, and the time went by so quickly.

* I'm almost done with my Holiday shopping for family back in New Zealand. This was my ambitious task for Term break, when I'd far rather be doing anything else but that. Still, I'd better start looking over my Pharmacology textbook. It looks a little daunting, to say the least.

September 18, 2010

Term Break

Whether the Weather be: Rain (63F)
In the News: Pope visits Britain
Events of Note: Term Break

* This break from school is rapidly disappearing over the horizon. We've had the most rain all year, beginning from yesterday. The slight viral illness that I picked up from my daughter in Unit 9 of this Term, is still bothering me. This afternoon, I spent two hours in bed, asleep, and I rarely, if ever, do that. Tomorrow, I have to get up early and prepare cakes for a kids party at my husband's boss's place. Depends upon the rain, too, I guess, because she's having a "Jolly Jump" up at her house. Well, I'm off to check if grades have been posted at Kaplan, yet. Wish me luck. Luck.

End Of Term Wrap-Up

End of Term Reflections:

This Term, I ended up with good marks in Comp II and good marks in A&PI. Although, A&PI was slightly intense, balanced out by Comp II, which was straightforward, by comparison. For next Term, Pharmacology will be interesting, particularly when it is paired with A&PII. For now, I'm simply enjoying being able to catch up on some sleep, and to do something not school-related. I've even been wrapping Christmas presents!. Yesterday, I spent my morning with three friends, at the Starbucks directly across from my house. We had a lot of fun, just joking around and catching up on each other's lives. Next Term will be about not taking on too many extraneous tasks, as well as prepariing for Clinicals. Eep!.

September 13, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Cloudy (59F)
In the News: San Bruno fire aftermath
Events of Note: Unit 10-End of Term.

* I'm preparing to sit my Final Exam today for A&PI. I'm not typically a good test-taker. So, I have really attempted to go 'all out' on pre-exam prep, with sheets of notes, flashcards and diagrams. It's all making me slightly batty, and I'll be quite glad when it's over with. Between the 7.0 earthquake in my home-city in New Zealand, over a week ago, and my then being admitted to Stanford for a specialist medical procedure, Unit 9 was a bit of a struggle for me to get through. But, from tomorrow, I can relax a bit and do something else. On Thursday, a group of writing friends and myself are getting together for some socializing and fun. I need to laugh and de-stress with some like-minded souls!. Then, on Saturday, I'm catering for a kids party. It's all go!.

* I'll be maintaining this blog for the foreseeable future, so I hope to keep in touch with all of you, one way or the other!. I'm taking A&PII and Pharmacology next Term. Good luck to all!.

Unit 10 Blog Response:

Keeping It Scientific: Tips on Writing a Scientific Paper.

In many ways, writing a scientific paper can be quite a bit easier than writing a general essay or an informative paper. This is because you can quite intentionally have some distance between yourself and your chosen subject material. This allows you to be both more critical and more objective. It can also really help to focus on the most plausible, verifiable and justifiable answer to your research question, or to firm up your ideas about your hypothesis. In this way, writing a scientific paper is much more of a prescriptive task. Here are a few general tips:

* Leave writing your introduction and conclusion until last. In many ways, your conclusion should mirror your introduction, to an extent. Remember, a conclusion is a summary of all the points and material that have been written up until that point. So, you shouldn't try and include new information in a conclusion. Rather, your conclusion should re-iterate your main points, and also re-link them back to your original thesis.

* Use peer-reviewed journals and periodicals that deal specifically with the precise and pertinent aspects of your topic. These are usually self-evident through their title. Also, try and stay with current articles as much as possible. Less than a year old, and no more than 10 years old-unless you are providing some historical background. Given the fast-paced nature of certain fields, it's also better to use the latest editions of certain, well-recognized 'standard' texts, too-such as Mosby's. They may not look that different, at first gloss, but many have been significantly updated, abridged (shortened) or revised.

* An Abstract is a first impression, snapshot of your paper. Some abstracts use the intro, method, discussion, conclusion format, while others are a little more broad. An abstract should be written in a neutral tone, too.

* If you have any doubts about the origins of any of your sources-leave them out entirely. They should be able to be easily located by any reader.

* Developing your research questions is a good start towards writing a thesis statement.

* Avoid collaborative electronic sources or websites, like Wikipedia, Ask.com, About.com. If you can, talk with the Information specialists or Help Desk at your Library. They often have very helpful tips about locating secondary sources, electronically, and some even offer this as a service to students. This can save a lot of time, and really help you to focus on exactly what you're interested in most.

* Finished your draft and find that you've written too much or too little content?. Try writing it over again, by hand. Or, print off a copy. Sometimes, it's clearer to visualize and edit, when the content is directly on the page in front of you and not on the screen. It can give you a better sense of and feel for where there are gaps, or where you have focussed on too much of one aspect, versus another. Quantity does not always equate to quality. Conversely, if you've written too little, look for ways that you can use topic sentences and transitions to expand your paragraphs. Including illustrative examples can also sometimes help. While quotes should be used sparingly and shouldn't be used as 'filler'-if you have a good quote-use it!.

September 03, 2010

There was a major earthquake in the South island of New Zealand, this morning measuring 7.4, where all of my extended family and many of my friends live. Considerable damage in the city of Christchurch. So, at this time, I am very worried about my famly and have yet to make contact with them. I will try calling my Mum later, today. Lots of aftershocks happening-up to 5.0. They are now worried about aftershocks of 6.0 and above. So, I am a little distracted at the moment.

Unit 9 Blog Response

Feelings This Close To The Finish Line

With your paper almost done, how do you feel?.

With my paper now almost done, I'm feeling largely indifferent and ambivalent about my Final Paper. I usually like to let it sit and settle some more, before I return for one, last round of polishing it up. Paying a little more extra effort, time and attention can really make a difference to the overall quality of the end result. Generally, just by quickly scanning my paper, I can have a good 'gut feeling' of what stage I'm at, this far on in the writing process. It is satisfying to look back at the bare bones of my pre-writing, and to compare that with the numerous, subsequent versions of my paper. Then, on a personal level, at least, I can feel contented and enlightened with how my paper has evolved and taken shape.

Do you feel nervous, accomplished or just plain tired?.

I feel accomplished. Writing energizes me, while also expanding my horizons and perspectives on several, contrasting levels. I feel as if I can take on my next writing challenege with more vitality and insight.

How do you feel about your writing at this point?. Has your idea of writing changed throughout the course?.

I feel mediocre about my writing at this point, mostly because I am very self-critical of my own work. My writing is a little more like a journey to me, rather than simply being a final destination. In this sense, my idea of writing hasn't changed much throughout this course. At least, not at the core of my basic academic writing skills. Perhaps, slightly more so on other, more minor technicalities and details. This is because I have quite deliberately spent a number of years identifying what works best for me, and in making those writing techniques and approaches work to my greatest advantage, time and time again.

What other topics would you like to research?.

The other topics that I would like to research are numerous and varied. In the shorter term, I plan on researching Kidney Function and the Urinary System for A&PII next Term. As a part of my public health professional activities, I intend to expand on my research interests in bioethics. Specifically, by looking at the legal and ethical issues to do with developing Medical Futility determination guidelines and protocols for health providers here in the U.S..

September 02, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Fog (55F/13C)
In the News: Hurricane Earl (CNN)
Events of Note: Unit 9; Anat&Phys Seminar 9

* Neurology at Stanford called yesterday morning, so that is where I'm headed next week, for some outpatient medical treatment. Which puts the squeeze on me right at the end of this Term, especially with my completing Final papers and exam study preparation. There will be an additional treatment schedule following this one, which I'm going to have to map out carefully in consultation with KU. It's a 12 hour return commute between here and Stanford, so there has to be some advance planning, whenever possible. In some ways, it'll be nice that this Term is over with, but the next one will roll in just as quickly. Term break isn't really a vacation, from my point-of-view-it's just brief bit of a non-contact time, is all.

* Today, I hope to do a lot of final editorial work on my paper for Comp II. I want to be sure that my Abstract is well-thought out and reads well, too, and not just something tacked on there at the last, possible moment. Mainly because the abstract sets the 'tone' and reflects the overall slant and quality of the paper itself. After that, I can respond to this week's Discussion Thread for Comp II.

September 01, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Cloudy 51 (F)
In the News: Hurricane warning issued for part of the U.S. East Coast (CNN)
Events of Note: Unit 9 begins.

* Haven't blogged here for a few days because I'm trying to get into a new routine with my daughter beginning kindergarten, as well as preparing for Final Papers and for the A&PI Final Exam, No particular plans for this holiday weekend, as I'll be wrapping up this Term's work, and I think that my husband will be working all this weekend, too. This Term has been a strange one for me. It hasn't really felt like I've moved too far, nor too fast in my learning processes. Same old, same old. Maybe that's because I've been in school for so long. Or, perhaps I'm a little run-down with it being so close to the end of Term. I've been feeling quite tired for much of this week. But, I'm doing better today, after a good night's worth of rest. I'm not making any predictions about my final grades-they will be whatever they are.

Hope you all have a great Unit, and see you in the threads!.

August 28, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Fair (58F/14C)
In the News: Nigeria under cholera outbreak threat
Events of Note: Unit 8 Discussions

* I'm feeling quite tired, tonight. My weekend, so far has been preparing for my daughter to start Kindergarten on Monday. Last night, I put together a whole school resources and book library together for her, in her own, dedicated room, upstairs. Now, she has a pleasant, clean and organized space where she can sit and read or color quietly, or to do her homework and school-related activities. While I was feeling motivated, I also sorted through all of her different toys, building blocks and puzzles. Ziplocked as much as I could, in giant Zip-lock bags, trashed some items that just couldn't be salvaged, and I plan on "Freecycling" some of the other pre-loved items that are still in fair condition. Oh, and did I mention laundry?. Our hot-tub overflowed, last night, and flooded out my laundry room. So, my husband dutifully mopped out the laundry room, including tossing the dirty laundry pile out on to the back porch. Only, it got rained on overnight!.

* My husband's boss just stopped by to see a project my husband has been working on. I intend on spending my evening catching up on various aspects of Kaplan.

See you in Discussions!.

August 27, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Sunny breaks (60F/16C)
In the News: 1 million more people displaced in Pakistan floods (Source: CNN).
Events of Note: Unit 8.

* Today has been a steadily busy one of preparing my daughter for Kindergarten next week, as well as working towards wrapping up the second (and hopefully Final) drafts of my Final Papers for both of my classes. My next step will be sending them off the Writing Center's Paper Review Service for them to take a look at them. I'm right in the midst of preparing and assembling all of my material for the A&PI Final Exam.

* Much the same applies to this coming weekend. A lot for me to have to get through, and since I get the same amount of hours in my day as everyone else, I have to plan accordingly. My health is still a little precarious, too, and it doesn't take much to tip me sideways.

See you in Discussions this week!.

Unit 8 Blog Response

Bloggy, Bloggity, Blah-Another Beginning?.

To me, being able to blog regularly throughout the duration of this course, and to actually be given points for it, has proven to be somewhat of a joy-ride for me. Generally, even with writing that is 'required', like this, I still get some measure of enjoyment from it. Keeping a blog like this, hasn't needed to be anywhere near as prescriptive, nor formulaic as other, more formal aspects of this course, either-and that freedom has (mostly) been a pleasant distraction. Not because I have had a whole lot of intrinsic value to say nor to communicate on a daily basis. Rather, because I think that blogs can be telling markers of personal progress to reflect back upon. In my case, my thought-processes, mood and writing are very closely intertwined. As much as I might ferverently wish otherwise, sometimes. Yet, some of my best and my brightest writing has also been entirely 'off the cuff'. So, who really knows?.

That said, there is some value in keeping a regular web-log in a course like this one. If little else, it re-iterates the idea of writing regularly and consistently, in a particular format. There is a certain component of self-disicipline involved in doing that. Which, by extension, is an important skill to have and to develop as a college student. Writing and college-level study involves calling on a lot of different, complex skill sets. As time goes by, those skill sets can have a tendency to go down, particularly if you don't find opportunities to use them often enough. Having other forums, such as this one, helps me to stay sharp, with a little less pressure to write to a certain standard.

When Comp II finishes, I will likely keep this blog, and extend it to encompass my further studies at KU, my words willing.

August 23, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Fair (72F/22C)
In the News: Phillipines bus hijacking (Source: AP).
Events of Note: Seminar 7

* For the first time in a couple of months, I had a relatively quiet and 'me'-oriented weekend, this past weekend. To wit, the weather sudddenly turned into the most glorious and sweet sort of an Indian, late-summer, early Fall, with sunshine-filled days, with soft breezes and mild temperatures. Sometimes, I need to do something different; I just get too wrung-out and off-track. It's good to re-center, again. Being back blogging at "Rose-Tinted Ramblings" helped a lot, too. It's my private venting space. In terms of Comp II, I gave quite a few Peer Reviews. Time to step back and let others take a turn, I think. It's also time for me to do some revision work on my own paper.

* Today, though, I thought that I'd share a little-known aspect of my life. I love to sing-although, mostly in private, despite the fact that I like the adrenaline rush that goes with performing in front of an audience. I like music with a traditional Celtic or folk basis to it. Although, in senior high school, it seemed as if we were always singing popular or Broadway Show tunes. I guess that I was in the Kiwi equivalent of what here in America is popularly referred to as being, "Glee Club". I was christened in the Church of England as a baby, and while I no longer consider myself to be religious (more spiritual), while I was an undergraduate college student, I used to regularly attend the Choral Evensong service at Christchurch Anglican Cathedral. The cathedral is located in the center of the city, and is a vast, stone structure, built in the traditional Anglo-Gothic style. Evensong typically began at around 5 or 5:30pm, lasting for an hour. It was always such a reflective and peaceful way to end my often extremely stressful college days. Consequently, I have a lot of Enya in my music collection. I'm also a huge fan of the 80s Australian band, Icehouse.

* Back when I first started college as a University undergraduate student, I really, really struggled with my academic writing style. Very quickly, and much to my dismay, I just couldn't seem to stem the tide of failing "D" grades for papers that I felt as if I'd really worked hard on. For one, I invariably felt overwhelmed by the huge set, Required Reading Lists for all new English Lit majors. Adding research reading for the purposes of writing a minumum of three, graded papers per paper, per Semester on to that just compounded my difficulties even further. For another, I found myself trying too hard to express myself in the academic style. Added to this, my first year classes were huge-600 students in Philosophy 101, and about half as many again in Literary Theory 101. Just by the numbers, getting any attention from my Professors at all was pretty much a hit and miss exercise. Thankfully, I was able to pick up a Foundation paper in Fine Arts, and several more in French Studies in Translation-two subject areas that I found to be far more engaging, and where I ultimately did much better in. Which likely gives credence to the idea that you should study and major in what you're most interested in.

See you in class, tonight!.

August 21, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Overcast (54F/12C)
In the News: Australian elections 'too close to call' (Source: AP)
Events of Note: Midway through Unit 7.

* Well, I studied until 3:00am. Slept til 10:00am, and then it was time to get up and start all over again. Today will be reasonably low-key, although I do want to look through my Final Paper outlines. I scored full points on my Final Project outline for Anat&PhysI. Now, it's time to take that to the next level, and to work on developing it further. Today is also when I start to activate my Final Exam plan for Anat&PhysI, where I start to revise different units within set blocks of time each day/night. Before that, though, I hope to have a little 'me' time. Comp II is quiet, this week.

* Yesterday, as I was publishing yesterday's blog post, we had an earthquake!. 3.0. The last big earthquake this city had was back in January-a 6.5. I wasn't actually home for that one-I was hospitalized in Stanford University Hospital, so I missed all of that excitement (thankfully). I remember being on the 23rd floor of a hotel in downtown Tokyo, when there was a moderate quake-and that was pretty scary, too.

* It's cold, damp and threatening rain outside. Fall is here, already. So much for Summer. Time to go and do some chores....

Have a great Saturday!.

August 20, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Fog (54F/12C)
In the News: U.S seeks to re-launch direct Mideast peace talks (Source: Reuters)
Events of Note: Unit 7

* Last night's Seminar for Anat&Phys1 highlighted some general issues with paper outlines. The instructor's mild frustration with the lesser quality of some of the final paper outline projects was fairly evident. They have set a standard, and based upon that have certain expectations-and that's a good thing. I haven't gotten my grade back from that, yet, but I think that I still did well enough. Which, could always be better. My one weakness remains APA 6th Edtn. Last Term was made a lot easier because there was a thorough handbook for Comp I, especially concerning the specifics of APA format. Now, in spite of just a few changes, this latest edition of APA is still not sitting well with me. Time to go back to the Writing Center and get some further clarification on this, before I start re-drafting my Final Papers.

* My migraine is beginning to dissipate, at last. Today, my computer screen isn't "swimming" continually in front of me like it has been for much of this week. There is less flickering light visual disturbance, and my typing and thinking is clearer. Little by little, I think that this migraine is starting to go away.

I hope that everyone has a stress-free weekend!.

August 19, 2010

Comp II Outreach:

I realize that we are already in Unit 7 AND that we are having Peer Reviews this week. But, if any of you would like any additional (general) help with feedback on your papers, I am happy to offer classmates what I can by way of input. I am still getting to grips with the 6th Edtn APA, myself, but the Writing Center has a great handout on the newest version. My understanding is that the newer changes mainly relate to technical issues like the running header needing to be on the left side, subtitles in bold font, etc. Unfortunately, the green KU Handbook has very little specific detail on how to handle different referencing entries in the APA style. The purple version from last term, is far better in this regard, to hear tell (and as I've also discovered).

Anyway, please do not hesitate to contact me by emailing me via KU, or here. Or, you can connect with me pretty fast by contacting me via my Facebook profile: Annabel Temple-Furman, Redding, C.A.

August 19, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Overcast (57F/14C)
In the News: Egg recall as hundreds sickened (CNN)
Events of Note: Unit 7 DB and Readings/Anat&Phys Seminar 7

* Sick and tired, both-that's me. So, my blog entries, together with my time on the computer for school, will be somewhat restricted. I'm on day three of a migraine that alternates between vice-like gripping pain, and throbbing that also has the effect of making my throat ache. Some years back, I had a concussive head injury that landed me in the hospital for five days, and took me a year to recover from. My neurologist at Stanford thinks that my migraines are directly linked back to that original brain injury.

* Today's tasks will mostly involve additional reading, a bit of note-taking, and about as much time on the Kaplan homepage as I can muster, however briefly. Yesterday, I got my third Dean's List Honor's Award from Kaplan in the postal mail. That cheered me up. I have a President's List one, too, from earlier this year.

* There's been a change in the air, here, and the Seasons are on the turn, once again. We have a cold air mass that is meant to blowing down in here from Canada, which always brings a bit of a chilly bite to our weather.

Have a great day-see you on the Boards!.

Unit 7 Blog Response

My Writing Process & Journey

This Term has been a real 'mixed bag' for me in terms of my writing. Having a lot of externalities happening in my personal and household background on a reasonably regular basis is not exactly conducive to my having cogent and clear writing. Writing well is not always the same as simply having to write for writing's sake. By extension, academic writing has a formality and different dimension to it by comparison with everyday written expression. Regularly reading peer-reviewed journal articles certainly helps to keep my academic 'voice' more free and flowing. This isn't to say that I don't have my own struggles with developing and drafting my Final Papers. I do!. I like to use the Writing Center's Paper Review Service at least once a Term. The service that they provide is a really important resource in my continually improving my writing as a college student.

My writing is also definitely better supported and made a whole lot easier by my having reliable access to a good quantity of up-to-date research material. I have a preference for using mostly peer-reviewed articles from estalished journals. Although, an added advantage of the internet is quicker access to electronic journal archives, whenever I need them.

My writing isn't static. I certainly have plenty of room for improvement and simplification in my written expression. I am frequently re-editing my own material, as well as sharing my material with others who wish to look at it. Having a second (or even third, fourth and fifth) pair of eyes scanning my writing can often pick up on errors of mine that are right there in plain sight.

My writing 'process' is an ongoing one. If I no longer enjoy it, then perhaps that will be a sign for me to simply quit and to start over again.

August 18, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Cloudy (50F)
In the News: Obama says economy is in recovery, slowly but surely (Source: AP)
Events of Note: Unit 7 begins.

* A bit of a stressful day, yesterday, completing work for A&P. Flew through the module exam just fine, with absolutely no difficulties. Yet, my final project paper for A&P, on a dynamic organ system and organ, has some lackluster writing, at best. Today's agenda is getting my Comp II Draft Outline in (thanks, Dr. Sands-you're the first and only instructor to grant me an extension in my whole career!).

* On this day in August, 1998, I went through a life-changing event that came very close to costing me my life. For a few fleeting seconds, I was faced with the possibility that I might never see my loving and close family and friends again. Then, likely because of adrenaline, my fight instinct in my 'fight or flight' hardwired response, kicked in. The days, months and years immediately afterwards were difficult and challenging. Thanks to a good support system, I was slowly able to begin to re-build my life again, and to see the goodness in humankind because of others faith in me and who I was/am.

* In spite of a rotten migraine headache that is plaguing me at the moment, I need to go and look at some legal regulations for part of the content for my Comp II Final paper.

So, here's to Unit 7-the downhill run!. See you on the Boards, and in blogs!.

August 16, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Overcast (57F/14C)
In the News: Sixth H1N1 death in New Zealand, from 2nd wave of flu virus
Events of Note: Unit 6: Seminar 6

* Discovering today's headline for this blog entry, made me feel a little strange. This time, last Winter, my little brother (who's actually 32) was seriously ill with H1N1. He was diagnosed late in his illness because his health provider initially thought that he just had a bad case of bronchitis. Only later, when my brother, in his own words, started running 'bright, fire-engine red at both ends' and showed up at the E.R. of the local hospital, was he tested for H1N1, and his case was confirmed. After a rocky night in the E.R, he was sent home, and quarantined for five days. He was lucky. If luck has anything to do with it. His chest continued to hurt for a long time after that. But, he survived. A while back, I wrote an article on Open Salon about the WHO response to the H1N1 pandemic, entitled, 'Pandemic of Profit?'. It explored the assertion that WHO's (World Health Organization's) panel of expert pandemic advisors may have been financially pre-disposed or biased in their advice, based upon evidence of their ties to and work with big pharmaceutical companies. Further, that predictions of the severity of H1N1 globally were deliberately overblown and manipulated. Then, this morning, I read that WHO has declared a post-pandemic phase, with the acknowledgment that New Zealand is an exception to this, and is experiencing what is called a second wave of the virus. As a public health person, I am most interested in prevention. I think that many health communities need to go back to basics and start with good, first-person infection control. Hand-washing, each and every time, every patient, before and after every encounter. Similar to the mantra that is learned with respect to medicating patients-right patient, right dose, right time, right reason. This should apply to everyone in the community, too. If it did, at the very least, we would see a lot less spread of seasonal illness. Sadly, complacency can leave us open to tragedy, in so many ways.

* On a less maudlin note, I went to my daughter's new school, this morning, and got her registered for her new school year at Kindergarten. Kindergarten!. My baby!. A baby no more, it seems. A new and significant chapter is about to begin in her life, whether or not she realizes it fully yet!.

* Well, I worked until 1:00am again. Awake at 6:00am. Another long day ahead, but I am feeling good, today, so we'll soon see where this day takes me.

Have a meaningful Monday!. See you in Seminar, tonight!.

August 14, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Sunny (57F/14C)
In the News: Shooting spree in Buffalo, NY.
Events of Note: Unit 6

* You know that you're busy in College when...In my case, that barometer tops out when I totally space out on otherwise trivial matters, like yesterday being Friday the 13th, The Daily Show monologue, and when I'm still sitting up at 1:00am and somehow think that drinking a huge glass of sugary soda is a stellar idea (not). So, no, it's all good.

* I'm currently editing my draft for Comp II, if that doesn't sound too strange. It brings back memories of my academic supervisor editing and sending me my thesis chapters back for revision, over and over. In the end, you have to not let yourself get discouraged about it. You have to be able to take the criticism, turn it around and move on to the next version. I lost count of how many times they said, "This just needs a little more polishing and then you'll be closer to finishing it" (the chapter, not the thesis). After that, once you submitt, you have the external examiners reports, grading and their corrections to stress over, then the wait for the Department to agree on your final grade. Finally, there's the Departmental Peer Review. While I don't have anywhere near that amount of pressure with my present paper, I take each paper that I write as a chance to build upon my experiences.

* I thought I'd share a few tips that I've found helpful when writing papers (I've never bothered counting them all, but I'm estimating around 70).

+ Flashcards are awesome for noting references on and annotating those references. They also act as much-needed redundancy, in the event that you lose your work. Further, they help in making sure that your references match your in-text citations.

+ For putting together my Reference Page, I usually dedicate a whole time block, several days before deadline to do this. I treat it as a task in of itself. I also print it off to proof-read it. Don't underestimate the power of using APA correctly. It might seem like an absolute chore, but it serves a vital purpose. Avoid making obvious and repetitive errors-they can be a real distraction to a reader or an instructor. Don't give your instructor a blatant reason to start deducting points from your grade, over something as avoidable as technical errors (sorry Dr. Sands!). I had instructors who would automatically deduct half a grade if they saw the same mistake repeating more than once. Granted, every instructor's policy is different. That's what reading the course grading rubric and syllabus is for.

+ This is a research tip-but I tend to skim-read academic papers and journal articles backwards, by reading the conclusion first. If the main points are relevant, I also check the reference page, or index, to see if there are additional sources that I also may find to be insightful. I'll sometimes do similarly with abstracts, especially if I have a whole lot of results to look through.

+ A memory stick and/or external hardrive is your friend. It's like a daily application of SPF, only for your academic career. If you don't have access to either of these, you can attach your saved work to a blank email message and then email it to yourself or a friend. I also keep a 'working' handwritten copy-which, while not always updated as regularly, is far better than nothing.

+ Taking much-needed breaks (10 mins/hr) where you get to do something totally irrelevant and for yourself, can really help you to re-focus. Also, resources are there to be used, so thrash them, if need be.

Speaking of which-since we have real sunshine outside, I'm putting some sunscreen on and am heading out to catch some rays (however shortlived).

Have a great Saturday!.

Auguat 13, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Foggy (52F/12C)
In the News: Haven't looked today, yet.
Events of Note: Unit 6

* I was wide-awake at 4:00am, re-writing my thesis statement for Comp II in my head. Sleepless nights are visiting me yet again. I'm either going to be consuming a lot of hot tea, or drinking a lot of water, to keep sleepiness at bay. So...see you on the other side!.

August 12, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Cloudy (51F/11C)
In the News: 25,000 wildfires continue to burn in Russia
Events of Note: Unit 6

* I'm still doing a major 'blitz' on my Comp II paper. Since I prefer to write it all in one sitting, if I can, I need everything possible lined up and in order beforehand (ducks in rows...). Essentially, today is 'it'. I'm going with a topic in a branch of the medical/health field where I've consistently done well in at collge level: ethics. That said, I've never written about Assisted Fertilization Treatments/Technologies (AFTs). Personally, I tend to be wary when medicine becomes about money-making. In my mind, access to health care should be about exercising a human right, not a fiscal one. I'm not saying that individual providers shouldn't be able to make a living at what they do. Rather, it is all of the industries which are connected to the medical industrial complex, that shouldn't be in the business of making such morally objectionable high profits at the expense of patient care. Again, this is just my opinion. We each have one of those. One way or the other.

* What I'll sometimes do, when I'm writing a paper like this, is print off the grading rubric and my outline and/or first/rough draft and compare the two alongside each other. In its own way, the grading rubric is a little like having a checklist of all of the pre-submission requirements. Even down to the seemingly small details, such as length and word count-which are equally as important as the content itself. It's another part of the organization of writing papers, I guess.

* Well, time is ticking, and I have a busy afternoon of writing ahead of me. See you on discussion board!.

August 11, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Fog (54F/13C)
In the News: Death toll rises in China mudslides (Source: CNN)
Events of Note: Unit 6 begins.

* I've been up early, this morning, reading, writing and trying to get prepped and primed for this week's new unit. Trying to get a slight jump on lesser tasks so that I can focus on the bigger picture. In addition, the housework is building back up again (it never ends, and is a thankless task, besides). Once our daughter arrives home from preschool at lunchtime, we are off to do a bit of shopping and to bake some chocolate chip cookies. Nothing quite like the well-timed scent of freshly-baked cookie dough wafting through the house. My husband has now downloaded more music to my Ipod, which I'll need while I'm ploughing through my research, this week. My extended studying for A&P is really paying off, too, with mostly perfect marks all of the way through. Now, I need to switch around and concentrate on Comp II more closely. Swings and roundabouts.

* Before I become too bogged down though, I'm off to do my routine online reading for my day, and a few stretches. Sitting in front of the computer so much can become 'old' fast!.

* One of our female guinea pigs gave birth to the cutest little cubby, yesterday. Last night, the baby was already tentatively eating watermelon right out of my hand. Such a character!. It'll be about six weeks before we'll be able to accurately determine the gender.

Good luck for Unit 6!. See you on DB, shortly!.

Unit 6 Blog Response

Holes in Buckets: Personal Issues In The Past Six Weeks.

Share what you have personally been dealing with in the past six weeks:

In spite of the fact that I maintain a variety of different online web-logs, engage with Facebook and other social networking sites, and have been a college student for a long while, I am essentially a very, very private person. One who, as with many other people, is dealing with a raft of personal issues on a daily basis. Therefore, there are some personal issues that I am just not prepared to write of in this public space. My innermost thoughts, feelings and actions have a safer place in my heart and imagination, and not beyond these parts of my self and identity.

However, on the periphery, I continue to deal with numerous, personal health issues, to a greater or lesser extent. Some days are better than others, and each day's/night's symptoms and side effects are showing up in different (and sometimes confusing) ways. So, on that basis, it can be difficult to keep to a timetable. I remain somewhat reliant upon my husband as my main confidant and caregiver. Since he works as a self-employed contractor, there is sometimes a tension between him being here for me, and working enough for us to have sufficient income to continue to pay our bills. I've also been working on getting myself back to full health and fitness, again.

My daughter's education has now come into much sharper focus and a different sort of consideration, as she will start kindergarten at the end of this month. My sense is that she is more than ready to go into first grade now, and not a year on from here. She can count, do some basic subtraction and addition, write her full name, read and write basic vocabulary, and knows some Spanish and some Te Reo Maori (native New Zealand language). That being said, I don't want to be seen as being a pushy parent. She should have the freedom to express and be very much her own person, and do what she most enjoys and naturally gravitates towards. Not what we think or dream of for her. Nurturing her sense of relaxation and fun also means a lot of one-on-one time with her, during these precious moments when she remains mostly still in our midst. Time is so fleeting with our little girl.

Immediate and extended family (whanau) back in New Zealand have also been having their own issues and life events during these past six weeks, and while I'm on the other side of the globe, dealing with such life challenges from such a distance, does not seem to be getting any sweeter with the passage of time. Such distance merely magnifies and perhaps even distorts emotions, feelings and sentiments.

Unlike in past years, we have decided to forgo our annual, Mid-West road-trip plans. Rather, we have chosen to re-direct our energies and resources into preparing for this coming Winter, which we are suspecting will be a difficult one. So, without our usual break, we are likely feeling a little more tired, stretched, and as if we've pretty much missed out on our Summer, this year.

That's where I'm at, personally. In some ways, six weeks behind myself. In still others, six weeks ahead. It's all relative, I guess. I have buckets. They have holes. But, I figure if I keep fixing buckets, there will be fewer leaks. Fewer leaks, less stress. Hope. That myself and my questionable buckets can be whole again, Dear Liza.

August 10, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Cloudy (52F/11C)
In the News: 7.5 earthquake off Vanuatu
Events of Note: Unit 5 wind-down

* I missed out on posting a blog entry, yesterday. Primarily because I was suffering with a wretched migraine, and in addition, due to our trip up to the mountain house and lake. Although, in spite of a pounding head, I still greatly appreciated the temperature difference (going from 53 to 86), which was the perfect temperature for a swim in the waters of Sherrif's Cove at Ruth Lake. Typically, the wind likes to pick up there, by early afternoon. Yet, yesterday, the breeze atayed away until after 5pm. Perfect for some lake-gazing and lazing!. I was able to attend Seminar last night, too, in spite of slow internet connectivity and a strange computer, belonging to my in-laws (which had script missing off of the keyboard). It was after 11pm by the time we got back home and settled. My migraine is still pounding away, today, so it could be a slow day. Not to mention cold and foggy. I have the heater turned on and am wearing three layers of clothing!.

* As I'd suspected, I'll need to change my thesis statement around quite a bit. Framing it as a question simply won't fly, so it's back to the drawing board. Much of today will be about wrapping up Unit 5 checklists, and looking ahead to Unit 6. I have a lot of issues external to school that are scheduled for the duration of Units 6 and 7, so I'll need to work carefully and consistently. Falling behind isn't an option.

August 8, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Overcast/foggy (55F/13C)
In the News: Rescue effort after China landslide
Events of Note: Unit 5 DB Peer-Responses

* I've gotten a lot done, today, which is good because we are off up to the mountain house and lake tomorrow, just for the day. Saw another film, last night-"Dear John". I phoned my Mum in New Zealand, and we had a good natter about this and that. I am looking forward to seeing our daughter tomorrow, taking a swim together in the lake...perhaps also enjoying some sushi. I'll likely take the laptop with me, so that there's no way that I can miss Seminar tomorrow night.

Unit 5 Blog Response

"Being Everything That I Want: I'll Never Give Up."

Topic: How is school influencing your life up to this point?.

There are many different soundtracks simultaneously underpinning the various parts of my life. At this point, one of my current musical favorites is written by a composer/songwriter called Matthew Pucket, entitled, "Everything I Want". It's the opening theme to ABC's reality drama, "Boston Med". I digress a little....As for how school is influencing my life at this point, I would have to say that it is re-emphasizing and re-affirming to me all of the different explanations as to why I've chosen this particular path, at this unique point in my life. If there is one discipline where I feel like where I belong most, it's in health and medicine. No question. I'm not entirely sure if being a teaching hospital patient for my entire life, has somehow re-wired me a little differently in that regard. As a pediatric patient, I saw and experienced so much, so intuitively within that clinical setting, that it's difficult to imagine the ways in which it didn't influence many of my subsequent life-choices. You look at humanity with a keener, more critical eye. You foster a love for life that appreciates the capriciousness and extreme delicacy of human existence.

School is still a significant part of my life. It always has been and will continue to be so, in one form or another. As a much younger student, I was far from an outstanding scholar. Much earlier on, my teachers predicted that I wouldn't make it through junior high school-which also co-incided with a lot of my hospital stays and surgeries. I had to work at it. Prove myself. Now, with a little more wisdom and experience behind me (and several graduations later), I'm able to sit back and be more pragmatic about my progress. I still strive to be humble about it. Each new day brings something or someone new and inspirational. No-one said it would be easy, and no-one is magically going to hand over the answers and do the work for me. That much I've figured out.

My daughter sees my efforts at school, and understands how putting in effort every day, can have longer-term consequences. So, indirectly, my schooling is influencing her life, too. School is grounding me and keeping me where I need to be. It's re-iterating the skills that I've gained, and is highlighting the skill-sets that I've yet to master. There is invariably something that I can refresh, renew and re-reflect upon.

While to an extent, my schooling may be seen as one means to an end, it is a significant and stabalizing influence in my life right now.

August 7, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Overcast (57F/14C)
In the News: Foreign doctors killed in Afghanistan (Source: AP)
Events of Note: Unit 5 Discussion Posts

* Lots happening here in our little household, although the house itself is very quiet. My daughter is up at the mountain house at the moment, basking in the warmth and camping out. My husband and I had a really pleasant 'date night', last night. He didn't finish work, and I wasn't done with school until around 8:30pm, but we still managed to eat out together. Fell asleep in front of watching a film at home, afterwards (still can't remember the name of the film!). Over dinner and 'real' adult conversation, we talked about his years in the U.S Airforce, and about my plans for furthering my education, even after I get college degree number four completed. Since the economy is still very much in the ditch, part of our more immediate plans have to do with getting ourselves through this next Winter with a minimum of stress.

* In the meantime, I've decided to embark on a 10,000 steps a day challenge as a part of building up my core fitness, again. My docs at Stanford have told me that I have gotten this far in my life because I've stayed mentally and physically active throughout, in spite of various physical difficulties. To my way of thinking, maintaining a healthy body weight and physique basically comes down to the equation of calories in equalling calories out-even though I don't deliberately count calories. Since my city isn't that safe (highest homicide rate per capita in the U.S.), I'm having to be a little creative about finding other ways to exercise, like stair-walking and beach-running. With my constant iPod companion in-tow, pretty much anything is possible!. If there's one aspect of life that I thrive on, is setting myself a healthy challenge.

* Right now, though-I'm off to catch up on a bit of housework, and to find myself some brunch.

Enjoy your Saturday, and see you in the threads!.

August 6, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Light rain/fog (51F/11C)
In the News: Naomi Campbell testifies in 'blood' diamond trial
Events of Note: Unit 5 DB posts.

* I have only a small time window for blogging today because I have yet more appointments and 'housekeeping' to deal with today (some of which was postponed yesterday, for reasons beyond my control-computer systems falling down, etc). Outside, the morning marine layer has crept down so low to the ground, that it may as well be drizzling lightly. Some days, it gradually burns off. On other days, it settles and moves on in for the duration of the day. In the whole time that I've resided here, I've not once had to turn on the AC. Our monthly gas and electric bill currently runs at $35/month. That's not too bad at all.

* I'm tired!. It was another late night, last night, completing online activities for A&P, and doing yet more research at the KU Library for my papers. I'm working towards taking most of Sunday off to go up to the lake, but that now depends upon my husband's work schedule, which is generally the heaviest and most demanding over the weekends. I can't drive at the moment because of the medications that I'm taking, so that limits my capacity for going anywhere much.

Have a great Friday!. See you in the threads!.

August 5, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Fog (51F/11C)
In the News: Jobless claims on the rise in the U.S. (Source: CNN).
Events of Note: Unit 5 Discussion Board Responses

* Having lived in the States for five years, and arrived here with all that I could squeeze into one item of (carry on) luggage, I seem to have collected a rather ominous-looking pile of indeterminate 'junk'. In effect, I now have two, vastly different accumulations in opposing hemispheres. My clearance efforts back in New Zealand in the U.S. Summer of 2008, resulted in very little being resolved. Largely because my mother point-blank refused to throw anything of mine out. I rather too optimistically loaded up for our flight home, which merely resulted in many distressing breakages and shattered memories (literally and figuratively). While at University, I was fortunate to enjoy some stable, long-term apartment rentals in good neighborhoods, with a reliable crew of 20-something room-mates. Four of a core group of us co-habited comfortably, with zero conflict for four years. Since some college students are notorious for their transience and indifference, we were considered to be slightly unusual. No parties, and we never missed a rent payment nor a property inspection. I guess that each of us were serious in our professional careers, early on, so messing around wasn't really an option for us.

* I found an article in one of my alum university magazines that would tie in well into my Final Paper for Comp II. I got some really basic, bare-bones pre-writing accomplished, last night. I ended my night with some reading on Open Salon, which was largely depressing and negative in content and design. Since OS caters to artists of every sort of hue and shade, it's likely not that surprisng that some blogs there can be downright maudlin and moody. The other writing site that I'm a long-time member of, has recently re-launched themselves with a shiny new platform. My blog stats have plummented as a consequence, which wouldn't be so bad if I could actually locate the main blogs page, myself. At some point, I'll need to make a decision about which is the better forum to be directing my writing energies at.

* Well, I need to finish my mug of tea, and deal with a raft of appointments and errands for today. See you in the threads!.

August 4, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Overcast (54F/12C)
In the News: Voting begins in Solomon Is. elections (Source: NZPA)
Events of Note: Unit 5 begins.

* Well, I'm having a really pleasant day, today, and beginning to my Mid-Term/start to Unit 5. My daughter is with her grandparents for most of today, so that I can catch up on paperwork, apppointments, etc. I've gotten most of my paperwork completed, already, this morning, which gives me the perfect opportunity to do some expanded research work for both of my Final Papers. I've been getting some really pleasing grades back, particularly in A&P. Gratifying. Makes my being a stickler to my self-imposed study deadlines and set timetable well worthwhile. In addition, my husband has today off, and it's simply nice having him around. He has also let me indulge myself this week, with a beautiful acquisition to my makeup 'collection'. A coral cream blush in an adorable, Vintage-style, portable compact. After months and months of not feeling like wearing makeup, and lots of dry, irritated skin and assorted, distressing skin reactions because of medication side effects, this is a special and sentimental treat for me.

* My physical pain level appears to have evened-out. At last, I can dare to hope that the healing that still needs to take place is now happening. I've gotten my hopes up before, and been let down and disappointed, so I'm naturally cautious. Still, little victories, however small, deserve some tentative celebration, at least. A big part of me is yearning to find a stretch of sand to run along, but everything happens on its own terms and timetable.

* I think that I'm going to revise my thesis statement a little for my final paper for Comp 11. It needs to have more of an assertive tone. After that, all of my subsequent writing should flow on from that point on. I like being methodical, factual and topical in a persausive paper. Fewer ways that arguments can go sideways, slippery or head South, that way. It also makes for a paper that's an engaging read. Hopefully, going a little further into exploring a topic than simply regurgitating secondary sources for their own sake.

* In the meantime, I'm going to do my daily online reading. One of my favorite websites for an interesting variety of current reading and writing links is "Arts and Letters Daily". ALD was founded and continues to be edited by one of my former philosophy of art Professors, Denis Dutton. As an undegrad, I took his 100 level, 12 credit course in Art Theory, and thoroughly enjoyed it. A thought-provoking course, taught by a dynamic philosopher.

Good luck to all of my fellow students at this halfway point. Another five more weeks, and this course and Term will all be in the past!.

August 3, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Cloudy (56F/13C)
In the News: Mass shooting in Connecticut (Source: CNN)
Events of Note: Last day of Unit 4

* Last night's Seminar was really good. As an undergraduate student, I was never formally taught citation style. We were provided with a Departmental Handbook and Writing Guide, and we were expected to have read it. After that, to apply it. No further correspondence was entered into on the subject. Aside from yearly cautions about the dire consequences of plagiarism (usually prefaced with a graphic illustrative example of a student from a previous course who had been failed and dismissed for, say, paying an online editorial service to write their paper for them), we were very much on our own. Since, being an Arts student also meant that I was required to write across the disciplines, I had to at least know the basics about many of the different styles-AP, APA, MLA and Chicago. So, I think that we have a gift of an opportunity in these Composition courses @ KU just on that style point.

* I also think that the fact that I had such tough markers and examiners in the course of my previous college studies has now come to serve me well in later years. Even though I was utterly and totally miserable for three years and grew to deeply resent my B.A. degree on many different levels. Still, I persisted, got through it, and I think that I became a better, more intuitive and critical student because of that experience.

* My daughter will be headed up to the Lake and mountain house again this weekend, with my in-laws. My husband and I are planning on following them up there on Sunday, or so, depending upon our work schedules. A swim in the lake might be just what I'm looking for at this point. Just a little further inland, it's considerably warmer. It surely would be a welcomed change to escape this perpetual fog, even for a single day.

Have a great day!. See you on the Boards!.

August 2, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Cloudy and cool (54F/12C)
In the News: 1500 dead in Pakistani floods; disease outbreaks feared (Source: AP)
Events of Note: Unit 4: Unit 4 Seminar

* I've only just sat down here at my home computer for today, and already it's mid-afternoon. A case of Monday morning busyness, or something, I think. My daughter's preschool timetable has been reactivated because the State re-approved her funding, albeit for only half-days for the month of August. With me still being officially considered to be medically incapcitated at the moment, this state-funded care is actually pretty important to our functioning as a household with some semblance of normality. Even temporarily. Because I have come a considerable way since the beginning of January, when I was confined to a wheelchair continually and needed 24 hour care and supervision-wholly reliant upon my husband for doing absolutely everything for me. After something like that, the phrase 'normal' tends to take on a whole new complexion and connotation.

* I was awakened in the middle of the night, last night, by a neighbor's child yelling in distress. More than once, too. It really bothered me. As a Mom, I'm instinctively cued to respond immediately to that type of a sound-even if it doesn't relate directly to my own child's cries.

* My reading highlight today has been reading the narrative of my former room-mate's diagnosis, battle and treatment of Guillian-Barre Syndrome (GB). I've heard her relate this story to me in-person, but it's equally fascinating to see her writing in her own words. She has a very sensible and conversational style, which also makes her very readable.

* Speaking of reading....I have some more to do before Seminar, tonight...

See you on the Boards and/or in class, tonight!.

August 1, 2010.

Whether the Weather be: A Few Clouds (55F/13C)
In the News: French woman confesses to killing eight babies (Source: LA Times)
Events of Note: Unit 4 Responses to peers on DB.

* Slept late, but we all needed the extra rest following the week that we've just had. A Sunday sleep-in isn't so bad, after all. Much of today will be about organizing and planning for the week that's ahead of us. Some basics taken care of, such as laundry, dishes and floors. It's a gorgeous day outside, with barely any sea breeze, which is a real treat for us. We're going to head out, soon, and get our daily intake of Vitamin D. Sadly, my husband has to work today, when I'm sure that he'd far rather be out sunbathing like my daughter and I are planning. Hopefully, he can have a day off later this week. My daughter may be heading back to preschool part-time next week, now that the State voted to re-open her school.

* I miss hot Summers (even though I know that people in the South and the East have been experiencing crippling heat, of late). I also miss the hot Summers of my childhood. Being raised on a sheep and cropping ranch, you grew well-accustomed to noting the various seasons and with having the weather playing such an important role in maintaining a sustainable livelihood. The majority of the years that we were ranchers though, it was severe drought conditions, which are far from optimal for any run-holder. In the Southern Hemisphere, the hot, dry winds blow predominantly from the North. In the Canterbury province where we farmed, these warm winds blew in from the north-west. The horizon would change, and there would be a distinctive cloud bank that settled in just below the main skyline, which was nicknamed the "NorthWest Arch". It was the harbinger of cloudy, warm, gusty weather. Some people also complained of an increase in a kind of seasonal illness, with increased migraines, allergies and irritability whenever these winds blew in. They could certainly suck you dry. Here, the cold winds blow down from Canada in the North.

* Well, I'm off for a while. See you in this week's Discussion Threads!.

July 31, 2010

Whether the Weather be: A Few Clouds (59F/15C)
In the News: Posthumous Jackson album to be released (Source: Cover Media).
Events of Note: Unit 4 continues.

* Well, it's mildly comforting for me to make the realization that the proverbial light at the end of my tunnel isn't actually that of an oncoming freight train. Still, mid-way through this Term, I'm feeling less than sanguine about where I'm situated with school. That said, I'm a perfectionist, which can be to my detriment, at times. Although I'm a writer, I'm less than confident when it comes to accepting that I may have an audience, some day. In fact, that I do at all on any given day. Much less, that they might actually be interested in reading anything that I've written. A crisis of confidence in my own creativity, I guess.

* By extension, I am not a quiz or test taker, by nature, nor by design. Up to a certain point, I have a photographic memory, which serves me well with basic, visual memorization. Last night, I dreamed the figurative illustration of the "Rule of Nines" for A&P. When I was writing my thesis, I dreamed my illustrative figures, as well as my 150 word abstract on a regular basis. In talking with my Departmental colleagues at the time, this seemed to be a fairly common occurence.

* With my weekend now half-gone, it's time for me to have some relaxation. I'm going to put together a package for my family/whanau back in New Zealand. My daughter has two little cousins, Arwen (5 years) and Sophia (1 year) who just love getting fun, family, fan mail from us here in America!. Thanks to prompt air-freighting and no more surface mail any longer, a parcel takes a little under 10 days to reach the South Pacific. According to my mother, each of our parcel arrivals is greeted with enormous excitement-bigger than (dare I say it) Christmas!. Typically, it's the little treats that I think of including that are what is most appreciated. Some pretty little trinket, book or picture that I've managed to locate, that captures a special mood or a unique moment. I miss many different and random parts of life in "En-Zed". Running on 'island time' (not to be confused with PST, either), Pineapple Lumps (a chewy candy made with real pineapple juice, and covered in real milk chocolate), the geographical closeness of the big surf waves with the alpine snows, the quirky, part-Maori humor-a little bit self-deprecating, a just little bit snarkastic...

* Physically, I'm holding my own, in so far as I don't push myself. Listening to my music really, really helps me mentally. I think that I'd go a different shade of stranger, if I didn't have that alternative reality to temporarily escape in to when things get rough on me. I have to go back to my PCP (primary care provider) again on Monday, which might determine how pear-shaped my subsequent week becomes. One more reason why having Seminars on Mondays really messes with me. Just have to make the best of it, is all.

* My husband is home from work after a 14 hour day, so I'd better go and see what we have for our dinner menu, tonight. My daughter is feeling better, after a rocky night herself, last night.

Have a great Saturday night, all!. See you on the Boards!.

Unit 4 Blog Response

Word Min(d)ing: Why I Do and You Should, Too.

When I first started as an undergraduate English major, much was made of the MLA (Modern Languages Association) style format that we used to cite our secondary sources. Our tutors and professors were extremely strict about us absolutely adhering to correct citation. No exceptions nor oversights. Good, thorough note-taking in the research and preparation of our papers was considered to be just as important as completing the paper itself. Even peripherally, I almost invariably heard of the scandals of those students who fell spectacularly from grace, after being found guilty of findings of plagiarism, which almost always resulted in outright failure and/or dismissal and permanent exclusion from the University. Such dishonesty could cast a long shadow over a Department for quite sometime. Particularly distressing, were those students who 'lifted' entire passages and even chapters from well-known academic texts, with the intent of presenting the material as their own. New Zealand being a much smaller academic community, also made it nigh on impossible for such disgraced students to continue on in any capacity, at any university. Later, as a graduate Public Health student, the style and citation requirements changed to APA, which I found easier compared with MLA in some purely techinical respects. To me, APA just flows better, is all.

If there is one, single experience in academic writing, that offers a true appreciation of the significance of carefully citing sources, it is writing a Master's or PhD thesis. A thesis repreesents a significant body of work. It's hundreds of pages long. And, you thought writing ten pages was hard?. Try writing mechanically sound multiple numbers of chapters!. Chapters which are subsequently written, re-written...and re-written, again. As with Dr. Sands, I am not saying that from some elitist 'ivory tower' sort of a standpoint. When you carry out your own, independent research for the purposes of writing a thesis, you're handling so much different material. Knowing and acknowledging the difference between all of those different threads is crucial. You're developing your own, original contribution to a thesis toipic, and distinguishing yourself from what has already been written on the subject, as well as critically reviewing the research that has happened before your own. It can seem overwhelming, but it's part of being a scholar. This process adds weight and significance to your work and sets you apart, as well as alongside, everyone else who is also a member of your academic discipline.

I can only imagine what must go through an author's mind when they find that their ideas, words and/or images have been 'kidnapped' or stolen. It would be gutting. Really. Not giving credit where credit is due is dishonest. Not to mention, disheartening. If I found it had happened to me, I would document it, and report it to whoever had published the material in question.

Periodically, on the websites where I write, the issue of online or electronic plagiarism flares up. Because the internet's boundaries are that much more fluid, and indeterminate in some ways, I think that people do push the boundaries. However, there are also a lot of people writing on the internet, who have never had formal training in acknowledging their sources. Just as in real life, there will always be people who challenge and flaunt authority. Further, determining exactly what consitutes free and fair, may also be open to subjective interpretation. I think that the online environment still has a ways to go in figuring out a code of conduct that works for most users and the material they put 'out there'.

Please-give credit where credit is due. It's not that I don't mind. Oh, I do. And, if you value writing, then you should, too!.

July 31, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Cloudy/foggy (45F)
In the News: Earthquake in Iran (CNN).
Events of Note: Unit 4 in full tilt.

* Oh, what a day! (oh, what a night!). This morning, my daughter and I set out with (what I'd thought) was the modest intent of wrapping up her ballet lessons for this week. Which, we duly did. After which, there was an awful lot of sidetracking and distractions. She has been feverish for much of the day, and for all of tonight. It's 12:53am, and I am still sitting up working and writing, having only just gotten her settled enough to sleep in our big bed. My husband's watching her now (while propping his eyes open with something-who knows what). So, I've only just posted my initial response to DB. Typically, I prefer to do this by Friday at the latest, but life had other plans in mind, today.

* One highlight of today amidst all of the chaos, was a visit from a marine biologist friend of ours, who is off on a tall ships expedition to study and survey a large ocean-based/bound trash heap off the coast of Hawaii. She was here, sorting through my husband's vast collection of recycled and pre-loved food service quipment and supplies to acquire some much-needed donations for the ship's galley. I so envy her impending adventure, although I don't begrudge her night-watches perched atop of that rigging!. My brother-in-law and his girlfriend stopped by, too, which was fun, although it was hardly Summertime visiting weather.

* Oh, and I absolutely had to go grocery shopping-and I got horribly overcharged-and had to go back to the grocery store and have them put some money back on my card because of it!. Ack!.

Well, I'm heading out for some shut-eye. I'm getting too old for burning candles, besides. Tomorrow?. Research. Oh, joy!. I so need a better social life!.

July 29, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Sunny breaks (55F/13C)
In the News: Oil industry safety record exposed (Source: The Guardian online)
Events of Note: Unit 4: Reading/DB

* Today's agenda? Mostly catching up on what was missed throughout the first half of my week, including running our household. Three hours of housework, but I think that I've (finally) broken the back of the mess and dis-organized chaos. I greatly dislike being dis-organized. It's the thin end of a sticky wedge with so much else...Like, trying to keep a timetable and my sanity, simultaneously!.

* If you read my blog for long enough, you may come to realize that I pull my news and current affairs content for my blog from a range of daily sources. I'm something of a news 'junkie'. My mother's career was in the newspaper industry. She was the first person in the Southern Hemisphere to receive pictures off the news wire of the first man walking on the Moon, which she edited and compiled into a special, illustrative edition for the large, metropolitan daily newspaper where she was working at the time. So, I got 'bitten' by the news 'bug' early on!. I landed my first job copywriting advertising for a community-based radio station at the tender age of 16. At that same radio station, I also took on adminstrative, radio production and music programming duties. And you wonder why I love music?. After graduating high school, I went on to technical college and completed an industry-based course in media and marketing studies. That year and the following one, I picked up a minor (lowly paid) historical researching and writing job for a community organization. Poorly paid work or not, what it taught me was the value of archiving, documenting and summarizing secondary sources. Of the importance of preserving the integrity of the historical narrative by sticking to the facts, and of not introducing stereotypical or social biases into my writing. But, more on that part later on in another entry for this week's Unit 4 Blog Response.

* In the early hours of this morning, I did go back and add more into the body of my own book manuscript. Since I'm initially planning on self-publishing, I'm tentatively thinking that I want to put in pictures into my template first, followed by my text. Decisions, decisions!.

* Time to spend a late afternoon at the KU Library. If I calculated how many hours that I've spent or am spending in libraries during my academic career.....!.

July 28, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Sunny breaks (54F/12C)
In the News: Judge blocks part of Arizona immigration law (Source: AP).
Events of Note: Unit 4 begins/Drafting Initial DB Responses.

* I am feeling a little better and brighter, today. I'm sitting here with my iPod, with most of an initial response discussion post for my A&P drafted and sitting in Word, and I also sat a practice quiz for A&P, and only missed two questions. For Comp II, I'm still getting some resources together, and doing my reading for this Unit. Still, not too bad for the beginning of a Unit. An early start this morning for my daughter's ballet class. She did some gracefully formed and technically correct leaps, today. I've been encouraging her to practice her positions in the afternoons, and I think that she is reaping some rewards. In so far as it is an enjoyment for her, and does not become a burden. I greatly dislike the idea of being a pushy or a 'helicopter' parent. However, she's a serious dance student, and she is able to focus and follow and to take directions well. My husband tells me that she is modelling her class behavior from what she has observed of my commitment to my Kaplan studies. Perhaps so.

* Since where we live is bordered on two sides, by two different shopping malls, I'm about to take my daughter out for a walk, and a possible ice-cream. The sun is breaking through the clouds, yet we are still wearing our fleece sweaters. That continual coastal sea-breeze is chilly and not in the least little bit charming at all!.

Good luck with Unit 4!.

July 28, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Cold (49F)
In the News: Haven't been paying attention to news much, tonight.
Events of Note: Unit 4 Begins

* The first part of this week have been some of the toughest days for me since I've been at Kaplan. When you can not count on your health on a regular basis, studying becomes especially difficult. During the course of my college career, I've faced a few health challenges. In 2006, I had a large tumor surgically removed from my right breast (later found to be benign). Even in comparison with being hospitalized in Stanford in January this year, and logging into Kaplan via my laptop from my hospital bed, surrounded by tubes and machines-these past few days have been a real test of my tenacity. My husband, to his credit, is steady, reliable and willing to help, in whatever way that he can. Sometimes, though, I try to struggle on anyway, and neglect to ask him for help until it's too late, and I'm in crisis mode/mood. Both of my instructors sent me encouraging emails, today. That means a lot, knowing that I am not 'in' this in isolation.

* Tonight, my goal is to sleep for six hours uninterupted, and hopefully, remain fever-free. Dinner tonight was a berry smoothie because that was all that I felt that my digestive system could cope with. Merely trying to pare down our daily lives, simplify and get ourselves through this next phase (whatever that entails or brings).

* This week's discussions look to be a little more complex. I'm looking forward to the blogging part for this Unit, too. Realistically, though, I'll just be happy if I can keep up and not fall behind.

See you in threads and blogs!.

July 27, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Overcast (54F/12C)
In the News: Khmer Rouge jailer found guilty of war crimes.
Events of Note: End of Unit 3/Unit 3 Wrap-Up.

* Awful, awful night (unfortunately). My temperature got to 103.5. Woke up late. My husband has taken today off work to take care of me. These meds are concurrently making me hyper-active, hyper-anxious, nauseated and running a fever. Better living through chemistry?.

* I still have some schoolwork to finish, though. Hoping that I can make it through. After that, sleep!. Hoping for strength and wisdom, nonetheless.

More later.

26 July, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Cloudy, cool (49F)
In the News: Full face transplant patient appears in public (CNN)
Events of Note: Unit 3: Seminar 3

* I'm feeling quite unwell, today. Run down again, I suspect, and my neurontin is wreaking total havoc with my routine. Experiencing a lot of mental blanks, which isn't at all like me, and are an added irritation-especially when I'm trying to concentrate on my schoolwork. Need to call Neurology at Stanford and talk with an on-call Registrar, I think. I'm not exactly relishing the looming prospect of yet another trip South to the clinic, so I hope that whatever is going on can be dealt with from a distance. Thank-goodness my hospital is in the same state.

* My daughter had a really good ballet lesson/class early this morning. Her positions were in-line with her teacher's. Another six lessons-three per week for the next couple of weeks, and depending upon how she does, we'll look at the next set of classes for her.

* My mother-in-law's print run of her book is back from the publisher's. Think I'm going to curl up with a hot mug of tea and read that for a while. It's one of 'those' days.

See you in class!.

July 25, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Partly Cloudy (52 F/12C)
In the News: Boy survives 16 floor fall from apartment building in New Zealand (Source: NZH)
Events of Note: Unit 3: Project work. Responses to peers in DB.

* Time, time, time... Sometimes, it's a matter of time moving from one extreme to another. Passing by too fast or too slow. Too little or not enough. Well, I took Dr Oz's RealAge test online again, recently. I take it once a year, just to where I'm at with my health. My chronological age is 37. My RealAge is 27. Within some scope of probability and reality, I am thereby reasonably healthy. Not a whole lot is too seriously out of whack with me. It's all in the numbers, apparently. I gained some weight when I relocated to the U.S. Still, I also happened to be pregnant with who would eventually emerge as a healthy 9lbs, 10.2 oz baby girl. From about the six month mark in my pregnancy, I was consuming two gallons of blue top milk per day, and eating 6 rashers of Canadian bacon, a day, too. Oink!. I gained a stunning 75lbs!. However, I also suffered with horrible 'morning' sickness throughout my entire pregnancy, right up until the night before my emergency C-section birth!.

* While we're on the related subject of of motherhood/parenthood, I'm just amazed and a little peturbed with the proliferation of Mommy-blogging on this site!. I read a stunningly astute blog post written by a former, Kiwi, college room-mate of mine on that very subject. Her observations were in line with mine. I read a of different blogs, but they are usually blogs with an underlying point to emphasize, or with some kind of a deeper story to share. I read a lot each day, but have a limited time window for doing so. So, I tend to be picky, that way.

* As I've discovered, here in the U.S., corn in various manifestations is in most everything that is consumable in the typical American diet. I was raised on grass-fed meat. Corn-fed beef in my opinion, does not taste the same at all. Some of the better beef can be had in Nebraska, but a few thousand miles is a bit far to travel from here for the purposes of enjoying a good steak. Granted, in my country of origin, meat can be something of a cautionary tale. Yet, dairy products in the European style is also one aspect that New Zealand has mastered particularly well. I really, really miss that!. Chocolate, too. Some of the U.S. variants of what are euphemiistically called chocolate (not to be confused with chocolate-flavored anything) are just nasty One dairy-related substitute that I do like here is the increasing availability of Greek yoghurt. Very rich and creamy, especially when it's compared with the watery, high sugar, low-fat yoghurts that are here en-masse.

* Another surprisingly sunny day outside again. Once again, I'll be concentrating on my college studies for the majority of what's left of today. Tomorrow, it's the start of my daughter's ballet camp, which means an early start for our little household.

See you on the boards and/or blogs!.

July 24, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Overcast (50F/10C)
In the News: 10 people killed in panic at German "Love Parade" (Source: CNN/AP)
Events of Note: Unit 3 Project related work and reading.

* I had several distractions happening, yesterday. Firstly, I found out that a young, fellow writer and a member of the writing community where I keep my "Rose-Tinted Ramblings" blog, had passed away suddenly the previous day. He had last been online on the 19th-just a few days prior to his unexpected death. Understandably, quite a few people in my writing circle of friends are still in shock. Secondly, my daughter had her annual medical exam with her doctor, "Dr. Jeff". She now weighs 48lbs and is 47.5 inches in height. Height runs strongly in our family (I'm 5'10"-5'11") and my husband is 6ft tall. Anyway, she also had a finger-stick blood test and three immunizations. Zero tears, and not even a whimper!. Instead, she kept saying that, "I have to be a brave girl." She was!. Declared to be perfectly healthy and a model child, besides. Afterwards, we took her to a store, and she chose herself some toys, which she was so thrilled with herself about.

* My husband has a moderately lighter work schedule this weekend. So, he'll be catching up on home-related projects and chores, today. As will I. He got up early this morning and fixed our industrial dishwasher, which was failing to go through its wash cycle. My brother-in-law has just stopped by to check in with us and see what has been happening for us. He lives (almost) full-time on his wooden sail-boat out on the Bay.

* I need to call my neurologist at Stanford on Monday. They want to see me again, soon. My nights are restless again, so I need to sort out my neurontin regimen. Monday, I also have to show up at my primary provider's and schedule with them, too. Hopefully, I can prevent my schedule and self from becoming stretched out too thinly. But, hey, I'm a self-confessed optimist, so how tough can it possibly be, right?.

* Past time for me to do my stretching routine, go out walking and catch a few brightening, warming rays, besides. I really need to find myself a good physical and mental space whereby I can blow a few cobwebs out. Re-center. Re-focus.

Happy Weekend!.

July 23, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Overcast (52F/11C)
In the News: Tropical Storn Bonnie hits Florida
Events of Note: Unit 3: Discussion Thread Responses/Unit Project work and research.

* My Ipod is a welcomed, if not slightly strange escape, this morning. It still has the music files on it that my husband uploaded for my Stanford Hospital surgical stay back in January. Including the soundtrack from "Grey's Anatomy". My husband has a quirky sense of humor. I've not really been a fan of "Grey's". My only significant memory of that particular drama, is that I liked some of Sandra Oh's quirky dialogue back in the beginning. That said, all throughout my college career in New Zealand, I was a reasonably consistent fan of "E.R". Now, it's "House, M.D" and "Boston Med". It's the only Teev that I can be bothered looking at, really.

* My childhood was a bit unsual, in that I lived a good part of my early life as a long-term pediatric patient in the orthopedic department and pediatric unit of a major teaching hospital. I was born prematurely at 26 weeks, and came as close to dying as a human being can get, several different times. Later, I developed RDS (Respiratory Distress Syndrome) and pneumonia. The staff in the NICU had to wrap my tiny hands in little gauze mittens because I kept pulling all of my monitoring tubes out. Not long after that, staff inserted a special shunt just below my collarbone, to give me life-saving medication. I still have that very visible scar today. My father was urgently told to go and visit me, so that I could be named and christened, as I was not predicted to survive. Between the ages of four and 14, I had six corrective surgeries. I saw the same orthopedic surgeon for 27 years. He greatly influenced my subsequent life and made a real difference in many of the choices that I made for myself. He frequently told me, "Annabel, don't you ever let anyone try to tell you that you can't do something that you really want to". The last time that I saw him, was in the corridors of the clinical school where I was a graduate student, and he was an orthopedic teacher. An oddly surreal moment for both of us, I think. Tragically, he died in 2007, following a short battle with cancer. The same year that I finished writing my MPH thesis.

* Yesterday, I chatted with a great friend of mine. She and I actually met through the forum that was my very first online blog, and I'll always remember how she gave me my very first blog comment. Anyway, we were both contemplating the capriciousness of life, and how important it is to consistently keep a positive attitude and outlook. Life has dealt her some terrible twists and turns lately. Yet, through it all, she has managed to keep her warmth, humor and compassionate perspective. It was refreshing and grounding for me to be able to share a few, precious moments with her.

* I studied until 2am this morning, so I really need to get a jump-start on my Friday, here, in a minute or two. My daughter is playing on her computer, with half an eye on a "Backyardigans" movie. In the meantime, my husband has turned on our hot tub for me. So, I'd better go and have my hydrotherapy for the day, before I hit my books (again). Maybe after that, I can upload some new tunes on to my Ipod. You never know. The sun is shimmering through the coastal cloud-bank, and it's a new day!.

Off to do some reading on the Discussion Boards.

July 22, 2010

Whether the Weather be: Sunny breaks (53 F/12C)
In the News: Typhoon lashes China (Source: New Zealand Herald online edition)
Events of Note: Unit 3: Drafting Initial Discussion Board Responses

* A little later posting here today, as I've been shopping online, and attending to various bits of 'housekeeping'. I have also largely been concentrating on completing some of my college work for this Unit, slightly ahead of schedule. I've also decided to re-open my "Insanities" blog. It'll be re-named, "Rose-Tinted Ramblings". One drawback is that my doing so requires a paid membership from me, in advance. Rather unfortunate given the state of the economy. Since I currently have no need (nor desire) of owning a mobile/cell phone in my immediate future, my internet connection is my main form of communication with my outside world. In fact, I haven't owned a mobile device since 1993. My husband owns one because of the transient and on-call nature of his work, but I rarely even call him at work, unless it's a real emergency.

* My daughter will start Kindergarten this coming Fall, so tomorrow she has an appointment for her annual medical exam. I'll be keen to see how she's progressing physically and emotionally, compared with other children of her age. In New Zealand, when children turn five, they start in first grade (or Year 1). Having my daughter not starting school, as I traditionally think of it, until age six, seems slightly strange to me. New Zealand also doesn't have a school lunch program, either. Although, to hear tell the latter is not exactly regarded as an entirely healthful option. The U.S. and California, in particular, has a lot of health, social and welfare programs that are simply non-existent or not available in New Zealand; Food-Stamps, WIC, TANF. N.Z has an unemployment benefit, but it's not based on the wage you were earning while employed, It's a set amount for all claimants, regardless of their previous occupation. Here in Eureka, the price of gasoline is the highest in the whole of the U.S. Yet, in New Zealand, gasoline is still costing around US$8/gallon!.

* Time to do some reading for school. It's sunny outside, at last. Not that I'll be seeing too much of it. Oh, well-short-term sacrifice for longer-term gain (that's what I'm telling myself, anyway!).

See you on the Boards!.

Unit 3 Blog Response

Floating Out On The Wibbly-Wobbly Blog-o-sphere:

What does it mean to be a part of a wider, online, virtual community?. Based upon my personal experiences, the one descriptive that I would say embodies that, is "All of the 'usual' rules need not apply!." By 'usual' I am thinking of all of the regular societal norms, values and communication cues that we are accustomed to encountering as a part of our In Real Life (IRL) everyday lives. Community, in broader terms means a sense of collective effort, and common or shared goals and experiences. Conversely, I regard being part of a blog-o-sphere as being a lot more fluid and free. Yet, in different sorts of ways. For example, I can use my blog dashboard to control my privacy, and interaction with others, which is something which is not always possible during the course of our offline lives. While in other ways, posting in our blogs as individuals simply puts us out there amongst all of the other blog 'soup'. Therefore, differentiating ourselves and our writing, and by extension, our personal identities and personalities, from those millions of others, may prove to be much more difficult. Starting a blog and writing in it, is reasonably straightforward, given the scale of modern technology and the versatility of computer browsers.

However, creating a visible community prescence, takes time, patience and developing your own visibility. Also, our readability. This, as I've discovered through a lot of trial and error, is more than about coming up with something interesting and entertaining to write about on a regular basis. Being part of a blog-o-sphere is about establishing and maintaining communication and meaningful connections with fellow bloggers and our reading audience. It's about reading, commenting and offering feedback to others. Or, as some sociologists and cultural studies theorists may say, "weaving your own web of social and culktural significance". In its own, unique way, my blog is a wider expression and extension of myself. Directed towards a much more varied and vibrant collective of people. Traditional boundaries (cultural and social) are stretched or dissolved, altogether, and this form of communication can invitie new realms of possibilities, discussions, debates and conversations.

Belonging to this wider, blogging community is also about me having an open forum where I can be continually strengthening and stretching my online writing style. In essence, I get in return what I choose to put in to put in to this writing endeavor and the expectations and intentions that go with this.

Some people are too shy, reticent or uncertain of themselves to comment in others blogs. They need not be, in my opinion. That said, I'm pretty comfortable with online communication, but that comfort zone and sitautional awareness are qualities that I've worked on, over a number of years, already. To me, commenting is one of the main ways that I can share and develop a relationship with a fellow blogger. From past experience, this has sometimes been with people whom I would not ordinarily have had the chance to meet, under usual social circumstances. Yet, through my previous blogs, I have also managed to establish some long-standing friendships and connections. So, I am really looking forward to extending my tiny footprints a little further out into the largely unquantifiable blog-o-sphere. Will you join me?.