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!.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
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!.
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!.
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!.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
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.....!.
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.....!.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
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!.
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!.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
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!.
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.
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.
Monday, July 26, 2010
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!.
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!.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
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!.
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!.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
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!.
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!.
Friday, July 23, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
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!.
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!.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
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?.
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?.
July 21, 2010
Whether the Weather be: Fog (53 F/12C)
In the News: Britain to release secret Lockerbie bombing file (Source: Sydney Morning Herald).
Events of Note: Unit 3 begins
* I was rudely awoken early this morning, not by the cruelty of my alarm clock, but by the loud sounds of "Aaaagoogah" and "Harrow!". Ah, yes, my daughter's much sought after Zhu-Zhu Pet, "Jilly". "Jilly" is pink, white, and a mostly harmless looking toy hamster. But, her shrill, loving, vocal mode is a little much, especially for a defintive non-morning person such as myself.
* I'm angling for a few hours off from school, writing and family commitments, today. Or, perhaps more accurately, I'm aiming for that. My husband, who, in one of his most recent former working lives, was a chef, threw together a perfectly fabulous impromptu late dinner for us, last night. Stuffed, savory, baked potatoes-filled with fresh green pepper, green onions, vine-ripened tomatoes, smoked ham, Swiss cheese and light sour cream-topped with freshly ground black pepper and a delicate pinch of garlic and sea salt flakes. It was simply delicious for a chilly Summer's evening. Dessert was Summer Peach ice-cream. I'm contemplating baking a Nectarine Toffee Cobbler for tonight's dessert-featuring fresh white nectarines lightly poached in Vanilla. Periodically, I've baked cakes for catering events, and one of my most popular cakes is a Summer version, which has a sweet strawberry glaze. Maybe I'll share it on here, at some point?.
* You would think that between school, maintaining four different weblogs (in varying states of currency) and writing posts for OS (Open Salon) that I have quite enough writing projects happening in my life. Well, not quite!. Recently, my mother-in-law, a retired senior high school English and Drama teacher, started writing her memoirs. She just got a proof copy of one of her 'volumes' back from the publisher, and I was really pleased for her. Seeing and editing her dedicated efforts has motivated me to write a book, myself. Mostly for my daughter's sake-about my earlier life in New Zealand. But, that's a much longer-term writing ambition that will most likely stretch out to a couple years worth of sweat, frustration and procrastination. At least!.
* I've been tinkering with the design and format of this blog, but haven't yet found a design that I particularly like, so this basic black and white one will have to be sufficient for the meantime.
* On today's school agenda, is navigating my way around Unit 3 for both of my courses, and scheduling this week's worth of work. In addition, I want to write up some summary sheets for my Anat&Phys. This week's unit for that, on Cells and Tissues, looks to be a little more complex than previous units have been so far.
* Well, that's it for today, I think. I'm wishing that this fickle, Coastal weather would settle, one way or the other. My Perennial garden is in desperate need of rain at the moment. Even my marigolds-traditionally hardy and indifferent to the coastal climate, are suffering. By contrast, in my mother's garden in New Zealand, has been frustratingly frozen solid for a considerable time. Winter arrived much earlier and harsher in the Southern Hemisphere, this year.
In the News: Britain to release secret Lockerbie bombing file (Source: Sydney Morning Herald).
Events of Note: Unit 3 begins
* I was rudely awoken early this morning, not by the cruelty of my alarm clock, but by the loud sounds of "Aaaagoogah" and "Harrow!". Ah, yes, my daughter's much sought after Zhu-Zhu Pet, "Jilly". "Jilly" is pink, white, and a mostly harmless looking toy hamster. But, her shrill, loving, vocal mode is a little much, especially for a defintive non-morning person such as myself.
* I'm angling for a few hours off from school, writing and family commitments, today. Or, perhaps more accurately, I'm aiming for that. My husband, who, in one of his most recent former working lives, was a chef, threw together a perfectly fabulous impromptu late dinner for us, last night. Stuffed, savory, baked potatoes-filled with fresh green pepper, green onions, vine-ripened tomatoes, smoked ham, Swiss cheese and light sour cream-topped with freshly ground black pepper and a delicate pinch of garlic and sea salt flakes. It was simply delicious for a chilly Summer's evening. Dessert was Summer Peach ice-cream. I'm contemplating baking a Nectarine Toffee Cobbler for tonight's dessert-featuring fresh white nectarines lightly poached in Vanilla. Periodically, I've baked cakes for catering events, and one of my most popular cakes is a Summer version, which has a sweet strawberry glaze. Maybe I'll share it on here, at some point?.
* You would think that between school, maintaining four different weblogs (in varying states of currency) and writing posts for OS (Open Salon) that I have quite enough writing projects happening in my life. Well, not quite!. Recently, my mother-in-law, a retired senior high school English and Drama teacher, started writing her memoirs. She just got a proof copy of one of her 'volumes' back from the publisher, and I was really pleased for her. Seeing and editing her dedicated efforts has motivated me to write a book, myself. Mostly for my daughter's sake-about my earlier life in New Zealand. But, that's a much longer-term writing ambition that will most likely stretch out to a couple years worth of sweat, frustration and procrastination. At least!.
* I've been tinkering with the design and format of this blog, but haven't yet found a design that I particularly like, so this basic black and white one will have to be sufficient for the meantime.
* On today's school agenda, is navigating my way around Unit 3 for both of my courses, and scheduling this week's worth of work. In addition, I want to write up some summary sheets for my Anat&Phys. This week's unit for that, on Cells and Tissues, looks to be a little more complex than previous units have been so far.
* Well, that's it for today, I think. I'm wishing that this fickle, Coastal weather would settle, one way or the other. My Perennial garden is in desperate need of rain at the moment. Even my marigolds-traditionally hardy and indifferent to the coastal climate, are suffering. By contrast, in my mother's garden in New Zealand, has been frustratingly frozen solid for a considerable time. Winter arrived much earlier and harsher in the Southern Hemisphere, this year.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
July 20, 2010
Whether the Weather be: Partly cloudy (51 F/11C)
In the News: Chelsea Clinton's wedding plans (Source: AP)
Events of Note: Unit 2 Ends.
* An old friend of mine from my junior and senior high school days, wrote on my Facebook wall, the other day. They said, even though I'm no longer living in New Zealand, that I haven't 'lost' where I've come from. Quite so. Re-locating 12,000 miles across the globe, with just what personal posessions you can carry, while being five and a half months pregnant and newly married, besides, proved to be quite the adventure. Then, just before my daughter turned a year old, I began keeping my first online weblog, or 'blog'. It was rather aptly called, "Nostalgic Noodlings". Throughout the course of its 500 entries, this 'book' documented my everyday experiences of cultural assimilation as a legal 'alien' new to the U.S.. It also served as an intimate 'outlet' for observations on my personal encounters with motherhood. As well as for my writing about other topical thoughts and current events as they captured my imagination and inspiration. It was also at around this time, that I started maintaining an electronic writing portfolio. At its height in popularity, my very first web-log regularly attracted 12 daily comments, and several dozen monthy hits. Whether or not I had actively subscribed to it when I first started, my blog quite suddenly took on a unique audience and 'voice' all its own!. After "Noodlings" closed, I then started writing v. 0.2-"Insanities and Sensibilities". Much to my chagrin, this second version of mine hasn't been written in since March this year. Blogging, as with life itself, is subject to swings and roundabouts.
* I've fallen slightly behind, today. My daughter was suddenly unwell, yesterday, which meant that my fullest attention was diverted elsewhere until around midnight, last night. Then, I had to be up at 6am, to begin my first round of medication for my day. I take medications during the day, as well as at night, that make me sedated and feeling pretty sleepy for a good part of my waking and sleeping life. My main daytime one also has an interesting side-effect of periodically inducing hallucinations. Fortunately, that kind of distraction is happening less and less, now.
* It's now time to read a large pile of medical journals and write up a few more 'summary sheets' for my other class (Anat&Phys), as well as wrap up threaded discussions for this week. Looking forward to my third week. Each week often seems like a new beginning, as well as a chance to build on what has gone on before that. It all counts, in the end!. Thankfully, I did well in my Chemistry of Life exam for Anat&Phys. It's been a while since myself and lab sciences were ...interactive!.
In the News: Chelsea Clinton's wedding plans (Source: AP)
Events of Note: Unit 2 Ends.
* An old friend of mine from my junior and senior high school days, wrote on my Facebook wall, the other day. They said, even though I'm no longer living in New Zealand, that I haven't 'lost' where I've come from. Quite so. Re-locating 12,000 miles across the globe, with just what personal posessions you can carry, while being five and a half months pregnant and newly married, besides, proved to be quite the adventure. Then, just before my daughter turned a year old, I began keeping my first online weblog, or 'blog'. It was rather aptly called, "Nostalgic Noodlings". Throughout the course of its 500 entries, this 'book' documented my everyday experiences of cultural assimilation as a legal 'alien' new to the U.S.. It also served as an intimate 'outlet' for observations on my personal encounters with motherhood. As well as for my writing about other topical thoughts and current events as they captured my imagination and inspiration. It was also at around this time, that I started maintaining an electronic writing portfolio. At its height in popularity, my very first web-log regularly attracted 12 daily comments, and several dozen monthy hits. Whether or not I had actively subscribed to it when I first started, my blog quite suddenly took on a unique audience and 'voice' all its own!. After "Noodlings" closed, I then started writing v. 0.2-"Insanities and Sensibilities". Much to my chagrin, this second version of mine hasn't been written in since March this year. Blogging, as with life itself, is subject to swings and roundabouts.
* I've fallen slightly behind, today. My daughter was suddenly unwell, yesterday, which meant that my fullest attention was diverted elsewhere until around midnight, last night. Then, I had to be up at 6am, to begin my first round of medication for my day. I take medications during the day, as well as at night, that make me sedated and feeling pretty sleepy for a good part of my waking and sleeping life. My main daytime one also has an interesting side-effect of periodically inducing hallucinations. Fortunately, that kind of distraction is happening less and less, now.
* It's now time to read a large pile of medical journals and write up a few more 'summary sheets' for my other class (Anat&Phys), as well as wrap up threaded discussions for this week. Looking forward to my third week. Each week often seems like a new beginning, as well as a chance to build on what has gone on before that. It all counts, in the end!. Thankfully, I did well in my Chemistry of Life exam for Anat&Phys. It's been a while since myself and lab sciences were ...interactive!.
Monday, July 19, 2010
July 19, 2010
Whether the Weather be: Foggy (49 F)
In the News: BP Oil Spill 'seepage' to be investigated (Source: Reuters)
Events of Note: Unit 2 Review.
* One phrase sums up today's household plans: grocery shopping. To say that grocery shopping or 'popping off down to the shops' as we Kiwis say, is not my favorite activity, would be something of a mild understatement. When I rented apartments with four other 20-something room-mates in college, I eagerly nominated one of my fellow room-mates to take our combined debit card, and agonize over the weekly price of pasta sauce, on my behalf. Happily. Eventually, in my last years at University, everyone in my apartment was too frantically busy and/or sleep deprived to do much of anything, really. So, I reluctantly grocery-shopped online - which wasn't that much of an improvement-and paid the extra fee to have our groceries delivered right to the front door. Sometimes, even letting our personal shopper have our house key to put away said domestic purchases (for an exhorbitant fee). Whereas, here in America, shopping is a form of personal entertainment. For some, it's a highly competitive sport. I loved the decadent department stores in downtown Tokyo, Japan, and the brilliant, breezy food outlets in Sydney, Australia, but the 'big box' grocery stores here make my blood run cold. There's simply something inherently distasteful about acquiring vast quantities of consumables on such a scale. Then, there was my quest to buy milk and bread in Monterey Bay, C.A. on a Labor Day weekend...
* Since I had more wakefulness than sleep, last night, this is may well be an unmotivated Monday. The fog here on the coast in Summer usually clears away by midday. Until then, it's chilly, cold, grey and close to rain, there's so much dense moisture lingering in the air.
* Gradually, there are some grades being posted in my gradebooks. Mostly pleasing, so far. Mondays in my study plan generally mean reviewing that Unit's content, and finishing off and submitting projects and/or exercises. I like to have a day's buffer for submitting assignments in case something unforseen arises. I've made a promise to myself that I'll do all that I possibly can to not miss a deadline. For my own sake. Little else is more stressful than putting off last-minute 'polishing' until you are right down to the wire. Or, not quite finishing, and deciding to skip the due date, and submitt late. After all, due dates exist for a reason, and it's not like I don't know them well in advance.
* Although we have a small 'farm' with 20 lively, noisy and demanding guinea pigs, our five year old daughter has re-started her asking campaign for one of those Zhu Zhu Pets. Why, I can't imagine, but she's both persistent and insistent. To her credit, she's been asking for one since the toy was initially introduced last Christmas, and was gracious and patient about it, when we chose to steer her in other directions. Today may be the day...
Here's to a great week!. Roll on Unit 3!.
In the News: BP Oil Spill 'seepage' to be investigated (Source: Reuters)
Events of Note: Unit 2 Review.
* One phrase sums up today's household plans: grocery shopping. To say that grocery shopping or 'popping off down to the shops' as we Kiwis say, is not my favorite activity, would be something of a mild understatement. When I rented apartments with four other 20-something room-mates in college, I eagerly nominated one of my fellow room-mates to take our combined debit card, and agonize over the weekly price of pasta sauce, on my behalf. Happily. Eventually, in my last years at University, everyone in my apartment was too frantically busy and/or sleep deprived to do much of anything, really. So, I reluctantly grocery-shopped online - which wasn't that much of an improvement-and paid the extra fee to have our groceries delivered right to the front door. Sometimes, even letting our personal shopper have our house key to put away said domestic purchases (for an exhorbitant fee). Whereas, here in America, shopping is a form of personal entertainment. For some, it's a highly competitive sport. I loved the decadent department stores in downtown Tokyo, Japan, and the brilliant, breezy food outlets in Sydney, Australia, but the 'big box' grocery stores here make my blood run cold. There's simply something inherently distasteful about acquiring vast quantities of consumables on such a scale. Then, there was my quest to buy milk and bread in Monterey Bay, C.A. on a Labor Day weekend...
* Since I had more wakefulness than sleep, last night, this is may well be an unmotivated Monday. The fog here on the coast in Summer usually clears away by midday. Until then, it's chilly, cold, grey and close to rain, there's so much dense moisture lingering in the air.
* Gradually, there are some grades being posted in my gradebooks. Mostly pleasing, so far. Mondays in my study plan generally mean reviewing that Unit's content, and finishing off and submitting projects and/or exercises. I like to have a day's buffer for submitting assignments in case something unforseen arises. I've made a promise to myself that I'll do all that I possibly can to not miss a deadline. For my own sake. Little else is more stressful than putting off last-minute 'polishing' until you are right down to the wire. Or, not quite finishing, and deciding to skip the due date, and submitt late. After all, due dates exist for a reason, and it's not like I don't know them well in advance.
* Although we have a small 'farm' with 20 lively, noisy and demanding guinea pigs, our five year old daughter has re-started her asking campaign for one of those Zhu Zhu Pets. Why, I can't imagine, but she's both persistent and insistent. To her credit, she's been asking for one since the toy was initially introduced last Christmas, and was gracious and patient about it, when we chose to steer her in other directions. Today may be the day...
Here's to a great week!. Roll on Unit 3!.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
July 18, 2010
Whether the Weather be: Fog, giving way to afternoon sunshine (54 F)
In The News: June was the warmest month on record globally (Source: CNN)
Events of Note: "Catch-up" day-Unit 2: Responses in threads to fellow classmates.
* I'm changing my blog format 'up' slightly, by utilizing a signature 'short blog' style of mine that I've found works especially well in many of my other blogs. This enables me to give edited highlights, without rambling too much. This also distinguishes everyday happenings and reflections from my other, more serious and thoughtful blogging efforts happening elsewhere.
* For me, Sundays are sometimes 'catch-up' and revision days for my KU online studies. My husband works the majority of weekends (Sundays, included). I limit myself to an hour a day of housework, otherwise it just consumes too much of my life. There's always something needing my attention!.
* Ironically, I likely put more work into my peer responses on DB, than I do on responding to the initial discussion question. Partly, this is because I like to be thoughtful. I ran into a difficult dilemma on one of my DBs, today, though. I saw that a student had copied whole passages word-for-word from the class text, and offered very little by way of their own material (without using quotation marks or page numbers in their citation). Granted, they included the text reference at the end, but still... That bothers me somewhat. Either, they didn't understand APA well enough to be able to use it to their best advantage by incorporating it directly into an original response. Or, they had trouble understanding the question, and so C&P-ing the whole text, was their easier option. There's a whole chapter (Ch. 12) on "Basic Citation Guidelines" in our green KU "The Kaplan Guide to Successful Writing" Handbook. Plus, the Writing Center just issued a whole bunch of new tutorials and handouts on revised APA guidelines-there have been some recent additions and changes recently (as of the end of last Term). It's important to be able to distinguish between your own ideas, and those of other academic writers and researchers, when you're reading others material. I read a lot each day-of both formal and informal writing. So, the clearer the ideas that are being expressed are, the more that I take away from experiences as a reader. Yes, I refer to my class texts in DB, too. As a starting point. After that, I always try to add some relevant secondary resources, based on my own research, as a part of drafting my response. Regardless of the course subject, it's a method that (almost always) works well for me. In the past, I've used MLA (Modern Languages) and Chicago style guides, although I used APA for my Master's level work. My references pages for my thesis had 206 individual full citations!. That puts the relatively small number of citations needed for the Comp II paper into context for me!. I know that not all of my class-mates have had that kind of experience. Still, it's true that the more that you use referencing, the easier that it becomes. An exercise in learning by doing, I guess.
* Since one of my professional research interests in public health is in bio-ethics, I think that I'm going to do my Final Paper for Comp II on the Legal/Ethical Implications of Assisted Fertilization. It's an ethics subject that I haven't written about before, so it should be really interesting. Previously, I've studied medical futility and end-of-life decision-making, and the moral decision-making of health professionals. But, the fertilization topic is a new one. So far, I have some promising research leads. I do need to firm up my research angle/focus though.
* On the adventure front, I'm not entirely not sure if our traditional, annual Summer road-tripping can materlize, this year. Every year since 2005, we've done a major trip. We did our first 3000 mile round-trip when my daughter was three months old. In 2008, we returned to New Zealand. In 2009, we went to NE, via OR, WA, ID, MO, WY, UT and back through by way of a very hot, steamy CO. My daughter has ballet camp for the remainder of the Summer and will be beginning kindergarten in September. Usually by that time, some of the more significant, Mid-West mountain passes can start to ice up fairly impressively. I'm sort of secretly hoping that my husband can secure a new contract out at Moonstone Beach, so that we can all enjoy having more quality recreational time there. In addition, in September, there are medical appointments at Stanford with my Pain Team. I had major, triple reconstructive surgery back in January, this year, and my specialists have been waiting for me to heal sufficiently before starting on a new phase of treatment. Aside from having a set of alarming lab test results, this week, I'm feeling remarkably good. Courage!.
Hope you all have a great, relaxing Sunday!.
See you in the threads!.
In The News: June was the warmest month on record globally (Source: CNN)
Events of Note: "Catch-up" day-Unit 2: Responses in threads to fellow classmates.
* I'm changing my blog format 'up' slightly, by utilizing a signature 'short blog' style of mine that I've found works especially well in many of my other blogs. This enables me to give edited highlights, without rambling too much. This also distinguishes everyday happenings and reflections from my other, more serious and thoughtful blogging efforts happening elsewhere.
* For me, Sundays are sometimes 'catch-up' and revision days for my KU online studies. My husband works the majority of weekends (Sundays, included). I limit myself to an hour a day of housework, otherwise it just consumes too much of my life. There's always something needing my attention!.
* Ironically, I likely put more work into my peer responses on DB, than I do on responding to the initial discussion question. Partly, this is because I like to be thoughtful. I ran into a difficult dilemma on one of my DBs, today, though. I saw that a student had copied whole passages word-for-word from the class text, and offered very little by way of their own material (without using quotation marks or page numbers in their citation). Granted, they included the text reference at the end, but still... That bothers me somewhat. Either, they didn't understand APA well enough to be able to use it to their best advantage by incorporating it directly into an original response. Or, they had trouble understanding the question, and so C&P-ing the whole text, was their easier option. There's a whole chapter (Ch. 12) on "Basic Citation Guidelines" in our green KU "The Kaplan Guide to Successful Writing" Handbook. Plus, the Writing Center just issued a whole bunch of new tutorials and handouts on revised APA guidelines-there have been some recent additions and changes recently (as of the end of last Term). It's important to be able to distinguish between your own ideas, and those of other academic writers and researchers, when you're reading others material. I read a lot each day-of both formal and informal writing. So, the clearer the ideas that are being expressed are, the more that I take away from experiences as a reader. Yes, I refer to my class texts in DB, too. As a starting point. After that, I always try to add some relevant secondary resources, based on my own research, as a part of drafting my response. Regardless of the course subject, it's a method that (almost always) works well for me. In the past, I've used MLA (Modern Languages) and Chicago style guides, although I used APA for my Master's level work. My references pages for my thesis had 206 individual full citations!. That puts the relatively small number of citations needed for the Comp II paper into context for me!. I know that not all of my class-mates have had that kind of experience. Still, it's true that the more that you use referencing, the easier that it becomes. An exercise in learning by doing, I guess.
* Since one of my professional research interests in public health is in bio-ethics, I think that I'm going to do my Final Paper for Comp II on the Legal/Ethical Implications of Assisted Fertilization. It's an ethics subject that I haven't written about before, so it should be really interesting. Previously, I've studied medical futility and end-of-life decision-making, and the moral decision-making of health professionals. But, the fertilization topic is a new one. So far, I have some promising research leads. I do need to firm up my research angle/focus though.
* On the adventure front, I'm not entirely not sure if our traditional, annual Summer road-tripping can materlize, this year. Every year since 2005, we've done a major trip. We did our first 3000 mile round-trip when my daughter was three months old. In 2008, we returned to New Zealand. In 2009, we went to NE, via OR, WA, ID, MO, WY, UT and back through by way of a very hot, steamy CO. My daughter has ballet camp for the remainder of the Summer and will be beginning kindergarten in September. Usually by that time, some of the more significant, Mid-West mountain passes can start to ice up fairly impressively. I'm sort of secretly hoping that my husband can secure a new contract out at Moonstone Beach, so that we can all enjoy having more quality recreational time there. In addition, in September, there are medical appointments at Stanford with my Pain Team. I had major, triple reconstructive surgery back in January, this year, and my specialists have been waiting for me to heal sufficiently before starting on a new phase of treatment. Aside from having a set of alarming lab test results, this week, I'm feeling remarkably good. Courage!.
Hope you all have a great, relaxing Sunday!.
See you in the threads!.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
July 17, 2010
After enduring a particularly protracted and demanding study timetable, yesterday that managed to wind on far into the early hours of this a.m., I opted to take my daughter out shopping for ballet clothing/needs, this afternoon. New ballet shoes, two new (pale pink and lilac) leotards and two new pairs of tights. After that, we enjoyed a quick, light salad lunch at my in-laws town house, followed by an hour at a nearby Mall. My mother-in-law came, too. Primarily to offer some much-welcomed respite for me, by watching my daughter play on the Mall's indoor playground. Meanwhile, for the first time since I've lived in the U.S., I wandered into "Bath and Body Works". In New Zealand, we only have "The Body Shop"-so, I guess that "Bath and Body Works" is the U.S. equivalent. As I mentioned to my husband afterwards, I splurged rather a lot. We have a two-person hot-tub with spa jets, and in the Summertime. especially, it's super-relaxing to have a twilight time bath, letting the coastal breezes float in from outside an open window, while watching the dapples from the trees dance on the steamy water below. So, you see, I simply had to indulge in some bath gel. It has apricot fragrance notes in it, which bring back special childhood memories of the ranch where I was raised, and of the sun-ripened, sweet and glowing fresh apricots which we grew in our orchards.
Unfortunately (or fortunately), I'm something of a lip-gloss 'junkie'. I have developed quite an impressive collection from throughout the world. 104 cities in four different countries, to be exact. Not surprisingly, the C.O Bigelow display caught my eye, so I now have a couple more glosses-and got one free for a friend, too. That same friend says that if you own more than two of anything, then you have a 'hoarding' disease. Oh, well....
Part of my life philosophy is my regularly engaging in random acts of kindness. There's a quote that I really like that says, "The greatest gift that we can give to each other as human beings, is rapt attention to one another's existence". Each day, I try my best to live out that thinking by making a difference in someone else's life.
On the Kaplan side of my life, I'm still in 'organization and settle down' mode/mood, which is usually characteristic of the second week of the Term. I've an impressive stack of neat, hand-written flashcards for Anat&Phys (it's all in the intricate details, as I'm rapidly discovering). For Comp II, I now have a 'set' study timetable, together with a tentative topic for my Final Project. My topic has an abundance of potential, so that's always exciting. I enjoy the challenge that comes with developing a cohesive and critically thought out paper. I can see how the 'nuts and bolts' of the other compoents of this course will hopefully complement that work, somewhat. I only hope that I don't get bored with this Term (as I did, last Term). Sadly, whenever I get bored, or am not being challenged sufficiently, I become lazy. In psychological terms, I'm 'high-functioning'.
Back in Med School, my colleagues all agreed that I'd make a great E.R Nurse The sudden appearance of copious quantities of bodily fluids do not bother me in the slightest, and I like being constantly challenged. I remember my first day as a student in the acute, nursing care wing of a psychiatric hospital. I was p'd on, vomitted on and hit, all in my first hour on the job. The Psych Tech who I was shadowing simply laughed and said, "You'd better get used to it." I did. In the psychiatric setting, there are other clinical manifestations and presentations that are far more frightening.
Oh, and just for the record, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder, that includes driven sets of repetitive behaviors (taking up more than one hour of each day) intended to relieve disturbing thoughts, and which interfere significantly with normal everyday life and relationships (Random House/Webster's). For the person who is living with OCD, it can be really debiltating-and is not to be confused with routine behaviors and actions-like cleaning the bathroom with bleach, for instance. If you have kids in your household, that one's pretty much a 'given'.
It's mid-evening here, and past time for cranking up a grill, and throwing together some sort of a salad/smoothie combination to go with whatever, other protein we're having for dinner, tonight.
Unfortunately (or fortunately), I'm something of a lip-gloss 'junkie'. I have developed quite an impressive collection from throughout the world. 104 cities in four different countries, to be exact. Not surprisingly, the C.O Bigelow display caught my eye, so I now have a couple more glosses-and got one free for a friend, too. That same friend says that if you own more than two of anything, then you have a 'hoarding' disease. Oh, well....
Part of my life philosophy is my regularly engaging in random acts of kindness. There's a quote that I really like that says, "The greatest gift that we can give to each other as human beings, is rapt attention to one another's existence". Each day, I try my best to live out that thinking by making a difference in someone else's life.
On the Kaplan side of my life, I'm still in 'organization and settle down' mode/mood, which is usually characteristic of the second week of the Term. I've an impressive stack of neat, hand-written flashcards for Anat&Phys (it's all in the intricate details, as I'm rapidly discovering). For Comp II, I now have a 'set' study timetable, together with a tentative topic for my Final Project. My topic has an abundance of potential, so that's always exciting. I enjoy the challenge that comes with developing a cohesive and critically thought out paper. I can see how the 'nuts and bolts' of the other compoents of this course will hopefully complement that work, somewhat. I only hope that I don't get bored with this Term (as I did, last Term). Sadly, whenever I get bored, or am not being challenged sufficiently, I become lazy. In psychological terms, I'm 'high-functioning'.
Back in Med School, my colleagues all agreed that I'd make a great E.R Nurse The sudden appearance of copious quantities of bodily fluids do not bother me in the slightest, and I like being constantly challenged. I remember my first day as a student in the acute, nursing care wing of a psychiatric hospital. I was p'd on, vomitted on and hit, all in my first hour on the job. The Psych Tech who I was shadowing simply laughed and said, "You'd better get used to it." I did. In the psychiatric setting, there are other clinical manifestations and presentations that are far more frightening.
Oh, and just for the record, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder, that includes driven sets of repetitive behaviors (taking up more than one hour of each day) intended to relieve disturbing thoughts, and which interfere significantly with normal everyday life and relationships (Random House/Webster's). For the person who is living with OCD, it can be really debiltating-and is not to be confused with routine behaviors and actions-like cleaning the bathroom with bleach, for instance. If you have kids in your household, that one's pretty much a 'given'.
It's mid-evening here, and past time for cranking up a grill, and throwing together some sort of a salad/smoothie combination to go with whatever, other protein we're having for dinner, tonight.
Friday, July 16, 2010
July 16, 2010
Once again, medical issues are dominating my thinking, today-with the results of some recent labs, playing on my mind a little. As a writer, something that helps is maintaining focus on what's most important. Periodically, in-between my unremarkable writing, suddenly a gem of worthwhile work puts in appearance. Earlier this year, one of my articles made the Editor's Pick and front cover on Open Salon-a 'sister' website to Salon.com. Since then, it's had several thousand 'hits' and quite a few Facebook 'likes'. Entitled, "How Watching My Father Die Changed How I Lived My Life" it chronicled my father's diagnosis, terminal illness and death, from a rare form of cancer. It also touched on two, highly topical and controversial debates: socialized medicine and assisted suicide. Articles written within the 'blogisphere' are particularly challenging, because you have to hold people's fickle attention-spans for more than five seconds, within that ever-present 24 hour news cycle.
Beyond that, I have another article for Open Salon in the works at the moment. But, it's still a bit patchwork-like for now, because I'm in the midst of carefully stitching together the narrative. Anyone can be a stroryteller, in their own way. Yet, being a convincing storyteller is quite a different animal altogether.
For College Comp I, last term, I wrote about providing health-care to illegal immigrants here in the U.S.. As an informative essay, it was pretty much a matter of just writing it. Once I'd developed an outline and figured out my thesis statement, I managed to get the bulk of a solid first draft written in one sitting. Sometimes, agonizing over a topic for too long can be counter-productive. Besides, if you can link your thesis to your references (or vice-versa), then you likely have a solid start. Leaving opinions out of it, and sticking with facts, helps (after all, everyone has an opinion, but that doesn't mean that it's based on anything specific).
On a personal level, in keeping with my 'work-hard/play-hard philosophy, I'm hoping to get out to Moonstone Beach for a run, and some surf-gazing. Or, head a bit further inland for some camping and kayaking. Six more weeks until Fall?.
Beyond that, I have another article for Open Salon in the works at the moment. But, it's still a bit patchwork-like for now, because I'm in the midst of carefully stitching together the narrative. Anyone can be a stroryteller, in their own way. Yet, being a convincing storyteller is quite a different animal altogether.
For College Comp I, last term, I wrote about providing health-care to illegal immigrants here in the U.S.. As an informative essay, it was pretty much a matter of just writing it. Once I'd developed an outline and figured out my thesis statement, I managed to get the bulk of a solid first draft written in one sitting. Sometimes, agonizing over a topic for too long can be counter-productive. Besides, if you can link your thesis to your references (or vice-versa), then you likely have a solid start. Leaving opinions out of it, and sticking with facts, helps (after all, everyone has an opinion, but that doesn't mean that it's based on anything specific).
On a personal level, in keeping with my 'work-hard/play-hard philosophy, I'm hoping to get out to Moonstone Beach for a run, and some surf-gazing. Or, head a bit further inland for some camping and kayaking. Six more weeks until Fall?.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
July 13, 2010
Kia-Ora, and a very Warm Welcome to my blog-my fourth web-log that I'm actively maintaining online. In general, I've been a member of various online communities, and written web-logs since around 1999-mainly with a current affairs and academic focus. However, this particular blog will be to document my journey and writing experiences while I'm completing College Comp II. I did well in College Comp 1, and it's my full intention to do equally well in this course.
If you see a follower of your blogs going by the username, "Richard Furman"-that's really me, because I'm simply using my husband's pre-existing blogger account. He won't be reading your blogs, but I will!. Thanks!.
As I enter the second week and second Unit of this course, I'm currently finalizing my study schedule for this Term at Kaplan. Together with regularly journaling, this is likely one of the most useful tools in my maintaining a solid GPA, and in ensuring good, consistent scholarly performance. Yes, life can and does happen. But, even in the midst of controlled chaos, I still like to be able to pay attention to seemingly small, yet vitally important details and information, and to respond in a timely and considered manner. By extension, this is an essential skill-set to foster and to build upon within the health professional environment.
Since I started at Kaplan over three terms ago, I've been undergoing some in-patient/outpatient therapy, testing and treatment at a hospital facility outside of my city. Stanford Hospital and Clinics in the SF Bay Area has become very familiar to me. Each trip down there is a 12 hour round-trip by road, South, from here. To date, we've had nine trips to Stanford, with at least two more tentatively planned for the next couple of months. I say 'tentatively' because their schedule (and by extension, mine) is sometimes subject to last-minute change and variation, depending upon the decisions and roster of my medical team. That said, my medical issues do not entirely dominate and rule my life; I quite purposefully do not let them define my life and who I am. In fact, my maintaining as normal a routine as possible is actually quite important for the sake of everyone in our household. Especially for the well-being of our five year old daughter. One of my more immediate goals is to be an Honors Program tutor for the upcoming September term at Kaplan. And, since I've only missed one Seminar total during my time here at Kaplan, I think that this is a realistic goal, even given my slightly uncertain attendance schedule. After all, it's often good to have something else to be looking forward to.
So, in my participating in school and completing each course and all of the requirements, I am generally very dependent upon the guidance offered by the syllabus and individual grading rubrics as a way of my deciding which aspects of a course are the most important for me to focus on-according to how different aspects are weighted as a percentage of the overall course grade.
Further, as is fairly typical of me, I've already begun giving some serious consideration to the different options that are available for my Final Project topic. During the course of my academic career, as both an undergraduate and a post-graduate student, developing, researching, outlining, drafting, writing and editing academic papers, has, by far, made up the bulk of my University studies. As a post-grad student, one of the requirements of my Master's degree, was to edit and peer review another Master student's research study design and thesis. Not only did this foster an appreciation of the work of our peers, but it was a good practical exercise in mentoring, and in understanding the specific requirements of the thesis examiners. Later, as I wrote my own thesis (which can be a lonely and isolating exercise), I really understood, firsthand, the sheer slog that goes into revising and re-revising your writing material over-and over-and over again. With all of that prior experience in mind, I now have a good appreciation of the value of asking questions of and taking all possible advice from Professors and course instructors. In addition, by taking advantage of the many great writing resources offered to students by the University, such as the Writing Center Paper Review Service.
Outide of school, it's continued to be an not-unusually cool Summer, here-today's so-called 'high' temperature was 64 (anything over 59 in my city is considered to officially be a heatwave). My husband had his first day off work in over a month, so we were able to enjoy lunch out together (our first lunch out a buffet for four years). My husband is a contractor in the food service industry, but we have a strong preference for preparing most all of our meals, freshly, at home, with an emphasis on creative, healthful and balanced eating. Meanwhile, our darling little daughter returned from a five day sojourn at my in-laws Summer home, inland, at Ruth Lake. She had a really wonderful experience-kayaking on Mad River, sleeping underneath the stars in her very own outdoor tent, and creating many meaningful memories with her grandparents-and also with some additional, special guests visiting from Norway. Beginning next week, she'll be starting pre-ballet classes three times a week, and she's already so excited to meet her dance instructor, and to go out and buy her first pair of ballet shoes and little, pale pink leotard.
For now, in closing, I'd like to offer this quote from Sir Winston Churchill, who said,
"Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning."
Indeed....More to follow, tomorrow. It's late, and I need my "straight eight"!.
If you see a follower of your blogs going by the username, "Richard Furman"-that's really me, because I'm simply using my husband's pre-existing blogger account. He won't be reading your blogs, but I will!. Thanks!.
As I enter the second week and second Unit of this course, I'm currently finalizing my study schedule for this Term at Kaplan. Together with regularly journaling, this is likely one of the most useful tools in my maintaining a solid GPA, and in ensuring good, consistent scholarly performance. Yes, life can and does happen. But, even in the midst of controlled chaos, I still like to be able to pay attention to seemingly small, yet vitally important details and information, and to respond in a timely and considered manner. By extension, this is an essential skill-set to foster and to build upon within the health professional environment.
Since I started at Kaplan over three terms ago, I've been undergoing some in-patient/outpatient therapy, testing and treatment at a hospital facility outside of my city. Stanford Hospital and Clinics in the SF Bay Area has become very familiar to me. Each trip down there is a 12 hour round-trip by road, South, from here. To date, we've had nine trips to Stanford, with at least two more tentatively planned for the next couple of months. I say 'tentatively' because their schedule (and by extension, mine) is sometimes subject to last-minute change and variation, depending upon the decisions and roster of my medical team. That said, my medical issues do not entirely dominate and rule my life; I quite purposefully do not let them define my life and who I am. In fact, my maintaining as normal a routine as possible is actually quite important for the sake of everyone in our household. Especially for the well-being of our five year old daughter. One of my more immediate goals is to be an Honors Program tutor for the upcoming September term at Kaplan. And, since I've only missed one Seminar total during my time here at Kaplan, I think that this is a realistic goal, even given my slightly uncertain attendance schedule. After all, it's often good to have something else to be looking forward to.
So, in my participating in school and completing each course and all of the requirements, I am generally very dependent upon the guidance offered by the syllabus and individual grading rubrics as a way of my deciding which aspects of a course are the most important for me to focus on-according to how different aspects are weighted as a percentage of the overall course grade.
Further, as is fairly typical of me, I've already begun giving some serious consideration to the different options that are available for my Final Project topic. During the course of my academic career, as both an undergraduate and a post-graduate student, developing, researching, outlining, drafting, writing and editing academic papers, has, by far, made up the bulk of my University studies. As a post-grad student, one of the requirements of my Master's degree, was to edit and peer review another Master student's research study design and thesis. Not only did this foster an appreciation of the work of our peers, but it was a good practical exercise in mentoring, and in understanding the specific requirements of the thesis examiners. Later, as I wrote my own thesis (which can be a lonely and isolating exercise), I really understood, firsthand, the sheer slog that goes into revising and re-revising your writing material over-and over-and over again. With all of that prior experience in mind, I now have a good appreciation of the value of asking questions of and taking all possible advice from Professors and course instructors. In addition, by taking advantage of the many great writing resources offered to students by the University, such as the Writing Center Paper Review Service.
Outide of school, it's continued to be an not-unusually cool Summer, here-today's so-called 'high' temperature was 64 (anything over 59 in my city is considered to officially be a heatwave). My husband had his first day off work in over a month, so we were able to enjoy lunch out together (our first lunch out a buffet for four years). My husband is a contractor in the food service industry, but we have a strong preference for preparing most all of our meals, freshly, at home, with an emphasis on creative, healthful and balanced eating. Meanwhile, our darling little daughter returned from a five day sojourn at my in-laws Summer home, inland, at Ruth Lake. She had a really wonderful experience-kayaking on Mad River, sleeping underneath the stars in her very own outdoor tent, and creating many meaningful memories with her grandparents-and also with some additional, special guests visiting from Norway. Beginning next week, she'll be starting pre-ballet classes three times a week, and she's already so excited to meet her dance instructor, and to go out and buy her first pair of ballet shoes and little, pale pink leotard.
For now, in closing, I'd like to offer this quote from Sir Winston Churchill, who said,
"Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning."
Indeed....More to follow, tomorrow. It's late, and I need my "straight eight"!.
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