College LIfe

As an older student, I have entered to the world of college late in life. This opportunity is one that I chose not to take when I was 18, yet have gotten a second chance. I guess that is why I see things a bit differently. In every class that I attend I see many who chose not to come to class. Attending classes is one of the benefits most new students often blow off. However, by attending class,you; the student not only can learn many things the books doesn't tell you, but also make new friends and study partners. Not to mention the valuable attendance points. I like to think that not going just isn't an option.
After attending your classes, now the real work must begin. Keeping a planner and writing assignments down is essential to good grades. You will encounter different classes daily, and a lot of them. If you don't write down homework, tests, projects, and assignments you will either fall behind, or forget something.
I have also given myself an "office" to which is just my room to study in. No distractions, no phone, no TV. My family knows its study time when I enter my room and unless it  can't wait I am NOT to be disturbed. Usually when I get home from classes I take a little break, get a snack and then I hit the material I learned for the day. For me, this works best. The material is fresh in my mind and I seem to get through my notes and homework much faster. Speaking of notes, they are a must. Whether highlighting your book,or taking written notes, find what works for you and stick with it. Often professors put things in test that aren't in the books. I always type my notes up, this helps me get my notes in order and also gives me a review. Whatever method you choose, then next step is to study for your tests. Even a quick once over will help your test results.
My final piece of advice is to enjoy college. It is a lot of hard work, but very worthwhile. Not only are you learning new things, you are meeting new people, trying new things and most of all establishing who you are and what kind of employee you will be.
Enjoy college life, reach out for help when you need it, make new friends, and put all your effort into each and every class. Even those classes you must take are going to benefit you, don't just get by. Strive for A's, true you may not always get them, but think of the pride you will have when you do!

April Fools Day

There are 3 of us in my family, my husband, my son and me. We are a huge sports family and for the most part usually root for the same teams. We love the Buckeyes and the Reds, however when it comes to football and hockey we have a split. My "boys" love the cowboys (I know right?) and I love, love, love my BEARS. I have loved them since I was a little girl and thought I would someday marry Walter Peyton. (hey a girl can dream) Then we get to hockey and all 3 of us like a different team. I love the Ducks. My husband is a die hard Wings fan and my son, bless his heart loves the Bluejackets. I hardly ever get to see my Ducks play, as they are a California team and usually the Wings and Bluejackets are on TV in this area. There are a few times though I do get to see them, like when my Ducks swept the Wings in the play offs. Yes, I did have a broom waiting for my husband when he got home. It is all in fun though. I love to watch the Wings play, they have an awesome team and I enjoy hockey. I just can't bring myself to like a Michigan team. A few years back I came up with the BEST April Fools prank ever. I left my husband a note telling him that I had decided to switch teams and my new team was the Wings. I stated that I never get to see my team play, I know his players better than mine and so on. He was SO happy he went to work and told another Wings fan (one of his good friends) that I finally came to my senses and was a Wings fan now. The next dayI said what is the date yesterday anyway? He said it was the 1st why? I said, Oh April Fools day right? Then it hit him, he knew I had pranked him. I really got him good. I never can fool him or pull one over on him, so for me this was a major victory. One that we still laugh about each April 1st.
Enjoy all the pranksters out there!

Blog #8 The Case of Torture

In Michael Levin's The Case for Torture he asks the question, is it right to torture someone to gain information that would save lives? Levin is pro torture, he feels that the means justify the end. Torturing one person to save the lives of thousands seems like a no brainer. However, what about our civil rights? What about due process? When is it acceptable to throw these rights out the window and torture someone? Should there be a set number of victims before we allow torture? In Levin's writings he makes several valid points. He points out that if a newborn was taken, all of the mothers would want that person tortured to find their child. This would throw that number theory out the window. It is also known throughout history that assassinations and pre-emptive strikes have saved millions of lives. Another valid argument is the death penalty. It may not bring back a victim, but the criminal will not be killing anyone else either. The terrorist seem to have no regard for human life, their victims are innocent, unknowing everyday people.
While torture may be morally wrong to most, the logic behind using it makes sense. If we can torture one person to save the lives of thousands isn't that worth it? The Western culture is different from the Eastern cultures, perhaps they don't even know about due process and civil rights. Either way, they are coming to our country and killing our people. For me, once they decide to step on American soil, plant a bomb, run a car into a building or whatever; their rights end.
The opposing views would like you to believe that torture will only gain misguided information that is usually not reliable. Which does pose a good question. The other argument is why do they care, they are giving their lives to do this, so what have they got to loose? They also contend that by trying to kill a target ( a leader ex: Bin Laden) they will kill or hurt many innocent people, and not even get who they are targeting.
http://www.debate.org/debates/Torture-is-sometimes-morally-permissible./5/

Although there are arguments for both sides, to me the rights of one person who is causing harm to innocent people is not as important as saving a life or lives. As a terrorist they chose to lead this life. Who are we to enable them and make it easier for them?

My Interview

I decided to interview my husband Dean. He is very artistic and handy. He loves to paint, remodel our house and he also works with wood. Ever since I have known Dean he has worked with wood. Not only is he creative and talented, but with his art background he has made some beautiful things.
Question 1
What is your favorite wood to work with and why?
Answer: Walnut. The wood grain pattern ,the slight variation of the colors, and the "burl". (the burl would be the patterns and circles that the wood has in it)
Question 2
Is this a hobby that anyone can pick up?
Answer: Yes
Question 3
Why are you so good at woodworking?
Answer: My father, he taught me but better than that, he let me use all of his tools and let me make mistakes. This brought out a competitive side in me and I wanted to be just as good or even better than he was.
Question 4
What advice would you give to someone who wants to try their hand at woodworking?
Answer: Learn safety rules and don't be afraid of failure.
Question 5
What is the one piece you have made that you are most proud of?
Answer: A walnut jewelery box.

The jewelery box was made for me as a Christmas present. I still use it and treasure it as one of my most precious gifts. There are many gifts given over the years, but really most of my favorite gifts from Dean have been ones that he has made with his hands. There is something about knowing that he put the time, love and hard work into something so plain as a piece of wood and turned it into a beautiful treasure for me. A one of a kind masterpiece.

Am I wrong?

Am I wrong to think that our country needs to help our people first?
 Am I wrong to want the homeless to have a warm, comfortable place to live?
Am I wrong to want children to have great educations, food in their bellies, a roof over head and parents that love them and don't have too much stress in their lives?
Am I wrong to feel for the countries out there in the wake of their disasters, yet wonder why it is that our country can't take care of its own, but still continues to send aid everywhere else?
Am I wrong for wanting America to be that great land it used to be?
Am I wrong for feeling bitter about loosing my job to a third world country?
Am I wrong for buying a foreign made car?
Am I wrong for hating Walmart and all that it stands for?
Am I wrong or am I just a proud American who has had enough?
Am I wrong, or could it be I am right?
Wrong or right, good or bad. I am who I am.
Life has a funny way of molding us into the people we are through the actions, trials, tragedies, and love brought to us.
It is what we do with those major tramas in our lives that decides if we lived our lives, or if life lived for us.

6th Blog Assignment

In the poems "Workday" and " Did I Miss Anything?" we are to figure out what the theme of each poem is and then three elements/ poetic devices used in the poems.
"Workday": I think that the theme is how she doesn't really fit into either world. She is a worker, yet she also goes to school. An American Indian, yet an educated one.  The 3 elements are Imagery: 'the broken knees with pins in them' Analogy: plays out throughout the whole poem. By comparing the work life to the student life. Objective Description: "walking on the avenue the beuatiful feet, the perfect legs."

In "Did I Miss Anything" the theme is how one choice that you make can lead to a really wrong path or a great outcome. By choosing to miss/skip a class you may not miss anything, but it also might just be that class that holds the key to all the answers. It's your choice, do you want to risk it?
Irony: "Nothing-When we realized you weren't here we sat withour hands folded on our desks in silence, for the full two hours.
Symbolism- "Nothing- When you are not present how could something significant occur?"
Structure- The Nothing paragraph's are to the left margin no indentations. The While paragraphs are indented . This seems to highlight both of the different paragraphs and makes you notice there is a difference.

My Week

Wed. morning I got up and headed to the airport to pick up  my son. He is home on leave for the next week. This visit is bittersweet, as soon as he gets back to Alaska he will be headed to Afghanistan for a year. This means limited communication and not seeing him for at least 6 months and possibly longer. The good news is that after his flight got in, we headed to the jewelry store and he bought a beautiful diamond ring for his girlfriend. While she was in class, he surprised her and proposed. Although I didn't get to see it, I hear it was quite an event. Although there isn't an official date yet, the planning has begun. This next year hopefully will go by quickly. As both her and I will be graduating in May, my boy will be coming home and then there is all that wedding planning. Dresses to try on, invitations to make, what flowers.........oh the list goes on and on. Yesterday was quite possibly one of the best days of my life. Now I not only have a wonderful son, but a beautiful daughter too! Congrats Holly & Zac! I hope that all your dreams come true, that you fall deeper in love with each other every day and most of all you have lots of kids for me to spoil. I love you guys :o)

A Boy Named Sue

Growing up without a father and then being named Sue, Johnny Cash's song, "A Boy Named Sue" shows how this boy was picked on, tormented and learned to stand up for himself at a very young age. His father knew that he wasn't going to be around physically so he gave him a name that would prove to make him strong and survive.
In the song the father says: "But ya ought to thank me, before I die, For the gravel in ya guts and the spit in ya eye." To me this is where the best illustrations came out. The gravel in ya gut shows a man who is hardened and rough. The spit in my eye resembles the hatred and despise he felt for his father all those years growing up. While being named Sue wasn't a pleasant or liked name, it did prove to teach the boy how to stand tall and protect himself in the absence of a father.

Miss Turn the Paige

I have a Persian cat, her name is Miss Turn the Paige. She is a fuzzy ball of grey fur. She often leaves me dust bunnies........oh the fun of owning a long haired cat. I have had her for over 20 years now and just this past year she has started acting very strange. My husband thinks she is seeing ghosts. She will walk into a dark room and stare at nothing and then start this crazy, indescribable meowing. I think it is because our other cat had to be put to sleep and she misses her, but they didn't really like each other so who knows. Whatever it is, it is enough to drive you crazy. Very loud and extremely annoying. Having said all of that, I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world. I have added a picture of her in her summertime "do". Don't feel sorry for her, she actually loves it when I shave her!

My son

My son is my only child. I call him my miracle. I was never able to have any more children. Recently he decided to join the Army. I guess I always knew he would. He has talked about it since he was a kid. My husband was in the Army and I think he has always wanted to follow that path. While I pushed him to go to college, it just wasn't the right fit for him at the time. He had a very good job and had moved up in the company nicely. Still the yearn for the Army kept calling him.
As a mom this is probably one of the hardest things I have had to deal with. I am so pissed that he joined the Army, only because we are at war and I just keep thinking, "what are you thinking joining now!". Yet, another part of me is so proud of him. As a man he has grown into someone I not only respect, but greatly admire. I don't think that I would have the guts to join the military during this unsettled time. To say that I am proud of him, would be an understatement. The pride within me beams. In today's society many young adults not only aren't responsible, but would never give up the freedoms and luxuries to serve their country. While this separation is hard, I keep my chin up and know that he is doing something that he loves and that if it were not for all of our brave soldiers I and everyone else would not enjoy the freedoms we have. I am not looking forward to his deployment to Afghanistan, but I know I just have to keep the faith and hope for the best.  I love you "slick"......themommy :0)
p.s. Happy Birthday

Murphy's Law: "Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong."

After working several years in a factory, my company decided to go to 4- 10 hour days. Working 3rd shift, this allowed me to seek a part-time job for the weekends. My intentions were to help build back up my savings which had become depleted due to an accident my husband had which caused him to be off work for over 5 months. I applied for one job and got it. It was a totally different setting and I really loved it. Soon after getting the second job, my factory job smacked us all in the face stating that it would be closing the doors in June (this was May). To make matters worse I was made to work every weekend at the factory job making it impossible to work the second job. I had a boss who was willing to work with me and have others fill in for me during the time off. The end of June came, still working, then July, August, September and into Oct. I had to quit the part-time job, it just wasn't fair to those filling in for me and I had NO idea how long my factory job would last. The week after I quit the part-time job, I was given notice at my factory job that it was my last day. So, after having two jobs, finally getting ahead I was now down to no jobs and no idea what to do. 
I felt like I was in a large hole and everytime I had made it to the top, there was someone standing there ready to kick me back down. At my age and with the way the economy was, what was I going to do? I decided to go to college. I never want to work in a factory again. 
I think that when things go wrong, it is the way that you look at them which determines whether they are wrong, or if they are a huge opportunity. They say that God never gives you more than you can handle. Maybe this is true. All I know is I went from the depths of a massive depression to a new found love for school and this wonderful challenge I have. While I thought all of my bad fortune was bad, it really ended up being a blessing in disguise. I never would have went to college or had the opportunity to do this had it not been for the loss of my jobs. 

Life Without My Grandma

Yesterday was my grandma's birthday. Oh how I wish she were still here with me. Next month she will be gone for 10 years. I can't believe it's been that long, yet how my world has changed since she left us. When I was a baby a tradition started in my family. My grandma would make lunch for all of us every Saturday. I grew up never knowing that most families didn't do this. Being an only child, it was pure enjoyment for me to be able to gather with all my cousins and family. Over the years it varied a bit, but mostly it was the same year after year. We would arrive around noon, have a wonderful meal and us kids would play and then we would get a baggie and collect some candy to take with us for the week. My grandma was the best at having candy around. She always had every one's favorite and went out of her way to make pies, cookies and the best food. As time went on, less and less of my cousins came, but the main ones returned week after week. My grandma went out of her way to make sure that every one's favorites were there. As she aged and it got harder for her to shop, we all took turns taking her to the store and eventually we just went for her. I lived the closest to her and often would arrive early to help her prepare the meal. When I lived out of town Saturday was my least favorite day. Oh how I missed sitting around her table. Now, she is gone and I have that table, yet the family isn't the same. We aren't as close and even though my cousin owns her house now, it's not the same. Time has moved on and the main stable of our family isn't here to keep all the pieces together. Although it is sad to think about her being gone, I am so happy that I had this growing up and that my son was able to experience it too. It really was a unique and fun part of my life.

Technology Intergrated With Our Lives

When my son was 5, we decided that our family should get a computer. That was almost 19 years ago. WOW! Hard to believe that, but having said that you can tell that I am one of the older "kids" going to college. I think that I might see this technology a bit different than the younger kids at school. When I was in high school, to do a research paper was a nightmare! A lot of time in the library, trying to find what you were looking for in the good old card catalog. It still amazes me how easy it is to find out about anything, with just one click of your mouse.
Email; is a wonderful way of spreading a good joke or just keeping in touch with someone. It doesn't take too much time and the good part about it is, you can do it at your convenience and aren't tied to a phone or person who just won't stop talking!
I would have to say though, the greatest way that technology and the internet have enriched my life though, would be through the use of facebook and Skype. Through facebook, I have reconnected with several old friends from school, old co workers and family. It is a busy world that we live in and it's not always possible to call, text, or email everyone all the time. Now all I do is sign in and see what everyone is doing. While some people post a bit too much info, it is me who decides what to read and if I would like to respond. Skype is I must say, something I would have loved to have had years ago. When my husband was in the Army, we were stationed in West Germany. All we had was snail mail (I called it the pony express) and a few phone calls. It was very expensive to call home (around $2.00 a minute). We didn't have cell phones or computers and I got homesick quite a bit. Then I got pregnant and I really wanted my family and friends around. Today, my son is in the Army and he is in Alaska. Not only do we text and call each other often, we Skype too. It is so good to be able to see his beautiful smile and know he is OK. Being able to actually see your loved ones face really helps with the separations. Sometimes it is hard to "read between the lines" when reading a letter or text. Through Skype it is possible to see their reactions, and be a part of each others lives. Although being apart from loved ones is hard. Technology really has made it a lot easier. I would have given anything to have been able to show my parents my son's first year of life.
While all of these are great, there still are those few bad seeds out there that make all this wonderful technology tainted. Virus's, identity thief and cyber stalkers to name a few. Even with all the bad, I wouldn't go back for anything. I love having the ease and knowledge at my fingertips.

Moving away from home, why everyone should do this once in their lifetime.

When I was 18 I got married and moved away from my safe little town. Talk about culture shock! It was out in the "real" world that I came to realize how much of a bubble you live in when you are still in your hometown. It is amazing how once you step out of that bubble you see things in a different light. While home is, and always will remain dear to every ones heart, I think everyone should at least step outside of their comfort zone and see what life is like outside the bubble. It may not be for everyone, and it doesn't even have to be for a long time. Just if you can, take a chance, step outside your bubble and experience something different. Living in a different state and even abroad didn't change who I was or how I was raised, it just opened my eyes to new things and made me see things from a different point of view.

Response to Mike Adams essay "The Dead Grandmother/Exam Syndrome"

Mike Adams’s essay on the dead grandmother syndrome is an amusing, sarcastic read. He states that the grandmothers in the U.S. are at great risk, due to the fact that they seem to die suddenly when their grandchildren have exams. He does a fantastic job giving a lot of examples as to why this is occurring. He claims, “a student who is failing a class and has a final coming up is more than 50 times more likely to lose a family member than an A student not facing any exams” (176). He also gives some ideas on how to fix the problem. Most of which aren’t attainable, but are comical none the less. Although it is apparent that this is a made up “problem”, one does see how this scenario has happened more than once. It is surely a frustrating situation for a professor to have to sort out.

How cold is cold?

My son is stationed in Alaska. The other day he called home and was telling me that it was -55. That got me to thinking, how cold is cold? For some reason, although having been born and raised in Ohio and having lived here for most of my life, I can't wrap my brain around -55. At what point does it just not feel any colder? He tells me that after -32 or so it really doesn't feel colder. You body just feels slow and sluggish. It is really beautiful there, but with the lack of sunshine and temperatures like this, it's know wonder Alaska has the highest suicide rate in the world!

Einstein blog 1

Einstein believed that we as a society should hold a high moral and ethical ground. Through education and religious upbringing we benefit not only ourselves, but society as a whole.

I feel that this would be a great idea, sadly however; the world is full of people that think only about themselves. They take and take from the world, and never give in return. Through education, we not only better ourselves, but we can also contribute to our communities and enrich the lives of all around us. As society has "evolved" and modern technology has made lives easier, it has also taken away from the community feeling and sense of coming together. There used to be a time when neighbors helped each other. Now one is lucky to even know their neighbors name, let alone ask for help.