Baby, It's Hot Outside

Today at USAO I learned that it is extremely hot outside, with the temperature reaching over 100 degrees every day this month. It seems impossible to escape this heat.
If you went to summer school, we only have a couple weeks off before the fall semester. It is important to make the most of this break. Here are some tips on staying cool and ways to enjoy the rest of summer break.
1. Go swimming. This is a simple way to cool off and enjoy outside. It is impossible to be outside for five minutes without sweating. Cooling off in a swimming pool is a great way to just be outside without sweating to death.
2. Drink lots of water. It is important to stay hydrated because it is so hot. The risk of heat stroke and many other medical conditions increase when it is this hot.
3. Eat a frozen treat. The weather is a great excuse to eat something frozen and delicious. This can help you stay cool.
4. Go see a movie. The movie theatre is air conditioned and it is a great way to spend time with friends.
5. Go to the mall. This is a great way to get some exercise and a way to look at new clothes for the fall.
Everyone knows that this summer has been a scorcher; I can’t remember the last time that it has been this hot. It is important to stay safe and to stay cool. Let’s finish up with finals and enjoy the rest of the summer, even if it is a hot one.

Note to Self

Sometimes my brain is not the most reliable thing. At school, I rely on it often, but sometimes I need a reminder or extra support.

Trying to make sure I have everything ready for finals, I find myself unsure of specifics for certain assignments. So, here I am wishing I knew the details. I was so confident I would remember the essential information. However, I am unable to pinpoint the ideas I had at the time as well as the precise instructions.

Today, at USAO, I learned to take notes.

If I had written down my thoughts about the project, I wouldn’t be fumbling for inspiration later. If I had jotted down what the instructor was saying at the time, I wouldn’t be questioning if my work is right now.

I even keep a miniature notepad and pen in my purse so I am always prepared to capture information I don’t want to lose. Guess I had to relearn the importance of taking notes.

Since I spend a good amount of time in the car, I have considered using a tape recorder. Usually, I grab my notepad and scribble my thoughts even while commuting. It would be simpler and safer to use a recording device. It seems many of my ideas come while on the go.

Although during class time, I had plenty of ideas for my assigned projects. I just wish I had made the effort to grab something to keep a record of them. It would have spared me trying to brainstorm later for a topic. Also, I wouldn’t be tense concerning the particulars.

Note to self: don’t skimp on note taking.

Hard Work Does Pay Off

Today at USAO I learned that hard work does pay off. Things get hard and sometimes it is easier just to give up. If you just stick with something, you may find out that just some effort can go a long way.

For example, I gave a presentation in my PEST class today, and my group decided to do a group project over the topic of a unique weapon of war, rape. We decided to focus on the area of Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has the highest sexual violence rate in the world. The goal of this project was to identify a problem and then develop a solution.

My group felt that the best solution for this specific problem is to create a non-profit organization to help educate women and assist with poverty. At first, one of us wanted to focus on education, and the other wanted to focus on poverty.

We decided the best thing to do is to work together and get over our differences. We combined both our ideas and it turned out for the best. We worked on this project all semester. We presented our project and I think we rocked it. The greatest reward is not the grade but knowing we did our best.

Being a hard worker is a very important life tool. I was taught by my parents to take pride in my work and to do everything to the best of my ability. It is important to not let anyone get you down. You can only do your best and it is important to take pride in that. Sometimes your best is not going to be good enough, but other times, it really does pay off.

Tune-In

In history this week, I learned about Timothy Leary, the man that coined the famous quote "Turn- On-Tune -In-Drop-Out." What was astounding to me was the influence he had on a generation that was not his own.

He was a Psychologist and Professor at a prominent university who became a leader in the collegiate society. He had direct involvement in experimenting with LSD and the use of other drugs. Exploration and study of the mind was his intention while taking a psychological trip with the use of drugs.

From an outside perspective, this phrase almost implies that society should: Turn-on

(to drugs), Tune-in (pay attention to life) and Drop-out (step out of life when you want to; you do not have to be responsible). This seems to be the opposite of what a scholar would instruct his students to do with their life; destroy your mind with drugs and live in fairy land.

I can not even imagine a Professor in this day and time at USAO quoting this slogan to their students. Yes, the mind is a very sacred and important organ to be explored and filled with knowledge. It is also a very delicate part of our physical being. We are what we fill it with. Our minds should be filled with the beautiful, wonderful, exciting and healthy adventures of life. I think of the mind as one of the greatest computers and artist pallets a person could posses and what I want to create with it is a gorgeous, colorful expression of beauty to bring happiness to others. My slogan, unlike Mr. Timothy Leary’s, would instead be “Turn On to Life, Tune In to the Mind of Knowledge and Creativeness, Stay Up and In School.”

5 Guilty Pleasures

I learned that guilty pleasures, in moderation, can be a great thing. We all have our vices and things we do for fun, but I wanted to share a brief list of my favorites and why.

5. Silence. I certainly wouldn't want it all of the time, but occasionally it's a true blessing. It helps me think and to clear my head when little else does. Music is the other side of this coin so to speak, in terms of relaxing, but when I need fresh ideas or a resolution to some inner conflict, a little quiet time is usually all I need.

4. Video Games. When I was a young child, Nintendo was the greatest thing ever. Video games as a whole was gaining momentum and becoming ever more popular. It remains to this day, a wonderful escape for me and it's only gotten better with time. It's important to maintain you're priorities in life, but to me, it's a constructive and positive way to release my frustrations and stress. Currently I enjoy online gaming and it's easy to lose track of time until recieving a "friendly reminder" from my fiance.

3. Traveling. This would be higher in my list were it not for the expense. I am fortunate to say that I have seen much of this country. It's invigorating to see different places, landmarks and people. Particular stand-outs are Orlando, Yellowstone Park, New Orleans and San Francisco. My dream is to see places outside of the country like Paris, Dublin, London, Amsterdam, Sydney and Rome.

2. Internet. I love the internet and would miss it dearly if I didn't have it. Like most people, I enjoy Facebook, chatting, e-mails and online gaming. Communicating with other people is my favorite aspect and I've met many wonderful and interesting individuals this way. The website "Wikipedia," in particular, is one of my overall favorite sites. I can't count how many times I've looked up numerous topics to learn more and sate my curiosities.

1. Fiance. I love my future wife and she truly is my better half. She knows me in and out and just gets me. There when I need an assertive push to do the right thing, a hug and a consoling word when I'm upset, or a simple laugh at shared joys. With a single look, she knows what's on my mind and what I'm going to say before I say it. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for her, or her for me. My wish is for everybody at least once in their life, to feel how I feel with her in my life.

On the Right Path

Trying to find an answer to my future. What do I want and where do I want to go? Can and will I be able to make a living for myself and help my family. Will I get a good job; one that I will love, so it doesn’t feel like work. Those are the questions I ask myself on a weekly basis. I am a “late bloomer” as some would say. Trying to get an education late in life after raising a family. People also say “your as young as you feel.” Well, I do feel very young at heart. However, I feel just as uneasy and scared as any young student. I want to make good grades re-learn how to study and adjust to doing papers on a computer instead of a typewriter; so off to school I go.

I want to bloom as an artist; I love art and computers. But, today at U.S.A.O. I had a teacher sit down and take her time to help me. She helped me get a clearer idea of what it would take to complete my degree. Finding a layout of what classes I had and what classes I needed to obtain my degree as a Graphic Artist. To see this outline on paper gave me a better sense of how many hours I would need to graduate and what year if I stayed on course. Knowing what was required gave me such a relief and comfort. I needed this help more than I knew. To ask myself the question “What did I learn this week at U.S.A.O.?” It was helpful to see my path of college on paper to get a better direction of my future. I also realized that U.S.A.O. has some really neat and interesting teachers.

Want a baby?

Today at USAO, I learned that the best birth control in the world is babysitting. If you are young and are dying to have children, you might change your mind after you babysit a kid. Yes, they are such a joy and they are so adorable, but wait until you know you can handle it. I have an 18 month old niece that is the cutest little thing, but you cannot take your eyes off of her or she will end up in the toilet or throwing breakables on the ground. You will want to pull your hair out and scream they can be so frustrating. I am not saying that having children is a bad thing. I am saying plan on having the child and be smart before you really want one. There are teenagers having kids at 16. That is way too young and at that age they don’t know how to properly take care of their baby which is not fair to the mother or the child. They are a handful and they take one hundred percent of your attention. They are so many ways to prevent having an unwanted pregnancy. But the best birth control for me was watching my niece. If you want to have a kid come watch my niece for a day and then you can decide if you really want to have one at this point in time or if you should wait a couple years. Because my niece you can give back, once you have your own you can’t just give it back from where it came from. Just be smart and use your head.

Fitter

Sitting on the edge of my seat bag in hand, I wait to be dismissed from class. The allotted time has expired, but the lecturer is determined to get more information out. Finally, we are dismissed and I bolt down the stairs out the door.

I pass two buildings to get to my next class, which has already started judging by my watch. As I enter my building, I’m sweating and clutching my bag close. I look up the stairs wheezing and wishing my class was on the first floor instead of the third.

By the time I make it up the stairs and sit down in my class that has already started, I feel like a wreck. I can’t catch my breath. It is hotter than the fourth of July, as is evident by my sweat.

So, obviously today at USAO, I learned I am out of shape and it wouldn’t hurt to get fitter.

When I first went to college, I lived on campus and walked a lot. The first university I attended was larger than USAO. It was hilly and spread out. One of my classes was on the 6^th floor and I trekked those stairs and across campus like it was a breeze.

Since becoming a commuter, I have noticed a decline. Much of my time is spent sitting in the car on the way to work or school. I’m not walking as much. Therefore, I have resolved to park further away from campus to get more exercise and to make use of the stairs.

What a shame for my unfit wheezing self to distract from obtainable information. I know it will be a process, but it will be an advantageous one to work on shaping up.

Only 9 More Days!

Today at USAO I learned that finals are only 9 days away. This is exciting but scary at the same time.
Finals week is a dreaded week for many college students because it includes sleepless nights, stress and unhealthy eating habits. Here are some tips that I use during finals week to ease my stress.
1. Do not cram for tests. Do not study the night before and think you are going to get an A. This may work if you get lucky, but let’s not bet on it. It is best to at least look at the material and be familiar with it. This also goes along with going to class which I discussed in an earlier blog.
2. Study in a quiet environment with minimal distractions. Do not study and watch television, I am sorry but this doesn’t work. This also means do not study while you are watching your child. Find time to study when you can either be alone, or have quiet time with no distractions. Quiet time is important for retaining information.
3. Try and eat a good breakfast the day of your test. I love breakfast anyways but I make sure to eat extra well the day of a test. It is a proven fact that eating helps you focus and do better in school.
4. My last and final tip is to try and stay calm. It is important to not overstress and get overwhelmed. You may feel like your brain is going to explode but I assure you that it is not going to. Think of it this way, it is one week and then the semester is over.
We can do this my fellow USAO students. So let’s get our study on, and knock this 2011 summer semester out!

Don't Judge a Movie by its Commercial

Film: Friends With Benefits
Genre: Comedy, Romantic Comedy
Director: Will Gluck
Actors: Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis
My rating: 3 stars

Today at USAO I learned to look past the initial feeling that a commercial gives: not all movies are what they seem.

Last night my friends and I were determined to go to a movie, which we narrowed down to either Friends With Benefits or The Zookeeper. Despite our fears that it was going to be completely centered around sex (as some commercials indicated it to be), we decided to take our chances with Friends With Benefits.

I was delightfully surprised. Recently released in theatres, Friends With Benefits is a unique comedy about two people who decide to have sex with no emotional attachment. The film, though predictable, prides itself in differentiating itself from the classic, romantic comedy by endlessly poking fun at the cliche' and spouting off several untraditional jokes that keep the flick delightfully upbeat. This fun is somewhat dampered when heavy family drama sets into the plot line, giving the film an almost too serious tone for it's casual story line. Despite this issue, it is saved by it's incredibly loveable characters, the leads played by Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis who stun the audience with their incredible chemistry and who make it impossible not to have a good time. Admittedly, Friends With Benefits is nothing we haven't seen before, but it gives off a much different vibe then the classic romantic comedy. Did it live up to the film released months ago with almost exactly the same plot line, No Strings Attached? I wouldn't say so, but it certainly is not a bad flick to see if you're bored on a Friday night.

So the lesson here is, don't judge a movie by a commercial as we almost did; it may surprise you.

Feedback

My instructor was returning previous work turned in for class. As a stack of papers was put in front of each individual, she would delve into our progress including information about our strengths and weaknesses. From that session in class, I was able to see areas I needed to improve.

I was too close to my work. Feedback was way more than welcome. It was becoming difficult for me to see areas that needed correcting. Yes, it is uncomfortable having something you put time into criticized, but constructive criticism is a valuable asset.

My assessment was coming to a close by my professor generalizing I’m on the right track. I felt I needed more information. I’m sure my face showed my dissatisfaction. Surely there should be more critiquing. Being lost and unsure in class, I was searching for some direction.

The teacher asked me if I had any questions. I asked her if she had any suggestions for making my work better. She smiled a little and said she used to get so irritated with teachers who just said good job. She thought they could have given some more advice. I couldn’t help but smile myself because that’s exactly how I was feeling.

Today, at USAO I learned that instructors were once students themselves. They know where we are coming from and what we deal with. I also learned it takes some outside feedback to make improvements in our schoolwork as well as our outlook.

Getting Sick Sucks!

Today I learned at USAO that getting sick sucks. So here is my story.
A couple weeks ago my daughter started running a fever at daycare. So they called and I went immediately to pick her up. I called the doctor because running a fever is a sure sign of being sick. So I take her to the doctor and she has strep throat. I didn’t think that you could get strep throat or anything like that in the summer, but I was wrong. So this is on a Wednesday and on Thursday I have a science test. So I can’t miss this test. So my amazing husband volunteers to stay home with her.
So my husband stays home with my daughter and then a couple days later, Andrew gets sick. Now I feel horrible because I made him stay home with her and now he has strep throat.
So by this point I think I have dodged the bullet. I felt great the whole next week at school but on Sunday night I start running a fever. I got sick and then went to school the next day because I have a lot going on because finals week is coming up.
You think getting sick in the summer is impossible, well guess again. All I have to say is that I hate getting sick and this was my story. My advice is to go the doctor as soon as possible because that is the quickest way to get better.

It's OK.

It's OK.

What I Learned at U.S.A.O. is...If your having a rough time in life and your classes and school seems to be a heavy load to carry and perhaps you have also fallen real behind on your reading assignments too. It's OK to withdrawal from a class. To keep staying in all your classes when you feel like your drowning or totally missing the boat of learning is injustice to your self. When you keep going to class just to slide by with a grade to get through the class is making a mocker out of learning.

It'`s better to step back, take a look at your life, classes and responsibility's and relax get focused and reload! Everything happens for a reason. Life and school is a daily project of learning. It doesn't pay to beat yourself up for stepping down. Stepping up to the plate and going at it again takes courage. You really want to absorb all of the knowledge, readings, skills and opportunity's you can, while you can. College is a gift. It's a job of learning that is harder in some aspects than being in the workforce. You have to dig inside yourself and your skills, the books your fellow students and teachers to make it though. It can be a very overwhelming time, but sometimes we have to take a breather and reload for the next semester.

Strangely Similar

I picked up my mom at the airport this morning. It was so wonderful to see her again. She lives far away. So, I don’t see her as much any more. Conversation came quick and easy. I was practically bursting at the seams with everything I wanted to share!

She listened attentively and gave input when I took a breath. Her arrival was perfect. I needed my mom here to carry out all her motherly instincts. As she gave her reasonable answers to my steady complaining, I noticed something familiar. Her calm resolve was reminding me of something.

My mom would ask me questions regarding my own questions. How is this oddly familiar? Not only did she ask questions, she expected me to think about it and respond with a sound process of logic.

As I turned off the turnpike in Chickasha, I thought about going to school the next day. Then I realized what was so strangely similar about my conversation with my mom. It reminded me of being in college. Her relaxed knowingness was oddly like being in class.

When we have in class essays, we are expected to give a reflective outlook of the subject matter. They want to see that we comprehend the information. They don’t want us to regurgitate the facts. How unappealing!

Today, I learned that education is everywhere. I learned my mom requires me to think about my issues and formulate a solid conclusion. My professors expect me to acquire and iron out the details of their expertise in a scholarly way.

I can’t just expect answers to always be available to my questions. I have to take what I know and construct an intelligent solution.

Friends are just as important as family

I've often heard the expression, "blood is thicker than water." Perhaps for some, that is truly the case. For me though, my friends mean as much or more than my family. I love my family and always will, but more often than not, they tend to be the source of my problems and stress. In particular, my mom has been a source of endless frustrations. She has cost me a lot of money and time over the past five years especially. She did raise me on her own, and I respect that, but she also used hard drugs at different times and I somewhat raised myself also. Moms in general tend to be master manipulators (though often used for good intentions) and experts of the "guilt trip." I met my father for the first time when I was 25. Its been an interesting relationship for us, as we work on trying to bond after living apart for so long. He has helped me in some ways, and been no help at all at other times. My grandparents on my mom's side were manipulators in their own way, often preying on the generosity of churches. My grandparents on my dad's side are actually the easiest for me to talk too and overall great people. I love them very much and so grateful to have them in my life. My younger half brother and sister are nice when they want something, otherwise they are too consumed with their own lives to care about what goes on in mine.
We've all had a few friends that have dissapointed, or betrayed, or even lied to us. However, most of my friends have been my life-savers time and again. Just in this last year alone I've been truly blessed by those that care about me. When I was about to lose my place that I had shared with my mother (who decided not to work anymore because her hands hurt), my friend Duane had come to the rescue and offered me a room in his nice apartment. With his help I was able to get in the positive financially. After I lost my job, a married couple whom were customers and also friends were the main reason I got back to school. My best friend Shea knew the struggles I was having with transportation. With the help of her mom they had me behind the wheel of a nice toyota celica, and the first car I ever truly owned with title and everything.
Friends and family both can be wonderful. They help in the ways they can, and also bring their own sets of problems and occasional drama to the table. Like all of us do in our own way. I don't think love is necessarily earned but just because there is a blood connection doesn't mean they should be trusted or respected. Blood is not always thicker than water.

Why is anime overlooked?

Like many other people, I grew up watching cartoons. Saturday mornings in particular were a highlight of my week. Also like a lot of kids, I was attracted to the vivid colors, movement and sounds. In particular I loved the imagination of it all. Worlds and characters with no real limits or boundaries.
As with a lot of other kids, I grew out of cartoons in my teenage years. Occasionally, for sentimental reasons, I would watch one here and there, but overall I was into more real movies and adult shows. However, in high school, I came across an anime movie named "Akira." I was blown away by the greatness of it. Here was a cartoon unlike any I had ever seen. It had style, depth of character and plot lines, and a pace like live-action movies. The amount of detail in the movie was simply amazing and re-sparked my love of animation. I rented many more anime (which is short for Japanese animation) films and some were great, others average and some that were just horrible. Just like live-action movies, some where hits and some were misses. People tend to assume that just because it's animated, that its only for kids, but I disagree.
I think its sad that some people miss out on a wonderful art form due to preconceptions. Everyone doesn't like cartoons, and that's ok too, but for those that used to love them, I really feel you could be pleasantly surprised if you gave anime a chance. I think there are many anime fans out there that don't even know they are fans. Voltron, Thundercats, Transformers and G.I. Joe and many more are primarily Asian created and produced. A somewhat Americanized anime form from as early on as the late 1970's. I still love the classics (Disney and Looney Toons) for sentimental reasons, but for a thought provoking, visually stimulating and dramatic show or movie I will pick up an occasional anime along with new releases of live-action movies.

Change...You May Actually Like It.

Today at USAO I learned that change can be a good thing. This can either mean a change of lifestyle, attitude or even a change of wardrobe.
Three years ago I was a completely different person, needless to say, I have changed significantly. In fact, most of my friends from high school probably would not recognize me. I dress, act and simply look different. I came to the realization today, that becoming a different person is not always a bad thing.
Let’s not make it seem as though I have always been willing. I tend to get into my comfort zone and just want to stay there. It is just easier that way sometimes. How can we grow if we stay in the same place all the time? You can’t, that is the answer.
One of the most important things that has happened in my life is having a child. Let’s just say she was a surprise. I did not want to have children until I got out of school. Sometimes we don’t make those decisions and we have to be willing to change our minds. I decided that I was going to have a good attitude and love being a mother. In part this has been the best thing that has happened in my life.
“Just do it” the famous Nike motto is a great motto, even if it is for shoes. It can mean just doing things that we may not normally do. You may surprise yourself and actually like it. So when it comes to change, don’t hide from it, “Just do it.”

Now and Then...

It is weird thinking about what people had to go through to get ahold of someone back in the day before cell phones. Yes children, there was a time before cell phones.

Today at USAO I learned how much most of the people in the world can’t live without a cell phone. I broke my phone and was without one for a while and I felt as though my world had ended. Maybe a little too dramatic, but it is how I felt. I couldn’t talk to my friends whenever I wanted and I couldn’t just sit on my phone and play games. I was really bored so I started doing a little research and discovered that many people were just like me and basically felt lost without their cell phone at their side at all times. It is crazy to think about now, but back before cell phones you couldn’t just text your friend or your parents and tell them where you are. You actually had to go to someone’s house or hope you could run into them at a local place. It is crazy how much our lives now are ran by technology and most of the human population doesn’t go a day without watching TV, getting on the Internet, or talking on a cell phone. But I will challenge you. For just one day unplug the TV, turn off your computer and cell phone and live how they used to. I can tell you right now I can’t go a day without some sort of technology, but maybe you can.

Balance

I was thinking about some personal issues and really feeling down about them. My silly misery was distracting me from what I am paying to come here and study. Why am I worrying about this nonsense when I have other things that require my attention?

Today, at USAO, I pondered balance.

It seems easy to get distracted by things. However, there is a time and a place for each of those things. When I’m at school, it is not the time to think about my dating life. When I’m at work, I should be professional and leave personal issues at the door. When I’m driving, my focus is on navigating the road.

Learning from the different areas of your life is an excellent trait. I noticed that I was overlapping areas of my life in an unbeneficial way though. I was not accomplishing anything by moping over circumstances I couldn’t change. In fact, I was wasting my money and time by not designating my attention to the issue at hand.

Today, I established I was unbalanced. If you have equilibrium, you aren’t tripping and falling down. Balance is a beautiful thing. It keeps you upright and stable.

I want to promote the matter of stability. Keep your scales even. Don’t get caught up in something and forget everything else. Remember, there is a time and a place for each situation.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2: It All Ends Here

Film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Genre: Fantasy, action, etc.
Director: David Yates
Actors: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes

WARNING: the Deathly Hallows Part 1 spoiler alert!

Today at USAO I learned the outcome of the much anticipated final Harry Potter film, one I have been waiting for for nearly a decade. And finally, here we have it: the final showdown. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 showed for the first time in the United States last night, where fans flocked to make it to the midnight premieres. The Harkins theatre was filled with excited people, some of them dressed up in full costume attire, while others wore themed shirts to display their support. The anticipation was clear as all of us sat in our seats, munching on our concession. Cheers erupted as we were instructed to put on our 3d glasses. Even more cheers came when it announced the showing of the feature presentation. And then, the show began.

The film started off on a realistic, somewhat sad note, referring back to the death of Dobby at the end of the previous film. Then as it went on, it turned into an exciting, action filled ride with emotional and fast paced scenes that keep the viewers completely focused and intent upon the film. Director David Yates does spectacular once again in this new addition, paying close attention to details such as including Hedwig's theme and little details within the book that, to be quite honest, I was surprised they stuck so true to. Scenes were altered and some things added, but overall, they included every important factor and more from J.K. Rowling's masterpiece. I would say some of the most impressive things about it was the breathtaking performance of Alan Rickman (who plays Professor Snape) and the entire end of the film, a battle that blows the viewers away through both high-action and highly emotional scenes that keeps us sitting at the edge of our seats.

For Harry Potter fans, this is a definite must-see. This is it: the moment we've all been waiting for, and sure enough, they ended it with a bang.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NYt1qirBWg

David Yates (director) imdb:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0946734/

Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) imdb:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0705356/

Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort) imdb:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000146/

Alan Rickman (Professor Snape) imdb:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000614/

That Must Run In Your Family...Well Your Wrong.

Today at USAO I learned something from science class. If anybody knows, science is definitely not my thing but I am trying to keep an open-mind and learn new things.
The specific thing that I learned is that having a girl or boy is not hereditary. Boys do not run in a family and girls don’t run in a family. It is a 50/50 shot every single time. Just like flipping a coin, the probability is about the same.
Everyone knows that the father’s sperm determines the sex of the baby. This does not mean though a certain sex of a child runs in a family more than another.
This is way different from my previous thoughts. My initial thoughts were that because my grandfather had four girls and a boy, that this caused my dad to have five girls. Everyone always says to me “O girls must run in your family or your parents must have been trying for a boy”.
Well let me just say that in both cases they are just wrong. Just because my parents had five daughters doesn’t mean my parents were trying for a son. My goodness, are girls not good enough? This is another subject entirely so I will stop ranting. So, in my family’s case having girls is just ironic. It may seem like it runs in the family but this is an untrue fact.
This is just something that I found quite interesting that changed my entire outlook on how the sex of a baby is determined. This is just one of the things that I learned at USAO today but it was the most interesting in my opinion.

Open to New Ideas

Today at USAO I learned that it is important to be open-minded. As a college student it is important to be able to learn new things, and learn different ways to interpret those things.
College is, quite literally, a learning experience. We learn new things everyday and some are not just school-related.
For example, I have a group project this summer and I have to be open to my team members ideas. It is hard for some people to do this (like myself) but it is important to learn how to work in a group. My personality type is quite dominant and I like to be in charge. This can't always be the case though. So I have learned that being in a group requires listening skills and trust within your fellow group members.
Another important thing is to challenge your own beliefs. Many of us are raised to think a certain way and our way is the only right way. Being open to new things enables one to learn different ways of life.
People are different from one another. We all think differently, act differently and look different from one another. If we are open-minded we might learn something. We may even change the way we think about things.
I know for a fact that being a college student has changed the way I feel and interpret the world. I try to be more open to other people's ideas and I find myself more accepting of others too.

Gas Saving Online!!

Gee, online gas saving features? A new way of saving time and gas! I had an assignment due Friday by 12:00 noon for my History class. I also had plans of going shopping and enjoying my three days off. But as usually, I get one of those calls that throws a morning off and causes you to walk backwards. My daughter calls and tells me she has lost her car keys in town.

I live out in the country and we had plans to go either to Lawton or the City for shopping with friends. So here in the back of my mind I have this dilemma, getting my assignment done, getting to Chickasha in time to send it from my thumb drive to a P.C., then on to Turnitin.com. Also, the problem of helping my daughter find her keys so she will be ready for the days trip with friends too.

So, I get busy working on my assignment, while my daughter tries to help herself.

I complete my work on my Mac computer in Pages. With the help and knowledge of another student, she shares with me on how to store it in a word document format. Next I am thinking of my time schedule of how to get to the University and down load from my thumb drive to a P.C. Then it hits me! Can I send it from my Mac to the Web site turnitin.com? Shazam!!! It worked I even got a receipt in my e-mail that my work was received! What a nice burden and relief lifted! It saved me time and gas!!

Well this got me thinking about online classes. What a time saving and gas saving convenience it could be taking classes online, along with the fact of on your own time schedule and at home!!

And of course, my daughter found her keys and we weren't driving back and forth trying to make our day happen!

Connecting the What and the Who

When I was growing up, my Grandmother would always say, “It’s not what you know, its who you know!” It seems to be a regular saying of hers. She says it with great conviction too. The look she gives and the way she says it is piercing.

Previously, I have disregarded this motto. In fact, I would get quite irritated by hearing the line. Life is not a popularity contest. Or is it?

I do think in a classroom what you know is important. You need to comprehend the material of each course. In order to pass, this part is critical.

Commuting to school, definitely goes in the what category as well. You should understand the regulations of driving if you are going to operate a vehicle.

So far as I have seen, what I know seems to be way more important.

However, I keep discovering that my Grandma wasn’t merely shooting the breeze. Today, at USAO, I learned the implication of my Grandmother’s saying. Its value finally registered.

I was thinking about what to do after school. Where will I work? Most jobs require references. To get in with certain places, an advantage is given for knowing someone there.

To carry significant credence in the world, you need to have connections. What you know will only take you so far as the door. Connecting what you know with who you know opens those doors.

Life is short....

Today at USAO, I learned how short life can actually be and it really opened my eyes. My good friend David Toole died at 25 years of age on July 8, 2011. He was at war in Afghanistan when a building he had entered was blown up by a rocket and collapsed, 20 men died with him that day all at very young ages. Some people take their lives for granted and don’t appreciate what they have. David was different. He always lived his life to the fullest. He always found a way to entertain himself and others through the hard times in Afghanistan. (Such as running around base naked or dancing to Lady GaGa) He always knew how to make people laugh even on the roughest of days.

Be grateful your life is not threatened around the clock every single day like our soldiers overseas. Days will go by faster than you realize and one day, you will wonder where all the time has gone. Be happy every time you wake up in the morning, because you made it another day. Live your life to the fullest. Don’t dwell in sadness or self-pity. Live life with no regrets and have a blast. Do things that you want to do and don’t listen to others. And above all things, be thankful for the family and friends you have, because one day they just might not be there.