2 down 16 to go

I have completed the first two classes in my journey to an AA degree. Those classes ended yesterday and my next one starts today. This new class is ENG 102:Research Writing. Today's assignment was to post a short bio to become acquainted with the other students and the instructor. Check! Now, for tomorrows assignment I need to choose the topic for my research paper which is what I will be working on for the next 9 weeks. The final draft will be the final for the class. I am not really sure what to write about. If any one has a suggestion, I would love to hear it!

"~ENG 102 ................................................ 3 credits
Research Writing
Students focus on gathering research, evaluating and documenting
sources, and developing a major research paper. Selected readings
prompt discussion regarding bias, rhetorical devices, arguments, and
counterarguments. Grammar exercises address commonly confused
words, modifiers, parallel structure, and sentence variety. "(University of Phoenix, 2007)

Works Cited
University of Phoenix. (2007). University of Phoenix Catalog - Online Campus. Retrieved June 30, 2008, from University of Phoenix Axia College Online Campus: https://axiaecampus.phoenix.edu/96_2007_2008_Online_master_catalog.pdf

Wasting time!

So you can probably tell that I have two finals due this week so of course I am busy doing things that don't matter while I try to get motivated to get my work done.

52 As a 1930s wife, I am Average Take the test!

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Blue

You're blue — the most soothing shade of the spectrum. The color of a clear summer sky or a deep, reflective ocean, blue has traditionally symbolized trust, solitude, and loyalty. Most likely a thoughtful person who values spending some time on your own, you'd rather connect deeply with a few people than have a bunch of slight acquaintances. Luckily, making close friends isn't that hard, since people are naturally attracted to you — they're soothed by your calming presence. Cool and collected, you rarely overreact. Instead, you think things through before coming to a decision. That level-headed, thoughtful approach to life is patently blue — and patently you!

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=colorogt&c=50652

Sydney, Mom & Tinkerbell

Princesses

Each Princess spent about 2 minutes talking to her and asking her about her day and talking about her birthday. While they were talking a Disney photographer took pictures, so we have fun pictures of her talking to the princesses.

Sydney was Lucky Too!

The flight attendants were really nice to Sydney they gave her a deck of cards and a Southwest activity book and when we landed in San Jose, came on the PA and wished her a happy birthday and sang to her with the help of other passengers. What a fun end to a long three days!!

(Little dog was part of her make-over package.)

Pictures from our trip.

Enjoying some chocolate icecream on a VERY hot day!

The Before Picture

Sydney is 8!!!

And After

I will start by saying I can't believe my little Sydney is 8 years old. She is so wonderful!!! For those of you that know Sydney, you will not be surprised that the gift she chose - while at Disneyland - was a make-over at Libby Lu. She is girl through and through. We did this on the last day after all our rides because she was worried the rides would mess up her hair. She got the tiara the day before and wore it all day for two days. She turned many heads as we walked back to our car, at the movies before our flight, and even more heads turned as we walked through the airport. She was happy to tell people it was her birthday which made everyone smile and wish her well. For a mom, this was a great trip with just my Sydney. She does not really talk a lot but when she does it is important! She was always telling me this was the best time of her life and not because she was at Disneyland, but because it was just "me and mom". She also got a button from Disneyland that said "Happy Birthday" and her name on it. This way every cast member that saw her would wish her a happy birthday by name. It sure made her smile. Even during the parade, if a character saw it was her birthday, they would come over and tell her happy birthday. It was great. We did everything she wanted to do, which meant we spent a lot of time at the Princess Fair. She learned how to dance like a princess, curtsy and wave. She LOVED it. Later we found out they do princess hair there, but that was on our last day and we were on our way out. She said she would have liked that better than the pink funky look. So we will have to check that out the next time we are there. I have a great daughter. Every once in a while she would tell me she was having a great time and that it will also be really cool when she is baptized on the 5Th of July. Amidst all the Disneyland hoopla - that is what she was thinking of. 2 more weeks Syd!

Hate is a strong word!

I am really not liking school today!!! I am so tired too, therefore I am not using the H word. I am confused by the assignment. I am not the only one in the class that is confused. I have spoken with the instructor and that did not help AT ALL!!! I have since posted my response and walked away. I am hoping tomorrow will be a better day. I have an A in the class so far, so if I don't nail this assignment, I will still pass the class and ultimately that is the goal!!

WEEK 8

I can't believe it! Today is the start of week 8 for my first two classes. This is the beginning of the end. These 7 weeks so far have gone so quickly!!

I am currently in CIS 105 which is a basic computer class that I should have paid $80 to test out of but I didn't and now I am almost done. I have this weeks two assignments due Thursday and Sunday about computer security systems and then I will have week 9 which is the final week for this class. The final project is a 12 -15 slide PowerPoint presentation about multimedia tools that aid classroom instruction. I have to include details about how each might influence learning and incorporate at least one image manipulated in a graphic program as well as a chart or graph developed in an Excel spreadsheet. Both should support specific conclusions drawn by the research. I also have a list of things I have to integrate and don't forget the detailed speaker notes.(not my favorite part) This due Sunday June 29th by 11:59 pm Arizona Time. I will be glad when I am finished!!!

The second class I am in is GEN 105 and I really wish I could have tested out of this class. The basis of this class is to make sure the student knows how to communicate with their computer, look up information, and speak nicely to one another. This week 8 is a read and discuss week where I read the assignment and then I have to answer discussion questions and then respond to other students discussion question answers. This is not always my favorite thing to do, especially when everyone pretty much answers the question the same way killing any type of discussion. The final project for this class is also due June 29th by 11:59 pm Arizona time. For this project I have to write a Student Survival Guide explaining the tools available to students and how to succeed as a student. BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. So if I didn't think I was in front of the computer a whole lot now, next week will be even more.

Then on June 30th I start my next block of classes which lucky for me will only be one class. I was able to transfer in my math classes from West Valley and San Jose City so I will only be taking ENG 102 which is a research English class. I am glad for only one class for the next 9 weeks. With the kids out of school, we have wanted to go do fun things so I have to make sure my homework is done before we go play. One class will be easier to keep up with.

I am kind of enjoying it. I am getting good grades. And I think it will be over with before I know it!

Sydney's Birthday Trip

The count down has begun!! We will be leaving Tuesday morning. Sydney and I will be at the airport by 8:40 am and land in Ontario, CA by 12:40 pm. We will be on our way to fun days of just us! We are anticipating long lines and fun times hanging out together. I am hoping for no rain unlike the trip with Austin, but rain might be better than cooking heat. Sydney says she is on a mission to meet the Princesses. So that will be fun to do with her. I think that will get old fast for her and she will want to get on the rides. She wants to ride California Screamin but only in the day. I am OK with that. As for her planning of this trip, she is my go with the flow child unlike Austin who planned all his food 2 weeks before we left. I am looking forward to an awesome time!

Sierra Pacific

Finally we have a power/gas bill that is less than $150!! and now it is getting hot so all the fans and the window air unit will be on. We have been loving the mild weather we have been having for the last couple of weeks and now I think it is over. Today - right now - it is 90 degrees outside. Four o'clock seems to be the hottest point of the day when I am trying to get downstairs to make dinner. It is so hot upstairs when the cooler is not turned on. And I know everyone is going to start coming in from playing with their friends and want to eat. But I am so hot, and I now have to go into the kitchen and make it even more hot than it already is. I have been informed that sandwiches and cereal do not cut it for a real dinner and hot dogs and mac & cheese are junk food (Thank you Allynn). So I find myself at a loss for what to make for dinner and it is too hot for me to think about it. I guess we will be eating after 8 pm when the sun ducks down behind the neighbors house. I will be glad when we can pick tomatoes and bell peppers from our garden. I am hoping that with a little ranch dressing or honey mustard dressing, they kidlets will be happy with that for dinner. I am hoping that next year we will be able to get a central air conditioner.

I am...

You Are Mulan!

Strong and spirited. You're no one's girly girl; actually you are very determined person with a strong sense of self. Never let go of that! The only thing that equals your sense of self is your family, but the traditions of society can always be bent to protect something or someone you love.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

More dirt

This morning we moved more dirt, more dirt, and more dirt. I will be glad when we are done moving dirt. We got a good stride from about 10:30 am to 12:30 pm and then we were all so tired that we couldn't shovel any more dirt. As we sat on this beautiful day on our patio under the cover, I told Sydney to go get Rumi-cube and we played a round of that while we grilled some chicken for lunch. The Dad won but everyone had a good time. After lunch we still didn't feel like we could move any more dirt, so Austin got out Ticket to Ride and Jason, Sydney, Austin, and me played a game while Allynn went to play with her friend down the street and Kelsey took a much needed nap. It has been so nice to hang out and play games. Then just as we finished playing, a friend came by and asked if she could take the kids to the park. OF COURSE! And what a nice break. I got my homework done for today and now have time to check on my friends and leave a post.

We will move more dirt tomorrow.

Last Day of School!

Well, our kids our now out of school for the summer. I am happy and bugged at the same time. The rest of this week will be great since they will be new to being home. Then next week, they will want to start doing things but we will be cleaning our house. The week after that is Sydney's birthday trip so at least I won't have to be here when the others are bored. But then when we get home, they will have been out of school for three weeks and it will be time for them to go back. The year round school idea looks better and better every year. I just hope we get to go to Lake Tahoe like we planned, one day a week. I also hope to make it to Grandma A's house this summer for about a week and we want to go to Mema's too so we can visit with those cousins and go to the ocean beach not the lake beach. (Thank you Allynn for the clarification!) So we may be busy, but who knows. I would like to get the yard finished before it gets hot, although with the way the weather has been the last week, maybe it won't get hot. However, grass in the backyard this year is the goal and then the kids can have a real oasis to play in the sprinkler and plastic pool.

More construction

The wall is finally finshed. Now we just need to keep moving dirt! NOT FUN!

Babies are not babies

Yesterday was Kindergarten Graduation. Austin is now on his way to all day 1st grade with lunch and everything.

The class marched in from the hallway into thier places. Kelsey saw Austin and started screaming because she wanted to be marching with him.

They had a very cute ceremony where they sang songs they had learned, and gave speeches if they wanted. Austin said "I like kindergarten because it is fun!" I tried to record it, but my camera only takes 15 second shots. By the time I got it to start recording, he was half way through his sentence. It was still fun.

Sydney had decided that she didn't want to miss any of the 2nd grade field day, so she didn't go with us to the little party. We found her after to see what she was up to. Her class was playing freeze tag with spray bottles. It looked fun. Allynn's class was also having field day but at the park down the street from the school. She decided that going to the Kindergarten graduation would save her from the walk to the park. She also helped out in Austin's class a lot this year, so she felt like she should be there.

All in all, we had a nice morning and I have decided that I have pretty good kids. If only Kelsey would join in the group photos.