Coming to a close

Cannot believe the end is finally here. It seems like this term has went especially quick. I am sure having the holiday's mixed in helped!! I think that I have learned a lot in this class. I believe that my writing skills have improved. At the beginning I was not too sure about this whole blogging thing. But honestly, now I see how much it can help. Not only does it get you writing more and thinking more, but it also gives a non formal way to "blow off steam" and discuss concerns with others that may be feeling the same way. Again, something I will continue to do from time to time. Hope others will do the same!! I am glad to have a break for a week. Yet, excited to see what the next term will be like.

Looks like I may have to have surgery to have a ganglion cyst removed. I have had one now since early in the last term. The first time, I went to my doc and he was able to aspirate, this time, he wasn't able to do that. He just shot it up with some steroids and I think I actually came out with more pain than I went it with. He said, if it doesn't shrink with the steroids I will have to have the surgery to remove it all together. I probably should have just went ahead and done it yesterday or at least scheduled it but now, I have to wait a couple weeks to see if it shrinks. Then of course, I will be into a new term and won't be able to do it until my next break!! I will just have to do!! Hopefully, I won't be in too much pain!!

I wish everyone much luck in this class and in future classes!! Thanks for a wonderful term!!

Almost There

Well, this week I think I will just take the opportunity to write. I have to be honest, I have felt quite stressed!! I procrastinate a lot when it comes to projects anyhow. This week I have two due on Tuesday!! Honestly, I am only about half done with the one for this class and still haven't started the one for my other class. I feel like I work better under pressure though, so this has something to do with it. Also, there is a lot going on in my personal life at the moment. My husband has been gone since right after Christmas and has been home for the weekend so it has been important for me to spend some time with him!! I am glad that the term is coming to a close and have had a great time in this class. I can't wait to have everything turned in and be able to take that sigh of relief. I wish everyone well in this class and in all others!!! Good luck all!!

Blogging in the Future

Will I continue blogging after this class?? You know, I think I will from time to time. Even if only to vent to other students who are probably going through similar situations as I. When I first read that question, I was going to say that I wouldn't continue. The reason being, I have Facebook and Myspace accounts and like 3 different email accounts, so I already blog, but on a smaller scale. However, being that through this blog, I have contact with many people in the same situation as I, I will probably use this as an outlet from time to time.

Comments~~ I have been please thus far with the comments I have received. Usually I receive anywhere from 1 to 4 comments which is plenty for me. Everyone has been very respectful and most have been able to relate in some respect to what I write, which is comforting. Speaking of which...I would like to thank everyone for wishing myself and my family well over the holiday break. We all got over our little bug and moved on to have a great holiday!! So, thanks to all those who expressed their concern and compassion!! Have a great week all!!

Merry Chrismas

Well, I have to be honest here. I am really bummed out today. Everyone in my household has either been sick or is sick at the moment. We have been tossing around a little stomach bug. Even though it doesn't appear to be that bad, we couldn't have worse timing. Right before the holiday. So glad I had everything done for classes early in the week because I spent the last two days in bed. Both my kids have been sick as well, and now my husband. Hoping we all get it out of our system before the day is through. Still have wrapping to do and cookies to bake!! Glad this is going to be a light week for classes, makes for a little less anxiety!! I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and isn't going through the illness we are!! Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!! Have a great week!!

WOW...A little overwhelmed!!

Well, I guess I will start by saying, I am a little overwhelmed this week. A lot of busy work. Personally, in the last few weeks I have had to make some adjustments. After having my husband home with me for the past year, he has just went back to driving truck. Sometimes it can seem like I have way too much on my plate. Trying to get all of my school work done in a weeks time, comes with it's own challenges. Now, I have added to it, being by myself with my school work, my two kids, the housework, and everything...all over again. I forget how easy it is to take advantage of having an extra pair of hands around here. I have to be honest, I have been a little stressed out this week so far. It is definitely a relief that my husband is back to work. However, it gets tough to have to do everything by yourself and feel stretched so thin, a lot of the time.

My hope in writing about the importance of early detection of breast cancer, is that one day maybe it will aid in just getting women to be more aware of their bodies and their health. Too many women tend to let themselves go, or become last on their list. As with me, it is hard to make the time to take care of yourself when you are so busy taking care of everyone and everything else. The kids come first, then the husband, then school, then the house....grocery shopping...so on and so forth. Then finally, at the very end of this list, oh look, that's me!! I know that I tend to do that a lot. I try not to do it with my health.

Women have to remember, that they are worth being at the top of that list. They have to take precautions and be aware. If they don't, and something slips past them, they may not be around to take care of everyone and everything the way they feel they need to. I just hope that women will realize how important it is to take care of themselves once in a while and let everything else sit on the back burner for a spell!!

I am feeling confident about the rest of the week. Knowing that it will all get done, it always does!! Good luck to everyone in their own process!!

Kaplan's Influence on Me

Hello everyone, hope you are all great this week. I guess we will have a little chat about the influence that schooling here at Kaplan has had on me so far!! Without sounding too much like I am bragging, this experience has given me a huge boost in confidence!! For a long time, my husband and I have been struggling to make ends meet. I was always "the smart girl" back in high school and decided, though things have been rough, I should go back to school. Since starting at Kaplan, this is my third term, I have been on the Dean's List and the President's List. Honestly, I didn't think that I had it in me. I lost a lot of self esteem throughout the past 10 years. Unfortunately, I became pregenant at 16, so I went directly from being a child, to having no choice but to become an adult. Those who have been in the same situation, probably familiarize with the simple fact, that you just don't have it all that easy when your adult life starts out that way. As I have probably said in previous posts, I did get my Medical Assistant's Certificate back in 2003. However, at that time my boys were still small and my husband decided to take up a job of over the road truck driving. Needless to say, at that point, I had been in my Medical Assisting job for only about one year. I became somewhat of a single working mom, overnight...literally. It was hard, as much as I wanted to be superwoman, and do everything. I just couldn't. It took too much out of me, and eventually ended up in a deep depression because of everything I was dealing with. So, I decided to quit my job and stay home with my boys. My husband has been driving ever since. Though it is a great job for him to have financially, I lost a lot of who I was being stuck at home and being solely a mother, wife, and homemaker. So, when my husband lost his job in January, I decided that eventually, I would like to be the one to be out in the world, making money, and providing for my family!! So, here I am. I again, wasn't sure I could handle it. But, so far it has been great, and I am finally remembering who I am, and that makes me feel great!!

Plagiarism

Plagiarism: Citing, Sourcing....yada yada...Let me just say that this whole citing and sourcing process is very complicated. Not the fact that you have to do it, that is clear. APA format however, is very precise. There are so many specifics as to how you have to cite and reference withing APA format. I understand that, if done correctly, it would be very easy for someone to figure out what type of work you are referencing, however, it is very time consuming to do it all properly. The importance of citing and referencing your work is great. If someone were to use something I had written for their own benefit without giving me the credit I deserved for it, I wouldn't be a happy camper; that is for sure. Obviously, for plagiarism to not be committed, it is very important to give credit where credit is due. That is clear. Unfortunately, one little mistake, and you could be accussed of plagiarism. Honestly, I have been accussed of this during a course that I have taken here at Kaplan in a previous term. It was an honest mistake, where I filled out an incorrect template. A mistake on my behalf, but just a mistake. Thankfully, it all worked out, but plagiarism is scary business. You have to be very careful to follow directions and cite and reference every bit of information that is not your own idea!!

I personally never use sites like Wikipedia. Just the fact that any information on the site can be altered by anyone, is reason enough not to use it. It is too difficult to decipher whether the information is fact, opinion, or just plain wrong!! I am glad to have use of the Kaplan Library exactly for that reason. Knowing that your sources are reliable is very important!!

From the experiences I have had so far, I know that I will carefully review all of the sources I find for my topic, and make sure to properly cite and reference the information I do decide to use!! Good luck to everyone in this process!!