Fall Semester!

This semester has been a great learning experience for me! I have learned so much about my writing style and how I plan out my essays. I feel much more confident in my writings and even enjoy writing more than I ever have. I have always enjoyed free writing and poetry but essay writing was not what I enjoyed. With all the tools that I have learned, I feel confident that I will be able to successfully write nursing essays when the time comes. I am glad to have learned so much and shared stories, thoughts, memories and opinions with my fellow classmates.  I wish everyone well and good luck with continued studies!!!!!

Modest Proposal

There are many things in the United States that are affecting our nation tremendously and we are not finding solutions throughout the government or the people.  For example, poverty, hunger, overpopulation, moral conflicts such as abortion, prostitution. Also, other things that plague our nation are health care reform, illegal immigration, jobs, wages, domestic violence, terrorists, unemployment, crime, drugs, and homelessness.  This is a long list of areas in our society that need attention brought upon them and ways to help slow the problems and various solutions. However, since there are so many social and economic issues, the rate of change will take time and we as the people need to make sure that we are doing the best we can to help with some of these problems such donating food to the local food shelf, adopting a family for Christmas anonymous, and donating to homeless shelters and the women's shelter.....a little bit can go a long way!

Thanksgiving and What I am Thankful for

I really enjoy this time of year. I love watching the seasons change, the beautiful fall colors, pumpkin patches, and the first crisp, cool fall air. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I enjoy getting together with my family and making precious memories. One of my favorite things about thanksgiving is the joy of being able to give to the less fortunate. I like to take my children to help serve thanksgiving dinner to the less fortunate. They love to make napkins that look like turkeys! It feels great seeing how proud they are when the help someone.

This year, I am thankful for my family and great friends. I have a wonderful support system and enjoy being around all my family and friends. I am thankful for all the blessings in my life, good health, happiness, great family, amazing children, wonderful husband, and a well rounded life.

Happy thanksgiving to all!

"The Value of a College Degree"

After reading, "The Value of a College Degree" by Katherine Porter, it shows me how important a college degree is. I think that a college education is important not only financially but also shows children that life with an education is much easier than life without an education. I want my children to know that although higher education may be tough at times that it is going to be worth it in the end. Even though, attending college is costly, many of the jobs obtained by college graduates will pay enough for the students to pay off their debt and still live comfortably. Also, getting a job today is much more competitive now than in the past, so a college degree will give many applicants an advantage. I believe that college graduates have more opportunities than non-graduates. They will most likely earn more money and have a more comfortable life. Isn't that what we all want? To live a comfortable life, have a good career, money in the bank, own a home and provide security for our children. Therefore, I believe that an education is necessary to obtain these things.

Fallacies

There are so many fallacies in our lives and we have all heard them and/or used them before. My son uses the one "but all my friends...." whenever he wants something or wants to do something. His latest thing is that all his friends have a Nintendo DS and bring them on the school bus, use them at recess, and bring them on school field trips. He has been begging for one for months and we just keep saying no and explaining to him that just because all his friends have something does not mean that he needs one too. Now, that is getting closer to the Christmas season, I am trying to teach my kids about the spirit of giving. We have been going through all of the toys and clothes and seeing which ones are in good enough shape to give to another child that does not have as many toys. We have already gathered one box of toys and clothes. I think that showing my children that we may not have everything we WANT but we do have the things we need, when they are families in our community that do not have the things they need. I just want my children to understand that we need help out when we are able.

The Glass Castle

I enjoyed reading the Glass Castle, it was very well written and had such great details and memories. It affected me so much because my mother was an alcoholic through most of my childhood. She has been in recovery for 5 years and doing great. However, she was a stay at home mom, which gave her more free time to drink, so my siblings and I took care of one another. We all stepped up and took turns caring for the younger siblings, made sure we all finished our homework, got to school on time and to our after school functions, such as sports.  I feel that if we didn't have each other we would have suffered so much more. My life with my alcoholic mother wasn't as bad as Jeannette's. We moved a few times but mostly stayed in the same location. My dad owned his own business and made sure we had everything we needed but he just couldn't get my mother to get the help she needed. She finally got help when my dad filed for divorce, it took her to hit rock bottom before realizing that she had a problem.  She was never physically abusive but was very emotionally and mentally abusive, which sometimes I feel like it is worse. You can see bruises go away but sometimes cannot forget the hurtful words someone you love has said to you. I am very proud of my mother for making the positive changes that she has, although it cost her marriage and finacial stability. But you live and you learn. The Glass Castle helps put in perspective that children of alcoholics can overcome the stereotype of repeating the same addictive behaviors and contribute to society just as any other person can. It was an amazing story of survival, resilience and love.

Body Images

After reading the poem, Barbie Doll, I was shocked.  I couldn't but help to think about my 14 year old sister and the impact body image has on her life. I am an adult and body image has drastically affected my life, I have looked at a magazine and seen a fit superstar and wanted to look just like her. I can't imagine the pressure put on teenagers to look like models. The media has put a negative spin on body image by showing young girls that their body should look like a model's body or even like Barbie. Negative thoughts on body image can lead to eating disorders, body distortion and depression. I think that we need to put a positive outlook on all body types and instill in our children that it matters more about what is on the inside rather than on the outside. However, I do think that we all need to teach our children about healthy eating habits and exercise moderately. There is a difference between wanting to look like a superstar and being healthy. A healthy lifestyle can help our children make better choices, avoid certain diseases and live a longer, happier life.