The end of College Composition II

Well, this is the last unit of the course. Just when I feel I was starting to get to know all of you, it is over. It sucks, too. But, I am sure I will see some of you in future courses at Kaplan U. My next two courses are Diseases of the Human Body and Software Applications for the Healthcare Professional. Sounds scary to me. But, so did the math course I had to take, and I did really good. Anyway, I may continue this blog. I was reading in Women's Magazine, and article called From blah to blliss in 5 minutes, that starting a blog is a way to vent emotion. I totally agree. Even if no one reads it or comments, it gives me chance to say exaclty what I am feeling. Anyway, good luck to all of you. I hope to see you in future classes. : )

Kelly

Writing

I never felt that I was a horrible writer. Actually, I always thought that I was a pretty good writer and able to get my point across. I always did well in high school on reports and such. I just never had to do APA format. It throws off the enjoyment of being able to write and feel good about it. I mean, not worrying about plagiarism. I love to do research, because I am nosy. Not inquisitive, just down right nosy. If I hear of something that I never heard of before, I want to know all I can about it. Because I am nosy. I think too, that is why I am a good writer. Also, I LOVE to read. That helps with learning punctuation and different types of writing. Anyway, I am short on time and am exhausted. It has been a long couple of weeks.

Kelly

The Blog

I do not know how I feel about the blog in general. It is a cool way to get rid of some stress just by being able to vent some emotion. If no one wants to read them, it is just as well. I mean, I do not read everyone else's, I do not have the time. I do however, check my blog a couple times a week, just to see if anyone has commented. I do not know if I will continue this blog or not. If I do not continue, I still would like to wish everyone in College Comp II great success in their future endeavors at Kaplan U.

Kelly

Peer Reviews

How do I feel about peer reviews. I like feedback. I LOVE feedback. How else are you going to know if what you are doing is right or wrong?  However, I do not like when a person responds to EVERYONE like they are an expert. Give someone else a chance, huh? For example, in our unit this week, we are asked to find 2 peers that have not had a response to their rough draft, and repond. How are we supposed to do that when 1 person responds to everyone? Hello, pay attention to the instructions, thanks.

The Last Six Weeks...

What have the last six weeks been like?

Well... That is how I have to start because I do not know where to start. Within the last six weeks, I have regained custody of my 15 year old daughter, Megan. I have started a new term at Kaplaln University, College Composition II and Anatomy and Physiology II. I have also been to court for back child support, and was found in contempt. Meaning, I need to spend 25-30 hours a week trying to find work to pay my child support when my child now lives with me. To top matters off, I live in a very rural area with no bus service, and I do not have a vehicle. How would the judge like me to do this?

Well, my fiance's boss kind of took pity on me. He told me he would give me a vehicle as long as I was available to take his wife and three daughters wherever they needed to go. Well, this is a good thing. They are Amish, and they rely on a driver to go far distances. This is even better. I am allowed to use the vehicle for my own personal use, as long as I supply my own fuel. Great!! I love driving them. I love the children that I sometimes ferry back and forth to school because the Amish holidays are not the same as ours. I do not mind being on call for them. But, how do I find a job in the meantime that will not interfere with school and these wonderful women's schedule? I am in big trouble right now. The best I can do actually working a job, would be 2 nights a week. I will not work on a Sunday. WHO IN THE WORLD WOULD HIRE ME? So what am I to tell the judge when I go in there and  tell him, no I have not looked for work? Any ideas anyone? I am scared I am going to go to jail.

This has been my last six weeks......

Kelly

The Writing Process

What is my writing process? Well, usually waiting til the last minute. You know, the night before kind of thing. I am trying to change that, however. There are just too many points for the papers in my comp class, and I want a very good grade. I am trying to do a little research here and there when I am able.

 I usually like to do research, but I am not crazy about our library, and how the folders will only save your articles or information for that particular session. I wish the stuff could be saved in like, favorites. I have saved some stuff to my desktop and documents, but sometimes that always does not work.

Then there is the reference page! Yuck. If we did not have to use APA format, I would be like, yeah, this is pretty darn easy. But, alas, we have to..........

Anyway, back to my writing process. I do not usually use outlines. But the informal outline works good for me to ask myself questions to get over writer's block. Also, freewriting gets me going. It works like a kick starter for me.

Since we have to do a rough draft, I guess I will. Usually I just write the whole paper at once. Hasn't worked out too badly. I get great grades........

Kelly

Plagiarism

I do not know how any of the rest of you feel, but I will tell you how I feel about the subject of plagiarism.

First off, know that I am very opinionated. My veiws are very strong on some subjects.

Ok, I do not like to be lied to. That is my number one pet peeve. When you lie to me, it only lets me know that you think I am stupid and do not realize the truth. It is also insulting, because you think I am not worth the  truth. That hurts more than the lie.

If I have something, and you really WANT it or NEED it, please, please, ask me for it and I shall give it to you. DO NOT JUST TAKE IT. This is theft, and in a way, it is also a lie. It means you feel you can not ask me for what you want, even though you want it, and "pretend" to be my friend, or at the very least, an aquaintance. So, in my opinion, lies and theft are on the same parallel.

Plagiarism is a combination of both lying and theft. If someone steals the ideas and/or words, or the work of someone else, is this not theft? If someone says "Yes, this was MY idea", and that person is not being truthful about the idea being theirs, or if they know it was their idea along with someone else's idea, and not sharing the credit,  is this not a lie?

This is what plagiarism is all about. NOT SHARING THE CREDIT.

In my life, and all that I have been through, honesty and integrity mean more than anything. I would rather be dirt poor, with nothing to my name, than to be called a liar or a thief.

Kelly

The dreaded scientific research paper, arg.

I would like to do my paper on the effects on people's health that live near nuclear power plants. My only problem is finding what I need. I wanted some facts that living near nuclear power plants causes cancer in adults, and leukemia in children, that there were higher incidences of cancer overall. But, suprisingly, this does not seem to be the case. I am going to have to dig deeper. Or go the other way, saying that nuclear power plants and the radiation they emit does not cause a higher incidence of cancer. Any suggestions, anyone?? Feel free to comment. Because this is my final topic choice, and I AM SCARED.

Kelly

How do I feel about being an on-line student?

How do I feel about being an on-line student? Well, at first I was terrified. I think that this was natural after being out of school for 27 years. Plus I was not quite ready to go when my first term started in January. I did not even have my own computer!

After running all over the country-side, it seemed, to be able to do my seminars and everything, I got terribly sick. I ended up in the emergency room. Asthmatic bronchitis, upper respiratory infection, fever, the whole nine yards. Then I was too weak to do much of anything. I am thinking, "I am going to fail my first term!!" 

Well, then my step mother gave me a computer. Yay!

NOT. Where I live is very rural, and the local internet service provider cannot provide me with internet service because of not having enough ports on the telephone poles to hook me up. What? Huh? It was not cost effective for them to put up another port, so I could not be provided. What a ruckus.

My sister, who is everyone's hero, bought me a laptop, and helped me get wireless internet service so I could get my schooling done. I perservered, though. I did not get the best grades my first term, a B and a C+. But, hey, it is better than failing. My instructors were good with letting me make up work that was late, and said some points are better than none. Since the first term, and I am now in my fourth term, I have received all A's. Good for me! (I also have a very supportive fiance, who will not let me give up, and brought me flowers when I made the President's list. Awww.)

I like the on-line environment. I  like the anonymity and I also like working at my own pace. I tend to procrastinate, but I work well under pressure. I am a busy person with my family and my schooling, and I like my privacy. I do not need my phone ringing all the time, or my email filled with jabber that I do not have time to read. Do not take that personally anyone, I am just an introvert. I do like the DB and how much we learn from it, and I do like getting to know my fellow classmates. I am just not into close personal relationships with people outside of my family right now. I think Kaplan is a great institution, and so far, all the instructors have been super nice and understanding. My academic advisor is great too. She calls me back when I need something, or sends me an email. The finacial department is great too, if you can get through to them, LOL.

Kelly

There is a first time for everyhting, I guess!

Well, here I am, doing a web log (blog). I  have also created a web page, WOW! This is all so new to me. I am not exactly sure what happens next. I will wait to find out in seminar tonight. See you there, classmates, and Professor.

Kelly