Final Blog

Over the course of a semester, you can learn many things you didn't know before. Sometime people have no idea how to form a complete sentence without using some kind of slang term or commas in the wrong places. Having a blog can help you in a lot of ways.
Blogging is viewable to millions of people. Though most of them are reading just to read something, the class blog is what is there to help you. Your classmates can comment on what you are doing wrong in the writing process. They can tell you how to make a sentence sound better with some rearranging of words or they can tell you if something is relevant to the current topic you are discussing. When you have classmates that are unbiased to making you feel good about your writing, you can get some honest critique that is very beneficial.
Personally, I liked the blogging. Normally when you have a Myspace Web page or Facebook, people only read what you have to say when they are bored and don't necessarily comment unless they know you closely. When I did the class blog, I almost found it comforting knowing that someone was going to be reading what I had to say. I know it was probably forced reading, but it still meant someone was viewing it.
I didn't like the fact that I had trouble thinking of what to say when I knew that someone was going to be reading it. I didn't want to sound like I didn't know what I was talking about and I surely didn't want to say anything to spark a controversy or offend my classmates. Also, it's hard to write something that doesn't affect you personally without giving too much information about my personal life.
Blogging can surely help you, but it is an honest truth when someone comments on your writing. Be prepared to take some criticism, but know that it is constructive. I will miss knowing that people are reading my writing, but I think it also helped me improve my style. Next year in Composition II, I hope to prove it.

Week 9

The day I got laid off from my job was probably the worst day of my life. How was I going to support my family? How were we going to pay our bills? I hurried to find a solution to our crisis before thigns took another turn for the worse. My husband thought of a way out and told me, "Sandy, maybe you can always start that daycare you've always wanted to do." I thought about it and said, "Wow, maybe you're right! People always need a place for their children right? I would be perfect for that!" Later that night, I started planning.

Six months later down the road, my daycare opened it's doors. It was called Caring Hearts Daycare. The building we rented was about 5,000 square feet in size and had enough rooms for specific age groups to be seperated. The entrance way was painted in bright colors to lighten up the atmosphere. Most children are a little timid when their parents drop them off, and it would be nice for them to see big murals that can distract them from the fact that this is a daycare. When you walk in, there is a big room used for getting the children together to sing songs and eat. Down the hall there are about 5 different rooms with age groups ranging from 6 weeks to about 10 years old. My staff was very excited to start the day, and I was pretty excited myself.

Our first children came at about 8:00 a.m. There were 3 of them. The oldest was happy to see all of these different toys he has never seen before and immediately ran to play. The youngest was 4 months old and was handed off to her caregiver. The middle child had a little trouble letting go of mommy. We had to coax him with toys and crackers to distract him enough so his mommy could sneak out the door. After that, about 6 more children came.

I was in charge of keeping order of all the rooms, while my staff was seperated amongst them. It was a bit more noisy than I expected, but I loved the sound of children laughing and playing. I warms my heart to know that I provided a nurturing, fun, and comfortable environment for these children while their parents were at work or college. In the middle of the day all of the children came together in the great room to sing songs and dance. Even when they sing out of tune, they are better singers than Kelly Clarkson. Their smiles were as wide as rainbows and they all yelled, "Miss Sandy, Miss Sandy let's sing another song! Dance Miss Sandy!" I definetly got my workout for the day--or in my case the week. After the song and dance, we ate lunch and settled down for naptime.

I look over the children while they sleep so soundly, wondering what they are going to tell mommy and daddy about their day here. I like to think that they enojoy it and want to keep coming back again and again. The real home is with their parents, but hopefully in due time, this will be their home away from home.

When parents started rolling in to pick up their kids, I let them all know what they ate for the day, activities we did together, how they reacted during the day, and gave them papers reapeating everything i just told them. They thanked me for watching their children and they left. It was the first day, and I know I could do this for the rest of my life.

AGAIN!!!

The other day i couldn't make it to school because my son had me up half the night coughing. The weather change effects my children very much with their allergies. I was happy when the next day it started warming up because his symptoms subsided.
This morning I was changing my daughters diaper and noticed something disappointing. She has another absess. This MUST mean her MRSA has come back for a second round. I didn't like dealing with this the first time because she had to be isolated during certain things, she was on antibiotics, and it was painful for her to have them drained. I don't want to do this again, so I need to find out where this is coming from. She does have a habit of sticking things in her mouth which is a sure way to get it, but i would also hate for me or my husband to be the carriers. I'm praying she gets over it quickly:)

Week 8

The video on YouTube is extremely accurate, i believe. The digital world has taken over almost every aspect of communication we have. People always think back to the simpler times of pen and paper. and sme adults today have no idea how to even turn on a computer, let alone create an e-mail address.
It isn't always negative, because it can be very helpful. It became a way for people to connect easier. Someone can search for jobs online instead of having to brwose newspapers and drive around. Businesses can keep in touch with others at the same time with the same message through e-mail.
Sometimes it is apparent that the world relies too much on the interenet. When someone doesn't have access to a computer, many resources are cut off from them. Since everything is becoming digital, books and videos are becoming thing of the past, and a nuisance to some who don't want to do the extra work.
The Web has had many impacts on society. Though it helps, it also aids in making people lazy.

Is it really our business?

Every day there is something new on TV about a celebrity break-up, a mom having eight children at once, or what plastic surgery someone had. When people live high-profile lives, it is understandable that they are under the spotlight 24/7. Even if they weren't in the spotlight in the first place, big events change all that. Since when did Jennifer Aniston's or Lindsay Lohan's personal life become our business? Why is it okay to make assumptions about their lives with men, women, or what children they don't have but really want? Why does Nadya Suleman gets loads of criticism for having children when no one knew about it until now? I don't think it's right for us to judge them or believe that it is our right now know their business. They get attention because people are nosy. I read blogs and comments about that poor mother--who by the way has ENOUGH on her plate--about people who hate her for making babies and think she is doing it all for attention. If you don't want her to have attention, stop giving it to her! Leave them alone..would you want someone following you around and judging you?

Week 7- Cause and Effect

George stepped out of his home on a frigid January morning. There was an ice storm the night before which made trips today questionable. He knew he had to go into work anyway. Sliding down the sidewalk to his frozen car, he unlocked it and wrestled with the door to open. The frost made its way to the window of his gauges. He started the car one, two, three times before it finally turned over. He knew it would be a little bit before he was able to take off, so he drank his coffee and took a glance at the morning paper. It was so cold, he was shivering. He opened the paper to read the news and fumbled with his coffee. Trying to catch it and not spill it all over his pants, his arm hit the shifter and it put the car into a slow reverse.
Unfortunately, George's street was on a slant. He tried to press the brakes and regain control, but by that time his car was making its way down the small hill. He started blaring his horn and screaming out the window for unsuspecting bystanders to jump out of the way. He saw the road level off at the end of the street. The car gained more and more speed. There was an end in sight. As he hit the level road, his tires hit a couple of ramps that were used to change the oil on a car. George's car hit the ramps and put his back end in the air. The next thing he new there was a crash and then no motion.
He opened his eyes, which he had shut in anticipation, and realized he wasn't on the ground. When he opened the door, he about fell out when he saw he was on top of a car. He looked out the other window to see a student, shocked and amazed that he would be late to school. He could hear him on the phone already, explaining to his parents, "Mom, I don't think I am going to make it to class today--Mr. Hancock parked his car on top of mine."

So much to do.

At the beginning of the semester, I thought I always had so much extra time on my hands to finish my work. The homework was easy, and I always got it finished with extra time to spend with my kids. Lately as the semester kind of veers towards a close, so much work is piling on me, and I'm finding it hard for me to get my work finished in time, let alone have it done correctly. I signed up to be full-time during the summer semester so I can hopefully graduate on time. Now I am regretting my decision. I am already signed up and I know I can get out of the classes, but my financial aid is already determined also, so I don't want to make a huge deal out of it. I guess I just have to suck it up and utilize all of my free time...which is nap time between 1-3:30ish. :)

My kids

I have 3 children. Their names are Jaeda, who is 3, and Ethan & Jenelle, who are 19 months old. They really keep me going. Jaeda is in love with Dora, which means I have seen every episode and mini-movie she has made. Ethan and Jenelle tend to sway in that direction. Jenelle really loves Dora also, and has become one of her favorite words to repeat. Ethan likes the cartoon, but doesn't absolutely love Dora. He just likes to sing the tune. So even though they like the same thing, they are so different. I love every little thing about them.

Week 6 - The Wedding

I strayed away from reading for a long time. I started reading novels from Nicholas Sparkswho writes dramatic, fictional romances. I am a hopeless romantic, so a good love story is for me. I've read A Bend in the Road, Dear John, Nights in Rodanthe, and The Wedding. I didn't read The Notebook, but I did watch the movie. Out of all his work, The Wedding happened to be my favorite.

The Wedding is a novel by Nicholas Sparks. It was published in September 2003 by Warner Books. The story is a follow-up to his previous novel The Notebook. Noah and Allie, from The Notebook, have a daughter named Jane, who is one of the main characters of the book. William, Jane's husband and the main character, has realized that he has neglected his 30 year marriage to the point where he didn't know if Jane even loved him anymore. He forgot their anniversary, which crushed her. He vowed to make it up to her the next year, so he was trying to think of something extraordinary. He speaks with Jane's father Noah quite a bit asking or advice. Noah and Allie seemed to have had the fairytale marriage. He takes a few weeks vacation to make a surprise for her, but when he starts planning, his daughter, Anna, breaks the news that she wants to get married...in two weeks. This is the same time that Wilson wants to have this surprise. Jane is very excited to help their daughter plan her wedding, so the plans have changed...supposedly.

Everything seems to come together quickly for their Anna's wedding. They had the location, a caterer, someone to come and play for the reception, landscapers to fix the location, and all with very little effort. On the day of the wedding, Anna is upstairs getting ready with her dress and Jane is waiting for her to come. When Anna finally makes her appearance, she isn't wearing her wedding dress. They break the news that this isn't actually Anna's wedding. This is Jane's wedding, re-done. Wilson planned it for the entire year, trying to give her something she's always wanted; her dream wedding.

I know what you're thinking. "Why in the world would she give the ending?" There is so much more to the book than I can actually put into words. The story has them being married for 30 years, and they can still fall in love all over again. Romance doesn't have to die with the years. I would recommend Nicholas Sparks to anyone who loves a good love story. It isn't a strong type of love novel, like the one with naked people on the front of it, but one with a great story attached. He has made me love reading again. I plan on going soon to find another one of his books to read.

WEEK 5

Going to college is a big step in one's life. It can help you get more experience for life and career options. The only thing is that it is very different from the 13 years of school you have already completed. College costs money and puts a lot more emphasis on you being an adult. The process of college is a complicated one. With hard work, one can succeed with flying colors. With hardly any effort at all, someone can flunk out.
When you start your classes, the teacher will hand out a syllabus basically outlining everything you will be doing for that specific semester. Everything is very direct with how many classes you can miss to the policy on late assignments. Since the work is pretty much laid out for you, all you have to do is do it. Make sure you understand the work, because if you don't ask questions, the instructor will never know you're having problems. The problem will only get bigger until you find out you're failing the class. No one will make you feel stupid if you ask questions. You are taking these classes for a degree and you need to maintain a certain grade point average.
Make sure you are in all the classes, and show up on time. Instructors count off when you are late, and especially when you don't show up. If you are paying so much for schooling, you should at least go to the classes. Participate while in class. You will understand more when you are a part of the conversation.
Study hard for your tests. Just passing the test doesn't fly very well. It means you know something, but now at much as you're supposed to. How many people will hire a medical assistant who graduated with a C average, as compared to an A average?
All you have to do is go to school, pay attention to what you are doing, ask questions if you don't understand, and go at it whole hearted. These simple steps will help you succeed in college.

Free

My daughter had a birthday party this weekend.  She turned 3 years old.  It amazes me how time flies.  I see her everyday and I can actually watch her growing into a beautiful young lady who can talk and respond like...a little person! Haha, I know that all children are obviously smaller versions of adults, but it's very hard to think of your baby that way when you spent years changing their diapers and trying hard to help them sound out their words and laughing when they somehow butcher it into something hilarious.  My younger two are even worse.  They have very determined attitudes, and now claim things as 'mine'.  They scream when Dora comes on, along with my oldest.  It's definitely a rude awakening when your children can tell you exactly what they want instead of yelling and screaming for it.  I thank God everyday for his little miracles.

Week 4

I think the first advertisment is targeting younger girls, probably junior high to college students. Girls around these ages are usually into trends and having the good looking clothes. Also, they might want to resemble the models when they picture themselves in the clothes.

The sencond ad I believe also is targeting girls to women, maybe with a wider age range from 16-30. First of all it's a woman's scent. Second, a good perfume is always a good way to make an impression without saying anything. It makes them feel better about themselves to smell nice.

The third ad is targeting brides. Brides are always thinking that they need to look absolutely perfect on their wedding day, and almost always that includes losing a few pounds so they don't look like a snow beast in their dress. (That's the thought that I had!) Slim fast is sweet and will give them something good so they don't have to give up everything.

Free

I went to the store the other day with my brother. He ws describing how the IRS had screwed him over out of 1200 on his refund. It really was sad. The cashier at Wal-Mart overheard us and told us about her story how her ex-husband was trying to keep the entire refund they had filed together, leaving her with a mere $32. She said she had been crying all afternoon, figuring out how the handle the situation.
Last night i took my daughter to the hospital. She had a few absesses on her body and I had no idea what they were. I brought her to the ER, where they took cultures to test her for MRSA. A baby came in, and he wasn't breathing well. Within 10 minutes, they had him on oxygen. Within 15 mintues, they admitted him. the mother was crying for her sick baby.

The point is, you think you have it bad, but someone always has it worse than you. Count your blessings.

TV vs. reality

I have understood before that characters on a TV show can make you so happy, and it can brighten your entire day. How is it that someone fictional can have such an impact on a person? My daughter has a thing for Dora the Explorer. It seems that she can be such a terror that day, but when I turn on that cartoon, she completely turns around with a huge smile on her face. I believe that she really wants Dora to be her friend, and for example I can list about 50 items that she has that are related to Dora. Personally, my vice is Days of Our Lives. Sometimes when I talk about the show my friends and family have to remind me that it is only a show, and these people don't exist. But if I were walking down the street one day and see Allison Sweeney, I feel like I would call her Sami and ask what's going to happen tomorrow. I know it's a show and it's all scripted, but the way TV pulls people in to believe it's real is amazing. Everyone has a favorite, a show that they wish were taking place right down the street. What's yours?

Wk. 3 - Description

A loud signal makes you jump out of your seat. If you can't hear, the light will blind you if you stare into it. Though it carries no scent, it takes a certain scent of destruction to make it active. A small, simple device that can fit in the palm of your hand warns and saves lives. When it goes off, a dry taste of fear inhabits you, as you frantically rush to safety. What am I?

Revised memory

     This is always a wonderfully funny story to recall when my sister and I get together to reminisce on old times.  We would get bored very easily as children.  Trying new things to do was a norm for us.  One of these things to do was one-legged skating.

      My parents managed to get us two pairs of roller skates we had to share. We didn’t have enough money to get a pair for all four of us kids.  One of these pairs were green speed skates for my brother, and the other was a pink set for the girls.  Usually we would take turns skating around in the basement, seeing who could go the fastest and who could do the coolest tricks.  One of us would skate all the way across the floor and turn back without falling.  Sometimes we would jump over the cracks that were in the concrete.  One day my sister and I decided to do something different.  We both wanted to skate at the same time, so we thought we could both wear one skate.  My sister and I were both in dance classes, and we thought it might also be fun to make our own dance routine. I was happy.  My sister and I had a very normal sibling rivalry, so it was nice when we got along.  This could be very fun.

     "Here Sandy, I'll give you the left skate since you are left handed.  You might skate better on that foot," said Amanda.

     "You're probably right.  I will start from that corner and we can meet in the middle and spin," I told my sister.  Our plan seemed foolproof.  Now we just had to agree on the dance.  She was in jazz and tap, while I was in ballet.  They are two very different dance genres, so it was nonetheless interesting.

     We decided that the song should be 'Sugar, Sugar' by The Archies.  We both knew parts of it, and we had to sing it because we didn’t have it on tape.  We both put on our skates and stood at opposite ends of the basement.  

I started singing, "Sugar, do do do do do do, oh, honey honey," as my sister and I rolled across towards each other.  

"You are my candy girl, and you got me wanting you," sang my sister as we tried to manage twists and turns on one leg.  

“Sandy watch out! Hang on to me!” yelled my sister.

“No! You hang on to me, I’m going to fall!” I yelled back.

     The first attempt wasn't so great--we both landed flat on our behinds.  I guess it wasn't as foolproof as we thought. My coordination was a little off with her jazzy moves, but at least I was pretty good at balancing myself.  Maybe we needed a little more practice skating on one leg before trying to add tricks to it.  We tried again and again until finally we were able to balance and do at least a small turn without taking each other out. All the while, the same two lines seemed to repeat themselves as we only knew those two lines.  

     While we weren't talented singers, dancing was always so much fun.  It was one of those things we could do together and not be at each others' throats.  We would laugh so much that we would only wish the next time would be as amusing.  Since then, my sister and I always  tried to do things together that were fun and allowed us to be silly.    It is a wonderful childhood memory I have with my best friend, who just happens to be my sister.

Life before technology

     I remember being a kid, longing to run outside as soon as the sun came up.  I didn't feel the need to plop myself in front of the television or pick up my game controller.  It was exhilarating to get some fresh air.  To be locked indoors was a form of torture, and I could never understand the days when my mom told me to stay inside.  

     Life before all of the gadgets and video games was easy going and even healthier.  They say that children should play outside for at least one hour a day.  It gives them the benefit of exercise, lets them blow off some steam, improve their social skills, and sensory learning.  I have to admit, I am guilty by being a mother who told my child to stay indoors a few times.  Some parents let their own tiredness effect the decisions they make.  Once again, guilty.  More than ever I have personally been active by leaving the house with my children so they won't be stuck indoors all day.  Weather permitting, we go to the park or go on walks.  The statistics are upsetting, and I want to be on the good side of it. 

One-legged skating

     This is always a wonderfully funny story to recall when my sister and I get together to reminisce on old times.  We would get bored very easily as children.  Trying new things to do was a norm for us.  One of these things to do was one-legged skating.

      We didn't have much many when we were growing up.  But my parents managed to get us two pairs of roller skates.  One of these pairs were green speed skates for my brother, and the other was a pink set for us girls.  Usually we would take turns skating around in the basement, seeing who could go the fastest and who could do the coolest tricks.  One of us would skate all the way across the floor and turn back without falling.  Sometimes we would jump over the cracks that were in the concrete.  One day we decided to do something different.  We thought what if we could skate at the same time?  We could both wear one skate.  What if we made a routine to it?  I was happy.  My sister and I had a very normal sibling rivalry, so it was nice when we got along.  This could be very fun.

     "Here Sandy, I'll give you the left skate since you are left handed.  You might skate better on that foot," said Amanda.

     "You're probably right.  I will start from that corner and we can meet in the middle and spin," I told my sister.  Our plan seemed foolproof.  

     We decided that the song should be 'Sugar, Sugar' by The Archies.  I can't really recall why, but we both knew parts of it.  We both put on our skates and stood at opposite ends of the basement.  

I started singing, "Sugar, do do do do do do, oh, honey honey," as my sister and I rolled across towards each other.  

"You are my candy girl, and you got me wanting you," sang my sister as we tried to manage twists and turns on one leg.  The first attempt wasn't so great--we both landed flat on our behinds.  I guess it wasn't as foolproof as we thought.  Maybe we needed a little more practice skating on one leg before trying to add tricks to it.  We tried again and again until finally we were able to balance and do at least a small turn without taking each other out. All the while, the same two lines seemed to repeat themselves as we only knew those two lines.  

     While we weren't talented singers, we had a pretty good talent for skating, that is, on two feet.  It was one of those things we could do together and not be at each others' throats.  We would laugh so much that we would only wish the next time would be as amusing.  The skating would continue until our legs started cramping up or our parents called us to dinner.  It is a wonderful childhood memory I have with my best friend, who just happens to be my sister.

 

How I Got In Jail

     The first thing I felt was a cold sensation on my back. The next was a pounding headache. The bed was terribly uncomfortable. It was one of those cots you usually find at camp. I sat up thinking, 'I haven't ever been to camp. Where am I?' I looked around seeing nothing but gloomy walls and bars. Bars? 'Oh man,' I thought. I'm in jail.

     How in the world did I end up here? The last thing I remember from the night before was leaving to go pick up some diapers and getting a candy bar along the way. When I moved I could still hear the change moving in my pocket. I took out $11.63; just enough for a pack of Huggies. I also found my Hershey's with Almonds candy bar, now a puddle in my hand. "Hello!?" I yelled. "Someone please! I need to talk with somebody!!" An officer came around. "Good morning. Did you get enough sleep kleptomaniac?" Feeling very confused, I tried to plea with the officer to let me go. He told me over and over again that I had to wait for the judge to be available.

     I sat back down, losing my battle with the officer. Why would he call me a klepto? I have never stolen a thing in my life. All I did was go out for a pack of diapers. Trying to recall my night, I laid back down.  I felt something preventing my laying flat.  I pulled out of my pockets a wig, a rubber chicken, and a feather boa.  "Okay," I thought, "That's completely random."  Staring at them in disbelief, I disregarded them and laid back down.  I closed my eyes and tried to recall my night.

     I left my house, yelling back to my husband I would be back in a few. We didn't absolutely need diapers, but it was necessary to be stocked up. I loved going out by myself. It gave me a sense of fake freedom. One of these freedoms was to buy a candy bar and not have to share it.  I had already found my stashed candy bar in the glove compartment, but decided to wait until the ride home to indulge in it.  Walking from the car to the store, I remembered hearing yelling from teenagers.  After that, my mind went blank.  What had happened after that?    Just then, the guard started unlocking the cell.  "You're free to go Miss," said the guard.  "The real culprits have been captured."  

     Still a bit confused, I stood with the guard and told him I didn't remember much of last night.  I asked him to tell me what happened.  He told me to stay in the room and a detective would come speak with me.  My husband came in the room, just as confused as I was as to why I was arrested.  A detective came in and said, "I apologize for you having to spend the night in jail Mrs. Trejo.  I'll tell you why you did."

     "For about a month and a half, there has been a series on convenience store robberies.  Not really anything too expensive taken, but the mere thought of people going and taking random items whenever they felt like it caught our attention.  We have been trying to track these thieves ever since.  Last night we were very close to them.  They had robbed a random convenience store  and tripped the alarm.  You must have been on your way in because they collided with you.  We think you may have hit your head and got knocked out.  They tried to put the evidence on you so they put a few items in your pockets and scattered the rest around you.  They ran, and when we arrived you were there with all the items taken from the store.  Once again, we apologize for taking you in.  The girls who were doing the robbing were caught today and they confessed to last night also."  The detective got up from his seat and left the room.  

     I had a headache for the remainder of the day.  I never thought I would have gotten caught in a web like that!  The police force felt very badly for falsely arresting me.  They asked if there was anything they could do for me to make up for it.  I didn't want much, but I did ask for a few things.  The wig, the rubber chicken, and the feather boa served my children well, as well as the pack of Huggies diapers.