tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53017312939193188832024-03-07T03:49:40.756-05:00BacktoSchoolat25Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-79703376149747158002007-05-13T13:34:00.000-05:002007-05-13T13:35:30.517-05:00Course Evaluation Graf #15Course Evaluation<br /><br />Part 1:<br /><br />I had no idea what to expect when I signed up for college composition in January. I remember when I first read over the course syllabus and the course assignments how overwhelmed I felt. I thought how the heck am I going to get through this. When I was in junior high and high school, I always disliked English because I felt I wasn’t a good writer. When I read other classmates’ work, I felt incompetent compared to them. I can say with a big smile on my face that after this semester, I no longer feel that way. I strongly believe it is because I was able to write papers that were true to me and about me. I didn’t have to write about things that don’t interest me and I believe that was a huge help in showing my writing capabilities. As far as the course as a whole, I thought it was a great class. I know what I have learned from this class I will carry on to other classes as well as my every day life. Thank you for putting a whole new spin on they way I feel about writing…I’m truly grateful.<br /><br />Part 2:<br /><br />I liked writing the different grafs. A person, a special object, being unique, those were the assignments I enjoyed writing the most. It made me think about the past and all that has happened in my life to make me who I am today.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-8013023590709333002007-05-05T10:16:00.001-05:002007-05-05T10:16:35.596-05:00Freestyle Week 15To my Grampie, the sweetest, caring, loving, best man anyone could ever ask for:<br />It’s been almost seven months since you left us. I wonder if you are watching over seeing me go back to school, making something of myself, trying to be a better person while I am still here. I wonder if you are watching over mom in Texas keeping her safe from harm. I wonder if you see Grammie, seeing how sad and lonely she is without you and how it hurts my heart every time I visit with her, listening to her pain of losing you. I pray that I see you again someday. I hope you know just how much we all love you and think about you. We all miss you terribly, but we know that you are in a better place. You are no longer suffering. I love you Grampie and until we meet again, always know that you have a very special place in my heart, always and forever. Your little Sally.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-60464519603937324312007-05-05T09:40:00.000-05:002007-05-05T09:41:07.709-05:00effect essay take 2It seems like just yesterday when I was thirteen years old when my father and stepmother sat me down to tell me my father was going in to have open heart surgery. They didn’t explain a lot to me regarding the surgery however; they did explain that I would be staying with my aunt and uncle for the week while they were in Portland for the surgery. They then explained to me how when my father returned home, he would be in severe pain, out of work for at least three months, and due to the severity of the surgery if anyone were to catch a cold, flu, or worse we would not be able to enter the house for fear my father would get an infection. Looking back on it now, I thank God that the surgery went well and my father is healthy. I never realized that he could have been disabled or could have possibly past away if there would have been complications in surgery or when he came home. <br /><br />I remember the day my father went into surgery. I had school and I wasn’t able to concentrate due to the fact of the unknown. It was a lot for my little thirteen year old brain to comprehend. I was so nervous and scared that there was a chance my father wouldn’t be ok. The doctor had a lot of hope for the outcome of the surgery. He gave my father and our family great odds that all would go well. I remember running up to my Aunt’s house when I got off the bus after school that day just hoping that there would be good news when I walked in the door. It was a big relief to hear my step mom’s voice telling me everything went well and my father was resting comfortably. After hearing those words and the comfort of my step mom’s voice, I felt a wave of relief come over me and all I could do was cry.<br /><br />With open-heart surgery, the doctor was concerned that there could have been a possibility of my father coming home disabled. Since my father had only one valve working at the time, the doctor’s were a little unsure as to what else they may find once they opened him up. They knew however, it was crucial for them to get two pig valves in place in order for my father to survive another year. Had he came home disabled; the court may have ordered me to live with my mother, since he may have been deemed “incompetent”. <br /><br />The thought of my father passing away is too great to bear. I get very upset at even the thought of it still since my father is my best friend. My father and step mom never spoke a word to me that this could have occurred, but without a word spoken we all knew that there was a chance with such a rigorous surgery. The only thing we could do was pray that all went well once the doctor’s preceded. Of course, the outcome of him passing away from him not having surgery was a greater threat. <br /><br />Twelve years later the pig valve’s they put in my father are still doing their job and I’m still able to put gray hairs on my father’s head. He goes every year for a checkup to make sure everything is going well and although the three months recovery he had was lengthy, tough and agonizing for everyone, we all know in the back of our minds that with no surgery he would not be here today.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-56403592381600415072007-05-01T17:01:00.001-05:002007-05-01T17:01:56.902-05:00Freestyle Week #14It was Friday at 12pm and I was headed out the door to go grab a bite to eat for lunch when my phone rang. It was my step mom. She told me that she was experiencing numbness in her arms, heavy chest pain, and dizziness. Needless to say, I went over and picked her up from work and headed to the hospital instead of grabbing the bite to eat. Once we arrived to the hospital, they hooked up the EKG to see what was going on because automatically everyone thought she could be having a heart attack. The EKG was normal but they gave her a sprit of nitro hoping it would ease her chest pain, but unfortunately it dropped her blood pressure to 80/40, so then they had to give her medicine to reverse that action. All night they ran lab work, x-rays, as well as a stress test. They were trying to figure it out, they thought she may have a blood clot but they were unsuccessful in their findings. Finally, they deemed her to be anemic. With the wedding just eight short weeks away that was not how we needed to spend our Friday night. However, I’m very thankful that everything was ok and she wasn’t experiencing a heart attack.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-21004587462431526962007-05-01T16:29:00.000-05:002007-05-01T16:30:08.439-05:00Effect Essay #6It seems like just yesterday when I was thirteen years old when my father and stepmother sat me down to tell me my father was going in to have open heart surgery. They didn’t explain a lot to me regarding the surgery however, they did explain that I would be staying with my aunt and uncle for the week while they were in Portland for the surgery. They then explained to me how when my father returned home, he would be in severe pain, out of work for at least three months, and due to the severity of the surgery if anyone were to catch a cold, flu, or worse we would not be able to enter the house for fear my father would get an infection. Looking back on it now, I thank God that the surgery went well and my father is healthy. I never realized that he could have been disabled or could have possibly past away if there would have been complications in surgery or when he came home. <br /><br />The doctor had a lot of hope for the outcome of the surgery. He gave my father great odds that all would go well. I remember being in school the day of his surgery and not being able to concentrate. I couldn’t wait to get home to my Aunts to hear how the surgery went. It was a big relief to hear my step mom’s voice telling me everything went well and my father was resting comfortably.<br /><br />With open heart surgery, the doctor was concerned that there could have been a possibility of my father coming home disabled. Since my father had only one valve working at the time, the doctor’s were a little unsure as to what else they may find once they opened him up. They knew however, it was crucial for them to get two pig valves in place in order for my father to survive another year. Had he came home disabled; the court may have ordered me to live with my mother, since he may have been deemed “incompetent”. <br /><br />The thought of my father passing away is too great to bear. I get very upset at even the thought of it still since my father is my best friend. My father and step mom never spoke a word to me that this could have occurred, but without a word spoken we all knew that there was a chance with such a rigorous surgery. The only thing we could do was pray that all went well once the doctor’s proceeded. Of course, the outcome of him passing away from him not having surgery was a greater threat. <br /><br />Twelve years later the pig valve’s they put in my father are still doing their job and I’m still able to put gray hairs on my father’s head. He goes every year for a checkup to make sure everything is going well and although the three months recovery he had was lengthy, tough and agonizing for everyone, we all know in the back of our minds that with no surgery he would not be here today.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-74379517705609859362007-04-24T16:46:00.001-05:002007-04-24T16:46:56.440-05:00Freestyle Week #13I often wonder what it would be like to be an English teacher. Reading all of the assignments, wondering what goes on inside a students head. Where do they come up with some of this material? You have some students who thinks life is a bed of roses ‘cause mommy and daddy have paved their way and you have other students who have grown up in an abusive home and have so much hostility inside that they are ready to explode at the next person who looks at them wrong. This makes you wonder if you should notify authorities or at least it would me if I were an English teacher. That brings me to the shootings that occurred last week at Virginia Tech, you just never know and that is scary. One part of me is happy to live in Bangor, Maine where not a lot of violence occurs but another part of me wonders what lurks around the corner.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-19571327160475289952007-04-16T06:15:00.001-05:002007-04-16T06:16:00.129-05:00Freestyle Week #12I’ve never flown before for fear of the unknown and I have been scared of water ever since I was five when my best friend drowned. Next March, March 29th, 2008, to be exact, I will be flying to Miami, Florida and getting on to a cruise ship, the Carnival Victory, for seven days. We booked it officially on Friday night. I have never been so scared and so excited all at the same time. I know that the experience will be amazing and if it so happens that something goes terribly wrong than I know in my heart that God has better plans for me. There are four of us going on this trip. My roommate and I will be sharing a room. We opted for a balcony room so that we can have the door open and get some fresh air. The other couple going with us also opted for a balcony room. It’s a little more expensive than the room with a window only, but that window doesn’t open and I would rather pay the extra money and have the fresh air. The ship will be stopping at three ports, San Juan, St Thomas, and St Marteen. I’m looking forward to visiting all three ports and experiencing the different cultures. I have not traveled out of the country so I’m sure it will be quite the experience for me. I’m also looking forward to the few “fun at sea” days that we will have on the ship. There are casinos, a spa, clubs, pools, waterslides, a gym, and so much more to explore. I’ve heard that in order to reserve a chair by one of the many pools you need to get up early and have a book or sandal in a chair in order to get one. They say they fill up fast, so I have a plan since lying out in the sun is definitely on my list to do! I will be packing a pair of cheap flip-flops that will be for “chair reserving” only and when I get up in the morning to go get a cup of coffee, I will be going to reserve my chair as well! At least I have this to look forward to and think about as I sit watching the television today and they are talking about all the fun weather headed our way tonight into tomorrow. I guess wearing sandals will be out of the equation for tomorrow.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-28610755565083180612007-04-12T12:49:00.000-05:002007-04-12T12:50:05.586-05:00Example Essay #5Why must I make sure everything in the house is perfectly positioned and not out of place before I leave for work in the morning? Why do I get my nails done every other week to make certain they keep looking presentable? Why is it that my clothes are to be ironed even on the weekend when I might not even leave the house? I blame these crazy obsessive-compulsive habits on my mother. <br /><br />When I was growing up my mother was a fanatic about the house looking acceptable whether we were having company or not. Vacuuming was done every day, she dusted weekly, bathroom was cleaned daily and if I was going to play with a toy it was to be cleaned with lysol before I could play with it for fear I may catch a germ. She even went, as far as if I went outside I was to only play on the pavement so I wouldn’t get dirty. Now, living in my own house, dusting is done weekly, vacuuming is done weekly, bathroom is cleaned weekly and I freak out even if a picture frame is out of place. I can’t even leave a dirty dish in the sink. They are washed every morning and every night.<br /><br />At night, I remember my dad, my mom, and I all would watch the Crosby show together from 7-730pm. Between commercials, I remember my mother would be giving her self a pedicure or manicure depending upon what night of the week it was. She usually gave her self a pedicure on Tuesday nights and a manicure on Thursday nights. I always wanted her to paint my nails and toes so I could be just like her. Now, once every two weeks I go have my nails professionally done and once a month have my toes professionally done. That way they always look perfect just the way my mom used to do them for me. I love to pamper myself and other than getting my hair cut and highlighted once every four weeks, it’s the only other thing I do to feel good about myself. I guess I never outgrew the love of having my nails and toes painted by someone else.<br /><br />As a child I can remember my mom had my clothes laid out for me when I got out of the shower in the morning. Stretch leggings were the in thing back in the late 80’s paired with slouch socks and an oversized tee. Mom always made sure I had the best clothes and always looked presentable whether I was going to school or just outside to play. Today, the same rule applies. Even if I’m going outside to do yard work, my clothes match. If I wear my blue nike wind pants than its usually paired with my white nike t-shirt with the blue swish or if its hot than I will wear my white nike shorts that have the blue stripe down the side paired with my blue nike shirt. <br /><br />As I sit here reminiscing about what it was like growing up with my obsessive-complusive mother, I realize that I have grown up to be just like her and it isn’t a bad thing. Just because my mother and I like things neat and presentable doesn’t make us bad girls. Looking at my mother now and seeing what she has accomplished in her life by becoming an RN and seeing how she has complete control with her life and her future can only mean that being like her gives me an opportunity to have complete control of my life and what happens with my future.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-46848093404195409042007-04-12T12:24:00.001-05:002007-04-12T12:24:53.004-05:00Process Essay #4 - Take 2I have often sat back and wondered what makes me have a good day and what makes me have a bad day whether I’m at work, school, or home. I’ve been giving it a great deal of thought lately as I have observed myself have some negative behavior and thoughts. I understand that trying to stay positive and eliminate any bad thoughts is the first step to trying to have a better day. At least that is the process I have been trying to practice.<br /><br />When I awake in the morning, I stretch and I thank God that He has blessed me with another day. I always make sure to tell myself “it’s a great day to be alive”. Most of my thinking whether good or bad comes first thing in the morning while I’m exercising and then when I’m taking a shower. Most of the time any negative thoughts I would have this early in the morning would be the fact that I hate getting ready for work, applying make-up, doing my hair, it always seems to be such a process. Like the other day, I knocked the blowdryer off the bathroom counter and right into the toilet. That’s just my luck. At times like these, I’m always sure to put my life into perspective, to focus on the positive in my life and to be thankful for my family and friends and that I have a job to go to..some people don’t. <br /><br />At work, my position in accounting can be very stressful at times, especially at end of month. I fight any negative thoughts and try not to dwell on the bad, like its month end and my desk looks like bomb went off from all the general ledger accounts and statements. It is times like these I try to make sure everyone including myself tries to stay up beat and enthusiastic. I like to send out funny or joke emails to try to make them laugh. I also try to smile a lot, more than normal, hoping it will rub off. I try to be optimistic and help in any way I can to those that may be more apt to dwell in the negativity of thinking “this place is the pits” because they are so bogged down with paperwork. Anytime I feel like I am headed down the road of negativity, I sing myself a happy tune, usually it’s the song I last heard on the radio that morning when I was driving to work, I just hope that’s it’s a good up beat country tune not one of those down in the dumps ‘cause the wife left and I shot the dog tune. I also keep in perspective that the obstacles I face now are just stepping-stones to my future in accounting and life.<br /><br />School is a new concept to me. Although I enjoy my classes, I can still feel the stress from time to time from deadlines of homework. Working full time has a big part of that stress factor. If I only had known what I know now I would have definitely gone to college directly after graduating from high school. Then I could have switched the roles; gone to school full-time and worked part-time. In order to stay up beat and positive I do not dwell in the past, regretting not taking full advantage of living at home with parents and continuing my education, instead I focus on my future and the goals I have set for myself. I believe having goals for myself has given me a sense of personal power that in itself has given me strength and great positive energy that I will continue to gain from for years to come.<br /><br />Life isn’t perfect for me or for anyone so when things look grim for me I have a success file that I pull out and praise myself to try and better my spirits. I also listen to my body. If I’m feeling stress from the pressure of work, school or personal issues, I take time out for myself. I take a long walk outside or if it’s in the dead of winter I take a nice hot bath to ease my mind. I also believe that making the right decisions in what I eat and drink to keep my mind and body healthy has a strong role in keeping a positive attitude. Although I must say having a big 22 oz. beer and bowl of popcorn usually cures any ailments I may be having. If all else fails I go to bed, tomorrow will be a better day.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-84406653119908914862007-04-09T06:09:00.001-05:002007-04-09T06:09:59.160-05:00Freestyle Week #11Saturday April 7th, 2007 – 830am<br />Man, am I ready for the sun and warm weather. Don’t get me wrong, I love living in Maine. I love all four seasons and I certainly wouldn’t have minded the 12 inches of snow we got this week if it was the middle of January so I could go snowmobile. But it’s April. Its time for sandals and capris, not winter jackets and snow boots! The weatherman also said there maybe more snow next week. I am blaming this crazy weather for my grumpy attitude. I think I need a me day. I am going to go tan, to try to shed some light on this gloomy outlook I have and I think a pedicure and manicure is also in my future for today. I have to try something otherwise no one is going to want to be around me if I keep this attitude up. I’m being a royal bitch. Oh yeah, and I also foresee some drinks in my future tonight. That will certainly help any aliments I have.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-82992150513810555412007-03-29T12:41:00.001-05:002007-03-29T12:41:45.526-05:00Process Essay #4Have you ever sat back and wondered what makes you have a good day or bad day whether you are at work, school, or home? Well, I’ve been giving it a great deal of thought lately, as I have observed some negative and positive behavior from myself and from my colleagues at work and school. I believe the difference between a good day and a bad day stems from having a positive attitude and to eliminate any bad thoughts. At least that is how the process works for me. <br /><br />When I awake in the morning, I stretch and I thank God that He has blessed me with another day. I always make sure to tell myself “it’s a great day to be alive”. Most of my thinking whether good or bad comes first thing in the morning while I’m exercising and then when I’m taking a shower. I’m always sure to put my life into perspective, to focus on the positive in my life and to be thankful. I fight any negative thoughts and try not to dwell on the bad. Although at times this can be very difficult it seems to work well for me. <br /><br />At work, my position in accounting can be very stressful at times, especially at end of month. It seems like no one is in a good mood from all the dead lines we face. At times like these I try to make sure everyone including myself tries to stay up beat and enthusiastic. I smile a lot, more than normal, hoping it will rub off. I try to be perky and optimistic and help in any way I can to those that may be more apt to dwell in the negativity of thinking “this place is the pits”. Anytime I feel like I am headed down the road of negativity I sing myself a happy tune and think the obstacles I face are just stepping-stones to my future in accounting and life.<br /><br />School is a new concept to me. Although I enjoy my classes, I can still feel the stress from time to time from deadlines of homework. Working full time has a big part of that stress factor. If I only had known what I know now I would have definitely gone to college directly after graduating from high school. Then I could have switched the roles; gone to school full-time and worked part-time. In order to stay up beat and positive I do not dwell in the past I focus on my future and the goals I have set for myself. I believe having goals for myself has given me a sense of personal power that in itself has given me strength and great positive energy that I will continue to gain from for years to come.<br /><br />Life isn’t perfect for me or for anyone so when things look grim for me I have a success file that I pull out and praise myself to try and better my spirits. I also listen to my body. If I’m feeling stress from the pressure of work, school or personal issues, I take time out for myself. I take a long walk outside or if it’s in the dead of winter I take a nice hot bath to ease my mind. I also believe that making the right decisions in what I eat and drink to keep my mind and body healthy has a strong role in keeping a positive attitude. Although I must say having a big 22 oz. beer and bowl of popcorn usually cures any ailments I may be having. If all else fails I go to bed, tomorrow will be a better day.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-10565755506453719782007-03-27T16:49:00.001-05:002007-03-27T16:49:55.359-05:00Freestyle Week #10Have you ever noticed that there isn’t enough time in the day to get everything accomplished you wish you could? My grandmother once told me when I was young to enjoy life because the older you get the faster life seems to go. She wasn’t kidding. I feel like the last few months have been a complete whirlwind and everything I wish I had time for I don’t. And at this point I have no idea even what I would like to do even if I did have time. I guess I’m just in a weird mood today. Maybe I need a vacation. It has been seven months since I’ve had any significant time off. Or maybe I just need to vent. It is a busy time at work, a girl is getting ready to have a baby and I will be filling in for her while she is out along with keeping my position so I will have my hands full in a few weeks so I’m a little nervous because I want to do a good job. I’m nervous about finals coming up…I know I know I shouldn’t even think about them right now, but I just really want to do a good job in school because I have certainly enjoyed myself thus far. I must say I’m very glad to have taken those “few” years off before going to college, I feel like I have more appreciation for it…or maybe it’s because I’m paying for it all myself. And then the wedding. That’s a whole other story in itself. I’ll give you a little bit of a hint as to how that’s going – we have printed the invitations twice – did I mention that there is over 200 guests and its only 3 ½ months away. This is my life in a nutshell.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-31033068255994306002007-03-23T12:59:00.000-05:002007-03-23T13:00:38.924-05:00Contrast Essay #3It is amazing to me how two people who love each other so much, enjoys each other’s company, and can’t imagine life without one another could be so different. As I peek through the window I see my father and grandfather sitting in the garage talking about who knows what. As I watch them drink their coffee, laughing and puffing away on cigarettes, I think about how much I love the two of them and how they have always been there for me. I find it hard to believe that two men with the same genes can be so different when it comes to their likes of women, their personalities and their attitudes.<br /><br />My father has a controlling type of manner. He likes to take charge of any situation he is in. Whether it’s a project around the house, at work, or if someone needs a lending hand. Maybe his aggressive attitude comes from working for the State for the last 18 years and having to deal with the public calling in and griping that their road isn’t plowed good enough or the potholes are damaging their $100,000 vehicle. When it comes to my grandfather, he has a very mild tempo about him. Maybe because he is 72 years old and has lived a life of working hard as a truck driver so he appreciates someone else stepping in and taking charge while he sits back and observes. And if need be he is more than willing to jump in and help.<br /><br />Both my grandfather and father enjoy telling stories especially around the campfire. My father however, tends to need to be the center of attention when there is a crowd of people. If he feels he isn’t being heard, he will end up in your face or giving you a poke to make sure you are paying attention to him. My grandfather on the other hand enjoys being heard but if no one is listening he will just keep on talking and not give a rip. He figures at some point someone will stop and give him a few minutes of their time. As long as you keep the fire going and the packs of smokes beside him he’s happier than a pig in shit.<br /><br />My grandfather likes a woman who takes charge, who takes care of him, and most importantly feeds him. Maybe that’s the reason he has been married to my grandmother for 50 years. She cooks, cleans, and takes care of everything. He only has to be concerned with taking his naps and watching his favorite history channel shows. Then there’s dad. My father used to think he needed a woman who was passive, who wouldn’t care if he was out in the garage for hours and who would put up with his controlling manner. When you meet my step mom she comes across as being a shy, quiet woman that would put up with being told what to do. She has a heart of gold and anyone who meets her falls in love with her. My father quickly found out that she has her own ideas and opinions and she has given my dad a run for his money but he can’t imagine his life without her. He has figured out that a relationship is about two people and he can no longer be selfish.<br /><br />As I get ready to go through the garage door to visit with my grandfather and my father, I thank God that they are in my life. They may be as different as night and day but I have a little piece of both of them in me and for that I’m grateful. They are both wonderful men with two different views in life, which has given me a life full of diversity and love. Without them, without their thoughts, feelings, advice and love, I would be nothing.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-52309638907733050172007-03-21T06:13:00.001-05:002007-03-21T06:13:26.817-05:00Freestyle Week #9I took your advice and clicked on the website <a href="http://www.hep.uiuc.edu/home/g-gollin/diploma_mills.pdf">http://www.hep.uiuc.edu/home/g-gollin/diploma_mills.pdf</a>. WOW, is all I can say. I guess I never thought about people designing “fake” websites. The information provided about these so-called websites I found to be very interesting. I can’t believe they didn’t think they would get caught. Using information provided by other “real” colleges is surely one way of getting caught but then to use the same people, same graphics, and even the one that used the same President….HELLO?!?! Anyone home? I have to admit that their plan was ingenious and quite honestly who wouldn’t want to just click a button and have their PhD or Bachelor’s in Accounting! I certainly would love to but then what if you did do that then you wouldn’t be able to look back and have a clear conscience. Well, at least I couldn’t. I also wouldn’t be able to look back and know that I put hard work and dedication into my degree if I were to just click a button and have it within 10 days.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-46292928580168065782007-03-19T09:36:00.001-05:002007-03-19T09:36:26.901-05:00Intro Contrast Essay #2As I peek through the window, I see two men drinking their coffee, smoking cigarettes, who love each other unconditionally, spend hours together every day talking about anything, they are made of the same genes yet so different. I often dread the day that something happens to either one of them. They both are my rock in life. That’s why it amazes me that my father and my grandfather are poles apart when it comes their likes of women, their personalities and their attitudes.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-61046511856423457942007-03-19T09:35:00.001-05:002007-03-19T09:35:54.023-05:00Intro Contrast Essay #1It’s amazing how two people who love each other so much, enjoys each other’s company, and can’t imagine life without one another could be so different. My father and my grandfather can spend hours a day sitting in the garage talking about anything, drinking their coffee, and both puffing away on cigarettes but when it comes to their likes of women, their personalities and their attitudes they couldn’t be any further apart.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-21510140226345302682007-03-13T17:51:00.000-05:002007-03-13T17:52:16.136-05:00Freestyle Week #8When I went to high school they required you to take at least three years worth of math in order to graduate. They didn’t indicate that if someday you were planning on going to college that you should take algebra, because most colleges require you to have at least algebra 1 under your belt when entering. So, I decided to take the easy way out and took classes I was interested in….accounting classes. Well, here I am seven years later going back to college and they have you take an entrance exam to see where you should be placed. Yeah, that was interesting. There I was just staring at the darn computer for what felt like hours, looking at these math equations like: 2(x-y)+(3x+y). Right, like I’m going to know what the heck that’s supposed to mean. That doesn’t look like a credit or debit to me. So needless to say, I flunked the math portion. Now here I am and in order to graduate with a business management degree I need to take and pass intermediate algebra but before I can take that class I have to go through pre-algebra and algebra 1. But since the college is so gracious they offer a program called “plato.” Plato helps you learn pre-algebra and algebra 1. And the best part, it is FREE! So, off I go…three months later I finished the “plato” course and now its time to test to see if I can enter intermediate algebra. Which brings me up to yesterday. Monday. I went for my algebra test at 830am. I had worked so hard and I was feeling semi-confident for being completely self-taught. All I kept telling myself was I needed at least a 65 in order to get into intermediate algebra. I got a 63. What a kicker. After all the hard work I had put in to learning and being confident went down the drain. I was so upset when I had to go to the teacher and tell her I failed. On the brighter side; she could see how hard I had been working and she knew that I had already learned so much and I had the concept, she felt I would be just fine moving into intermediate algebra so she put a note on test sheet that gets sent to enrollment that said for me to be allowed to enter intermediate algebra. I thought that was awesome. I am so happy. I’ve already talked to my advisor and I will be taking intermediate algebra this summer!Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-39975958926144599702007-03-13T16:40:00.000-05:002007-03-13T16:41:21.389-05:00Contrast Essay Reaction Graf #14After reading the essays that have been submitted by other students it makes me wonder who I will write about. I liked that one wrote about the differences between her dad and brother and another wrote about the differences between the two mothers that have impacted his life in some capacity. Although I can not relate to the father and brother story, I have only a sister, I can however relate to the story with having two mothers. I enjoyed reading all of them. I think to some degree I have this inner desire to be a psychologist or sociologist maybe that’s why I enjoy reading about people and their life. Then I get to thinking about all the crazy people out there and decide an accounting degree is the way to go!Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-72175123006244770332007-03-12T12:19:00.001-05:002007-03-12T12:19:26.628-05:00Personal Research Graf #13Toyota. Chevrolet. Ford. Hyundai. Honda. So many makes, so many models. Where to begin? Do I choose automatic or standard? What color? Does it have air conditioning, a sunroof, automatic power locks and power windows? However, the most important questions of all are which one gets the best gas mileage and bang for my buck? All of these questions were what I was asking myself a year ago. I had a Jeep Liberty that was a nice sporty SUV that had all the bells and whistles anyone could ask for but the gas mileage was atrocious and was sucking my wallet dry. Jeeps are known for their awful gas mileage. I should have never bought it but I was young and stupid and you weren’t going to tell me any different. After researching on the Internet and driving through car lots, I had it narrowed down to a Toyota Corolla and Chevrolet Cobalt. I know what you are thinking, its quite the step down from the Jeep Liberty but Toyotas and Chevrolets are known for their excellent gas mileage and their vehicles reputation for being long-lasting and dependable are quite an attraction to someone like me who works full-time and is going to school. I need a vehicle that is reliable. After visiting a few dealerships in the surrounding areas to take these two particular vehicles for a test drive the only thing left to do was to see what each dealership would offer for my trade-in and see what kind of a deal they were going to give me on the new vehicle. They both rode identical; they were automatics, they included a sunroof, spoiler, air conditioning, power locks and power windows so it really came down to which dealership was willing to work with me. When the decision was made the Toyota Corolla won. It certainly isn’t my dream car that’s for sure but they were willing to work with me, they gave me what I wanted for my trade and gave me a great deal on the new car. Of course, I’d rather have a big ol’ truck but while I’m in school and trying to keep up on the bills and life in general this car fits the bill. And as far as Toyota’s dependability and gas mileage is concerned, so far so good.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-17616903053089260792007-03-09T07:19:00.000-05:002007-03-09T07:21:15.801-05:00Classification Essay #2Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, devoted to school, work, getting lunches packed, dinner ready and before I know it Saturday has arrived. As I sit listening to the morning news, having a cup of coffee, and reading the local weekend newspaper, it hits me. Just because it is Saturday there is no time to rest, the house has been neglected from being on the go all week long. Dusting, vacuuming, laundry, all those wonderful household chores, I think to myself what can I put off for another week, for a month and what could I put off forever? <br /><br />For the obsessive-compulsive side of me I feel as though no household chore can go undone. Dishes need to be done every day, maybe even multiple times a day, vacuuming and laundry is on the list for every week, as is dusting and cleaning the bathroom. Now, I do realize that people aren’t going to think I live like a pig just because there might be a glass, a fork, and a plate in the sink, or a piece of lint on the floor, or having a towel in the laundry basket, but to me its like looking at a sink full of dishes or a mound of dirt on the floor. It’s like a girl who is a size 2 looking in the mirror and seeing a girl who is a size 12. After looking down through the household chores I have decided dishes will stay on the every day to do list. Laundry will always be every week. What if I need that favorite top to wear with those shoes? Vacuuming could be put off for another week. There are only two of us living in this house so the floors really aren’t that bad, plus we rarely have company anyways. But the cleaning of the bathroom will stay on the every week list. Do you even realize how many germs are in a bathroom?!<br /><br />Since there are no children, no pets, and I have baseboard heat the dust particles don’t accumulate too quickly in the house. People have told me for years that I worry about the small stuff in life. No one is going to come over to the house with a white glove and run it along the top frame of the door just to see if I forgot to wipe that when I dusted. I blame my freakish-behavior on not wanting to get sick from germs, not from being obsessive-compulsive. Do you know that most dust-particles are made from dead skin? YUCK! As I take a gander throughout the house and since I just dusted last week, I don’t think a few more weeks will hurt if I move that down the list of things to do. But of course, it will be checked weekly just to make sure it isn’t getting out of control. If so, out comes the rag and polish!<br /><br />After contemplating about what I could put off for household chores forever I have come to the realization that it’s impossible. I can’t get away with not dusting or vacuuming or cleaning the floors or bathroom. Just think of the dust, mud, grime, mildew, and germs that would accumulate from not cleaning. Laundry is certainly a must. I can’t afford to wear a new outfit everyday. The only way I can figure that I can get away with not doing another household chore for the rest of my life is by playing the lottery and winning the millions in order to hire a maid.<br /><br />I wish that my obsessive-compulsive behavior would allow me not to be concerned with every dust particle that may be lying under every piece of furniture I own but I also don’t want to be classified as living in a pig sty. I realize that this is going to take years to overcome, but now that I have distinguished what I might be able to put off for a week, a month, or forever. I realize that my friends and family aren’t going to judge me for the way the house is or isn’t in order. I feel as though a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. So for all the women and men out there who feel like me with the household chores looming over their heads; put away those mops, dust rags, and brooms and get out there and enjoy life. Life is so short you have to take it all in while you still can otherwise before you know it; it will be over.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-29737736696446302882007-03-06T17:32:00.000-05:002007-03-06T17:33:18.369-05:00Outro - Classification EssayI wish that my obsessive-compulsive behavior would allow me not to be concerned with every dust particle that may be lying under every piece of furniture I own but I also don’t want to be classified as living in a pig sty. I realize that this is going to take years to overcome, but now that I have distinguished what I might be able to put off for a week, a month, or forever. I realize that my friends and family aren’t going to judge me for the way the house is or isn’t in order. I feel as though a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. So for all the women and men out there who feel like me with the household chores looming over their heads; put away those mops, dust rags, and brooms and get out there and enjoy life. Life is so short you have to take it all in while you still can otherwise before you know it; it will be over.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-44401942963051520052007-03-05T07:41:00.000-05:002007-03-05T07:42:02.090-05:00Reaction to Classification Essays Graf #12Boys, dirt roads, bugs, fish, quite the assortment of stories I must say. A few were attention grabbing and others I skimmed; they didn’t catch my complete attention because I’m not interested in bugs, fish, or boy-bashing girls. We all have faults and I don’t care to read about them. I did however get a few ideas but only after I took your advice and googled. I guess you really can google anything your heart desires. And I have a feeling that google and I are going to best friends by the time this English class is finished and now that I have found google I intend to use it for years to come. I believe it will be a great benefit for me while I attend college and beyond.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-24589400122137225592007-03-05T07:38:00.002-05:002007-03-05T07:39:01.382-05:00Intro Classification Essay #2School, work, homework, spending time with family, and watching my favorite television shows. Now does that sound like a schedule that has time for those dreaded household chores? I certainly don’t have the money to hire a maid, although I wish I did. Life could be so much easier. The dusting, the vacuuming, the laundry, the ironing, the dishes, clean the floors and bathroom. Does it ever end? I often wonder what chores I could put off for a week, for a month and what I could put off forever.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-78946845920773722392007-03-05T07:38:00.001-05:002007-03-05T07:38:25.995-05:00Intro Classification Essay #1Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, devoted to school, work, getting lunches packed, dinner ready and before I know it Saturday has arrived. As I sit listening to the morning news, having a cup of coffee, and reading the local weekend newspaper, it hits me. Just because it is Saturday there is no time to rest, the house has been neglected from being on the go all week long. Dusting, vacuuming, laundry, all those wonderful household chores, I think to myself what can I put off for a week, for a month and what could I put off forever?Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301731293919318883.post-44791193239263883282007-03-03T11:03:00.000-05:002007-03-03T11:04:36.853-05:00Freestyle Week #7This past summer there was talk of my dad marrying his long-time girlfriend of 13 years. I’ve always said my dad and step mom when referring to them so my first thought “was it is about time, dad”. A few weeks ago I had stayed at their house for a sleepover. I do that from time to time to reconnect with them ‘cause life can get so hectic at times. When I was getting ready for work that morning, Ellen, my step mom, was sitting on the edge of my bed and she said that she wanted to talk to me. So, I paused to look at her and asked her what was on her mind. She then asked me to be her maid of honor. I was absolutely delighted to think that out of all of her friends and the enormous family we have, she picked me! Of course, I immediately said yes. Then she started telling me what her and dad had been talking about. They are getting married June 23rd….of this year. Well that put me in a complete tailspin. We have to reserve the Church, the hall for the reception, the guest list, mail invitations, bridal shower, the list just keeps going….and then it came to me the best part of all…she will finally be my step mom officially! I am very happy for my dad and step mom. It has been a long time coming and my dad couldn’t ask for a better woman. She has to be in order to have put up with my dad and I for this long. I love them both with all my heart! Congratulations!Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10950615522100849735noreply@blogger.com1