Right Song, Wrong Side

A few years ago I heard a sermon called "Right Song, Wrong Side. It was a message concerning the Israelites Moses led out of Egypt. They sang songs of worship and praise to God when they reached the other side of the Red Sea. I find myself still doing that today. I try to always be conscience of thanking God when I have a good outcome but tend to forget to thank HIM during the process. In Comp 2 there were some obstacles and concerns I thought I would not be able to overcome or understand. But at the end God saw me through and that, by and with the help of my professor, Dr. M and my very supportive classmates. Thank you all and I hope the words of the song of the attached video can inspire you a bit for your next classes or even in whatever you may be facing today or tomorrow. Lets sing the right song on every side. God bless you and continued success to you all.

The reason I can lift my hands.....

The reason I added the video song by Kurt Carr was because these past few weeks the fact that this class was coming to a close and our final project was due (how time flies) I found myself fretting and uneasy, which mostly happens to me towards the end of classes. Well I am a person who believes in the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ. And in my time of devotional I just asked my Lord that I was feeling down and uneasy. And I have experienced that God always answers a question given to Him. Sometimes it's a yes or sometimes it's a no, but He always answers. Well anyway... I like to listen to music while I'm on the computer and I don't always listen to "christian" music I must add. But nothing over the top either, more classic R&B, ballads, and some house music, that's what I grew up on. So it's been sometime since I've opened up youtube. I open youtube and I forgot I had made some playlists some time ago. While I'm doing this I have the paper for Comp 2 in front of me and I'm ready to re-do or fix my errors. When I open up when I click the playlist the first song is Lift Up Your Hands In The Sanctuary. The song struck me as God letting me know not to worry or concern myself so much in anything that it would take my joy or worship of Him away. And just knowing that gave me the reason to lift my hands and my voice to Him, the reason.

I'm thankful for what I've learned...........

With my paper almost done I can honestly say that I do feel nervous, accomplished, and tired if that can be possible. Nervous because that’s the usual feeling I’ve gotten at the end of each term/class since getting back to school. Accomplished because of the practices and lessons I have learned throughout this class. Tired because of the schedule juggling or time management skills that is needed to accomplish not being nervous, lol. I feel I have learned more about writing professionally and knowing and understanding the difference between an informative essay and a scientific research paper. With that said, my idea(s) of writing has changed. Haven taken Comp 1 I adjusted my mindset to be open to learning new methods in writing in Comp 2. Having better acceptance of having my writing reviewed by my peers was challenging but also allowed me to see the changes I needed to make not only in my paper but in my attitude. Allowing my peers’ comments direct me or assist me towards the direction in which my paper would amount to one with a professional quality to it, and not just a quantity of words, was helpful in my growth as an academic writer, which can and will improve as I move forward in school and the workforce.

Unbelievable

Another tragic story of teen suicide. For those who are writing about deppression I would like to lead you to the story of 15 year old Phoebe Prince of Massachusettes. She was being bullied over and over and over again by classmates or schoolmates in an unstoppable manner. The case is still being investigated but just hearing of such a thing outrages me. As a parent of two children I try to be fully involved in the lives of my children. Not to say that her parents were not but I try to look at lessons that can be learned through others adversities so that I don't suffer something like this. Its remarkable that no one, after such a long period of time this young child was being tormented, stood up and spoke on her behalf or allowed it to get to this point. I appeal to you who are parents to communicate with your children and be involved with all whom they come in contact with. This should never had happened and I can only feel sorry for her and her family. What type of torment and emotional abuse drive such a beautiful and aspiring young child to commit such and act. May she have found the peace she so sought after here on earth. God bless her soul and may He comfort her family during this sorrowful time.

The issues I’ve had throughout the process of writing this paper has been bringing everything together. It’s been like a puzzle. Getting the information, then organizing them. Bringing that information to match my outline, then working off of my outline. Making a draft and citing and referencing properly, so forth and so on. It has been a tedious road but I like to look at it like a puzzle or at least I’ve tried to, lol. I don’t want to look at it as a negative issue but as a positive, learning experience that I will be able to use and do when the time comes. I know that by following the tools and steps I’ll be able get this puzzle done.
I think the comments to my blog for the most part have been inspiring and supportive. I would have hoped to participate in it a bit more so I really can’t put a mark on those that did not post in my blog. I’ve noticed that blogging does give me an opportunity to “jot” down my thoughts and have others review my writing and thoughts even though they may not have known that that is what they were doing. My blogging days are still ahead of me and I hope to incorporate even more people to my blog as my school days move forward. I may not be on as often but I do want to continue my blog.

Peer Review and Feelings, nothing more than Feelings

When looking at a peer peer review I look at their review with an open mind toward their suggestions and corrections that could enhance my writing. I appreciate the insight and advice some may have from their previous writing experience. I would feel awkward if no one had critiqued my writing because I wouldn't know if what I wrote was good or inconsisitent, properly formatted or cited. In Comp I, I was jst as concerned as I am in Comp II but in and through the experience of the course I was fortunate enough for great feedback and direction from my peers and professor. This allowed me to revisit my paper and do some adjustments or edit my paper accordingly. My brief yet helpful experience with peers who have reviewed my writing was advantageous and effective which allowed me to produce a good paper and earn a very high grade for that class.

About time; and Thankful

Share what you have personally been dealing with the last six weeks. What I have been dealing with is time management. I know this is something that has to be tweaked continually. First, the days of seminar change from course to course and the basic routines have to change occasionally. I think I have made the proper adjustments when needed thanks to the support. Secondly, thank God for my wife who not only brings home the bacon but has patiently understood and supported my choice in going back to school. Having previously discussed our options before I actually enrolled in Kaplan, she has maintained her encouraging enthusiasm throughout this time. So for all of you who have that love and support or that inspiration that gives you the ability to continue going forward, I’d like to commend you and ask that you thank that person for their support, even if it’s in a small way. I’ll start by saying thank you to all of you who have extended themselves or have pulled me up or out of the doldrums or have taught me something educationally or of myself. I really am enjoying the experience and relationships I’ve come to have through this medium. Well maybe I have not enjoyed the “schoolwork” always (lol) but I know when all is said and done we will reap the benefits and so will our family and loved ones, of the sacrifice(s) we have made. Continued success to you all. (Can you see the finish line yet)? :o)

Challenges Build Character

If there was one thing about your academic challenges, what would it be? My academic challenges are not many but I’ll start with enthusiasm. I don’t mean that I am not excited or encouraged about school. I love what I’ve learned, what I’m learning, the people I’ve met both teachers and classmates. At times it gets tricky having to take care of other responsibilities and wanting to stick to a schedule. I guess what I’m saying is that time management is a key challenge when having to juggle the personal and the academic. I would like to see more open seminars. I really enjoyed the convenience it allowed me for my math class. But I welcome the challenges because it allows my adaptability as a person and a student to grow.

Please NO MORE!!

The snow the snow

why does it come

I want it to go

It's nice when it's white

Nasty when slushy

Everythings wet, dirty, and mushy.

It's all a blur to me.

The YouTube and Wiki site's are great highways of information. And though just about anyone can post anything about anything I find it to be a great personal way of reference and research. I really am not sure as to how these sites run, meaning who is overseeing its input and how it is maintained, financially. Maybe I'll look into that a bit more than I have. I'm sure someone is paying for it somehow. Maybe I am and I don't even know it. But I can say that I do visit these sites for quick references or videos or just to pass time and see what's out there. I know in one of my discussions for class I did make mention of how the older musicians get there songs sampled and don't receive any riches by the new musicians. I would say that that is not fair and yes, it is plagiarism and I would side with it being illegal also. Though at times we may embrace the things that don't seem to "bother" anyone, "oh it's just YouTube or Wiki", we should research who benefits from these things and not take an unknowing hand in robbing those who rightfully deserve the credit, be it by word or by money.

Shhhhhhh.........

Silence is an absence
Silence is profound
Silence is a conversation
Being had without sound
Silence is an expression
One that cannot be heard
Silence cannot be spoken
Although it is a word
Silence is a presence
of great nothingness
Silence can be something
And yet cease to exist
Silence can fill a room
And have no mass at all
Silence cannot be dropped, yet ti can fall
Silence is a mystery
That will forever go unsolved
Silence is how every sound can swiftly
be dissolved
Silence is the sound of rest
The only sound that can sound best
While other sounds can cause great pain
Silence is not the sound to blame
For silence is what silence is
Something that is nothing
Nothing that exists

Take a moment and hear the silence
Author? Not saying

I have chosen my topic to be “The necessity and importance of proper nutrition”. I feel that this topic is important because of the illnesses that can manifest in a person because of unhealthy eating. Even the First Lady has taken a national stand against childhood obesity which is due to inappropriate nutritional habits. Which by the way, has been a problem in this country for the past 20-30 years. My idea or ideas of creating my scientific paper is mostly, so far, of obtaining statistical numbers reflecting the illnesses caused by the lack of proper nutrition. I believe I need to have more than just numbers and am missing the points or views that may complete this paper. I guess I have to read some more articles and see something I’m missing to add or transfer into this paper through summarization.

I See You

I went and bought a webcam and mic today and got connected to SKYPE. I think this will be a tremendous benefit in my classes and expand my learning possibilities. I hope to spend time with my other classmates with skype to have some quality school time especially with our studies and assignments. For those who do not have skype my advice is to go and get the necessary equipment to get this fun and easy to use tool. It makes it easier and entertaining to interact with others.

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. I remeber when I first started at Kaplan. My Academic Strategies teacher, Ms. Vail, told me, don't expect a hundred in everything but work hard to always get one. I'm working hard but these classes (laughing) are sucking the life out me, hahahahaha. Seriously, I don't, no won't, let discouragement come in. I like the snow and all the white but it can get old fast. My favorite is spring and summer. When everything starts to bloom and come to life. These mountains are beautiful in the summer. I'm really glad and grateful my family is experiencing this life. I keep reminding myself that it's nice to be important but it's important to be nice. blog blog blog my mind is a clutter; when I wake up it's eggs toast and butter. I've been craving for some murder burgers. (that's White Castle for those who don't know) OMG I got THE CRAVE! I hope I'm not pregnant LOL. I need sleep thats whats wrong. Gnite yall. Yee haw.

Writer's block?........No Way!

Today is the day I start focusing on writing. I really want to do well and I know if I practice the given process, my paper should do well. One of my main concerns is being repetative or rambling on, thus losing my readers interest. I hope to tackle and overcome this and some other obstacles I think need attention but for now I'll focus on this. If there are any suggestions and/or tips that help you overcome this please feel free to post but you don't have to concentrate on that alone. Any and all writing tips are welcomed. Good luck and much success to all my KU writing classmates

I took the Camry and the Seqouia to the dealer and they said the brakes and brake pedal were good. I hope this problem gets resolved quickly. It's scary. I heard and saw on the news a horrific report of people who while experiencing a stuck gas pedal while driving and were able to place a cellular phone call seeking help while driving 100mph came to a fatal end when there car turned over and crashed. All in the car (4) were pronounced dead. How sad. May God bless them and their loved ones. If you have a Toyota (any make and model) please go have it checked and have the analysis put in writing. God bless.

How does the saying go?, "big things come in small packages". I was reading this little book titled Philemon, it's just before the book of Hebrews in the New Testament. And boy so many things I saw in it. It's only one page long to be exact, but the Apostle Paul writes a letter from prison to an outside, but old aquaintance and fellow Christian named Philemon. It so happens that Philemon's servant, Onesimus, who may have committed a crime against his old Master Philemon, finds himself in prison with Paul. The story doesn't say but I could see them casually conversating and finding out that they both know the same person. (Divine appointments are the best appointments). Through there conversation I would imagine Onesimus confesses to Paul his wrong doing and how he is remorseful. Paul takes this opportunity to speak to Onesimus about a greater forgiveness needed. Making a long story short, Onesimus repents asks for forgiveness and converts to Christianity, via the sinners prayer. The story doesn't say that exactly but my experiences would be bias in assuming it happened this way. Anyway in the letter Paul writes to his old friend Philemon he says he has encountered a betrayer who he is sending back to him. Paul goes on to say that though Onesimus betrayed Philemon he is sending him back not as a committer of betrayal or a crime but as a fellow brother. Paul glorifies the good and just reputation Philemon has as a good citizen and Christian and pleads with him to receive his old servant and new brother. What initially came to me is how often we get tricked by the power of unforgiveness rather than revealing the power of forgiveness to those who may have simply made a mistake and have remorse towards what they've done and to whom they've done it to. Sometimes our unforgiveness may lead them into a prison of despair and onto a path of no return. To simply forgive does not alter our character in a negative way, which is pride, but enhances and builds it up so that others may say that you are just fair and merciful. Rather than selfish and arrogant. Think of those that hurt you or have hurt you. Do you think forgiveness is in your power and ability to rekindle a worthy friendship? Save a life, forgive. Have a nice day!!

Good night bloggers and blogerettes. God kept me today and will, should He grant me tomorrow. I love my wife and kids and pray I may share tomorrow with them. (Yawn!) I like school alot its challenging but time consuming. But in the end it will grant me a career instead of a job. I'll share the difference tomorrow, too tired right now. G'nite.

Proverbs 6:1-3 My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger, if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said follow my advice and save yourself, for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy. Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased.
Proverbs, the book of wisdom, gives us some financial advice in the area of relationships. In verse 1, the father advises his son not to become security for another. In our culture today, this would be advice not to co-sign a bank loan for another person. Many friendships have been destroyed because this advice was not taken. Although the borrower may have the best of intentions, sometimes they are unable to pay their note off. Does this mean we are not to help people if they ask us for help? Certainly not! However, most loan requests are not emergency help loans, but are loans to help people live in a lifestyle greater than they can afford. It is not kind to co-sign a note that will, in the end, not really be helpful to people who have not learned financial Biblical principals. Many people who go into debt for expenditures beyond their means, will, in time, leave the one who helped responsible for their debt. We should always take every agreement that we sign very seriously. We are giving our word to do something and this is a serious thing before God and men. Verse 2 says that when we are security for someone, we must keep our promise because we have given our word and therefore, we are snared with our lips. We are bound to keep our word, even when it hurts. All of us have, at times, "sworn to our own hurt." Many times, when I told someone I would do something, I have wished that I had not done so, as I had to keep my word even when it was difficult to do so. God expects us, as His children, to keep our word just as He keeps His Word. Be wise in your dealings with friends in order to keep them. Enjoy your day!

This is the lake across from the house. It's a beautiful quiet place where I go to fish, pray, or just rest. There are times when the sunset is just remarkable with a variety of colors. Everytime those sunsets come around I'm so fascinated that I forget to bring a camera. Maybe next time. Can't wait for the summer to get here, I love this spot.

Today I went to the dentist with a terrible tooth pain. I was hoping the dentist would take care of this pain, but when I saw this guy come out of his office I ran out of there. YIKES!!!!

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:12-13.

I don't want to come across as one who will bash you over the head with the bible or its contents (God knows He's still working on me) but I do hope that the inspirations that motivate me and sustain me, can in some way encourage you in your time of need, despair, struggle or indecisiveness. May God keep you and bless you always. ;0)

My Wedding Day