I've started this blog several times and I really don't know what I want from it. I have been all over the place with my posts and I feel that until I can clearly define what I want my content to be, I will not blog here.
In the meantime, I still want to keep my site and just feature some information about who I am and what I'm doing.
I'm in my mid thirties and am really enjoying coming into myself. I am defined by several different roles in life, first and most importantly, I am a mother. My children, as many parents know, are the highlight of my very being. I am also a student enjoying senior status at Black Hills State University in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. When I graduate I will have a degree in Mass Communication, my emphasis being Public Relations and a minor in Business Communication. I am a first generation college student and I am very proud. I've worked very hard to get to where I am and I am loving where it is taking me. College has allowed me to dream and to know that dreams do come true. It has shown me that it is good to reach and that you can keep reaching. I am especially thankful to my professors and mentors at Black Hills State that have encouraged me, groomed me and have given me the opportunity to reach my full potential.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Doing Me
I'm doing some inventory, making lists, & taking advice. I'm not sure what I want to do with this blog. If you read my previous entries and have some criticism or advise, I would be happy to know what you think. I'm interested in what you like and don't like.
Monday, April 27, 2009
A quick rant and then some advice...
Who do we think we are? Why is it that we sabotage ourselves? In a world of endless possibilities we are often only focused on what we can’t do or what we can’t have. Our expectations are on those around us before ourselves. Moments, days, weeks, months, and years go by with the thought that there will be time, more time, later.
It’s a nihilistic, narcissistic age that we live in. We are in denial of truth. We justify our actions based on outside factors and people that are out of our control. There is little or no responsibility placed on our own actions.
Action, whether habitual or influenced, is something we ultimately do of our own will. A choice is made. All actions and choices have consequences, some of them good and some of them bad. At what point will we decide that we are responsible for our actions, choices and ultimately the consequences?
Consciousness, as awareness of taking things for what they really are, internal knowledge, concern, and awareness of our thoughts, feelings and volition is forgotten.
I’m tired, tired of myself. There isn’t anything that isn’t within my reach, yet I don’t always grab it. I find myself sitting and just thinking about it. Thinking, thinking, always thinking. What is it going to take to focus on these thoughts enough to put them into action?
Where does energy, in the ability to act, come from? How do you lose yourself by being yourself? How do you find yourself by being yourself?
I ask myself, “What is my most important desire, what is the one experience in this world that deserves my brilliant passion above all others?” I promised myself that for seven days I would devote my thinking to this and that one thought would be uppermost in my mind. Six days later, I’ve got nothing. Cold brain.
1. Be the change you want to see in the world. (Somebody else said that)
2. Change your inner dialogue to speak of the positive in your life.
3. Listen to it.
4. Be a mindful listener and present when communicating with others.
5. No matter how broke you are, take $20 from your next paycheck and do something just for you.
6. Make a bad habit an old habit.
7. Think before you speak and ask yourself "Is this the most positive way that I can say this?"
8. Call somebody you haven't talked to in a while and see how they are doing.
9. The next time you are reminded of something you should be doing, take action and make a step towards it.
10. Sweat the small stuff if you want to, but please take a shower cause the rest of us have to smell it ;)
It’s a nihilistic, narcissistic age that we live in. We are in denial of truth. We justify our actions based on outside factors and people that are out of our control. There is little or no responsibility placed on our own actions.
Action, whether habitual or influenced, is something we ultimately do of our own will. A choice is made. All actions and choices have consequences, some of them good and some of them bad. At what point will we decide that we are responsible for our actions, choices and ultimately the consequences?
Consciousness, as awareness of taking things for what they really are, internal knowledge, concern, and awareness of our thoughts, feelings and volition is forgotten.
I’m tired, tired of myself. There isn’t anything that isn’t within my reach, yet I don’t always grab it. I find myself sitting and just thinking about it. Thinking, thinking, always thinking. What is it going to take to focus on these thoughts enough to put them into action?
Where does energy, in the ability to act, come from? How do you lose yourself by being yourself? How do you find yourself by being yourself?
I ask myself, “What is my most important desire, what is the one experience in this world that deserves my brilliant passion above all others?” I promised myself that for seven days I would devote my thinking to this and that one thought would be uppermost in my mind. Six days later, I’ve got nothing. Cold brain.
1. Be the change you want to see in the world. (Somebody else said that)
2. Change your inner dialogue to speak of the positive in your life.
3. Listen to it.
4. Be a mindful listener and present when communicating with others.
5. No matter how broke you are, take $20 from your next paycheck and do something just for you.
6. Make a bad habit an old habit.
7. Think before you speak and ask yourself "Is this the most positive way that I can say this?"
8. Call somebody you haven't talked to in a while and see how they are doing.
9. The next time you are reminded of something you should be doing, take action and make a step towards it.
10. Sweat the small stuff if you want to, but please take a shower cause the rest of us have to smell it ;)
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The calm before the storm...
Piper Breanne was born on March 23rd just as the snow storm was moving in. As they wheeled me out of the birthing room to the surgery room to have a c-section, it had just started to snow real hard and thunder. Yes, thunder during a snow storm. Was that supposed to be an indication of what was to come? Yes, it was. The gods were cheering for the "small lucky package" that was on its way. A few days before, we had traveled to Rapid City to have an amniocentesis done. After the appointment we went out for Chinese food and my fortune cookie said that "A small lucky package is on its way to you soon." That time had come and there were many emotions, the most overwhelming being that I just wanted everything to be alright and for my baby girl to be in my arms. A head full of dark hair (just like mommy), a small button nose (just like mommy), and the sweetest, softest little face you ever saw was indeed soon in our arms. She cried, I cried, and her daddy cried. Its those moments that makes life worth it.
We're home now and settling in. Everybody oogles at the baby, except for the last baby. There is 14 months between our son Brody and little Piper and he doesn't like her...yet. I'm starting to get back to my college courses and back to the outside world a little bit more each day. Today was the first day that I was home alone with both of the babies and I was a little intimidated, however, it seems I'm a pro! Well, maybe. This could be the calm before the storm.
P.S. This is the winter that never ends, there is another snow storm predicted for tomorrow.
We're home now and settling in. Everybody oogles at the baby, except for the last baby. There is 14 months between our son Brody and little Piper and he doesn't like her...yet. I'm starting to get back to my college courses and back to the outside world a little bit more each day. Today was the first day that I was home alone with both of the babies and I was a little intimidated, however, it seems I'm a pro! Well, maybe. This could be the calm before the storm.
P.S. This is the winter that never ends, there is another snow storm predicted for tomorrow.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Not just another heifer
Living in such a rural area has been a challenging and learning experience, yet rewarding and clarifying.
It's spring around here, you know that because there is life everywhere. The snow is melting and the grass is green underneath. Water is flowing in the streets and the ranchers are in full fledged calving season.
I am headed to the hospital in the next town in the morning to have a baby. I keep getting grief from Mom because she just doesn't have time to take off for me to go into labor, "I don't know if you realize it or not, but I have 42 head of cattle who are all due to start dropping calves any day now, and there is a spring blizzard coming." Of course this is all said with a grin, but it's the truth. What an amazing time to be having a baby! There is life everywhere.
So, even though I have been offered a pen in the barn, I'll be meeting my doctor at the much more sterile hospital in the morning. Who by the way informed me that no, I'm not just another heifer, I'm technically a cow given this isn't my first born.
It's spring around here, you know that because there is life everywhere. The snow is melting and the grass is green underneath. Water is flowing in the streets and the ranchers are in full fledged calving season.
I am headed to the hospital in the next town in the morning to have a baby. I keep getting grief from Mom because she just doesn't have time to take off for me to go into labor, "I don't know if you realize it or not, but I have 42 head of cattle who are all due to start dropping calves any day now, and there is a spring blizzard coming." Of course this is all said with a grin, but it's the truth. What an amazing time to be having a baby! There is life everywhere.
So, even though I have been offered a pen in the barn, I'll be meeting my doctor at the much more sterile hospital in the morning. Who by the way informed me that no, I'm not just another heifer, I'm technically a cow given this isn't my first born.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Narrative Paradigm of Walter Fisher
This is pretty cool stuff and something to consider in the way that we blog. The reason I like it is because it is a running thread in my mind when I think about what to write about and how people will hear my voice in writing.
Walter Fisher believes that all of communication is a form of storytelling. Fisher defines narration as "symbolic actions-words and/or deeds-that have sequence and meaning for those who live, create, or interpret them."
The theory is a paradigm shift from the rational-world paradigm, which scholars know to be the way that we are taught in western culture. Fisher lists five assumptions for both:
Rational-world paradigm
1. People are essentially rational.
2. We make decisions on the basis of arguments.
3. The type of speaking situation (legal, scientific, legislative) determines the course of our argument.
4. Rationality is determined by how much we know and how well we argue.
5. The world is a set of logical puzzles that we can solve through rational analysis.
Narrative paradigm
1. People are essentially storytellers.
2. We make decisions on the basis of good reasons, which vary depending on the communication situation, media, and genre (philosophical, technical, rhetorical, or artistic.)
3. History, biography, culture, and character determine what we consider good reasons.
4. Narrative rationality is determined by the coherence and fidelity of our stories.
5. The world is a set of stories from which we choose, and thus constantly re-create, our lives.
I think that the shift is appropriate for the times and it allows the writer freedom.
Fisher includes narrative rationality in his theory citing coherence and fidelity. The rationality is a way to evaluate a story's worth based on the aforementioned. Narrative coherence asks if the story hangs together, and narrative fidelity ask if the story is truthful and humane, and if it strikes a responsive chord with the listener.
Given the multitude of topics being blogged about today, it can be an intimidating thing consider whether or not what you have to say is going to benefit or entertain who chooses to read it.
Walter Fisher believes that all of communication is a form of storytelling. Fisher defines narration as "symbolic actions-words and/or deeds-that have sequence and meaning for those who live, create, or interpret them."
The theory is a paradigm shift from the rational-world paradigm, which scholars know to be the way that we are taught in western culture. Fisher lists five assumptions for both:
Rational-world paradigm
1. People are essentially rational.
2. We make decisions on the basis of arguments.
3. The type of speaking situation (legal, scientific, legislative) determines the course of our argument.
4. Rationality is determined by how much we know and how well we argue.
5. The world is a set of logical puzzles that we can solve through rational analysis.
Narrative paradigm
1. People are essentially storytellers.
2. We make decisions on the basis of good reasons, which vary depending on the communication situation, media, and genre (philosophical, technical, rhetorical, or artistic.)
3. History, biography, culture, and character determine what we consider good reasons.
4. Narrative rationality is determined by the coherence and fidelity of our stories.
5. The world is a set of stories from which we choose, and thus constantly re-create, our lives.
I think that the shift is appropriate for the times and it allows the writer freedom.
Fisher includes narrative rationality in his theory citing coherence and fidelity. The rationality is a way to evaluate a story's worth based on the aforementioned. Narrative coherence asks if the story hangs together, and narrative fidelity ask if the story is truthful and humane, and if it strikes a responsive chord with the listener.
Given the multitude of topics being blogged about today, it can be an intimidating thing consider whether or not what you have to say is going to benefit or entertain who chooses to read it.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
A busy life is a full life, certainly not a dull life!
I'm going to try to approach the upcoming days with an open attitude. I am a full time mom of a one year old and an eight year old. I stay at home all day with the baby and I am a full time college student taking all of my courses on line. We are also about to have another baby!!! By have another baby, I mean that amongst the weeks assignments and mommy duties, I have to drive 4 hours to get an amniocentesis done so that we can make sure that the baby's lungs are fully developed with the intention of inducing labor next Monday!
I'm trying to get all of this "social media" stuff figured out in the meantime -- lots to do there. I really want to be networked and be able to use it to it's full potential to help me reach mine. It's funny, right now, these are the tabs up on my browser: My college(s) - Gmail - Twitter - Blogger - Google Calendar - Facebook.
Really cool stuff -- I'm reading about Communication Theories and this week I'll be tackling "Narrative Paradigm" and "Face Negotiation Theory". I'll try to blog something about these this week.
I'm trying to get all of this "social media" stuff figured out in the meantime -- lots to do there. I really want to be networked and be able to use it to it's full potential to help me reach mine. It's funny, right now, these are the tabs up on my browser: My college(s) - Gmail - Twitter - Blogger - Google Calendar - Facebook.
Really cool stuff -- I'm reading about Communication Theories and this week I'll be tackling "Narrative Paradigm" and "Face Negotiation Theory". I'll try to blog something about these this week.
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