What I learned the most in the class - I must admit that it was much more challenging than I had anticipated. I have always enjoyed writing, and certainly having a pen in my hand - the key board is a close second. I also have entertained the idea of writing more extensively, but not for a living (professionally) - if it happens, it will be by accident - I have a lot of really fun short story ideas. I never want to lose my passion for writing, and certainly don't want to force or "cheapen" my writing efforts for money - it is for my pleasure, relaxation and a gift (as in letter writing - the old fashion way, an envelope and a stamp) that I bless my friends and family with.
So, I obviously digress, what did I learn? A great deal! I learned that freshman classes can be equally as challenging as the upper level courses in college. I learned how to create a blog, and manage my "Delicious" account - as well as utilizing it to support my writing efforts.
I learned about a tremendous number of very effective research tools (engines, online), and how important my Delicious account was to keep all the information straight, so I could use and cite it properly.
I learned a lot about citations - MLA Style - and APA (still coming yet).
When I submitted my paper to the Smarthinking people online, they really helped get me started on greater organizational efforts - my paragraphs were a little "all over the place" - I had a lot of great ideas and information, but had not really incorporated them together very well. (She said to treat each paragraph like a mini-thesis - that kept me on one topic per paragraph - rather than several). They only reviewed half of my paper when they sent it back with suggestions. They suggested I modify it and re-send it for the review of the second half - which I will do, but my drafts took me too long to re-send it for the second review before it was due (life just gets too busy with demands - it was my sister's Birthday and we had a big family thing, which cost me an entire day!) I will send my paper back for the second review, just to learn from what they find - I'm sure you will give me feedback as well, I hope!
The lady at the Writing Center, helped me beyond the Smarthinking folks, by suggesting that I look at each paragraph and write one or two words to summarize the topic of each paragraph (actually writing the word in the margin) - that really helped my efforts in cleaning up my paragraphs and create a greater "flow" in the paper. It also sent me back to my Outline, originally designed for this paper, and I got that "cleaned up" so it was more logical, and I could see where I was going with my information....it really set me on track for the organization. Rosalie also helped me with minor grammatical questions and citation questions.
The greatest stumbling blocks for me - first, organizational. Sometimes it's really tough to get going on an idea and the direction I want to go with it. Then, with all the new research methods (online), my head was just swimming - trying to keep up with the electronic efforts, and keeping the assignments posted to my blog. In fact, trying to keep the electronic information straight in my head, I forgot to keep working on my paper!! I was so busy trying to document information, that I started to feel confused. Then, I had that surgery, which set me back a week in class (but I felt like I was behind about three weeks!) So, once I really buckled down, and really started writing - my outline, thesis, and the miscellaneous stuff from my research - it started to fall into place. Then the Smarthinking and Writing Center finally got me on track, so I was more productive (probably too productive, my paper turned out really long!)
What did I learn from my paper - it was really just an "affirmation" for me, as well as clarifying things I had heard about, but never really researched. I know what I need to do to stay healthy and strong, and I also know that there is no good cure-all for tough stuff in life - like getting older, and seeing my youth fading! I also learned more about the atrocities of what is going on with horses for the hormone replacement drugs - it is horrible!! I could have written an entire paper about that too!
I think, through all of this, I realize that some of my most creative and productive years are still ahead of me! I am more focused, more disciplined, and wiser than I was just 10, 20, 25 years ago!! Anything I attempt to do (professionally, or otherwise) at this point in my life will be great - because I know how to be more effective, I have more resources, more character, and a great deal more insight!
Monday, April 26, 2010
RJA#14b - Application Project Refrences
References:
1. Body for Life Book by Bill Phillips (I will complete this later)
2. Movie, Something's Got to Give - Scene
3. Aging, Femininity, and the Body: What Appearance Changes Mean to Women with Age
4. Red Hat Society
5. North American Menopause Society
1. Body for Life Book by Bill Phillips (I will complete this later)
2. Movie, Something's Got to Give - Scene
3. Aging, Femininity, and the Body: What Appearance Changes Mean to Women with Age
4. Red Hat Society
5. North American Menopause Society
RAJ#14a - Application Project Progress Report
1. My project is going to be one of a "journal entry" reflecting on my perception of how I see the aging process from where I am at (and how it has looked over the past few years); also based on what I have learned from my research; and possibly use some of the humor (in our own humanity) from a movie (scene from Something's Got to Give). UPDATE (10 MAY 2010) - I HAVE MOST OF THE PAPER DRAFTED, AND HAVE WRITTEN IT AS A "REFLECTION" BASED ON MY LIFE AND LOOKING THROUGH A BOX OF OLD PHOTOS, AND MY DAUGHTER COMING IN AND OUT OF THE ROOM WHERE I AM SITTING.
2. I do not have much accomplished - the actual writing it down will occur this weekend (for the most part). I am still formulating my ideas, and how I want to see this paper take shape. (10 MAY 2010) - MOST OF THE PAPER IS DRAFTED, IT'S JUST NOT "FLOWING" VERY WELL, SO I AM TRYING TO FIX THAT. AND, I STILL HAVE THE 300 WORD APA CITATION PORTION TO DRAFT.
3. I am working on "outlining" the paper now. After that, the actual drafting of the paper. Once I have a rough draft, I usually plug in my resources, and begin revising it.
2. I do not have much accomplished - the actual writing it down will occur this weekend (for the most part). I am still formulating my ideas, and how I want to see this paper take shape. (10 MAY 2010) - MOST OF THE PAPER IS DRAFTED, IT'S JUST NOT "FLOWING" VERY WELL, SO I AM TRYING TO FIX THAT. AND, I STILL HAVE THE 300 WORD APA CITATION PORTION TO DRAFT.
3. I am working on "outlining" the paper now. After that, the actual drafting of the paper. Once I have a rough draft, I usually plug in my resources, and begin revising it.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
RJA#13c Application Project Example
I would really like to use the "scene" from the movie, Something's Got to Give, but (after speaking with you), I will be writing in a more "journal entry" style, and utilzing the book, Body for Life, primarily.
Honestly, I would like to really look at the "lighter" side of aging. Some of the more fun aspects of being more settled in life, more accomplished, more "secure" - financially, emotionally, professionally. I would like to make this more fun and entertaining.
I am still developing this - so, my link(s) is yet to come.
Honestly, I would like to really look at the "lighter" side of aging. Some of the more fun aspects of being more settled in life, more accomplished, more "secure" - financially, emotionally, professionally. I would like to make this more fun and entertaining.
I am still developing this - so, my link(s) is yet to come.
RJA#13b-Application Project Plan
Journal entry, scene from a play (movie - Somethings Got to Give).
Since my paper was on the effects of aging on a woman, I would like to focus on some of the more fun things about being a "woman of age" - not a young woman. I realize that my paper focused on the natural remedies vs. un-natural remedies, but I would like to look at the actual stage in life, itself.
There is a scene in the Movie, Somethings Got to Give with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson, where Diane Keaton's character's sister speaks on the irony of being a woman of age, accomplished and still very attractive - yet, society and men (like Jack Nicholson's character) only see great value in younger women.
My MLA paper briefly discussed the issues that women face based on society's perception (or, treatment) of women of age. I would like to look at that, and develop it through my personal perceptions, using a scene from the movie (above), and tying in some of the physiological aspects that were definitely highlighted in my MLA, The New Old Body Paper. I will also use the book, Body for Life, which is one of my resources for the MLA paper - and, I probably used it more than any other source in that paper. That's my plan!
Since my paper was on the effects of aging on a woman, I would like to focus on some of the more fun things about being a "woman of age" - not a young woman. I realize that my paper focused on the natural remedies vs. un-natural remedies, but I would like to look at the actual stage in life, itself.
There is a scene in the Movie, Somethings Got to Give with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson, where Diane Keaton's character's sister speaks on the irony of being a woman of age, accomplished and still very attractive - yet, society and men (like Jack Nicholson's character) only see great value in younger women.
My MLA paper briefly discussed the issues that women face based on society's perception (or, treatment) of women of age. I would like to look at that, and develop it through my personal perceptions, using a scene from the movie (above), and tying in some of the physiological aspects that were definitely highlighted in my MLA, The New Old Body Paper. I will also use the book, Body for Life, which is one of my resources for the MLA paper - and, I probably used it more than any other source in that paper. That's my plan!
RJA#13 - Word Cloud
http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/1935496/The_New_Old_Body (this was just the draft)
This is my final draft Wordle:
http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/1952256/TheNewOldBody
This is my final draft Wordle:
http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/1952256/TheNewOldBody
RJA#12b
Field Research Report - I had put a survey together to distribute to women 40 years old and older, but only received a limited response - not enough to feel that it would make a significant contribution to my paper. So, I discussed some of the issues in my paper (interviewed)with a female physician assistant that works in a doctor's office with women specifically. She and I discussed the uses of the vitamins and minerals to supplement a diet for their nutritional value, and in support of the female hormones.
The second interview was with a woman that is a "representative" for Shaklee Products - 100% natural vitamins and minerals. She has given me a very good insight to the actual vitamin product and how important it is that it is from a very reliable source to ensure natural ingredients in the making of the product.
I did not collect "data", but more information to support my argument.
The second interview was with a woman that is a "representative" for Shaklee Products - 100% natural vitamins and minerals. She has given me a very good insight to the actual vitamin product and how important it is that it is from a very reliable source to ensure natural ingredients in the making of the product.
I did not collect "data", but more information to support my argument.
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