Sunday, May 6, 2012
Fianl Blog...
WOW, this semester flew, especially for a girl who hasn't been in school for 20 years!! This class was a challenging one for me. I am not the best at spelling or writing. I love to write and argue my opinion I am not the best at putting it down on paper however. For some of the essays were very hard and then there were some I really enjoyed! My future with RCTC will be on going for a few more years, I have to say I am very happy that I decided to go back to school and have enjoyed this semester and this class. If I was being totally honest though, this class challenged me more than others. To some this comes easy, I think I struggled with it every assignment! Thank god for smart thinking!! So here is to the Spring 2012 class of Writing with Nikka Vrieze, may you find your path and enjoy the ride!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Best Friends... Can you ever go with out them? I have know Tara since we were in diapers. Our mothers were friends and then our parents. We have grown up together through thick and thin. I think we have experienced everything together her and I. When I think back on what we have experienced together... From Elementry School, Middle School drama, training bras, periods, boys, grades, peer pressure in High School, first dates, proms, sports, deaths of close friends. Then onto our adult life, our first apartment, our first careers, parents divorce, grandparents deaths, and Tara deciding to go into the Military. Watching her leave, watching her meet someone special, getting pregnant, our friendship long distance while she lived in California. Going through my marriage and her divorce, watching my three children grow, and watching Tara meet Mr. Perfect, to getting married and starting a family with a new little baby. I look back onto my life and think what would of it been like without her in it? Everyone needs that one they can turn to and talk and be there to laugh and cry with, for me that has always been Tara!
Aprill 22 College at 36? WHY!!!
Yep I am back in school after graduating high school in 1994.... OMG... Some have asked me why? I guess I have always wanted to go further with my occupation or degree. I went to cosmotology school in 1994-95 and have been a cosmotologist for 17 years. Through a ten year marriage and three beautiful daughters, whom will all be in school next year full time. I have always loved the hair profession, I just wanted more. So this last January my journey began. I am going for Dental Hygiene. I have to say I never thought there was that many generals that had to be taken in order to do this profession. One may ask why not go into nursing they require a lot of the same. I love having my nights and weekends with my girls and as they get older I am sure it will just get busier. Being in the Dental profession I will be able to do that. Plus I am a people person so this will be a great fit! So college with one semester under my belt here goes to the rest of it!!! College student at the age of 36!
April 15th Research Experience
Oh how I love research papers... NOT
This has to be one of my weakest points in school, I am not the greatest at writing papers and to do research on top, well lets hope for the best. I like the research end in the sense of finding out information I didn't know prior. I understand the importance of research papers and college but then I think to myself, do writing papers and cleaning teeth go hand in hand? Why is it that colleges have you write so many papers? I have been writing papers this semester in Psych, Ethics, and English. I guess being new to the college scene I was ready for the papers in English class but not the rest of them. This semester has been intense and very eye opening.
This has to be one of my weakest points in school, I am not the greatest at writing papers and to do research on top, well lets hope for the best. I like the research end in the sense of finding out information I didn't know prior. I understand the importance of research papers and college but then I think to myself, do writing papers and cleaning teeth go hand in hand? Why is it that colleges have you write so many papers? I have been writing papers this semester in Psych, Ethics, and English. I guess being new to the college scene I was ready for the papers in English class but not the rest of them. This semester has been intense and very eye opening.
April 8th Logical Falliacies
Ever think about the things you see on the TV and hear on the radio.... Are they true do they really work? I think about the industry I am in currently, HAIR... Multi trillion dollar industry. We all want our hair to look a certain way and will go to extremes to get it. How about the hair color ads you see on TV. if you use there products you can have hair like a super model or the color and feel of silk. I know for a fact that is not true, I have corrected more at home hair colors than I can count. For example, if you have color in your hair currently say a brown, and you decide to go back to blonde. One then heads to the store and buys a blonde dye, they then go home and do the procedure... it turns out a funky orange nasty color... or a darker brown than you started with. Well that is because color does not lift color... you cannot do that type of change without going into a salon and having a professional do it. There are many more in our world this is just one I know first hand oh to well.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Foreclosure...
In today's world we live in we have seen a lot of homes being lost due to foreclosure. Well not due to that but due to the irresponsible banks that lent money to people that could not afford that payment in the first place, and for the irresponsible homeowner who even thought they could handle that payment. I totally understand when I person loses ones job, becomes ill, there is a major death in the family and they are forced to step down from there job. It is the ones that just up and decide one day hmmm I think I should just stop paying on my house, they could save allot of money for months possibly years before the bank forces them out. Even then there are beautiful rentals now, and contract for deeds that are all over. Maybe there house value has fallen below what they owe on it and they think well better for them to just wash there hands of it. In my mind I can't for the life of me figure this thought process out. Why would someone deliberately do this? I see this everyday, people out spending money, going on vacations, enjoying restaurants everyday, but they don't have the money to pay for there house payment!!! UNREAL!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Cause & Effect
Tattoos...
Some may ask what is the difference between hairstyles, clothing & tattoos? I guess I would have to say, well it's with you forever!!! I think about the many ways you can express yourself. You can color you hair black and be Gothic for a while, dress in all black, and have many piercings all over your body, even get tattooed with many markings of what your into at the time. Then one day let's say five years down the road, you graduate from high school, you go onto college and you decide it is time you got out of this "phase" you have been in just to creep out your parents. So the hair gets colored back to normal, your clothing is much more modern and conservative to your age, and the piercings are all taken out and grown shut. Then comes to the lovely tattoos you had placed all over for the world to see, there is no going back on those, well unless you want to go through many expensive treatments to have them removed. I think that when it comes to tattoos we have to really think about the effect that it will play on our lives for the rest of our lives! It is not something that is just here in the moment it is forever!
Some may ask what is the difference between hairstyles, clothing & tattoos? I guess I would have to say, well it's with you forever!!! I think about the many ways you can express yourself. You can color you hair black and be Gothic for a while, dress in all black, and have many piercings all over your body, even get tattooed with many markings of what your into at the time. Then one day let's say five years down the road, you graduate from high school, you go onto college and you decide it is time you got out of this "phase" you have been in just to creep out your parents. So the hair gets colored back to normal, your clothing is much more modern and conservative to your age, and the piercings are all taken out and grown shut. Then comes to the lovely tattoos you had placed all over for the world to see, there is no going back on those, well unless you want to go through many expensive treatments to have them removed. I think that when it comes to tattoos we have to really think about the effect that it will play on our lives for the rest of our lives! It is not something that is just here in the moment it is forever!
The Glass Castle Review
"The Glass Castle"
I for one never read a book in high school.. Then after I was married and put on bed rest with our first child, I began to read books about 9-11. A lot of true inspirational stories came out of that day. From that day forward I kept reading and find it very relaxing, "my time".
I am currently back in college and in our English/Writing class we were asked to read the book, "The Glass Castle", I have to tell you I was recommended this book prior and absolutely loved it. So when picking out my English class this was a a huge part of why I chose this class.
"The Glass Castle" is an amazing book about a child's life growing up in poverty and abuse. From a very young age she was given challenges that most adults will never see in there life time. She was brought up in a very abusive family, loving but not in the way that a parent should be.
The writer Jeanette Walls really gave a very personal inside look at her up bringing. She went into great detail of the events that happened in her life. And showed us as the audience how determined she was to get out. She gave great detail of the poverty level her family was at but also the way her own parents put them in that poverty category deliberately.
All in all a very good book and a must read!
I for one never read a book in high school.. Then after I was married and put on bed rest with our first child, I began to read books about 9-11. A lot of true inspirational stories came out of that day. From that day forward I kept reading and find it very relaxing, "my time".
I am currently back in college and in our English/Writing class we were asked to read the book, "The Glass Castle", I have to tell you I was recommended this book prior and absolutely loved it. So when picking out my English class this was a a huge part of why I chose this class.
"The Glass Castle" is an amazing book about a child's life growing up in poverty and abuse. From a very young age she was given challenges that most adults will never see in there life time. She was brought up in a very abusive family, loving but not in the way that a parent should be.
The writer Jeanette Walls really gave a very personal inside look at her up bringing. She went into great detail of the events that happened in her life. And showed us as the audience how determined she was to get out. She gave great detail of the poverty level her family was at but also the way her own parents put them in that poverty category deliberately.
All in all a very good book and a must read!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Indianapolis 500 Nascar
I a going to push some buttons on this one I am sure... A couple weeks ago I was told that "we" were having a Indy 500 party?? I then proceeded to ask "what exactly is that"? I was told "only the biggest, most important race of the year"! I thought to myself for a minute before I spoke, I was sure I was going to offend someone. I cannot sit and watch a car go around in circles and waist a whole Sunday doing that. Would someone please tell me what the fascination is. When I watch football it is all about the home state and favorite players, groups of people and it is I consider a "real" sport or at least interesting! Much like baseball, hockey or even golf! I just can't for the life of me see why people find it interesting to watch a car go as fast as it can with out blowing the engine and tires to see who can finish on the same circle over and over.. Well there I vented a little, the party was a huge success and everyone had fun playing cards and talking since the race was rained out. Unfortunately we had to go without the TV on Monday night just so the man could watch the race that he sat up half the night to see who won... So strange!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Facebook........
So this week we are talking about the lovely net working site called facebook..... Or as allot of my friends call it "facespace"! When it comes to this topic I have mixed feelings! Do I have a facebook account? yes I do, Have I canceled it ever? yes I have a few times, only to come right back for more!
When I think about when I first joined, I was excited to connect with classmates from high school and cosmetology school I hadn't talked to in years. Then I had just had my third child and wanted to show her off. Well in the last five years allot has changed, my career, my marriage, my friends, I am going to school, and all my kids are in school. I think about what I use it for now and I think to myself, you should really get rid of it! Just think about it, I talk to my closest friends on the phone or through text and if something important happens to family or a close friend I am notified through phone. So why do I have this sight... Probably like 90% of other people to stalk the people we don't care for, look at pictures and be nosey... especially for those of us that have ex's! Now you can think what a weirdo, I would never do that, but come on that is totally what it is for! Think about how many marriages were ruined because of curiosity... "Where is my long lost love and what are they doing" I don't totally agree with how people put there life out there for the world to see, along with what ever else they did over the weekend in a drunken blear! Or if families put there loved ones pictures out there with swim suits on and god only knows whom is looking at them! The more I am writing about this the more I am thinking it is time to get off facebook! Does it really add positive substance to your life?
When I think about when I first joined, I was excited to connect with classmates from high school and cosmetology school I hadn't talked to in years. Then I had just had my third child and wanted to show her off. Well in the last five years allot has changed, my career, my marriage, my friends, I am going to school, and all my kids are in school. I think about what I use it for now and I think to myself, you should really get rid of it! Just think about it, I talk to my closest friends on the phone or through text and if something important happens to family or a close friend I am notified through phone. So why do I have this sight... Probably like 90% of other people to stalk the people we don't care for, look at pictures and be nosey... especially for those of us that have ex's! Now you can think what a weirdo, I would never do that, but come on that is totally what it is for! Think about how many marriages were ruined because of curiosity... "Where is my long lost love and what are they doing" I don't totally agree with how people put there life out there for the world to see, along with what ever else they did over the weekend in a drunken blear! Or if families put there loved ones pictures out there with swim suits on and god only knows whom is looking at them! The more I am writing about this the more I am thinking it is time to get off facebook! Does it really add positive substance to your life?
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Valentines Day
Well another Valentines day is coming around the corner... To some that makes them think I wonder if my other half will remember, I wonder if I will get flowers, jewlery, chocolates? There are some that are single, and think they will just stay in for the day/night and pig out on ice cream or a favorite bottle of vino, just to get through it, without having to see all the happy couples! I have often wondered what the average person spends on this holiday? Flowers go up in cost, you can't take your loved one to burger king on Valentines day, it has to be spendy and romantic, or when she tells her friends they think he is cheap and doesn't care...
I myself look forward to this holiday, I have every year.. Well maybe not every year, I can remember a couple when I was alone. This year I am looking forward to Valentines day, I not only get to spend it with my children but my best friend, the one true love of my life. It may have taken us a while to get here, but it was something we always new was meant to be. For me this year I could care less about the flowers I am usually spoiled with, or expensive dinner, I am just thankful I get to spend it with my Valenitines!
I myself look forward to this holiday, I have every year.. Well maybe not every year, I can remember a couple when I was alone. This year I am looking forward to Valentines day, I not only get to spend it with my children but my best friend, the one true love of my life. It may have taken us a while to get here, but it was something we always new was meant to be. For me this year I could care less about the flowers I am usually spoiled with, or expensive dinner, I am just thankful I get to spend it with my Valenitines!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Grandma~
As I look through my recipe box for my grandmothers famous
cookies. I can remember as a kids
walking from the family farm up to grandmas on a Saturday morning. I would get there and there she was neck deep
in flour in her kitchen. Saturday was
always her baking day. She would bake
pies, cookies and the weeks worth of bread.
The smells that filled the house could be smelt outside, apples,
cinnamon, chocolate and bread dough filled the air. My grandma was the glue that kept our family
together. She made all our holidays
special and you never thought once about missing it because of something else
going on. I think we all tried to be
better people when grandma was alive, never wanting to disappoint her in
anyway. When she passed on there was a
speech gave that I will forever cherish talking about my grandma and the type
of lady she was. How they seen it carry
on through her kids, grand kids, and great grand kids. What an honor I thought to have that kind of
effect on so many people. Every day I
strive to do better and remember what she would have done.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Im going to be an aunty again!!!
Well I have to celebrate a little today!!! My sister is celebrating 38 weeks of pregnancy! She has had a long journey.. but we couldn't be happier and more excited for her and her family!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Quote I live by now
" The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over and producing the same result" Author Unknown~
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Back to school...
Well I am going to start out at the beginning of my journey~
My name is Mandy Cummings and I am a single mother of three beautiful daughters. Madison 9, Jessa 7, and my monster child Keigan is 5. I have been a hair stylist for 17 years... I have owned my own salon and taken many leaves to be able to stay home with my children, in the back of my head always wanting to push myself back to school for a bigger challenge. So here I am at the age of 36 heading back into the classroom. I have to say when I looked at my list of classes I needed I was a little nervous about Reading/Writing 1117. When reading about it Nikka talked about writing papers and I screamed!!! Then I looked at the book titled "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls. I have read this and the follow up book "Half Broke Horses". I absolutely loved both of these and found myself excited about my future reading/writing class.
College in my eyes at the age of 36 is a lot different than when I was 18. I found myself for many years thinking well this is it this is my path in life, am I happy? Am I settled? or just settling? I wanted to set an example to my daughters to strive to do something they have dreamed of and never be afraid of trying something new even if it is scary.
A lot goes through my head when I am asked to write. Many questions I ask myself come out on paper. During this course you may find my writings blogs interesting or boring but one thing I know you will find is grammer mistakes! I am not afraid to say it so get out your red pens and Help me out!
Here is to a great semester in Reading/Writing 1117!!
My name is Mandy Cummings and I am a single mother of three beautiful daughters. Madison 9, Jessa 7, and my monster child Keigan is 5. I have been a hair stylist for 17 years... I have owned my own salon and taken many leaves to be able to stay home with my children, in the back of my head always wanting to push myself back to school for a bigger challenge. So here I am at the age of 36 heading back into the classroom. I have to say when I looked at my list of classes I needed I was a little nervous about Reading/Writing 1117. When reading about it Nikka talked about writing papers and I screamed!!! Then I looked at the book titled "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls. I have read this and the follow up book "Half Broke Horses". I absolutely loved both of these and found myself excited about my future reading/writing class.
College in my eyes at the age of 36 is a lot different than when I was 18. I found myself for many years thinking well this is it this is my path in life, am I happy? Am I settled? or just settling? I wanted to set an example to my daughters to strive to do something they have dreamed of and never be afraid of trying something new even if it is scary.
A lot goes through my head when I am asked to write. Many questions I ask myself come out on paper. During this course you may find my writings blogs interesting or boring but one thing I know you will find is grammer mistakes! I am not afraid to say it so get out your red pens and Help me out!
Here is to a great semester in Reading/Writing 1117!!
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