Learning more about the rules of English

This unit has been a huge learning experience for me.  I remember going through English I and doing a ton of papers.  I guess I just wrote the papers the best I knew how and accepted the critique of my instructor.  I overlooked the obvious clues that she left me.  I kept making the same mistakes.  The exercises and quizzes really helped to make the lesson sink into my brain.  What I need to do to is make sentences correct.  The part that surprised me about the quizzes was that how I talk sounds right but it doesn't look right on paper.  Partly because I didn't know I was speaking wrong. 

I walked away from this blog because I was trying to make the "perfect" blog.  I sat and thought about a journal.  If I was writing in a journal, would I sit and try to make it perfect?  No.  I would write as if I was sitting there with my best friend and telling her a story.  So, now I am back and ready to put my thoughts of this week on "paper".  Maybe I can call it my electronic paper.

This week has been my thing in English.  I love to learn and learn where I am wrong.  I am not saying it is always great to be wrong.  I am just letting you know that not only did I learn I am wrong, I am wrong with the construction of complete and proper sentences.  I cannot imagine what an English teacher would think about my subject verb matching or how I used who or whom.  I am not sure I have ever used whom in a sentence.  Just saying that, made me laugh. 

I went to the library to do my paraphrase exercise.  I go there after I drop off my daughter at school.  There I can focus on just school work.  I was searching everywhere online to find a way to paraphrase.  The book really didn't give a good explanation or example that I could follow.  So, I just took what there was in information and did the work.  I am not sure as of today if I did it right.  My question is obviously directed toward paraphrasing.  Do I sit around and try to paraphrase?  Of course I do.  My mother can tell you a short story and make it the longest that you have ever heard.  It is like that old man at church that says the prayer and it never ends.  If I want to pass on my mother's stories.  I just don't want my sister to hear the extended version.  I have to shorten it.  Is that paraphrasing?

Digital database

The library being involved in the wave of new technology is absolutely the best thing for a current student like me. It enables me to take shortcuts when I need them.  Everything is right at my fingertips. I really do not have the time to go look up a book or use a card catalog. I can open multiple web databases and look at one while another is pulling up the subject. The option to read, print, or download makes it even more convenient. There are so many databases and I don’t have to worry about silly popups.  It is easy to navigate and easy on the eyes.  The databases themselves are full of articles, journals, and resources of all types.  I can print a graph, picture, or full article.  Convenience is the only way to achieve what I need in the amount of time I have for each class.  I know the library is still there if I want something tangible in my hands.  I can still go there to check out a book or magazine.  I think it is amazing that the library has come so far to meet the needs of a student like me.  If a student has not accessed and utilized the library databases, I would encourage them to.  The moment I logged on, I was thinking this is so easy.  I thought of all the time I wasted using search engines. It is the only way that I will research for papers.  Sometimes it is nice just to go browsing to just see what is out there.

A Little About Me

Hey everyone!  My name is Crystal Land and I am going to tell you a little about me.  I was born, grew up, and graduated in Walnut Ridge.  I am the mother of two girls and the stepmom of two girls and one boy.  I am engaged to Terry Daniels of Walnut Ridge.  My oldest, Rachel, is a senior at Hoxie High School and has signed with Williams Baptist College.  She wants to help children that come from troubled homes.  Ashley, my baby, is an eigth grade student at Hoxie and is a special needs child.  My stepchildren attend Walnut Ridge School.  Terry, my fiance, works for Greenway in Walnut Ridge.  I am a full time student and work part time for USPS as a PMR.  I graduated last May with dual business degrees and decided nursing was my calling.  My dream is to be a RN and work with burn patients.  After going through the journey of hospitals, nurses, and doctors with my daughter, I want to be that patient, understanding, and empathetic nurse. 

I have a wonderful family that includes my parents, four siblings (one the age of my oldest, 17), and two nieces and three nephews.  My sister had her first baby nine weeks ago and he is a true blessing to our family. My parents live in Paragould and my dad lives in Georgia.  I enjoy spending time with my family and kids.  There is nothing better to me then being surrounded by the people I love.  I really don't have spare time but when I do, I enjoy fishing, reading, hunting, and finding new recipes.  Me and my fiance enjoying riding four wheelers and arrow head hunting.  He got me hooked on the outdoors and I killed my first deer last year!

I am 39 years old and starting a new career is scary.  I just have faith that I will succeed and make a difference in people's lives.  That is my goal in life.  I have the drive and support to do it.  I hope to learn more about everyone and I look forward to this class.  I hope everyone enjoys my blogs. I haven't figured out how to post a picture but, I hope to soon.  I wish everyone a great semester!