Updated 7/20 Beginnings, Middle, and Endings - class musings along the way

Middle Pulse - Actively Engaged in the Learning Process

Week of 7/15/13 In the thick of it

I am half-way through this class... kind of daunting that I have only three weeks left to complete all my assignments!  I am struggling with my philosophy statement... I just need to get it down on paper.  I took the PEI and am a Progressive (practical/problem-solving) and Humanistic (education for self-actualization).  This is very true!  Perhaps I discuss that a bit.  I would like to get that done this weekend so that I can focus on my final project.

I have started the interviewing process for my final.  I have two down with three scheduled for next week.

The first individual is a woman, around my age, who struggled in her early days and gave up school.  What intrigued me about "Grace" is that she is completely different with her own two girls than her own upbringing.  She is engaged in their learning, encouraging them to be self-thinkers and scholars.  

My second interview was with "Josh" who is 32 and currently pursuing his bachelor's degree.  He, too, has a daughter (he has custody of) and speaks of her as part of his own learning experience.  I was encouraged by his thirst for learning.

My next post will be at the end of the experience (August).

Beginning Pulse - Anxious and Excited to Begin!

Week of 6/17/13 Back at work and back to school after vacation

The best part of vacation is discovering new things.  We journeyed out west to explore the Grand Canyon, Sedona, AZ, the Sequoia National Forest, and Las Vegas.  It was 12 days of warm, dry weather and a humbling experience as we witnessed nature at its grandest.

Back to work, I feel rested and ready to tackle even the most mundane tasks that had my pre-vacation burned out mind annoyed.  It is good to be back in the familiar, with the family and the greatest kitty on earth.

Even while "away from it all" I was actively engaged in learning.  We hired a guide to tell us all about the geology of the canyon, we went on a tour to learn about how Sedona is considered a sacred place filled with healing "vortex", and we noticed everything.  I am incredibly curious by nature, and easily distracted by something in need of investigation.  Therefore everything was a learning experience for me.

Did you know that there are double tractor trailers filled with garlic that travel the highways between California and Nevada?  Did you know that the speed limit is 75 mph in many places in the west?  And, did you know that Celine Dion pipes humidity into the Colosseum at Caesar's Palace where she sings her concerts?  OH and did you know that the agave cactus works for decades to create one flowering stalk and then dies? Who knew?

Learning is priceless... I hope I never stop.

Week of 5/28/13 Introductions and Learning Contract

Here I go again!  I find that intentionally planning out, and committing to, a "contract" with myself lessens the stress of workload drama!  I am an organized person by nature, and love to plan, so this plan fits quite naturally with my learning style.  Believe it or not, and if asked I will certainly deny, I tend to be a procrastinator.  I know, it almost seems ironic that a planner could be a procrastinator but indeed it is true (mostly).  I do believe it is my other strengths that lead me to the delay and nothing to do with slothfulness. At any rate, I do love a good planning document.

I enjoy conversation.  I am curious by nature.  I am very much looking forward to my project of interviewing other adult learners.  I am skimming through the text to determine a subject that interests me... gosh it's a BIG book!