Home at Last!!!!!!

Wow.... so, here I am, thinking about this semester as a whole. First of all, I have to speak on my grad school/student experience. On September 4, 2007, I began my career as a first year grad student. I figured it would be just like undergrad, but with more writing (little did I know!). I remember reading over my course syllabi and thinking "okay, I can handle this... I'll get my calendar and begin writing down the times I'm going to study/work each week". I was so organized in the beginning. However, in my organization, I hadn't calculated times that the baby would get sick or my husband wouldn't be home because of night classes. I hadn't alloted time for "reality". So, I quickly learned how to manage my time as I went along, as opposed to trying to plan it in advance. I think I have done a pretty good job, the only time I fell behind was due to technical difficulties with my ISP.

I have learned so much this semester. I now have a much better understanding of IT as it applies to business as well as the economy. The world of IT is an empire in its own right and has become a financial lifeline for America as well as abroad. There are so many aspects and applications of IT that I have begun to reconsider the career path I would like to take. I have been throwing around a few ideas, but have yet to settle on any as of yet. I want to hurry up before I get too deep into my program.

As I have stated earlier, this semester has taught me alot about time management. Moreover, I've learned that I can be a mother, wife, employee, and student all at the same time. This has been a wonderful ride so far and I am looking forward to a successful next semester. Good luck everyone!

Session 15 Reflections

I found the reading for this week to be very interesting. I enjoyed reading Carr's points of view on the role of IT from a business standpoint. As reflected in my discussion posts, I agreed with certain aspects of Carr's arguement that IT Doesn't Matter.

Outside of the course reading, I made some revisions to my research paper and submitted it, I completed and submitted my website for another course final, I reviewed my grade for my group project participation, and now I am working on my final final! Whew! Can someone say we could use a break?! I have enjoyed this class from the assignments to my classmates and professor. I can only hope for a class like this next semester.

session 14

This week has been another week of busying myself with all of my "final" assignments. I tell you, it seems that the semester has gotten busier the closer it gets to the end. I am in the middle of completing a website on "Virtualization" in one class and still trying to be an active contributor to my group project for this class.

This week has taught me more about time management and multitasking. I have begun to work on some of my assignments from my job (thankfully, my supervisor is very understanding). I have been able to get a huge amount of my research paper done that way. Now, all I have to do is type it and make it presentable.

This semester has been fun and I am proud of the progress that I am making. However, I am looking forward to a little bit of a break.

session 12 blog

Session 12 was really about my family. I took a much needed break away from work (and school) to focus on myself and my family. My hubby and I took a trip to visit my mom this week (along with our son). Of course, it was like hubby and I weren't even there because from the minute we stepped in the door (after having been on the road for 5 hours), it was all about "grandma's baby".

I had a wonderful time helping my mom prepare our Thanksgiving feast. This was my first year being an "active" participant in the food preparation process (usually, I'm an active food sampler... lol). I must say, I did an excellent job! I can cook, but I get nervous when I have to cook for more than two people. Everyone cleaned their plates and returned for seconds (and thirds, and next-day plates) so I feel pretty good. Who knows, maybe I'll host Thanksgiving next year and make all of the preparations on my own..... lol, right.

What happened to my session 12 Blog?

I am not sure if I neglected to post a blog for session 12, but I only see 11 blogs published. Wow... that just goes to show how easy it is to get side-tracked when you have too much going on at once! Well, hopefully missing one blog won't have too heavy an impact on my grade (I'm reaching for the moon!).

So, session 13.... wow... what can I say? This week has been full of "juggling" between building a website, concluding research, continuing research, and anticipating a final exam. As this course is quickly coming to an end, I am feeling slightly overwhelmed (but in a good way) with trying to make sure I am doing everything I can to apply what I've learned to these final assignments. I am also trying to be an active contributor to my group's case study. I am enjoying (have enjoyed) this class immensly. This has truly been a positive learning experience. I never thought that I would be able to handle as much as I have this semester with a job, a husband, a toddler, and school. I know it sounds corny, but this semester has taught me that even the impossible is possible through prayer, self-motivation, and a strong support system.

I wish everyone a straight "A" semester! Now, I must be getting back to my paper!

(End of scene... Enter, session 14.)

I am a week behind!

Wow!!! Is this really the END of week 11? I don't know how or when, but I seem to have lost a week... (for those of you who read my mini-project for this week, please ignore the fact that I named my document "session10miniproject"... I think I shall blame daylight savings time for my sudden time lapse).

Session 11 (what I really thought was 10 all over again) has served as a "Wednesday" for this entire semester. This session marks the "hump week" of the semester. I have really begun to buckle down and focus on my research paper on Ethical Hacking, as well as being a contributor to my group project. This has been a week of making sense of research materials I've gathered for my paper and actually putting pen to paper to put my work in order. I'd have to say that I've learned alot so far in this course, both from Les as well as my classmates. I am looking sooooo forward to being able to say that I have SUCCESSFULLY completed my first semester as a GRAD STUDENT!!!!

Come on week 12... I'm ready for ya!

I would also like to take the time to wish everyone a very Happy and safe Thanksgiving... for all who are traveling (like myself), be careful on the roadways and take your time! Remember to relax, enjoy your families, and have some fun!!!

session 10....

Chat bots are.... interesting...
Santa told me my list was getting longer and longer after asking for only one item.
A.L.I.C.E. is probably still talking to herself right now.
Ramona told me to mind my own business when I asked what was her birthdate.
SGT STAR was nothing more than an Army brochure at a recruiting station.

I am sure that this technology will continue to develop and improve. For right now though, I think I'll stick to chatting with my live friends and family members.

Nothing much has happened personally this week. My son is continuing to grow and learn (and run!!!). He has mastered the phrase "All Gone!!!" He says this after he's finished his bottle in the mornings.... so cute!!!!! Though it sounds more like "Ahhhhh Guuuu!", I know what he is talking about, and it's still soooo cute!! I'm so glad he's not a bot!! :-)