Invitation Answers post 2

         A year in April I had started a class called Sociology of Ageism.  A class that seemed more to do with life than with career choice. It was during this class that I was able to meet one of my favorite instructors that I had during my three years online.  She was really quite animated and did her entire lecture with the camera on. 

          I had seen other instructors use the camera before the lecture started, but not for the entire lecture.  I don’t know how many students watched the video.  I was the only one present for her live lectures.  I had become familiar with Zoom during those three years at school.  I did not realize that this year it would be an essential for so many.

          I’ve had several instructors who cared about their students as well as the subject they were teaching.  I didn’t have many who didn’t seem to care, but I do remember a couple that didn’t seem like they wanted to be there and expressed a “whatever” attitude.  But at times I understood the tone in their voice.  Either the subject was boring or else they just weren’t getting the feedback that they were looking for.

          I think it was during my last year that the students were required to elaborate on the quote of an instructor and to ask a question related to the lecture.  Thus I was forced to take notes which actually helped me to retain more.  What a concept, right?

          I have written posts about many of the classes that I had taken.  Some I did not.  I can’t seem to find any mention of my entrepreneur assignments.  I think entrepreneurship is the American Dream for many, but not for me.  I never wanted to own a business or invent something in order to gain profit.  There are so many advertisements right now that are related to Covid19 or current situation.  Some offer product out of concern for their clients but I think overall companies are taking advantage of marketing by preying on weaknesses or necessities even that volunteers have given but of course the company product is much better and so you should buy.

          I never did take the marketing class that was a part of the agenda when I had first started taking courses.  The agenda was changed and the marketing class was removed.  In Salt Lake marketing was always in my face.  In this little town of Myrtle Creek, only a handful of people understand what marketing is.

Invitation Answers post 1

          It has been less than a year since I graduated from the online college that I attended.  Recently I received an email from the school with an interest in candid photos in which I could share my personal story.  I am usually the one behind the camera – or was.  Jenna has taken over that job and has taken countless photos.  I don’t know that any of them say “success” as far as “look where our student is now”. 

          Included was a list of questions which I was more interested in answering with words than with photos.  The first five wanted reasons about why I had gone to college – specifically their school.  Umm . . . because my husband is an underpaid employee who works for your company and thus we took advantage of getting an expensive education for his time. 

          Roland had majored in graphic arts when we were living in Utah.  He was also working from home.  He would spend hours on end at the computer – though he had initially said that the university only expects you to sign in four days a week and then you’re only on the computer for a couple of hours.  NOT true.  He spent more time on the computer with his assignments than he did for work – or so it seemed.  Actually he didn’t.  But he did spend more than 18 hours a week with graphic arts. 

          Graphic arts may be a more demanding field than accounting – especially since he asked to have two classes at a time.  Sometimes two classes felt overwhelming to me – but often one class wasn’t enough for me personally.  I don’t know how people working full time were able to manage.

           I chose accounting – not because I love business and figures.  I don’t.  But I certainly wasn’t willing to go into business or graphic arts.  The other alternative was health care which I believe has to have hands on classes as well.  I mean, it’s not like you can lean into the screen and demonstrate CPR or check vitals or what have you.  I have been trying to balance our personal budget since before Roland and I were married.  I figured maybe I could learn to apply things into my own personal records without actually seeking work in that field. 

           The first two courses I had were computer basics and learning soft skills.  Although I seemed to butt heads with the instructor of the latter, and really didn’t understand why the class was a requirement at first, I did learn from it.  As I have mentioned countless times, my favorite classes had absolutely no connection to accounting other than life skills and the “how to”s for working with people.  I applied these principals into my church callings and later on as a teacher’s aide with the school district.  I had even allowed myself to use my current situations to apply to whatever I happened to be learning.  I truly learned a lot.  Particularly about referencing.  I may have not appreciated it at the time but with all the hoax postings and gullible friends, it has become quite apparent who understands what reliable sources are and who remains clueless. 

                   I have brainstormed over many of these questions and have three pages of notes which should make for at least three more posts.  I don’t wish to ignore what is going on in the states but don’t wish to dwell on it either.  Trump’s promise to “make America great again” has been no different thah Hitler’s promise to Austria or Germany.  Did you know that swastika used to be a symbol of peace? But Hitler was quick about changing that concept. (see here) I know many of my friends already view the American flag in a similar manner.  Trump did not make America great again.  It’s been torn apart since before he got into office.  The tears are bloody and fiery now.

Too Much or Not Enough

I find it interesting that the topic of my last class focused on Medicare and social security.  The topic of my current class has been the brain, stress and this week’s topic on sleep disorders – which I have had my entire life.  Thus I’m making discoveries.  I am also getting the feeling that I need to put my affairs in order and start throwing away mountains of stuff so that Roland and Jenna won’t have to do it in the event I leave this earth.

          I’m not saying that death is around the corner.  It just feels like it in some ways.  Perhaps it’s just the side effects of still trying to heal from bronchitis and still coughing and not breathing right.  I was told at the doctor’s office that my breathing was off.  I don’t think it’s the bronchitis that’s to blame.  My breathing has always been off.  I think more off as I age.  My pipes are small and seem to shrink with each passing year.  No, I don’t have anything to back that up.  Just theory.

          I’ve been reading past memories of mom and dad and their good health somehow shattered.  Dad’s was physical and mom’s was mental.  I think I have a little bit of each going for me right now.  My sleep patterns are horrible.  But they have always been horrible.  Mom said after she gave birth to me, I was always asleep when I was in the hospital.  She said she never saw me awake until she got me home.  I was her first child.  She didn’t know what to expect but thought I ought to be sleeping more than I did.  She said it was as though I had slept in the hospital enough to get me through the next five years. 

          Patrick was the opposite.  He slept the normal hours a baby should.  Mom said he had weird breathing patterns though – or maybe it was just paranoia on her part.  After all, she had dealt with a non-sleeping child for two years before Patrick came along and slept beautifully, but she would have a hard time falling asleep because she wasn’t used to a sleeping baby and would place her hand on top of him to make sure he was still breathing.

         

          I don’t know when I started sleeping in an upright position.  I do sleep better than when I am trying to lay flat.  I still snore though, but perhaps not as loudly.  I don’t know if anyone else in my family snores.  It’s a wonder that any of my family were able to sleep with me in the house.  Though I’ve never heard myself, I understand that I am loud.

          For the most part, whenever I have drifted off in a recliner, I will wake up in the same position in which I fell asleep.  If I try sleeping in bed, I am all over the place along with the sheets and whatever other bedding started out near me.  I rarely ever have blankets on.  Sometimes I may use just one.  But I am usually too hot.

          My feet and ears get cold and I will wear slippers and sometimes a hat or headband.  I usually remove the headwear long before I wake up. 

          This week, as part of my assignment, I am supposed to turn in a sleep schedule which I have yet to create and stick with.  Especially since the bronchitis and antibiotics and cough and phlegm.  I get worn out so easily.  A trip to the mailbox does me in.  I have taken more naps in the last two weeks than I have ever taken in my entire life.  Perhaps it’s wrong to call them naps as I often sleep longer than I do through the night.

          I think the weather may upset my sleeping also.  And I don’t think it would matter where in the country or probably even the entire planet right now.  The weather has been experiencing some violent mood swings.  I like the weather right now.  I want to be a part of it.  I want it to stay where it is.  I don’t want it to warm up again.

Time Spread Too Thin

Online work

Check

Turned in

Both Classes

Have even received

my first week's grade

in one class

Resumes, cover letters, references

so many weaknesses

Next week will be

setting up a LinkedIn account

and preparation for

mock interviews

I'm getting the

experience that will

take me to a job

career opportunity before

the end of the year

I even have my interview

set up

Now to build confidence

and prepare to answer

questions

Two Classes and the Writing Center

       Currently, I am taking two classes.  Neither is difficult, but both (especially accounting) are very time-consuming.  So time-consuming that I have been working on assignments or other class projects on Friday.  In the past, I have always had each of my projects completed before Friday, though sometimes I have taken time to review before sending on Friday morning.  This month I have not.

       The University offers an online writing center where students can submit their papers or make appointments to get feedback.  Thus far it's been a very devastating experience for me.  But then again, I haven't used for almost two years. It appears I had only used it three times the very year I started, and may not have used it at all, but it was required in one of the classes that I took.

       The idea is to get feedback on grammar, sentence structure, APA format and so forth.  It could be useful to me this mod if I could better plan for it.  As all assignments are due on Saturday and I often don't have my assignment finished until Friday and the center needs at least 48 hours to return, I have not gone with that option.  For the most part, having a friend read for me and give me instant feedback has been more beneficial.

       Turning an assignment is not a big deal.  The waiting might be, but it beats trying to keep an appointment that I was unable to get into because my connections wouldn't work.  The school may have improved the system, and I do have a laptop in which I was able to get on to blackboard without a major struggle.   Because of the trauma I had encountered, I never did bother with it again.

       However, this week I had actually completed the assignment for my Ethics class on Tuesday and so chose to turn it into the writing center for feedback and moved on to a more extended research and wordy assessment for my accounting class. The accounting essay has now been graded and I am still waiting for feedback on my Ethics assignment so I can get that turned in.

        I know that my paragraphs either need to be spread out into two or three while others should be combined.  If I don't receive feedback from the center by tomorrow, I will turn it in according to what I feel is best.  Thus far I have received full credit for what I've turned in. Grammarly doesn't always make accurate corrections on the entire spread, though it does seem to capture most of it -  a lot more than spell check.  But still . . .

Salem Adventures

                It took us just under two hours drive when we had gone to the Enchanted Forrest in March - not that it was our destination yesterday - but we did not even pass the sign until almost three hours later.  Our destination was another twenty-five minutes north. 

            The online school had sent an announcement of two upcoming open house/conventions - one in Boise and one in Salem. We sent an RSVP for Salem.  The convention was to start at 7:00 p.m.

            I have a cousin who lives in Salem.  Though I have lived in Oregon for three years now, we have never been able to get together until now.  We made arrangements to visit with him and his wife at 5:00.  I called Zach at 4:45 as we were still on the road in non-moving congestion - which by the way I have not had to deal with for the past three years and so had not even thought about it.  We passed three police cars - or three sets rather - on the way up.  I could see the flashing lights and thought there had been an accident ahead, but when we passed, it appeared that someone had been pulled over for speeding.  Really?  We are now slowed down from 50 - 35 - non-moving to pass a speeder? 

            I saw construction signs but no construction.  From Sweet Home to Albany . . . bumper to bumper.  Just before we got to Salem the flow of traffic was normal - like all the cars and trucks that had been moving at 10 mph had been beamed up into the sky - there hadn't been any exits.  Where'd everybody go?  That was weird.

            We had a great visit with Zach and Amy.  Amy allowed Jenna to be in her art studio, draw and use her stamps.  Jenna was enjoying herself.  Zach and I mostly listened as Roland monopolized the conversation.  And then Amy, then me.  I think Zach spoke the least amount of words.

            We visited with them less than two hours before we excused ourselves to go to the convention.  We should have brought them with us and continued to visit, as the only participants to show up for the open house were 6 faculty representatives and us.  Needless to say, we were able to eat all the food that we wanted.  Jenna and I may have each had an entire quart of lemonade.  We helped ourselves to tee shirts and fidget spinners.  We won the door prizes that were offered. 

            Our initial plans were to pop in, get some food, and probably leave.  But we ended up staying for the entire thing.  Roland sat at the table with five members.  They talked about upcoming programs, how to improve certain areas and so forth.  Jenna and I talked with the only other female there.  We didn't go into depth as much as the guys, but did have a nice visit and talked about important things like movies, the theatre, Utah vs. Oregon.  We should have gotten a picture with ourselves and the vice president - whom Roland informs me is 80 years old.  Can you imagine?

            It took us an hour less of time for the return home.  Seems like it always takes longer to reach the destination than the return home.  In this case, it is actual.
             Roland's going to be tired today.  Less than five hours of sleep last night. 

            Jenna's home from camp now.  Anxious for tonight's theatre rehearsal.  I may take a nap while she and Roland are gone.

Third Assignment for Philosophy 310

        I have been an online student for almost two years now.  During that time I have had only four instructors make comments on each page of the assignment.  Most will make a comment by the grade but not explain specific details within the paper.  I still don't know the difference between relativism and contextualism but did get 100% on my assignment.

        The online school that I attend requires APA (American Psychological Association) for written assignments. My blog does not.  Rather than include the list of APA cited references, I will just include the link in my parentheses references should you be interested in more research on the topic.

"The moral values, ethical codes, and laws that guide our choices in normal times are, if anything, even more, important to help us navigate the confusing and disorienting time of a disaster" (Fink, 2018).

          Values are the things that are most important to us.  We may achieve these values through our moral outlook.  For some, there is a distinction between ethics and morals, but others may use these words interchangeably (Values, 2013).

Part I - Contextualist

            It appears that a relativist and a contextualist may be closely related - that is they understand right and wrong but are aware of the exceptions to absolutism.   For example, those who lead or follow dictatorship are using a form of what I believe to be absolute.  It is "their way or no way" where everything is black and white and there are no shades of grey. 

            A relativist and a contextualist both look at the exceptions to things like capital punishment, abortion, and things of that nature.  I think the relativist will consider whether the capital punishment is relevant to a certain individual and the contextualist may look at abortion to mean different things to each individual.  Is the abortion the only option for saving the mother?  Is the abortion to prevent a bad seed from spreading (for example, what grief may have been saved if Adolph Hitler's mother had had the option of abortion when she was pregnant with him).

            I think I'm more of a contextualist than a relativist as I tend to overanalyze everything.  I do not mean to, but the older I become, the more exceptions I can find to each rule - except math.  Math is absolute.

Part II – Virtue Ethics

            Regardless of each students' major, we are all given certain core classes, among which are History and Philosophy.  Many have questioned why. I believe the answer is to examine our own personalities and the way we interact with others.  Why do we trust certain individuals and not others? How do we present ourselves to others? What do we expect in return? (Ethics, 2017)  These guidelines are necessary for us to develop a new way of thinking (CrashCourse, 2016).

            My husband and I were watching 60 Minutes earlier this week. One story focused on a company in China selling inferior plastics to companies like Boston Scientific (Pelly, 2018). They in turn use to work with the human body after surgery.  The problem is the plastics have caused more damage.  I see this as a story of dishonesty and greed.  Some corporations have gotten so large and have so many employees in upper management; often it is hard to know who is responsible for allowing such a devastating thing to happen.  This is one of many corporations that have purchased inferior products for whatever reason. I think the value was placed on financial gain rather than the safety of mankind.

            There are many business majors in each of the classes I take.  Many have the dream of starting their own business and perhaps even creating a recognized empire.  This class is to teach them to focus on what is important to each of them and how to obtain their desires.  We need to be aware of moral values in others as we climb the ladder of success.  We want those we hire or work with to share our ethical values so that there we are all on the same page as far as accomplishing the goals or what it is the company is trying to accomplish.

Part III – My Outlook (Similarities)

            I think that both relativism and virtue ethics look out for the greater good or the interest in persons either individually or as a group (Mugerditchian, 2014). I want to work for a company that values humanity and kindness; I do not wish to work for a business in which the sole purpose is to get rich.  I would not continue working for a corporation if I thought there was dishonesty with inaccurate accounting or having knowledge of the purchasing inferior or illegal products.

           

Part IV – My Outlook Differences

          For the above, I would consider this kind of exception: a business for covering up a well-intended scandal.  For example, working in a bakery during Hitler's reign.  It might appear as a wholesome bakery, but in reality, there is the act of smuggling people out of Germany in the bakery delivery truck. Things like that really happened, and it was unfortunate for so many not knowing who they could trust.  Although it does not appear to be either vitreous or ethical, I believe the context for which I am "committing a grievous sin" (Fairweather, 1932).  I believe it is for the greater good.  I will always put people's lives and welfare over that of a business. 

Conclusion: What was Learned?

            I learned the names of moral values.  We each have our differences from culture to culture and person to person. We all form opinions.  There is no right or wrong to one's opinion, but perhaps the reasons are valid or invalid.  Who is to say?  Even philosophers do not agree on meanings or definitions (CrashCourse, 2018). It is what it is.

            I noticed some grammatical errors as I was reading over this before posting to my blog.  There weren't a lot, but enough that I know many instructors would have docked me for leaving out the punctuation or keeping "Who" when it should have been changed to "Why".  I am happy to know that this assignment was graded more on content.  That actually seems to be rare at this school. At least that is how it feels.

A Different Book for Liz

He graduated with a

BA in graphic arts the
October before we moved to
Oregon.

He had planned on walking in

the graduation ceremony the
very day that he and Jenna came
to Oregon to start unloading
furniture. I went
to my uncle's
funeral.

For over a year he's been

online, creating plans for a
business.  He took his
assignments seriously and
did the research as though
he were really going to start
a business here. 

Except for just one week, his

business plan focus was always on
starting an adult day care which
this area is in great need of.  It
hasn't been done before.  It sounds
like a good idea, but he doesn't have
the funding.  He has
done the research and had even sent
out surveys.  We call it
"sunk" investment.

He graduated with his masters last

month.  He would like to
walk across the stage in June.
It would be so nice to
see the family again, but
I fear it will be a repeat of
our visit to Utah this year.

I will be wiped out and not the
person I am in Oregon.  I will
need to pray that my
body doesn't give out, and that
I will be alert to my
surroundings and drink in my
family and allow my love to
overpower my health issues.

I was certain that Roland would

get bored and try to spend more
time with me.  But he found another
project.

He doesn't want to start a business -

not the adult daycare.  He misses
the graphic arts.  Recently he
created cards for Halloween, Thanksgiving and
Christmas. He also would like to recreate
the ABC books we have given to
Jenna, Anna, Devin and Ally (here).

He would like to be in charge of

creating a new one for Liz.  I think he
should.  I hope he can utilize his
skills for the purpose that he
desires.

Electronic Gremlins Have Not Gone Away

            For the last five weeks or so, I've had instructors stress the importance of using reliable computers and Internet because if an assessment is turned in incomplete or daily checkpoints aren't answered, there is nothing they can do about it.  It's been emphasized before, but I hadn't noticed as much as I have the last four or five weeks.  Apparently there are electronic gremlins invading the entire school - and not just the students.

            I recall the instructors having their turn with Zoom issues and recently the electronic bugs have spread themselves to all workers - I'm thinking even the technicians although I can't say for certain.

                On Tuesday there were facebook reminders that summarized Roland's birthday on various years.  He was sick on the last two  birthdays we had lived in Utah.  This year he was visited by Electronic Gremlins - he has been unable do his work efficiently as there seems to be an issue with the computers.  At first he thought it was the Internet as the Netgear wasn't blinking. 

            "Oh, great," I thought. "If Roland isn't getting Internet than I'm certainly not getting it."

            I am normally the first one to lose Internet access.  Sometimes I'll pull out the laptop to see if it's a Wi-Fi thing or a computer thing.  I actually haven't even bothered with the laptop much these last two weeks.  But the Internet seemed to be working fine for me.  That's a switch.  Me with Internet.  Him Without.  It felt like he was using something slower than dial-up.  Still feels that way.  He does have his laptop from when he took graphic arts.  He says that has been working faster for him.  That is sad.  His Mac is one of the slowest systems I have ever used in my life.

            It seems there's always an issue with the computers - if not with the instructors,  the students can't get in or else the other workers that are not instructors - which is Roland's case.  I turned in my assignment and took the assessment yesterday and am grateful to have it behind me as I can no longer get in.  Hopefully they will have it resolved before Monday - though it doesn't appear to be promising.

            Roland doesn't have his phone and so has been borrowing mine to keep in touch with what may (or may not) be going on.  He's afraid to leave his computer in case he is required to do something from his end.  Oh, the joys of modern technology and interference.

            . 

I can't believe I got an A in Philosophy

            The online school that I attend allows four weeks for each course.  I didn't think my mind would be able to process the information in such a short amount of time.  Thus far I am actually doing quite well.  Who would have thunk? (last word I picked up from Dr. Seuss)

The  four week period is called a mod, short for mosule.  I don't know how many mods I will end up with but I will have 62 classes which will equal 181 credits.  I will be done sometime in 2019. To quote from the last paragraph from this post, " Should I continue with all of my courses and don't use it any of it career wise, I realize what I have learned thus far has made me a better person whether I flourish in the workplace or continue to stay at home." 

            So I started at the end of June.  I had two classes: Computer Fundamental and Psychology of Motivation.  Loved the computer class.  Seemed a bit confused with psychology.  Just couldn't seem to communicate with my instructor - or the school.  I suppose I did get positive feedback on my assignments - but thus far seems to have been the only instructor to actually to make comments in the assignment itself;  all have made comments on the assignment but not in the assignment.

            At times I felt the instructor seemed more focused on context than content and my crash course week that covered APA didn't really do it for me.  She kept on sending me a link to a website that wasn't helpful to me personally.  I get more with hands on demonstration and explaining it as it's being demonstrated - not by reading it and trying to figure out myself.  It didn't work.  I didn't (still do not) get it. 

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/  

            This mod I had a philosophy class called Introduction to Logic. Philosophy has its place.  It's somewhat interesting, but I really don't like being graded on philosophy.  I really wasn't excited about having to take the course  I cringed when, during the first lecture, my instructor when she announced she "Loves philosophy . . . it's her passion."

           

            Because she has such a passion for it and I don't, I didn't think I would do well.  Happy to say I was wrong.  I have grown tremendously.  I can't believe how far I've gone - and actually having made a connection with both her and the instructor I had for a non-credited English class which I took.

            Next week I'll be starting English Composition.  I have already heard from my instructor.  It's been different this week than my first week.  The canvas (sort of an electronic classroom) closes on Sunday.  I hadn't received my final grades the first time it closed.  I could not view them until canvas reopened.  This mod I have my grades for both classes and there are still two days left.

            My final project for philosophy was a power point, which I really struggled with.  I hadn't been satisfied with what I had turned in and had decided just to start from scratch.  I had worked on it for about four hours, I guess.  I should have checked my email four hours earlier and could have spared  myself as the power point I had turned in had already been graded and I did not need to turn it in again.  I had succeeded in doing it right.

            Thus far I am receiving straight A's.  I don't say that to boast.  I was never a great student before, and so I am still in awe.