Beneath the Wraps

          Valentines Day is a non-Federal holiday full of traditions and legends which may or may not be true.   There were at least two, perhaps three, patron saints who bore the name St. Valentine.   Their lives ended in tragic massacres; perhaps it was the way they lived that got the Valentine’s celebration started.   There are many websites to choose from when “Valentines” is the subject entered into a search engine such as Google.   I have never been much into the Valentine spirit.   The concept behind Valentine’s Day seems noble enough, but the commercialism is what keeps the holiday alive and I could do without that.  No one gets off of work or school in honor of Valentines. https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day             President’s Day was created in honor of George Washington, first president of the United States.  President’s Day was initiall...

Whenever I have watched the Food Network series “Chopped” I think how challenging it would be to make food that is going to please all three judges as they have different opinions about why something is good or bad.   It’s pretty much the same thing with turning in assignments to different instructors.   Some are sticklers for the APA.   Some won’t accept anything written in first person.   Fortunately, I have had many, like me, who prefer the first person to boring textbook narration.           In each class I have had, the instructor has encouraged the students to use the writing center.   Again, there is a huge array of people that have their opinions on what makes for a good assignment and what doesn’t.   Granted, I realize two days work is NOT a lot of time for a proper paper, but I cannot wait until the end of the week for the writing center gets more backed up.   I want to have my paper now. ...

          Before school was back in session I had accepted two job assignments - one was for yesterday.  I had worked with the person I was replacing, but had never worked in her place.  Meanwhile, I had received a call from an aide at one of the other schools.  In a way I prefer her schedule over the one I had lined up for myself yesterday. She primarily works with the middle schoolers and does not have an assigned recess.  She is there for breakfast duty but doesn't have lunch duty.  I like that.                     After I returned home, I turned on the computer to view at least one missing lecture.   Both had been posted - but once again,   the accounting instructor just read through each slide and problem.   There was no mention of discussion, assignment and so forth.   Like I'm going to purposely s...

I've been working at various schools substituting for aides who need the time off for whatever reason.  This week I observed two different classes react differently to the same set of instructions:             "We will be doing these problems as a class.  Follow my instruction.  I will give you time to finish each problem.  Stay on task.  Do not go ahead of your classmates.  It's important that we do this together."             The first group did not even make the attempt to follow the directions.  Each had a private race against the other classmates.  Most of them really did seem to understand what was expected on the worksheets but still lacked in following the direction of staying on task and not moving ahead.             The second group stayed on task and focused....

The topic for this mod's final assessment is to write 1000 to 1250 words on the topic: major disclosure and conceptual objectives of  consolidated  financial statements.  How in the world does is an instructor able to get through 15 - 30 assessments.   The topic alone - let alone an entire paper - is enough to put me to sleep.   I know that there are instructors who might not even read the paper, just scan through it, make certain that everything meets APA standards - does not seem to matter what the contents are.   I hate that!   What difference does my APA paper make if I don't understand the material I'm supposed to write about?! My current instructor doesn't seem like a stickler about keeping the paper in third person and boring.   Thus I am keeping it in first person - unless he says otherwise.   The lecture is at 10:30.   Hopefully there will be enough insight that I will be abl...

There is a haze outside covering the sky.   It reminds me of those Claritin commercials where the scene was not quite as clear until the individual took the drug that would relieve all allergies and related symptoms (Claritin does not work on me; I might as well be taking candy).   The haze outside is from the smoke related to the fires I didn't believe were all that close to us.   The air is breathable, I suppose, but not pleasant.   Still easier on me than the gunky air in Salt Lake City. There is a haze over my eyes.   It cannot be blamed on the smoke.   My thoughts are fuzzy due to the subjects of the week.   Last week I was required to turn in two essays.   The 600 words were worth 120 points.   The 750 word worth 100.   Two more essays required for this week - 600 words worth 120 points and 750 words worth 50 points.   What's up with that?   It hardly seems worth the effort or research.   Gads. And th...

       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 structur...

                  The assignment for my Philosophy class was to write my opinion on a dream job - which I already established in this post is NOT in accounting - though I may consider applying for said position with the Hallmark Corporation - though I think there would be other positions that would be of better interest.           After reading over my assignment, I decided I hadn't completed the expected requirements and so am posting this to my blog instead. What is a Dream Job?             "The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive" - Albert Einstein (Doyle, 2018)             The words "Dream" and "Job" together feel like such an oxymoron.  A job is something I would have in or...

            Modern Technology in some aspects has made our lives easier, but at the same time has seemed to create more challenges - particularly when there is a glitch or breakage.  Last week I had both my laptop and pc on my desk.  I could seem to receive the internet on my pc so long as my laptop was near - like an insecure child unwilling to go through with it on its own.  Oh, brother.              I've been using Internet Explorer on the PC as chrome seems to provide a tremendous amount of pop-ups (even though the blocker is set to BLOCK)  which is extremely annoying when taking an exam.  But lately I've been having issues with explorer as well.  I don't know why, but I have never liked Firefox.  And I can't open Yahoo in the PC at all.               I've be...

            It is really a sad thing to have finals right after a two week vacation.   Instead of having just one assessment or assignment - all of it is expected from here on.   Every week will be the same.   That is fine for the times I have just one class, but it seems quite challenging this particular week when I have two and have not bounced back with my mind.             Theoretically I should be working on my assignments or posting a comment to a fellow student on discussion, but I first need to clear out my brain.   Perhaps if I brainstorm here I will have   a better understanding about what to write for my class assignment.             We're supposed to set goals on improving our self-management.   Yesterday's daily check point had us watch a video on sleep hygiene.  ...

          Last week I created a post about writing my assignment in first person wondering if I might get discredited for doing so.   Also, I thought it rather challenging to come up with 750+ words (I think I ended up with 753) Not only did I receive full credit but a comment from my instructor said that he had been entertained.   That was a bonus as it had not been my intent to entertain.   Perhaps I'll touch more upon it following the comments for this week's assignment which may take more than one post as I have several examples and well over 750 words.   I had actually started out with eight different examples, but felt it best to revise my assignment in order to keep it to less than 1,000 words.             So here is a rough outline accompanied by mostly personal examples - though I did start out by mentioning the A&E's former television series called "Se...

          I still like the feel of a book in my hands rather than having to constantly refer to the screen and "turn" the page by pressing next or arrow.  When the library had the book sale back in October and November, I found an accounting book that was in great condition - but it was from 1979.  I picked it up anyway.            Thus far I have taken two accounting classes and am now on my third and so far my outdated book has been compatible to my first two courses.  I obviously hadn't taken payroll or taxes into account.  Guess what my accounting focus is on for this class?           The government laws are constantly changing.  This tax is taken out for this purpose, that tax for another.  We no longer have just FICA and SSN - now there is IRCA created in in 1986, FMLA created in 1993, PRWORA creat...