Friday, February 26, 2010

Creative NonFiction

Many of you know that I like to write. That I like to write in my journals. However, I think I've recently discovered that Creative Writing is not exactly what I am looking for. I mean its fun to write and imagine and create a picture or a movie with only words. Its rather amazing to me. And it truly is a lot of fun to make up a story on the spot and tell it to your younger siblings and have them comment, adding to the story or making up their own interpretation and telling me that the characters should actually do something else instead of the thing they were doing.

But then I was thinking which genre would I wish to write in? Fantasy? Science Fiction? Historical? Modern? I just had no idea.

I would like to have an element of each in anything I were to write. However, I then begin to write and I come up with no real true interest nor motivation. :D I'm sure that I just have to push forward and of course everyone is going to do something they don't quite like doing in the process of doing something they enjoy.

However, I have discovered something today that makes me quite excited.

I've been kinda wishing that some entries in my journals could just be published, as they are rather hilarious in my own personal opinion, which might be a little bit biased. Well, I had then come to the Conclusion that when I write a fiction book I want to write just as I do in my Journals. It adds something to the "voice".

Well, I've discovered that there is actually a genre called Creative NonFiction. Which is exactly what my Journal Writing is.

Here's a website: http://www.creativenonfiction.org/

In it it explains what Creative NonFiction is: "The word 'creative' refers simply to the use of literary craft in presenting nonfiction—that is, factually accurate prose about real people and events—in a compelling, vivid manner. To put it another way, creative nonfiction writers do not make things up; they make ideas and information that already exist more interesting and, often, more accessible."

When I eventually have the extra cash to spend I think I'd subscribe to this Literary Journal. But doesn't this sound exciting? This genre includes essays just as Emerson and Thoreau have written. I love their essays! In fact, I was thinking the other day that bloggers nowadays are much like Emerson and Thoreau but on a smaller scale of writing professionally. I think I shall address this another day.

In the meanwhile, this is something I would like to do. Write essays about life, about different topics. I'd write personal essays. Much like I do on here and in my Journals, but perhaps more official and revised and more thought out. I should be using the same process of writing a fiction in writing nonfiction, or even an essay. Such as brainstorming, organizing thoughts, etc. I mean, I'm sure you can tell here that I'm a little scattered brained. But these ideas! They would take much time to write. And there are so much thoughts and ideas and facts I learn in college that it seems almost impossible to effectively write on every topic I wish too.

College. You certainly Learn. More about Self. Others. The World. Abstract Ideas. and the Intangible.

On this day I've learned exactly what genre it is that I would enjoy writing in.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Greed: Good?

The word "Greed" has a negative connotation. It immediately brings to mind selfishness, dishonesty, evil tycoon, and other such flattering terms. But is greed in and of itself bad? Perhaps we would widen our American vocabulary. Greed does mean an intense and selfish desire for something.

Greed is bad because it infringes on other people's rights and can also promote dishonesty. Would Bill Gates be considered greedy? He's the wealthiest person in the world in terms of money; is he greedy? He still wishes to become wealthier, elsewise he would have retired. I don't think he is a greedy man in the sense that he's infringing on other people's rights; the right term to use in place of greed I think would be self-interest.

"Self" has a rather obvious meaning. But the word "interest" has some meanings that might be useful to fully understand the abstract idea; it is the state of wanting to know or learn about something or someone and/or the advantage or benefit of a person or group. It also is a word to describe the money that is paid regularly at a particular rate for the use of money lent or the delaying of paying debt. So if you have self-interest, you are investing in yourself in one area or another.

But how does the world work without some kind of motivation? Would just the fact of knowing you are doing good motivate the world to progress? It should, but does it? But even then, are you partly selfish when you are going about doing good? This is what self-interest is. Greed can be gone, but we must still have self-interest in order to progress.

Bill Gates has a type of greed, or self-interest, where he has to persuade people to buy his products. Not force. Also, when he increases in his profit it means that he's creating more jobs, more wealth at an employee's level, and such.

So the question for all of us to ponder is "How can you persuade everyone to give you a dollar voluntarily?" Answering that question, and then investing in it, that's what can cause great wealth. Look at the problems that people are complaining of, fix it and then sell it.

Here is a video they showed in class:Milton Friedman - Greed

But this is what I learned of greed and capitalism today. :D

Monday, February 8, 2010

Learning about the Financial

Perhaps its because I am at college and am more aware of all the knowledge out there and try my best to soak it up, but it seems to me that themes are occurring and repeating. Possibly because I really need to know this information for some strange reason. It amazes me that if you are open to inspiration, you learn things that would be most beneficial. It seems to me that one of the most ideal times in which to learn and gain wonderful habits are in our college years. However, I also think that in all stages of our lives is the best time to be learning more and gaining better habits.

In anycase, yesterday was Fast Sunday and some of the young men from our ward go around to our homes to collect Fast Offerings (which I didn’t know and so turned them in earlier at church). As they do so they also drop off an Ensign for our home: one per home. I began to read it and near the beginning was the Visiting Teaching Message which is entitled “Managing Resources Wisely and Staying out of Debt.” Then today, in my College Success class, the lesson of the day was entitled “Financial Awareness” taught by a Senior who’s major is accounting and who works in the financial advising department. It was very interesting and enlightening.

As a result, I now have some new goals. I’m more knowledgeable about what these goals should approximately be and how to accomplish them. That’s my problem sometimes; the lack of knowledge, also known as ignorance, causes me to not know what it is that I want to attain.

But first, let’s continue with what I have learned and perhaps you may learn something as well, or come to a better understanding with me as I rewrite what it is I have acquired from these different sources.

Why should I care about my financial state? Personally, I think that is a stupid question. I mean, money matters. Not in the way of wealth and ambition and greed, but rather in the way of taxes, bill payments, education, food and other necessities. As it does matter we need to be wise about the money we are given. It’s not actually ours anyways. It’s our stewardship, we are to manage and be responsible over it. Use it for righteous means. Money is a blessing, but it can be used for evil as all things can be.

Another reason as to why we should care: the Deficit effects the economy. Less jobs for those of us who are looking for them, even after graduation from college with a major.

What we do with our money depends on our perspective. There are three words that people don’t really like to hear or do: “Debt”, “Budgeting” and “Savings”.

DEBT
What is debt to the average American? An everyday thing. Something you run up everytime you go shopping. It’s a normal occurrence. Debt is something that defines life in the normal way of the world, at least in America.
What is debt to many LDS members? Something bad and to be avoided at all costs. However, there are good debts. What? you ask. Good debts? Why, what is that? Good debts are debts that are made as a result of education, housing, and transportation. Although, it has to be reasonable and not overboard on buying some topnotch super expensive car just because it’s cool and whatnot. But there are somethings that it is acceptable to have a debt for.

BUDGETING
To many people, budgeting is something you do when you are poor and broke. That is a False Statement, as budgeting is something in all actuality is an asset to making you far more prosperous. Budgeting, in my own words, controls the “natural man” to spend. Budgeting is just telling our money where to go. It is also a collection of financial goals. Another false statement: Without goals any failures can be looked at as a success. No progressing equals no improvement and no achievement and no success.

SAVINGS
This is something Americans just do not do. In fact, we are in the negatives of saving. Meaning we spend that which we do not have. We need to plan ahead as we don’t put into account all that we should. For example, what is the estimated cost of education? $1640 for tuition. Then an high estimate of the cost of books at $500. Housing off campus at an average of $900, many places are higher. $700 for food. Possible $150 cost of transportation of gas if owning a vehicle, and even if not, for other kinds of transportation. So an estimated total of $3890 per semester. Do we college students keep that in mind as we are home from school and working, of the amount we should be saving for only one semester of college. For one year, or two semesters, its an estimated total of $7780. And this is only at BYU-Idaho. (Now, hopefully, my parents are freaking out right now. :P) Another something to be aware of as we try to plan ahead is the resources available to us. The free financial advisors, the scholarships and grants, and such. Sacrifice is a huge part of planning ahead. How? Well, explain to me when it is convenient to save. When you are single? When you are newly weds? When you have children? When your children are older? Is it truly convenient at any of these times? No. But we should do it anyways. Even if is just a small amount. At least something should be saved. Excuses shouldn’t really be accepted as to why you can’t save. Although, obviously the amount depends on the situation of each household.

“To provide providently, we must practice the principles of provident living: joyfully living within our means, being content with what we have, avoiding excessive debt, and diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies. When we live providently, we can provide for ourselves and our families and also follow the Savior’s example to serve and bless others.
‘. . . Of course some debt incurred for education, a modest home, or a basic automobile may be necessary to provide for a family. Unfortunately however, additional debt is incurred when we cannot control our wants and addictive impulses.” So says Robert D. Hales in “Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually”.

I like this. The Principles of Provident Living:
Joyfully living within our means
Being content with what we have
Avoiding excessive debt
Diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies

What does Provident Living implies?

President Spencer W. Kimball says that provident living implies:
Conversing of our resources
Wise planning of financial matters
Full provision for personal health
Adequate preparation for education and career development
Giving appropriate attention to home production and storage
Development of emotional resiliency

It’s interesting to learn all these things and then try to apply them into our lives.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin has 5 key steps to financial freedom:
Pay your tithing
Spend less than you earn
Learn to save
Honor your financial obligations
Teach you children to follow your example

That is a lot of information and there is even more out there. But it honestly just amazes me the financial information that I gained in these last few days. I really shall be making goals and keeping to them.

Gotta love learning. :D

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Facing Death to Live

For my Writing Foundations class I am reading Tuesdays with Morrie written by Mitch Albom. It makes you think. It really does. Much like the book The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch.

So enlightening. So . . . It is hard to explain without reading it. But it seems to me that those close to death are more full of life, wisdom, inspiration, and cheer. Those who have lived a long life have so much wisdom they can impart to us before they leave us. We just have to listen.

Reading this book, Tuesdays with Morrie is insightful. It hit on some major principles that all humankind should know abut. It amazes me at how those people who never did know much about the Gospel while they lived here, were so close to the truth as they marched on closer to death. I wish that someone would do the work for them. I honestly think they would accept it. But they brought so many people perhaps a step closer to the Truth. We each have a calling here on earth.

As I read, I learned that even though I know a bit about life and living and the Eternities, I still lose sight of how I could and should be living my life day-by-day, hour-by-hour, and minute-by-minute. It's always much easier to imagine that "in the future, I'll be doing . . . " Or "I'll be . . . " But we have to realize that we won't become who we want to become in the future if we aren't who we want to be today and if we are not working on it throughout the day that we are living in.

"Learn how to die, and you learn how to live." So says Morrie. Once you realize that today could be your last day, all the sudden life becomes so much more in just the simplest of things. You enjoy every minute of the day. You enjoy your trials. You enjoy the family and friends in your life. Or you realize that what you have been working towards throughout your entire life is not important at all.

"The fact is, there is no foundation, no secure ground upon which people may stand today if it isn't the family. It's become quite clear to me as I've been sick. If you don't have the support and love and caring and concern that you get from a family, you don't have much at all. Love is so supremely important. As our great poet Auden said, 'Love each other or perish.' " Family. Such an important thing. Morrie hit it right on the nose. That is the foundation of Heavenly Father's plan. That is our first foundation of defense. Family.

" 'You know what what really gives you satisfaction?'
"What?
" 'Offering others what you have to give.' "

Service. That is what truly makes a person happy. True Charity. Not just giving money to people on the streets, but actual real service. Really knowing the person. Really giving ALL you have to someone. And perhaps not your material things, but your time, effort, love, joy, knowledge, and wisdom. It is hard to find satisfaction in getting and taking. But giving? That's something else.

" 'I believe in being fully present,' Morrie said. 'That means you should be with the person you're with.' "

"But really listening to someone - without trying to sell them something, pick them up, recruit them, or get some kind of status in return - how often do we get this anymore?"

This is something we don't give to people much. We are too concerned with the future. With what we want. With what we need. With what needs to be done. But in doing so we miss the life right in front of us. We could have made a difference. We could have bettered our selves. But we missed the opportunity.

"Invest in the human family. Invest in people. Build a little community of those you love and who love you."

We try to make the best investments and gain the best reward from it. One of the best things to invest in to gain the most reward is the human family. It's what we should all invest in. Imagine the profit we would gain from it.

These are lessons learned. Lessons to be applied. A lesson is not a true lesson if not ever put into relevance with our lives.

I love Life, but sometimes the best lessons learned of Life are derived from Death.

In any case, I recommend both The Last Lecture and Tuesdays with Morrie.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Nursing - How to Cope with Stress

I am taking a nursing classes. Not just any nursing class. But a Family Skills Nursing class. Why? Well, the Family Skills Nursing class are for those who want to learn about being healthy and taking care of different issues, but for those who are not majoring in nursing. Which is entirely me. Nursing is something I would just like to know so I can help my self and family, not to pass a test and become an actual nurse. That takes a lot more concentration and skills then I posses. It's also not quite what I'm looking for in my life. But I certainly am glad that so many people wish to become nurses. In any case, this particular class is on woman's health. Teaching me how to be healthy and solve problems and signs and such...

Well, one day we learned about Stress. We were given some papers to tell us how to better manage stress. This is what it says, and as it came from my nursing class it's totally legit. :P

Ways to Cope with Stress
1. Jam miniature marshmallows up your nose and sneeze them out. See how many you can do at once.
2. Pop some popcorn without putting the lid on.
3. When someone says, "Have a nice day!" tell them you have other plans.
4. Make a list of things to do that you've already done.
5. Put your toddlers clothes on backwards and send them off to school as if nothing is wrong.
6. Tape pictures of your boss on watermelons and launch them from high places.
7. Pay your electric bill in pennies.
8. Drive to work in reverse.
9. Read the dictionary upside down and look for secret messages.
10. Write a short story using alphabet soup.
11. Stare at people through the tines of a fork and pretend they are in jail.
12. Make up a new language and ask people for directions.
13. Replace the filling of a Twinkie with ketchup and place it back in the wrapper.

Thoughts to Get You Through Almost ANY Crisis
1. All thing being equal, fat people use more soap.
2. Anything worth fighting for is worth fighting dirty for.
3. Be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a tough battle.
4. By the time you make ends meet, they move the ends.
5. Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.
6. Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.
7. Happiness is merely the brief remission of pain.
8. I have seen the truth, and it makes no sense.
9. If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
10. If you ever find something you like, buy a lifetime supply because they will stop making it.
11. If you think that there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody.
12. Indecision is the key to flexibility.
13. Not one shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious.
14. One seventh of your days are spent on Mondays.
15. Someone who thinks logically is a nice contrast to the real world.
16. The facts, although altogether interesting, are irrelevant.
17. The more you run over a dead cat the thinner it gets.
18. The other line always moves faster until you get into it.
19. The world gets a little better every day, and worse in the evening.
20. There is absolutely no substitute for a genuine lack of talent.
21. You can't tell which way the train went by looking at the tracks.
22. To live forever, acquire a chronic disease and take care of it.
23. This is as bad as it can get, but don't bet on it.
24. Things are more like they are today than they ever have been before.
25. He who steals my purse is trash!

Stress Diet

Breakfast:
1/2 Grapefruit
1 slice Whole Wheat Toast
8 oz. Skim Milk

Lunch:
4 oz. lean broiled chicken breast
1 cup steamed zucchini
1 Oreo cookie
Herb Tea

Mid-Afternoon Snack:
Rest of the package of Oreos
Large Pepperoni and Mushroom Pizza
3 Milky Way Candy Bars
Entire frozen Cheese Cake east directly from the freezer

Diet Tips
1. If no one sees you eat it - it has no calories.
2. If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, they cancel each other out.
3. When eating with someone else, calories don't count if you both eat the same amount.
4. If you fatten up everyone else around you - then you look thinner.


I hope that just by reading them, and not necessarily doing all the them, you are a bit less stressed and laughter was brought into your day!

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want." ~ Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes

Monday, February 1, 2010

Minor Differences

Minors.

I love history. I really do. I love learning the the causes and effects. I love the stories of the average person and the political and military leaders. There are just so many stories! So many events! So many ways of interrupting the past. However, my definition of history and other peoples definition of history seems to be a little different. Sorta.

I just like reading all the information already gathered. I don't like much the whole researching every document thing. Although, I am very glad I live in this time where the internet, on which information is gathered, exists. Otherwise it would be a lot harder. I love to learn of all the missing pieces and imagine what the time period was really like, but still. I just like being the audience to the real historian.

So I was considering that perhaps I will change my minor. My major I am pretty confidant in. English with a Creative Writing Emphasis. But my minor? That's different.

My options I am looking at: Marriage and Family Studies verses Psychology with a Parenting Emphasis

I have not quite decided, but I think I want to go more along those lines. I'm currently taking Hist 101 so I can take other History classes down the road. Because I love to learn about the different eras and such. I mean, hello, i'm majoring in English. It's all one big story to me with lots of smaller stories in it. Think about all you can write!! It's mind boggling!

In any case, I'll still be taking a history class every once in awhile. But in all truthfulness, I don't quite want a career. Writing stories for fun, now that would be enjoyable, but for a career on which my livelihood depended upon? That is a different story that could be written.

I am not act school to only gain myself an education for which I can go into a career, I am gaining an education so I am more intellectually bright and knowledgeable as well as more wise. I am gaining an education so I can be a better mother to my future children. I am gaining an education so I will be an asset to my community. So I am just taking a wide variety of courses in which I am interesting in knowing more about or I can see being entirely useful.

The differences:

Marriage and Family Studies:

Family Relations - overview course of family development across the lifespan including the study of the family as a system, family interaction, family issues and family roles. This course will emphasize relationships of the family and its environment. Consideration is given to the cultural diversity and heritage of families.
Parenting - A study of theories, principles, and practices needed to build nurturing and supportive parent-child relationships and to guide children toward healthy development courses.
Marriage - Focuses on contemporary issues affecting marriage, along with skills and principles needed to build strong and successful marriages.
Money Management - Financial concepts of direct concern to the individual or family. Budgeting, financial institutions and services, consumer buying, use and control of credit, financial records, buying and selling home insurance, and basic investments will be discussed.
The Family - Application of gospel truths and supportive scholarship to strengthen marriage and family relationships using "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" as the guiding framework.
Home and Family Management - Application of principles of home management. A goal oriented study of values, resources, decision making, time and money management.
Family Recreation - This course will address the issues related to recreation as it applies to the LDS family environment and develop within the student the tools needed to implement the principles for success set forth by the prophets.
Marriage Skills - Foundation principles of successful marriages with application to strengthening marriages.
Parenting Skills - Foundational Principles and basic skills of parent child interaction with application to typical decisions, problems, and opportunities encountered by parents.
Preparation for Marriage - Highlight skills, attitudes, behaviors, and principles needed to prepare oneself for a strong marriage and to wisely select a marriage partner. Preparation for marriage is also emphasize by focusing on healthy practices related to dating, courtship, engagement, and the transition following marriage.


Psychology with a Parenting Emphasis:

General Psychology - This is an introductory course in Psychology which surveys the various fields of psychology and application of selected psychological principles to life situations.
Developmental Psychology Lifespan - The study of biological, affective, social, and cognitive aspects of development through the life span.
Psychology of Effective Living - An explanation of psychological principles which facilitate a productive and satisfying life.
Child Development - A theoretical, academically oriented course focusing on the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development of the child from conception through adolescence. Explores the influences of family, peers, and social institutions on the child's development.
Adolescent Development - A study of the biological, social and cognitive foundations of adolescence. Includes in-depth examinations of many developmental issues faced by adolescent, e.g., gender, the self, family relationships, friends and peers, dating, love and sexuality, school, etc.

I also debated with Home and Family as a Minor, but I think that I'll just take some of those classes rather then just the whole minor. Perhaps the same with the Psychology. It's so helpful to write it all out. :D I am certainly still going to be taking some History classes. And definitely some English - Creative Writing classes.

But these are some minor differences, and I plan on making them all together. Or at least, mostly. :D