The Great Feeling of Completion

I haven't posted for awhile. It seems I've been focused on writing two, 30 page, book reports for my Assessing and Teaching Communication Arts class, and reading about gender communication for my Special Topics class.

The feeling is one of relief now, since I've just submitted my final paper for Gender Communication! I'm officially done with my first semester as a graduate student.

I've survived, I think. It's just a matter of waiting for grades to be posted.

Now it is off to a much needed vacation with my precious family.

Lynelle

Does My Husband Recognize Me?

I've just completed my first week in "Reading in Gender Communications." I like this class, even though I wasn't sure I would.

The content is challenging to read, but very good. The two authors I've read so far, Van Leeuwen and Kramarea (who insidentally, made up her own last name) have been fascinating. I don't quite know what to make of what I've read, but I'm glad for the exposure.

Conversations with my husband are interesting these days. :) Poor guy! I'm reading all of this material on gender communication, plus I'm just finishing the class where we've focused on interpersonal communication. He probably doesn't know what to make of me right now!

I've been trying all kinds of things out--really without meaning too. I've just been remembering things I'm learning as we talk. So far, I think it is good. Hopefully he does too. Perhaps we need some "metacommunication" to find out what he thinks. I'm kind of afraid to ask.

Lynelle

Two 30-page Book Reports Due Soon

Since this is my first semester in Graduate School, everything is new to me. I have not had any reference points, really, for the quality of my classes.

However, I felt from the beginning that I was getting a good deal in COM502 Graduate Seminar. There was a 30 page syllabus--Wow! But, it was clear. I appreciated that.

My other class, Assessing and Teaching Communication Arts has not been so clear. I've been confused from the start on the content of the course since the textbook is an interpersonal communciations text called "Looking Out, Looking In."

While I've enjoyed the content of the book and the discussions and learned a lot already that I'm applying to my life, the class is dissapointing in that it is not addressing the subject matter found in the course description.

I'm also finding thinking about writing two, yes--two, 30 page book reports, with out a grading rubric, overwhelming. I've been reading the books all semester, so that's not the issue. I've just never written something of this length before--let alone without much guidance.

I may say more thoughts about this, after the papers are written.

Lynelle

I Can't Stop Blogging

I found out I really like posting to this blog site. Even though my assignment with COM 502, where I was required to blog twice a week is over, I've decided to continue with it.

Who knows, I may continue blogging throughout my whole post-graduate experience. What's interesting to me is that I thought I would dislike posting to the blog, since I've never been much of a journal keeper.

I like it though! The forum seems to be helpful to me in sharing my thoughts and feelings about what I'm learning and experiencing.

Who will be my audience for these blogs? Probably no one. :) That's alright.

Perhaps someone who is thinking about earning an online degree will read these entries and find them helpful. Who knows!?

So, until next time--I'm off to study at my computer again.

Lynelle

I can IM

I wasn't planning on adding another post during this class, but my experience online tonight demanded it.

I became an IM user. Yes, Instant Messenger and I became companions. It was a whole new experience for me.

Blessings on my classmates, Bob, Brenda and Christi who helped me figure out how to communicate on IM by their great example.

It was a bit confusing having four people all "talking" at the same time, but for the most part we figured it out. We had to go back for clarification a couple of times. Overall, I found it a fascinating study in group interaction--in a whole new medium for me.

I could tell that the others were more familiar with the format. They were quicker and seemed really comfortable. I assume I'll be comfortable with it soon, too.

It was humorous at the end, when I didn't even know how to sign off. We all said "good night" and then I had to ask, "how do I get out of here?"

Our IM chat was a great way to wrap up my experiences in COM 502.

Lynelle

My First Class--Over Already?

It seems almost unbelievable that I am approaching the final week of my first post-graduate (and online) class. What an incredible experience.

I feel like I've entered a whole new world. I think I have.

Just yesterday I was visiting with a friend (and former co-worker) in my family room and gestured toward my desk when I was talking about my classes. I realized by his expression that he was confused by this non-verbal. I have an armoire-style desk, so he couldn't see that my computer was inside. I laughed and explained that the desk and computer are the location of my class in my mind. When I "go to school" it is at my desk.

Right then I realized that I'm forming a bond with my computer and the immediate environment around it. That seems strange, but it makes sense to me.

All of my classmates and professors have become part of this physically small world. It is ironic that this tiny territory opens up into a vast, expansive world of information and knowledge.

How grateful I am for the introduction to graduate school provided by COM502 Graduate Seminar. It has been HARD WORK, and I'm glad. I feel like I've been given tools for the project ahead.

Lynelle

So Glad to Find This Web Site

While I was doing my research for the library research project, I found a web site that I really like. The site is called Christian Cinema.com. It seems to address one of my areas of interest--how we communicate the Christian message through film and television in an effective way. I hope to pursue this topic for my thesis paper eventually.

This is not an "academic" site, but it does include some articles that are well thought out--by film industry professionals. I'm going to enjoy reading more of these, I think.

The site also has information about many different aspects of Christian film production and the availability of films that speak up for my beliefs. I think this will be a good resource professionally and in my personal life.

It includes reviews of films from a Christian perspective and information about new movies that are coming out from Christian producers.

I've book marked this site in my personal web pages and in my folder for future research during my education. I'm excited about it because I think it will be a site to get a lot of use. It may also connect me to other sites of interest, I expect.

Here's the address: http://www.christiancinema.com/

Lynelle

A Good Night's Sleep

It's amazing how a good night of sleep can give a person a whole new perspective. Today, I'm optimistic about my future as a graduate student and ready to reflect on the process of research using the "Internet library."

I think I miss the smell of old books.

But on the other hand, I sure love the advantage of searching numerous data bases for material without leaving the comfort (that's relative since my desk chair is a chair from the dining room table) of my own home.

As I was trying to familiarize myself with the databases and the process this week, I had a number of moments feeling overwhelmed, both by the sheer volume of material available and by the varying formats for the database sites.

I expect to become more accustomed to the web sites, which will make searching more efficient and enjoyable. I may not so easily adjust to how many resources are actually available to me. It is truly a big task to sort through so much and select only the best.

The good news is, that I found many resources on the topic that is so interesting to me. I am wanting to develop some principles or guidelines, or creative ideas--I'm not sure of the right word yet--for producing films that will impact our culture on behalf of Christianity.

There are several books available that I feel like I just have to read, as soon as I get a few moments. :)

So far in my literature review, while I have found several journal articles that approach or talk around the subject I would like to research, I have not found an article that says just what I want to say. That's good, I think. There may be a place for my thesis paper in the academic world.

Lynelle

A Time for Prayer

This is a week for prayer--and I've only had time for short, sometimes desperate ones. My assignments this week are overwhelming me. The time that I am putting into them is cutting into the time that I want to be spending with my children, so I am feeling inadequate and frustrated. I'm also exhausted from a couple of late nights "at the library."

When I was writing my time management paper, I was optomistic about how I would find balance. Now. . .I feel like it is not working. My husband even said last night, "when are these classes over?" He's been so helpful and patient, but he's starting to wonder if we did the right thing having me go back to school right now.

I believe that when we prayed about this, God impressed us that I should go for it, and get my masters degree before the time when I want to go back to work part or full time. I keep remembering that I need this degree to be a college professor. I'm looking forward to what I will be learning, too. Especially, I'm anticipating what it will be like to research the thesis I am contemplating.

Doing the work is not harder than I expected, but it is more time consuming than I hoped. From past experience, I expect that in a few days, I will be more encouraged. Some time spent with God and family this weekend will be very welcome.

I've decided to attach a picture of my family again -- because it encourages me somehow. This one is of my husband reading to our three little ones. It makes me smile.

Lynelle

The Tips are True!

This week I read the chapter "Tips for Online Reading, Writing, and Discussing" by Carolyn Gale in our textbook. I am pleased to announce that they are true! By this I mean that I have already begun to experience the realities of these tips.

As I read I kept thinking, "that's right, that's right." Listen to this section heading: "Never Underestimate How Much You Will Write." TRUE. I was told going in that I would be writing a lot. I think I have to get a more comfortable desk chair. I'm finding that I enjoy writing, but perhaps a bit more in moderation. :)

I've been logging on to mySAU portal at least once a day--usually twice or three times. I've found this helpful in avoiding becoming overwhelmed. This was one of the "right on" observations of the chapter as well.

The best tip I read in the chapter was "Do Your Own Assignments Before Reading Another's." I have already been doing this, because I didn't want to be influenced by other's work. It was validating to read that this was a good idea and would make for better discussion threads.

It was an encouraging chapter--perhaps because it validated some of the things I have already been doing and encouraged me to keep my writing focused, respectful and high quality.

Lynelle

Group Project Anxiety

I have an anxious feeling today about our first group project. I feel like this is where we really test our organizational abilities and our new sense of community.

Will it work? Will we pull off our "Top 10 Time Management" assignment? I feel like we are already too far into the week (Thursday) without having it pulled together. I confess that the old "manager" in me is wanting to do something to make it happen.

The fact that we cannot all talk together at once is very frustrating to me on this project. I was hoping that someone would step up at the beginning of the week and "make this happen." I think Brenda gave it a good try -- but we didn't really cooperate in the appropriate fashion.

I sense that all of us are a little lost about how to pull this off. I really want to be helpful, in fact I wouldn't mind a leadership role. However, I feel like I could really end up frustrating my group because I won't be available on Sabbath (Friday night sundown to Saturday night sundown). I'm not willing to sacrifice my convictions about the Sabbath, but I do want to do everything I can to contribute and to get our assignment in by Friday.

I've emailed my concerns to the group. I hope that they will be understanding and that we can get our list together tonight or tomorrow.

Here's to testing our "time management" skills!

Lynelle

Making Sure I'm Still a Human "Being"

I am understanding that I must be responsible for my success in the program. Reading
Steven Covey’s "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" for the first time, I’m learning that in order to be effective, productive and happy, I need to worry about only the things I can control. What I have control over is my own attitude. Covey quotes Samuel Johnson (p. 93), "The fountain of content must spring up in the mind, and he who hath so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition, will waste his life in fruitless efforts and multiply the grief he proposes to remove." I really like this quote. I ask God daily for the strength to keep going with all my responsibilities – kids, work, home, school.

The other big thing that I keep thinking about, is giving priority to the things I value in life. Covey’s writing in "The Seven Habits. . .", the two Covey chapters we read for our class module this week (from "First Things First"), and Donald Sull’s article, "Do Your Commitments Match Your Convictions?" only emphasized back-burner thoughts about how I manage my time.
I don’t want my life to be so much about managing time, as it is about being the right person – especially for my kids.

I guess its the old "being" vs. "doing." I'm the kind of person who can be "doing" a lot of things. I enjoy a certain level of activity. I want to make sure I don't miss out on the more important "being" though.

(The photo is of me with my kids on Mother's Day -- after waiting two hours for breakfast at the local breakfast "hot spot." They were such troopers!)

Lynelle

Community -- What is it?

This week we have been discussing creating community among our classmates. Our professor pointed out that we had not really defined community. I tried a dictionary definition, but it didn't really seem sufficient.

Community seems to be something that we all long for. We want to belong. I think we recognize it when we have it.

I am so glad, for example, that I belong to my church community -- both locally and globally. What a blessing to be able to find connections with people all over the world, based on shared beliefs.

We are really in the early stage of relationship in our class, I believe. We certainly do have the ability to be bonded in community, though. We have so much in common. It will be interesting to see how we feel about our connectedness when the class comes to an end in a few weeks.

Lynelle

Interpersonal Relationships

This photo is of my family last fall when we were away on a spiritual retreat weekend with friends. It reminds me of the joy I feel having a great family. Interpersonal relationships are on my mind.

Probably because right now I am the most excited about what I'm learning in the other class I am taking this quarter -- "Assessing and Teaching Communication Arts." We're studying the text Looking Out/Looking In. This is my first class in interpersonal communication.

When I was in college for my undergraduate degree, I missed out on the interpersonal class, because there were others that were required in my concentration (Mass Media), and it never seemed to fit my schedule as an elective.

Of course, there are so many examples from real life to look at when we discuss each topic. I'm going to be writing a discussion thread about self-fulfilling prophecies. I need to spend some time thinking about when/how I have done this to myself.

My husband and I think that we have a really good relationship. It is, at the heart, a best-friendship. What I'm learning should enhance it. However, I'm worried that I will begin to over analyze our communication and drive him crazy. He's not one for too much "metacommunication." :)

Lynelle

Do I like blogging?

"Not surprisingly, blogging, the verb form, has been viewed as a public form of journalism, giving anyone who wishes the opportunity to comment on events of the day. Indeed, as of this fall (Sept. 2002) several journalism schools at major universities have added courses in blogging to their curricula." (Blogs: A Disruptive Technology Coming of Age? 9/26/2002 By Phillip D. Long)

My first reaction to this web article was -- "you've got to be kidding!" And, I confess that I still wonder about the legitamacy of considering blogging to be any kind of publication or journalism. The first question that comes to my mind is, "who's really reading these blogs? Do they have an audience or readership?

In the current context, I understand that my classmates may take an interest in what I am publishing -- I very limited, but important readership. However, if I was just happily blogging away every day outside of this context, would anyone care?

The answer seems to be that I would need to act as publicist for myself and let possible interested parties know where they could see my reflective thoughts and hopefully creative insights.

Despite some of my misgivings about the world of blogging, I'm finding that I really enjoy journaling my thoughts in this forum. I love that when I'm done writing I can post it to the web and it looks pretty neat with the automated layout that I've selected.

I think I'm a reluctant but happy convert to the world of blogging.

The End of the Week is Coming

I have that Thursday feeling today -- the weekend is coming. I have made it my goal to complete my school work (other than book report reading), by Thursday evening -- so that I can enjoy the weekend with my family.

Since I'm a Seventh-day Adventist, I am particularly looking forward to Sabbath arriving in another day and a half. It is almost always a restful experience -- interesting how it can be so restful and also the highpoint of the week.

Tuesday of this week was kind of crazy. I think I assigned myself too much "homework" on that evening. I was up till nearly midnight working on web searches and discussion board responses. I need to look at how I distribute the work throughout the week and see if there is a better way.

Well, I know I haven't typed this much in one week in a LONG time. I am trying to remember better form for my hands and wrists so that I don't develope carpal tunnel problems :)

About the subject matter I've been studying: I love what I'm learning about interpersonal communication in "Assessing and Teaching Communication Arts." The class seems to be taking a different direction than I expected -- but I am fascinated with the material and noticing that I think often throughout the day about what I've learned. There are so many real life examples!

I also found my web searches about the Free Methodist Church to be most interesting. I have an interest in Theology as well as spirituality -- so I was happy to learn more about what the church teaches.

Here's to a great weekend!

Lynelle

Now I'm Diving In

I feel like last week I sat at the edge of the pool and put my feet in. I watched all the others at the pool put their feet in too. Then some began to enter the water.

Now, I'm diving in! I have to. I am, at the same time, thrilled to be in the water -- and terrified that it will be too deep or too cold for me.

The strategy that is motivating me is to "stay on top" by taking each class and each assignment one stroke (in the swimming analogy) at a time.

I'm developing some new organizational strategies -- especially when it comes to dividing up my work into segments throughout the week. I feel good about that.

The desire to find balance is strong for me. I am compelled to spend as much time with my children as I can and committed to making them first priority. So, I'm posting their picture here to remind me.

I am talking with God about this new pool that I'm in -- and sensing that He is with me.

The First Week

This is my first week as an on-line learner. I'm finding myself with mixed emotions. While I have some (I think appropriate) anxiety about "going back to school," I am so excited to be taking the first steps toward my masters degree.

What makes it the most exciting for me is that this is a Christian program where I am going to be able to learn more about how to communicate spiritual messages effectively. I feel like God has orchestrated things in a way that this is the perfect timing for me to be working on this degree at this institution.

It is fun to begin getting to know my classmates through our discussion board and I'm looking forward to the coming weeks.