A lol society

" lol see you soooooonnnn!" That text is my latest form of writing. If I wrote like that on any assignment, people would most likely think I fell asleep on my keyboard. It's absolutely a form of writing, but in texting we are able to put aside the rules of writing by using emojis, slang, and the basic standard of which we write a word. ( Except you're and your it drives me insane when used improperly) Texting is the number one way to have a conversation with someone day to day. We are not required to be eloquent or very thoughtful in our texts. This form of writing can cause issues in academic writing because texting is a form of communication we read and write everyday. I can say lol at the end of a sarcastic comment. I can't say lol in a paper to convey that same sarcasm. In academic writing we are required to be more thoughtful, so that our papers are not a jumbled mess of thoughts. I believe that this is the hardest part of academic writing. We have to mentally shift from a form of writing we are accustomed to, to a more professional way of writing. This brain block can cause issues when professional writing comes into play, but clearly it is possible because I am writing to you right now. I am already more thoughtful, because this is a blog post not a text message to friend. For me, I keep a journal it allows me to brain dump without rules, but it also allows me to write with a purpose. Yes, texting is an important tool for communication in our society, but it will not further our abilities in writing. I encourage you to get outside of your comfort zone and to start writing with intent, by doing so you are growing as a writer. Take some time today and write, write your thoughts for the day, or if your stuck there are plenty of journal prompts online. The future needs good writer, why not be one of them?

Yes, there is a road map to writing a paper (post 7)

There I was sitting in front of my computer, staring at my next assignment for my English class. I knew the things I wanted to say, but I felt lost. I would type one sentence then erase, type a different sentence. erase. My brain just felt like it had so many thoughts swimming in confusion. I was proud of my first assignment and that paper seemed to write itself, but now I could even string a sentence together. Then it hit me, write an out line. I grabbed a pen, paper, and started writing. No thinking, no strategy just writing. I needed to see the words in front of me so that I could be begin to organize my thoughts. Hand cramping, I was done, I had a mess of words, but at least there were words. Now it was time to organize my thoughts. I began dissecting and organizing my thoughts.  I took the main points of what I wanted to talk then I put my supporting information under those main points. Finally, I could see the road map I made for this paper. I breathed a sigh of relief, I can do this, I can in fact write this paper. With my road map beside me I was able to write the rough draft of my paper. I can not emphasize enough the importance of writing an outline, especially when writers block hits. By writing an outline you are giving yourself structure so that when you get lost you can easily get back on track. What if the only thing standing between you and an A paper was an outline? Get out that pen, paper and write that outline, you will not be disappointed. 

Voter Suppression or Machine Malfunction?

June 9th was the day Georgia had a complete catastrophe, no I am not talking about the corona virus, I am talk about the Georgia Preliminary. That morning thousands of Georgians began to line up, waiting for their right to vote. Now we all know voting can take time out of your day, but on June 9th people waited hours to be able to exercise that right. I started noticing the issues on Facebook, people sharing and posting that they had been in line for 3 hours and had only moved 60 feet. Why? Well everyone seems to point fingers at everyone else, and when there was no one else to blame they blamed the machines. I started digging around, I needed to know for myself what was being said and what exactly happened.

    This catastrophe begins well before the actual day of the preliminary. In August of 2019 the state ordered to get rid of the flawed machines, for a machine that would be more secure and verifiable. This new voting machine would give basically give you a receipt for the vote that you had made. This new system would allow states to audit when needed to ensure fair voting. While this was an excellent idea in theory, this would be a devastating blow to Georgia in June of 2020. These new machines were rolled out to different counties across Georgia and training was to follow. During the preliminary, reports of  some counties only had 1 out of 5 machines working, others counties stated that their workers did not have the passwords to actually unlock the machines for voting. 

    These issues caused lines to only get longer and voters to understandably get angry. Voters were given different answers when they asked about the wait times for voting. If there is one thing I know from working in customer service is that people want straight facts not bogus fluffed up answers. As people got angry they took to social media to vent. Everyone was angry and rightfully so. Different news stations began to report on the issues Georgia was having. Miles O'brian from PBS, reported from Central City Park Atlanta, Ga. One voter John Dodson had this to say, " It is 9:56. There are now 8 eight, eight ballots counted." Clearly the state had a problem, their solution? They extended the voting times for different counties. Officials started taking to social media as well blaming each other or blaming the machines. Finally at 7:36 pm the Georgia ACLU made this statement, "The Georgia elections held today were a massive failure. Countless Georgians were deprived of their sacred right to vote. Whether it is incompetence or intentional voter suppression- the result is the same-- Georgians denied their rights as citizens in this democracy." There is now an investigation on what exactly happened that day. Will we get answers, probably not. The only option we truly have is to move forward, as Georgians standing up for what is right and what is our right. If there was voter suppression, it is our jobs as Americans to not stay quiet and stand together to ensure that all voices are heard. 

                                                                        Works Cited:

O'Brien, Miles. “In Georgia, Primary Election Chaos Highlights a Voting System Deeply Flawed.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 22 June 2020, www.pbs.org/newshour/show/in-georgia-primary-election-chaos-highlights-a-voting-system-deeply-flawed.

Staff, WSBTV.com News. “Voters Run into Issues at the Polls across Metro Atlanta. Here's What Happened.” WSBTV, 10 June 2020, www.wsbtv.com/news/local/live-updates-voters-run-into-long-lines-other-issues-election-day/H6XEOPWP2NAUZAMNVYW3ISQB3Q/.

Authority and Value

Throughout this semester, we are challenged to question everything when writing including how do you

add value and authority to your writing? I am challenged with writing a paper about nursing, and why

someone should consider nursing as a career. I know the need to add authority and value, but I was kind

of lost when it came to stating how I will actually accomplish both things. I decided I would start with the

authority piece of this writing puzzle. The nursing field is filled with authority, but I want to make sure that I

use sound authority figures in my paper. For this I researched the actual statistics of nursing. I wanted to

do this so that I could add numbers to what I was saying.

I found the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics it allowed me to see the nursing field as a whole and will add the authority I need for this paper. I then started thinking about the value of my paper. I want readers to be able to come away with something after reading my paper. For me that meant I needed to research actual nurses and see what they have to say about nursing. The world of nursing is vast and filled with so many amazing stories about nurses and things they have experienced in their career. After reading so many amazing stories I found two that I believed would add value to the paper. These stories added something to my paper I couldn't, they added the real element. I grew up with a family in the medical field so I know the value. I feel it in my bones which is why I chose this career, but I wanted readers to have an "oh" moment. We all know that moment, when your reading something and you just get it. You can feel what the writer feels, and your heart is then attached in a way that it stays with you. I believe that nursing is just that an attachment that stays with you whether your the nurse or the patient. I know that adding authority and value is crucial to a paper, and I now know exactly how I will write this paper.

The Bullet Journal: The Art of Intentionally Living

        I am sure most people have heard of a bullet journal by now, but if you have not let me enlighten you 

on the amazing world of the Bullet Journal. The bullet journal was created by a man named, Ryder Carrol, Ryder had learning disabilities, after countless attempts and fails he found a system that worked for him instead of against him. He describes the idea of the bullet journal on his website, and I would like to share it with you, "Bullet Journal® is a methodology. It's best described as a mindfulness practice disguised as a productivity system. It's designed to help you organize your what while you remain mindful of your why. The goal of the Bullet Journal is to help its practitioners (Bullet Journalists) live intentional lives, ones that are both productive and meaningful." In simpler terms the bullet journal is a "journal" that allows you to take chaotic schedules, thoughts, and ideas and put them all in one place. This may sound intimidating, but the idea of this is to create your own method that works. For me that means, that I have a monthly lay out, which includes all the days of that month and my goals. In that monthly spread I am able to mark important days, with keys (pictured below) it allows me to have a birds eye view of my month.

      I then go into my weekly lay out. This section will include all the tasks I need to accomplish that day, whether it be personal or schoolwork.I also have my meal plan for the week with a grocery list. I know your thinking "This sounds like a regular planner, why would I waste my time creating one?" I hear you, I hear you, but there is so much more to this beauty. I have spread dedicated to me going to nursing and what classes I need to take as well as the steps I need to get done to make it happen.

 Not only is it organized, it also motivates me because I can see what I am working towards. I also have a big ideas page, budgeting page, savings page, habit trackers, and in between ALL of that I have pages where I have poured out my heart onto the pages writing whatever comes to mind. Now I have been bullet journaling for a few years now, so I have learned what works for me. I can't tell you how many wasted pages I have created only to realize, that it didn't work for me, but that is the beauty of it! You are allowed to evaluate and change your pages, since you are in fact the creator. Bullet journaling is much like writing a paper. Your first draft will undoubtedly be worse then your final draft, but each time you analyze and critique you create something more beautiful. I think Ryder Carrol says it best the bullet journal method is "The art of intentional living." So, why not give it a try? You may even find that life is just so much more enjoyable when you are intentionally living.

Ryder Carrol, https://bulletjournal.com/pages/about

Where will I find credible resources?

 I am not new to school, I would imagine neither are you, but have you ever been researching  for a paper 

and wondered, "Is the information I'm finding true and from a reliable source?", I definitely have. When 

writing a paper you are passionate about (or maybe not so passionate about) you want to ensure that you 

are researching information properly and productively. We,unfortunately do not have an unlimited 

amount of time, which means productivity is the key to research on the internet. There is only one 

problem with researching productively on the internet, the internet. We can be researching for one topic, 

when all of sudden we've clicked 20 links only to end up on a Buzzfeed video which has nothing to do 

with my topic of research, neither is it very reliable. I knew with the finite amount of time I have I needed 

to find a better way. That's where I found an article, "The 6 Best Search Engines for Academic Research" 

by Low Country Grad Center. After looking through each website, I found the holy grail of search 

engines known for its credible information,iSeek. Low Country Grad Centers, article states this about 

iSeek, "iSeek is easily one of the best and widely used search engines for academic research on the 

internet. It has been especially designed keeping the students, teachers and scholars in mind. This search 

engine shows only reliable and relevant results that ultimately save your time and enable you to get your 

work done quickly. You can find safe, authoritative, intelligent and time-saving resources with iSeek.". I 

began to play around with the website using key words then trying full questions. As I started to test out 

this website, to ensure it met my needs I realized all the time I had wasted, by not using this website for 

my research. That is why I am writing today, we don't have all the time in the world, so do your research 

properly by researching productively.

"6 Best Search Engines for Academic Research" May,2017- https://www.lowcountrygradcenter.org/the-6-best-search-engines-for-academic-research/

So, Critical Thinking?

Students may believe composition class is just another class that you need to trudge through and get the grade, then move on. Unfortunately, those who think like this will miss a wealth of knowledge that not only applies to writing, but also applies to everyday life. One very important lesson you are taught is to think critically. Now I know what your thinking, " Think critically? I'm already extremely critical especially about myself. I don't need to think more critically!" Well true, we are all critical to a certain extent, but that is not the critical I am talking about. In composition the word critically is used, as a term for investigate if you will. There millions of articles out there about every single subject, but if we do not investigate and take apart the articles we have read in our lives we will not be able to have a firm opinion that is rooted in knowledge. When you read an article, questions start popping up in your head, you have two choices to research those questions, or to just take the article you've read as gold and move on with your life.  Paige Johanson explains the importance of critical thinking in her article, "The Importance of Critical Thinking",

     "Unlike many high school English classes, an English composition class isn't about analyzing symbolism in fiction and poetry and learning proper grammar and sentence structure. It's about learning to think and express ideas clearly. In such a class, you will learn how to read carefully and closely and develop your own ideas based on such readings. Perhaps most importantly, you will learn how to convince readers of your point of view and how to acknowledge and respond to potential opposition."

Critical thinking is how this world grows and does not stay stagnant. We can question, research, write, and speak with others about things due to critical thinking. In composition you are taught to hone that skill, which opens the doors for so many opportunities personally and professionally. So instead of just trying to get a passing grade for composition, why not dive in head first?

Paige Johanson. May 2019. https://www.theclassroom.com, "Importance of English Courses"

Dusty Post- it Notes

I suppose we have all thought of or written letters to our future self. Even if we did not write them our internal dialogue is constantly running with things to never forget, never touch that hot stove again, remember to actually turn on the dryer, or remember the hurt you feel and never let it happen again. We could go on and on about the small statements we remember so our future self does not run into that same issue. Are these statements letters? Well, no. I would say they are more like post-it notes in our brain  we breeze by every so often, but they are words that our future self "reads". The idea of "future self" can be a tad intimidating( at least for me it is) and at times something we don't want to think about, but and I mean HUGE BUT HERE, by allowing ourselves to think and dream about the future we are giving hope to ourselves. We are imagining the potential of future, which in turn allows us to plan for that future. I follow a blog called " Nurse Keith's Digital Door Way". He posted a particular blog called " A message to Nurses Future Self", as i was reading this article with my cup of coffee i stumbled across this paragraph,

"So nurse, it's twenty years in the future, and you have two more decades of nursing under your belt. You've cared for thousands of patients, held thousands of hands, and looked into thousands of pairs of eyes. What do you remember, and what do your patients recall? What stands out for you? How does your career compare to your expectations, dreams and aspirations? How would you like that 20 years to live in your mind and heart? You can create it now."

Now I am far from being a nurse, but 10 years ago a dream started to take shape in my heart and then it created a post it in my brain. It took 10 years for me to actually pick up that post it note  and take action, but the important part is I took action. Now do I know where my future self in twenty years will be? Not completely, but I will be able to stand with my head high knowing that my previous self cared enough about my future self to take action and accomplish the goal set before me today. I challenge you to question yourself, pick up those dusty post-it notes in your brain. You are capable of accomplishing every goal you have ever wanted. Look into your future with wide eyes and start creating your future today. 

 Keith Carlson RN,BSN, NC-BC. April 13.2020 https://digitaldoorway.blogspot.com/ "A message to Nurses Future Self"

I am a Mitchell

My name is Madisen Mitchell, I am 26 yr old female who is native to Macon, Ga. I suppose I should give some back ground on who I am so this can actually be an introduce yourself and not a dating website profile. My father was an OBGYN in Macon, Ga and had his own practice here. I say that because my father has influenced every part of my life despite passing when I was 17. My father went head first into everything and accomplished so much in his life. I suppose that is why I am starting school at 26 I want to make him proud and I know he wouldn't let age dictate his future. My father always said, "do it afraid" three simple words which have pushed me throughout my life.  I became Cherry Blossom Queen in 2011, traveled to 3 different countries, moved to and from Las Vegas, Nevada, learned to ride a motorcycle, skydived,  and countless other adventures allowing that phrase lead me when I was afraid. If I am being honest I am afraid now, I know that my calling is becoming a nurse and I don't want to waste this opportunity, I want to make my father proud.