January 2023

It becomes quite entertaining when my little ones try to tell me "Oh, that's easy mom. I can do that." Then we try doing said thing. Art stuff is hit or miss with them, but they outrank me in technology hands down. "Geez mom, update yourself" as my oldest tells me.

When it comes to the things I am doing for art, they are like most kids. The whole 'oh wow, I could do' that mentality comes out. We all found out why in the movie's art goers hold their thumb up to a piece of art. It is because they are sight measuring it, not just being snobby.

The reason this webpage exist is all thanks to them and my homework. Most of what I could not grasp, they helped me with setting it up. This month has been an eye opener for web related stuff.

It is all fun and games for them then classwork for me. But hey at least my schoolwork is getting done and my children might learn a thing or two. Plus, the feedback from them is hilarious. 

If you are a parent that's going to school, try involving the kids on a homework assignment or project. It's both a learning and growing adventure to be had together. If it's not your thing understandable but then again maybe it could be.

Want to finish my halfway done class work? The kids said no-way!

March 2023

So, let’s take a break and talk mental health as a mom, spouse and student. March was a whirlwind of chaos. Of falling down and picking myself back up, over and over and over again. Mental health awareness is a thing worth mentioning. Remember it's okay to say I need help.

The second of march started off with my 22-month-old niece Akina passing. I had to take emergency leave and fly to South Carolina. There were funeral arrangements and other things I had to get done in place of my little brother having to. The entire incident took me out of school for a while.  

I was not well by any means; mentally, emotionally or physically. This was my third death for three semesters running. Last time, I had to an entire 2022 fall semester off. Not again universe. By the end of spring break, I had decided to keep going.  

I started by attempting to show up. My first step was just trying. On Blackboard and email only to begin with but then in-person classes. Whether or not I stayed or even made it to the classroom was another story but by the end of the month I did. All by putting one foot in front of the other. 

After starting by taking my first steps forward to go back to school, I took the next steps. I went on to try and make up for my missed assignments. My teachers were and still are amazing. They worked closely with me to make sure I wasn't feeling pressured and that I was looking for appropriate help. One even told me to quit trying to get everything fixed all at once. He said the school had people to help do that.

Now that I was back at school, my class work had started again. I had also gotten settled on I-Engage for my extracurriculars. I took their advice and searched out student services. They have a nifty thing called a Care case manager. Their job is to review your concerns, go over any other information you find evident and find the resources that will best support you. 

I encourage anyone who is going through a rough time to seek out these services. Don't ever give up and don't feel alone. Someone is here for you.

Not only did it make me look at the stuff I needed to do for myself, but also as a mother. It made me think about whether I was seeking the proper help for my children. 

They too had to do all of the back and forth. They too missed a lot of school here and there. They too are sad, mad and confused. They are going through this WITH ME.  

As a mother I needed to keep them mentally well and cared after. The same goes for my spouse really. My husband was going through all of this too. He also is tired, upset and dealing with this. We all needed to try to cope with everything as a family unit.

Again, I encourage all those going through tragedy or suffering from any mental issues or stress to seek out that health care if need be. Not only for yourself but also for your family and friends.  

As a student at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi you can find these services at Care & Assistance Services | care-assistance | Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (tamucc.edu) My journey with this has just begun but I am grateful that my professors encouraged seeking after it.  

April 2023

April came as a time more of personal learning versus book education. Mainly on how to accept feedback without pushing back and how to challenge oneself to be a better leader. Now that most of the book work had been done for my classes, we moved on to how to fine tune what we had learned so far.

Not a lot of people are good when it comes to positive criticism or any sort of feedback that isn't exactly the way they did the work. Myself included would be one of the people who have a hard time adjusting things via feedback. 

I am not very good with change so when something is done it takes a while for me to accept that it needs to be redone. But that's all part of learning and growing. The whole reason you go to school is to learn how to do something or to find out different ways to do what you currently are doing. 

I might be 10 years plus in the volunteer world however I don't know all the ins and outs of that world. Yet alone how to write professionally or most correspondences for it. I am more a casual writer so having someone tell me that I need to change the way I have been doing something for such a long time was rough. When looking at the big picture of taking a writing course, one should expect feedback or change to come. 

Another thing that was big for me this month was taking extra speaker broadcast through the National Society of Leadership and Success, the NSLS, on how to be a better leader. It's taught me how to look at more than just one or two perspectives but the perspectives of all levels when it comes to something.  

That great leaders are not only people who can take charge but people who can listen and be flexible with their team. A lot of these things our general knowledge but there are many ways of being. Commitment to all, flexibility for what comes, listening to your team and being understanding are all major musts for a great leader. 

You go to school to learn as much as you can from the people there. So be prepared for all the feedback you will receive. As a human being always be teachable since you are ever growing and changing. Learning to be self-aware is one of the biggest lessons I have received this semester!