Final Thoughts

I am near the end of my class and I can't comprehend where my time went. Everything has been such a rush of emotions and work that I haven't been able to stop  and take a breath. I constantly debate whether or not I should take a break but know it will ultimately leave me guilty.

I have such a drive where I want to continue so I can finish in a shorter span of time. I can't imagine how I would be able to start up again after not doing it for an extended amount of time. Honestly, I am a little tired of doing school work but know it will help me out in the long run. And that's a piece of motivation I use to get through the days where I'm not feeling my best. Especially when I'm not too confident with my school work, it's my little pick me up.

You have to look at it objectively every now and then so you don't lose yourself in a whirlwind of feelings and go crazy. The chaos is something you have to be able to deal with and control so it doesn't get out of hand and ruin you.

I have so many mixed emotions but overall, I know what my responsibilities are and know I have to get them done.

--Kimberly Dinh

Emotions Are Powerful

I generally get upset when my emotions tend to overflow into my work. It becomes a hindrance and I get behind because I don't know how to handle my feelings well. But recently, I've noticed my emotions can benefit my work not hurt it. Since, I am writing about a subject I'm passionate about, I should be able to feel it! Emotions are so powerful that it's a toss-up whether or not they can harm or bless you. That is if you can't control them.

I'm starting to realize I need my emotions regardless and shouldn't box them up and ignore them. I want to start using my emotions wisely especially if they can help enhance my creative work. The only downside is that I don't have much practice with this. Also, I have a difficult time expressing my emotions into words.

Let's give new things a try and see how something I use to negatively think of can become a positive experience!

--Kimberly Dinh

My First Week's Project Anxiety

Usually, we have weekly or bi-weekly projects that haven't given me quite a panic as this month. It's not even a one time job project. It's more of a consecutive build of something larger.

The project entails me to choose a subject that I care about and could help build my professional identity online. It's hard to pick something I'm passionate about without sounding like I have no idea what I'm talking about. It's even harder when your emotions get involved with the subject and you don't want to seem like you don't have any fact about it. I was racking my brain on something I could write about. I had NO IDEA. I was clueless. The minute I had all the power to create, I had a major brain fart. I'm very good at taking direction especially when I'm given a direction to go. This was so new to me because it could literally be any subject I wanted.

Another thing that concerned me was figuring out a subject that was wide enough to write about daily. I didn't want to restrict myself on not being about to write after I have a few times. This has to be a broad subject but not too broad. If it's too broad, then I don't have a well educated topic. And if it's too narrow, I won't have enough material. That's a dilemma.

And there's other little things that have major impact that I have to include like widgets, clean navigation, proper grammar and other things similar to that.

I can finally say with confidence that I have a subject. I'm a little hesitant to write about it but I think it'll be a great experience overall.

OH, and another thing that terrifies me is that this project is 13% of my grade. But I worry about my grades all the time even when there really shouldn't be.

I'm a natural worrier, I can't help it.
--Kimberly Dinh

Feeling of Doubt

I'm entering this month with a bunch of insecurities because I barely skimmed through last month with myself intact. I was quite a mess and didn't have much explaination for it. I'm lucky to have such an understanding teacher that is willing to help.

I have such a hard time asking for help until I have no choice. One habit that I surely need to break... fast! The sooner the better because I cannot end this month the same way I did the previous. And it's not helping that I'm already behind.

Furthermore, I have to kick it in hyper-speed to get on pace with the rest of the class. But I don't need to stress myself out like I've been doing. I am my biggest supporter and enemy.

Let's keep on keeping on. Let's get back on track. Let's do better because you know you can.

Let's do this!

--Kimberly Dinh

Time Managment

Last week I talked about staying composed under pressure and keeping my life balanced. That's more easier said than done. I've been trying to get back on track but feel that my head is still up in the clouds. It's really easy to get distracted and have valuable time slip through your fingers.

At the moment, you feel that you can make that time up but that's not always the case. Time doesn't stop because you do. That would be awesome, wouldn't it? Sadly, it doesn't. But all in all, managing your time is very important. Whether or not you believe it now is all up to you but keep in mind that two hours does not equate with 20 minutes.

Even if you're confident in your skill, you need to manage your time better than you've ever had. Use your time wisely to create the best quality of your work you can. If you don't spend a quality amount of your time, you won't execute quality work.

Short and sweet this week.
--Kimberly Dinh

Balance and Composure

This week is sort of an eye opener with me. I've shared constantly my struggle with the month and trying to achieve and learn simultaneously. And of course it has been a roller coaster and quite difficult. I've realized I haven't been able to connect as easily to my work like I have in the past. I'm completely out of my element and comfort zone.

As much as I get comfort from working at home, there isn't much motivation to it at all. I'm  at home frying my brain because there isn't someone a foot away I can lean over to communicate with. Fortunately, I can communicate with my class online but I feel it's not as effective as it could be in person that's why I've refrained from using it so. But ultimately, I believe I may have to begin using it more often to feel less of a castaway or outcast.

I've come to the conclusion that the reason why I've been dragging along this month, is because I've yet to balance my life out. I've been too stuck in my own mind and blurring the lines of Work and Home. You should never mix the two. EVER. I mean, yes, there are moments that your personal life come into play with your work and that's perfectly fine but what I'm saying is, for me, there hasn't been quite a distinction and I think that hurts me academically and creatively.

Recently, I have taken steps to step back and look at my work objectively and instead of emotionally. I've been to caught up in my emotions from my personal life where I've knocked my work out of sight and that is a big inconvenience.

Slowly but surely, coming to terms of getting balance back into my life, staying composed when things go astray and recovering from that damage I've caused myself, it's going to get there. Baby steps, but stepping forward.

--Kimberly Dinh

Complications

This week we had to create a website for Search Engine Optimization. Recently, I only vaguely knew what it was or at least it sounded familiar. As I was doing research it wasn't that hard to comprehend but it was sure a lot of information. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one but it became a little overwhelming with all the information I was consuming. And to not stress myself out, I took a break and got something to eat.

But that's where my weakness is-- breaks. Since I am a full time online student, my break environment is my house. And there's A LOT of temptation of pushing my responsibilities aside to do whatever. Basically, I'll procrastinate. I have to be on top of my schedule or I'll fall behind and reduce my motivation and dedication for my projects.

I have to keep myself with the mindset of getting my work done or I'll just get out of hand. Usually, I can procrastinate and whip something up real quick and it'll be a decent grade but this isn't high school and I don't want to present mediocre work.

The work is a lot different, the materials are a lot different, and my mindset of getting my work done has to be different. And then, and only then I will be successful.

--Kimberly Dinh