Writing a paper

This will be the third paper that I've written since I've started at Kaplan.  I feel that I have learned a lot from my first two papers but I still have so far to go until I feel comfortable with the writing process.  Composition 1 helped preparing an outline and with the research process.  I actually enjoy researching the topics that I have chosen to right about.  Once I collect all the information I have a hard time getting all my thoughts on paper.  This is where the outline comes in handy for me.  Having my paper formatted as an outline gives me a solid foundation to start writing.  Having an interest in the topics also helps with pulling it all together.  Meeting the page requirements usually make me very nervous.  It has not been a problem as of yet but I don't want to add information just to meet the requirements so I struggle with it. 
I was able to find so great information in and out of the Kaplan Library.  Finding enough information on my topic was one challenge that I feel I have overcome.  The outline due on the discussion board should point me in the right direction to complete my first draft.
I wish that I could write a paper without all the anxiety about getting a good grade.  Hopefully I will continue to get better at this whole process.
Thanks for all the great feedback on the discussion board, it helps me a lot.

Week two with new diet

This is my second week of my diary free diet.  I was gluten free also but I started adding that back in.  I didn't have any issues after adding it back in.  Thank goodness because I don't think I can live without gluten, well if it made me sick I guess I would!  Anyways, diary free...it has been hard.  I did try to add some diary back in but sure enough the stomach issues were back.  The culprit was cheddar goldfish believe it or not.  I didn't think there would be that much cheese but there must be enough to irritate my stomach..ugg!  Love those cheddar goldfish but not as much as a non bloated stomach!
The next thing I'm going to try is lactaid I believe it is called.  You take one right before you consume dairy and it is suppose to help your body break it down.
We'll see how it goes..I'll keep you all posted.

Feeling Better!

Well it is day five of my dairy, gluten, and soda free diet.  I'm feeling great.  I can't believe that one of these things has been making me feel so badly.  It hasn't been that bad removing the dairy so far but the gluten has been a little difficult.  I love to eat all the foods that have gluten in them such as bread and pasta.  I did make gluten free pasta on Friday night for my family without them knowing of coarse.  They never knew the difference. 
I now have to start adding some foods in one by one to see if there is one item that is hurting my stomach.  I'm sure it is going to be a long road trying to figure this out then adjusting my diet accordingly.  It will be well worth it in the long run!

A stomach issue

I've had not had a great two weeks with my health.  Nothing life threatening thank god:)  I have always had stomach issues for most of my adult life but this week has been really bad.  I always feel good in the morning but as the day goes on I progressively get worse.  I have always know that milk does not agree with me but was tested for lactose intolerance amongst other tests which were all negative.  My symptoms are pains in my stomach after I eat and by the end of the night I can hardly stand up straight. 
I spoke to a friend that has had similar issues.  She had recommended a nutritionist that specializes in food allergies.  I called an made an appointment for next week.  Next week seems like forever so I thought I better try some different options to see if I can fix myself while I'm waiting to see the nutritionist. 
Tuesday was the first day, I took out anything I thought could be causing me these issues.  I removed dairy, gluten, and soda(even though it was diet).  Well this is day three and I feel great.  I have not had any issues at all. 
So what does this mean...I am clearly sensitive to one of these three things, but which one????  Everyone is telling me to try to introduce one thing at a time back in but I'm feeling too good to do that right now.  Dairy seems to be the most obvious because I can't drink milk. 
It amazes me that your body not agreeing with a particular food can cause so much discomfort.
Hopefully, I'll continue to feel this good and figure out what food is causing me so much pain!

Spending money

My husband and I had a great night planned.  We were meeting friends we had not seen in a while out to dinner.  In our area in was "restaurant week" which means there is a list of participating restaurants with a certain menu and you pay a fixed price.  We decided to try a restaurant that the four of us had not been to before.  Well when we walked in we should of turned around a walked right back out.  They have a picture on their website that doesn't look like the same place or it is very old!  We decided to stay and try it,  what a mistake.  The food was awful, the service was awful, and the place was dirty. 
We love to go out to dinner but with three kids it doesn't happen as often as it should.  When we finally get a sitter for the kids and go out we expect to have a great experience.  The check finally came and it killed us to hand over any money to this so called restaurant.  We've learned our lesson not to go any where that we have not been before or recommended by someone else.
After leaving the restaurant we looked it up on the computer,  the reviews were horrible.  Note to self...check reviews before trying some place new!

Online Classes

I have enjoyed taking online classes so far.  I like the convenience of being able to stay home and get a degree at the same time.  I'm only taking two classes right now because my youngest daughter is still home with me.  I have two older children that are in school full time so I know how fast the time goes by.  I felt that taking another class may take away time that I could spend with her.  Hopefully when my daughter is in school full time I will be able to take more classes.  Online schooling has amazed me how you can get to know classmates and professors without meeting them face to face.  That is another aspect that I have really enjoyed.
The one part that I seem to struggle with is the one on one with the professors.  The seminars are great and I do learn a lot in them but I think I would enjoy listening in a classroom and asking questions.  Being able to email with issues or questions has been helpful. 
The pros of online classes has definitely out weighed  the cons.  I have been asked if online classes are like "real college", I'm not sure what "real college" is like but it sure seems real to me!

Classes

I can't believe we are going into our 3rd week of classes.  This semester is flying by:)