Let's call this a Wrap!
Journal StartTopic: u09d1 Journaling Date: June 17, 2006 4:10 PM
Subject: In response to the journal entry from Ann
Author: Garvey, Ann Last edited on: June 17, 2006 4:17 PM
The most important thing I learned is that psychology is a great thing to study. It is fascinating thinking of how the mind processes information. I had a good time doing the paper on decisions and it helped me to build confidence in growing older. I realized afterward that I modeled the material somewhat on a relationship I have with a young intern that has worked her way toward full-time employment next month. She has just graduated from college, so in this regard; I might have risen the age of the younger person. I felt while I was writing the paper that the truths were self-evident in also looking at my three sons who are between the ages of 22 and 25. Their minds seem so much quicker and brighter than mine. I am very excited when I have opportunities to talk with them. The intern is very intelligent and seems to pick-up my lessons very quickly and she can remember over time where I could not. It took me a while to develop my strategies and I don’t think she could create them at this point, but she is able to follow what I do and mimic the work, which of course, is a great relief to me because I want to be thinking of projects that are more advanced then the ones I am leaving behind.
In truth though, as much as I enjoyed the second assignment, I thought the first assignment the more important of the two. I have a habit of writing papers that are fairly summarized according to the whole of the material read. In this way, following Sternberg’s basic outline I was able to tie the beginning of the paper where we discuss “preferences exercised from stimulization when we are ready to learn,” consistently with the end conclusion where each is basically working toward a sense of balance. I felt that equaled Vygotski’s zone of proximal development and dissonance, which appears to be from the information-processing model. In each, is explained a very complex concept of our “business” in day-to-day work of being a human being. I am certain that this meshes well with what I consider the most significant in psychology. Basically, how it is that we learn. We each pull ourselve forward in grasping for our basic relevancy. Each of us can appreciate the tasks of accomplishment and from knowing more and making smarter decisions. This seems evident in the later discussion of distinctions of mental processing comparing young to old. It seems we become more efficient at processing thoughts and as occured when we were young, we let go of the neuron connections that are no longer of value. A young person might consider this as losing 5% of our brains, but I think more effectively, we could consider this simple spring housecleaning.
As this impacts my educational goals, you’ve heard already my dreams of writing programs for adults with developmental disabilities that are significant in building self-systems. It seems that an educational leap of faith would incorporate elements and advancements each time assisting the targeted person to become more able within himself and his dreams. It seems because of taking this course one and a half times, we’ve been in the field of cognitive psychology for quite awhile. I felt strongly throughout that I believed in what was being processed and there could be no better learning tool than to have studied cognitive. Where I was more frustrated at the beginning, because the different portions of it seemed so fragmented, it now seems to be coming together. And, strongly “development” or “learning” sits at the base of cognition and affect. I want to know more and more. Professionally, I hope that the study of knowledge and processing will enable me to be a better practitioner. Personally, I am still struggling with deadlines and managing our time. I am feeling very frustrated in only sometimes being able to do the work I feel compelled to do most importantly. In the future I hope to spend more time with these last areas of problem-solving, creativity, decision-making, reasoning, and cognitive development. They all fit like a glove toward the work I have assigned to me at our day training center in teaching both the individuals served and staff. I still though late look forward and hope that I will be allowed to continue in writing the paper on self-regulation. I feel that that will tie together my personal and educational needs most critically at this junction. I am also excited by the last unit on intelligence. I feel like in studying psychology I use more and more of it each day.
End Journal …
Hmm, pretty much the excitement is over … we thought we were getting a pretty good storm … strange sky and lotsa wind, but as many things happen in Chicago … the windy city blew past its difficulties. Hehehe
Yep yep … and that was a real honest to gosh slurpee you saw … that was taken a few minutes before the weather got weird. We had finished two papers, a journal entry and half a chapter read and figured we deserved a super reward. Mmmm… Since then we’ve been talking to Deb. She was waiting out some pork chops out on the grill, but had to go pick up her daughter. So, we figured we should progress things here a little. Still no V sightings for majority of the day … he woke up late and went off-line early. Word has it he went to a DOCTORS with his son! WoooHOOOO Thadda boy V! He was a pretty sick boy, but was given the right medicines and doctor’s orders. He’s not being very specific about all that though. But, we did enough work today to make him proud!
Hmm, we might get some rain after all … it was starting to sprinkle … this is how she ended up.
Cool hmm? I love how weather plays tricks with the scenery! Deb and us were talking about how beautiful her home state of Colorado was. She all but nearly promised barbeque! We figured out it was almost exactly straight west about a thousand miles and the driving according to mapquest was about 15 hours straight through. Not to get over-excited we sent it on to poor V’s mail box … we figure we better get his opinion I’m pretty sure he would say … finish the papers first! He’s not as good at getting bank robbing advice.
We figure though since Deb is willing to share her animal quarters with us … It would be only gas and 3 or 4 days out traveling. Hmm, have to make it at least a five day stay to make it worthwhile I know, I know … better get back to the papers. I would like to get a visit in to see my Grandmother this year … though I’m not sure when … We crossed into 7 years at work now so we get 3 weeks vacation, but time off has been going to school. School doesn’t start until July 10th and our guess is we’d have some time off in November, but that’s not an ideal time to plan a northerly trip … Might be more feasible in early April, but time is always a factor.
I talked to my Grandma this evening. She sounded a little worried at first because of all the warnings on the media about storms coming in. Each time we review what the safe thing to do is. I can see her reworking it in her mind. I think it is a big responsibility caring for your self sometimes. She confirmed information I’d heard last night from my mother. I was pretty distraught about that. She called and I’ve never given her permission to do that. It was rather startling. I thought Lordy what new trend is being started. We’re at a loss of how to say … this isn’t something we’re real happy over. She was talking about transfusions for my Grandmother. I wasn’t sure how to respond, because my mother was always a big advocate of “Emergency” where she’d try to predict the medical emergency before the doctors or paramedics. Yes dear … naturally start an IV with saline solution. Uh huh, uh huh…
My Grandmother will probably hear from her doctor beginning of the week. Her blood level is at 9.2 of 15 and the danger mark is 9.0. We’ll wait to see how that goes. I felt a bit dismayed because she was willing to say she’d risk the surgery the doctors are refusing to give her because of age. We said in no uncertain terms, that we wouldn’t want to risk her life. She was taking an argument of how long she has lived, but we wouldn’t buy that one! She didn’t go that leg too far. She did talk about how nice it was after the last transfusion of blood. She felt like a new person, so were leaning more in that direction. She talked about a couple of friends who seemed to be very lively company. Actually, a couple of gentleman … so we had to talk about who was crazy about who? It turned out both the other gentlemen were married, but the one in particular makes it a point to be “jolly!” Today when she got the mail, he said something about the excitement from her 49th birthday party, so she told him, “what do you mean, I’m only 39!” Hehehehe it’s good to have a Grandma with a sense of humor!
She listened to a couple of things of our exploits the last few days, but I’m most often left with the feeling her life is more exciting than mine. She gets to be around my Grandma ALL the time!
That’s pretty much it … feeling my fingers are a bit tired and Chief has again saw fit to come snuggle … you know like before. I would really like to finish reading the chapter and most likely I’ve had enough coffee to do it, but the kitty is taking up my book space. Still would like to read that last 20 pages. Be finished I suppose around 10:30 pm. Hmm, should I go for it? NO MORE COFFEE though! What am I going to tell Sir Kittie Cat? He’s pretty sure its bedtime. Hmm… Feeling kinda tired … can I risk not having read the chapter AND writing two reports tomorrow and a journal entry? Hmm, this is the last day I think IF she still will accept my papers. Not sure about that part. Think better to go to bed. Have to in the end go with the tiredness … and as V would indicate if he was here … gotta go with kitties. Ok V. Wherever you are tonight … nighty nite!
posted by Ann Marie @ 6/17/2006 09:17:00 PM
Comments: 1
