A Personal Realization of Research

I would argue that this last week I functioned at about 75% (clearly - look how late this is posted) and was extremely uneventful - except for Pixar night. Which takes up the majority of the video...if you're wondering.

Actually, this week was great for coming to some conclusions about things.Specifically research.

For the first time, really ever, I'm creating my own research. Not a proposal that could happen in the future or finding a million and a half articles online and totally taking one or two quotes from an article to prove my point about something, a real live thesis-type thing. (Except it's not a thesis, it's considered a major paper so that we don't have to do a thesis and we're basically expanding off of someone else's research, so it's not just ours. In all honesty, it's a bit baffling. ) A mini-thesis, if you will.

I truly am excited to dive into the actual data collecting part of it all. The results might actually help in arguments when it comes to things involving state tests. As I am doing all the research, or really digging as deep as I can for any research on this topic,

 

I came to the realization that this isn't a simple semester project. What I'm looking into is scratching the surface of an iceberg of problems, and many times it feels like I'm starting an impossible task that I will never see the end of. (I'm sure I'm not alone in my responce.)

Having that overwhelming feeling for me is really intimidating and discouraging. I realize that this sounds a lot like procrastination, but it's a true reaction. It seems like by the end of the semester I'll be submitting something that says, "I have answered one question and created about twenty more."

But I guess that's research for you. Maybe research life isn't for me.

I came to another conclusion this week, but I didn't write it down and, therefore, have no clue what it was. Clearly nothing dire.

Until next week,

Kaity

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The Monobuttockular Week.

After last week you would think that I would have this amazing post that talks about everything I have accomplished and how I'm a solid seven spaces from Go. The honest truth is I'm only about three and a half.

That's right - I gave a huge speech about choices and moving forward and knocking out goals and totally did not follow through. I know that I disappointed myself and probably the few of y'all out there rooting for me to actually be productive with my time.

Ah, well...there's always next week.

Do I have an excuse? Nope.

To be fair, I did take some good steps forward. I'm getting better on my eating habits, I actually worked out three times this week. (Knee does limit the amount of cardio activity), I knocked out a good majority of my goals.....but, I also know that I can always do better.

Yup. That's about it for this week.

Until next time,

Kaity

Lovely screen shot, ain't it?

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It Comes Down to a Choice

So, as all of my readers saw, last week was a very rough one and it very much bled into this week as well. But, as the end drew near, I felt like I could breathe again. Having that one day off to not worry, to go and explore the Lawn on the D, and enjoy time with many people at the House did more for me than I can explain.

Sunday is always a weird day. Many see it as the end of one week and simultaneously the start of a new one. New things are always good, because they give us another chance.

Last week, I gave myself excuse after excuse of why things were not completed, why I didn't feel motivated to knock out my lists....I did myself more harm than good. It's very easy to slip into the mindset that it'll just get done tomorrow. That whole procrastination thing again...

This week will be different - I will get myself back on track in mind, body, spirit, and school. I fully believe that is the reason God gives us so many "new" things. New days, weeks, months, years... He understands that we need that reset sometimes. I definitely needed it this week.

Really it just comes down to one question - how much do I want to be successful? Answer: A lot. Then, it becomes a choice. Am I going to stay in and watch Netflix all day or get dressed and go to the gym? Do I really need to buy things for Mac and Cheese at Star or will I go home and eat the veggie meals that I have in the freezer? Do I really need to be on the internet again or is there something else that I could be doing?

Even though these decisions don't always seem like they're a big deal, they will end up impacting life later on. I have to remember that - that getting to my goal of (there's a lot, so use your imagination) I have to start today. I have to eat right today, I have to accomplish the to-do list today, I have to walk the whole way to the gym today, ...

It goes on and on. Will it be easy? Not in a million years. We all know that I have made an art out of procrastination. So, starting today, I am going to try and break that habit. Yes I know there will be road blocks and pot holes, but the important thing is about coming out on the other side of it all.

Until next time, readers,

Kaity

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The Importance of Mental Health

Currently, I'm channeling Squidward Tenticles.

Let me start with a bit of Kaity philosophy. I fully believe, no matter who you are, you have to take a mental health day at least once a week. Sometimes you might be lucky, and you naturally have one with how your job is scheduled. Sometimes, you don't. Now, some people can go a lot longer than others without feeling the need to take a day for themselves every week. (I'm 98% sure that these people would claim to be extroverts.) The other group of us may need more than one day. It's all who you are.

The thing is, it is up to you to make sure that you give yourself what you need, especially if work can become an every day occurrence.  To do your job well, you must mentally be at 100%. (Please note that there are things you can do every day to make sure you're there as well. Like sleeping and eating.)

But sometimes you need more. You need a full day away from whatever the stressful thing is. You have to be a responsible adult and learn to say 'no' every once and a while. Otherwise, you'll burn yourself out.

(And here the reader realizes that this is exactly what Kaity has done to herself last week and this week.)

Yeah - I saw the big picture. The glorious fat paycheck heading my way with all these extra shifts. The problem is, by taking away my mental days (because I thought that I could handle it) I'm not functioning at 110 % every time I go into work. Oh I do everything asked of me, but I'm sure I could be doing better. I think I'm currently at an 85% level or so.

Really, this post is just an explanation of all the subway shots in the video this week. Work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work.

Saturday, I'll have a chance to recoup. I'll get back on top of things and be able to give next week my all.


Until next time,

Kaity

P.S. I don't even have an excuse as to why these things don't appear on Sunday's like I originally planned. These are popping up late because of who I am as I person. I have just embraced it.

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