The study of geology encompasses the study of our planet, how it formed, the materials it’s made of, and its history, chemically, physically and biologically. Geology is typically divided into two categories: physical geology and historical geology. Physical geology deals with understanding the processes that operate at or beneath the Earth’s surface and the materials on which those processes operate, whereas historical geology is concerned with the sequence of events that have occurred in the past.

Geology covers many different fields of sciences, including economic geologists, who study the formation and occurrence of and the search for valuable mineral deposits, and environmental geologists, who focus on how material and processes in the geological environment that affect and are affected by human activities. There are others who are volcanologists, who study volcanoes and eruptions, both past and present, and seismologists, who study earthquakes. Mineralogists undertake the microscopic study of minerals and crystals. Paleontologists study fossils and the history of life on Earth, whereas structural geologists study how rocks break and bend.

Geologists today study the Earth using Earth Science System. This concept is derived from the discovery that Earth is an integrated system of interconnected and interdependent parts. For the most part Earth is a closed system, although some meteorites and other small amounts of matter do cross the boundaries. The Earth system consists of four subsystem groups, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and the geosphere. Materials and energy are stored for varying amounts of time in each of these reservoirs, and can move from one to another, which shows that they are open systems. There are three processes that describe the movement of these materials that include the rock cycle, the hydrologic cycle, and the tectonic cycle. The term cycle means that these processes are never ending. Earth materials and its processes affect our lives daily by the dependence on its resources and also through the geological events that occur as a result of these processes, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and floods. Understanding the Earth, the materials it’s made of and its processes is an important part of our history, our present, and most importantly, our future.

Plate Tectonics

The Earth’s lithosphere, the rocky outer layer, is very thin relative to the Earth as a whole. The solid rock that makes up the lithosphere is strong, but it lies on top of a mantle of hotter, weaker material that is constantly in very slow motion. The layer directly below the lithosphere, the asthenosphere, is especially weak because it is close to the temperature in which melting occurs. The relationship between these two layers is called isostacy, which means the lithosphere is essentially floating on top of the asthenosphere. The temperature and durability of these layers has broken the Earth’s lithosphere into large rocky fragments, called plates. Currently there are six large plates spanning across thousands of kilometers, and a number of smaller ones (McKenzie & Skinner, 2010).

Driven in part by the underlying motion of the asthenosphere, these plates collide, split apart, and slide past one another. This generates the geological activity such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and mountain building. Much of the activity is at the boundaries of the plates that interact with one another and typically leave fracture marks, called fault lines. Understanding the process of plate tectonics can lead to early warning systems for major geological disasters and a better environmental understanding as well. Geology is an important part of our past, our present, and our future.

References: WILEY PLUS: Murck, B.W., Skinner, B.J., & McKenzie, D. (2010) Visualizing Geology 2nd ED Hoboken NJ: Wiley

ADHD affects nearly 8 million adults in the United States, and although the responsibilities of daily life can be tough for anyone, for a person with ADD/ADHD, simple things such as paying bills, keeping up with work, school, or family and social demands can seem daunting and incredibly overwhelming.  While it is accurate to say that ADHD/ADD creates multiple challenges, it is possible to become focused and turn the chaos into calmness. By educating yourself on ADHD/ADD and take advantage of the self-help techniques, an individual suffering from ADHD/ADD can learn to manage even the most difficult symptoms.

Although the symptoms of ADHD/ADD are unique for each individual, the symptoms appear different in children and adults. Some common adult ADHD/ADD symptoms include the following:

T Trouble concentrating and staying focused~ Adults with this disorder often have difficulty paying attention, are easily distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds, quickly bounce from one activity to another, and often become bored easily.

T Hyper-focus~ While it is general knowledge that individuals with ADHD/ADD have trouble focusing on tasks that are not interesting to them; however, one may not know that there is another side to this: a tendency to become absorbed in tasks that are stimulating and rewarding. This paradoxical symptom is called hyper-focus. Hyper-focus is described as a coping mechanism for distraction; a way of turning out distractions. Hyper-focus can become an asset when channeled into productive, positive activities, but it can also lead to work and relationship problems.

T Disorganization and Forgetfulness~ For an individual suffering from ADHD/ADD life most often seems chaotic and out of control. Staying organized and on top of things can be unbelievably challenging- as is sorting out the information relevant at hand, keeping track of tasks and responsibilities, prioritizing the things one needs to do, and managing one’s time.

T Impulsivity~ Individuals who suffer symptoms from this category may have trouble inhibiting his or her behavior, comments, and responses. One might act, without thinking or react without considering the consequences. This person will be more likely to interrupt others, blurt out comments, and rush through tasks without reading instructions. For individuals who have difficulty in this category have a particular hard time concentrating because being patient is hard to do with impulsive behaviors.

T Emotional difficulties~ many individuals with ADHD/ADD have trouble managing his or her emotions, especially when it comes to emotions like anger or frustration. Common emotional symptoms include the following:

(1)  Sense of underachievement.

(2)  Does not deal well with frustration.

(3)  Easily flustered and stressed out.

Here are some helpful tips to get you started:

T Tips for managing stress and boosting moods:

(1)  Get enough exercise and spend time outdoors.

(2)  Get plenty of rest.

(3)  Be sure to include a healthy and well balanced diet.

T Tips for getting organized:

(1)  Develop organizational skills by making lists, reminders, and keeping organized.

(2)  Develop a routine and stick with it. Having structure will aid in the organizational strengthening.

(3)  Understand time and develop time management strategies.

(4)  Prioritize the lists and tasks. Ask yourself what is the most important and do that task first.

(5)  Learn to say no. Most adults with ADHD/ADD are impulsive and that can lead to committing oneself to many engagements, which then leads to feeling overwhelmed, tired, and behind.

I will leave you with some common myths concerning ADHD/ADD and then the truths of the matter:

T Myth: Medication is the only way to solve my ADD/ADHD.

T Fact: While medication can help some people to manage the symptoms of ADHD/ADD, it is neither a cure, nor the most effective solution for some individuals. If medication is used at all, it should be used alongside other treatments, such as self-help strategies.

T Myth: Having ADHD/ADD means: I am lazy or unintelligent, so I won’t be able to help myself.

T Fact: The effects of one’s ADHD/ADD may lead others to label a person suffering with this disorder, but the truth of the matter such an individual is neither unmotivated nor less bright. This disorder affects certain normal functions; however, adults with ADHD/ADD must find ways to compensate for disabilities others do not have to think twice about, so there is no room to be slow on the uptake.

T Myth: A health professional can solve all my ADHD/ADD problems.

T Fact: Health professionals can help you manage the symptoms of ADHD/ADD, but they can only do so much. It is up to the individual suffering from this disorder that has to rise up and overcome the challenges.

T Myth: ADHD/ADD is a life sentence- I’ll always suffer from its symptoms.

T Fact: While it is correct that there is no cure for ADHD/ADD, there is a lot one can do to reduce the difficulties it causes.

These changes will not be easy, nor come too quickly; for good things come to those who wait. Courage, determination, perseverance, and knowledge are your most valuable weapons in the valiant fight against the formidable disorder. Finding and carrying out the most effective ways to combat ADHD/ADD may take considerable amounts of time, patience, and courage, but the hard work will pay off in the form of improved organizational skills, improved relationships and work performance, in addition to a greater sense of self-worth, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and a bursting feeling of accomplishment. Follow the previously listed techniques and strategies to begin to see a new, calm, and organized you!

*All information was received via www.helpguide.org*

The knowledge of giving yourself a breast exam could potentially save your life. Early detection is an important key to fighting this deadly disease and this easy 5 step guide* will show you the way!

☼ Step one: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Look for signs that your breasts are their normal size, shape, and color. Also look to see that your breasts are evenly shaped with0out visible distortion or swelling. If you see any of the following changes please bring them to your doctor’s attention:

~ Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin

~ A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)

~ Redness, soreness, rash or swelling

☼ Step Two:

Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.

☼ Step Three:

While looking at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples.

☼ Step Four:

Next, feel our breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and the left hand to feel the right breast. Use a firm and smooth touch with the pads of your fingertips. Keeping the fingers flat, use a circular motion about the size of a quarter. Be sure to cover the whole breast, and starting at the top of your collarbone moving to the top of your abdomen, from armpit to your cleavage.

☼ Step Five:

Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find it easiest to complete this step in the shower, using an up and down motion concurrently with the circular motion, as the water provides a slippery surface for the movement.

*Resources provided by www.breastcancer.org

Practicing meditation can help or alleviate anxiety, depression, arthritis, stress, and insomnia by affecting the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system and achieving an over all feeling of wellness. According to the National Institute of Health, “Mindfulness meditation is an essential component of Buddhism. In one common form of mindfulness meditation, the meditator is taught to bring attention to the sensation of the flow of the breath in and out of the body. The meditator learns to focus attention on what is being experienced, without reacting to or judging it. This is seen as helping the meditator learn to experience thoughts and emotions in normal daily life with greater balance and acceptance” (nccam.nih.gov). Sounds great, right? Here are some helpful tips to get you started:

☼ Find a quiet place to meditate~ the big tree in your back yard, your desk, your bathtub, doesn’t matter as long as you are comfortable and undistracted.

☼ Remember to breathe deeply~ deep breathing is key when meditating and also can be used as a mantra, a word or sound used to help avoid outside distractions.

☼ Focus your attention on one, simple thing~ learning focus and concentration is essential to effective meditation as well as in everyday life. Try using an inspirational quote or simply a thought that makes you feel happy.

☼ Remember to sit in a comfortable position~ if you are not comfortable, you will not be able to focus properly. It does not have to be in a yoga position, just remember to sit up right and straight.

☼ Keep a meditation journal~ writing down your experience can enlighten and educate the mind, body, and soul.

Something to ponder~

“One moon shows in every pool; in every pool one moon.” ~Zen Buddhist

♫~ Is the source or information up-to-date?

♫~ Is the source or information reliable? Is it a reputable website or publisher?

♫~ Is the information relevant to the research topic?

♫~ What qualifications does the author have that makes him or her an expert on any particular subject?

♫~ Who sponsored the website? Be weary of the sponsor’s motives, sometimes it might affect the way the information is presented.

♫~Does the information seem fair and objective? Is there any potential for bias?

♫~ Does the author provide adequate support for key points and does the author provide citations for his or her work?

If you answer “no” to any of these questions, you may want to reconsider using that particular website or information.  Finding credible and trustworthy information is a lengthy, but worthwhile process, necessary for the effectiveness and credibility of a research paper.  With the overabundance of information available it is occasionally difficult to determine the credibility of information or a website, but it is imperative to the research process and a necessary skill to have for life. Happy researching to all!

♥ Contemplate- Before you begin to write think about what you want the whole poem to say. This does not have to be a plan or outline, but just an idea of what the meaning of the poem is. Think about the audience that will read the poem.

♥ Observe- Pay attention to the world around you. Look around outside, notice the birds, or that beautiful rose glistening in the sunlight as the dew reflects off it. Observe what you see, smell, hear, and then use it in the poem.

♥ Connect- Use pronouns sparingly so that the poem will speak to the reader. Making it personal and insightful can peak a readers interest.

♥ Rhyme and Rhythm- A poem does not have to rhyme; classic poems have not always had rhythm, either. The important thing to remember is that success is measured in greatness or importance, but on personal satisfaction. The rhyme and rhythm depends on an author’s writing style.

♥ Short and Sweet- Do not add large, unnecessary words to make the poem longer. Sometimes the simplest poems can be the most beautiful. Keeping it short and sweet helps keep the writer on topic.

♥ Set the mood- A poem should set a scene, inviting the reader to step into the poem by using vivid describing words and sensory details (as mentioned above). Setting the scene in a poem also aids in personalizing the poem, making the reader feel and identify with the poem, peaking interest. A reader wants to be enveloped by a poem, to feel as the poet felt and to experience all that the poet experienced.

♥ Imagine- Use your imagination, be creative, be funny; invent your own way of seeing the journey and then take the reader there. Let the reader feel the warmth of the fire, hear it crackling like popcorn. A good imagination is a terrible thing to waste!

For Inspiration:

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

~She walks in Beauty, by Lord Byron~

☼ Taking control of your time~ When we say we do not have time, we imply that we do not have a choice. Take control of your time by ensuring that the way you spend your time aligns with your most important values.

☼ Setting Priorities~ One of my biggest challenges is juggling children, home, and school but with my goals, values and tasks prioritized and a to-do-list of top priorities time management can be achieved.

☼ Creating a schedule~ Create a working schedule using a planner or course calendar. You could begin with listing all of your assignments, discussion questions, and research time and do not forget to add your personal responsibilities, such as family or work commitments, social commitments, and relaxation time just for you. Another strategy is to maintain a to-do list, prioritizing each task and checking it off the list when it is complete.

☼ Anticipate the unexpected~ Life happens! Especially for those who have families. By keeping yourself ahead of the game you increase your chance for success when the unexpected does happen. Plan ahead of time and mark your progress in your planner. Doing this not only helps with time management, but also allows you to feel accomplished once the task is complete.

☼ Reward yourself~ After you have completed a task or goal be sure to reward yourself for all the hard work. This helps you increase your confidence and your chance for success in the future!

Time management is a learned skill and a useful tool in life and school. Each student strives to do his or her best and time management is one of many keys to the path of success.

“Time is the most undefinable yet paradoxical of things; the past is gone, the future is not come, and the present becomes the past even while we attempt to define it, and, like the flash of lightning, at once exists and expires.”  ~Charles Caleb Colton

As an adult student returning to school there are many challenges; writing is certainly an important one. Strategies to overcome the challenges listed above include writing the main idea or topic on the top of the page and organizing ideas effectively. For a general thesis statement, an author can develop a stronger message for the topic. The Center for Writing Excellence offers a thesis generator that effectively creates a thesis statement, but students need to know that it is a work in progress statement. The thesis generator is intended to sum up the provided details and generates examples for the student to choose from and revise if necessary. Transitional phrases can be difficult to overcome, but a list of commonly used transitional words is useful. Proofreading is another effective strategy when working with transitional words and phrases. Occasionally, additional transitions become apparent after a much needed break. As a trip is worth traveling and a mountain is worth climbing, it may be a challenge but it is not without glory.  No matter what the challenge or the struggle to overcome it, the journey and the knowledge gained are the greatest of achievements.

☼ Indentify what is known as common knowledge- If you know a fact before you have begun any research, it is probably common knowledge. Consider your audience and the length of their knowledge on the subject.  However, if there is any doubt that the general population of peers may not know the fact, find a source and cite it.

☼ Learning how to use Citations, Bibliographies, and References- Depending on the style of writing and your instructor or editor’s preferences, each piece of writing should include citations, references, and bibliographies. In all styles of writing, all ideas, paraphrasing, and direct quotations must be cited in the appropriate form, depending on the writing style.

☼ Understanding the art of Paraphrasing- Many students believe that to paraphrase something, you only need to change one or two words in the sentence, or idea. However, according to the Avoiding Plagiarism Lab, at the University of Phoenix’s Center for Writing Excellence, “When we paraphrase a concept or idea, we must also cite those in our text and include the name/s of the author/s and the year of publication” ( Joy V’Marie, Avioding Plagiarism Lab moderator for University of Phoenix) .

As a returning adult student I find it difficult, and quite scary, when thinking of plagiarism. The consequences, academically and individually, are severe. Even accidental plagiarism carries heavy consequences, but with knowledge, effective tools, and additional faculty support students can arm themselves with the power to create their own ideas. In the words of my Personal Finance instructor, Jeannie Liu,” Always give credit where credit is due.”

Every year, like many others, I begin to think about what resolutions I want to make this year. I normally make a resolution so absurd and so unrealistic that I never think twice about it after the New Year actually begins. This year marks a new page, a new start, and a new challenge. Instead of making a resolution this year, I intend to make goals. Too many years have passed with nothing to show for my previous annual resolutions and so this year, I plan to make them happen by using this effective goal setting strategy.

The S.M.A.R.T. Goal

S- specific: A specific goal has a much greater chance of becoming accomplished than a general goal. To be specific you must ask yourself the “W’s”: who; who is involved with this goal, what; what you want to accomplish, where; indentify a location, when; establish a time frame, and why; specific reasons why you want to accomplish said goal.

M- measurable: Establish concrete criteria for measuring the progress of your goals. Measuring your progress will help keep you on track, reach your target dates and experience the enjoyment of achievement. This,  in turn, fuels your desire to continue making the effort to reach your goal.

A- attainable: When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways to achieve them. You develop attitudes, beliefs, skills and, financial capacity to reach them. Long-term goals that once seemed out of reach come into focus. This is not because your goals shrink, but because you begin to expand to meet your goals. Keeping goals attainable helps build your self-image. You begin to see yourself as worthy as the goals are accomplished.

R- realistic: To be realistic, a goal must be represented by an object that you are both willing and able to work with. A goal can be both high and realistic; you must decide how high you want your goal to be. Some of the hardest jobs that you have done seem simple because they were a labor of love and the easiest jobs seemed difficult because there was little motivating you. Keeping your goals realistic will help you attain your goals and build your self-confidence to keep you motivated.

T- timely, or tangible: A goal should have an adequate time frame in which to accomplish. With no time frame, there is no sense of urgency. The lack of urgency may hinder your motivation and increase procrastination. The “T” can also stand for tangible, the goal is represented by an object that you can touch, taste, see or, feel. When your goal is tangible you are more likely to make it specific and measurable; therefore, more attainable.

Using a goal setting strategy such as the smart goal can itself be a useful tool in the success of your goals. Using this method has given me the opportunity to watch my progress and reach smaller goals. Thus, I  move forward to larger goals and build self-confidence. All of it leaving me the feeling that there is not a goal that I can not achieve.

“Faith…it is a flower of light in a field of darkness…it is what helps me carry on.”

-Johnny Cash