Well, last night I completed my last "client" presentation with my team for our professor. Once we finished, he stated that we really put a lot of time and effort into this project and that it showed, he said he was rather impressed with our details and definitely believes that we could perform this work in the "real" world. He gave us all "A's" for the class!
I was pretty excited - I thought this class was definitely more challenging and most likely to be something we would approach in the real world, so I was really nervous in the beginning, but afterwards, my biggest takeaway is the confidence that I can do this work. This class really challenged us to big all our knowledge from the previous classes to produce a complete training plan with budget, etc..and we did it.
So, I'm done...I still have to wait for my digital story project to be graded, but I'm done. It's a bittersweet moment. I've dedicated two years of my evenings, weekends, family gatherings for this moment and I'm somewhat sad about it. I've really enjoyed this program, it was hard and at times pushed me to frustration and tears, but again, no one said it would be easy. I'm definitely going to miss the team projects, but I've formed bonds with people I've never met face-to-face with and somehow my life will be lead a little different from what I have learnt from them.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Almost Over....
I got my feedback from my graduation portfolio on Friday, it was all positive and I passed the ILT program. My portfolio is http://www.denafife.com/, if you are inclined to check it out. I just need to finish my last two classes and I will get my MA in eLearning Implementation and Design....wow...I really can't believe that in just two more weeks I will be done.
I have submitted my final digital story for class today. You can check out my story below
I'm working on my final team project, which we received really great feedback on our client presentation, so I'm pretty excited, I'm working with a great group of individuals, a part of me will miss all the team projects and interaction from the program.
I'm not sure what our plan is after school, we want to move to New Zealand and I've been eyeing jobs there, but it's not a good economy anywhere at the moment.
I've had a phone interview already for a position, it is a really great company, but I'm not entirely sure yet about going back to work. Our plan was when both the kids began school, but we definitely could use the additional income. We decided that we will not worry about it unless I get offered the job and then we will start having discussions because at this point there is not need unless it becomes a reality.
Once school is over, I have about 16 days to really work it those exercises before the surgery. The last month I've pretty much thrown myself into the final projects and portfolio work so I haven't had a chance to really get much exercising in. I told my mom to be ready to work it hard and get our butts in gear. Till next time....
I have submitted my final digital story for class today. You can check out my story below
I'm working on my final team project, which we received really great feedback on our client presentation, so I'm pretty excited, I'm working with a great group of individuals, a part of me will miss all the team projects and interaction from the program.
I'm not sure what our plan is after school, we want to move to New Zealand and I've been eyeing jobs there, but it's not a good economy anywhere at the moment.
I've had a phone interview already for a position, it is a really great company, but I'm not entirely sure yet about going back to work. Our plan was when both the kids began school, but we definitely could use the additional income. We decided that we will not worry about it unless I get offered the job and then we will start having discussions because at this point there is not need unless it becomes a reality.
Once school is over, I have about 16 days to really work it those exercises before the surgery. The last month I've pretty much thrown myself into the final projects and portfolio work so I haven't had a chance to really get much exercising in. I told my mom to be ready to work it hard and get our butts in gear. Till next time....
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Birthdays and Celebrations
Yesterday my sister and her fiance tied the knot - nothing fancy. They went down to the courthouse and then we went out to dinner to celebrate. I'm happy for her, for them both. He is a good guy and wish them all the best. Welcome to the craziness (but he should be used it to by now).
Today, we celebrate my momma's birthday. Happy Birthday Mother!!! May it be full of laughter and delight with a touch of sassiness.
The kids have been singing all day - they told me they are practicing the song they are going to sing for her because the Happy Birthday tune just isn't enough for sweet pea. I think she also drew about a dozen pictures and stuffed them in the sack for her. So we will stop over once the hubs comes home and have a mini-celebration.
I'm also one step closer to graduation....I finished my graduation portfolio, which is a collection of my work through the ILT program. Feel free to check it out at www.denafife.com - I'm glad it is done and now it will just go through a review process and then I need to finish my last two courses and tah-dah...graduation. I got an email indicating that the summer graduates will have the graduation ceremony with the fall graduates, which is in December. I haven't decided if I will attend or not, it would be nice as it was a long process and I'm really proud of what I accomplished, but we shall see.
Today, we celebrate my momma's birthday. Happy Birthday Mother!!! May it be full of laughter and delight with a touch of sassiness.
The kids have been singing all day - they told me they are practicing the song they are going to sing for her because the Happy Birthday tune just isn't enough for sweet pea. I think she also drew about a dozen pictures and stuffed them in the sack for her. So we will stop over once the hubs comes home and have a mini-celebration.
I'm also one step closer to graduation....I finished my graduation portfolio, which is a collection of my work through the ILT program. Feel free to check it out at www.denafife.com - I'm glad it is done and now it will just go through a review process and then I need to finish my last two courses and tah-dah...graduation. I got an email indicating that the summer graduates will have the graduation ceremony with the fall graduates, which is in December. I haven't decided if I will attend or not, it would be nice as it was a long process and I'm really proud of what I accomplished, but we shall see.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Another late night
Here I am staying up late trying to finalize my graduation portfolio as well as stay current with my two current courses. I am definitely feeling overwhelmed and really, I mean really look forward to graduation. My last day of class is August 8th and surgery is August 18th, so I have ten days to whoo-hoo c-e-l-e-b-r-a-t-e!!
And of course, feeling overwhelmed as it is, there continually seems to be a pile of laundry and a mess of anything and everything laying around and my little man decided that momma needed just another dose of reality by coloring our front door and windows. How and when he did this is beyond my reckoning, I'm starting to think he has super powers - he can move at lightening speed. So, on my to-do list is to pick up a Magic Eraser...I hear that they take crayon marks off and let's hope it does, I already have to repaint the living room. Oh and this is in addition to the "picture" he drew in his room that I posted about on my FB page, which I did allow him to keep. His reason for drawing in his room was good, "My elephant needed a friend," he said. His reason today, "I don't know why" and he got to spend 3 whole minutes in his room and then he came out and said, "I sorry."
My sweetpea is on strike, she informs me that she will not be picking up her toys and that under no circumstances am I allowed to throw them or give them away (a practice I have done in the past). I told her that was fine, but I would be taking her good tickets away and that she would not be starting her dance class next week. She said she will begin picking up tomorrow morning, but nicely asked if I would help her.
The hubby and I have come to some conclusions on a few things and this was actually in the Randy Pausch book, "always tell the truth." We do, but we don't especially when feelings or high emotions are involved, but if we don't then the behavior continues. So, you have now been forewarned...if you ask me something and you get a response that you typically didn't get, I hope you understand...no more sugar coating...well perhaps a sprinkle here and there.
I could go on as it has been a busy short week, but I'm tired and have more work to do tomorrow.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July!!!
And of course, feeling overwhelmed as it is, there continually seems to be a pile of laundry and a mess of anything and everything laying around and my little man decided that momma needed just another dose of reality by coloring our front door and windows. How and when he did this is beyond my reckoning, I'm starting to think he has super powers - he can move at lightening speed. So, on my to-do list is to pick up a Magic Eraser...I hear that they take crayon marks off and let's hope it does, I already have to repaint the living room. Oh and this is in addition to the "picture" he drew in his room that I posted about on my FB page, which I did allow him to keep. His reason for drawing in his room was good, "My elephant needed a friend," he said. His reason today, "I don't know why" and he got to spend 3 whole minutes in his room and then he came out and said, "I sorry."
My sweetpea is on strike, she informs me that she will not be picking up her toys and that under no circumstances am I allowed to throw them or give them away (a practice I have done in the past). I told her that was fine, but I would be taking her good tickets away and that she would not be starting her dance class next week. She said she will begin picking up tomorrow morning, but nicely asked if I would help her.
The hubby and I have come to some conclusions on a few things and this was actually in the Randy Pausch book, "always tell the truth." We do, but we don't especially when feelings or high emotions are involved, but if we don't then the behavior continues. So, you have now been forewarned...if you ask me something and you get a response that you typically didn't get, I hope you understand...no more sugar coating...well perhaps a sprinkle here and there.
I could go on as it has been a busy short week, but I'm tired and have more work to do tomorrow.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July!!!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day
Happy Father's Day to all the daddy's out there! I woke up early to make Dad's Day Breakfast muffins, I was concerned halfway through as the biscuit dough wouldn't stick to the sides of the muffin pan, but once said and done, they came out great and were delicious.
The hubby enjoyed them and he typically doesn't do breakfast, he didn't have much to open this year, but a card.
We made his gifts all last week and finished up on Thursday, so I hid the gifts. The kids saw where I put them and when daddy came home from work, guess what? The kids went and grabbed the gifts and came strutting out with such proud faces on and so daddy got his presents on Thursday. We made him a t-shirt - I took a picture that sweet pea drew of the family kayaking, scanned it in the computer and put "Daddy likes to paddle......down the river" on it. Then our little man painted a rock and we wrote "Daddy Rocks" on it...I know cheesey, but the kids love it. I also gave the hubs the book he gave me for mother's day, it is a book I think he should read. I posted about it on Mother's day, it is The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
We will make a stop over to see my dad and wish him a happy father's day and then whatever else the hubby wants to do.
So, thank you hubby for being a great father to our children! And thanks to my dad for always being supportive and a great man!
"He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it." - Clarence Budington Kelland
The hubby enjoyed them and he typically doesn't do breakfast, he didn't have much to open this year, but a card.
We made his gifts all last week and finished up on Thursday, so I hid the gifts. The kids saw where I put them and when daddy came home from work, guess what? The kids went and grabbed the gifts and came strutting out with such proud faces on and so daddy got his presents on Thursday. We made him a t-shirt - I took a picture that sweet pea drew of the family kayaking, scanned it in the computer and put "Daddy likes to paddle......down the river" on it. Then our little man painted a rock and we wrote "Daddy Rocks" on it...I know cheesey, but the kids love it. I also gave the hubs the book he gave me for mother's day, it is a book I think he should read. I posted about it on Mother's day, it is The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
We will make a stop over to see my dad and wish him a happy father's day and then whatever else the hubby wants to do.
So, thank you hubby for being a great father to our children! And thanks to my dad for always being supportive and a great man!
"He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it." - Clarence Budington Kelland
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Aotearoa
I created this slideshare presentation, using a poem that I wrote and pictures taken from our trip in 2007.
Aotearoa
View more OpenOffice presentations from Dena Fife.
A Date has been Set
So, I talked with the transplant coordinator today and we set a date for the transplant, it is August 18th. It is still some time away, but I have a lot to do in that time and I'm glad a date is now set, it is real. The hubby can now request the time off he needs and hopefully my recovery will not be so long, I know it will be important to get up and moving (lightly) right away.
I told my mom and she was surprised by the date, but I told her it was only a few weeks earlier than what they were originally thinking (beginning of September).
The transplant coordinator said she would call me to set up some final tests and to go over some pre-op stuff and she said that if all was good it would be that date. I can't imagine why that would change, so if you wouldn't mind making a mental note of that and keep us in your thoughts, we'd appreciated it!
I told my mom and she was surprised by the date, but I told her it was only a few weeks earlier than what they were originally thinking (beginning of September).
The transplant coordinator said she would call me to set up some final tests and to go over some pre-op stuff and she said that if all was good it would be that date. I can't imagine why that would change, so if you wouldn't mind making a mental note of that and keep us in your thoughts, we'd appreciated it!
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