Hi,
My name is Dina Dodd. I am 40 years old. I grew up in Novato, California. I earned my Associates Degree at Heald Business College in 1998. I have been a stay at home mom of 5 children for the past 10 years and ready to start a new career as an Licensed Vocational Nurse.
English is very challenging for me. I am not a good writer and I don't like writing. I am hoping that as the class progresses, I will become a better writer; enojoying it more. I am a visual learner, so I draw a lot to help me understand questions or problems. I like to get assignments done way ahead of time so I don't have to worry about doing them later.
I am very excited about taking this class because it means I am one step closer to applying into the nursing program. Also, I hope my like for writing increases as the class progresses. I have a lot of interaction with kids and not adults, so I may have a lot to say:-) I am looking forward to working with all of you.
Dina Dodd
English is also very challenging for me. I have not taken an English class since high school 6 or 7 years ago. I am also with you on interacting mostly with children. I have 3 children of my own. My youngest just turned a month old. Although I am not a stay at home mom, I do not have much interaction with adults, except for my fiance and the people that are at my friend's house that I work for, when I go back to work. The majority of my interactions are with my one month old and my 3 and a half year old. I also have a 6 year old that lives with her dad. She comes to my house once a week. How old are your children? I wish that I could stay home with my new baby, but because my child care is subsidized and goes off of my work schedule, I need to work in order for my 3 year old to go to preschool.
ReplyDeleteI hope you increase your writing skills with this class. Good luck!!
Michelle Richardson
English is also hard for me, because I speak two languages.I also like doing my work ahead so I don't have to do it later. I also am not very good at interacting with adults either. I can't do it, it's weird. I love kids though, they are so cute. Even though I can't relate to you, I know it must be hard for you. I hope things turn out well for you and your children. I think you'll be a great nurse, since you are around children over the years and since you interact with them a lot. I'm also trying to major in a health, medical career. you say that you draw by learning. I wish I could be your drawings, I love seeing art. It amazing you can draw by learning, I can only draw stick figures.
ReplyDeleteI Hope to learn more about you more and am glad to be able to work with you.
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI also commented on your blog:-) My children's ages range from 16 to 4. What a range, huh? There is never a dull moment in my house.
I am so looking forward to going back to work. I am hoping to get into the nursing program when my daughter starts first grade.
Lesley,
Thanks for your comment. Glad I am not alone in struggling with English. We can struggle together. We can help each other through the class.:-)
I am not a great artist but it works for me to draw so I can visualize what is being asked of me. I look forward to chatting with you throughout the semester. Good luck, you will do fine.
Dina,
ReplyDeleteMy children's ages range from 6 to one month. My 6 year old lives with her dad because as of right now we can only afford a one bedroom, therefore, we do not have enough room for her. I do get to see her on the weekends, and now that I am getting my own car on Friday I will be able to pick her up from school on the days that I do not work and spend a couple hours during the week with her. My 3 and a half year old has been out of preschool since November. I cannot wait for her to be able to go back! She will not be able to go back until I start work on the 1st. Part of me wants to be able to stay home with my new baby, but a big part of me wants to see my other daughter going to preschool and interacting with other children her age.
Hi Dina,
ReplyDeleteI too am in the 40 range late 40’s though (smile) and I know just how you feel about English. It is very challenging for me; I must admit that my spelling and punctuation is one of my weakest areas. Who am I kidding, like you I don’t feel like I’m a good writer ether, but we will get through it and hopefully gain in confidence. You must be very proud of yourself 5 kids and an Associate’s Degree that is a huge accomplishment already. I too like getting my assignments done as soon as possible, I currently work for Kaiser so time is precious to me. Getting my work done as soon as possible makes me feel more at ease. I love your comment on only having interaction with kids so bring it on we adults need our quality time. I look forward to hearing from you and working with you as well.
Hey Dina,
ReplyDeleteWow five kids! That's so much fun! My twin sister and I are the youngest of seven total. We had a blast driving my parents crazy. I hope to one day have a big family myself. So far, I have one six year old daughter. I think it's great that you are going back to school to become a nurse. I too want to be a nurse. I look forward to blogging with you!
Hi Dina,
ReplyDeleteCongrats with getting back into school!! That is exciting!! I wish you all the luck and I think that you will do just fine! I am taking classes to become a Nurse as well, seems to be the popular thing to go to school for now a days! How old are you children,I bet it was a blast to be able to stay home with them and watch them grow! Just to let you know I love to write and like English, so if you ever need any help just let me know and I will try to help you out!!
Emily
Yeah for you for going back to school. My husband and I have a goal of 5 kids, so it caught my interest when you said you have 5 kids. We have 3 right now. I'm also going for nursing as my goal. There are a few of us that are going for medical goals.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find what your looking for in this online class. I think blogging is a good way to start learning to write! So far it's fun to communicate with each other!
-Ari
5 kids, thats a lot, I hope your not a single parent ;) it seems like everyone is going for a medical goal haha but that's the way to go. I'm a visual learner too, and hands on, I have to do things for myself before I can really learn them, I can't just listen and watch. Good luck with everything in the future :)
ReplyDeleteHi Dina.Im planning to apply to the nursing program as well.Good luck!
ReplyDelete-Samantha Nichols
What a great discussion! I like that you're responding directly to each other's ideas, including ideas and information of your own, and asking questions!
ReplyDeleteYou all have wonderful lived experiences that you'll draw on this semester. One of the big themes we'll focus on is family and identity. Many of the writers will explore their identities to consider how family, culture and place affect their sense of self.
Also, I think it should be said that writing isn't something you're born with. It's something you learn to do. Just like you had to learn to be a parent, swimmer, basketball player, etc, you have to learn to write; it just takes a combination of wanting to learn it and practice. You also need to expect that it'll be a process.
Take care, and looking forward to working with all of you!
Lauren
Wow sounds like you've got alot on your hands with five kids and trying to start a new career. I to live in Novato most of my friends can't want to get out of Novato but I kind of like here was it like that with your friends. Also I saw that you went to Heald University, a friend of my is going there and was trying to talk me in to going if you could do it all over again would you back. Well its bin nice getting to know you and good luck with writing.
ReplyDelete