Scientific papers

Writing a scientific paper is a long process.  The first thing I would tell a person writing their first scientific paper would be DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!  If you are having a hard time finding enough material chance are it will not be argumentative and the length of the paper will be hard to reach.  My paper had a lot of information I could write about, but it also was hard as to not repeat myself.  Gluten free means gluten free and once you know what gluten is what else is there to explain.  Second make sure you have people read your paper as they have fresh eyes.  They are going to be able to see mistakes or areas in which you can expand on.  It is a nice feeling when you are done. 

Im just plain Tired

This term has just wiped me out.  Between the health problems of my daughter and starting my new job as a case manager for the state of Oregon. I have learned a lot this term from writing and anatomy.  I am glad I have made it through this term and I am really looking forward to the break.  I enjoyed this class and I do believe I have learned to like writing just a little more than I used to.  I wish everyone the best.
Amber

Peer reviews

I think having the reviews I had from my peers has helped me a lot.  I have been able to edit my paper much more effectively, as they are able to see things I was not able to being so close to the paper.  I just wish I could remember the comma rules.  I have always had a problem with remember when a coma, semi colon or any other form of punctuation is appropriate.  I have reviewed it a lot and I am still reviewing it as one day perhaps it will sink in.  I am glad we did peer reviews as it gives you additional feed back that is not just from the professor. 

Peer reviews

I think peer reviews are good.  It gives you a different perspective on your paper.  Perhaps they see things that are missing that you would have never thought of, or see where you are being to wordy.  I have never had a bad experience with peer reviews.  I know some of my friends do like them, but I think it is because they never felt comfortable with writing.  I may not be the best but peer reviews help you get better at writing and the way you can edit your paper.  I think someone else's eyes on the project/paper helps you, as you are always the one looking at it.  It can give you fresh ideas on where to go for your paper.  Looking forward to peer reviews.

The Last Six Weeks

The last six weeks have been the worst six weeks in a long time.  My youngest Madalynne is not doing good at all.  Today we found out we are having to go back to Portland to the children's hospital for more testing as she is not gaining weight, her anemia is not getting better if not getting worse and she is just cranky.  It is hard to go to work knowing that she is miserable.  It is hard to get my school work done as all she wants me to do is hold her.  I do not know how I have been keeping my grades up and getting my assignments in on time.  I am not sure if I am going to be able to turn in my rough draft on time this week as there is a possibility that my daughter is going to have to have surgery to place a feeding tube!  I am hoping that the next two days are good days for Madalynne so that I can get my paper done.  I have all the research just got to write it.  So hears to hoping that all my work is done and turned in before Portland, and that my daughter is going to be OK.
Amber

How school is influencing my life right now

Being a Mom,wife, friend and going to work everyday is taking its toll on me.  I'm working in the field that I have always wanted to do.  I am a case manager for a state managed care insurance division.  I absolutely love it and my degree is for just what I am doing.  I feel like I am sometimes missing my kids growing up by working and going to school.  I know that I am lucky cause they hired me before my degree is finished.  I'm doing this for my girls so that they can see that it is possible to better yourself for your family, but I honestly feel like I'm not giving them enough attention.  My poor husband also is having to take up a lot of slack regarding the house work, cooking and the kids.  He told me he is proud of me that I am doing this for the family but he cannot wait for me to be done.  I love going to school, I have always enjoyed it.  I guess I'm a nerd. LOL!  I am constantly putting things that I have learned at school to use at work.  It is very helpful working in the field and learning it as it is pounding it into my brain.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a horrible thing that happens all the time.  I think that people who plagiarizee are not confident enough in their own abilities that they resort to plagiarizing someone elses work.  Citing your sources does not show that you do not have any of your own ideas, it just shows that you are able to take someone else's work to build onto what you are working on.  I see citing your sources as a way of saying thank you to the author of the work in which you are writing.  Their work has helped you build onto your own ideas.  Citing your sources also covers your behind when you have paraphrased ideas in which you have read.