"The Book of Me, Written by You" - Colleges & University

This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations.

This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf

This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf

The prompt for the week is:    

Colleges & University

The Brief:

• Did you go to college and / or University
• if not, did you want to or did you not want to?
• did you perhaps change your mind at a later date?
• What did you study?
• Was your studying vocational or a step on the ladder to another profession?
• What was the educational path you took to get to University or college?
• Where did you go? & why there?
• Regrets of study choice?
• Did you belong to clubs there?
• Friends?
• Pictures?

As always, share what you are comfortable with.

Elementary/Primary to High School
Education was always a big thing with me, but at the same time it was hated because I was always made to feel like I was different because of my learning disability the school system said I had. From elementary school, when it was first noted, I always felt like an outcast whenever I was at school because I was always separated from everyone else for most of the day because I needed "special" classes they said.

This went with my envelop with the award in 5th grade

My fifth grade teacher, Mr McGinnis, took the time and spent time with me to make me feel special and made me feel like I was like everyone else. It was the first time I ever felt like that - ever.  

An award I won in 5th grade

Then it ended and I was mixed back in and it seemed like I was shuffled around a bit more. I got frustrated and started to let grades slide. I just didn't care any longer especially after my ankles started to cause programs and the teacher, Mrs Goldberg, took it out on me like it was my fault. Again, it caused me to be separated out from everyone else and after awhile I didn't care anymore. My grades slid. 

Then something, I have no idea what, clicked and my grades started to go up by the 8th grade. To the point where half way through the school year they took me out of my lower math class and put me into the higher class. I did struggle but so would anyone who came into the class when it was 2/3 of the way through the school year. Ever since then, I've had a hate relationship with math. However, I started putting in a tiny bit of effort and my grades went up and up. I fought to take beginners French, and ended up making a deal of if my grades slid then I was out of the class, but if they didn't then I was to stay in the class. I stayed and finished with almost a A or 90 grade level.  Needless to say I told them don't ever tell me no because I will fight you - the guidance counselor smiled and knew I meant what I said. 

Orange-Ulster Vocational Center in Goshen, NY

Trade/Vocational School
Then came talk of what to take for my 11th and 12th classes. I told them I wanted to go to Orange-Ulster BOCES or Vocational Center and I wanted something to do with computers. They started saying they didn't know and made noises of it being to hard for me. I just told them if they remember the French class I had just taken. That shut them up quickly. Off I went to do my technical degree in 1990, while finishing up my high school diploma. 



Then I was asked kindly, at first, if I wanted to go to the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) conference they were having. I knew money was a problem and told them no. Then they asked again, and I rejected it again. Then about 3 months before I was told they really wanted me to go and would help me in any way possible. Personally, I think they did it because I was getting board and kept "visiting" the other two classes in the hall to see what they were learning and then going back to my class because I was bored. Anyhow, they found out about the financial situation, so they put it if we could sell enough cookies then that would pay for the trip except for spending money. Then I agreed, only to find the teachers said there were competitions and they wanted me to go into the Financial Information Processing contest. I was told it wasn't easy, but just do the best I could. They gave me practice exams and I asked many questions as to what it contained and slowly figured things out. Apparently no one ever won any plaques from there for the competition, but they kept trying. 


Clubs & Organizations
Anyhow, I buckled down and got to studying how things went together and put things together to make sense to me. I had them give me tests and figured out where I went wrong - and I kept up with all my studies both at Orange-Ulster Vocational Center AND at Valley Central High School. This is in addition to working part time and watching and visiting my nieces, who I am very close to. 

Then came the weekend I was to go away to the conference in Rochester, New York. Most of the weekend was a blur I have to admit. What I can remember is when it came time to sit down and take that test, I started to freak out. Then I calmed down and focused - problem after problem. Then it was over with. For myself, I felt like I failed - myself because I didn't get it done, the school because I thought I got more wrong than right due to my freaking out and just felt like an idiot. Then came the last day and the presentation of awards. How flabbergasted was I when I tied for 5th place in all of the state of New York? I don't remember walking to the stage, but I remember all the lights and flashes of cameras going off. Apparently, I was the only one (to that point) to ever win anything at one of these conferences. 

By the time June 1991 arrived, I finished both High School and Orange-Ulster Vocational Center's courses - both with high 90's grade point averages. I ended up inducted into both Honor Societies, and was given the Outstanding Student Award at Orange-Ulster Vocational Center. I even ended up winning a small scholarship.

Orange-Ulster BOCES Vo-Tech Award

BOCES Vo-Tech Honor Sash

VCHS Honor Cords

Scholarship Award from the PTO

My official card to the Honor Society

 












Community College
Then I started college at Orange County Community College (OCCC) (www.sunyorange.edu - however each time I try this link its broken) in Middletown, New York in the fall of 1991. It wasn't encouraged at all. If anything it seemed like I shouldn't be going because it was all a waste of time. My mother was trying to pull me to get a full time job after the first 6 months (which I ended up getting 3 part time jobs). I had a difficult time at first as it was different studying than what I was used to and it took me about a year to adjust and my grades sucked - in addition to the school threatening me to do better or get out. Once I did, everything was fine - I wasn't a great student but I was no longer failing either.

Clubs at Community College
I got into the Computer Club. First as a member and by the time I graduated from OCCC, I was Vice President of the club and we won Club of the Year. A first for the club as everyone didn't know much about the club, but by the end of the year they did. 

Computer club trip to Boston, MA

One year's members for the Computer Club

Winning the club of the year award

In summer of 1994, I graduated from OCCC in Business Computer Technology. It was quite a deal as there was over 30 people that started and there was only 8 of us who finished. I was proud of what I accomplished if nothing else.

State University
In the winter of 1994, I was talking to a group of friends about what I was going to do. I could stay and look for jobs in the area but chances were not good unless I wanted to be an office worker. Not that there was anything wrong with that, but my passion was coding. I fell in love with lines of code - I could sit down and write and figure it out without a problem. In the end I was talked into taking out a couple of huge loans and went for 2 terms (one in 1995 and one in 1996) to SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome (now known as SUNY Polytechnic Institute). Financially I knew it was going to be a struggle, but I figure at the end at least I would be able to get some place. However, the struggles with the financial side of things was too much for me and I ended up leaving because I just couldn't affording. The one great thing that came about was I met my husband while away at SUNY. It resulted in me leaving the US and moving to Australia.

Australian University
Once life started to slow down a bit and I had a bit of money to spare, I applied for and got into Monash University as a distance learner. I was working about 60 hours a week as and EDP operator /
Assistant Manager when the IT manager wasn't around for P&O. My grades where in the normal range - about a C level. I was happy with that. However, I ended up loosing my job which meant I could no longer finish my degree - again. Further, they kept changing the course name and courses and it frustrated me to no end.

It took me awhile to find another employment position for some reason. After this, I gave up taking classes unless they were small ones. I figured they weren't getting me very far so why bother? Then when there was rumour of job losses (one of them was my level) I looked again and figured I could get the paperwork of what I have been doing for years - coding webpages. It was still coding, which I hadn't given up I had just switched from mainframe to pc based and then into webpage based coding.

Vocational/TAFE

In 2013, I received my Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, at Chisholm TAFE, so I could teach in the Learn Local sector.  This is I could help out the community by teaching business, IT or computer classes. Shortly after, I lost my government position as they had cut my entire level within our department.

In July 2014, I finished up a Certificate IV in Web Based Technology, at Chisholm TAFE, with HD grades - high distinction grades. HD is basically 100 or nearly 100% of a grade. I was thrilled and figured it wouldn't be too long before I had a job.

However, sitting here just starting 2015, and still no full time job prospects. Now I'm wondering if the investment I put in for my Certificate IV was really worth it as I'm still not working in that industry.

  Check back for the continuation of "The Book of me, Written by You" series.    

"The Book of Me, Written by You" - Family Traits

This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations.

This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf

This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf

The prompt for the week is:    

Family Traits

The Brief:

• Do you exhibit any family traits?
• Do you even recognise them or simply accept them as face value?
• Do traits exist or are they simply a coincidence?

My first step to this post was to look up the words family traits. And even in doing that was interesting. Why you ask? The answer is there was more than one definition.

Ask defines it as:

"A family trait is a genetic likeness that is passed through parents' genes to their children. Most specific traits are passed directly from one parent. Genetic disorders are also traits that can be passed from a parent to a child." and "Recessive traits can be passed down by both parents. Green eyes and blue eyes are considered recessive traits, so a child with one blue-eyed parent and one green-eyed parent can have either eye color. Other recessive traits include nearsighted vision, red hair, blond hair, thin lips and attached earlobes."

Teach Genetics at University of Utah defines it as:

"Traits can be inherited from a parent, or traits can be learned. Family and cultural traditions often influence learned traits. "

As you can see, it depends on your definition as to which way you look at this prompt.

Inherited down from parents
I think I inherited my blue eyes, brown hair from both parents. As I've been researching, I've found that many of my ancestors had both brown hair and blue eyes which, to me, seems strange as usually you have a blonde or red head thrown in there.

Dad & I

Mom & I

I do have red highlights in my hair, which we think come from some ancestor in the past from Ireland. I do have Irish DNA (a tiny bit) which is probably why I have the red highlights in the hair.

I do know my annoyed or angry face I get from my mother. As everyone tells me, when I'm mad there is no doubt in anyone's mind as the annoyance factor.

I get the height from my mother as we are or were within a few inches of each other.

Inherited Traits
I'm not sure what traits I've inherited as I'm more of my own person. I do know that family means everything to me and if someone goes to hurt or do something to one of them, I'm there for them. I'm like that with my friends as well. Where do I get this? I have no idea. This might be just a by product of my Polish heritage and I have that from both sides of the family.

EU and Belgium flags

I know I've been told I'm a human Switzerland as well. In fact, when I was at my trade school at Orange Ulster BOCES or Vocational Center, the teacher would have me hash out differences with people because I treated each side the same and would work to get them do have a friendly outcome. The same thing when I was at the Computer Club at OCCC. They would have me work out differences. Could this be my Belgium side coming out? After all Belgium is the official seats of the European Commission, Council of the European Union, and European Council, as well as a seat (officially the second seat but de facto the most important one) of the European Parliament as Wikipedia states.

I'm not sure what other traits I have except for fighting. This must be the German coming out because the German's I've always known love to fight.

I'm not sure what other traits or other parts I've gotten from anyone as I've usually made my own way in my life rather than play follow the leader.

  Check back for the continuation of "The Book of me, Written by You" series.    

"The Book of Me, Written by You" - Clubs and Societies

This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations.

This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf

This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf

The prompt for the week is:    

Clubs and Societies

The Brief:

• Do you belong to any?
• Do you have to belong to any?
• Are there any you belonged to and now don't?
• What made you join them (and perhaps leave)?
• What were they about?
• Do you have membership details of organisations that family members belonged to?
• What does it mean to belong to group / society / organisation?

To belong to a group, society or organisation means that you are with a group of people who have  a common interest, bond or view of topics - unless you are family and then its a common ancestor you are related to and usually have common values.

In my lifetime, I belonged to many groups and organisations. Some where when I was in high school and it was due to high marks and standards (think honor societies), others were due to group who liked technology and business (Future Business Leaders of America), and then there were the sports or exercise.

In college, I was a member of (in different levels) and was the VP of the Computer Club (again common thing was technology and computers. When I was going to the SUNY or state university, I was accepted as a common member of the radio team, but that was only because I hung out with them on campus.

Lessons Learned
While I learned much about how to run the club like a business, how to organize and run meetings, and politics of it all, I also learned sometimes you just have to say NO. Why? Because I was running myself down and ended up really sick, and even at one point, threw my back out because I was constantly on the go. People came to see me and I had to fit them into the schedule - usually with a 10 minute chat which was sometimes fitted in while walking to class. My health - both physical and mental - was not worth it. I would try my hardest but I wouldn't put my health at risk even though I had to remember this lesson learned when I started work in 2006 as I started to get into the habit of just go, go go!

Below are some pictures from these clubs I belonged to.

Basketball

Chorus

VCHS Honor Society listing names.

VCHS Pool aide manual that was used

FBLA voting delegate member

VCHS honor cords for honor society

National Honor Society sash

Computer club membership

Computer Club committee member

Winning OCCC Computer Club of the year

 I have also done running, raising money via riding bikes and running for charities, and countless other committee or membership things like Girl Scouts or Girl Guides.



  Check back for the continuation of "The Book of me, Written by You" series.    

"The Book of Me, Written by You" - Awards

This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations.

This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf

This is a journey of finding yourself and how your loved ones see you in their eyes. Further, this can be online and carried forward to share, if you wish, to future generations. - See more at: http://joannfitz.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-book-of-me-written-by-you-topic-1.html#sthash.2TuO2bVu.dpuf

The prompt for the week is:    

Awards

The Brief:

• Have you or a close family member received one?
• What was it for?
• How was it presented?
• Do you still have it?
• Have you inherited an award?
• If so, who was awarded it and what for?

I don't think my great grandparents had any awards to speak of unless you count their children.

Maternal Side
My maternal grandparents didn't have any awards that I know of.

I do know one of my grand uncles actually won a ribbon at one of the local county fairs for his showing his Holstein cow.

My mother did receive a trophy for completing 10 years at one of her jobs as factory worker at first Champion Bag Factory and then at Ampac Paper Inc. She did receive her GED for completing a test for her equivalent in year 12 studies.

Paternal Side
My paternal grandmother didn't have any awards that I know of unless you count her children. However, my paternal grandfather, I believe, had at least a ribbon as he was in the US Medical Corps in World War 2. This is the only award I know about.

My father first completed his year 12 studies at Newburgh Free Academy in Newburgh, NY. Next, he enrolled in the US Navy. As you can see by the jacket below, he has many different ribbons he was awarded during his service in the US Navy and with the submarine corps.

Some of the patches and badges which are shown in this picture are:

• Stripes on sleeves- The bottom hashmarks are equal for 1 hashmark for every 4 years served. The gold means the person serving had good conduct. 

• Chest decorations: 

                  Silver Fish means enlisted Submarine Qualification.
                  Ribbons are: Occupations, Good Conduct, Navy Achievement, Cold War
                  Bottom pin under ribbons: Polaris Patrol Pin

Further, he was accepted as a US Submarine Veterans Holland Club member which is earned rather than bought.

Myself
During Elementary School I did receive recognition for some activities I had done. However, it wasn't until about Grade 5, I received a few awards which I could call Awards. The first was the P.T.O (Parent Teacher Organization) Award. This was given to a boy and a girl in the 5th grade who has worked the hardest and shown the most improvement.

The P.T.O Award

I was also a Girl Scout Brownie and Girl Guide. However, there was never any pictures, that I know of, that were taken and over the years I don't know what happened to my sash with my badges on it.

I loved to run and skip rope. I entered a few races that were held in the town of Walden, New York on the 4th of July and placed in some of the races.

One of the race results.

I did have a great amount of honor roll certificates but these were lost in the fire we had in 1997.

I did get an award for Financial Information Processing for placing 5th in the state of New York through an organization called FBLA or Future Business Leaders of America in 1991.

Then I was granted membership to both the Honor Society for Valley Central High School and for the Vocational and Technical Center I was enrolled in for Business Computer Technology. This was the first time someone int he Vocational and Technical Center was granted membership from Valley Central. Also, because of my grades they had also allowed me to be asked as a member for VCHS Honor Society which was a first.

 

This also meant that I could wear what they called cords for the graduation ceremonies for both of the schools. 

Vocational Society Cords

At Vocational Center graduation

VCHS cords

VCHS graduation

Then at the Vocational Technical Center I was also awarded Outstanding Student at graduation in 1991.

Further, I was given a small scholarship to help with my expenses when I attend Orange County Community College in Middletown NY.

I did get an award when I was working for Manpower Temp Agency for working for so many hours and having high level of feedback from all businesses I worked with. They gave me a Tiffany necklace as a thank you.

Also, I was part of a group when I was attending OCCC with the computer club and we won Club of the Year in 1994.

1994 Club of the Year award - Club Activities chairperson, Joe G Secretary, Heidi B Secretary, Myself Vice President

  Check back for the continuation of "The Book of me, Written by You" series.