Pause for the Cause

Like many people this week we celebrated things to be thankful for but part of my reflection was on my withdrawal from my doctoral studies one year ago. While caring for little JJ as a custodial G Parent, my life has changed for the good, the bad, and the fugly. I am just taking a "Pause for the Cause" and will continue to be an autodidact.

• I remember attempting to explain to my Academic Advisor on why she didn't get my reason to withdraw. It was not an easy decision.
• I don't have as much time to blog.
• I read more than interacting with my social media streams.
• I empathize with those dealing with depression in their own families.
• Poopy diapers are still as stinky as one may remember.
• I am thankful that none of us remember our baby teeth coming in.
• I am thankful to my mother for being there during the process.
• I am thankful for the adults in her life who continue to show her love, regardless of what her parents are going through and the adjustments we make since we were not in the same life social circles before she came into the world.
• Prices of diapers and child care have kept up with the times.
• Family counseling only works with those who participate.
• You still need the village to raise the child.
• Glad the National Zoo is still free.
• I love how playgrounds have improved over the years.

For those who care for babies and toddlers, I have no idea how you keep up with your techspertise, social media, and the things you want to do in life every day. Transitioning from an empty nester to a custodial GMama has been enlightening, frustrating, enjoyable, and transformational.

While I will not make my personal goal of completing my doctorate degree in the first five decades of life, I will return and accomplish this goal before the sixth decade of my life. Life isn't over...I am just taking a "Pause for the Cause".

In the meantime, little JJ continues to tinker with techy gadgets although she wants everyone else's gadgets. She uses gadgets for different reasons and different apps. She still likes to write and draw with washable markers on paper and the bathtub (Thanks Crayola). Buy hey maybe this is a restart on my next thesis as a participant researcher in the process?

So as a unique ed techie, I will find time to blog which may consist of books I am reading, compare/contrast the techie differences between lil JJ and her mother's techie experiences, lessons learned but all things digital with Lil JJ are kept more private. She can make the decision about her digital footprint when she is a little older.

As you reflect on another year of giving thanks, what are you really thankful for?

Thanks Google

I am a Google girl, a Googler, or whatever Google jargon you apply to those of us who do everything Google. I don't preach Google, I just incorporate it into everything I do...including today during the massive block of all USB connections on the army.mil domain (NIPR and SIPR). The network admins were/are on massive random scans, my materials were readily available. So again I have to say "Thanks Google" for allowing me to continue supporting our service members.

From Teyana Taylor's song and her Google Me Official Music Video on YouTube to the many school assignments created on how to implement Google products, Google labs, the Google blogs to share information, to teach a computer skill, to teach others how to communicate using gmail to chat to gmail video chat to the available products through the Google Store from wearables to accessories. There are many more items to be thankful for as Google has been a source for demonstrations and writing assignments during my online schoolwork.

As we move into the week before Thanksgiving (in the US) and we take stock in what we are thankful for...don't forget the Google Docs holiday templates for your holiday documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. As Google celebrated 10 years this year I am thankful for Google, the Google philanthropy, Google's corporate philosophy, the Google blogs, the products and labs that allow me to share knowledge with others as we bridge the digital divide, one person, one group, one net, collaboratively, individually, and all the other ly words we use.

So as you prepare your annual Thanksgiving Gmail, with the newly added Themes and emoticons, send thanks, be thankful, and make the most of The Dash between your date of birth and your date of expiration.

From the many Google Doodles and Logos

From the titles of Google products: Search, Explore and innovate, Communicate, show & share and Go Mobile. Take the time to say "Thank You"...you will be surprised how 2 little words can make a person's day.

Thank You for taking a moment to read the blog post!!!