Well, on the internet anyway. I got the nickname “Aurora” last year from a fellow RPer – well, was given to my character by her character, but it sort of stuck with me. Not to mention that it is a much nicer name than my previous online handle, though I still use that old handle on fan boards. When I looked at using the name in a more official capacity, I found that “Aurora” is more popular than I thought so I added the Lee. In January 2009 I officially adopted Aurora Lee as my ‘personal’ handle and purchased aurora-lee.ca! With the new domain name came a new host (www.netfirms.ca) and, well, a ‘host’ of new tools to play with. WordPress, Joomla and more. I integrated many of these tools on my new site to experiment and learn new things. It’s still a work in progress and when I get some time I’ll be streamlining it. Read the rest of this entry »
As some of you may know, I participated in NaNoWriMo again this year (last year being an EPIC epic fail with only a total of about 50 words written). 50 000 words in 30 days. My ‘novel’ still isn’t finished yet, but I’ve put it away for hte last few weeks to try and, how ever unsuccessfully, catch up on some things. I hope to at least get a bit more written on it this weekend, however. The good news is that I won the challenge! I reached 50 000 words on November 24th. At the end of the challenge, I finished with 57 003 words. I would have surpassed 60 000 but I didn’t really do any writing the last weekend of November as I was starting to stress about how much work I had to do. I learned a lot about how to plan and write a novel or story that I didn’t know before and I’m looking forward to using that learning in the future. I already have an idea for next year’s challenge… if I don’t start it before then. Also, Nano was inspiring! I usually have big problems thinking up ideas for stories that don’t involve fanfic, but I came up with loads of original ideas while writing my fanfic Nano. Awesome! Now I need to work on characterization before next Nano
Speaking of writing, I’m published! When I have time, I participate in a lot of flash fiction challenges and sites, including six-word memoirs from Smith Magazine. January 5th is the release date for their latest anthology: It All Changed in an Instant, in which one of mine will be included!
It’s been a while since I’ve posted here. It’s been a busy few months and I’m still trying to catch up! Since my last post on October 18th, I’ve travelled to Dallas, planned and written a (almost complete) novel, spent a weekend in the city to see George Canyon, started volunteering, finished my first web design course, and now trying to catch up on everything I neglected during all that.
i can haz nap nao?
Before my last post, I started volunteering with Junior Achievement’s Company Program. This 18 week program works with high school students to show them how to run a business from product brainstorming to company incorporation to finally disolving hte company. My group – Valley Views – has created very nice 2010 calendars with photographic ciews of the valley. The calendar sells for $10. COntact me if you’re interest in purchase one In the new year, they may shift to also making dog treats
Cross stitching has pretty much been put on hold until this weekend, too much other stuff has been going on! I’m still working on Fairy Idyll, which I hope to finish before working on another new project or WIP. My 365 Project had been put to the side during most of November as well, but is now back! I started where I left off, so we’ll still get 365 photos, it will just take longer than a year to do. Read the rest of this entry »
First, let’s talk about the fun stuff. I’ve posted a new progress photo for my Fairy Idyll cross stitch piece. That will probably be last progress of any sort until December
I’m still taking part in my (free) Social Media and Open Education course – which this week was really interesting and dealt with Digital Storytelling, check out my last post for more information on that – and my Web design course (the homework for which I should be doing right now instead of writing this!). I was suppose to do a Photography course through the Photographic Society of America, but the textbook I’ve only been able to find on Ebay. I have just purchased it, though I’m still deciding if I just want to work through the book on my own, or take the course. I’ll probably take a look at the book in November or December (more than likely December!) and figure it out. (worried about the portrait unit – don’t really like taking pics of other people so I want to see what the exercises are before I commit)
On Tuesday I start volunteering weekly with Junior Achievement’s Company Program. I was a volunteer advisor two years ago, but skipped last year, as I was too busy. Somehow I decided that this year I was LESS busy? Not sure what I was thinking when I agreed to that! lol Anyway, it’s a great program! Hopefully we have a great year! Read the rest of this entry »
Some of you (any of you?) may remember last year when I said I was going to do this “crazy’ challenge of writing 50 000 words in 30 days… otherwise known as NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Well, with having no plot, no real characters, not even really an idea of what the story would be about… I didn’t get very far. 50 words – yes, 50 – no zeros missing. I didn’t even bother to record my awful score. Well, I’ve signed up for that torture challenge again this year! This year, though, I DO have an idea – at least two actually! I need to spend the rest of this month planning all my ideas out and figuring out which one I want to do.
NaNoWriMo has several programs, for both adults and school groups. If you’d like to support their programs, feel free to donate to the organization here: Donations page Donations go to support writing kits for schools, staff, servers and office space for the staff and volunteers. Read the rest of this entry »
“I am looking for volunteers for our Company Program in Middleton. The program is starting on Tuesday, October 20th at the NSCC Campus.
The time commitment is one evening a week for 18 weeks from 630 to 9 pm. Company program is our program that allows High School Students in grades 10 to 12 the chance to start and operate a real business. We are looking for two volunteers to become the Advisor team. Time is getting short. I am sorry for the short notice but I thought I had a team together but two of the volunteers have had to withdraw. I do have one returning volunteer in place who has done this program before.
This program brings in students from Bridgetown, Middleton and West Kings High Schools. I have a lot of students interested in this program but I cannot go forward without volunteers.
If you are able to volunteer please contact me and please ask others that you feel may be interested.”
~ Brenda Kenney [bkenney@janovascotia.org]
(Contact Brenda if you’re interested in helping! Let me know too )
So, today Mandy (@MandyBu on Twitter) started a “My Favourite Things”… thing on Twitter. Thought it would be a good idea and also make me post here more often, so I thought I’d try it.
I thought today I’d go with the obvious.
I LOVE the Aurora Borealis!
For those of you that aren’t really sure what that is, check out this wiki article.
This week has been an interesting one… Two classes started on Tuesday and it’s been interesting trying to get back into the swing of readings and homework in amongst everything that I’ve added to my life since the last time I took any formal classes… especially as these are online courses. Time Management!! So far it’s been going well, of course, it’s only the first week!!
My first course is “Web Publishing”, part of the Web Technologies program offered at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). This is an online course focusing on XHTML coding with no synchronous learning. This is your regular online college course, so I’ve paid $$$ for it and it will be my focus. It is also the introductory course to the program, which I hope to continue on it. So far we’ve just had a few readings and some coding practice. I need to do that assignment, though it’s not due until next week. Looks like an interesting course and program and I’m looking forward to it!
The other course I started this week is ECI831 – Social Media and Open Education. This is a graduate university course with 20 registered, for-credit students and approximately 200 (including myself) ‘auditing’ students. There is a synchronous Elluminate session every Tuesday and various readings (both assigned by Alec, the instructor, and user generated, either through blog posts written by the students or links, videos, tools, etc. we have tagged), videos and activities to work through as the week progresses. Twitter is a big part of the course. It’s very interesting and an excellent format for learning this subject matter – jump into the deep end, I say!
An Introduction
The main assignment for this week was to post an introductory video. You can view mine below:
As I didn’t really want to have to look at a video of myself or hear myself talk, I chose this format. Let me tell you a bit more about myself then I was able to in this video. I’m not a teacher. I am an administrative assistant with the Nova Scotia Community College. My office works specifically with educators of children. My job is fairly flexible; I’m able invent and modify tasks on a regular basis to suit my talents and interests. I’m always looking for new ways to try and market our services. Currently I’m experimenting with social media and trying to make our established web site more interactive and user-friendly. Starting this semester I will also start to deliver workshops around my areas of expertise and I’m looking for new and interesting ways to engage our clients and make the ifnormation more accessible. In general, I’m simply interested in learning about ways to make learning more engaging, fun and useful for learners of all ages, while still being aware of security and privacy. I believe the subject matter in this course, and the topics that will come out of it on the ‘back channel’ is a huge step in that direction.
Well, this week has royally sucked. I’ve been tired all week… kinda feel like I’ve got too much going on – and it’s only going to get worse starting next week when I start two of my three courses. Only one of these courses I’m actually paying for, so if I just can’t do it, at least I can concentrate on just that one! Not to mention that on Tuesday we buried a wonderful co-work who died from cancer at age 25. I didn’t know her very well, but many of the others I work with did and we used the office as a memorial room for staff and students to visit.
Then tonight I got home to discover that my web host account had been hacked and I got suspended for ’spamming’. Sigh. Got that up and running, but I’m freaking paranoid that it will happen again!
Good stuff…. I’m sure there’s some of that!
Let’s see… my 365 photography project is going well! Though there were some close calls, I haven’t missed a day, though some may have been an hour or two past midnight. So far it’s all photography or photoshop. I suppose it will probably stay that way. I’m enjoying it so far. If anyone has any requests let me know
I updated my Fairy Idyll cross stitch project page with a new progress pic.
I booked my flight to Dallas next month for Star Wars Fan Days III so I will definitely be going to that!! I also have a ticket to see Star Wars In Concert the night previous to the con. I CAN’T WAIT!!! If any one has suggestions for things to do in Dallas, please let me know! I’ll have about 2 two days in total (spread over a Friday, Monday and Tuesday) for touristy things.
Happy
Esctatic
Alarmed
In the new year, they may shift to also making dog treats 
so I want to see what the exercises are before I commit)
Sad
)
Cool
