The mighty oak was once a little nut that stood its ground.

Some days  I sit down at my machine, and it is as if I am touching a completely foreign object. My fingers are slipping onto the wrong keys, I'm dropping way too many words, my mind is swirling from a lack of concentration, and my body aches that tired, weary ache that comes from too much time sitting in front of a computer. It is on days like this that I feel as if everything I ever learned and practiced has fluttered completely out of my mind and continued right on out the window. I find myself left wondering, how did I possibly end up in this weird, endless land of 180 limbo? Will I ever escape it? Alas, I know I will, but not without a little much needed encouragement. So I dial a c.r. friend, they let me be weary, emotional, and discouraged. After receiving a much needed pep talk, I get back on my machine, for I will never succeed without standing my ground, and mastering my machine. Sometimes success is merely the determination to keep going.

 

This little cycle is nothing new. It happens quite routinely. It really is just part of the process, and it reminds me of how funny court reporting really is, and what an unusual little circle you become part of. One thing I have discovered since I began this journey a little over 3 years ago, is that this is most definitely a career with a lot of heart. C.R.s truly understand how utterly discouraging this program can be at times, and anyone remotely related to this profession is always so wonderful at encouraging you during those ultra low moments (which sometimes seems more often than not). They are pretty much the only ones that truly understand how you feel and what you are going through. Because of that, they always know just what to say to pick you back up off the floor, dust off the dirt off your back, and get you back on your machine. The words that are shared are always heart felt, sincere, and full of a deep appreciation for the amount of hard work and dedication that this requires. There belief and support in you sometimes outweighs the belief you have in yourself. They still, somehow, always remind you that with positive thinking (negativity is absolutely NOT an option), determination, and perseverance, you CAN and WILL succeed. I feel truly blessed to have discovered this little world, and even though sometimes I feel as if I'm still just a little nut, I know that in time, I will be the big, strong tree.

You must do the things you think you cannot do.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Baby, it's cold outside

       

Although I hate the cold and snowy weather, one advantage of living here is the occasional snow day, and today is one such day. Thanks to a nasty, 2-day winter storm, my work was closed today and I was forced to stay home. So sad (note sarcasm). Anyway, I have been snuggled in with D and enjoying the extra time at home, although I admit, I am having a hard time focusing on my much needing to be done school work. I did take a break to go clean off my my car which turned out to be way more work than I bargained for. Thanks to a 1/4" slab of ice completely coating and sealing my car shut, topped of with a good 3" to 4" of snow above that, let's just say, it was a real nightmare. But, all in all, I can't complain. I'm getting a freebie day at home which, with my busy schedule is always a much needed treat.

      

      

Shoes + Inspiration = 13 mile Walk

Now shall I walk

or shall I ride?

"Ride" Pleasure said:

"Walk" Joy replied.

-W.H. Davies

This is no place for an AZ girl

Friday has come and you would think I would be thrilled and excited for the weekend to be upon me. However, I find the fact that it is a bone-chilling -5 degrees out at the moment somewhat dismal. I'm bundled up in my cuddle duds (thanks mom!) complete with about 5 other layers on top as I just don't take well to this kind of weather. So, I'm thinking to myself, this is no place for an AZ girl like me. In an effort to get myself through this biting, cold day, I'm posting a pic of my dear, sweet desert. If I can't be there at last I can pretend. Now, to brace myself to go out and warm up my car. 

Movin' on up

I find myself machine shopping these days. It is actually kind of exciting to think that I'm at the point where I will be moving on up to a "grown up" machine. For the past three years (yes, hard to believe it has been that long) I have been working on my little SRT200, a student version that has seen a little wear and tear as of late. Although she's been good to me, it is by no means a match for a professional machine. Since most of the reporters and instructors that I have talked to all highly recommend upgrading my machine before graduating, I have begun the process of trying to to do just that. The top three options at this point are the following:

 

Stentura Fusion

$4,795.00

The traditional machine with the standard paper tray, although it has a setting for a paperless option.

elan Mira

$4,795.00

Completely paperless, but with an amazing lightweight touch to the keys. Has all the bells and whistles and highly recommended by those who use it.

elan Cybra

$1,935.00

The most affordable option, but geared more towards captioning and CART reporters. It still can be used by any reporter, however there is no screen on the machine. It is completely paperless.

I am hoping that in the next few months, I will have this taken care of and I'll be on my way with a shiny new writer.  But in the meantime, hmmm...which to choose?! 

361 Days and counting

I have never been one for New Year's resolutions. I've always found the idea somewhat silly. Rarely are any of these resolutions actually kept, yet year after year people solemnly promise to change their lives for the better. They promise to do things like join a gym, eat healthier, decrease debt or do away with bad habits. Perhaps they stick to it for a month or so, but then let's face it, eventually we fall back into the same-o, same-o of life, and somehow forget how important we thought our resolution was to begin with. Although in the past I have looked at the idea of resolutions a bit cynically, last year was the first year I decided that I too would participate in the age-old tradition of declaring a New Year's resolution. 

Of course it took a great deal of thought do determine what my "life-changing" resolution would be. After all, the failure rate, although not quite as high as the 95% failure rate for court reporting school, is still quite significant. It seems only about 12 percent of people who make some sort of resolution actually keep it. I decided since the odds were not in my favor, I should attempt something very attainable. 

2008 Resolution: Learn to make a stir fry!

Sounds simple, right! Well, it was. Simple enough that I was actually able to remember what my resolution was (which is half the battle in my book) and simple enough that I felt I could actually do it. Congrats to me!!!! I can now feed myself one square meal. So now that I am a regular domestic diva in the kitchen, I also now have a big head about my ability to keep a New Year's resolution. As a result, this year I'm going big! 

2009 Resolution: GRADUATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's right. I'm documenting my promise to myself. Mark my words, I WILL finish school in 2009. You have my permission to personally kick me in the pants if I don't. 

361 days and counting... I guess I should go practice.