Reflection

When I first started doing these 13 Things I was not really sure what to expect.  I had heard about blogs, but I really had no idea about how to create one of my own.  This was a worthwhile experience, because I did not realize how much I would enjoy blogging on my own time. 

After starting 13 Things, I wanted to create my own blog for Advanced Writing Workshop.  I really wanted this blog to be about my passion for lifitng, and to target a college segment audience in order to inform students about how to improve their health.  This was something that has taken off quite nicely since I started the project.  I have had views from all around the world such as places like Russia, Singapore, Iran, United Kingdom, and much more.  I did not realize at the time that doing these 13 Things would have such an impact on me, and drive me to create my own personal blog. 

The majority of these "things" I was not too familiar with, especially the mash-up assignment.  It really was an opportunity for me to explore new options out there on the Internet that I was not aware that even existed.  This was a great learning exercise that I will be able to transfer this knowledge into something that is more useful such as a career.  I have already listed many of these tools as part of my tech savvy knowledge within my resume I have created for companies.  The best thing about knowing how to use a variety of different tools is that it becomes appealing to different masses of audiences.  There are plenty of companies out there today that do not know a single thing about using a Twitter, Facebook, or even a Blogger account.  That is why people such as myself are great candidates for opportunites that exploit this option.  It truly is something to be excited about when applying for jobs. 

In regards to my Wordle assignment, it really gave me an insight into the words I overuse.  This becomes helpful because it gives me a reason to look up synonyms in order to create some diversity in my writing.  I couldn't believe some of the words that I repeat all the time in my sentences.  It is rather shocking! 

My favorite posting was the mash-up excercise.  It was neat to be able to incorporate text, photos, videos, and much more in order to create a visually appealing presentation.  This would be something that I could use in a business presentaiton, or just for my own personal use and enjoyment. 

Pretty much all of these "things" can be useful in one way or another, whether that be in the professional realm or a more informal setting.  I plan on using these tools down the road, and look to add even more to my arsenal. 

I enjoy "self-discovery."  It allows me to explore different things at my own pace and time.  I can learn something as fast or as slowly as I want.  I will say I do enjoy structure at times, but it also is nice to have that autonomy.  It would be nice to see a mixture of both elements come together and play off of one another.