Thing #1

After watching the video about the 7 1/2 Lifelong Learning Habits, I accepted that I am really a nerd. I hated being called a nerd in high school because I always said I wanted to go to college, get a master's degree and then a doctorate. I managed to get two master's and I'm working on the doctorate. Somehow, I have these habits without even knowing that they are habits. I just thought I was abnormal to love to learn.

I love school, learning, and teaching, and unlike some people who shop when they are bored, I go to school. The joke with my family and friends is "what are you going to graduate with next and when so that I can put it on my calendar."

Anyhow, the hardest habit for me is to view problems as challenges. I view them as unnecessary nuisances and nothing else. I'm always asking "why" when something goes wrong and I get so frustrated when something gets in my way. It's probably more anxiety than frustration, but the problem (now challenge), throws off my time schedule and I HATE BEING OFF OF SCHEDULE!

The easiest habit for me is to teach/mentor others. I love teaching and when my coworkers are happy about summer, all I can think about is "what am I going to do next year and how am I going to make it better and how bored I'll be until summer school starts." Teaching just comes natural to me. When I was in 3rd grade, I taught my younger cousin to read. My biology professor said that he never saw me interested in his class until I had to become his TA (teaching assistant). If I won the lottery, I'd teach for free and send another lifelong learner to school to continue with my habits.