6.9 Why CVTC Does It Better

 I could not be happier with the Professional Communications program at CVTC. This program has polished my professional, technical, and business writing for a variety of media and industries. Throughout the duration of the program, I have worked on projects that build skills applicable to real-world professional careers such as technical writing, copywriting, editing, grant writing, and other related writing careers. I’ve designed brochures and ads; written grant proposals; written blogs; as well as, proofreading and editing technical manuals. This program has provided fun projects that help me gain experience and develop my skills for the professional world. Because of this program, I am now proficient in theories of rhetoric, writing, and digital literacy; document design, production, and management; editing and proofreading; visual rhetoric and multimedia composition; documentation development; web writing; and publishing. Getting a degree in Professional Communications through CVTC is simple, informative, and fun; and opens up your career options to some awesome possibilities.

Each course takes eight weeks to complete and I have enjoyed earning my degree with the flexibility and convenience of the program being 100% online. I’m a single mom who works full-time and being able to choose when I do my school work is so helpful. 

Throughout this program, you'll learn valuable skills such as:

• Document design, production, and management

• Documentation development

• Publishing in print and electronic media

• Rhetoric, writing, and digital literacy theories

• Social media content creation

• Usability testing

• Visual rhetoric and multimedia composition
• Web content writing

6.6 - The Diversity of California

California is a diverse state with a little bit for people from all walks of life to enjoy. The state has something to offer for nature lovers, city-goers, as well as, those that deeply enjoy art and culture. From the lovely mountains to the Hollywood scene and bustling nightlife, California is a must-see destination.

Here are the top 5 must-see spots in California!

1. Disneyland

"Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Castle" bybubble_gum is licensed under CC BY 2.0

This is a great family-friendly tourist destination! From the great food and rides to the fun characters, Disneyland has it all. Walt Disney once said, "First, think. Second, dream. Third, believe. And finally, dare." Disney is a place where dreams come true. I dare you to check it out. The "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride is a fan favorite. Visitors get to float down the river in a boat and see different scene setups that were based on the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies.  "It's a Small World" is another classic fan-favorite ride where you get to "take a musical trip around the world."Also, don't miss the "Magic Happens" parade where Disney characters walk the streets of Disneyland with music and fun. Go experience some magic! 

2. Yosemite National Park

"Yosemite" by Udax is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 

For some lovely scenic views, Yosemite National Park is the place to go. Visited by over 100 million people, Yosemite is a popular spot for hiking, biking, and photography. While exploring Yosemite you can expect to see lovely mountains, deep canyons, and breathtaking waterfalls.  Nothing beats the views that this gorgeous landscape has to offer.

3. Golden Gate Bridge

"Golden Gate Bridge" by Salim Virji is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Golden Gate Bridge is a popular tourist destination by many. The bridge has a lot to offer visitors. Visitors can choose to hike, bike, walk, shop, or even take guided tours offered by the bridge's welcome center. The welcome center offers merchandise, historical information, and guided tours and is open daily from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. If all of that physical activity has you working up an appetite, stop by the Roundhouse Cafe or the Bridge Cafe for a quick bite. American classics like hotdogs and apple pie are served up here. 

4. Downtown Los Angeles

"Los Angeles" by Todd Jones Photography is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Los Angeles is a beautiful, bustling city with a lot to offer. Largely known for its walk of fame and entertainment industry, Los Angeles is a popular tourist destination.  When visiting the walk of fame, little stars can be seen embedded into the sidewalk, featuring the names of various celebrities. These stars are embedded across 15 blocks of the Hollywood sidewalk. In addition to the stars, on a hilltop, the giant Hollywood sign can be seen, a very popular photo spot for tourists. The city also has a great nightlife. The Rooftop Bar is a fun spot. Located on top of the Standard Hotel, customers can enjoy the view, vibes, and delicious cocktails. If looking for something more in touch with nature, Santa Monica Beach is a gorgeous spot in Los Angeles. Los Angeles is a diverse city with a little to offer for everyone.

5. Venice Beach Boardwalk

"Venice Beach Boardwalk" by Scott Beale is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

This famously known boardwalk has been featured in many films. The boardwalk is full of culture! According to TripAdvisor, the boardwalk has 4 out of 5 stars. One visitor said, "The boardwalk is a colourful, liberating, accepting place that we fell head over heels in love with! A must visit for everyone who visits LA!" While walking down this lovely boardwalk to Santa Monica beach expect to see lots of local art and cute places to grab a bite to eat. This is a great place to stop and smell the roses. Take your time here and really take it all in. 

4.6 Mac 'n' Cheese with a Dash of Spice and Everything Nice

Who doesn't love a classic bowl of mac and cheese? The best part about mac and cheese is that there are so many different ways to cook this common dish. This delicious pasta dish can be served cold or hot, as well as, with or without other added ingredients. I'm going to introduce you to a mac and cheese dish with an added little twist. Here is the story behind this "MACS" inspired dish. 

A couple of years ago my brother participated in an archery tournament in the Dells. Like a good sister, I traveled a few hours from Eau Claire to the Dells to show my support. Halfway through the day-long event, everyone involved in the tournament was allowed to leave for a lunch break. During the lunch break, we were driving around downtown in search of something new that we could try. We had come across a local restaurant called "MACS." This place amazed me. From the decor to the food, everything was impressive. They had every variation of mac and cheese imaginable served up in a cute little skillet, including a variety of cute little dessert skillets. I had tried the "loaded baked potato" skillet in the "mac daddy" size. The food was so mouthwateringly good that I immediately went home and tried to recreate the delicious skillet that I had the pleasure of consuming that day. 

I don't own any skillets so I had to get creative with how I would go about cooking the dish. Preparing the dish any other way would create a different taste. However, that would be ok and was all part of the creative process. I knew from tasting the dish at the restaurant that I was going to need several ingredients:

• Yukon potatoes
• Bell peppers
• Bacon
• Mac and cheese
• Heavy cream
• Spices to taste

These would be the main ingredients. The quantities and extra seasonings would be up to experimentation and taste. I had decided that the potatoes would take the longest to cook so I started with those. I cubed them and proceeded to throw them in a pot of boiling water. I allowed them to boil about 15 minutes. In a separate pan, I began to fry up some bacon. This bacon was going to be crumbled over the top of the mac 'n' cheese so I had to cook each piece extra crispy. Then I started boiling the noodles. These would take about 10 minutes to cook. Then I began to sautee some bell peppers. Once the potatoes were mostly cooked; I drained the noodles, added them to the potatoes, and poured in some heavy cream. The first time I did this the dish came out a little bit dry and bland. I found out I like to put a little extra cream so that the noodles are more on the soupy side. Then I toss in some shredded mozzarella and cheddar and allow this to melt into the noodles. I found that salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder add good taste to this dish. Then finish the dish by throwing on the sauteed peppers and bacon followed by a dollop of sour cream on top if you're into that. Voila, "mac and cheese with a dash of spice and everything nice." 

I couldn't share any of the exact measurements used. The ingredients had been eyeballed to taste. However, no matter who will decide to recreate this dish, adding way too much cheese is a requirement. Only then will the dish have reached piqued perfection. Hope this variation of a classic dish is enjoyed by all who read this post! 

3.6 I Made That!

 On January 29, 2015, something happened that forever changed my life. My son was born. I had just freshly turned 18 and will never forget that day. A mixture of emotions washed over me, but as I looked down into that newborn's eyes all I could feel was pure pride as I thought, "I made that." Having a kid so young and before I was ready was scary for me. Doubts crept into my mind about if I could handle being a mother, if I would even be a good mother, or if I would turn out like all of the other stereotypical teen moms. However, doubts aside, nothing compares to the overwhelming feelings that consumed me when the child who was growing in my belly for nine months became a physical, precious baby that I could hold in my arms.

1 AM rolled around and I could not stop tossing and turning. There was a faint cramping feeling in my stomach that persisted through the night. A couple hours rolled by and the cramps became more frequent and regular in timing. My heart fluttered with mixed emotions because that meant that I would possibly get to hold the child that had been forming in my womb for nine months. I thought about what he would look like, what he would feel like in my arms, and what kind of personality he would take on. Thinking of all these things excited me. Then I thought about the sleepless nights to come, the countless hours of changing diapers and caring for him, my being responsible for his future wellbeing, as well as, the physical act of birthing him. All of these things terrified me and worried me. 

The cramping seemed to last long enough, persistently, that we packed up our things and headed to the hospital to see how things were going. On the drive to the hospital, I was a nervous wreck and called my mom to see if she could meet us there. She gave birth to four of us so she was quite well-versed in this sort of thing. Her being there helped to ease my anxieties and everything went smoothly. 

I was periodically checked to see how dilated I was. Dilation is a measurement taken by the nurses and doctors to see how close to delivery you are in the labor process. The epidural had been administered and I was fully dilated, go time. At this point, I was extremely nervous and equally excited. No more wondering if he had blue eyes or brown, if I could handle the midnight feedings, or what the birthing process would be like. This was the moment that I would be able to physically hold him in my arms and put my best mom skills to the test. 

The doctor hooked me up to a machine that showed when I was contracting. Thankfully, the epidural did the job it was created to do and I could feel absolutely nothing. A contraction lit up the screen, the doctor told me to push, and my heart raced with anticipation. A few pushes later and he was out. The idea of him wasn't an idea anymore. My eyes welled up with tears and my heart experienced a warmth that it had never previously experienced before. He was real, he was in this room, and he was all that I hoped for and more.  I could physically hold him now and see his cute little face. All of the waiting was worth every second spent wondering, doubting, and preparing for this lovely child's arrival. Quintin was here now, all was well. 

3.4 I made that!

 I Made That!

On January 29th, 2015, something happened that forever changed my life. My son was born. I had just freshly turned 18 and will never forget that day. A mixture of emotions washed over me, but as I looked down into that newborn's eyes all I could feel was pure pride as I thought, "I made that." Having a kid so young and before I was ready was scary for me. Doubts crept into my mind about if I could handle being a mother, if I would be a good mother, or if I would turn out like all of the other stereotypical teen moms. However, doubts aside, nothing compares to the feelings I got when the child who was growing in my belly for nine months was now in my arms. I could physically hold him now and see his cute little face. All of the waiting was worth every second spent wondering, doubting, and preparing for this lovely child's arrival. Quintin was here now, all was well.