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Continuing Education
Posted by Ali Sweeney on Sep 9, 2010

ali learning in the makeup chair

Hey Everyone,

It’s so good for everyone to keep learning all the time, and not just for our jobs or about kid stuff. Sometimes I get so caught up with kids/work/hubby/whatever that when I look back over that past several weeks, or even months, the only “me” time I've allowed myself was spent working out, reading trashy novels, and watching Grey's Anatomy. Not to say that these aren't noble pursuits...but when this happens I usually find myself craving knowledge—something that challenges me and makes me think. In the same way that stretching helps your body, you need to stretch your mind. Here are some of the things I do when I need a little brain activity.
 
* Do a crossword puzzle. I love crosswords. I’m not going to pretend I can do the New York Times Sunday puzzle with a pen or anything, but I do the L.A. Times puzzle often, and I usually finish. 
 
* Watch educational TV. As I type this, Dave and I are watching a show on the National Geographic channel about the galaxy.  It's fascinating to learn about the planets, what they're made of, etc. And there are random facts I know I Ben will love to hear about tomorrow. Here's Megan expanding her own horizons!

megan types

* Read a magazine that teaches something. Cook’s Illustrated is one of my favorite magazines.  The research that goes into each and every recipe is staggering. And so interesting! I learn so much about ingredients and cooking techniques and how they affect the final product that I would never have imagined. (A subscription to Cook’s has become my go-to gift to friends.) I love it. I also love Real Simple. I am so excited to find it in my mailbox each month.  The “New Uses” section is my favorite. I always get a new idea. Did you know you can use lemon juice to sanitize a chopping block or whiten your fingernails? Or use olive oil to remove eye makeup or soften cuticles? Or use a rubber band to help open a tight jar? (Wrap the band a few times around the lid until it’s tight, and it will help you grip it.) Or use a the sticky end of a post-it note to clean the spaces between the keys on your computer keyboard? I've totally used tips I've found in this section.

What are some of the little things you do to stretch your mind? Let me know right here in the comment section.

xo

Ali

I can't believe I forgot to mention my continuing education that starts next Monday. I'm going back to college to get a bachelor in Health Information Systems to continue my work at the hospital.

OMG, ali, Meagan is a little " minnie me"  she looks just like you, what a little cutie pie

I love love love Real Simple! My mom got a subscription for me for Christmas a few years ago and I've renewed it since. The new uses has been a great help to me! I try most of the suggestions! 

My husband and I love watching the History Channel, Discovery and HGTV to escape the general drama on tv often. *I never skip my Days though!* A new favorite on the History Channel is a show called Chasing Mummies. You should check it out. It's a documentary about the famous archaeologist Zahi Hawass and his discoveries in Egypt. It's addicting!

 

 

There are so many things that you can do, my favourites are reading cooking mags, books and websites to learn new things to make.  Reading up on veggie gardens and understanding how to best grow things.  Sudoku puzzles are great brain trainers too :o)

I keep myself in school for several different reasons. CRAZY, i know but i like so many things so while i am doing my dream job, I’m also doing classes in computers programming / networking and Mathematics. I want to teach one day.

P.S. Megan is too cute, love her.

Well, I am in college working on my Bachelor's in Accounting.  Right now I am taking Intermediate Accounting and Environmental Science...my brain is getting plenty of exercise!  I have 5 classes left after this semester!

But other things I do...I get Paula Deen's magazine and my inlaws got us a magazine called Our State.  And it has articles and different things about North Carolina-things to do, places to eat, where to stay, and different articles about the state.  And we do like watching educational programs too.  We love Animal Planet, History, and Discovery.

My hubby and I both do the Sunday NYT Crossword. We make copies on our printer and challenge each other as well as help each other. It is our hour or so every Sunday that is just for us. A routine we have come to love.

After an undergraduate degree and an MBA I worked many years and am now retired. .

In Arkansas tution is free at age 60 or older so I am now taking a multimedia course on web design plus a muscle conditioning class.

Mental 'exercise' is important just like physical exercise.

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