SimonsSays123

An website dedicated to reach out, have fun and educate everyone in all walks of life. A journey to complete 365 posts of learning and sharing interesting things with you.

RPTA – Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration

I graduate in May with a General Studies Major and a RPTA minor. I get a lot of weird looks when I tell people that. You know the look. The one where they shake their head like they know what you are talking about, but they really don’t understand at all. I’m happy to explain.

RPTA is the abbreviation for Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration. It is a combination of concentrated studies for careers in the Park/Rec/Tourism area. Here are some examples:

  • Park Ranger
  • Lifeguard
  • Camp Director
  • Wildlife Refuge Management
  • Hotel Management
  • Outdoor Recreation Planning
  •  Coach
  • Special Events Planner

Those are just a few on a very long list. Therapeutic Recreation is an area that holds a special place in my heart. I often find that this type of service is often over-looked, but in high demand. It’s about helping others and seeing areas in your life that therapeutic recreation could be beneficial.

Here is a video that my Professor shared in class. I think it sums up TR better than I can describe and say in words.

Here, There & Everywhere.

Let’s talk about life. Okay, don’t roll your eyes. How many of you, think life can be hectic? It seems as if life starts out in slow motion and then you reach your 30’s and you look back and think: Where did that time go? You may think, there is so much I wanted to accomplish by this age. Or, you may think that this is not the life I envisioned when I was younger. Some may be happy that life didn’t turn out the way they thought it was suppose to be in their head at a fragile young age. Others may think this is exactly what I expected and everything is going according to plan. I look back and see that this isn’t what I expected at 33, but I also love where I’m at. I wouldn’t change it…well maybe a few things here and there…

In my opinion, I think age is just a number. I can relate to people at all age groups. I think that keeping an open mind will keep you young and wise. Do those two mix? Do they make sense? Sure. We should always keep that child-like exploration. I love to learn new things. I find it exciting.

I started this blog in 2012. I decided that I wanted to go back to school and get my Bachelors degree. One of the first classes I picked was a Computer & Writing class. I didn’t know what class would pertain to at the time and it ended up being about creating websites, blogging, networking. I fell in love with that class. The Computer & Writing class opened my eyes to the world of blogging and more computer/internet knowledge than I had ever known before. I started this blog as a class project. Now, nearly four years later, I look back and wish I would have kept writing.

I finally graduate on May 15th, 2016. Less than 2 months away. It has taken 16 years and 6 separate attempts from when I first started college, right out of high school in the year 2000. I look back and see so much change, but also a lot of personal growth and learning experiences that made me wiser.

I admit that I am passionate about many things. Maybe, too many things. That wont keep me from fulfilling all those goals I set for myself through the years. I get distracted. Other priorities pop up. That is life. I’ll end with one of my favorites quotes: “Lack of passion is fatal.”

Keep shining all you bright, bright stars!

 

 

 

A Celebration of a Revolution: A look on the year of 1776.

Most of us know it as the 4th of July, a holiday, a day off of work, time for families to get together and Barbeque.  It is something we may have learned in history class, or from a Parent or Grandparent. Some of us, as kids got the privilege to hear the stories of how America came to be and the Wars that were fought to keep it that way. Unfortunately, I was not one of those lucky kids. My Grandparents passed away before I had the chance to ask them.

 I was taught about our Country from my Dad. My Dad loves America. He loves the history of it. I am still learning about America and I don’t plan on stopping. I find that, like my father, I love the patriotism in America. Although, I see and feel that patriotism has seemed to diminish over these last 238 years. I want to bring it back.  A few defining words of Patriotism:  “a devoted love, support, and defense of one’s country; national loyalty”. I have a copy of the Declaration of Independence hanging on my wall above my computer as a reminder of how America and Our Independence came to be. I will hang my American Flag proudly today, as I do every day.

 On this 4th of July, Our Independence Day, I want to share with you the document that many important men in our history created to start a revolution to give all Americans our Independence.

 Go Team USA.

 flag

For a more reader friendly version, it can be located here.

Ideas in the Shower and No Place to Write Them Down?! Problem Solved!

So, I am one of those crazy people who have constant thoughts running through my head. Things I need to do, things I would like to do, things I wish I had more time to do, etc. You catch my drift. The one place where I have the most idle time to think is in the shower. I have had many a great euphony in the shower! For the longest time, I would tell myself that I would remember the idea and then write it down later. Well….my mind usually bounces from topics and thoughts in mere nanoseconds. I would forget my great idea and sometimes be lucky enough to summon it at a later date. Maybe…

This inconvenience brought me to the idea (while I was in the shower) of having something in the shower that was waterproof that I could write my ideas on. Oooo, I thought I was onto something big here. I was going to “invent” waterproof shower paper! I ran (slowly) out of the shower and started to search the internet. I typed in waterproof paper and POW! There it was…already in existence and in a neat, pretty little package, all ready to go, to place in your shower. Someone beat me to it. No worries on this already invented concept of mine. I bought that neat, pretty little waterproof bundle of joy. It hangs in my shower and I have written many to-do-lists and “bright ideas” on it. So, I am giving credit where credit is due. Also, if your mind is like mine and it is racing for a great qualifying time at the Indy 500 time trials, then I suggest you hop on this shower-note-taking bandwagon with me! As AquaNotes would say: “No More Great Ideas Down the Drain!” Check out their website here.

Happy New Year – Hello 2014!

Everyone seems to plan resolutions at the beginning of a New Year. When in reality, anytime of the year is a good time to start resolutions.  I seem to start a new resolution about every 3 weeks. My consistency in keeping a resolution is not so great. What can I say, I get easily distracted….Oh look! A puppy! Okay, maybe not that distracted, but I try to get back on track once my attention to the resolution has a chance to refocus. I’ve been in an ongoing battle to lose weight. I’m not trying to fit into my high school clothes again, (although, I wouldn’t mind if I did..) but I really want to be healthy.

JanuaryGym

This seems to happen a lot. I am happy to say that I used my membership for a few more months than that…but I could have attended more. That is one of my resolutions. I am looking forward to 2014. It feels as if I’m stepping outside on a warm spring day and taking a deep breath in and I’m ready to run. I want to run everywhere. My “To-Do-List” keeps getting longer and I don’t mind it. I’m crossing things off and adding three more things to it. It is refreshing.

I’ve missed blogging and I’m glad to be back. Here are a few “life hacks” that may make your life easier in 2014.

http://www.viralnova.com/awesome-life-hacks/

Are You and Introvert or an Extrovert – Find out here.

Shy? Outgoing? Anti-Social? Social?

Do you fall under one particular category?

Here is a quiz to find out.

how-to-care-for-extroverts

How-to-care-for-introverts

Here are some websites that have some interesting information:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kate-bartolotta/traits-of-introverts-_b_4111006.html

http://gawker.com/15-unmistakable-outrageously-secret-signs-youre-an-ex-1182875137

Lefty Loosey…Righty Tighty?! Finding my way back to blogging.

Image

 

 

So I’ve been thinking lately that life has a way of moving way too fast sometimes. So I just wanted to give you all a quick update that I will be back to blogging very soon. Be patient with me as I get associated with WordPress again. 

 

Here are a few sneak peeks about the subjects I will be addressing:

The sequel to “I lost my mate” and the discoveries (or lack thereof) of socks when they head to the washing machine.

The affects of stress on an unborn baby.

Wealthy Mom’s who take advantage of the special needs program at Disneyland.

…And More, much, much, more! 

Stay tuned my friends! 

Safety for all the Ladies!

Here is some great information for any woman out there.  Safety measures to learn and remember! I know quite a few of these helpful tips already and I’m always eager to share what I know. My Dad is in Law Enforcement and has seen one too many victims of this crime.  Read this information, educate yourselves and educate others as well. scareyThrough a rapist’s eyes. A group of rapists and date rapists in prison were interviewed on what they look for in a potential victim and here are some interesting facts:

1] The first thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle. They are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun! , braid, or other hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also likely to go after a woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common targets.

2] The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women who’s clothing is easy to remove quickly. Many of them carry scissors around to cut clothing.

3] They also look for women using their cell phone, searching through their purse or doing other activities while walking because they are off guard and can be easily overpowered.

4] The number one place women are abducted from / attacked at is grocery store parking lots.

5] Number two is office parking lots/garages.

6] Number three is public restrooms.

7] The thing about these men is that they are looking to grab a woman and quickly move her to a second location where they don’t have to worry about getting caught.

8] If you put up any kind of a fight at all, they get discouraged because it only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going after you isn’t worth it because it will be time-consuming.

9] These men said they would not pick on women who have umbrellas,or other similar objects that can be used from a distance, in their hands.

10] Keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the attacker to use them as a weapon. So, the idea is to convince these guys you’re not worth it.

POINTS THAT WE SHOULD REMEMBER:

1] If someone is following behind you on a street or in a garage or with you in an elevator or stairwell, look them in the face and ask them a question, like what time is it, or make general small talk: can’t believe it is so cold out here, we’re in for a bad winter. Now that you’ve seen their faces and could identify them in a line- up, you lose appeal as a target.

2] If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front of you and yell Stop or Stay back! Most of the rapists this man talked to said they’d leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would not be afraid to fight back. Again, they are looking for an EASY target.

3] If you carry pepper spray (this instructor was a huge advocate of it and carries it with him wherever he goes,) yelling I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY and holding it out will be a deterrent.

4] If someone grabs you, you can’t beat them with strength but you can do it by outsmarting them. If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch the attacker either under the arm between the elbow and armpit or in the upper inner thigh – HARD. One woman in a class this guy taught told him she used the underarm pinch on a guy who was trying to date rape her and was so upset she broke through the skin and tore out muscle strands the guy needed stitches. Try pinching yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it; it really hurts.

5] After the initial hit, always go for the groin. I know from a particularly unfortunate experience that if you slap a guy’s parts it is extremely painful. You might think that you’ll anger the guy and make him want to hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our instructor is that they want a woman who will not cause him a lot of trouble. Start causing trouble, and he’s out of there.

6] When the guy puts his hands up to you, grab his first two fingers and bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing down on them as possible. The instructor did it to me without using much pressure, and I ended up on my knees and both knuckles cracked audibly.

7] Of course the things we always hear still apply. Always be aware of your surroundings, take someone with you if you can and if you see any odd behavior, don’t dismiss it, go with your instincts. You may feel little silly at the time, but you’d feel much worse if the guy really was trouble.

FINALLY, PLEASE REMEMBER THESE AS WELL ….

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do it.

2. Learned this from a tourist guide to New Orleans : if a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you…. chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car: Kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won’t see you but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping,eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON’T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side,put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU CLOSE the DOORS , LEAVE.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:

a. Be aware: look around your car as someone may be hiding at the passenger side , peek into your car, inside the passenger side floor, and in the back seat. ( DO THIS TOO BEFORE RIDING A TAXI CAB) .

b. If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.

c. Look at the car parked on the driver’s side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot).

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP IT! It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked “for help” into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

Send this to any woman you know that may need to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of crazies in it and it’s better safe than sorry.

Get the word out, stay educated and save some lives.

Facebook…Can it diagnose a Mental Disorder in its Users??

I saw this article on Mashable.com and it posted a study on what how a persons Facebook may or may not determine if they have a mental illness. 

facebook-doctors

Check out this link and tell me what you think!

The Best List for Your Bucket List!

Living, Loving and Enjoying Life.  

Here is a great website that has a ton of neat ideas to put on your bucket list!

man-partying-in-coffin

Click Here to see the 225 Fun Experiences!

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