Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts

Friday, January 6, 2012

A Graduation Gift...

 I graduated from highschool in May, 13 years of homeschool. I don't know how my mom did it, but she did and I'm really thankful for all the time and effort she put into me, and thankful for my dad because he helped LOTS too!

I got a pretty awesome gift for graduation, from some of my favorite people in the whole world. 
I was hoping it was one thing....but I thought it might be too big of a wish....

"hmm....it's the perfect size"
"...no way....! it can't be! they just put something else in this box...yeah, that's what they did"
 Then someone said, "no it's really a laptop"
*squeals* "ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?!?!"
It was really a laptop ;)
Thank you, Mom and Dad, and Grammy April and Grandpa Paul, and Phil and Jenn!

Mom and Dad: During school, I remember all those times when we stayed up late while I cried over Algebra, but I figured it out! FINALLY! thanks Dad :) And Mom, that time when I was learning how to diagram sentences and every. single. day. was absolute torture and major melt downs for both of us till it finally clicked and now I diagram sentences for fun :P Thanks :) When you guys did everything possible to find and let me horseback lessons, those were some of the best years of my life. I learned so much; how to work with people and animals and discipline myself and then how to trust the Lord when he took that opportunity away. All the life skills and lessons you've taught me, and the love you've shown me, raising me in a Christian home and taking me to church every Sunday...morning and night and every Wednesday. Teaching me to love the Lord, that's the best gift you guys gave me. I love you so much.

Grammy April and Grandpa Paul: I'm pretty sure you guys spoil me worse than anyone :D but hey, what are grandparents for? :D I'm so glad you guys live next door. I can just run over and visit whenever I want (even if I don't do it a lot, at least I know the option is there ;) ) Grammy, thank for all the sewing and cooking lessons you gave me, even though I don't CHOOSE to sew and cook on my own (normally) at least I know I have the ability to do those things when and if I need or want to. Those times I got to spend with you were very special to me. Grandpa, thanks for just being there. You are one of my heroes. Thanks for teaching me how to use your riding lawn mower ;) it sure beats the the other option! The times when you take me to town, and we don't say one word the whole time except "hi" and "thanks for the ride" "you're welcome"? I love it, they're some of my favorite times. I'm really glad we all go to the same church now! :D I love you both!

Phil and Jenn: For as long as I can remember you guys have been around (and no, I'm not saying you're old...although Phil is getting there) I love looking at pictures of when I was a baby and seeing Phil on camping trips with us, and spending time with my family. I remember when you both got married and thinking how young Jenn was because she was only 7 years older than me! (it was actually 10 years...I stunk at math back then too) Phil, thanks for putting up with me as a Sunday school student when I was in.....like, every single grade with you as the teacher. Thanks for teaching me how to follow a music director, and never failing to tease me about every little thing. Jenn, thank you for being there whenever I need to talk and for every single opportunity that you took to just let me spend time with you and be your "little sister". I miss you guys so incredibly much and love you lots!

There are so many other people who have influenced my life in great ways, my other grandparents, my siblings, my church family....I don't have time or room to write about all of them. I wasn't even planning on writing all this when I started this post, but it kinda happened :D The laptop was a pretty cool graduation gift, but everything I've learned over my 18 years of life from my family and friends, I think that's an AWESOME gift :)

~Kluane

Saturday, August 20, 2011

CollegePlus!

For almost 2 years now, I've been meaning to give everyone an update on my choice of higher education and I never did, so I'm fixing that ;)

When I started looking at different college options, I had already determined that going to our university, UAF was not an option for me. I didn't want to be in that kind of environment and they didn't really have studies for my area of interest. So I was looking at different Christian college choices, or distance learning, through online colleges. Being home schooled my whole life, the latter was definitely my preferred option. In one of our many internet searches Mom and I stumbled on a program called CollegePlus! We did a lot of research on it and after talking to dad and praying about it, I decided to enroll.

CollegePlus! is a Christian organization that uses coaches/mentors to help you through the process of getting a BA degree in a shorter period of time and for a fraction of the cost that it would take doing college the traditional way. You take CLEP or DSST/Dantes tests to test out of your basic core classes, and for any extra credits that you need. After you have between 60 and 90 credits (depending on the requirements for your degree choice) gained from testing, you enroll in Thomas Edison State College, and take degree specific courses/classes through them and then graduate from that accredited college.

I chose a BA in Music, which is a little bit more involved then some of the other degree choices, so besides the tests and courses through TESC I also have to take some other music classes through another university. I will be starting two different music courses next week, and I'm excited and nervous at the same time.

I started CP! January of 2010 and right now I have 27 credits. I'm slooooowly creeping along, but that is what's so great about this program. You can move at your own pace. I was able to finish up high school, keep up with my music lessons, finish my last year in 4-H and even do some travelling!

CP! also has a student forum where students from across the country can connect. We share study tips, encourage and pray for each other, argue and laugh together, and we're even a little crazy and goofy sometimes :D This year I had the privilege to actually meet about 30 other CP! students. We all met for some fun and fellowship in Pennsylvania and it was great!
 A few of the students have become some of my closest friends and some of them I consider sisters and brothers.
I would encourage any of you, young people and adults, to look into this. I'm willing to answer any questions you have (or at least try :D) This has been a huge blessing for me, and it's definitely an adventure; but I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for me through it all!

~Kluane

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Video Essay



I'm pretty sure I posted one of these last year, but I made another video essay for a scholarship contest. Enjoy :)

~Kluane

Friday, March 12, 2010

Video

Here's a video I made for an essay contest. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsEJmEBSQt0&feature
Please watch it if you have time and pass it on if you like it! I'm trying to get as many views as possible.
~Kluane