Own It

Were I to give each of you but one piece of advice, 'twould be to, quite simply, 'Own It'.

Own one's problems, fears, worries, and mistakes without shame, and embrace a life of true freedom.

..Sogni di'Oro.

Personal Accomplishment

This morning, when my alarm went off and I dragged mysef from bed, a thought crossed my mind:

Never be satisfied.

As I went about my morning routine, I allowed those words to sit in my subconscious until I found myself bored in front of a computer in a classroom. Before I really realised what I was doing, I was typing 'alternative math learning and basic concepts' into my google searchbar. Fervently my eyes scanned links, seeking keywords to help me find what I was looking for: a math curriculum that focuses on building many levels of mathematical understanding at once. Ideally I was looking for high-school curricula similar to Miquon Math (an alternative
curricula for grades 1-3).

I have a mild form of Dyscalculia (math dyslexia). It is something that really started showing itself in the second grade, resulting in my overall grades sliding and dropping me off the honor roll. As time went by, I continued to have problems with recalling, comprehending, and applying basic formulae within mathematics; my grades in math plummeted and I fell to nearly below the state's required levels of math knowledge for my grade level.

Every year I struggled with math and fought to learn, not understanding why learning had become so difficult for me. I blamed myself for my failings, and berated myself into beliving that if I was 'really willing' to learn this I would..that my own feelings and dislike of math were holding me back.

I spent two years trying to learn multiplication and five after that, division. I was so worked up about my poor performance (and my parents' anger/dissapointment in me) that I often cried after my math bookwork. This level of distress led me to learn only the minimum to pass standardized tests in math.

As it stands today, I have a spotty understanding of basic maths, yet I have a solid understanding of geometry and trigonometry; this is a common trait found in people with Dyscalculia.

Today's point is that:

I will not be satisfied!

I am not going to allow anxieties or difficulties to keep me from my full potential in -anything- let alone something as vital to a healthy, learning mind as math.

I understand that I have a problem.
Having the problem is in -no way- my fault.
I must rise to my challenges and meet them fearlessly.
Not doing so would be to allow my problem to own me, instead of the
healthy, happy, and much preferable opposite.

~Alexandra

Blessed dreams of gold

My school is a very rules-based institution hell-bent on instilling self-motivation and discipline into its students so that, when they depart these walls, they can succeed in their vocation of choice. We write endless lists about short and long-term goals, how to achieve them, and how the short-term can work its way into one's long-term plans.

..I wrote Sogni out of a desire to use my thoughts and maybe a little bit of what I've learned to positively add to the world around me. The meaning of the phrase 'Sogni di'oro' is 'dreams of gold', or rather 'happy dreams'. It's an Italian goodnight phrase used in a familiar, way. Sogni was chosen as a name for a reason that has twofold meaning:

-dreams-

and

-sharing the same stars-

My dreams are long-term goals that, in reality, I can attain.

To share the same stars is to keep those whom are far away from me within my heart. I remind myself that we share the same stars, even if they glitter for us at differing times.

Write lists. Make a plan. Make -realistic- expectations for yourself. Do be consistent. Don't give up.

..You can do it.


I believe in you.

~Alexandra

Welcome

Welcome to Sogni di'Oro, a collection of my, Alexandra's, more complete choerent thoughts--my additions to and reflection upon the world, as it were.

I thank you for visiting, and enjoy your stay.

~Alexandra