So you are trying to be Intelligent?

Yea well, let's just say studying Intelligence Studies is no walk in the park... Unless that walk includes running suicides, uphill both ways, barefoot in the snow. Anyways, so yet another semester of classes has started for me. This is my fifth year. Feels like forever. Since my first year basically did nothing for me since I transferred, and then taking a semester off to move to Ukraine, I am still set to graduate before I turn 100, and in December of 2013 I should be the proud owner of a degree from the American Military University. I get asked a lot, what do I study, and well, what does that mean, so I've decided to let you in on my world ( before this semester sucks out all my brain power for blogging)...


So this semester I am taking 15 credits, which is a lot for me. Today was the first day of classes. Being that everything I do is online, I enter my "home page" and all my classes are listed at the top. I click on a class and it takes me to that classes home page. The professor post announcements that list the class readings and assignments for the week as well as discussion board questions. With my degree, I mostly read, ALOT. And for those who know me, know that I am not a huge reader, so every class I take is a challenge. One professor this semester actually said that in order to pass his class, a minimum of 20 hours a week of reading was required. Times that by 5 and you have a glimpse into my workload.

Alright, so today, I went through each class, and wrote this weeks reading and work assignments and taped them up by my computer, that way I know what I need to do for each class:
 So you can see that there is one for each class. And as I complete each things, an orange check goes through it. Since I am spending the next 8 weeks loaded with classes, I am trying to be more organized than I normally am. I don't want to miss any assignment, thus the note-card system.
On top of the note cards, I also have a legal pad for each class. It is where I take notes and write out the learning objectives for the week. Knowing what the professor hopes we learn that week, helps to direct my papers and thoughts when I am reading. I also write down what the grading policies is, and if the professor has any unique guidelines, just to keep myself from getting classes mixed up.

This semester I am taking: 
Critical Analysis
Introduction to Intelligence
Threat Analysis
Micro Economics
Illicit Finance(Money laundering...) 

I have a lot of online material to read. Lots of government document, and research articles within the Intelligence Community. Plus I have a couple books... One that I think sounds interesting is, " The Thinkers Toolkit: 14 Powerful Techniques for Problem Solving" by Morgan D. Jones ( Former CIA Analyst). Also got a "Reference Guide to Anti Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism" written by Paul Allan Schott... Yeah, lots of reading going to be happening through this semester, but see, doesn't it sound fun and intriguing? 


The purpose of Intelligence studies is to teach students how to approach issues analytically, how to gather the information needed to have a full understanding of an issue, and what to do with that information. 

So, I could use my degree in any government job, but more importantly, I can use it today, in my everyday life. 


SO there is a light into what I study.. it's vague but I guess proof none the less that I do things toward my education...  

Please pray for me, that I do what I need to do, and learn what I need to learn, in a way that brings glory to God. 

AND DON'T FORGET
School has always been something I have done in step with working. So I am still a Missionary. I hoping that the month of September brings not only exciting new ministry opportunities, but also new monthly supporters, or at least some more donations then July and August brought in... If you can give this month that would be great! If you can do a fundraiser, that would be awesome! So please Give and pray for Radical Feet, and keep me personally in your prayers as I tackle a new year of classes and ministry!

Thanks!

* For more information on how you give check out the website for more details:http://radicalfeet.weebly.com/give.html

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