It's Time For Your Software To NOT Be Updated

Just recently Apple told me that the software on my iPhone 5 and iPad 2 needed to be updated. So I updated the software which completely changed the look of the phone and iPad. Although it looks cleaner and more simple I find the buttons can be a bit more difficult to use because they are not clearly outlined on the screen, there more integrated then before. If that makes any sense. Right after the update many of my apps on both phone and pad were not working and quitting unexpectedly. This was because the companies that made the apps were not aware of the software upgrade to iOS 7 so were therefore incompatible. My Pillbox app for example, that tells me when and what medicines I need to take, has an alarm that sounds when its time for me to take a medication and will continue to sound every minute or so until you check off the medication thus ensuring that you remember to take it. When the update occurred the app would not open but the alarm would still sound when it was time to take my medicine but there was no way to turn it off, unless I was to delete the app thus deleting all of the medication info, and then download the updated version. Fortunately a few minutes after the alarm went off and I was trying to figure out how to turn it off without deleting all the info, the app was able to be updated, and I was able to turn off the alarm and still save all the data on it. This was just one example of the difficulties I have had with this new update from Apple. 

As many of you know I have to practically live in a bubble to protect myself from getting infections. So technology, and social media is "my life line." I use my iPhone a lot for texting, Facebook, listening to music, playing games, spending time on hold with doctors offices, and even watching videos. So as you can imagine all of that would cause the battery to run low then if I just texted a few times, and Facebook 2 or 3 times a day. The battery life on my iPhone 5 was/is so much more better than on my previous Android phone, and many who have switched from an Android to an iPhone would agree. But because of the large amount I use my phone for things other than talking and texting a little bit, the battery does run more quickly. This prompted me to order an external battery extender, that looks like a phone cover, for $20 off of Amazon. I ordered it before the software update, and when the battery is running low, I just turn on the extender which charges the phone and allows me to continue to be able to use it while it is charging. After the software update I started noticing that the battery was running out faster than before, and many other iPhone users have said the same thing. This was done so that customers would go out and purchase one of the new iPhones that are now available in different colors. I can honestly say that if I didn't have the external battery extender, I would have gone and purchased a new iPhone. As you can see,  with all the difficulties I have had with this new iOS 7 software, there is a reason why I said it was NOT an update. 

On a different note things are moving along. I am really enjoying my online Art & Music Appreciation course with the Keystone School. I just completed the rough draft of my semester research paper on Thursday. When I sit at my table and do my work in the afternoon I feel like a "normal" twenty year old who would be working on schoolwork in their apartment or dorm room. I am having fun getting back into a schedule, expanding my knowledge, and learning new things. My grandmother helps me on a few things, and edits my paper, and it is a nice thing for us to spend time doing together. 

Health wise things have been a bit of a challenge. I have had a lot more weakness, fatigue, joint pain, stiffness, and swelling (particularly in my feet and ankles). I had to have a swallow study this past Thursday because I have been having difficulty swallowing when I drink things. They determined its most likely from weakness and inflammation caused by my myositis. I have a wonderful PT named Dr. Price who comes out to my house and works with me, and taught my grandmother some passive stretches that shed could do for my swollen feet and ankles. I can tell you it feels absolutely wonderful. I will also have a speech therapist come and see me and possible give me some exercises that could help with my difficulty swallowing. Everyday is a new day and I am just trying to adapt to new challenges as they arrive. I am relying more and more in my faith in God to help me not get discouraged. It can be difficult when things become more difficult, but knowing that he is my source of strength gives me peace and courage. I love what Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." This is one of my favorite scripture verses, and one that I meditate upon daily, particularly if I am finding it difficult to do something. God has blessed me with a lot, and I thank him daily because I know that without Him, I would not have the wonderful blessed life that I do. Even though I am sick and face challenges daily, I am loved and blessed, and that in addition to my faith in God Almighty is what sustains me each and every day.


Joyful Love
         &
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta

Striving For A New Goal

I have been doing my first online course (Art & Music Appreciation) with the Keystone School for the past month and a half. I am doing really well, and have a 98.82% average in the class. I have always enjoyed learning and school, and when I was in middle school, before I got sick, I was a straight A student in the National Junior Honor Society. After I got sick, and went back to school for my freshmen year of high school, I was not doing as well in school as I would have liked to. I could do the work academically, but physically with all of the pain, stiffness, fatigue, and getting sick practically every week, I just couldn't do it. This was extremely hard for me because ever since I was in middle school, I have always had the dream of being valedictorian of my class when I graduated. Because it was so hard for me to do well academically while I was Anderson, it seemed like that goal was completely out of reach. I wasn't even in the top ten percent of my class. When I started my first online program through UT, that dream was resurrected, but was put on hold yet again, when I got extremely sick and had to stop the program. My education focus shifted to trying to get my GED, where my goal was to get a score that would be equivalent to graduating top of my class. But when we realized that getting my GED was just not going to work out, we started researching online diploma programs, and found the Keystone School. Learning that everything can be done online or through the mail (including all tests and finals), and that I can take 1-6 courses at a time with one year to complete them from the enrollment date, we realized that it would be a great fit for me. My goal of being number one was resurrected again. When I enrolled in my AMA course, and began completing the lessons and first couple of assignments and quizzes, and was getting 100s on all of them, I started really to begin working more and more to be number one. When I got my first and then second 99, and my average went to a 98, I got upset. I felt that I had to make all 100s with just maybe one 99 to be number one, and nothing else. With my program being self-paced, I am no sure if they do typical class rankings, but I do know that by meeting certain academic criteria, that students can qualify for the National Society of High School Scholars, a goal I am striving to achieve. I am working hard at not beating myself up if my average is a 99 or 98. Having a 97 or above will make me close, if not number one. 

When I started to work more and more toward this goal after starting Keystone, I began reflecting on whether or not I wanted to be number one to prove to other people that I can be top of my class despite being so sick, or whether or not it was something I wanted to do for me. I believe that if God puts a dream in someone's heart, that it is something that we should strive to achieve. He wouldn't have given us the dream if we didn't have the talent and ability to do it. When talking with my palliative care doctor, we talked about how since the circumstances regarding my illness have changed, my goals have since become more realistic and attainable. I feel that being number one in my class and when I graduate is one of those attainable goals. 

I do know that I need the Lord's love, strength and guidance to achieve this, and all of my goals. I have learned that I must trust and rely on the Lord in all that I do. I know that with Him the impossible becomes possible, when it doesn't seem like it can happen in the natural, I remember that we serve a supernatural God. I love what Mark 9:23 says, "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."It helps me to know that if I believe it is possible, than it is possible. But I must rely on the Lord. I'm continuing to work as hard as possible to reach my goal of being number one, but I also am believing that I will be as well. I know that I have many obstacles in front of me, that to some would make the goal seem extremely difficult to achieve, but that just makes me even more determined to accomplish my goal. I know that because God has put this dream in my heart, he has also put inside of me the tools needed to accomplish my dream. That is what gives me the peace and confidence I need make it come to fruition. 


Joyful Love
         &
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta