Wherever you go...

Here's a little love & light as I take steps toward achieving my goals. When I am my naturally positive self and focus on the good, more awesome things happen in my life.
STEUBG W- EUT! (Stick with it!)

Beyond words

In the course of our careers, we stenographers get really good at sharing the narratives of others. Our brains and bodies work together with machine shorthand and turn sound waves into text on a page or screen to communicate what was said.

The testimony I hear and transcribe is often beyond words, and I couldn't talk about it even if I wanted to; so more and more, making art has become one of my favorite means for self-expression. This practice, whether it's sketching, coloring, or maintaining an art journal, puts me in a great mood, probably by helping to release emotions and pent up energy from working in this intense but rewarding field. When I'm able to creatively express myself, my days are just somehow more awesome.

What is your favorite creative outlet?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Work & (Game) Play

I used to think that work and play were mutually exclusive. Well, it turns out that they're not, so what would be better than combining the two? Not much. For that reason, I want to share with you an awesome way to practice steno while having fun. After all, time flies when the latter occurs.

Removing Paint From Countertops

This post contains affiliate links, which you can read more about here.

Counter paint is figurative bovine excrement. (There. That feels better.)

What I meant to say is, "Have you ever wondered how to remove decorative paint from your countertops?" Well, wait no longer. My husband and I have done just that, and since the Internet is devoid of tutorials for such a thing -- I looked; trust me -- here's how one would do it.

The art of stenography

They say a picture speaks a thousand words, so I'll be brief.

This marker drawing of a Diamante steno machine was completed in honor of Court Reporting and Captioning week, February 14-20, 2016. It represents the amazing opportunities that stenography offers the willing student and shows my appreciation for it and all other forms of art. This design is available for purchase as wall art, a tote bag, travel mug, or even a throw pillow, so get yours now!

Hiatus

In every education, career, relationship, story, year, or life, there is a beginning, middle, and an end. In my case it's been a bunch of satisfying whirlwind middle where I could barely keep my hat on nor wipe the smile off my face.

A lot has happened since 2012, when I last wrote: I co-planned a high-class $4,000 wedding and reception in six months, got married, went on several vacations & business trips, bought a house, and gotten through some challenges that make me strive for continual improvement. Maybe I'll write about some of these things someday, but nevertheless this is adulting at its finest!

I've been through some self-discovery, my priorities have changed a bit, but my core being has remained. Steno and court reporting has been an amazing constant in my life, and I'm still a creator at heart who just wants to share my insight and experience with those who will listen, so I do hope you'll continue on this journey with me.                  

Nama-steno.

Pontificating About Proofreading

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Producing an accurate verbatim transcript or taking a traditional steno speed test is a three-pronged effort. First, it's the machine portion (fast fingers); second is your familiarity with your CAT software & editing speed/skill; and third, the most often overlooked part, proofreading.

Proofreading, while being sometimes terribly boring, accounts for an important part of transcript production and/or passing a speed test where you're allowed to edit.

When I was taking my 225s in school, I began proofing from paper prior to turning in my tests when I had time during the allowed 1 hour and 15 minutes. I think that had a large part to do with getting my tests passed when I knew I had the required speed. Every potential error you find before your instructor/grader does could make the difference between a pass and a fail.

I was sad but not surprised to hear that with the new RTC online upload/grading method being implemented for NCRA testing, not many people brought in their printers so they could proof from hard copy. I know it's a total pain to schlep your printer in, but it's so worth it to proofread from paper!

/rant

On a personal, semi-unrelated note, proofreading's also the reason, at the time of publication of this post, I had a hard time reading for pleasure. Case in point: I read The Time Traveler's Wife, which is a great story about love that stands the test of time and tribulations, but I couldn't stop thinking how it could be better punctuated! It just goes to show that everybody does things a little differently when it comes to the written word. I've since gotten back into reading for pleasure again, though, which feels really good.

Sun Tea How-to

How may a thirsty steno aficionado wet their parched throat after a marathon practice session or stress-busting weekend hike in the woods? Plain water's so 2011, and Powerade is so 2006. Well, tea is my favorite hydrating drink other than water. Earl grey and oolong varieties warm me up during the cooler months, and when spring and summer arrive with their breezes and bright sun, refrigerated herbal sun tea is where it's at.