Kimberlie Massnick, MS, MHS, PhD 4/28/21 Kimberlie Massnick, MS, MHS, PhD 4/28/21

Unbelievably Proud

If a professor is lucky one or two students will pass through his or her class during his or her career that they know will make them unbelievably proud and validate the choice of career. Trust me teaching is a job that no one goes into because of the paycheck. The hours are long because they continue way past the time one leaves the office, weekends are always interrupted and trying to be continually creative so that students stay engaged takes a lot of thought and time. Ask most of us, and we will tell you that it is a job that is worth all of this.

This past weekend is the perfect example for me and I want to share it with you. As most of you know, I am a criminal justice professor. Along with all of the other professional experiences I enjoy, one that I am honored to have been asked to participate in, is to serve on the Board of Directors of Catch the Wave of Hope. PLEASE PLEASE look them up. This organization believes in educating the public about the horrific crime of human trafficking, teaching our children how to be safe, trains law enforcement in noticing the red flags and then somehow also finds the time for the amazing Executive Director to provide treatment and find services for those who have fallen victim to those who would abuse them.

Where does the unbelievably proud come in???? Here ^ just look at the students who attended the Catch the Wave of Hope Gala (island theme) this past weekend. They are just a few of the criminal justice students that attend Indian River State College and are also members of the Pi Beta Iota Chapter of the International Criminal Justice Honor Society!!! What were you doing when you were their age?

These students and one alumnus came out to show support for not only the organization (CTWOH) but to also learn and bring back knowledge to their classmates, incorporate information into their course work and just in general bring awareness to the public that human trafficking exists even in “our” backyard.

These young adults represented the college, the honor society and me in a way that I think they deserve to be recognized for dealing with a topic that most adults don’t want to admit exist. They are true ambassadors and I couldn’t have been more proud to escort them to this event.

By the way, if you aren’t aware of it most college students are not wealthy and definitely did not choose the criminal justice career path to get any wealthier than I did when I decided to teach BUT do you know that these students not only bid and rebid and bid again on items to support the cause and even more to my amazement THEY WON!

Look at these faces because these are the faces of your future leaders and these are leaders that I, as well as the rest of the criminal justice department of Indian River State College will proudly stand behind and support them all the way to their own version of success.

To those of you that I am speaking about: THANK YOU for being YOU. For making us proud and showing your knowledge, understanding and support for a cause that needs much more attention!

Dr. M

Kimberlie Massnick, MS, MHS, PhD 4/27/21 Kimberlie Massnick, MS, MHS, PhD 4/27/21

Getting My Tail Busy

So this afternoon I had a meeting and we discussed what seemed like a million things: my focus, my laziness (workout what?), three upcoming presentations and all of the work that needs to go into those, seeking out a legitimate sponsor for my outside of the college professional career, teaching, grading, and the fact that I don’t have time to fool around. I need to get busy. Get moving or someone else may snag my opportunities and NO ONE is going to do any of my work, except clean my house windows for me!

So I got caught up on my blog as promised but NO I did not go to the gym. Had to come home and spend time with the husband…. that’s the excuse I am using today. I was told to make a list because I am under a time crunch for those presentations and YES I started those.

And I can’t tell you the rest of the things I started because they are cool and I don’t want anyone to snag them out from under me because I waited so long to get started.

By the way, this entire blog is being edited because just as much as I may have dropped a four letter word here or there so did my meeting partner. It was almost like hanging out and planning my life with PCubed; which if you keep up with any of my work you know that he rolls his eyes more than anyone I know, denies me almost anything cool and tells me who cares or get over it multiple times PER TOPIC! Seems I am a slow learner, hard headed or just don’t like being told what to do because what makes me get my tail busy on those things I don’t want to do???? A very direct approach….lol and sadly it works.

I am cutting this blog short as I have one that I should have posted before it and guess what, it has very little to do with me….. I want to tell you about what a group of my students or I should say, Indian River State College’s Alpha Phi Sigma Honor Society students did this weekend that made me unbelievably proud and not only should my bosses know but I want you to know.

So that is all for now…. back in a bit.

Dr. M

Kimberlie Massnick, MS, MHS, PhD 4/14/21 Kimberlie Massnick, MS, MHS, PhD 4/14/21

Lions and Tigers and Blogs....oh my

It’s funny how people seem to be voyeuristic and love to see, hear or watch what is going on in the lives of others. I can say at one point in time, I am sure I was just as guilty…. that was until I decided to share my life and then I realized that it isn’t always so fun. You DON’T get to choose what you share….or do you?!?

I have gained and lost followers, family and friends over my choices but you know what, that’s ok? People misinterpret what you put out there and sometimes feelings get hurt or egos get inflated. I love my birds, butterflies, sunrises, walks on the beach and the amazing backyard gardens I am building. Some people enjoy those things and don’t realize that just as much as I love them, I also need them to keep the drama of my professional life as well as other things at bay.

That’s ok if you delete me because I am not true crime all of the time. If I was I would be a pretty damn boring person. So I can enjoy the learning and sharing of serial killers, even more so, telling you about the lives and loves of those we have lost to them and then go on to enjoy my shishito peppers and the smell of multiple types of lavender.

I would be boring if I only shared one part of me. So with that, I will keep this one really short:

I LOVE:

my students

the college I teach at, Indian River State College

learning about why I still remember the bunny I ran over when I was 18 while others hurt people without thought

I enjoy sunrises even though I am NOT the best morning person

I read books that most people would never even consider touching, philosophy, history of mankind and so on

I would go to college forever if my husband and friends would let me

Learning and homework come easy to me but understanding the horrors of life are a mystery

I am writing and will publish this year

I take more photographs than any one person should

But the best part of me…. don’t judge this book by the cover. You don’t know if it is the cover that truly belongs on this book. So follow me as I run, jump, stumble and enjoy my way through life. Who knows not only might you learn something real about me but also about yourself. Life is an adventure; enjoy it!

Dr. M

Kimberlie Massnick, MS, MHS, PhD 4/11/21 Kimberlie Massnick, MS, MHS, PhD 4/11/21

Focus and Organization - I'd lose my head if it wasn't attached

It was only a few days ago when I last blogged and I made a list of the things I was going to check off of my list first. Some of it was “low hanging fruit” as we say since it had already been started. I can’t believe that I didn’t mention the biggest, already in the works, starting the next day project?!?! My partner, PCubed I’m sure can, as I have so many things that I and “WE” need to get accomplished.

SO here is my big announcement - the podcast, Murder and Mysteries with Massnick has already been back in the study and will start dropping new episodes tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow - Monday the 12th of April! This is going to be a bit challenging but nothing we can’t handle. We are going to be recording and dropping two different and completely distinct “seasons” at the same time. Don’t ask me how. That is the “eye rollers” decision.

So I can only give you a few hints as to where we are going with this concept. The first season, will be our typical length as it is specifically tied to a presentation that we are giving but the second one which we hope you find educational, fascinating and humbling is going to take us on a long journey….. months!

Both will discuss the perpetrators, the crime or multiple crimes and of course most importantly the victims. The lengthy season will introduce you to those who where there. You will hear stories you have never heard. Learn about heroes that have never been mentioned and see how one man ensures the victims and heroes are spoken of and remembered.

This is new for the Murders and Mysteries with Massnick podcast. Two seasons, historical crimes and showing you the support that we have been given by our college, Indian River State College to not only take on these topics but to share it with you and the rest of the world.

So get ready because………WE ARE BACK!!!!

Dr. M and PCubed

Kimberlie Massnick, MS, MHS, PhD 4/8/21 Kimberlie Massnick, MS, MHS, PhD 4/8/21

OK, I have Peace and my Creativity back so now what?!?!?

So now what? Well last night I am pretty sure I flipped my husband out when I told him as we had agreed upon last fall, that I truly wanted to go back to school. He was all in until I tossed out the cost of the two year Masters degree I want when I already have two plus my PhD…..that broken blood vessel in his eye that showed up late last night might, just might, be my fault BUT then again I am NOT the kind of doctor!

I have a million projects that I have either half completed or half designed within my head. I have been blessed with the love of learning, the gift of being able to accomplish goals and knowing when to stay in my own lane. Please oh please, why can’t people stay in their own lane? It really isn’t that difficult.

I was shown the effort of hard work at a young age. The importance of meeting the right people. How to speak and when, how to dress and when and thank God manners! So, I have taken some time off from using all of these skills, trying new things and redefining the shape of the “box” we are supposed to stay in. I am pretty sure my high school geometry teacher would fail me on my idea of the “box.”

So, here is what I think I am going to accomplish within the next six month and in no particular order, except for those things that have time restraints on them….. such as a national presentation. You know, those pesky little timeframe things. Wow, I just realized how much I don’t like boundaries and restrictions, no wonder I am not the best at setting or following them. Ah, but that is a new skill being worked on this year along with that self-care and making time for adventure.

1) National presentation - which still involves research, building the presentation, order new shirts and fun things to give away and lots of reading! This is a priority because of that pesky calendar.

2) Finishing the book that I started….well I have several but there is one that I am currently passionate about and that one I am setting my own timeframe on which is no later than the end of summer to see have it published. I have another one I was working with a publisher on but its a totally different type of book. You guys will get to see exactly have diverse I am or how much of a butterfly I am, which is what my husband and long term friends and family have always called me.

3) Organize the thousands of pictures I have taken. Another book? Another website? Or just share them as the urge hits me? We shall see.

4) An important friend just gave me a chat that going back to school is not beneficial for me and that research or working with a think tank is where I should be adding to my career now. My husband with love and thank her. And I must say I am intrigued to hear more of what she has to say.

5) And just for me and just for fun. Travel…. I have several locations on the table. Just kind of depends on what is going on in the world when I have the time to escape.

Well, that is all I have to say for now. Not really because we all know I talk and talk and talk….. so how about talk again soon!

Dr. M

Kimberlie Massnick, MS, MHS, PhD 3/27/21 Kimberlie Massnick, MS, MHS, PhD 3/27/21

Just Stopping By to Remind You to Enjoy Life

Today I had planned to get about a half a million things done. That darn OLD me must have reared it’s head because I thought getting these things accomplished would make me happy if for no other reason than I would stop worrying about needing to get grades done, lesson plans ready for the week, the back gardens weeded (I think my yard is starting to look like an arboretum….lol), clothes and linens washed and put away and so on and so on and so on.

BUT the NEW me who just yesterday told you about finding my peace, realized that as soon as those chores would be done then I would need to finish my taxes, finish my son’s taxes, bathe 3 insanely cute but refuse to stand still puppies; and whatever else there is.

My point, not me nor anyone else will ever be DONE with our chores. This illusion I had would not make me happy NOR bring me that PEACE I found and want to keep. What WOULD make me happy? Getting some of the items on my list done that were actual necessities, spending time laughing with my family, watching my granddaughter attempt those first steps (for me) towards me and then snuggling up with this pretty handsome man and taking an hour nap. I didn’t fall asleep but the rest was pretty darn nice.

The message for myself, and I am sharing it with you is to take time to do the things that NEED to get done but remember to take CARE OF YOURSELF as well. Breathe, smell the flowers that you were going to weed, chase a butterfly or two around the yard and just be happy in whatever way you choose. What was interesting and I just realized this, I am spending more time with one my dogs who has lived a long and crazy life. As she nestled against me on the couch and she slept, I managed to work on two projects that needed some attention. I hadn’t intended on working but it wasn’t work when I was more focused on making sure every second she has left, she is happy.

Maybe your day isn’t over so go do something you enjoy. Maybe you haven’t thought about tomorrow so make plans to talk with a friend. Get some work done but most of all practice SELF-CARE and do something for yourself.

Enjoy your weekend!

Dr. M