Class and Politics

Two classes at once is just insane, remind me to not do this again.

I'm not doing that great in stats but I'm not sure I care anymore to be totally honest. I have got to get my homework done by midnight though, and I've spend the last six hours procrastinating it.

Discrete math is great, lots of information and it's not easy, but it's awesome.

I've been mostly following the primary races, the debates and all of the coverage. I haven't paid that much attention to the Republicans but the Democrats are better than network TV. Obama's speech last night was amazing, and I agree with Caroline Kennedy's statement about how it's exciting to have someone that inspires and makes me want to be a part of the political system. She said, in her endorsement today, that people tell her Obama inspires them like no president has since her father. I've always been a little envious of my parents generation, even if it all ended in tragedy.

If you haven't listened to the speech yet I highly encourage you to do so, no matter what your political affiliation is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iVAPH_EcmQ

The Republicans duke it out on Tuesday in Florida, which I will be watching intently while in class, and then it's 'super duper Tuesday' and I'll be sure to vote, as everyone else in one of those states should do. Honestly I don't care who you vote for but everyone deserves to have their vote count for the simple fact they are an American Citizen.

Especially in this primary as it is so contested on both sides it's important to express your preference. It's going to be a hard thing for me if McCaine wins the Republican side and Clinton the Democratic. If you take out the war I am pretty much ok with McCaine's stances and the kind of dirty politics that Clinton has been running turns me off even though I really want a Democrat in the White House. Hopefully it won't come to that and we'll get a no brainer (for me at least) like Romney and Obama. With that match up I feel confident Obama's appeal to moderates will prevail.

And on to stats, need to do the homework and possibly learn something, but I'm not counting on it.

Stats

Not liking this class. Not a fan of the teacher and I found out yesterday that the answers in the back of the book aren't all accurate.

So I'm supposed to teach myself and I don't even have accurate information.

Still enjoying discrete math though, have some homework to finish up and then errands to run.

I'm watching the Michigan Rep Primary with interest even though I'm very much not a Republican. It is fascinating to me how there is no real front runner and how it may turn out. I don't have a favorite but there are a few that I really don't want nominated.

The Dems debate tonight while I'm in class. Beauty of being online, I can do both! I hope Obama knocks it out of the water so we can get over this and pick our front runner. I fully admit if my choice wasn't 'ahead' then I'd feel differently.

Weight!

Went back on Weight Watchers and I'm 122.6 as of this morning! I got a digital scale so I get the tenths =)

I'm losing about a pound or so a week, which is actually really healthy. I trying to decide where to stop, I was 111 on at my Junior Prom but I was 105 when I was engaged.

We'll see how I feel when I get there, and as I said before it's not the number really it's how I look.

Breaking 120 will be the next 'real' goal!

Work Blog

As some of you may or may not know I have an internship at Sun Microsystems as the 'Campus Ambassador' for National University. Basically my job is to demonstrate and expose the students and faculty of National to Sun's products educating them about the advantages of using Solaris, NetBeans etc.

Part of this is creating a blog, and I have finally done so. It can be found at



My biggest challenge is trying to find a way to reach students that are primarily online. Traditional schools have a lot of foot traffic and meetings etc, but that really isn't possible at National. My idea is a student portal, something geared specifically to National's students, moving out to other ones as we get it working correctly.

I'll be talking about it on the other blog, that one is sponsored by Sun and will hopefully get a lot of traffic.

If I'm going to be a college student...

then I'm going to look like one!

I'm to the point where I'm about 10 lbs above my target weight so I have a plan. Besides the diet I mean. I ordered a rather expensive really very nice bikini from VS in the size I want to be. Note that is only one size smaller than I am now, it's not an impossible goal. The link is to a model wearing the suit so be warned if you work somewhere where that may be inappropriate.

When I feel I look good enough to be seen by strangers in said suit then I've hit my goals. This is not just dieting, there is stomach and leg work to be done in there also. That is why I think this is healthier than just shooting for a number on the scale. It will also help me visualize where I want to focus on while excersizing.

Now I know you're always the harshest critic of your own body so I will get external advice, but I have to be comfortable being seen, and then not let myself become uncomfortable later. Maybe this will help me from gaining weight again all of a sudden.

Now before anyone accuses me of body dismorphia remember that I'm really kind of lazy and don't obsess over this stuff, as is evidenced by the reason I had to lose all of this weight. I'm just setting a visual goal instead of a 'target weight', and the bathing suit does have actual cloth in it, it's boyshorts because I'm never going to wear something that doesn't cover my hips and backside. I didn't go out and find the skimpiest suit I could find and use that as my goal, not only is that silly I don't want to work that hard!

Anyway having a goal is a good thing (TM). Class in an hour, but it's the class I enjoy so I'm looking forward to it!

I love math!

When it's taught by a competent instructor and it's not Linear Algebra apparently.

Had my first Discrete Math class tonight and I loved it. This stuff makes sense to me (to a point) and I can actually understand what it is I"m doing. This is such a change from last month, last month I dreaded class, opened a bottle of wine half way through most of them and just hated every min of it. This month I'm loving every min!

My stats class is taught by the guy I had last month for Linear Algebra but it looks like he's going to be alright with me not being at his lectures and just listening to them later. I've got back up from my Discrete Math instructor and that is helping.

By the way, this awesome math instructor also taught Calc 2 and Advanced C++, they switched professors on us at the last min. This guy knows me, I learn from him really well and while he's hard he's really fair. Totally stoked.

The probability class shouldn't be too bad, I just do all the homework, answer the discussion questions and ace the tests. However this guy can't make a good test to save his life so we'll see how that goes.

So much happier than I was this time last month. So much less stress. yeah!

And... we're back

Insane Christmas, disappointing final grades and a nice break, school starts again. This month is Stats with the same professor I had for Linear Algebra and Discritet Math with a professor I hear is really good.

Ended up with a B in Calc 2 and a C+ in Linear Algebra. However I may challenge that grade as I haven't seen my final, I can't prove he had all of my assignments and I don't know how he graded attendance. It's by FAR my worst grade since I went back to school and I am really not happy about it. On the other hand I don't feel that I learned the material to the point that I should have.

I asked a good friend who not only does CS for a living but hires other people to do it and he said while Linear Algebra is important not knowing it inside and out isn't going to tank my career. However, he did say, the two courses I'm taking this month are the most important math courses for CS. This gives me motivation to rock the world this month.

Fortunately the professor I just didn't gel with is teaching the 200 level class which is using concepts I've seen before. I need to nail it certainly, but it doesn't effect my major GPA and should be easier as it's a lower level class.

This is the last of the math, I love math, historically I've been rather good at it, but I'm not unhappy that it will be done. Four weeks but I can do this!

The other beautiful thing is that this is the last time I double up at NU, unless I choose to retake Linear Algebra I guess. I do have to take physics but I'm going to do that over the summer at a local community college, just have to get it done and then get it transfered over, as long as I don't bomb grades really don't matter there. I'd do it now but I don't want to triple out, that would be beyond insane. Also I like the short classes and Summer is my best chance at that.

Oh Grandma, the box got here and everything was there and not broken =)

Discrete math doesn't technically start till Tuesday so I'm going to see how much Stats I can get done today and tomorrow. I need to manage my time a bit better this month, I think I failed in that aspect a bit last month. Having a tedious and boring professor isn't an excuse for that!

Big gaps in posts

Been a busy month! Between getting ready for the holiday and trying to do all of this math my brain is pretty fried.

Calc is actually going well, I"m getting it, I hope I'm doing alright (should get my midterm back soon) and I think I've got a handle on it.

Linear Algebra not so much. I have no idea how I"m doing in the class, no one does. When I emailed to ask I got 'you're doing fine' which tells me absolutely nothing. I have no idea if my homework is even close or what my grades are in anything. That is unbelievably frustrating.

Just one more week to go, for better or for worse. Then I get two weeks off, I'm looking forward to those.

Midterms

I was wrong, the Linear Algebra midterm is tomorrow. Did Calc today, feel ok about it, nothing I can do now so it's just not important.

I'm going over everything I can for this Linear Algebra midterm. I'm sure my grade in there will be based heavily on this test and I need to do well. I also need to understand this stuff as it may be what I do with my life.

Friday I'm going to do all the stuff I've been neglecting, including calling the state about medical insurance and weeding my poor garden. Maybe I'll even buy some onion plants....

I've been bad with updating, sorry

I'm doing alright just a lot of work. I did eight hours of calc on Saturday, burned out my poor little brain!

I have a calc midterm that i"m going to take tomorrow and I have a midterm in linear algebra tonight. I haven't even started my homework in there yet, that is today. I also have to write up last week's homework, I really don't get most of this stuff. The lectures are mind numbing and it's hard to keep paying attention and get valuable information out of it. My only saving grace is that it's only two more weeks and then it's done for better or for worse.

My gardening is suffering, I need to weed desperately, but with all the rain we've gotten the plants are doing well at least! I get a whole week plus between the time I get back from Christmas before I go back to school and I'm going to week, replant etc stuff then. My Lilacs should be in around then, maybe a bit later.

Ok now to Linear Algebra so I can at least pull a B. I've decided I'm alright with B's for these math classes, though getting higher is always an accomplishment.

Oh Health Insurance... again

Part of going back to school in my 30's includes health insurance issues. My school does not provide anything and all of the 'Student Health Insurance' things I found on the web are for people 29 and below. Because I have 'pre-existing conditions' even though I've never been hospitalized and am general good health (no blood pressure issues, not overweight, bloodwork is great etc) I can't get private health insurance.

This leads me to the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program which I finally signed up for today. The only one of their plans I can even remotely afford is Kaiser, a network here in Cali that is like an HMO, totally inclusive. I"m not happy about having to switch doctors but I just can't afford anything else.

So I hopefully switch over Jan 1, I'm paying about 100 less than the plan I"m on now (just raised again out of my price range) and my prescriptions are much cheaper. Hopefully I can find a good primary care for my once yearly checkup and in case I get sick or something.

This is a huge hassle that has taken up a lot of my time. Health care shouldn't be this difficult.

Two Classes

Taking two classes at once is doable, it's not going to be very easy but I can manage it I think.

My Calc 2 class is recorded so I can listen to them at any time. This is a HUGE help for me right now.

Linear Algebra is going to be tough. The professor is very knowledgeable but he doesn't understand how the technology works and it is frustrating for us and for him. Hopefully the class can figure things out.

Work is getting better too, I have a direction, I have to design a web page!! Not a lot of experience with this but I'll give it a shot =)

Ok back to work!

I am insane

This is something I think I will be repeating to myself often over the next few months.

CSC 208 (Calc 1) is done, got a B unless he curves the final, which he should do as the whole class failed it miserably. Now I'm doing CSC 209 AND CSC 310. Kill me now!!

However the prof for 209 is the same Prof I had in August so he knows me. I explained the fact that I can't be at chat sessions on Tuesday and Thursday as it conflicts with the other NU class and he is being very accommodating. It's going to be hard, it's going to suck and I have no idea what Linear Algebra (310) is even about. I start that tomorrow at 5:30pm.

I'm going to start on my Calc homework tonight so maybe I can get a little bit abreast of things, but this is going to be hectic. A Good hectic but still, insanity is mine!

Oh and I still have to work 20 hours this month, which doesn't sound hard but can be a little bit sometimes.

Long time between updates

Sorry about that, I've been doing math problems until my eyes cross.

Finally finished all of my homework, prof said I can drop it off on Monday even though the class technically ends on Sunday. Nothing till the review on Friday and then the final on Sat. We'll see how I do, didn't do so hot on the midterm even with the extra credit.

At the grandparent's place for Thanksgiving. It is going to be calm and quiet which I welcome. My biggest job is to open pickle jars, and I"m ok with that.

Monday begins my first 'month from hell' with more calc and Linear Algebra. I had my calc teacher for CSC 300 and I"m guessing he's not going to be as forgiving as this month's teacher is. Fortunately I don't have to keep the 3.5+ as I've already been approved for my double class in January. If I get a B I just move on =)

Everyone have a good Thanksgiving!

Flu shots, Health Insurance and a Sick Cat

Got my flu shot today, my family will be happy to know. :) I also got refills on prescriptions and a referral to a dermatologist as I"m giving up my health insurance come Jan 1. I can't afford 400 a month, it's just not going to happen. Hopefully I might be able to get on the state plan but I don't know.

Banshee isn't looking well, we're going to the vet in about 45 mins. She's lethargic and not eating, but went right for the water which means I may be back to daily shots if she's gone back to being diabetic. I had just attributed it to old age till she went for the water. Just what I need!

I'll post my rant against health care later, I'm too tired now honestly.

My midterm is now tomorrow instead of yesterday, the final is a week after that. At least this professor gives us 'examples' of the problems ahead of time, different numbers but if you have an example you can just plug in the new numbers and you have an answer!

So Banshee goes in at 4 and class is at 6. Somewhere in there I should probably eat =)

Not a lot going on

With school at least. Math is easier than I thought it would be, as I've mentioned before. Work is going well, I got paid! I'm meeting with my manager on Thursday to put together a plan etc, which is very cool and something I'm looking forward to. Being limited to five hours a week is kind of hard, so it's nice to have more stuff to be working on, even if it technically puts me over. I'll just bill them for the five a week.

It's beautiful out today, real San Diego weather. There will be a ride on the bike in my near future, too nice a day to not go outside a bit.

I am officially down 10lbs on a 'non fad' diet. I'm really excited as while this is slow it's steady and is something I know I can maintain. I even get to eat 'poorly' once or twice and still lose the 1.5 lbs I want to a week.

Going to the doc on Thursday to find cheaper meds and get the last referrals I need, I want to get everything done before the new year as, unless something changes, I won't have health insurance. They've finally managed to price me out completely. I've applied for a much cheaper plan but they're taking their time turning me down. We'll see what happens.

There is another rant, the state of health care in this country if you're not employed. Hell even if you are from what I understand but I can't personally attest to that. It needs an overhaul and it sucks.

Math Nerd ftw

So tonight my professor is going through examples from the book in my Calculus class and TWICE I caught an error. It's not that he didn't know what he was doing, the guy is brilliant, but it's easy to drop a variable or switch a sign.

I'm not gloating him making minor mistakes, but I AM gloating about the fact that I caught them. Huge confidence builder for me, it shows me I do understand what I"m doing in this class and I haven't 'lost' the math thing that I had when I was younger.

And I can drop my homework off at his office which simplifies the whole scanning issue, which was causing much stress.

So overall I'm feeling good about my November class, lets hope December goes as smoothly.

Telephones and Technology

I finally broke down and installed Vonage. Those who would use the number, I emailed it to you btw =)

I decided to do this as I seem to make a lot of calls at home that put me on hold. That just eats up cell mins so this way I can do it on a flat rate. ALSO now I can send faxes, which is so worth it.

So I do all of this and realize I don't actually have a telephone. So, for the first time since before I moved to California I went out and bought a phone. I ended up with a wireless one with an extra handset so I can wander and so I can have a phone in my room. The base set has to be plugged in at the router (cable phone) so this seems to be the ideal.

I'm kind of suprised how cheap this was, 40 total for the two headsets.

That done, now I just have to get my scanner working, I have to scan in my 'work' on my homework and this is really easier said than done.

Ok not as bad as it looked

It turns out my professor isn't even really paying attention to the syllabus. We spent two hours the other night deciding when the midterm and final were, he assigns homework at each class session and it's not what is necessarily on the syllabus. He's also willing to go over each problem before it's due.

Test are multiple choice which is helpful. That will also let me work backwards with the calculator. This is VERY helpful.

I missed the 'make up' on Sat but he knew and was ok with it. Now I just need to listen to it and do the homework for Tuesday. Maybe, just maybe, Math !> Me

Math > Me

I used to be good at this stuff too. I'm trying to work thorugh the homework and I have greatly overestimated my retention of math. This month is going to be a HUGE catchup for me and next month is going to be insane.

I did get a new toy though. TI-89 calculator though mine doesn't look quite like the one in that picture. Hopefully this will give me enough assistance that I'll be able to do alright in the class.

First class itself is tonight and I've emailed the professor asking when the homework is due and when these class sessions will happen. I'm all for free form classes, that is why I'm doing this online, but I also need to be able to plan things around my classes, which means knowing when they are. This course doesn't end until Nov 24th which is the weekend right AFTER Thanksgiving so I need to be making plans so I can have a day to travel.

Now I get to try to make friends with my calculator. This isn't as easy as it sounds.