My Teeth Hurt

Ok it's really my gums but going to the dentist hurts!

Actually no cavities!! I fee like a little kid all proud of myself.

So last night I had a friend help me with my programming. He was a doll and actually explained quite a bit more than I had even asked. I'm actually getting this stuff, which is encouraging. We talked about things that would be on the programmer's exam for his company and the fact that I knew some of them was really cool.

That and the stuff that was giving me trouble last night makes more sense today, which I'm told is pretty normal.

I have two assignments to finish by Sun and a final on Sat. Then the next class begins on Tuesday, which is, again, election day!

Delegate Count

Delegate board from MSNBC

Go Obama!

I was out of town last week so I wasn't paying that much attention to the news. The lack of cable at certain parental unit's homes tends to do that!!

Anyway it looks like Obama has closed the gap in Texas and is down to single digits in Ohio. I'm stoked about how this is going. I am excited for the first time in my life about a political race, it's an amazing feeling. I even gave money and I've never even considered that before.

I really like Obama's policies, more than the alternatives, but I also like the man. Everyone knows he's an inspirational speaker but his attitudes towards things that are important to me more closely match my attitudes, again more than anyone else. That and Hilliary becoming a shrew lately doesn't hurt.

If anyone reading this wants to know what his stances are look here. Also in case anyone wants to donate I would ask you do it through the fundraising group I belong to. However donating money to a politician is kind of intimate, at least to me, so even just reading about him is plenty.

What amazes me is the total disconnect of Hilliary's supporters, at least the ones we see officially on TV. Even now they're still saying 'Hilliary can still win this!' when she can't. The way the math works (according to the Wizard on MSNBC who is my new math hero) and how the delegates are assigned where nothing is 'winner take all' it would take all of the Super Delegates defect en masse it's just not going to happen.

There is another debate tonight which, as it's Tuesday night, I don't get to pay that much attention to. I really hope after she doesn't do as well next Tuesday as she wants to she finally drops out and the Democrats can solidify things and go from there.

Class Update

Got an A- in Discrete Structures! That puts my gpa back up to 3.33 as I got a C in Stats. Not sure what this month is going to be, I'm kind of struggling with the assignments but this professor is amazing with help so hopefully I should be alright for the final this weekend. If nothing else I will steal random programming friends to help.

I talked to my department Lead Faculty about taking graphics programming classes as my electives. It would most likely be independent study and it actually adds a class but doesn't extend my graduation date. That means no break except for the built in breaks till I graduate though, which is going to be rough. I'm already starting to burn out a bit.

I get the first week in April off and I have a trip to Vegas planned. Going with a friend this time so it will be WAY cheaper. I so need to just kick back and relax and then I'll have a few days after I get back before my uber month.

April is Digital Logic and it's lab. This means I have class every tues thurs and sat the whole month. Then we go to either AI or graphics programming in May. blargh

Rocked the Discrete Math Final!

Got a 94 on the Discrete Math final and two of those points were due to a brain fart. I haven't gotten my final grade yet but I'm feeling good about it.

There is significantly less stress only taking one class at a time, I like it!

Data Structures and Algorithms

New class and I'm excited about it. The professor is professional and intelligent. He knows how to use the technology which is helpful. It's also an 'easy' class, just really involved, which makes me happy. It seems to basically be an indepth study of different data structures that I would use as a computer programmer. The coding is relatively simple, these strtuctures are already created, it's just a matter of knowing how they work, knowing when to use them and modifying them to do what I want. This I can do =)

It's nice to get back to doing programming again, back to the 'real' stuff that I'm supposed to be studying. While I really enjoyed my discrete structures class I am very happy to be back into the reasons I'm doing this at all, the nuts and bolts of programming.

I can't let myself get behind at all, but my textbook came in today (thanks Grandma!!) and I plan on doing a lot of studying around my laundry duties today.

My only issue is that I have to get a bunch of stuff done for Sun and I need to fit that into the school and home stuff. I'm feeling really motivated today so hopefully I can keep the momentum going and get this done!

Stats Grade

Got a C, one point from a C+ but I really don't care anymore. I find it amusing that the only two grades I have below a B are with the same instructor, and are in the two months where I doubled up. Well I won't double up again and hopefully will never have to take a class from that professor.

Don't know about Discrete Math yet, if I did as well on the final as I thought I did I should be a high B or if he's really generous an A-. I got an 80 on the midterm so most likely a B.

So glad that is over, I've already resold my stats book, never again.

It's Over!

Never again will I have to take stats, at least I hope so. The next class gets back into 'real' CS stuff. The only problem is that I had my textbook sent to my grandparents place instead of mine so it will hopefully be here by tomorrow!

I am very much ready to not taking two classes at a time, that was nuts and it shall not happen again. It will be nice to actually leave the house occasionally, must reconnect with people!

Yesterday sucked, my boys had the perfect season taken from them, and by New York!!! Awful silliness.

I do miss my nephews though, so hopefully I'll have time this month to head out there. No promises and them being sick atm doesn't help, but I'm going to try.

Decorating.....

..... would be a hell of a lot easier if I could find a style I liked and then stuck with it.

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.