Quick Note

Had a wonderful birthday call from my Grandma and Grandpa Kleinau right now, and just wanted to post a bit in response to our talk: My address this year is: Paul Kleinau 222 Adams House, West Quadrangle 541 Thompson Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109 There ya go! Now you can send me things! :)

And we are go for liftoff....

Well, the school year has officially started. Syllabus week of class is over and I started my next week of classes just today. It's time for the rundown: STATS 412: IN THIS CORNER, a 400 level Stats class that is a requirement for CSE majors to graduate. Boasting graphs, charts, tables, and an older Indian lady who does not understand technology teaching a class of computer majors. My question to the University is... is this a real class? Or a secret University project designed to test the limits of how mere words can put humans to sleep? EECS 281: IN THIS CORNER, A programming class coming in at 4 credits! The logical progressor after the lightweight EECS 280, this class tests the limits of your programming ability by forcing you to develop and understand problem solving algorithms on a level mere humans can barely comprehend! The projects are aimed and loaded, ready to fire at my sleep schedule. There is little time... we must prepare. EECS 370: IN THE OTHER CORNER, A Computer Architecture class focusing on the programming that goes into microprocessors and how assembly language and machine code actually translates major computer languages into things that a computer can understand! This is a class that has a predecessor in EECS 270... which is not a major requirements for CSE majors! Be wary however, as the professor assumes everyone has taken EECS 270 and expects you to convert phrases to hexidecimal and binary within milliseconds of the question being asked! Almost like a computer! Except THIS computer has never heard of converting to binary or hexidecimal and spent the first class drooling on the table as the teacher taught to the elites who do programming as a hobby! IN THE FINAL CORNAHHH, Physics 240! The only returner on the schedule, this class is know for its ferociously difficult exams and incomprehensible gibberish it spouts in battle! Look for the fights to be mighty and well rehearsed this year... and this horrific, hated beast might finally go down in a flurry of notes and practice problems. ON THE CEEEILING, R. O. T. CCCCCC! The week opened strong with orientation giving yours truly his first opportunity to train cadets instead of being trained! It went outstanding and the amount of work put into it was well worth the effort. Well yours truly is quite out of shape after a summer recovering from field training, hard work and dedication will rectify that, as well as prepare the new freshman for years to come! We're looking forward to the future of this fighter, for sure! AND BEHIND THE WALL, RESIDENT ADVISINGGGGGGGG! Move in Week has finally ended and regularly scheduled programming has resumed! The hall appears to be building up well, though the multiple athletes on the floor have busy schedules that often leave them invisible to the public eye! There have been no major issues as of yet, with the exception of one room being busted for weed. However, the guilty recognizes the mistake and has seen the penalty of their actions, and now needs every ounce of help that can be provided to get this rectified in a good and beneficial manner! One can only hope it goes well from here. And personally, I'm starting to feel the stress, but this year will be a better year than last year. I've learned and grown, and today on the anniversary of the event that wasted 9 months of my life, I'm proud to say the past does not control me any longer. This will be the year I excel, in more ways than one. ...I apologize for the... odd... format today. It's the author in me getting angry that I don't pay any attention to his desires.

School Year Ramping Up...

So I never did get around to giving y'all a summary of what I did at Field Training. Truth be told I STILL haven't finished my own journal of it. As much as I thought the whole experience benefited me, there's a lot of it I sorta want to forget. :P

So, I moved into the dorms back on the 19th to begin my RA training. Basically just a whole bunch of meetings introducing us to our staff, talking about ways to handle problems, and getting info on how the buildings runs. Pretty useful, but it does seem a bit long. Simultaneously I've had a lot of prep to do for the upcoming ROTC semester, what with me being in charge of teaching freshman drill this semester. There's been a lot of email exchanges going on, writing up my plans, getting them proofread... haven't even seen anyone in person yet and I've talked to at least 7 different people more than once. So, keeping busy.

I've still got a bunch of stuff to prep for being an RA, though my ROTC stuff is starting to wind down until we actually run our orientation program. I've still got to make bulletin boards and come up with a floor meeting agenda and get my school books... got a metric ton of stuff to do.

So yeah! Roughly a week in and already in the midst of it. Gonna be an interesting year.

Summer is SORTA busy

Just busy enough that I haven't even finished transcribing my OWN journal from Field Training, much less had time to put chunks of it onto here. I'm pretty busy taking school classes Mon-Thurs in Ann Arbor, where I'm subletting an apartment. Fri-Sun I typically head home and have a more typical summer, relaxing and seeing people I don't see during the school year.

The classes I'm taking are Psychology 111 and Econ 101 (Macroeconomics). Into classes basically, and just to fill my social sciences/humanities requirement for my major and to buff my GPA a little bit since last year hurt my overall GPA because I didn't do too well.

Getting back in the studying mindset is hard, even after the focus and drive Field Training brought. It's one thing to sit down and accomplish a task, work out, solve a problem... entirely another to sit down and read something for comprehension, especially if you don't enjoy the subject material. But, I'm adapting, and it'll prepare me for my upcoming 17 credit semester (ughhhhhh.)

I haven't been entirely lazy outside of class though. I have friend in Field Training write now and I've been making them a newsletter with news from the past week, some funny pictures, and a few comics. Hopefully they're enjoying reading them as much as I had fun making them.

Spending most of my free, non-studying time in Ann Arbor down at the local gamestore. The people who work there are great, I've made friends with a few of the regulars (and become one myself) and I've been using all those models I've been buying and painting for their intended use: simulated heavy ordnance. It's like painting those jet models as a kid, but now instead of flying them around and making 'pchew pchew' noises there's actually set down rules and even tournaments I occasionally participate in. Hobbies are fun, and they've pretty much replaced video games in my free time (not that I don't still set aside time to rock out a few single-player video games with good stories, like Mass Effect 2, or the Fallout series.)

Anyways. That's what I've been doing this summer! Hope y'all are having just as good of one.

I'm home!

Made it back from the Deep South last night and proceeded to sit around on my butt, eating chips and salsa and catching up on some episodes of Dr. Who. I plan to repeat this process for the next few days until all MREs are purged from my system and this cold I picked up in the last day or so of FT goes away.

Anywho, I have an absolutely massive journal compilation I plan to transcribe pieces of here from what I did at Field Training over the next few days. Stay tuned!

Off to Field Training

Quite literally, in maybe 20 minutes. I have some free time waiting for Michelle to clear out of the bathroom so I can shave... so I figured I could finally knock this posst out. I apologize my end o' school year blog has been delayed so long! Don't really have an excuse other an absolutely gratuitous amount of sleep and laziness because of summer.

So quick summary of the end of the school year: Did good in the class I care about (Programming, which I retook), did meh in most of the others, did godawful in Physics. Now I need to retake THAT next semester... and I don't even have an excuse like 'time management' like I had for programming as for why I failed Physics. I just physically (heh. Physically. Physics.) could not grasp the material that was on each exam and had a gross overestimation of my own understanding everytime I walked in to take one of the tests. I'll just have to try some new things next semester and hopefully the second time through is the charm.

And next semester certainly will be a challenge. 17 tough credits, starting being a Resident Advisor (RA), and having a prominent role in ROTC as Drill and Ceremonies Officer for the incoming class of cadets (ie: teach them drill). I plan to lock down and try and improve my grades, because frankly, they need it. I weep for my free time.

Speaking of free time: my summer is pretty much already over. I have Field Training now, 2 weeks when I get back, then I start summer classes in July in Ann Arbor till school starts.

Well, that's all I have time for. Gotta go. I'll post when I get back. Write me letters!

Finals

They're the reason I'm not posting.

But first programming project. Then Physics exam. Then Programming Exam. Then Philosophy exam.

Oh, and I've got to keep getting ready for Field Training this summer. I spent almost $200 on stuff to pack for it in the past two days. It's a good thing I get paid... lol.

Talk more when free. Ciao!

April Fool's!

The joke is, it's no actually April Fool's anymore. *rimshot*

So anywho, figured I'd make sure you all knew that, yes, I am going to Field Training this summer. *happy kazoo noises*

It's a bit bittersweet since one of my close friends who I'd actually rate higher than myself didn't get a spot. Mostly in part due to his major and GPA but it's just horrifically disappointing to see someone so talented not get a spot. Here's to you Molnar.

And the rest of my life rolls on! Got a big physics exam this week. Studying began a few days ago but it showing difficulty in ramping up to what I need to ace the test. If nothing interesting happens tonight then that's what I'll hopefully be doing. Physics is currently my 'trouble' class. Just like last year. This is why I am now a CSE major.... lol.

To keep you all updated with pop culture, If you haven't heard of the song 'Friday' by Rebecca Black, its probably one of the worst 'pop' songs ever written. That's why it currently has... 78 million views on youtube. Yes, it has proven to be possible to create something so universally bad... people enjoy it. Well, enjoy parodying it. My personal favorite was the Christopher Walken remake, but that's besides the point.

Anywho, the song showed up on late night with Jimmy Fallon last night and Stephen Colbert sang it along the the band 'The Roots,' Taylor Hicks, the the Knicks City dancers.

The internet is weird.

Busy time again...

Yeah, so last weekend was a HUGE ROTC trip out to Ft. Custer. Unfortunately, I don't have time to tell you all about it since I found out I have a programming project due 3 days earlier than I expected. Aah!

Also, I'll hear if I get to go to Field Training, and thus stay in the Air Force, tomorrow morning. One guy I already thought had it in for sure was cut. I'm not worried about me... (Super Ego, go!) but I am worried about who else we might lose because of Air Force cutbacks. Sadness.

I'll write more hopefully later this week! Ciao!

Congrats!

Michelle got a 33 on her ACT.

Alas, I have been bested...

MilBall, Lead Lab, and Lack of Sleep

Running on 45 minutes of sleep is a terrible thing. Don't do it. :P

Before I get into that, I'm sure you all want to hear how MilBall went last Friday! Well, I'd love to provide the only picture of myself from it, but unfortunately I have no idea who took it or where it would be. Haha.

Well, to summarize, I did end up having a good time. There were a few hiccups in the beginning (ie: wearing the wrong shirt under by service jacket delaying our departure, and our table being nonexistent once we actually got there) however overall it was quite pleasant. It took place at the Sheraton hotel nearby, and the hotel put on an absolutely fantastic meal of sushi, salad, a main course, and cake (cut by a sword!). While not a particularly exciting dinner other than that, it was good to hang out with a bunch of my friends from ROTC without trainers hanging over our heads. Plus all my color guard people did well during the 'opening ceremony', so I was proud of them working with the Navy.

As for my date, to rehash, I ended up going with a friend of one of my friends from ROTC. They're both in the sorority Alpha Delta Pi, so I got to step foot in a sorority for the first time. MUCH nicer than a frat house, let me tell you. Inside actually looked as nice as the outside. Looked like a pretty sweet gig to me.
My date's name was Leah Heller, who was a junior (and a year or two older than me, as I found out belatedly as they talked about their 'sophomore year' in the past tense.) She was quite nice, pretty funny, and made for good conversation throughout MilBall and out little group get-together afterward.

She IS dating somebody else right now, so don't get your hopes up folks. I'm still single. :P

Carrying over into this week, I've had a bit of a rollercoaster. An absolutely abysmal Physics test score (deja vu....) is about to force me to dedicate way more time to it than I ever figured I would based on my previous expectations of my understanding of the material. So I'll keep you all updated on that.

There IS a reason I switched majors to one not requiring any physics. :P

Programming appears to be going well, but no word back yet on my grades from my big project I failed last year, or the exam I took before break. You'll know when I do.

Now the reason I only got 45 minutes of sleep last night, as I'm sure you've all been wondering... had a big ROTC event this morning. A mock 'First Day of Field Training.' It was strongly impressed on us to know the Field Training manual back to front, and to have a whole duffel bag's worth of items packed up (to be put in a corner and not used the whole time, it turned out). So, rather than sleep, I decided to read all 117 pages of the manual, memorizing all the little tidbits of information and absorbing them like a sponge. I finished at 0430, slept till 0515, and took off for North Hall about 20 minutes later.

Yeah. I was REALLY tired earlier today. Making it difficult to write this Philosophy paper right now.

Which I should get back to. That's been my week! See you next update!

Oops.

Forgot to post last night because I was programming. Missed a day already. :P

So quick post before I go prepare my uniform...

I've got Military Ball tonight, where basically all the ROTC services on campus get together for food and hanging out... and a little dancing, I suppose, but nobody did that last year.

As I'm currently not dating anyone and had no prospects, I asked around and got one of the girls from my Wing (who is in a Sorority) to get her roommate to go with me. I'll let you know how that Blind Date goes tomorrow perhaps?

Also, the reason I'm in such a hurry is that I was programming.... doing the huge project where I had to make a Sorry Simulator from last semester.

As of about 10 minutes ago.... passed every test case.

I DID IT. YEEAAAAHHHHH!!

I'm pretty pumped. Why?

I got 0 points on the actual project part last semester. :P

So with that tucked under my belt, I've got to go get ready. See you all ready!

I am TERRIBLE at this...

So much for promising that update. And so much for one tonight, as I NEED TO GO TO BED RIGHT NOW.

Really, I do. ROTC in the morning.

But I will say this... going to try to start a regular update schedule. Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday methinks? Encourage me to write smaller posts about the more random things in my life rather than miniature novels once every Leap Year.

Also, I encourage people to comment on these posts if they'd like me to elaborate on something. Really. I can blather on for hours about how tough that one class is or how particularly good North Quad's dinner was tonight, but if I don't know that you really want me to describe my opinions on Lockian vs. Nozick's Democracy, I won't know to to begin blathering on about political philosophy.

Consequently that's what we're learning right now.

RIGHT.

Bed.

G' night. See you Thursday. For real. I promise this time.

My how time flies...

Update tonight, I promise.

I did accept that West Quad RA offer by the way (btw for the acronym impaired). 2nd Adams. Methinks I'll have an exciting year next year, yah?

!?

Got an RA offer for West Quad. I have till Thursday to decide between that, or rooming with ALL of my friends from Markley, on the same floor of North Quad that I am this year.

*runs in circles*

These hands were made for punching...

Not really. They all bruised up and were bleeding a bit.

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, I started a Krav Maga class here at the University so I'm not totally incompetent at combatives when I go ot Field training this summer. Apparently I punch the bags a little harder than my skin was built for... which may or may not be a good thing, in retrospect. But I'm pumped for the class! 7 more classes, mainly self defense focused.

Classes continue to go fairly well. No idea on grades until my exams start popping up, but I'm feeling confident so far. My final 2 credits finally start up this week, for my RA class. It's only an hour and a half of class, but I expect to have a fair amount of work outside of class for it.

Speaking of work outside of class.... holy crap ROTC has a large amount of time in my schedule. It definitely is getting a lot more intense, and unlike previous semesters your emails and similar conversations outside of actual ROTC activities are actually necessary, lest ye shall fail. We have dry runs to go through, things to plan... I'd easily say it's the workload of a 4 credit class. Which actually puts me at about 19-20 credits. :P

I'm a BEAST.

Who's going to sleep because I have PT tomorrow.

Back to the grind again...

As the title suggests, first real week of school wrapped up nice and tight in a big pretty bow. Yippee.

First, suppose I should comment on that last post about the RA position. Everything ended up working out in the end. My concern was that by refusing the position, I'd lose my chance at getting a spot for next year. However, because I didn't actually sign up as being available for this semester, I shouldn't have been offered this spot. Thus, I was able to turn down the position whilst remaining in the alternate pool. Now, I just have to hope to get a good spot so I can actually accept it for next year!

Now back to matters at hand, classes appear to going well. Initial programming class thoughts are very positive. New lecturer is fantastic, and I'm actually learning from his lectures... always a benefit, and encouragement to go! That, and since I already have the projects written all I have to do is fix the errors... and whoila! Should get 100%. That's what I'm predicting for Project 1 at least. Ran through my code... found my errors from last time... should be easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Other classes.. can't tell yet. Seem to be going OK but too early to tell exactly how well they'll actually go.

And onto ROTC... well, certainly is interesting for the most part. THe intensity REALLY has picked up. Think: 5-6 Hours a week of somebody constantly telling you you are doing things wrong, and that's what I have to deal with. Seriously! I don't think we've had one moment of positive feedback yet! We can't even motivate each other in PT. Leads to some very quiet sessions... let me tell you. Not a fan of that particular teaching decision.

Anyway, I CAN see how this is necessary though. Essentially every time we go to an event now, it's a simulation of what it will be like when I go to Field Training this Summer. Every movement there will be watched and recorded.... every action needing to be as quick, efficient, and correct as possible...

Anywho, right now a lot of time is being dedicated to dorm maintenance. As in, how to fold clothes, make beds... etc. And man, they are PRECISE down to millimeters for how to position things. It's a little ridiculous, methinks, but hey. Teaches you attention to detail.

Anywho, we've got some visitors from some high schools in Chicago here tonight. Should probably track them down... See you next time!

Uh oh.

So I just got offered a job as an RA for THIS semester on North Campus.

This is bad. I don't think I can take this job, and I'm worried refusing the offer will disqualify me from next semester...

Back to School!

Arrived back in school this afternoon! Had a nice day of relaxation with friends from my hall, then spent the rest of the night (including up till now) unpacking, preparing stuff for tomorrow, and generally dreading having classes again.

But it's not all bad. My room is now the proud owner of the keyboard I got for Christmas (Thanks Mom and Dad!), I'm typing into a larger external monitor for my laptop (woohoo!) and I've got plenty of gadgets to make my life easier and destress throughout the semester.

And I'm gonna need it! 16 credits (decided not to take the waitlisted 1 credit writing class that woulda made it 17) and ROTC FTP semester. For those not in the know, my FTP semester is essentially several months of intensified training to prepare me for Field Training this summer. It's going to be rough physically and mentally, and, well, I'd rather be sane when I come out the other side. And with a GPA above a 3.0. Hopefully both.

So I'm still waiting on books for, well, all but the class I'm retaking. :P Snail mail has delayed most of them to the weekend, so I'm just glad my schedule allows for no Friday classes, and my Thursday are mostly ROTC dedicated. Minimal amount of classes to not have books for.

So, I'm feeling pretty excited. I know it's gonna be rough and I'm gonna have to seriously lock it down and focus, but it's certainly gonna be a ride. Which, I suppose means I should contradict my last post and say that, no, I have no intention of having a girlfriend or dating anybody anytime soon. I NEED to keep my head clear this semester. Plus if you want the honest truth, in the end someone would just end up disappointed. I still need some time.

But enough with the doom and gloom! I'm gonna do my best to post on here more than last semester, but as always the creative juices need to be flowing... and those don't often flow till 3 a.m. Like it is right now.

Great start to the school year eh? :P