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*
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
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!
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!
Monday, January 10, 2011
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...
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...
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
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
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
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Chicago
In CHicago with the family.... just saw Wicked. Pretty amazing play if I do say so myself... I'd encourage everyone to see it! It's like someone mixed up a bowl of Oz and awesome!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Home Sweet Home
Well, I'm finally home! Got home Tuesday night (and promptly slept till 130 this afternoon) then ran a few errands with my dad before having a Christmas party with some friends. I'm up at 3am since they only left about an hour ago and I'm still wired from caffeine and adrenaline. Maybe I'll play some video games till I pass out... nah. Should probably go to bed after writing this.
Anywho! Update on my end o' the year progress. Though I'm still missing my last grade, my year is looking about as thoroughly mediocre as I'd expected. B- in Discrete math, C+ in Differential Equations (Calc 4), and a C- in Programming. The C- is the most suprising, because I'd entirely believed I'd gotten an F! I'd done so terrible in the class I essentially just took the final to prepare myself for taking it next semester when I retake the class. However due to some grading eccentricities, I get a C- instead of an F. This is good news, because my ROTC scholarship has two limitations. 1. Don't get an F or F-equivalent. 2. Don't drop below a 2.5 GPA. The F likely would have broken both, suspending my scholarship.
Needless to say, bad. But somehow I got lucky and pulled through, leaving me safe for next semester! Good news indeed.
Add that to knowing I'm top 3 in my ROTC class heading into FTP semester, I am essentially assured a spot at Field Training this summer, which means you can see me in my shiny officer duds come next year. Hua! Teach me some freshman how to march!
Also good news came from my application to Residence Staff. I'd applied to be an RA (and potentially a CA) and was told to expect a response 'by the 22nd.' Which apparently means 'midafternoon on the 22nd.' Anywho, opened to email to be told that I was placed as an alternate! This means that I'm in place for when the people who realize they don't want to be RAs drop, I get their spot. Apparently, almost all alternates get an opportunity at an RA spot. So essentially... I got the job! Now all that remains to be seen if the location of wherever I get assigned to after somebody drops is somewhere I want to be. If it is, I'll be rocking my RA badge next semester and living high off of the fact I'll be going to college for free. (You can thank me later Mom and Dad. :P)
If I don't like it, well, I'll likely be living in North Quad again with the same group of guys. Yes, it's that cozy. :D
And hm... on the home front. My experience with girls continues to be one helluva roller coaster. See, Thanksgiving I basically had a relapse into my post-breakup feelings. However, after I conversation gone wrong later that week between me and Katelyn and her corresponding totally inappopriate cold-shouldering of me (followed by telling me she started dating literally THE biggest tool I know in Army ROTC) the rose tinted glasses came off and I realized she'd been generally a b***h to me for the past 3 months. Yes, the cuss is warranted. :P
This was good though! Because I rapidly got over her, and somehow have managed to pick myself up a new girl in the form of Leslie, a girl from my ROTC. Am I lucky or what? More on that as it develops.
So with that relationship budding slowly, and me laying the foundation this past week for what may be some sort of a lasting friendship with Katelyn after I finally got her out of my head, and life is looking pretty good right now.
Merry Christmas, indeed.
Anywho! Update on my end o' the year progress. Though I'm still missing my last grade, my year is looking about as thoroughly mediocre as I'd expected. B- in Discrete math, C+ in Differential Equations (Calc 4), and a C- in Programming. The C- is the most suprising, because I'd entirely believed I'd gotten an F! I'd done so terrible in the class I essentially just took the final to prepare myself for taking it next semester when I retake the class. However due to some grading eccentricities, I get a C- instead of an F. This is good news, because my ROTC scholarship has two limitations. 1. Don't get an F or F-equivalent. 2. Don't drop below a 2.5 GPA. The F likely would have broken both, suspending my scholarship.
Needless to say, bad. But somehow I got lucky and pulled through, leaving me safe for next semester! Good news indeed.
Add that to knowing I'm top 3 in my ROTC class heading into FTP semester, I am essentially assured a spot at Field Training this summer, which means you can see me in my shiny officer duds come next year. Hua! Teach me some freshman how to march!
Also good news came from my application to Residence Staff. I'd applied to be an RA (and potentially a CA) and was told to expect a response 'by the 22nd.' Which apparently means 'midafternoon on the 22nd.' Anywho, opened to email to be told that I was placed as an alternate! This means that I'm in place for when the people who realize they don't want to be RAs drop, I get their spot. Apparently, almost all alternates get an opportunity at an RA spot. So essentially... I got the job! Now all that remains to be seen if the location of wherever I get assigned to after somebody drops is somewhere I want to be. If it is, I'll be rocking my RA badge next semester and living high off of the fact I'll be going to college for free. (You can thank me later Mom and Dad. :P)
If I don't like it, well, I'll likely be living in North Quad again with the same group of guys. Yes, it's that cozy. :D
And hm... on the home front. My experience with girls continues to be one helluva roller coaster. See, Thanksgiving I basically had a relapse into my post-breakup feelings. However, after I conversation gone wrong later that week between me and Katelyn and her corresponding totally inappopriate cold-shouldering of me (followed by telling me she started dating literally THE biggest tool I know in Army ROTC) the rose tinted glasses came off and I realized she'd been generally a b***h to me for the past 3 months. Yes, the cuss is warranted. :P
This was good though! Because I rapidly got over her, and somehow have managed to pick myself up a new girl in the form of Leslie, a girl from my ROTC. Am I lucky or what? More on that as it develops.
So with that relationship budding slowly, and me laying the foundation this past week for what may be some sort of a lasting friendship with Katelyn after I finally got her out of my head, and life is looking pretty good right now.
Merry Christmas, indeed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
