No snow yet! It's apparently somewhat of a tradition around Bellingham for it to snow somewhere around spring break. So far this year it hasn't come to pass, and sadly I don't believe it's going to. Weather here is mostly wet and windy with the occasional sunbreak.
Spring quarter was off to a nice start this week. I absolutely love the way my schedule is this quarter! I was worried for a while because the only chemistry class that would fit with the schedule I wanted was full and the professor is one of the best so his classes get picked up fast. All through spring break and I was worried I would have to shift classes around, but Saturday afternoon when I checked there was a single spot open in his class and I got it! So now I have class Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30-2 with a break between 11:20 and 12! I have no class on Tuesday and chem lab Thursday morning. I wasn't sure how I would feel about having classes one after the other, I mean, I know I did it in high school but come on I wake up now at the same time school used to start, things have changed. I love it though! It allows me to stay in school mode through all of my classes. I don't get distracted and flustered like I did before when I would have a two hour break between class when I would tool around and watch TV on the internet.
This quarter I'm taking four classes, adding up to 17 credits. Here's the low down:
Political Science 101: Government and Politics of the Modern World
I'm not quite sure about this class yet. I'm not opposed to it right off the bat, but I'm not exactly sure what the class will entail. My idea was something along the lines of: "This is so-and-so's government and this is how it looks, this is how it differs from ours, and this is an article written from the perspective of so-and-so and how they view Democracy" So far though we've watched an episode of the Simpsons to find political themes to show how politics can be hidden in just about anything we watch, read, or listen to.
English 101: Writing and Critical Inquiry
This is not a class I'm looking forward to. I'm mostly just thankful that C-, the grad student that teaches it, seems nice. Because English 101 is a required freshman level class, most of the students there don't want to be there and the grad students that teach it don't want to be there either creating a super wonderful class (please note that sarcasm was intended). English 101 is also known for the fact that it's essentially impossible to get an A. Last quarter C- gave one A and three A-'s, the English department is really good at reminding the Western populace that technically a C is average, even though when you get one you feel like you failed. Writing composition is not my strongest subject, hopefully I can learn something without failing in the process.
LUNCH!
Chemistry 123: General Chemistry III
I'm really bummed that the teacher I had the last two quarters for chemistry isn't teaching the third and final installment of the gen chem series. I really liked the teaching style he had, and he's great to go to during office hours. Over the quarter he learns nearly everyone's names; something incredibly hard to do in a class of 100+ students. Ah well, the professor that I signed up for is thought to be basically the best chemistry teacher here. Professor Peyron's teaching style is something I'll have to get used to, but is not too incredibly difficult a thing to do.
Philosophy 107: Logical Thinking
The room that this class is in is more geared toward having someone give a presentation than teach a class. The chairs are super comfy and the lean back a little so you can lay back and see the front of the room super easy because the floor is slanted. Luckily I'm not a person prone to napping or I could foresee a serious problem...Like all the classes we haven't started doing too much yet, but what we have done do far is interesting. Right now we're learning the basics of logic, arguments (A=B, B=C, so A=C) and the different ways people can get mixed up. For instance, an argument or premise (the statements that make up the argument) can be valid even though it is false; an example:
-All Canadians are born in Washington
-I'm Canadian
-So, I was born in Washington
The argument is true: I was indeed born in Washington, It's valid: if everything was true it would be correct, The premises are false though. So this argument is valid, but it's not sound. I just thought that was interesting, it can be valid without being right.
In other news:
Rugby- A bunch of the team went down to Utah for the challenge match against Santa Clara, if we won we stay in Utah for regionals... and we won! Now they have to win at least one of the two games at regionals to qualify for nationals.
Judo- I earned my green belt!
Grades- I got all B's last quarter. My college GPA is currently 3.05, pretty average.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Internship Updates
I got my first reply from the REU internships I've been applying to yesterday. Shannon Point Marine Center has sadly not hired me. However, they did get an astounding 119 applicants for 8 positions, very few of whom were unqualified. They had to narrow down the field by limiting it to marine science majors with at least junior status, of which I am neither. So, I have two more REU's to hear back from, one should come in the next few days and the other I'll find a out about in mid-April.
In the meantime, I have been having fun looking up internships with the Students Conservation Association (SCA), an organization that works to get young adults outdoorsy, science based positions within the nationally owned lands; National Parks, Naval bases, Wildlife Refuges, etc. These applications are actually fairly easy because you simply sign up on their website and check the internships that you're interested in. Then you do the application (which after the REU apps is a breeze) then SCA sends your application to all the intern directors from the positions you indicated. I have indicated interest in 20 internships (they suggest that you apply to as many as you find interesting in order to increase your chances of being accepted). The most interesting internship I have found is at the US Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. I'm not sure if I'm quite qualifies for this one, they want a lot, but I figured I'd apply; what other students (or anyone for that matter) can say they've studied wildlife in Cuba. Thus far my application has been forwarded to one Forest Service park (which is pretty good seeing as I only applied a day or two ago): the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. I have to call them within the week to set up a phone interview.
Finals Update:
They suck. Calculus melted my brain this morning, but after a scare of not remembering how to do several big problems I was able to slow down and figure it all out. I think I'll do well...
In the meantime, I have been having fun looking up internships with the Students Conservation Association (SCA), an organization that works to get young adults outdoorsy, science based positions within the nationally owned lands; National Parks, Naval bases, Wildlife Refuges, etc. These applications are actually fairly easy because you simply sign up on their website and check the internships that you're interested in. Then you do the application (which after the REU apps is a breeze) then SCA sends your application to all the intern directors from the positions you indicated. I have indicated interest in 20 internships (they suggest that you apply to as many as you find interesting in order to increase your chances of being accepted). The most interesting internship I have found is at the US Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. I'm not sure if I'm quite qualifies for this one, they want a lot, but I figured I'd apply; what other students (or anyone for that matter) can say they've studied wildlife in Cuba. Thus far my application has been forwarded to one Forest Service park (which is pretty good seeing as I only applied a day or two ago): the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. I have to call them within the week to set up a phone interview.
Finals Update:
They suck. Calculus melted my brain this morning, but after a scare of not remembering how to do several big problems I was able to slow down and figure it all out. I think I'll do well...
Sunday, March 14, 2010
I'm Not Dead Yet
My sincerest apologies for not writing in so long!
Tomorrow WWU students begin finals week. I sadly have to be here for all of it, my last final is Friday morning so I don't get to leave early like nearly every other student gets to, the bastards. I'm feeling pretty good about all of my finals, of course I've felt pretty good about every test this quarter and still all I get is B's. Hopefully there will be improvement when it comes to finals.
On Saturday Western played WSU, winner goes to regionals. Both teams were undefeated going in, and the game was intense! The Flames (WWU) took an early lead and kept it through the first half. During the second half WSU eventually took the lead and won the game 15-14. Everyone was playing at their best and all of us on the sidelines were yelling so hard we were nearly passing out. We all believe that we should have won, but the Sir (rugby ref) missed some stuff that allowed WSU to get ahead when they shouldn't have been allowed to. Ah well though, they can't see everything (though that Sir is crap).
I have been trying to carry my camera around more lately so as to get pictures of whatever is going on in my life. Here is some of it:
A sculpture in a yard on High Street. I pass it anytime I go into downtown. I personally am most amused by the leash. (though that may be for theft)
Flowers that I bought at the Coop to brighten up the room a little. It was a particularly spring like sunny day. The little tree on the left is Tanya's.
Closer...
On Wednesday I finally hiked to the top of the arboretum. At the top there is a radio tower.
At the base of the radio tower is a shack where you can hide from zombies...
A- going through the "Tunnel through Time" in the arboretum
The lookout tower at the very top of the arboretum.
Me! At the top
Tomorrow WWU students begin finals week. I sadly have to be here for all of it, my last final is Friday morning so I don't get to leave early like nearly every other student gets to, the bastards. I'm feeling pretty good about all of my finals, of course I've felt pretty good about every test this quarter and still all I get is B's. Hopefully there will be improvement when it comes to finals.
On Saturday Western played WSU, winner goes to regionals. Both teams were undefeated going in, and the game was intense! The Flames (WWU) took an early lead and kept it through the first half. During the second half WSU eventually took the lead and won the game 15-14. Everyone was playing at their best and all of us on the sidelines were yelling so hard we were nearly passing out. We all believe that we should have won, but the Sir (rugby ref) missed some stuff that allowed WSU to get ahead when they shouldn't have been allowed to. Ah well though, they can't see everything (though that Sir is crap).
I have been trying to carry my camera around more lately so as to get pictures of whatever is going on in my life. Here is some of it:
A sculpture in a yard on High Street. I pass it anytime I go into downtown. I personally am most amused by the leash. (though that may be for theft)
Flowers that I bought at the Coop to brighten up the room a little. It was a particularly spring like sunny day. The little tree on the left is Tanya's.
Closer...
On Wednesday I finally hiked to the top of the arboretum. At the top there is a radio tower.
At the base of the radio tower is a shack where you can hide from zombies...
A- going through the "Tunnel through Time" in the arboretum
The lookout tower at the very top of the arboretum.
Me! At the topThat's all for now! Ta ta!
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