Location: Lake Claire Apartments
Costas asked us to meet again today to give 5 minute talks on our progression in our research. I didn't prepare. I didn't think I had to. In fact, I was quite nervous when I gave my talk today because I was coming up with all the info off the top of my head, but I gave him enough information to satisfy him. The one question I couldn't answer was how much longer it would take us to complete the project and where our project would end. Apparently, we are supposed to turn in an abstract in less than two weeks, and I haven't even finished all of the research yet. Dr. Tamasan said he didn't want to meet today, but I wanted to find out what the end product would be. He opened his door, and said that he was "not here today." This was one of the few times that he's turned me away but I didn't feel that one question would be bothersome. Apparently, it was. He said we would meet tomorrow. I should have been a little more respectful I suppose. He has his own research.
This afternoon, I finished finding all my derivatives and began building my matrix. All in all it took me about 6-7 hours to do, and then Johan double-checked my work and said... "You know the easy way to do this, right?" I didn't want to hear that. He then showed me the easy way to do what I had poorly done and it only took an hour and a half. I could have died, but I am proud of the work I did. It made me suffer and then I was rewarded.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
UCF: Day 42
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
At today's REU meeting, Costas talked to us a little about what the difference is between Mathematical Physics and Physical Mathematics. To be honest, there isn't much. Both are heavy on the math these days. He reviewed the history of math and physics how they used to be used together, but then at one point, they diverged. It seems recently that the two have been converging back together. He said that he felt he should give us an introduction on what the REU is about because some of us didn't realize what we had applied for. For one, the REU is a theoretical REU. I have to admit I didn't think it was that kind of REU when I applied. But also, he said that this REU is one of the few theoretical REU's because not many people have interest in it so much because of the difficulty (requires a lot of knowledge of math and physics) and that NSF doesn't feel that theoretical REU's are worthwhile. This means that he has to continually prove that the this REU is worth something to the Physics community. That means lots of publish papers from the students. If that doesn't put pressure on your shoulders...
After the meeting, I met with Dr. Tamasan and Johan and I was given a new task for finding derivatives and forming a new matrix for our piecewise function we are looking for. After the meeting, Laura and I rode our bikes back together to the apartment, and she took me to the grocery store. When we got back from the store, we both went to the gym for cardio and yoga. By the time I got back to the apartment, it was 11 pm... and I still hadn't eaten dinner. It has been a long day, and I'm tired.
At today's REU meeting, Costas talked to us a little about what the difference is between Mathematical Physics and Physical Mathematics. To be honest, there isn't much. Both are heavy on the math these days. He reviewed the history of math and physics how they used to be used together, but then at one point, they diverged. It seems recently that the two have been converging back together. He said that he felt he should give us an introduction on what the REU is about because some of us didn't realize what we had applied for. For one, the REU is a theoretical REU. I have to admit I didn't think it was that kind of REU when I applied. But also, he said that this REU is one of the few theoretical REU's because not many people have interest in it so much because of the difficulty (requires a lot of knowledge of math and physics) and that NSF doesn't feel that theoretical REU's are worthwhile. This means that he has to continually prove that the this REU is worth something to the Physics community. That means lots of publish papers from the students. If that doesn't put pressure on your shoulders...
After the meeting, I met with Dr. Tamasan and Johan and I was given a new task for finding derivatives and forming a new matrix for our piecewise function we are looking for. After the meeting, Laura and I rode our bikes back together to the apartment, and she took me to the grocery store. When we got back from the store, we both went to the gym for cardio and yoga. By the time I got back to the apartment, it was 11 pm... and I still hadn't eaten dinner. It has been a long day, and I'm tired.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
UCF: Day 41
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
The roommates took a trip to Kennedy Space Center today, and since I went last weekend, I didn't feel like going again... besides I would have the apartment to myself all day long. I forgot what it was like to live alone. It's quite peaceful at times.
I didn't do too much today. I found a replacement tanktop online for the one that I left behind at the Radisson Hotel when John came to visit. I had planned on going shopping... riding the bike to Waterford Lakes, but it was about midday by the time I became mobile and I figured it was too hot by then. So I decided to go workout at the gym for a while.
I ran a mile on the treadmill and walked another and then came back and showered. John and I talked on skype for most of the afternoon, and then I rode my bike over to Moe's for lunch/dinner. I had a veggie taco with jalapenos, chips with queso, cookies, and a Mr. Pibb. I shivered in the AC while I ate, so afterward I sat outside with my soda refill and read a chapter in The Two Towers. It was pleasant in the shade.
It was then that I realized that I should have ridden the bike to Waterford Lakes. I checked the weather when I got back and found that the typical central Florida rain cloud was headed this way so I just stayed at the apartment. John and I watched Star Trek, and when I tried to lie down to take a nap my roommates came back and so sleep was not going to happen at that point. Then I watched a documentary called Taxi to the Dark Side on Netflix. That was pretty much my day.
The roommates took a trip to Kennedy Space Center today, and since I went last weekend, I didn't feel like going again... besides I would have the apartment to myself all day long. I forgot what it was like to live alone. It's quite peaceful at times.
I didn't do too much today. I found a replacement tanktop online for the one that I left behind at the Radisson Hotel when John came to visit. I had planned on going shopping... riding the bike to Waterford Lakes, but it was about midday by the time I became mobile and I figured it was too hot by then. So I decided to go workout at the gym for a while.
I ran a mile on the treadmill and walked another and then came back and showered. John and I talked on skype for most of the afternoon, and then I rode my bike over to Moe's for lunch/dinner. I had a veggie taco with jalapenos, chips with queso, cookies, and a Mr. Pibb. I shivered in the AC while I ate, so afterward I sat outside with my soda refill and read a chapter in The Two Towers. It was pleasant in the shade.
It was then that I realized that I should have ridden the bike to Waterford Lakes. I checked the weather when I got back and found that the typical central Florida rain cloud was headed this way so I just stayed at the apartment. John and I watched Star Trek, and when I tried to lie down to take a nap my roommates came back and so sleep was not going to happen at that point. Then I watched a documentary called Taxi to the Dark Side on Netflix. That was pretty much my day.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
UCF: Day 40
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
I had a pretty filling day today. I woke up early and worked on some research. Later on in the morning, Peter knocked on our door and asked if we were ready to go to the Polasek museum. We stopped for coffee on the way and then met up with the others at the museum. The museum was much more interesting that the first one I went to. I think because it had a garden and was near water... I love the outdoors. I took a few pictures.
After we left the museum, Kevin, Peter, Ben, and I ate lunch at Tijuana Flats... It was good, but I feel it was a little overpriced. After Kevin dropped us off, I rode the bike over to the gym for yoga, and then I ran a mile on the treadmill. When I got back, I finished working on my research, and then I rode my bike to the reflecting pond on campus and read The Two Towers and napped for a while in the setting sun.
When I got back, Stephanie said that some of the other REU students had come by to see if I wanted to watch A Clockwork Orange. So I did. It was a strange and funny movie... and much different that I had originally imagined. When I came back to my apartment, my roommates were watching My Fair Lady on Stephanie's laptop. I went to my room and watched Jesus Camp. It's a creepy documentary about evangelical radicals brainwashing kids. It was weird.
But - now I am going to watch the last episode of Star Trek Voyage Season 2 with John. =D
I had a pretty filling day today. I woke up early and worked on some research. Later on in the morning, Peter knocked on our door and asked if we were ready to go to the Polasek museum. We stopped for coffee on the way and then met up with the others at the museum. The museum was much more interesting that the first one I went to. I think because it had a garden and was near water... I love the outdoors. I took a few pictures.
After we left the museum, Kevin, Peter, Ben, and I ate lunch at Tijuana Flats... It was good, but I feel it was a little overpriced. After Kevin dropped us off, I rode the bike over to the gym for yoga, and then I ran a mile on the treadmill. When I got back, I finished working on my research, and then I rode my bike to the reflecting pond on campus and read The Two Towers and napped for a while in the setting sun.
When I got back, Stephanie said that some of the other REU students had come by to see if I wanted to watch A Clockwork Orange. So I did. It was a strange and funny movie... and much different that I had originally imagined. When I came back to my apartment, my roommates were watching My Fair Lady on Stephanie's laptop. I went to my room and watched Jesus Camp. It's a creepy documentary about evangelical radicals brainwashing kids. It was weird.
But - now I am going to watch the last episode of Star Trek Voyage Season 2 with John. =D
Friday, June 26, 2009
UCF: Day 39
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
My mom called me at 6:55 this morning. My father told her that I would be up. I wonder what ever gave him that idea. They called to ask me details about the beach trip we are going on in August. I answered politely and warned them that I was sleeping.
On top of that, I forgot to set my alarm so I slept late. I had a pretty crappy start to the day. Dr. Tamasan said he wouldn't be on campus today, and well, when I came in he and Johann were talking. I didn't really feel like getting into a deep conversation because I had a meeting in about 45 minutes, but he insisted. It was a drag. Then I went to the Friday REU meeting to sit through the rest of the lecture on a non-linear system of ODE's. It was interesting, but way over my head. Later on, I came back down, and Johann said that he could wrap up all the polynomial stuff. I tried to tell him that I would do some of it, but he acted like he wanted to do it. I was a little disappointed that I didn't have any ground in the work and I'm tired of having everything handed to me. I don't feel like I'm learning how to use Matlab because everyone keeps telling me how to do it. I feel like I need to suffer. I guess Johann could see the disappointment in my face about how hard of a time I was having, and he offered the help. At first, I didn't want it. I wanted to learn myself, but he was leaving soon, and I knew if I didn't take his help that I would regret it later. So we reviewed what we needed to do, and then we packed up.
I didn't do much the rest of the day except watch movies on Netflix because it was pouring down rain. I did find time in between to do laundry. I guess I could have made out the guest list for the wedding. John has already sent his to me.
My mom called me at 6:55 this morning. My father told her that I would be up. I wonder what ever gave him that idea. They called to ask me details about the beach trip we are going on in August. I answered politely and warned them that I was sleeping.
On top of that, I forgot to set my alarm so I slept late. I had a pretty crappy start to the day. Dr. Tamasan said he wouldn't be on campus today, and well, when I came in he and Johann were talking. I didn't really feel like getting into a deep conversation because I had a meeting in about 45 minutes, but he insisted. It was a drag. Then I went to the Friday REU meeting to sit through the rest of the lecture on a non-linear system of ODE's. It was interesting, but way over my head. Later on, I came back down, and Johann said that he could wrap up all the polynomial stuff. I tried to tell him that I would do some of it, but he acted like he wanted to do it. I was a little disappointed that I didn't have any ground in the work and I'm tired of having everything handed to me. I don't feel like I'm learning how to use Matlab because everyone keeps telling me how to do it. I feel like I need to suffer. I guess Johann could see the disappointment in my face about how hard of a time I was having, and he offered the help. At first, I didn't want it. I wanted to learn myself, but he was leaving soon, and I knew if I didn't take his help that I would regret it later. So we reviewed what we needed to do, and then we packed up.
I didn't do much the rest of the day except watch movies on Netflix because it was pouring down rain. I did find time in between to do laundry. I guess I could have made out the guest list for the wedding. John has already sent his to me.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
UCF: Day 38
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
I received my new watch today. The other one died in the ocean when John and I went to Cocoa Beach. My old watch was supposedly water resistant for up to 50 meters, but apparently not.
I worked harder today than I have any other day before, and I had a lot of results show me what I needed to see. I have a list to work on tomorrow to wrap up our work with using a polynomial as a model of the refraction of sound waves within the earth. I hope Johan comes in early tomorrow so we can get started.
The one day I didn't take my lunch to the Math Cafe I got rained on. Around high time for storms to come through at UCF (which hadn't occurred in the past week or so), I decided to take my lunch break and walked over to the student union. About half way there it started to come down... so I ran underneath a tree next to another student. She complained horribly about the rain, and I just mentioned that I should have ran all the way since it started to come down even harder. Eventually it slacked a little, and I ran the rest of the way. I ate lunch at the student union, hoping it would be over by the time I finished, but I had too much faith. I waited a few minutes until it died down again, and then I ran the entire way back to the MAP building. I was soaked. I ran through a huge puddle on my way back, and the rain had made a mysterious stain on my brand new shorts multiply. I was a mess. I immediately took off my socks and shoes after what happened the last time my feet were soaked (trenchfoot) and I shivered in the AC until I was almost dry. My socks never fully dried before I left, but I wore them back to my apartment and then took them off again.
I am still upset about my shorts.
I received my new watch today. The other one died in the ocean when John and I went to Cocoa Beach. My old watch was supposedly water resistant for up to 50 meters, but apparently not.
I worked harder today than I have any other day before, and I had a lot of results show me what I needed to see. I have a list to work on tomorrow to wrap up our work with using a polynomial as a model of the refraction of sound waves within the earth. I hope Johan comes in early tomorrow so we can get started.
The one day I didn't take my lunch to the Math Cafe I got rained on. Around high time for storms to come through at UCF (which hadn't occurred in the past week or so), I decided to take my lunch break and walked over to the student union. About half way there it started to come down... so I ran underneath a tree next to another student. She complained horribly about the rain, and I just mentioned that I should have ran all the way since it started to come down even harder. Eventually it slacked a little, and I ran the rest of the way. I ate lunch at the student union, hoping it would be over by the time I finished, but I had too much faith. I waited a few minutes until it died down again, and then I ran the entire way back to the MAP building. I was soaked. I ran through a huge puddle on my way back, and the rain had made a mysterious stain on my brand new shorts multiply. I was a mess. I immediately took off my socks and shoes after what happened the last time my feet were soaked (trenchfoot) and I shivered in the AC until I was almost dry. My socks never fully dried before I left, but I wore them back to my apartment and then took them off again.
I am still upset about my shorts.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
UCF: Day 37
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
The cleaning lady yesterday showed me a huge puddle in the kitchen area that I hadn't seen previously. She said that if the water comes back we should call it in. The water came back, and two-fold... It's migrating down the hall way. It's a water mine field. I can't walk around bare foot or in socks anymore. There's something wrong with the air conditioner, I think.
I spent most of the morning trying to figure out a program, only to find out that there was something wrong in it. When Dr. Tamasan was finished giving the exams in both of his classes he gave me the correct file, and voila! it worked. I was a little upset that I wasted so much time, but hey, what else could I do? The rest of the time I tried to keep myself from getting distracted by the other people in the Math Cafe. I needed to produce some kind of work today.
Other than that, the highlight of my day was getting a phone call from the cashier's office saying that they had my first check for me. I've been trying to get paid for two weeks now. I can't belive it took them this long.
The cleaning lady yesterday showed me a huge puddle in the kitchen area that I hadn't seen previously. She said that if the water comes back we should call it in. The water came back, and two-fold... It's migrating down the hall way. It's a water mine field. I can't walk around bare foot or in socks anymore. There's something wrong with the air conditioner, I think.
I spent most of the morning trying to figure out a program, only to find out that there was something wrong in it. When Dr. Tamasan was finished giving the exams in both of his classes he gave me the correct file, and voila! it worked. I was a little upset that I wasted so much time, but hey, what else could I do? The rest of the time I tried to keep myself from getting distracted by the other people in the Math Cafe. I needed to produce some kind of work today.
Other than that, the highlight of my day was getting a phone call from the cashier's office saying that they had my first check for me. I've been trying to get paid for two weeks now. I can't belive it took them this long.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
UCF: Day 36
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
The day didn't start out too bad. I analyzed some data in Matlab, and then Dr. Tamasan and met for about 5 hours. At one time, we took a "break" by going to the coffee shop by the book store, but we still discussed the project. By about 5 pm, my brain was beginning to become dysfunctional... I could feel it slipping away. Nevertheless, we trudged on until 6 pm. Dr. T brought me his bike pump today so I could pump up the tires on the bike, and just in the nick of time too... They were starting to get low.
After jogging my mind for so long today, I planned on doing nothing having to do with the project for the rest of the day. I went to the gym, did cardio for a half hour, rested for 15, and then did yoga. I am a firm believer that yoga is a time for you to focus on yourself, relieve stress, and learn to breathe and relax. There is this guy that always shows up for Marcelo's classes and today he decided to be one of those people who feels like they have to say something about everything when no one really wants to know. In the beginning of class, he told everyone in the class how to place their mats in a specific pattern as if he were the instructor. He didn't say it in way as to be polite... It was more like an instruction. Then in the middle of our practice, our instructor says the wrong number by accident for a pose, and the guy corrects him... in the middle of utter silence when I am trying to focus. But that didn't top it off... He had to say one more thing. After we all said our goodbye (namaste), our instructor asked us to roll up our mats and place them in their respective places. And what do you know, the guy had to have a comeback. I am positive everyone understood what our instructor was trying to say when he asked us to put up the mats, but this guy had to be a smart ass and say that we shouldn't roll them up because all the others are flat and that rolling them up would make a big mess. I really wanted to slap the guy for being a pain in the ass for this yoga class. The best part was that the yoga instructor just ignored him and went on his merry way. I wish that guy would just find another class to go to. He's annoying.
The day didn't start out too bad. I analyzed some data in Matlab, and then Dr. Tamasan and met for about 5 hours. At one time, we took a "break" by going to the coffee shop by the book store, but we still discussed the project. By about 5 pm, my brain was beginning to become dysfunctional... I could feel it slipping away. Nevertheless, we trudged on until 6 pm. Dr. T brought me his bike pump today so I could pump up the tires on the bike, and just in the nick of time too... They were starting to get low.
After jogging my mind for so long today, I planned on doing nothing having to do with the project for the rest of the day. I went to the gym, did cardio for a half hour, rested for 15, and then did yoga. I am a firm believer that yoga is a time for you to focus on yourself, relieve stress, and learn to breathe and relax. There is this guy that always shows up for Marcelo's classes and today he decided to be one of those people who feels like they have to say something about everything when no one really wants to know. In the beginning of class, he told everyone in the class how to place their mats in a specific pattern as if he were the instructor. He didn't say it in way as to be polite... It was more like an instruction. Then in the middle of our practice, our instructor says the wrong number by accident for a pose, and the guy corrects him... in the middle of utter silence when I am trying to focus. But that didn't top it off... He had to say one more thing. After we all said our goodbye (namaste), our instructor asked us to roll up our mats and place them in their respective places. And what do you know, the guy had to have a comeback. I am positive everyone understood what our instructor was trying to say when he asked us to put up the mats, but this guy had to be a smart ass and say that we shouldn't roll them up because all the others are flat and that rolling them up would make a big mess. I really wanted to slap the guy for being a pain in the ass for this yoga class. The best part was that the yoga instructor just ignored him and went on his merry way. I wish that guy would just find another class to go to. He's annoying.
Monday, June 22, 2009
UCF: Day 35
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
I had a difficult time getting out of bed this morning. I stayed up late talking to John on our cell phones to make sure he got back to Atlanta safe. I went in late this morning, but there wasn't much I could do anyways since I had already completed the tasks that were given to me.
I had another REU meeting today and Costas gave us the third degree because we "didn't" show up to the museum on Saturday. Apparently, there was confusion about which museum we were supposed to go to. He had one on the schedule and he mentioned another in the meeting. Everyone (but me) went to the one on the schedule while Costas went to the one he said in the meeting. He was so upset that he wouldn't even acknowledge much of what the others said happened... just telling us that we were irresponsible because we didn't show up or on time. His punishment for us is that we have to go to both museums this Saturday and give a 5 minute presentation on our projects next Tuesday. After that agony, we had a lecture on solving a system of non-linear ODE's.
After the meeting, I met with Dr. Tamasan to discuss some of the results that Johan and I had found since our last meeting, and I was assigned more on the project. I completed most of what he asked for by the time he left, but some I still need to complete.
There was a social gathering at the Lake Claire Community Center today called Fiesta Time. It was fun. Melissa, Vicky, and I went and ate tacos and chips and salsa. We saw Wyatt (another REU student) walking down the sidewalk and Melissa told him about the free food and soda. We talked about the burns we received earlier in the REU meeting, and then I left to finish watching 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Now I am going to finish the work I didn't get to complete earlier... and if there's time maybe read some more in The Two Towers.
I had a difficult time getting out of bed this morning. I stayed up late talking to John on our cell phones to make sure he got back to Atlanta safe. I went in late this morning, but there wasn't much I could do anyways since I had already completed the tasks that were given to me.
I had another REU meeting today and Costas gave us the third degree because we "didn't" show up to the museum on Saturday. Apparently, there was confusion about which museum we were supposed to go to. He had one on the schedule and he mentioned another in the meeting. Everyone (but me) went to the one on the schedule while Costas went to the one he said in the meeting. He was so upset that he wouldn't even acknowledge much of what the others said happened... just telling us that we were irresponsible because we didn't show up or on time. His punishment for us is that we have to go to both museums this Saturday and give a 5 minute presentation on our projects next Tuesday. After that agony, we had a lecture on solving a system of non-linear ODE's.
After the meeting, I met with Dr. Tamasan to discuss some of the results that Johan and I had found since our last meeting, and I was assigned more on the project. I completed most of what he asked for by the time he left, but some I still need to complete.
There was a social gathering at the Lake Claire Community Center today called Fiesta Time. It was fun. Melissa, Vicky, and I went and ate tacos and chips and salsa. We saw Wyatt (another REU student) walking down the sidewalk and Melissa told him about the free food and soda. We talked about the burns we received earlier in the REU meeting, and then I left to finish watching 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Now I am going to finish the work I didn't get to complete earlier... and if there's time maybe read some more in The Two Towers.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
UCF: Day 34
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
Yesterday was the best day in a long time, and today was the saddest. It was very difficult for me to not feel sad about John's leaving, but I knew I had to be strong for him. It hurts when I see him cry.
We woke up early but spent the morning in bed just snuggling with each other because neither of us wanted to let go. When we did finally get up and moving we checked out and rode to Target to get John some swimming trunks and ourselves a pair of beach towels. We ate a very late breakfast at Waffle House and then drove to Cocoa Beach. The drive was only about an hour.
The hour ride was definitely worth it. Most of the day was overcast, but we did get a little sun burn on our shoulders and faces even though we had SPF 50 sunblock on. John and I stayed and played in the water for a few hours and then left to come back to my apartment. We could both feel it in the car that neither of us wanted to part. We each showered at my apartment and then went out for our last meal together until August. We ate at Moe's... not John's favorite but mine. He really does know how to make me feel special.
Yesterday was the best day in a long time, and today was the saddest. It was very difficult for me to not feel sad about John's leaving, but I knew I had to be strong for him. It hurts when I see him cry.
We woke up early but spent the morning in bed just snuggling with each other because neither of us wanted to let go. When we did finally get up and moving we checked out and rode to Target to get John some swimming trunks and ourselves a pair of beach towels. We ate a very late breakfast at Waffle House and then drove to Cocoa Beach. The drive was only about an hour.
The hour ride was definitely worth it. Most of the day was overcast, but we did get a little sun burn on our shoulders and faces even though we had SPF 50 sunblock on. John and I stayed and played in the water for a few hours and then left to come back to my apartment. We could both feel it in the car that neither of us wanted to part. We each showered at my apartment and then went out for our last meal together until August. We ate at Moe's... not John's favorite but mine. He really does know how to make me feel special.
UCF: Day 33
Location: Radisson Hotel, room 604
John and I went to the Kennedy Space Center today. We had a blast. John knows his space history. We had a brief tour of the "Rocket Garden" and John answered so many questions that the tour guide gave him a photo of the launch of a Mercury rocket in which Alan Shepherd was the first US man in space. I was both impressed with his knowledge and proud to be with someone of intelligence. Someone jokingly made the comment that John and the tour guide should switch places. We visited a few museums at the Visitor Complex and then we toured some of the facilities. We had to take a tour bus. We saw from a distance Cape Canaveral and Launch Pads A & B. We saw from the tour bus the vehicle assembly building (VAB) and crawler which are used to build and transport the rockets to the launch pads. The volume of the VAB is 3.75 times that of the Empire State Building's volume. It's massive. We toured a museum dedicated to the Saturn V rocket and the Apollo 11 mission, which was the mission that the first men walked on the moon. We toured a museum for the International Space Station as well. By the time we returned to the Visitor's Complex we were beat. We didn't even have enough energy to watch an IMAX show which was included in our admission.
Oh and speaking of admission... John and I got a great deal on our tickets. Because I have a UCF REU Student ID I was able to buy our tickets at half price so we only had to pay $20 each.
We took a lot of wonderful pictures today. When we got back I posted the photos on facebook and then we went to dinner at Mellow Mushroom. After dinner, John and I drank a bottle of Gallo Family: Twin Valley Pinot Noir while playing Carcassone. It was one of the best times I've had since I've been in Florida. I didn't want the day to end, but it had to.
John and I went to the Kennedy Space Center today. We had a blast. John knows his space history. We had a brief tour of the "Rocket Garden" and John answered so many questions that the tour guide gave him a photo of the launch of a Mercury rocket in which Alan Shepherd was the first US man in space. I was both impressed with his knowledge and proud to be with someone of intelligence. Someone jokingly made the comment that John and the tour guide should switch places. We visited a few museums at the Visitor Complex and then we toured some of the facilities. We had to take a tour bus. We saw from a distance Cape Canaveral and Launch Pads A & B. We saw from the tour bus the vehicle assembly building (VAB) and crawler which are used to build and transport the rockets to the launch pads. The volume of the VAB is 3.75 times that of the Empire State Building's volume. It's massive. We toured a museum dedicated to the Saturn V rocket and the Apollo 11 mission, which was the mission that the first men walked on the moon. We toured a museum for the International Space Station as well. By the time we returned to the Visitor's Complex we were beat. We didn't even have enough energy to watch an IMAX show which was included in our admission.
Oh and speaking of admission... John and I got a great deal on our tickets. Because I have a UCF REU Student ID I was able to buy our tickets at half price so we only had to pay $20 each.
We took a lot of wonderful pictures today. When we got back I posted the photos on facebook and then we went to dinner at Mellow Mushroom. After dinner, John and I drank a bottle of Gallo Family: Twin Valley Pinot Noir while playing Carcassone. It was one of the best times I've had since I've been in Florida. I didn't want the day to end, but it had to.
UCF: Day 32
Location: Radisson Hotel, room 604
The talk on the non-linear schrodinger equation has finally come to an end. I can't say whether or not I'm happy or sad for the ending. The talk was most definitely interesting, but in what little time we had to "learn" about it, it didn't really seem worth it. It was more like "Look at all this pretty math that I don't have time to show you what it all means."
The highlight of this day is that John came to visit me for the weekend. I booked a hotel room for us at the Radisson a few miles down the road. Well I say I booked, but really John did - I just gave him my card number. When we went to the front desk to check-in, the receptionist said that our reservation was for July 17 and not June 19. So I called Expedia to find out what happened with the reservation. I didn't have my itinerary number because I've never had to use it before so the representative tried to look it up by e-mail. While I was on the phone with customer service, John decided to use the business center to get look-up the reservation online. At the same time, we both ran for the front desk. The room had been reserved in his name, but we both thought it would be in mine since we used my card. The receptionist assumed we were married, and a person by the name of Albert Autry had made a reservation on July 17. John and I were both relieved that we still had the hotel reservation for this weekend.
After we got settled in the room, we found a T-mobile store so he could buy a phone charger. Then we ate dinner at California Pizza Kitchen and walked over to the Regal Cinema to watch Year 1. It was great to spend time with him.
The talk on the non-linear schrodinger equation has finally come to an end. I can't say whether or not I'm happy or sad for the ending. The talk was most definitely interesting, but in what little time we had to "learn" about it, it didn't really seem worth it. It was more like "Look at all this pretty math that I don't have time to show you what it all means."
The highlight of this day is that John came to visit me for the weekend. I booked a hotel room for us at the Radisson a few miles down the road. Well I say I booked, but really John did - I just gave him my card number. When we went to the front desk to check-in, the receptionist said that our reservation was for July 17 and not June 19. So I called Expedia to find out what happened with the reservation. I didn't have my itinerary number because I've never had to use it before so the representative tried to look it up by e-mail. While I was on the phone with customer service, John decided to use the business center to get look-up the reservation online. At the same time, we both ran for the front desk. The room had been reserved in his name, but we both thought it would be in mine since we used my card. The receptionist assumed we were married, and a person by the name of Albert Autry had made a reservation on July 17. John and I were both relieved that we still had the hotel reservation for this weekend.
After we got settled in the room, we found a T-mobile store so he could buy a phone charger. Then we ate dinner at California Pizza Kitchen and walked over to the Regal Cinema to watch Year 1. It was great to spend time with him.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
UCF: Day 31
Location: Lake Claire Apartments, Building 69
7:30 am My dad calls and wakes me up to ask me about a family vacation in August after I return from Orlando.
8:00 am I roll out of bed, groggy.
8:10 am I shower.
8:45 am I eat.
9:15 am I brush my teeth.
9:30 am I leave for the MAP building.
10:00 am I struggle with solving an ODE in Matlab.
1:30 pm I assist Johan in carrying pizza back from the Gauss meeting and snack on some.
2:00 pm Dr. Tamasan helps me solve the treacherous ODE in Matlab.
3:00 pm Dr. Tamasan, Johan, and myself discuss the proof of the least square problem and our next set of goals.
5:30 pm I rework a Matlab program that I wrote to calculate a matrix that represents the coefficients of an nth degree refraction polynomial.
6:30 pm I leave the MAP building.
7:00 pm I go to the laundry facility to start laundry and type up the least square proof in LaTeX during the washing and drying processes.
9:00 pm I leave the laundry facility and go to my apartment.
9:05 pm I geek the internet and work in LaTeX until John comes online.
9:30 pm I realize I typed too much of the wrong thing in LaTeX. Ugh.
10:00 pm John comes online.
11:15 pm I wash my face and brush my teeth.
11:45 pm John and I attempt to watch Star Trek Voyager.
All in a day's work.
7:30 am My dad calls and wakes me up to ask me about a family vacation in August after I return from Orlando.
8:00 am I roll out of bed, groggy.
8:10 am I shower.
8:45 am I eat.
9:15 am I brush my teeth.
9:30 am I leave for the MAP building.
10:00 am I struggle with solving an ODE in Matlab.
1:30 pm I assist Johan in carrying pizza back from the Gauss meeting and snack on some.
2:00 pm Dr. Tamasan helps me solve the treacherous ODE in Matlab.
3:00 pm Dr. Tamasan, Johan, and myself discuss the proof of the least square problem and our next set of goals.
5:30 pm I rework a Matlab program that I wrote to calculate a matrix that represents the coefficients of an nth degree refraction polynomial.
6:30 pm I leave the MAP building.
7:00 pm I go to the laundry facility to start laundry and type up the least square proof in LaTeX during the washing and drying processes.
9:00 pm I leave the laundry facility and go to my apartment.
9:05 pm I geek the internet and work in LaTeX until John comes online.
9:30 pm I realize I typed too much of the wrong thing in LaTeX. Ugh.
10:00 pm John comes online.
11:15 pm I wash my face and brush my teeth.
11:45 pm John and I attempt to watch Star Trek Voyager.
All in a day's work.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
UCF: Day 30
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
Hit another rut at UCF, but I'm slowly coming out of it. Other REU students got paid last week, but I didn't. BOA first told me it would take 3-4 business days to post... then I called the REU coordinator when it didn't post on the 4th day. The post date changed on the payroll view and still I hadn't received the deposit. I later found out that BOA put the wrong routing number on my verification letter and when UCF tried to deposit the money, BOA didn't recognize the information and so UCF mailed a check to my address in GA... a lot of good that does. So I had to get another verification letter from my bank with the correct routing number. I will get paid on June 22nd, and if I get paid every two weeks I should be expecting another check 2 or 3 days later. Oh, boy.
Johan and I made some progress today when working with the inverse problem. We have figured out how to model the refraction of the pressure wave in the earth due to a change in the medium. It's quite exciting. Where we go next - Dr. Tamasan will talk about tomorrow.
Other than that, Maria invited me over to share some homemade macaroni and cheese she made. It was yummy and had squash in it. I've never had that before. We talked for a short while, and then I came back to my apartment and looked for a new desktop on APOD. I always get caught up in looking at the pictures. They are just so majestic.
P.S. John will be here in less than two days for a visit. Exciting.
Hit another rut at UCF, but I'm slowly coming out of it. Other REU students got paid last week, but I didn't. BOA first told me it would take 3-4 business days to post... then I called the REU coordinator when it didn't post on the 4th day. The post date changed on the payroll view and still I hadn't received the deposit. I later found out that BOA put the wrong routing number on my verification letter and when UCF tried to deposit the money, BOA didn't recognize the information and so UCF mailed a check to my address in GA... a lot of good that does. So I had to get another verification letter from my bank with the correct routing number. I will get paid on June 22nd, and if I get paid every two weeks I should be expecting another check 2 or 3 days later. Oh, boy.
Johan and I made some progress today when working with the inverse problem. We have figured out how to model the refraction of the pressure wave in the earth due to a change in the medium. It's quite exciting. Where we go next - Dr. Tamasan will talk about tomorrow.
Other than that, Maria invited me over to share some homemade macaroni and cheese she made. It was yummy and had squash in it. I've never had that before. We talked for a short while, and then I came back to my apartment and looked for a new desktop on APOD. I always get caught up in looking at the pictures. They are just so majestic.
P.S. John will be here in less than two days for a visit. Exciting.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
UCF: Day 29
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
Well today wasn't so bad. Dr. Tamasan came in to check on what Johan and I were working on, and he told me that I didn't have to pursue the seemingly never-ending extensive algebra I've been working on for the past week. He told me to wrap it up and start working on something else. He told me to type them up for my own notes. So I did. Later on in the afternoon, he came back and said I don't want you spending so much time typing it up. It's not that important because we are not going that direction, but I had already started and I didn't feel like quitting a project in the middle. So I ate lunch, and after lunch I continued typing up my work to wrap it up. He comes back to see what we're working on and he catches me still typing in LaTex. Luckily, I had just finished, but I was in the process of trying to clean up some errors so I could get it into pdf format. He gave me the speech again about how he wanted me to work on what Johan is working on, and I listened. After he left, I cleaned it up and started on what he asked me to. I just have trouble quitting a project in the middle.
Johan's piece involves the Runge Kutta method, and well since I'm not familiar with it, I decided to go the library and find some literature to give me some knowledge. I got my ID card yesterday so I was ready to check out some books. I nearly had another problem come my way when I was ready to check out. Luckily, the guy felt my pain after hearing me explain to another REU student all the troubles I've had since I arrived and took care of the problem. I now have two books on numerical analysis. Right on.
A massive storm moved in tonight when I was getting ready to leave for the gym for cardio and yoga, and it poured. I didn't think I was going to get to go. Maria sent me some links to some videos to do indoor walking and kickboxing, etc. I haven't had a chance to look at them. I made it to the gym. The rain died off a little, and I ran half way to the gym and then walked the rest of the way. I ran a mile on the treadmill and then hopped downstairs to the yoga class. I was still beading sweat when I sat on the yoga mat. I'm just glad I got to go.
And now for Star Trek...
Well today wasn't so bad. Dr. Tamasan came in to check on what Johan and I were working on, and he told me that I didn't have to pursue the seemingly never-ending extensive algebra I've been working on for the past week. He told me to wrap it up and start working on something else. He told me to type them up for my own notes. So I did. Later on in the afternoon, he came back and said I don't want you spending so much time typing it up. It's not that important because we are not going that direction, but I had already started and I didn't feel like quitting a project in the middle. So I ate lunch, and after lunch I continued typing up my work to wrap it up. He comes back to see what we're working on and he catches me still typing in LaTex. Luckily, I had just finished, but I was in the process of trying to clean up some errors so I could get it into pdf format. He gave me the speech again about how he wanted me to work on what Johan is working on, and I listened. After he left, I cleaned it up and started on what he asked me to. I just have trouble quitting a project in the middle.
Johan's piece involves the Runge Kutta method, and well since I'm not familiar with it, I decided to go the library and find some literature to give me some knowledge. I got my ID card yesterday so I was ready to check out some books. I nearly had another problem come my way when I was ready to check out. Luckily, the guy felt my pain after hearing me explain to another REU student all the troubles I've had since I arrived and took care of the problem. I now have two books on numerical analysis. Right on.
A massive storm moved in tonight when I was getting ready to leave for the gym for cardio and yoga, and it poured. I didn't think I was going to get to go. Maria sent me some links to some videos to do indoor walking and kickboxing, etc. I haven't had a chance to look at them. I made it to the gym. The rain died off a little, and I ran half way to the gym and then walked the rest of the way. I ran a mile on the treadmill and then hopped downstairs to the yoga class. I was still beading sweat when I sat on the yoga mat. I'm just glad I got to go.
And now for Star Trek...
Monday, June 15, 2009
UCF: Day 28
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
Today we continued our talk on the non-linear schrodinger equation. Afterward, Johan I met with Dr. Tamasan. Johan is leaving for Miami for a week on Saturday, and Dr. Tamasan said we aren't meeting for another two weeks. I'm not sure how I feel about that. He gave me some work that should hold me over for a while, but I don't know if it will last that long. I have nearly completed one of the tasks. I am waiting on Johan to give me the data I need. Other than that, I have a few things to type up in LaTeX and some problem solving to work on. The problem solving - that's what I'm worried about. It's a really ugly problem that has me all worked up.
Today we continued our talk on the non-linear schrodinger equation. Afterward, Johan I met with Dr. Tamasan. Johan is leaving for Miami for a week on Saturday, and Dr. Tamasan said we aren't meeting for another two weeks. I'm not sure how I feel about that. He gave me some work that should hold me over for a while, but I don't know if it will last that long. I have nearly completed one of the tasks. I am waiting on Johan to give me the data I need. Other than that, I have a few things to type up in LaTeX and some problem solving to work on. The problem solving - that's what I'm worried about. It's a really ugly problem that has me all worked up.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
UCF: Day 27
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
Not much went on today. I spent a good deal of the day in the library working on some substantial problems... and the rest of the day I watched movies on netflix. So not completely wasted.
Not much went on today. I spent a good deal of the day in the library working on some substantial problems... and the rest of the day I watched movies on netflix. So not completely wasted.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
UCF: Day 26
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
The REU group went to a museum today at Rollins College. It was a very small museum, but there was some interesting art. There was a section of delftware, which is blue and white Dutch pottery. Someone who owned a lot of delftware donated quite a few pieces. The rest of the museum had modern art, pop art, and art from the 18th and 19th century. The pop art was an Andy Warhol exhibit. The largest exhibit was called "Portrait of a Lady." The most beautiful portrait of a lady was one of Anna Pavlova, a Russian ballerina from the early 20th century.
After the trip to the museum I did cardio for a little over an hour at the gym and then went to a yoga class. I was starving by the time I got back. I ate a good meal, and then fell asleep. I was that tired. I spent the rest of the evening melting my brain with movies. I watched an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit since John said the show was "amazing," but I couldn't bring myself to watch another. I did, however, watch a movie from the 80's today that I had never seen: The Terminator. I have to say that movie is one of the best science fiction movies I've ever seen.
The REU group went to a museum today at Rollins College. It was a very small museum, but there was some interesting art. There was a section of delftware, which is blue and white Dutch pottery. Someone who owned a lot of delftware donated quite a few pieces. The rest of the museum had modern art, pop art, and art from the 18th and 19th century. The pop art was an Andy Warhol exhibit. The largest exhibit was called "Portrait of a Lady." The most beautiful portrait of a lady was one of Anna Pavlova, a Russian ballerina from the early 20th century.
After the trip to the museum I did cardio for a little over an hour at the gym and then went to a yoga class. I was starving by the time I got back. I ate a good meal, and then fell asleep. I was that tired. I spent the rest of the evening melting my brain with movies. I watched an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit since John said the show was "amazing," but I couldn't bring myself to watch another. I did, however, watch a movie from the 80's today that I had never seen: The Terminator. I have to say that movie is one of the best science fiction movies I've ever seen.
Friday, June 12, 2009
UCF: Day 25
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
It's Friday, and we had one of our bi-weekly meetings today. Dr. Tovbis talked about applying the Abel transform to the non-linear schrodinger equation. It was deep, deep math, but at the same time, it was very intriguing. Tomorrow the group is going to a museum. I wasn't going to go because we have to pay ourselves... but today Costas said that we would be reimbursed for the money we spend at the museums. He would tack on another $30 to cover the museum fees... and $30 more for those who drive. I thought that was nice, but I don't have a car so...
I didn't do much other than that today. I was feeling a little down earlier and I didn't feel like being around anyone, but I felt a little better after I finished my laundry. It must have been the smell of hot clothes from the dryer. I have clean sheets. Ah! After laundry, I went out with 5 other REU students to go see Land of the Lost, and it was freaking hilarious! I haven't laughed that hard a comedy movie in a long time, and it was most definitely worth it!
It's Friday, and we had one of our bi-weekly meetings today. Dr. Tovbis talked about applying the Abel transform to the non-linear schrodinger equation. It was deep, deep math, but at the same time, it was very intriguing. Tomorrow the group is going to a museum. I wasn't going to go because we have to pay ourselves... but today Costas said that we would be reimbursed for the money we spend at the museums. He would tack on another $30 to cover the museum fees... and $30 more for those who drive. I thought that was nice, but I don't have a car so...
I didn't do much other than that today. I was feeling a little down earlier and I didn't feel like being around anyone, but I felt a little better after I finished my laundry. It must have been the smell of hot clothes from the dryer. I have clean sheets. Ah! After laundry, I went out with 5 other REU students to go see Land of the Lost, and it was freaking hilarious! I haven't laughed that hard a comedy movie in a long time, and it was most definitely worth it!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
UCF: Day 24
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
Well, after a long day yesterday of algebraic calculations, today was filled with them as well. I need to find an easier way to find the constants that I'm looking for. At this rate, I will be using an entire pack of paper and doing nothing else for the rest of my summer here at UCF. That would be dull and boring. Plus I am risking making some mundane mistake in my calculations and that would be quite tragic since this is for the project I am working on this summer. Oh what to do. I have been working all day, and now I am ready to watch Star Trek with John.
On another note, I tried to socialize with two other REU students who don't live with me. It wasn't as fulfilling as I thought it would be, and although we had conversations, I don't feel as if they wanted to be my friend. That makes me a little sad because I don't want to just socialize with my roommates. I see them everyday.
Well, after a long day yesterday of algebraic calculations, today was filled with them as well. I need to find an easier way to find the constants that I'm looking for. At this rate, I will be using an entire pack of paper and doing nothing else for the rest of my summer here at UCF. That would be dull and boring. Plus I am risking making some mundane mistake in my calculations and that would be quite tragic since this is for the project I am working on this summer. Oh what to do. I have been working all day, and now I am ready to watch Star Trek with John.
On another note, I tried to socialize with two other REU students who don't live with me. It wasn't as fulfilling as I thought it would be, and although we had conversations, I don't feel as if they wanted to be my friend. That makes me a little sad because I don't want to just socialize with my roommates. I see them everyday.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
UCF: Day 23
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
Today has been a pleasant day. I struggled a little with expanding functions into a series and I acquired a little assistance from Johan and Dr. Tamasan. Dr. Tamasan invited me to have coffee at the Barnes & Noble/Bookstore today. It was nice to meet outside of his office. Sometimes it gets a little cramped in there with all 3 of us, but today it was just him and me.
I worked the afternoon away in the Math Cafe working through expanding functions and multiplying them to the point to which I had functions that were at least 20 terms long. It was ridiculous. I have 8 pages of math work, and someone told me when I was about 2/3 of the way through that I could have used a program called Mathematica to do all of the algebra for me. Great. I think Dr. Tamasan gave me busy work, but to be honest, I'm enjoying it. I'm having fun with it.
I stayed in the Math Cafe until 8:30 pm with Laura tonight. We watched parodies of music videos and laughed so hard that our abs were hurting from the yoga we did last night. It was nice to laugh even though it hurt. I'm glad I'm getting a workout. No pain, no gain!
Today has been a pleasant day. I struggled a little with expanding functions into a series and I acquired a little assistance from Johan and Dr. Tamasan. Dr. Tamasan invited me to have coffee at the Barnes & Noble/Bookstore today. It was nice to meet outside of his office. Sometimes it gets a little cramped in there with all 3 of us, but today it was just him and me.
I worked the afternoon away in the Math Cafe working through expanding functions and multiplying them to the point to which I had functions that were at least 20 terms long. It was ridiculous. I have 8 pages of math work, and someone told me when I was about 2/3 of the way through that I could have used a program called Mathematica to do all of the algebra for me. Great. I think Dr. Tamasan gave me busy work, but to be honest, I'm enjoying it. I'm having fun with it.
I stayed in the Math Cafe until 8:30 pm with Laura tonight. We watched parodies of music videos and laughed so hard that our abs were hurting from the yoga we did last night. It was nice to laugh even though it hurt. I'm glad I'm getting a workout. No pain, no gain!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
UCF: Day 22
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
Today has been a successful day. I gave Dr. Tamasan my analysis of our work thus far, and when he saw that I had double-checked the math and typed it in LaTeX he was quite happy with my work. I actually felt like I was contributing something. However, during our meeting today we found out that our math was somewhat wrong in regards to the limit of one of the functions, and well all the math after that is now garbage. So we spent the meeting time reviewing how we should next approach the problem. My new task is to evaluate an equation by writing it as an expansion up to 4 terms, and well... let's just say I haven't been blessed in the series department. This is going to take work.
Other than that, I burned around 200 calories today. I walked half a mile and jogged a full mile on the treadmill... It's been a while since I've been able to run a mile without stopping. I was quite pleased with my performance. After cardio, Maria, Laura, and myself walked down to the yoga classroom. It was more a workout than last Tuesday which is good. We did a lot of ab crunches so I know I'll be feeling it soon.
Today has been a successful day. I gave Dr. Tamasan my analysis of our work thus far, and when he saw that I had double-checked the math and typed it in LaTeX he was quite happy with my work. I actually felt like I was contributing something. However, during our meeting today we found out that our math was somewhat wrong in regards to the limit of one of the functions, and well all the math after that is now garbage. So we spent the meeting time reviewing how we should next approach the problem. My new task is to evaluate an equation by writing it as an expansion up to 4 terms, and well... let's just say I haven't been blessed in the series department. This is going to take work.
Other than that, I burned around 200 calories today. I walked half a mile and jogged a full mile on the treadmill... It's been a while since I've been able to run a mile without stopping. I was quite pleased with my performance. After cardio, Maria, Laura, and myself walked down to the yoga classroom. It was more a workout than last Tuesday which is good. We did a lot of ab crunches so I know I'll be feeling it soon.
Monday, June 8, 2009
UCF: Day 21
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
Well, I nearly felt like an idiot today when 4 of 6 presenters showed up with power point presentations... while I was 1 of the 2 with a chalkboard presentation. Yes, it is old school, but seriously for what I needed to demonstrate, power point wouldn't help much. I was the last to present, and while I waited for my turn, my palms sweated profusely. I was constantly airing them out or wiping them on my shorts. I was so nervous that I couldn't even finish my lunch just prior. However, I survived Costas' 3rd degree, and even funnier, when I met Dr. Tamasan afterward I told him that I survived the 3rd degree, and he asked what I meant by that. I guess being a non-native he is not up to par with our slang. It was interesting to explain such an expression.
After Johan and I met with Dr. Tamasan, I reworked the new strategy we have for very small values of s, and I spent the rest of the evening typing the work into LaTeX. I literally just finished. Dr. Tamasan gave me new paper to write the equations on, but I don't think he was expecting me to type it in LaTeX. I hope he is surprised when I show it to him tomorrow. It is so fun learning to use LaTeX!
Well, I nearly felt like an idiot today when 4 of 6 presenters showed up with power point presentations... while I was 1 of the 2 with a chalkboard presentation. Yes, it is old school, but seriously for what I needed to demonstrate, power point wouldn't help much. I was the last to present, and while I waited for my turn, my palms sweated profusely. I was constantly airing them out or wiping them on my shorts. I was so nervous that I couldn't even finish my lunch just prior. However, I survived Costas' 3rd degree, and even funnier, when I met Dr. Tamasan afterward I told him that I survived the 3rd degree, and he asked what I meant by that. I guess being a non-native he is not up to par with our slang. It was interesting to explain such an expression.
After Johan and I met with Dr. Tamasan, I reworked the new strategy we have for very small values of s, and I spent the rest of the evening typing the work into LaTeX. I literally just finished. Dr. Tamasan gave me new paper to write the equations on, but I don't think he was expecting me to type it in LaTeX. I hope he is surprised when I show it to him tomorrow. It is so fun learning to use LaTeX!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
UCF: Day 20
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
I woke up drenched in sweat this morning. Since I added the mattress pad, I put the fleece back on top of my sheets, and man, was I hot! It's coming back off.
I procrastinated again for the first half of the day... About mid-afternoon, I rode to the library to work on my presentation for tomorrow. When I got there, all I could think about was how I was having a difficult time studying because I couldn't properly listen to music. I ordered headphones about a week and half ago, and I had them mailed to John first so he could mail them to me. They are supposed to arrive tomorrow, but I realized the other day while I was at the gym with Maria that I can't wear the over-the-ear headphones that I bought while exercising. So there I was, not being able to concentrate because I had only one ear bud working.
I left the library because TWC told me that it wouldn't be raining until 7 pm and it was 4 pm. That would be plenty of time to ride to SuperTarget and back. I walked out the front door, and to my surprise, it was raining, and a huge cloud was over me. *Sigh* I didn't walk back into the library because I knew I would feel stupid for just leaving so I rode to the apartment. I didn't know how long it would rain. I got back and chatted with some REU students outside for a few and then made my way up to the second floor apartment and chatted with my roommates for a few. I really wanted to study, but I just can't do that in my room. I get distracted.
Melissa offered to drive me over to the library or to study at the new Physics building where she was heading. When we left, the rain had stopped. We both decided we would walk to our destination. I took the bike to ride back from the library. I got to the library and did the same thing again. Only this time when I left, it wasn't raining. I rode all the way to SuperTarget and back. It was about an hour total trip. Not bad and I had my backpack the entire time so I got a good workout. It's 4.5 miles to SuperTarger from where I am. I rode back and went directly to the library to study, and I did study this time.
I feel about as prepared as I'm going to get for this thing, and well I hope I remember it all for tomorrow... and that Costas won't give me the 3rd degree when questioning me.
I woke up drenched in sweat this morning. Since I added the mattress pad, I put the fleece back on top of my sheets, and man, was I hot! It's coming back off.
I procrastinated again for the first half of the day... About mid-afternoon, I rode to the library to work on my presentation for tomorrow. When I got there, all I could think about was how I was having a difficult time studying because I couldn't properly listen to music. I ordered headphones about a week and half ago, and I had them mailed to John first so he could mail them to me. They are supposed to arrive tomorrow, but I realized the other day while I was at the gym with Maria that I can't wear the over-the-ear headphones that I bought while exercising. So there I was, not being able to concentrate because I had only one ear bud working.
I left the library because TWC told me that it wouldn't be raining until 7 pm and it was 4 pm. That would be plenty of time to ride to SuperTarget and back. I walked out the front door, and to my surprise, it was raining, and a huge cloud was over me. *Sigh* I didn't walk back into the library because I knew I would feel stupid for just leaving so I rode to the apartment. I didn't know how long it would rain. I got back and chatted with some REU students outside for a few and then made my way up to the second floor apartment and chatted with my roommates for a few. I really wanted to study, but I just can't do that in my room. I get distracted.
Melissa offered to drive me over to the library or to study at the new Physics building where she was heading. When we left, the rain had stopped. We both decided we would walk to our destination. I took the bike to ride back from the library. I got to the library and did the same thing again. Only this time when I left, it wasn't raining. I rode all the way to SuperTarget and back. It was about an hour total trip. Not bad and I had my backpack the entire time so I got a good workout. It's 4.5 miles to SuperTarger from where I am. I rode back and went directly to the library to study, and I did study this time.
I feel about as prepared as I'm going to get for this thing, and well I hope I remember it all for tomorrow... and that Costas won't give me the 3rd degree when questioning me.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
UCF: Day 19
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
I couldn't sleep this morning because of some pain I was experiencing so I just laid in bed till nearly 1 pm today watching CSI. I have finally caught up on CSI.
I worked out at the gym for about 2 hours today. I did 1 hour of cardio and then an hour of yoga. I came back and ate the biggest meal I've eaten since I arrived.
After that, my roommates and I did some grocery shopping and I went to Target to get a mattress pad so I can cover up with my fleece blanket instead of rely on it as mattress comforter.
I couldn't sleep this morning because of some pain I was experiencing so I just laid in bed till nearly 1 pm today watching CSI. I have finally caught up on CSI.
I worked out at the gym for about 2 hours today. I did 1 hour of cardio and then an hour of yoga. I came back and ate the biggest meal I've eaten since I arrived.
After that, my roommates and I did some grocery shopping and I went to Target to get a mattress pad so I can cover up with my fleece blanket instead of rely on it as mattress comforter.
Friday, June 5, 2009
UCF: Day 18
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
After staying up late last night, I slept in this morning and watched a video before heading to the Friday REU meeting. This one was about diversity. It was an eye-opening experience, though there was someone who asked some judgmental questions about the program, and I took offense to it even though they weren't directed to me. They could have been a little more open-minded about the program. I find myself shaking my head at moments like these.
Other than that I came back early to the apartment because I didn't feel well, and since John was home, too, we watched Star Trek. I fell asleep on him again, but I felt much better when I woke up. Later on Melissa asked if I wanted to go get ice cream at Maggie Moo's. All 4 of us ended up going. It was a nice walk there and back, and the conversation was good as always. Our main topic was Girl Scouts. Stephanie never had the opportunity to join this organization, but the rest of us had.
After staying up late last night, I slept in this morning and watched a video before heading to the Friday REU meeting. This one was about diversity. It was an eye-opening experience, though there was someone who asked some judgmental questions about the program, and I took offense to it even though they weren't directed to me. They could have been a little more open-minded about the program. I find myself shaking my head at moments like these.
Other than that I came back early to the apartment because I didn't feel well, and since John was home, too, we watched Star Trek. I fell asleep on him again, but I felt much better when I woke up. Later on Melissa asked if I wanted to go get ice cream at Maggie Moo's. All 4 of us ended up going. It was a nice walk there and back, and the conversation was good as always. Our main topic was Girl Scouts. Stephanie never had the opportunity to join this organization, but the rest of us had.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
UCF: Day 17
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
I spent most of the day in the Math Cafe trying to come to terms with the presentation I have to give on Monday. I think I have it down for the most part. I heard that Costas likes to ask questions in the middle of the presentation. That has me a little worried. Other than that, I was invited to meet a few people at Tail Gators, which is a bar here on campus near the UCF arena. I invited Melissa so I wouldn't feel like a complete odd ball. I had a great time, though there was one point where I think I might have embarrassed Melissa and I feel bad about it. She doesn't seemed phased about it so I'm glad that we both had a good time. I could tell by the time we got back that we were totally wasted, but we walked back to the apartment so ... no worries. I'm really glad that I am making friends easily here. Before I came, I was really worried.
I usually watch Star Trek with John around the same time that I went to watch the basketball game at the bar tonight, and I have to say that I felt a little guilty. I felt guilty because I didn't tell him I was going and I felt guilty because we weren't spending our "quality time" together. Our "quality time" being watching Star Trek together and discussing it. I hope he realizes that I didn't call him while he was busy at his BBQ for his REU with Emory because I didn't want to bother him. I wanted to respect his space. I really do miss him, and I realized today that I thoroughly enjoy what little time we spend together online each day.
Oh, and I realized today that I'm really modest around my roommates. I may wear a tank top to bed, but if I have to leave my room to use the bathroom, I throw on a tee-shirt over top the tank. It's weird.
I spent most of the day in the Math Cafe trying to come to terms with the presentation I have to give on Monday. I think I have it down for the most part. I heard that Costas likes to ask questions in the middle of the presentation. That has me a little worried. Other than that, I was invited to meet a few people at Tail Gators, which is a bar here on campus near the UCF arena. I invited Melissa so I wouldn't feel like a complete odd ball. I had a great time, though there was one point where I think I might have embarrassed Melissa and I feel bad about it. She doesn't seemed phased about it so I'm glad that we both had a good time. I could tell by the time we got back that we were totally wasted, but we walked back to the apartment so ... no worries. I'm really glad that I am making friends easily here. Before I came, I was really worried.
I usually watch Star Trek with John around the same time that I went to watch the basketball game at the bar tonight, and I have to say that I felt a little guilty. I felt guilty because I didn't tell him I was going and I felt guilty because we weren't spending our "quality time" together. Our "quality time" being watching Star Trek together and discussing it. I hope he realizes that I didn't call him while he was busy at his BBQ for his REU with Emory because I didn't want to bother him. I wanted to respect his space. I really do miss him, and I realized today that I thoroughly enjoy what little time we spend together online each day.
Oh, and I realized today that I'm really modest around my roommates. I may wear a tank top to bed, but if I have to leave my room to use the bathroom, I throw on a tee-shirt over top the tank. It's weird.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
UCF: Day 16
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
So today I realized that sometimes I over-complicate things. About a week and a half ago, I no longer was able to connect to any wireless network. I couldn't find one in my apartment or in the MAP building. This was quite unnerving. I had to keep connected by ethernet cord always... and even when I tried one of the ports in the Math Cafe in the MAP building I still could not get online. In hindsight, that port is a bad port. Well, at the suggestion of a colleague I walked over to the PC Service desk behind the MAP building. Before I noticed their pricing, the front desk guy was already taking a look at my PC. He spent about 20 minutes trying to figure out what was wrong and eventually called someone else over. While he was meddling for the 20 minutes, I noticed their pricing... the lowest was $49.95 and that was just for a diagnostic ("no work," it stated.) I bit my lower lip. I didn't want to have to pay that much. When the second guy came over he fixed it in under a minute. What was the solution? Simply that I had disconnected myself from all wireless networks by the touch of a button. I had by mere chance struck the button by accident, probably in the dark while watching CSI or Star Trek with John. Yes, it was that simple, and lucky for me I wasn't charged. It was a great laugh to share.
I tried to get my UCF student ID today and the bureaucracy of UCF still hasn't gotten me in the system. I figure I'll just wait it out for a few more days. It's already been over 2 weeks. How much longer could it take? After that episode, Dr. Tamasan and I talked about what I should present next Monday to the other REU students. He even wrote down what I should talk about, though not in great detail. The man can't do everything for me! I worked some more in the Math Cafe before going back the apartment. Maria Boak asked me to go do cardio with her at the gym so I worked out for about an hour and then came home to eat and shower. The downer of the day was that I tried to give blood today and was once again denied because I was one point below the required iron level. It was disappointing, but it has been a busy day, and now I am ready to watch Star Trek with the one I love.
So today I realized that sometimes I over-complicate things. About a week and a half ago, I no longer was able to connect to any wireless network. I couldn't find one in my apartment or in the MAP building. This was quite unnerving. I had to keep connected by ethernet cord always... and even when I tried one of the ports in the Math Cafe in the MAP building I still could not get online. In hindsight, that port is a bad port. Well, at the suggestion of a colleague I walked over to the PC Service desk behind the MAP building. Before I noticed their pricing, the front desk guy was already taking a look at my PC. He spent about 20 minutes trying to figure out what was wrong and eventually called someone else over. While he was meddling for the 20 minutes, I noticed their pricing... the lowest was $49.95 and that was just for a diagnostic ("no work," it stated.) I bit my lower lip. I didn't want to have to pay that much. When the second guy came over he fixed it in under a minute. What was the solution? Simply that I had disconnected myself from all wireless networks by the touch of a button. I had by mere chance struck the button by accident, probably in the dark while watching CSI or Star Trek with John. Yes, it was that simple, and lucky for me I wasn't charged. It was a great laugh to share.
I tried to get my UCF student ID today and the bureaucracy of UCF still hasn't gotten me in the system. I figure I'll just wait it out for a few more days. It's already been over 2 weeks. How much longer could it take? After that episode, Dr. Tamasan and I talked about what I should present next Monday to the other REU students. He even wrote down what I should talk about, though not in great detail. The man can't do everything for me! I worked some more in the Math Cafe before going back the apartment. Maria Boak asked me to go do cardio with her at the gym so I worked out for about an hour and then came home to eat and shower. The downer of the day was that I tried to give blood today and was once again denied because I was one point below the required iron level. It was disappointing, but it has been a busy day, and now I am ready to watch Star Trek with the one I love.
UCF: Day 15
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
It seems my location may never change by this point. For one reason, I can't seem to pick up a wireless connection anywhere, but other people can. I've tried updated my WLAN driver and that didn't help either. I suppose I am bound to the internet the old fashion way...by ethernet cord.
Yesterday was a slow day. I didn't do much other than try to solve some second order differential equations with constant coefficients, fight the masses of incoming freshman students here for orientation at the student union for lunch, and have another group meeting about our next attempt to find a viable method to model the acoustic frequency in layered media. We've tried analyzing it from the infinity end and we didn't get good numerical results... so now we are trying it from the zero end. Oh I did one more thing, I took one more step towards trying to lose weight. I paid for a membership to the UCF gym. A couple of girls in the Gauss REU asked me to join them for yoga and since I rarely get to do yoga and did not pass it up. The class was fairly simple. I felt it then and I feel it now because I feel no pain. =D
It seems my location may never change by this point. For one reason, I can't seem to pick up a wireless connection anywhere, but other people can. I've tried updated my WLAN driver and that didn't help either. I suppose I am bound to the internet the old fashion way...by ethernet cord.
Yesterday was a slow day. I didn't do much other than try to solve some second order differential equations with constant coefficients, fight the masses of incoming freshman students here for orientation at the student union for lunch, and have another group meeting about our next attempt to find a viable method to model the acoustic frequency in layered media. We've tried analyzing it from the infinity end and we didn't get good numerical results... so now we are trying it from the zero end. Oh I did one more thing, I took one more step towards trying to lose weight. I paid for a membership to the UCF gym. A couple of girls in the Gauss REU asked me to join them for yoga and since I rarely get to do yoga and did not pass it up. The class was fairly simple. I felt it then and I feel it now because I feel no pain. =D
Monday, June 1, 2009
UCF: Day 14
Location: Lake Claire Apartments
Costas gave a lecture on LaTex today. It was very brief and he rushed through it, mainly because he had to lecture a class at 2 pm. After the REU group meeting, I met Dr. Tamasan and Johan in Dr. Tamasan's office. By the looks of them when I entered, they had been working for a while. They carried on a conversation with which I tried to pick up bits and pieces but lost because I wasn't there for the beginning. Dr. Tamasan gave us both assignments. Now I am to analyze a second order differential equation and come up with solutions... while still working on the Matlab programming. I wrote down exactly what I should be doing, but now that I've sat down to do it, I'm completely lost. I'm beginning to fear that I'm not doing as well as I should be.
After meeting with Johan and Dr. Tamasan, I worked in the Math Cafe for a bit and headed back to the apartment around 5 pm. Maria Boak was walking back so I asked her if I could join her. She told me about how she was doing yoga on Saturdays at the gym, and I asked her if I could join. I need to get a pass for the gym before I can go. I e-mailed the guy that sent me the form. I don't know whom I should give it to.
Other than that, I made myself curried lentils with rice for dinner and I plan to watch a little Star Trek Voyager later with John.
Costas gave a lecture on LaTex today. It was very brief and he rushed through it, mainly because he had to lecture a class at 2 pm. After the REU group meeting, I met Dr. Tamasan and Johan in Dr. Tamasan's office. By the looks of them when I entered, they had been working for a while. They carried on a conversation with which I tried to pick up bits and pieces but lost because I wasn't there for the beginning. Dr. Tamasan gave us both assignments. Now I am to analyze a second order differential equation and come up with solutions... while still working on the Matlab programming. I wrote down exactly what I should be doing, but now that I've sat down to do it, I'm completely lost. I'm beginning to fear that I'm not doing as well as I should be.
After meeting with Johan and Dr. Tamasan, I worked in the Math Cafe for a bit and headed back to the apartment around 5 pm. Maria Boak was walking back so I asked her if I could join her. She told me about how she was doing yoga on Saturdays at the gym, and I asked her if I could join. I need to get a pass for the gym before I can go. I e-mailed the guy that sent me the form. I don't know whom I should give it to.
Other than that, I made myself curried lentils with rice for dinner and I plan to watch a little Star Trek Voyager later with John.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
