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.
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