The weather is unseasonably warm, which prompted the make over of the front porch.
The winter scheme just didn't feel right with this 70* weather we've been enjoying.
Just need a cup of tea and a scone.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Test 2
I stopped in my Nuclear 1000 instructor's office this morning. I had some time to kill before Physics class. Since I had memorized the Physics summary for the day and was prepared for the quiz, I thought I'd check in on the results of Monday's Test 2 from Nuclear 1000 class.
I tapped on Mr. C's closed door. Mr. C. opened the door and greeted me with, "Oh good, I've a bone to pick with you." Although the words were spoken with a cheerful voice, I began racking my brain to figure out what preposterous thing I had done to make a nuisance of myself. Oh good grief, did I totally blow the test and am now being told I don't look like I have what it takes to make it through the program?
He didn't let me suffer long. Turns out he was nearly done grading the tests when he came along to my test paper. After seeing my paper and my answer, he had to go back through each test and give credit for either answer. A question on page three of the four pages seemed to have two answers to it, which made me think they were looking for something specific. I pondered on it a while and tried to assume what exactly it was they were looking for. Not satisfied that I might lose four points on the question, I wrote in the margin the two specific points I felt were relevant to the question. I didn't expect to be given credit for a wrong answer, but I didn't want to be regarded as uninformed about the very program of which I am currently enrolled.
The question asked something like, "Which agency is responsible for the nuclear curriculum?" Well, according to the material which we were given to study, and the lectures given by guest speakers, one agency is responsible for the accreditation and another agency the policy that we must maintain a B or better average in the nuclear classes to be eligible for a certificate. The certificate demonstrates our qualifications in the nuclear fields, which in turn makes us marketable at any nuclear location, and a nicer starting salary than those without the certificate, but I digress.
So, Mr. C. says something to the effect that it was very intuitive of me to identify the question as being unclear, and states that nuclear professionals considers it mandatory that persons in the nuclear field identify and correct anything that may be vague or left to interpretation. It is a critical part of the work force. Clarity is very important when running and maintaining a nuclear facility.
So, anywho. . . we just started a new module on Monday which identifies being proactive a big part of the subject they wanted us to understand. Because I identified the question as possibly being interpreted as having two possible answers, they feel this identifies me as someone who is thorough and proactive. Hey, that beats the title of "troublemaker" any day, whew!
So, tomorrow I will be speaking in front of the class explaining to them why there are two possible answers to that one test problem and how those two agencies play a part in the Nuclear Engineering Technician course.
Oh, and Mr. C. gave me +4 points for my answer.
I got a 96%.
I tapped on Mr. C's closed door. Mr. C. opened the door and greeted me with, "Oh good, I've a bone to pick with you." Although the words were spoken with a cheerful voice, I began racking my brain to figure out what preposterous thing I had done to make a nuisance of myself. Oh good grief, did I totally blow the test and am now being told I don't look like I have what it takes to make it through the program?
He didn't let me suffer long. Turns out he was nearly done grading the tests when he came along to my test paper. After seeing my paper and my answer, he had to go back through each test and give credit for either answer. A question on page three of the four pages seemed to have two answers to it, which made me think they were looking for something specific. I pondered on it a while and tried to assume what exactly it was they were looking for. Not satisfied that I might lose four points on the question, I wrote in the margin the two specific points I felt were relevant to the question. I didn't expect to be given credit for a wrong answer, but I didn't want to be regarded as uninformed about the very program of which I am currently enrolled.
The question asked something like, "Which agency is responsible for the nuclear curriculum?" Well, according to the material which we were given to study, and the lectures given by guest speakers, one agency is responsible for the accreditation and another agency the policy that we must maintain a B or better average in the nuclear classes to be eligible for a certificate. The certificate demonstrates our qualifications in the nuclear fields, which in turn makes us marketable at any nuclear location, and a nicer starting salary than those without the certificate, but I digress.
So, Mr. C. says something to the effect that it was very intuitive of me to identify the question as being unclear, and states that nuclear professionals considers it mandatory that persons in the nuclear field identify and correct anything that may be vague or left to interpretation. It is a critical part of the work force. Clarity is very important when running and maintaining a nuclear facility.
So, anywho. . . we just started a new module on Monday which identifies being proactive a big part of the subject they wanted us to understand. Because I identified the question as possibly being interpreted as having two possible answers, they feel this identifies me as someone who is thorough and proactive. Hey, that beats the title of "troublemaker" any day, whew!
So, tomorrow I will be speaking in front of the class explaining to them why there are two possible answers to that one test problem and how those two agencies play a part in the Nuclear Engineering Technician course.
Oh, and Mr. C. gave me +4 points for my answer.
I got a 96%.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Past My Bedtime
Even though I am a full-time college student and have to devote most of my free time to studying, I do like to have a book to read in the evening before I turn out the lights. I follow several Blogs, and Ree Drummond is one of them. I look forward to opening up her blog every morning before I head out to school. It never fails to put a smile on my face. Well, Ree has published a book on the story of how she met and married her husband. According to Ree, she had previously blogged increments of the story, but was encouraged to go publish it. I am glad she did.
Last night I climbed into bed after my 11:00 p.m. bedtime due to Physics homework that could not wait until morning. Normally, I am very strict about my 11 pm bedtime because I like to feel refreshed in the morning rather than weeping at the idea of getting out of bed. Well, I couldn't resist "just one chapter" before turning off my light. The "one chapter" turned into several chapters because I had to know if she took the great apartment in Chicago. It was after midnight before I came to the end of section one, which forced me to stop reading.
Anyway, the book is available in print or the new digital format. Grab a copy, but pace yourself and make it last. Good reads like this don't come around all that often.
Last night I climbed into bed after my 11:00 p.m. bedtime due to Physics homework that could not wait until morning. Normally, I am very strict about my 11 pm bedtime because I like to feel refreshed in the morning rather than weeping at the idea of getting out of bed. Well, I couldn't resist "just one chapter" before turning off my light. The "one chapter" turned into several chapters because I had to know if she took the great apartment in Chicago. It was after midnight before I came to the end of section one, which forced me to stop reading.
Anyway, the book is available in print or the new digital format. Grab a copy, but pace yourself and make it last. Good reads like this don't come around all that often.
Her website is: http://thepioneerwoman.com/
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Super Powers
The following list contains items that can only be performed by someone highly competent, skilled, and mature. At least I assume that is the reason, because I'm the only one doing them. So, here is a list of things that only a mom can do:
Refill the napkin holder
Pick up the newspaper from the driveway
Change the hand towel in the guest bathroom
Erase messages from the answering machine so the beeping stops
Change a light bulb
Put the trash out to the curb the night before trash day
Realize the lawn needs mowed
Hear the dryer buzz repeatly because the load is done
Purchase postage stamps
Refill the napkin holder
Pick up the newspaper from the driveway
Change the hand towel in the guest bathroom
Erase messages from the answering machine so the beeping stops
Change a light bulb
Put the trash out to the curb the night before trash day
Realize the lawn needs mowed
Hear the dryer buzz repeatly because the load is done
Purchase postage stamps
Sunday, February 6, 2011
I Shoulda Known. . .
Today I decided to change the cartridge on the master bath shower because the dripping has been driving me insane. I looked up directions on the internet, gathered my tools and went to work.
Step 1. Turn off the water to the house. check.
Step 2. Remove the handle of the faucet via the small set screw.
uh, use the small allen wrench
yah, maybe some WD-40 will help
hmmm. can't seem to budge it, give me a flashlight
yea, small set screw to loosen
I'll try these other five allen wrenches
nothing
aw crap
I'll have to hire my plumber to do this stupid job just cause I can't loosen the set screw.
I'll go turn the water back on to the house.
Hmm, the handle doesn't seem to want to turn. . .
That's wierd, it turned so easily to turn the water off. I'll get my gloves.
That's still not budging, I'll get my adjustable wrench. . .
It's turning.
No water. Guess there must be air in the lines. I'll let it run.
Hmmm. nothing.
aw crap
Now I have to call the water company to come out to turn the water back on because the valve is not working.
Just shoot me now.
Just had the water company out here.
They informed me that the valve is on the property owner side of the meter and therefore they can not touch it. I must have a plumber do it.
It's Sunday afternoon.
Super Bowl Sunday afternoon.
Step 1. Turn off the water to the house. check.
Step 2. Remove the handle of the faucet via the small set screw.
uh, use the small allen wrench
yah, maybe some WD-40 will help
hmmm. can't seem to budge it, give me a flashlight
yea, small set screw to loosen
I'll try these other five allen wrenches
nothing
aw crap
I'll have to hire my plumber to do this stupid job just cause I can't loosen the set screw.
I'll go turn the water back on to the house.
Hmm, the handle doesn't seem to want to turn. . .
That's wierd, it turned so easily to turn the water off. I'll get my gloves.
That's still not budging, I'll get my adjustable wrench. . .
It's turning.
No water. Guess there must be air in the lines. I'll let it run.
Hmmm. nothing.
aw crap
Now I have to call the water company to come out to turn the water back on because the valve is not working.
Just shoot me now.
Just had the water company out here.
They informed me that the valve is on the property owner side of the meter and therefore they can not touch it. I must have a plumber do it.
It's Sunday afternoon.
Super Bowl Sunday afternoon.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
What's the Price to be Frustration-free?
I'm feeling overwhelmed.
I must study 22 Physics problems this weekend in order to prepare for test on Monday morning. I am not feeling confident in this subject dealing with converging and diverging lenses and magnification. It's all quite muddled in my brain right now. I studied 18 hours for my last Physics test and received 20 out of a possible 20 points. I have made A's on everything I have worked on in that class, so to feel muddled right now is frustrating.
The fact that I just received a 78% on my first test in my nuclear class has me discouraged, perhaps that is contributing to the feelings of being overwhelmed. Now, we have been assigned an enormous amount of work to memorize for a test this Wednesday. Frankly, if the test is as detail oriented as the first, I really don't see how I'll pass it. I may have to walk away from the nuclear program if they continue their unrealistic assignments.
I also had my first test in Inorganic Chemistry. It was hard, but hopefully I didn't embarrass myself there. I enjoy the class, but the material requires a good bit of study time. I'll receive the results on Monday night. Gosh, I hope I did A or B work, or I may crawl under a blanket and stay there for days.
It's been raining for days which raised the water level in the pool. Today, Miranda and I went out, vacuumed a good bit of water out of the pool, and brought it back down to its proper level. While draining the water, I noticed the water came up out of the ground and into the waste drain, which means that there must be a broken/cracked drainpipe underground. Oh, joy. That means that I'll be digging up pipe come Springtime. I'm sure my back will be thanking me for that. Perhaps I'd better start back into my aerobics program to prepare.
In addition to the crappy tests, a muddled brain, and broken drainpipes, my shower is dripping which will require me to turn off the water to the entire house, remove the current faucet pieces, and replace the offending bits on the cartridge. If I dork it up, I do have a good plumber to help me out. I just thought I'd try to save myself some money.
I was trying to save money recently when I chose to replace the guts to the toilet in the half bath. Although the job was not complicated, it did bring me to tears with frustration. That speaks volumes because I rarely cry, maybe once every five years… Anyway, the nut underneath the tank near the wall had been over tightened, and I ended up having to drill the piece apart from inside the tank. Yes, good memories. But, I did save money. The question is, at what point do you pay someone to save you from frustration? I'm sure I'll be finding out in the near future when I attempt to repair the shower, and again in the Spring when I am digging up drain pipes.
I must study 22 Physics problems this weekend in order to prepare for test on Monday morning. I am not feeling confident in this subject dealing with converging and diverging lenses and magnification. It's all quite muddled in my brain right now. I studied 18 hours for my last Physics test and received 20 out of a possible 20 points. I have made A's on everything I have worked on in that class, so to feel muddled right now is frustrating.
The fact that I just received a 78% on my first test in my nuclear class has me discouraged, perhaps that is contributing to the feelings of being overwhelmed. Now, we have been assigned an enormous amount of work to memorize for a test this Wednesday. Frankly, if the test is as detail oriented as the first, I really don't see how I'll pass it. I may have to walk away from the nuclear program if they continue their unrealistic assignments.
I also had my first test in Inorganic Chemistry. It was hard, but hopefully I didn't embarrass myself there. I enjoy the class, but the material requires a good bit of study time. I'll receive the results on Monday night. Gosh, I hope I did A or B work, or I may crawl under a blanket and stay there for days.
It's been raining for days which raised the water level in the pool. Today, Miranda and I went out, vacuumed a good bit of water out of the pool, and brought it back down to its proper level. While draining the water, I noticed the water came up out of the ground and into the waste drain, which means that there must be a broken/cracked drainpipe underground. Oh, joy. That means that I'll be digging up pipe come Springtime. I'm sure my back will be thanking me for that. Perhaps I'd better start back into my aerobics program to prepare.
In addition to the crappy tests, a muddled brain, and broken drainpipes, my shower is dripping which will require me to turn off the water to the entire house, remove the current faucet pieces, and replace the offending bits on the cartridge. If I dork it up, I do have a good plumber to help me out. I just thought I'd try to save myself some money.
I was trying to save money recently when I chose to replace the guts to the toilet in the half bath. Although the job was not complicated, it did bring me to tears with frustration. That speaks volumes because I rarely cry, maybe once every five years… Anyway, the nut underneath the tank near the wall had been over tightened, and I ended up having to drill the piece apart from inside the tank. Yes, good memories. But, I did save money. The question is, at what point do you pay someone to save you from frustration? I'm sure I'll be finding out in the near future when I attempt to repair the shower, and again in the Spring when I am digging up drain pipes.
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