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Took trig over the summer, and I made an 'A'! Hylke is also glad that my trig class is over, because he was getting sick of my trig puns. I don't understand, who can get sick of trig puns? D: It's alright though, I'm already lining up the derivation puns for the next three semesters of calculus I have to take. CALCULUS I: THE DERIVINATORING. CALCULUS II: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO. CALCULUS III: UM, EVEN MORE DERIVINATORING OR SMTH. Yeah, that last one needs work.

I know I won't be able to keep up making all 'A's, but at the very least, I've fifteen credit hours of 'A' currently, so that's a good GPA buffer. I would love to keep making such good marks, but I also know that this is a difficult program, and part of the reason for my success is that algebra, trig and programming foundations I were all basically repeat classes. I needed to take them for the refresher, but it was a lot easier for me to score well in them because I was basically just relearning material I already knew. This semester though, everything is new to me. I've never had calculus or physics, certainly not data structures and the deep internal workings and minutia of microprocessors are still a mystery to me. This semester will be an interesting one.

Programming Foundations II + lab (4 hours)
This course continues developing problem solving techniques by focusing on fundamental data structures and associated algorithms. Topics include: abstract data types, introduction to object-oriented programming, linked lists, stacks, queues, hash tables, binary trees, graphs, recursion, and searching and sorting algorithms. Using C++ in a UNIX environment.

Computer Organization + lab (4 hours)
Presents the relationship between computing hardware and software with a focus on the concepts for current computers. CPU design topics are covered including various techniques for microprocessor design and performance evaluation.

Calculus I + drill (4 hours)
Derivative of functions of one variable, applications of the derivative, introduction of the integral, and applications.

Physics I + lab (4 hours)
Introduction to the principles of mechanics, wave motion, temperature and heat, with calculus.

So despite not having a class until 11:30 (physics I lab), I got to campus at about 9:00 this morning with the intention of finding all my classrooms. I figured I'd get a general idea of where I need to be for tomorrow since all four of my lectures are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Tuesdays and Thursdays are my slow days, will only my physics I lab and calculus I drill (not sure what that is really, I suppose I'll find out at around 2:30 today). Well, I did find my physics I lab classroom, only to discovery unsurprisingly that we're not meeting today. Right now, I'm chilling at the library.

This campus is a lot bigger than the campus of the university where I got my English B.A. and it will definitely take some time getting used to the layout of this place. I have learned today that my plan of stashing the books I don't need for my current lecture in my car and retrieving them when I need them is just not feasible. The shuttle service is convenient for arriving and leaving campus from the parking, but I doubt I'll be able to catch one back and forth just for a trip to my car to get different books. Things were lot easier living on a smaller campus. :P

In non-school related things, I wish I could stop obsessing about my weight. When I last weighed myself in October, I had lost a total of 16 pounds, some from the small bit of exercise I was still doing, but I think mostly due to a change in eating habits after I quit my old job. I didn't eat as much overall, and I went from eating out almost all the time to eating at home - a mix of cooking for myself and convenience foods. Since starting my new job, I'm not so sure how the weight change has been. I'm still eating generally less I think, and I'm on my feet and moving around for a fulls shift, which helps, but the thing that I know is a killer for me is NEAR-CONSTANT ACCESS TO FREE DR. PEPPER HELL YEAH. I'm trying to limit how much soda I drink, but self-control is not something I'm good at. XD I try to eat semi-reasonably, usually getting sandwich wraps at work, though I have been known to not say no to french fries and I know that I really need to back the fuck away from the ranch dressing. *nomnomom* But yeah, I suppose even that won't be so much of an issue since now that school has started, I'll only be working two or three days a week. Plus as big as this campus is, I'm sure I'll get a lot of walking in. I'll find out in half an hour or so how sensible the cafeteria options are here. That said, dinner tonight will be sauteed veggies and mushrooms topped with the leftover sauce from the spaghetti I made the other day, over whole wheat toast. My food issues, let me show you them. I should probably start working out again. XD

So I met with an advisor today and we planned out my first semester. At first, I didn't think I'd be able to get right into computer classes, but after talking to me and looking over my transcript, my advisor went ahead and scheduled me for TWO computer classes! My first semester will be:

Calculus I + lab (4 hours)
Derivative of functions of one variable, applications of the derivative, introduction of the integral, and applications.

Physics I + lab (4 hours)
Introduction to the principles of mechanics, wave motion, temperature and heat, with calculus.

Programming Foundations I + lab (4 hours)
Introductory programming course for students majoring in computer science or computer engineering. Software development process: problem specification, program design, implementation, testing and documentation. Programming topics: data representation, conditional and iterative statements, functions, arrays and records. Using C++ in a UNIX environment.

Digital Design + lab (4 hours)
Introduction to the hardware aspects of digital computers, logic gates, flip-flops, reduction, finite state machines, sequential logic design, digital systems, software design tools, hardware description language (VHDL), and implementation technologies.

I've got the schedule tentatively set, though I don't actually register until Monday so I'm hoping my selected times don't get filled. Books will be between $300.00 and $400.00 depending on how many I can get used and how many I'll have to buy new. It sounds painful but I was mentally planning on spending $500.00 for books this semester, so this is actually a break even if I have to get them all new!

During the interim, my advisor suggested I reacquaint myself with discrete math as it's been a few years since I took it, so I'll be able to pick up my old text book when I'm visiting my parents in a couple weeks. I'm hopeful I can also buy my books early and start reading the beginning chapters BECAUSE I AM AN OVERACHIEVER. IS IT JANUARY YET?

Also, to try for the honors program or not to try for the honors program?

Yesterday, I had my appointment with the University of Arkansas admissions counselor, campus tour and meeting with the assistant dean of the engineering department as well as more in depth tour of the computer science and engineering facilities (omgshiny!). Due to that, I went ahead and submitted by application this morning and faxed the necessary transcript requests. I was a bit worried about getting accepted to the school and program (just because if there is something to worry about, I will worry about it), but the admissions counselor told me that due to my good GPA at Henderson for my first degree, I'm guaranteed admission and it's basically just going to be a waiting period to shuffle through the initial paperwork. So I'm pretty excited.

The general campus tour was nice, but it would have been slightly better had it not been a billion degrees. Okay, it was only 90, which is significantly cooler (I know right?) lol) than it has been lately but still pretty warm for about an hour and a half of strolling around campus. I could tell that the tour was usually more geared towards high school seniors, but I'm still glad I went on it. I also found my dad's name engraving (David A. Blackwell) on the sidewalk, which was awesome. :)

One funny thing that happened was when we were meeting the assistant dean in his office, he immediately turned to Hylke and started addressing him assuming, I suppose, that Hylke was the potential student. Not really ha-ha funny, but more of a if-I-don't-laugh-at-this-I-am-going-to-be-angry-and-scream funny. However, after we got that little mishap cleared up, I got tons of information and the assistant dean pretty much confirmed my own estimation of being able to complete this degree in three years. I was also totally impressed with our student tour guide for the computer engineering specific tour. Some of the projects she described sounded amazing and she gave me lots of good tips for how to get involved in some of the more advanced research going on in the department, as well as rounding out the apparently a bit too software heavy degree program to give it a bit more of a hardware focus, which is what I am going for.

My first semester looks like it is going to be Calculus, Physics, Chemistry and even though for some reason, the dean said I likely wouldn't need Intro to Engineering, I think I am going to take it anyway. That would be about 12 credit hours of classes which is a good start. That said, before it is official, I have to wait until the admissions office goes of my Henderson transcript to see what credits are transferable. I'm pretty excited even though I won't start until Spring semester. :)

Okay, so now that I can think about it without seeing red and feeling pure rage, a week ago, I was involved in a hit and run car accident (yes, another car accident wtf?). Honestly, it was a glorified fender bender and the dude was an idiot to drive off like that, but what can you do. Hylke and I were just leaving the gym, sitting in the parking lot waiting to pull out into traffic when some dude in a pick-up truck just started backing out of his spot and his trailer hitch made a nice little crunch in my car.

So anyways, we got out and the dude was like, “Oh my god, I’m so sorry, hey, we’re blocking traffic, pull up into a parking spot and we’ll exchange information.” So like a total dumbass, I believed him (and honestly, we were blocking traffic), and pulled around to a parking spot. I got out of my car just in time to see him drive off, but luckily, not before we got his license plate number.

Wednesday morning, I met with my insurance adjuster and someone from a repair shop, and as soon as the police report is ready (not yet *grumble*), we can drop the car off to be repaired and they’ll cover a rental. It’s drivable right now, just kinda crunched on the passenger side. They said it would take 4 to 5 days to fix, which isn’t so bad.

The cop who came out was a total douche, he acted like he was bored the whole time and might have said two sentences to me and then just got in his car and drove off. Hylke and I were both kinda like, “um, wtf?”. Sorry for totally wasting your precious time with a hit and run dude. OH COPS.

I have been so good about trying to not spend too much money on frivolous things since Hylke had his accidents. But people only have so much willpower. Yes, this means what you think it means, an order of about oh, $95 worth of perfume. That said, I'm actually kinda glad I folded when I did, because two limited editions I wanted to buy were in a series that ended tomorrow, but I thought it lasted longer. I got them just in time.

( Because I'm sure you're dying to know what I bought )

I have seven Dreamwidth codes if anyone is interested!

What's on the menu for the next couple of days:

Bread washed down with a cocktail consisting of 100% cranberry juice (3/4 cup), 100% apple juice (1/4 cup) and Pedialyte (1/2 cup), along with an anti-biotic and some general relief medications because my digestive system hates me. Suffice to say, I'm quite miserable. At least the Pedialyte and apply juice do well to dilute the tart taste of the cranberry juice.

I started with a simple stomach ache yesterday and ballooned to the full-grade infection that I somehow have. I am grateful there was a general practice clinic open today because the E.R. would have been hella expensive.

My doctor also told me to stay home from work Monday and Tuesday which actually kinda sucks because I'd prefer to be at work than sick, and also that I was planning on taking a vacation Friday, but I won't really feel right doing that if I'm out sick Monday and Tuesday. OH WELL.

That I’m not vegetarian because I love animals; I’m vegetarian because I REALLY HATE PLANTS.

I went to the dentist this morning and they said they found a small cavity on my back molar. I was just in for my normal cleaning and check up when they found it. I guess the only good thing is that they said it was still quite small, which makes sense since I've not had any discomfort or anything. I don't know how it happened, since its not like I neglect my teeth or anything. I go back in a week to get it filled, WHICH I AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO.