Day 352

I'm trying this whole "going to be early thing."  I can't say I'm a huge fan of it...


Anyhow, this morning I woke up and did all the normal things.  I left a bit early... around 6:30.  This allowed me to get to work about 30 minutes early and study.  This was really helpful because it got my brain going *and* I was able to keep my brain in "probability mode" throughout the day.  I'm going to try that again tomorrow.


In the morning I had a training session to use my phone.  There are a lot of features, including a software component.  I don't imagine I'll use my phone that much, but it was nice of them to show me.  For most of the rest of the morning, I worked with Vivian on updating some end-of-month reports.  We also went around to some different people's offices to deliver the reports.  


I ate a quick lunch, then got a little more studying in.  Even if I can only work 3 or 4 problems, I'll do it.  It just keeps everything fresh.  After lunch I had another training session, this time on how to talk on the phone!  Basically... be courteous and be ready to take notes.


After my training session I worked on the summary reports with Vivian some more.  During my afternoon break I talked with Phil about his exam taking experience.  He said that during his start as an actuary, companies didn't pay for study time (all companies do now).  So he had to study when he got home from work.  Now, most companies will give you 30 hours of study time for each hour of the exam.  So 120 hours for a 4 hour exam.  It's not nearly as much as you need to put into it, but it's very nice.  For context, most people study 100 or more hours for each hour of the exam.  I put in about 300 hours of studying for my first exam (a 3 hour exam).


When we got back from break Lee had returned from taking his exam. His was a 4 hour, 30 question essay exam.  He said that he was able to completely answer 29 questions and partially answer the last one before time ran out.  That's very good.  So we were all very happy for him.  He has about three weeks off before he starts studying for the next one... and he said that he's going to celebrate by simply wasting time.  And going to bed early.  That is precisely how I'm going to celebrate passing exam P!


Vivian and I got to a stopping point on our project and called it a day.  I ended up leaving about 4:35 and I was amazed at how that place just clears out.  At 4:30 that places just empties.  It's remarkable.


I figured out that every day I travel about 127 miles.  I I can make about 2.5 trips, so I'll probably end up filling up every other day in Beaverdam, since it generally has the lowest prices.


When I got home we had dinner.  Mom made chicken and vegetables in her Dutch oven.  It was good.  After dinner dad went to open field, I studied, and mom did some cleaning.  I took a break and talked with mom for a little bit, then did some more studying.  It went pretty well, I think.


It's time for bed now.  So... talk to you all tomorrow!  Night!