I woke up this morning convinced it was Friday. It wasn't until about 7:30am that I realized the error of my ways. Disappointed doesn't quite describe my feelings accurately. But that's ok, we're almost there. I try not to be a "live for the weekend" type of person. It's just taking me some time to acclimate to being gone from 6:45 til 5:45 everyday. So it's nice to have the weekend to catch up additional nonsense. Like not getting up at 5:30 and folding laundry. Maybe even sell some books on ebay. Look out, world.
First thing this morning I had a meeting with Jeff to finish up some orientation things. We would have finished that a while ago, but he was on vacation last week and getting last minute things put in order the week before. So here we are! We met for a couple hours, just wrapping some things up. He went through a hand out that gave a basic explanation of how their pricing works.
After break I worked with Lee on some more price adjustment things. Then after lunch I did some work for Tina, updating some sheets that have not been updated for quite some time. They're basically cover sheets that have summary information.
After work Lee and I talked for a bit about the exam process (a favorite topic) and some of the differences between the CAS and the SOA. In the CAS there are 10 exams and 2 online courses, along with some other professional development things. In the SOA there are 7 exams and 5 online courses, along with some other professional development things. But I guess it all just depends on who offers me a job! There are pros and cons to both fields. I guess I'll just wait and see!
When I got home we ate dinner. I talked with mom and dad for a while, then did some dishes with mom. We discussed grammar, how odd it can be, and the trials of using proper grammar. Some people have come to believe that I'm a bit snobbish because I purposefully do not end my sentences with prepositions. This makes some things sound significantly different. For instance, many people use say "who do you want to talk to?" However, the correct way of saying this is "with whom would you like to speak?" or some derivative. Now, I realize my speech is not perfect. I have yet to meet anyone who has perfect grammar and syntax. The important thing is that we're all trying to do better and not being negative to those who are trying.
I do not have much else to report. Except that I'm going to bed now. So good night, friends!
5.31.2012
5.30.2012
Day 373
*Insert obligatory palindrome comment regarding 373*
Today was a fine day. For some reason the drive seemed especially long. I'm still listening to the Zig Ziglar CDs, which is nice. But there is only so much of his audible mannerisms that I can take. Most of my time at work was spent working with Lee. We had to change some numbers to adjust for things that management wanted different. So we spent some time trying to make numbers balance. Sometimes using math, sometimes using our best judgement.
I had a salad for lunch. It was good. After eating I made up some of my Flex time by doing some data checking for Tina. I'll probably finish that up tomorrow... hopefully.
After the lunch break I worked with Lee some more. Doing some of the same thing. I took about an hour or so to update some of the data we needed to use while Lee worked on something else. We were able to get more done this way.
On the way home I had to stop to get something to put into my quite empty stomach. I was pretty hungry... and the bathroom at the rest area smelled like a skunk and 2 week old beached whale got in a tussle. It was gross.
I also had to just stop listening to anything for the last half of the trip. My brain just gets too overwhelmed with input and I need to take a break.
I had hot dogs for dinner. Then I did some cleaning and contacting various people I've needed to for the past week. Then mom and I talked for a little bit. She went to go do some gardening and I went to go play a game. Except that I couldn't stay connected to the internet for more than about 5 minutes... so after trying for almost half an hour I gave up and read a comic book. You know, other mentally simulating activities :)
Before too long it was that magical time when we make lunches. And now it's bed time. Good night, all!
Today was a fine day. For some reason the drive seemed especially long. I'm still listening to the Zig Ziglar CDs, which is nice. But there is only so much of his audible mannerisms that I can take. Most of my time at work was spent working with Lee. We had to change some numbers to adjust for things that management wanted different. So we spent some time trying to make numbers balance. Sometimes using math, sometimes using our best judgement.
I had a salad for lunch. It was good. After eating I made up some of my Flex time by doing some data checking for Tina. I'll probably finish that up tomorrow... hopefully.
After the lunch break I worked with Lee some more. Doing some of the same thing. I took about an hour or so to update some of the data we needed to use while Lee worked on something else. We were able to get more done this way.
On the way home I had to stop to get something to put into my quite empty stomach. I was pretty hungry... and the bathroom at the rest area smelled like a skunk and 2 week old beached whale got in a tussle. It was gross.
I also had to just stop listening to anything for the last half of the trip. My brain just gets too overwhelmed with input and I need to take a break.
I had hot dogs for dinner. Then I did some cleaning and contacting various people I've needed to for the past week. Then mom and I talked for a little bit. She went to go do some gardening and I went to go play a game. Except that I couldn't stay connected to the internet for more than about 5 minutes... so after trying for almost half an hour I gave up and read a comic book. You know, other mentally simulating activities :)
Before too long it was that magical time when we make lunches. And now it's bed time. Good night, all!
5.29.2012
Day 372
Back to work today! But not before I had a visit with the eye doctor. He gave me a new type of contact and cleaner solution. We'll see how well it works! I'm going to call him on Monday to tell him if it's worth switching to the new lenses (they're a little more expensive) or if the old ones are good enough.
I worked on a quarterly project with Vivian today. Originally I was going to be working with Lee, but he had something come up last minute, so he took today off. But Vivian and I made some good progress. We're continuing to update notes as we go to ensure that they are complete and look nice. I had some time to kill before lunch, so I took a look at a report that contains much of the data we've been using. It includes a lot of first quarter data that we've been referencing, so today I just about 30 minutes and tried to sift through it, trying to figure out what it all meant. I'm starting to get a better feel for it, or at least the type of data that is getting represented. On Thursday I'll be meeting with Jeff to finish up some orientation things. I've been curious how all of this data gets used, so if it comes up I think I'll ask. Since, you know, he's kind of my boss and most of this data gets used by him. So he would know that type of thing.
After lunch I started on a project for Tina, doing so error checking to make sure that the data she received was, in fact, accurate. Then I did some more work with Vivian on some new reports. I had a good day overall.
I've been taking a decent number of notes in the notebook that I carry around. Some of them are to-do things, others are thoughts that I have. I need to write them up soon... they're starting to build up.
We had chicken and mashed potatoes for dinner. It was good. Over dinner we discussed some conspiracy with trying to (very) posthumously declare Thomas Jefferson as having an illegitimate child, then on to Canada's recent riots over sudden increase in tuition that is seen by the rioters as the beginning of undesired change brought on by the soon-to-retire working class. After that we discussed (briefly) Greece... then somehow ended up at unions. It was a pretty good discussion. Basically it came down to us trying to use logic on issues that are being emotionally charged. People are silly...
After dinner we went about our separate activities. Mom and dad worked outside, I started laundry, then played a game with Miles. Then it was suddenly time to make lunch! So we did.
And now it's time for bed. Night!
I worked on a quarterly project with Vivian today. Originally I was going to be working with Lee, but he had something come up last minute, so he took today off. But Vivian and I made some good progress. We're continuing to update notes as we go to ensure that they are complete and look nice. I had some time to kill before lunch, so I took a look at a report that contains much of the data we've been using. It includes a lot of first quarter data that we've been referencing, so today I just about 30 minutes and tried to sift through it, trying to figure out what it all meant. I'm starting to get a better feel for it, or at least the type of data that is getting represented. On Thursday I'll be meeting with Jeff to finish up some orientation things. I've been curious how all of this data gets used, so if it comes up I think I'll ask. Since, you know, he's kind of my boss and most of this data gets used by him. So he would know that type of thing.
After lunch I started on a project for Tina, doing so error checking to make sure that the data she received was, in fact, accurate. Then I did some more work with Vivian on some new reports. I had a good day overall.
I've been taking a decent number of notes in the notebook that I carry around. Some of them are to-do things, others are thoughts that I have. I need to write them up soon... they're starting to build up.
We had chicken and mashed potatoes for dinner. It was good. Over dinner we discussed some conspiracy with trying to (very) posthumously declare Thomas Jefferson as having an illegitimate child, then on to Canada's recent riots over sudden increase in tuition that is seen by the rioters as the beginning of undesired change brought on by the soon-to-retire working class. After that we discussed (briefly) Greece... then somehow ended up at unions. It was a pretty good discussion. Basically it came down to us trying to use logic on issues that are being emotionally charged. People are silly...
After dinner we went about our separate activities. Mom and dad worked outside, I started laundry, then played a game with Miles. Then it was suddenly time to make lunch! So we did.
And now it's time for bed. Night!
5.28.2012
Day 371
Time to write things now!
This morning I woke up at 6, but I demanded of myself that I sleep some more. So I did. I woke up again at 7, then again at 8. The last time I decided I should actually get up... I had a full day ahead of me. After some breakfast and other dinking around, I woke Kimmy up. We were meeting with Dave for our next session of pre-marital counseling and still had some things to go through before our session.
So we went through our packed of info, then went to meet with Dave. We had some really good talks (I thought). It's nice that since I was in Dave's youth group, he has a pretty good understanding of my upbringing and some of the roots of my beliefs. A lot of the packet (Dave did not make it) feels like we're just giving the "church answers" to the listed questions. So when we meet with Dave, we can actually talk about how we feel.
After that we came back home and got lunch. Kimmy took a nap and I played a game, then started on some wedding stuff. After Kimmy woke up we continued to work on wedding things for the rest of the afternoon.
Around 4:30 we went over to hang out with Becky and Miles. It was fun. We got Chinese for diner, then played Dominion when we got back. James also came to join us! After our game we went outside and made a fire. There was one branch in particular (I should have gotten a picture) that was too big for the fire pit, so we all took turns cutting it apart with the hatchet. We also kicked around a bit plastic ball. We are silly.
When we got back I helped Kimmy pack her car some. Then we made lunch! I took some Benadryl because I might have some allergies or something... so I'm getting pretty sleepy. That's probably it for tonight. Night!
This morning I woke up at 6, but I demanded of myself that I sleep some more. So I did. I woke up again at 7, then again at 8. The last time I decided I should actually get up... I had a full day ahead of me. After some breakfast and other dinking around, I woke Kimmy up. We were meeting with Dave for our next session of pre-marital counseling and still had some things to go through before our session.
So we went through our packed of info, then went to meet with Dave. We had some really good talks (I thought). It's nice that since I was in Dave's youth group, he has a pretty good understanding of my upbringing and some of the roots of my beliefs. A lot of the packet (Dave did not make it) feels like we're just giving the "church answers" to the listed questions. So when we meet with Dave, we can actually talk about how we feel.
After that we came back home and got lunch. Kimmy took a nap and I played a game, then started on some wedding stuff. After Kimmy woke up we continued to work on wedding things for the rest of the afternoon.
Around 4:30 we went over to hang out with Becky and Miles. It was fun. We got Chinese for diner, then played Dominion when we got back. James also came to join us! After our game we went outside and made a fire. There was one branch in particular (I should have gotten a picture) that was too big for the fire pit, so we all took turns cutting it apart with the hatchet. We also kicked around a bit plastic ball. We are silly.
When we got back I helped Kimmy pack her car some. Then we made lunch! I took some Benadryl because I might have some allergies or something... so I'm getting pretty sleepy. That's probably it for tonight. Night!
Day 370
I only have 30 minutes until my laptop battery dies, so we'll see what I can fit in here.
Yesterday morning I went to church with Jessie and Richard. Pastor Craig talked about John the Baptist and King Herod, focusing on King Herod's morality and John's execution. It was good.
After church we came back and got ready to go over to the grandparents' place. I had a good time. We had a little cookout on their George Foreman grill. The food was pretty fantastic. After lunch some of us played a game of canasta. It was pretty intense, but eventually the good guys won! And by that I mean I won. Oh, and poppy thinks that I should keep wearing my argyle socks. Meaning that dad is fully of silliness for not liking them.
Then Kimmy and I came back home. Jessie and Richard had to go back to Muncie, Mom and Dad went to go watch the Avengers. After we got ready, Kimmy and I went to Steak and Shake for dinner. We both really like it. As per custom, we had some good conversation. The other day we had been talking about art and she said that to truly appreciate some types of art, you need an advanced degree in it (not her exact words, but the general idea). I was kind of confused. But yesterday it finally hit me: that's how every field of study is. There is only so much that you can appreciate and understand without having an advanced degree in that area. The big difference that I see with art is that in my experience, artists are more likely to hold this over you than other disciplines. I've not once seen a history major try to convince you that you just don't understand something. They'll just go about explaining it to you. And if you are still adamant that you are correct... first off you're being silly. And second, I'd bet that most historians would gladly take the time to explain their entire train of thought. I have to keep relating this whole are thing to math so that I don't perceive artists as arrogant or stupid. Because in math... we are constantly accused (by non-mathematicians) that we're making things up. Artists are accused of that as well. So if I keep relating art to math, it helps me keep things in perspective.
After dinner we went to go see the Avengers. We actually got there early. I haven't done that for quite some time (unless it was a midnight showing of a movie). Kimmy hadn't seen it, but now she has! And she liked it.
Ok, my battery is about dead. So I guess this is it! The end.
Yesterday morning I went to church with Jessie and Richard. Pastor Craig talked about John the Baptist and King Herod, focusing on King Herod's morality and John's execution. It was good.
After church we came back and got ready to go over to the grandparents' place. I had a good time. We had a little cookout on their George Foreman grill. The food was pretty fantastic. After lunch some of us played a game of canasta. It was pretty intense, but eventually the good guys won! And by that I mean I won. Oh, and poppy thinks that I should keep wearing my argyle socks. Meaning that dad is fully of silliness for not liking them.
Then Kimmy and I came back home. Jessie and Richard had to go back to Muncie, Mom and Dad went to go watch the Avengers. After we got ready, Kimmy and I went to Steak and Shake for dinner. We both really like it. As per custom, we had some good conversation. The other day we had been talking about art and she said that to truly appreciate some types of art, you need an advanced degree in it (not her exact words, but the general idea). I was kind of confused. But yesterday it finally hit me: that's how every field of study is. There is only so much that you can appreciate and understand without having an advanced degree in that area. The big difference that I see with art is that in my experience, artists are more likely to hold this over you than other disciplines. I've not once seen a history major try to convince you that you just don't understand something. They'll just go about explaining it to you. And if you are still adamant that you are correct... first off you're being silly. And second, I'd bet that most historians would gladly take the time to explain their entire train of thought. I have to keep relating this whole are thing to math so that I don't perceive artists as arrogant or stupid. Because in math... we are constantly accused (by non-mathematicians) that we're making things up. Artists are accused of that as well. So if I keep relating art to math, it helps me keep things in perspective.
After dinner we went to go see the Avengers. We actually got there early. I haven't done that for quite some time (unless it was a midnight showing of a movie). Kimmy hadn't seen it, but now she has! And she liked it.
Ok, my battery is about dead. So I guess this is it! The end.
5.26.2012
Day 369
We went to my cousin Harley's graduation today down in Dayton. The ceremony was at 2, but we left around 10 so that we could have lunch with my Aunt Janet beforehand. Kimmy slept on the way down. I talked with mom and dad some, then caught up on my games of Drawsomething. Before getting to Aunt Janet's house we stopped by the store to get some lunch meat and things to make sandwiches.
Upon arrival we met a: Harley's dog and b: Harley's grandma. She was very nice and really personable. I forgot how much I love high schoolers in small quantities. High school students are about 95% developed but haven't yet been completed tainted by the real world. Every student has, to some degree, experienced "more than they should have for that age," but for the most part they're still just raw human being that hasn't completely succumbed to societies demands. It's fantastic. As you get older you begin to adopt social norms and lose pieces of your individuality. To an extent this is a very good thing. We all have bad parts of us that are best forgotten. But most high school students haven't gotten to that stage of life yet... they've just finished developing and have yet to get a chance to conform. Absolutely amazing. In the small and rare instances where I interact with high school students, that is.
Anyhow, the ceremony was fairly standard. It was just a thing. Then we went to dinner with everyone at this Italian restaurant. That was quite tasty. Kimmy and I split some spaghetti carbonara, which is Kimmy's favorite meal. And I had a bowl of soup. We think it was Italian Wedding soup, but I couldn't really tell. And I didn't ask... I just ordered a bowl of soup. So we stayed there for a couple hours, just talking with everyone that we don't get to see very often. Harley had a pretty bad migraine (she'd had a very long day), so she left early. Hopefully she's feeling better now.
So then we came home. I slept on the way back. When we got back we all just sat and talked and things. That's always fun. And now it's time for bed. Night!
Upon arrival we met a: Harley's dog and b: Harley's grandma. She was very nice and really personable. I forgot how much I love high schoolers in small quantities. High school students are about 95% developed but haven't yet been completed tainted by the real world. Every student has, to some degree, experienced "more than they should have for that age," but for the most part they're still just raw human being that hasn't completely succumbed to societies demands. It's fantastic. As you get older you begin to adopt social norms and lose pieces of your individuality. To an extent this is a very good thing. We all have bad parts of us that are best forgotten. But most high school students haven't gotten to that stage of life yet... they've just finished developing and have yet to get a chance to conform. Absolutely amazing. In the small and rare instances where I interact with high school students, that is.
Anyhow, the ceremony was fairly standard. It was just a thing. Then we went to dinner with everyone at this Italian restaurant. That was quite tasty. Kimmy and I split some spaghetti carbonara, which is Kimmy's favorite meal. And I had a bowl of soup. We think it was Italian Wedding soup, but I couldn't really tell. And I didn't ask... I just ordered a bowl of soup. So we stayed there for a couple hours, just talking with everyone that we don't get to see very often. Harley had a pretty bad migraine (she'd had a very long day), so she left early. Hopefully she's feeling better now.
So then we came home. I slept on the way back. When we got back we all just sat and talked and things. That's always fun. And now it's time for bed. Night!
5.25.2012
Day 368
Well, I've officially completed week 3 of my internship, so I'm already one quarter of the way done. Which means my wedding is coming fast. So many things to get done!
Work was good today. I mainly worked with Vivian, doing some preparation for next Friday, which will be pretty busy. On Thursday there are some pretty big things that will be completed for the month, so on Friday we have to finish all of those things to prepare for the new month. I've heard a few times that it can get pretty hectic.
My brain was pretty fried after work. I listened to the Zig Ziglar CD for the first 20 minutes, but I was having a terrible time concentrating on what he was saying. So I just listened to music. While I was at work I wrote some things that I'm going to share at some point... but not tonight.
When I got home we had pizza that mom made! It was quite tasty. Then Kimmy and I went for a little trip to the booming town of Delphos. One of my friends from Mount Vernon, Derrick, works in Cleveland. His sister is graduating from high school this weekend, so he was back on this side of Ohio. We all went to get ice cream at The Creamery in Delphos. It was good. Quite like The Dairy near Mount Vernon. We had a good time and talked about many many things. Kimmy and I told him some of our plans for our wedding and he got pretty excited. Our goal is to have our wedding be fun! There are many nice weddings out there... but we want people to leave and remember how much fun they had with us.
Jessie and Richard were here when we got back. They came up for the weekend. So we talked for a bit. Jessie had a rough couple days at work (one of her patients died shortly after she'd worked with him), so she told us about all of that. My bad days at work... do not involve death. For this I am quite grateful. And grateful that other people will have those jobs so that I don't have to.
Ok. Time for bed... I have a bit of a day ahead of me. Good night!
Work was good today. I mainly worked with Vivian, doing some preparation for next Friday, which will be pretty busy. On Thursday there are some pretty big things that will be completed for the month, so on Friday we have to finish all of those things to prepare for the new month. I've heard a few times that it can get pretty hectic.
My brain was pretty fried after work. I listened to the Zig Ziglar CD for the first 20 minutes, but I was having a terrible time concentrating on what he was saying. So I just listened to music. While I was at work I wrote some things that I'm going to share at some point... but not tonight.
When I got home we had pizza that mom made! It was quite tasty. Then Kimmy and I went for a little trip to the booming town of Delphos. One of my friends from Mount Vernon, Derrick, works in Cleveland. His sister is graduating from high school this weekend, so he was back on this side of Ohio. We all went to get ice cream at The Creamery in Delphos. It was good. Quite like The Dairy near Mount Vernon. We had a good time and talked about many many things. Kimmy and I told him some of our plans for our wedding and he got pretty excited. Our goal is to have our wedding be fun! There are many nice weddings out there... but we want people to leave and remember how much fun they had with us.
Jessie and Richard were here when we got back. They came up for the weekend. So we talked for a bit. Jessie had a rough couple days at work (one of her patients died shortly after she'd worked with him), so she told us about all of that. My bad days at work... do not involve death. For this I am quite grateful. And grateful that other people will have those jobs so that I don't have to.
Ok. Time for bed... I have a bit of a day ahead of me. Good night!
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