Alright, so it's Halloween night, and tomorrow I'm going in early for drill. I managed to get to Sights and Sounds of the Islamic World last Thursday, and Ashley and I had a good time. The food was quite good, the songs and poetry were great (besides the extremely rude crowd), the comedian was a ball, and the wedding was intensely interesting. On Saturday, Sean and I mostly finished the calculus lab, so that's one academic need complete. Saturday night Ashley and I went to the CU Theatre's production of "The London Merchant," which was in the Loft Theater, a very small venue with seating for maybe 100 people, on four benches surrounding a square stage. Very unique production, and a great play.
Monday, Ashley and I got to our last beginning ballroom dance class. We're thinking about more advanced classes, but we'll see. Last night we both went to Golden with my Arabic class to enjoy a meal at the Ali Baba Grill. The food, company and coversation were all great. Professor Aissa and a few of my classmates got into several debates, about women's rights in the Islamic world vs. the West, etc. I think that was my first experience with Arab food, and I really enjoyed the entire meal. I'm going to have to find more restaurants like Ali Baba's, maybe a little closer to home.
Which brings us up to today. I decided to dress up for Halloween, so I just threw on an old set of BDU's (the old woodland camo's), and grabbed my clear plastic Airsoft M-4 for good measure. If I'd had my TA-50 bag, I could've worn my web gear and Kevlar helmet. Oh well. I've already been to my classes and taken my Arabic miderm, which was rough, but passable. I've turned in all of my assignments for the week early, and the last thing I'm doing tonight is one more shift on the bus. After that, I'll grab a few good hours of sleep, then it's off to the Army!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
HolyCrapBusy
Well, here I am again, driving the bus on the late night. Oh well. Earlier tonight was the second calculus exam. It felt significantly better than the first, but there were a couple of parts that were out of my grasp. The TA's were very good about grading last time, and we had the exams back the next day. That kind of turnaround is unheard of! Hopefully they will do the same tonight.
I've got plenty happening in the next week; tomorrow night is the Sights and Sound of the Islamic World event, which I'd like to experience. They're holding an actual wedding, plus who can turn down free food, even falafel? Saturday night, Ashley and I are going to see the CU theater production of The London Merchant by George Lillo, which promises to be entertaining. Monday night is the last of the dance classes that Ashley and I have been taking, Tuesday is the Arabic class "field trip" to the Ali Baba Grill in Golden, and Thursday will be the start of this month's Army drill. Since I'm going to be missing two days of class, I have to finish my usual homework early in the week, as well as finish the calculus lab project and mostly finish my Arabic cultural presentation (5-10 minutes of talking in Arabic). Good times.
I've got plenty happening in the next week; tomorrow night is the Sights and Sound of the Islamic World event, which I'd like to experience. They're holding an actual wedding, plus who can turn down free food, even falafel? Saturday night, Ashley and I are going to see the CU theater production of The London Merchant by George Lillo, which promises to be entertaining. Monday night is the last of the dance classes that Ashley and I have been taking, Tuesday is the Arabic class "field trip" to the Ali Baba Grill in Golden, and Thursday will be the start of this month's Army drill. Since I'm going to be missing two days of class, I have to finish my usual homework early in the week, as well as finish the calculus lab project and mostly finish my Arabic cultural presentation (5-10 minutes of talking in Arabic). Good times.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Busy Bee
It's been another busy week for me. Work has peaked again because of another home football game and Parent's Weekend, so I've been driving a lot. Tuesday I took my exams, and did fairly well on both of them, so I'm pleased there. Academics from Wednesday forward felt rushed. I'm still keeping up with calculus homework, but only just. We have a calc exam next week, and I've had little time to study for that until now.
For driving, I've taken a lot of different runs, ranging from early morning College Inn loops to late night WillVill loops, and even a few charters. In particular, Thursday afternoon I had a charter from the School of Engineering going to several tech companies in north Boulder, and that run was disastrous. I had 3 separate drops and pickups, and conflicting information on where they were and in what order to arrive. I did what I could to salvage the trip, but it was still a royal cluster-f***. We got back to the school 35 minutes late, and several people missed their classes. I just hope the teacher on board isn't involved in the Engineering entrance decisions, doesn't remember my name, or else had a positive view of my efforts.
Yesterday I took another field trip for Prof. Harvey Nichols and his Alpine Ecology class, this time down to the Denver Museum of Natural History. I enjoyed walking around the museum and listening to Harvey's notes on the animals and dioramas. It got me feeling very intellectual and adventurous, like Ashley and I need to take more one-day vacations to interesting places. We'll have to see about that. Maybe we can go on a hike at Garden of the Gods, and I can geocache while she uses her amazing new camera ( a Canon Powershot S5 IS). That sounds like fun.
For driving, I've taken a lot of different runs, ranging from early morning College Inn loops to late night WillVill loops, and even a few charters. In particular, Thursday afternoon I had a charter from the School of Engineering going to several tech companies in north Boulder, and that run was disastrous. I had 3 separate drops and pickups, and conflicting information on where they were and in what order to arrive. I did what I could to salvage the trip, but it was still a royal cluster-f***. We got back to the school 35 minutes late, and several people missed their classes. I just hope the teacher on board isn't involved in the Engineering entrance decisions, doesn't remember my name, or else had a positive view of my efforts.
Yesterday I took another field trip for Prof. Harvey Nichols and his Alpine Ecology class, this time down to the Denver Museum of Natural History. I enjoyed walking around the museum and listening to Harvey's notes on the animals and dioramas. It got me feeling very intellectual and adventurous, like Ashley and I need to take more one-day vacations to interesting places. We'll have to see about that. Maybe we can go on a hike at Garden of the Gods, and I can geocache while she uses her amazing new camera ( a Canon Powershot S5 IS). That sounds like fun.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Cactus Patch
Nothing huge to report this week. School is continuing at a steady pace. Work has slowed down, and I'm quite happy about that. We have several new drivers coming into the company, so the workload should cut down a bit. Ashley and I have started ballroom dance classes on Monday nights, through October. I had fun, more than I expected. I don't dread the classes like many males do, but I have to admit, I wouldn't just take them on my own.
This weekend was the first Army drill of the new fiscal year. We have another addition to the commo section, MSG Mora, who is a great guy and a knowledgeable NCO. I spent most of the weekend moving phone extensions, since the unit decided to rotate offices for a bunch of people. However, a couple of highlights included a change of command for the company commander from CPT Robinson to CPT Sherard, followed by a patch-changing ceremony. Our higher headquarters have changed from the 96th RSC in Utah to the 103rd ESC in Iowa. Our new patch is a cactus, a historical relic from the 103rd Division in WW2. At that time, the 103rd hailed from Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, and hence was called the "Cactus Divison." Besides that, our full-company PT test was delayed due to the freezing rain, so I have another 3 weeks to prepare for the next trial.
This coming Tuesday, I have the Experimental Physics lecture final exam, and later that day is the second General Physics midterm exam. Wish me luck!
This weekend was the first Army drill of the new fiscal year. We have another addition to the commo section, MSG Mora, who is a great guy and a knowledgeable NCO. I spent most of the weekend moving phone extensions, since the unit decided to rotate offices for a bunch of people. However, a couple of highlights included a change of command for the company commander from CPT Robinson to CPT Sherard, followed by a patch-changing ceremony. Our higher headquarters have changed from the 96th RSC in Utah to the 103rd ESC in Iowa. Our new patch is a cactus, a historical relic from the 103rd Division in WW2. At that time, the 103rd hailed from Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, and hence was called the "Cactus Divison." Besides that, our full-company PT test was delayed due to the freezing rain, so I have another 3 weeks to prepare for the next trial.
This coming Tuesday, I have the Experimental Physics lecture final exam, and later that day is the second General Physics midterm exam. Wish me luck!
Friday, October 5, 2007
She Said Yes!
Tonight was the 5 years of dating anniversary for Ashley and myself, and about a month ago I bought tickets to the Loreena McKennitt concert! This was Ashley's first ever concert, and the first one I've been to on my own, and it's been years since I've been to one at all. It was held at The Paramount in downtown Denver, which I had never been to. The concert was amazing, and the woman sitting beside us was friendly and had an extended conversation with us before the concert and on the intermission. The concert was just absolutely great. Ashley and I thought the three encores were a bit much, but oh well. I was extremely intrigued by the hurdy gurdy and its player. I'd heard the sound in some of Loreena's songs, but I could never identify the instrument, so that was a treat. Ashley bought two CDs from the vendors, and we headed home.
As if it wasn't a great evening to begin with, I still had a surprise for Ashley. When we got home, I gave her a little crimson Shane Co. box, and inside the grey ring box was the bridal ring set that I paid off this morning. It's a beautiful set, with 20 channel set diamonds across both bands, interlocking "points," and a 1/5th carat princess-cut diamond. Then I got on my knee, and asked her if she would marry me. She said yes, and started crying for joy. She had to use an ice cube to remove her promise ring, but it looks great on her finger. We sat on the couch and talked for a while before we both went to bed. It was a perfect end to a wonderful evening!
As if it wasn't a great evening to begin with, I still had a surprise for Ashley. When we got home, I gave her a little crimson Shane Co. box, and inside the grey ring box was the bridal ring set that I paid off this morning. It's a beautiful set, with 20 channel set diamonds across both bands, interlocking "points," and a 1/5th carat princess-cut diamond. Then I got on my knee, and asked her if she would marry me. She said yes, and started crying for joy. She had to use an ice cube to remove her promise ring, but it looks great on her finger. We sat on the couch and talked for a while before we both went to bed. It was a perfect end to a wonderful evening!
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