Sermon Says...

The speaker Sunday night said some funny things. I believe they are funnier out of context.

I'm not going green on anybody.

My wife got sick and I lost my caregiver.

When did you bring me a cup of coffee... I mean... when did you bring me a cup of cold water?

Is this BroncoNation? I think I'm starting to fit in- I even got an orange shirt.

I worked 8 to faint.

Well, when we look at...oh that's the end.

First Day of Finals

This week is finals week. Always a week of stress and little sleep. Perhaps this is an example:

Today I was walking down the hall toward my office five minutes before the first final. I passed a girl sitting in the hallway. She said, "Good luck." She was very friendly and smiled.

Smiling, I said, "I'm not taking a final. I'm a teacher. But thanks anyway."

She explained why she made the assumption that I am a student. I smiled and said thanks again, then walked into my office.

I found it humorous. I hope she does better on her finals than she did in the hall... that is... assuming she is a student who has finals this week.

I love... (part 7)

I love snowy days spent indoors.
I love getting my requested teaching and tutoring schedule.
I love my HP Mini Netbook.

Lessons Learned

Today I learned or was reminded of the following lessons... some are good, some are bad:

1. Fresh-fallen snow is beautiful.
2. Falling snow makes the world quieter.
3. Buses run late when it is snowing.
4. Walking for thirty minutes in the snow causes one's face to freeze if not properly covered.
5. Walking for thirty minutes in the snow causes one's legs to freeze if not properly covered (more than normally covered).
6. Walking like one would ice skate causes friction in one's shoes resulting in a happy warmth.
7. A stainless steel Starbuck's travel mug will protect coffee from freezing temperatures for longer than thirty minutes.

Blog Reading

I love to read blogs. I think of myself as *designated reader* for my mother's writings, but I also think that I am a good audience for other writers.

So I list my few problems with blogs (in case some blogger wants my opinion as a reader).

First, I do not leave as many comments as I wish for the following reasons:

• I have noticed most of my comments either go unread or unacknowledged.
  
• I don't like to appear dumb, boring, or uninformed, which forces me to delete potential comments.
• Some blogs are not written so that comments, other than "funny!" or "cute!" or "neat!", are hard to write.
• Sometimes I do not have the time to think of comments, see below.
  

Second, I have noticed that many people post new blogs on Mondays. Monday is my busiest day, and so I find myself perusing blogs instead of reading them in detail (which is more enjoyable because I have time to digest them and perhaps comment). I find myself here, at work on a slow day, wishing there were new posts to read... but alas! there are no new posts to read. I could go back to some of the old posts I didn't get to read thoroughly, but that doesn't interest me. I will be happy when I am finished with grad school and able to read blogs everyday of the week.

If you acknowledge a comment from me or comment in response, then I thank you. I love the personal touch it adds every time I read another of your blog entries. Here are some blogs I enjoy more than others, partly due to their participation: commenter#1, commenter#2, commenter#3

If you post on a day other than Monday, then I thank you.

A Tribute

Never have I found a site so consistently funny and in line with my sense of humor as xkcd.com. The site is dedicated to nerdy humor involving mathematical and scientific concepts. I don't want to steal any of their comics to post here, but I just wanted to say that I love the comic and if you like mathematics, then you'll love this site.

"You'll need this for later..."

Today I used 2 (or more) things I learned in the class I am teaching right now. I use the general stuff everyday, but I haven't used these two theorems for my upper division work in a loooong time.

When I tell my class: "You'll need this for later..." I am not kidding. It just made my life easier.


In case you are curious: I used the Intermediate Value Theorem and the Descartes' Rule of Signs

Writing a Story

My mom wants to write a novel in the month of November because of Nation Novel Writing Month. She is already working on a blog story and another novel, but the rules say you must start a new work and get 50,000 + words written (typed) before December.

I have never considered myself a writer. A reader, yes. Writing has never been enjoyable or easy for me. It doesn't help that I put up my own stumbling blocks by reminding myself of the teachers who told me I couldn't write. I force myself to write so I don't become illiterate.

Mom likes to do things with others and I am not such a bad audience. I like to be "designated reader" for her from time to time. I like to think I can come up with fun plots or characters, even if I can't actually write the story. Well NO MORE OF THAT! I have written 6000 words this month (a miracle?) and I am enjoying most of it. I actually downright LIKE our story and it is fun to see it grow.

We may or may not try to publish, but I can almost guarantee it will be available to read in the future- either in book or blog form. So if you like "chick lit" you might want to watch out for our story!

I love... (part 6)

I love new friendships.
I love old friendships.
I love romantic gestures.

The Difference Between Red and Green

I almost died laughing during Abstract Algebra today:

Teacher: "...one is green and the other is red so there isn't much difference"

Important observation: Teacher is COMPLETELY colorblind.

My thoughts: "I know what he means, but to him, there is NO difference, and to me, those colors seem completely different... either way, the analogy doesn't work."

(I knew he meant very there is very little difference. And on another note...)



In your opinion: Is there a big difference between red and green? What if there is another context, like there are two cars exactly the same except one is red and the other is green, then is there a big difference?

I love... (part 5)

I love crossing items off lists.
I love fleece blankets (my new Snuggie).
I love crackers with tomato, Brie cheese, and basil.

I loathe... (part 3)

I loathe cilantro.
I loathe seeing purple with yellow.
I loathe seeing red with green.

Halloween

This year we celebrated on the 30th at a party put on by some friends from church.

David and I decided to take the cheap route and make our costumes.

I must say they were a hit, but the little ones needed us to remove our masks before they would get near us. Who knew stick figures were scary?

I love... (part 4)

I love when noisy neighbors move away.
I love Ticonderoga black #2 pencils.
I love funny teachers.

Welcome to the World!

I am happy to announce my friend "C" and his wife "B" had their first baby: Lydia Charlotte! She was early (due on Halloween) but I know her parents were as sick of waiting as she was. She is such a blessed girl already! She has such wonderful people as parents (and an awesome "aunt Bailey").

I was waiting for her arrival to post pictures of the present I painted for her. I got the idea from a friend who likes to wood-burn and paint wooden items for people. She's made me a beautiful candle holder and that wonderful Math Wheel (see other post). B decorated Lydia's nursery in all things Dr. Seuss. They have blankets and sheets, they painted scenes to hang on the walls, etc. I thought that I could make a stool for the nursery that had a The Cat in the Hat theme with the hat's stripes on the legs. I love the way it turned out and I plan to make more of different themes for presents in the future. C and B said they love it. I hope Lydia loves it (eventually), too.

I really wish I could go meet her. Thousands of miles is very expensive! I hope to meet her before she turns one and I plan on seeing tons of photos!

Belle and Sebastian

Last night I dreamt that I was at a concert and when Belle and Sebastian came on everyone except for me left the concert. I got my own private show.

So right now i am listening to Dear Catastrophe Waitress by Belle and Sebastian while writing my thesis.

When I was younger I would tell Madre my dreams and she always said they were weird but entertaining and I should write them down. I never really did that- maybe I'll start. (This one really isn't that weird.)

T.H.A.T. #2

A person who thinks with lightning speed, like the needle of a sewing machine writes needle like skinny points on the tops of m’s, n’s, r’s, sometimes h’s. He or she can pierce through information and analyze it quickly. The taller the points in relation to the other letters, the quicker the thinker. Sometimes students who never study but always ace tests can be frustrating to other students and even teachers. They learn so quickly that the information seems to have gone unlearned, but really it was learned quicker than seemingly possible. These students may become lazy or bored in the classroom from lack of challenge, but some thrive and excel by challenging their rate of thought. See last line of diagram in previous T.H.A.T.

Today's Handwriting Analysis Tip (T.H.A.T #1)

I've been on a handwriting analysis kick lately. I am reading a couple of books on the subject, keeping notes in a spiral, and making observations in my handwriting, and other samples I can find.

I find this very interesting so I've decided to share tips I've learned that I've found generally true (so far). I am at the beginning of my study so I may come back and say "FALSE TIP" to some of these, but I like the tips and take them with a grain of salt. My first posts will be tips that apply to my handwriting.

I'll be calling them T.H.A.T.'s.

Here is the first one:

A person who thinks slower than average, but will build knowledge like a wall and remember all things learned writes m's, n'm, r's and sometimes s's and c's like a rounded or flat top (like a brick). These types of thinkers are usually logical and once they've mastered a subject (no matter how long it takes) they will remember and be confident in the knowledge, using it in life and to master other subjects.

Thomas Edison was thought to be a slower than average learner in school, but the way he thought helped him in his scientific experiments. He had a patient persistence and worked logically until he completed the task at hand. His signature shows this in his "m" and "n."

I love... (part 3)

I love students who are eager to learn (and bonus if the student has deep understanding with little effort).
I love my travel coffee mug (took trying 3 different styles before finding the right one).
I love my brother who is 26 today. (Happy birthday!)

*Three Year Old Stomp* I Want a Dog!

The upstairs neighbors not only annoy us with loud noises after hours but now have a howling dog (which we aren't allowed to have by the lease) to annoy us during the day. Only thing worse than not getting to have a dog till May is being constantly reminded of the fact by a sad dog.

I want a dog!

I don't know what kind yet (small lap dog that preferably has hair instead of fur). Any suggestions?

Here are some of my top picks based on cute encounters:

The Maltese
We owned a Maltese for years. Her name was Spooky because we got her on Halloween and she was white as a ghost. That dog barked at everyone but I loved her so much. She followed my mom around everywhere and slept at her feet. Spooky loved my mom best because mom fed her. Mom also was in the house the most out of all of us so Spooky never barked at her.





The Pomeranian
A friend on a softball team owned a Pomeranian. It was so little and cute and even if it was biting hard I barely felt anything!





The Shih Tzu
A friend from school had a Shih Tzu and I always thought as a puppy it looks like a mop-head running around on the floor.





The West Highland Terrier (Westie)
I don't know why I've always been drawn to Westies. My aunt had a Scottie and I like how Westies are basically white versions of Scotties.





The Yorkshire Terrier
Again, I don't have many experiences with them but I have heard good things and think they are adorable.





The Scottish Terrier
Like I said earlier, my aunt had a Scottie and I always think of Lady and the Tramp when I see one. They seem so wise!

Math Trig Wheel / Lazy Susan

Ashley was doing some of her many arts and crafts this summer while I was visiting her in Lincoln City, OR. She wood-burned and painted a Lazy Susan for her husband's relative and had an extra one. I told her that I always wanted a wheel that converts radians and degrees but that I wanted it color coordinated for when I teach trigonometry someday (color coordination makes it easy to memorize). Well we both got brainstorming and I listed exactly what to put where, which colors for the degrees/radians parts, and a bunch of other trig-related concepts like special triangles and "SOH CAH TOA." Right away Ashley jumped on my suggestions and came up with this masterful wheel that has an application problem, three major concepts, and the conversion wheel all in one. It is beautiful and functional! I cannot wait until I get to use this wheel in the classroom! Thanks Ashley!

I loathe... (part 2)

I loathe camping in a tent at night.
I loathe slow computers.
I loathe most rap music.

I love... (part 2)

I love coffee, especially on a chilly morning.
I love cold weather because of the comfy clothes, shoes, and blankets that get used.
I love pumpkin.

Ignored, Insulted, and Entertained

Results of our date night:

We went to the Vietnamese Pho Nouveau Bistro in downtown Boise last night. We'd been there before at lunch, but never for dinner. When we got there we were happy and excited about a date. It's been awhile since we've had one and a really long time since we've done something besides a movie. Things started to go downhill about two minutes after we sat down. The waitress seemed distracted and uninterested in serving us. After the initial taking of the order we had to stop her to ask her for something ... every ... single ... time. We ordered the spring roll appetizer, the chicken pho (pronounced fuh), the clear noodle soup (VERY clear noodles in purple-tinted liquid with various sea foods and veggies).On top of bad service, she took our food to be boxed, forgot about it till we asked for the bill, let it sit next to the bin of dirty dishes (20 minutes?), and boxed it after dessert but before bringing our bill. She didn't say goodbye or thanks or anything. The only redeeming quality of the experience was the amazing French press coffee and homemade tiramisu with coconut cream on the side. We walked out the door and trashed the leftovers at the first available bin. Talk about a $45 waste of a meal.

The opening band for the Killers' concert insulted the audience by discussing the Boise renown "right wing" majority. They said we were all right wing compared to them being left wing... ummm... at a ROCK CONCERT don't you think many people might be middle of the road or left wing even in a city like Boise? For the people who are right wing: who wants to be stereotyped anyway? They didn't get much enthusiasm from the crowd. The second band was an English-speaking mariachi band. They seemed to be mellow and glad to play for us and we enjoyed their music.

The Killers were AMAZING. We overheard 10-20 people saying this was the best show they'd ever been to or that the show was much better than they expected. I've experienced the Killers before and they did not disappoint. Since this venue was larger than the last, we got to see an excellent light show with confetti on top of the high-energy entertainment that is typical of the Killers. I guess they can still be my favorite band.

Oh Killers and Late Nights

Oh The Killers, how I love thee. I am going to listen to them off and on all day to prepare for tonight's show. If the show in Nashville is any indication, then I will have a VERY entertaining night. David and I are also going to go out to eat downtown before the show. We like the newest restaurant, Vietnamese Pho Nouveau Bistro, so we might go there.

I got about four hours sleep last night because I've been busy. Yesterday was my "day off" and I accomplished a great deal (I think):

-2 pages written on thesis
-35 graded tests
-Lecture prepared
-Stage 1 on a craft project
-Finished a novel I've been struggling through (not Nora's best)
-Grocery shopping
-Laundry
-Watched new Always Sunny and Juno while grading

Even though I had to get up at 6:20 am and go to sleep at 2:45 am I felt so productive! I won't regret missing out on exercise since I did so many other things on my list... hehehe.

I loathe... (part 1)

I loathe bacon.
I loathe stale cigarette-scented clothes.
I loathe wet spots on tile floors while wearing flip-flops.

I love... (part 1)

I love the word "Tuesday."
I love hidden public bathrooms that hardly ever get used.
I love cinnamon.

New Roommate?

There is a possibility that a friend might be moving in with us. We aren't sure yet, but it looks like it might happen.

I got my tentative teaching schedule: MATH143 Section 003 MWF 8:40-9:30

Research

Research is going good. I have about three pages typed up and learned how to insert figures into my paper (took me 5 hours to get it right).

Hunter has his birthday (17 years old!) today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY (he won't read this).

I have been reading a lot lately, mostly youth reading and romance. It's been a nice summer so far, but I dread the math conference. I've never had to participate at one before.

Les Claypool Concert

O'Death opened with an amazing show. They are from New York and have an alternative/bluegrass/punk sound. It was a lot of fun and we got a CD.

Les Claypool was absolutely amazing. Skyler couldn't stop raving and David thinks the performance was just as good, if not better, than when he performed with Primus.

The three of us got to spend some time together which is rare considering the other news.... Sky's baby Leo James Luther Sexton was born June 18, 2009 at 12:01 am. He was 5 lbs 10 oz and 19 3/4 inches long. He is so adorable I can't help bragging. He is so tiny. He's been eating more lately and staying awake for longer periods of time. Doesn't make me want one, though. Sorry Parents.

Waiting

We are waiting for Lee J!!!

Book Day

David and I went to the library and the used books store today. We didn't have time for much browsing but we did check some things out and sell some used books. The store we went to was kind of picky when it came to used books. If I owned a used bookstore, then I would take anything in good condition. Oh well.