MSN.com had a story about using colors to identify career categories. The author had taken the assessment ~5 times and it was spot on each time.
I took it thrice. All three times, my best occupational category was "Creator". Advertising execs, architects, authors, artists, lawyers, librarians, etc. Impulsive, sensitive, emotional souls who enjoy working independently and like to work in places where they can "express, assemble, or implement creative ideas."
My second best occupational category was a mixed bag. The first time, it said I was a "Researcher". "Independent, self-motivated, reserved, introspective, analytical, curious." "…prefer self-reliant jobs. Dislike. . .selling, repetitive activities." I couldn't describe myself better.
The other two times, it claimed I was a "Persuader". "Witty, competitive, sociable, talkative, ambitious, argumentative, and aggressive"? These folks sell things. And take "financial and interpersonal risks". I don't think the fact that I talk to myself in public counts as being 'talkative'. And there's a reason that I haven't been on a date since 2002 and have boomeranged back to my mother's house for the second time and can't afford to leave.
So I think the color thingy was spot on the first time I took it. Though I must've had one too many chocolate covered espresso beans the next two times I tried.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Test of Tuesday - Psych!
The hard stuff came. Product Rule, Quotient Rule, Chain Rule. He even did a proof (though we don't have to know it). It didn't look that hard, until we started doing problems in class. They take so long! And when you start mixing product rule with chain rule…it's nasty!
The test was slated for Tuesday. I studied the best I could, but I still have problems simplifying the more complex problems. When I arrived, there were many parking spaces available in one of the lots that is closer to my classroom. (That should've been my first clue that something was amiss.) Then there was the LPFD truck next to the Security Center. And students standing around, not quite milling, but definitely ejected from their classrooms.
So I made my way to the bathroom. Before I hit the building, the lights went out. Everywhere. A man in a green shirt was telling people that they had to evacuate the campus.
So I went to class. (Before I leave campus, I want to make sure that the test is cancelled.) Our teacher told us to hang out for a minute…then the man in the green shirt said, 'We have to evacuate because the power has been shut down. So if you could all go to your cars, and get in them, and leave…that would be great.' I heard someone say "Jesus loves me!" as I walked to my car.
I didn't see anything in the newspaper this morning, so I still don’t' know what happened that inspired first the evacuation of classrooms and then the shutdown of power to evacuate the school. But I'm keeping my eyes peeled.
I now have an extra day to study (which I don't plan to do), as well as an opportunity to get help in the math lab (which I will most likely do). I still expect to either fail miserably or get in the 80% range. Still, I'm not hating it. Yet.
The test was slated for Tuesday. I studied the best I could, but I still have problems simplifying the more complex problems. When I arrived, there were many parking spaces available in one of the lots that is closer to my classroom. (That should've been my first clue that something was amiss.) Then there was the LPFD truck next to the Security Center. And students standing around, not quite milling, but definitely ejected from their classrooms.
So I made my way to the bathroom. Before I hit the building, the lights went out. Everywhere. A man in a green shirt was telling people that they had to evacuate the campus.
So I went to class. (Before I leave campus, I want to make sure that the test is cancelled.) Our teacher told us to hang out for a minute…then the man in the green shirt said, 'We have to evacuate because the power has been shut down. So if you could all go to your cars, and get in them, and leave…that would be great.' I heard someone say "Jesus loves me!" as I walked to my car.
I didn't see anything in the newspaper this morning, so I still don’t' know what happened that inspired first the evacuation of classrooms and then the shutdown of power to evacuate the school. But I'm keeping my eyes peeled.
I now have an extra day to study (which I don't plan to do), as well as an opportunity to get help in the math lab (which I will most likely do). I still expect to either fail miserably or get in the 80% range. Still, I'm not hating it. Yet.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Why Am I Taking Calculus?
I want to get an MBA. I've been thinking about it off and on for the past 10 years or so, and have finally gotten serious about it.
I took Accounting 1A at the local junior college so I wouldn't be totally lost when I took the MBA courses. I finished up with 1B this past spring, and am now taking calculus to demonstrate proficiency in math. I'll follow up with Statistics, and then apply to at least Cal State East Bay (i.e., Hayward).
My initial plan was to focus on tech (I'm a quasi computer nerd). But I found that I like accounting. So I'm exploring the possibilities of a 'straight' accounting career, as well as the combination accounting and tech.
********
It's a curious thing. We just started derivatives, and I almost think I understand calculus better this time around. I certainly don't feel as helplessly lost as I did in undergrad. My theory will be tested on Test #2.
Thursday, he talked about the other way to write derivatives. Thus far, we've been using the f'(x) notation. He briefly talked about the dy/dx notation. The class groaned, "why are you confusing us?" For me, a light bulb went off. I remember that! I think it helped confuse me way back when!
Apparently, this week coming up, the hard stuff begins. The teacher said that, if we don't get what he's teaching next week (not necessarily in a day, but eventually), we might as well drop the class.
The snowball's picking up speed.
I took Accounting 1A at the local junior college so I wouldn't be totally lost when I took the MBA courses. I finished up with 1B this past spring, and am now taking calculus to demonstrate proficiency in math. I'll follow up with Statistics, and then apply to at least Cal State East Bay (i.e., Hayward).
My initial plan was to focus on tech (I'm a quasi computer nerd). But I found that I like accounting. So I'm exploring the possibilities of a 'straight' accounting career, as well as the combination accounting and tech.
********
It's a curious thing. We just started derivatives, and I almost think I understand calculus better this time around. I certainly don't feel as helplessly lost as I did in undergrad. My theory will be tested on Test #2.
Thursday, he talked about the other way to write derivatives. Thus far, we've been using the f'(x) notation. He briefly talked about the dy/dx notation. The class groaned, "why are you confusing us?" For me, a light bulb went off. I remember that! I think it helped confuse me way back when!
Apparently, this week coming up, the hard stuff begins. The teacher said that, if we don't get what he's teaching next week (not necessarily in a day, but eventually), we might as well drop the class.
The snowball's picking up speed.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
The Adventures in Calculus Continue
We had our first test, and I got an 81%. This is kinda I expected when I left the test. I figured that I either missed 2 problems, getting me in the 80th percentile, or I bombed. Praise the Lord that it was the former.
The bad part is that I made silly mistakes. To think I could've gotten into the mid-B range. My favorite example:
f(x)=2x2+7. Solve f(x+h)
Here was my "thought" process:
f(x+h)=2(x+h)2+7
=2(x+h)(x+h)+2
=2(x2+2xh+h2)+2
=2x2+4xh+2h2+2
=2(x2+2xh+h2+1)
What?!
There are math lab assignments every week. The math lab is a place where you can get help, if needed. According to the registration information, an hour of math lab is required in addition to the regular class time.
We sign in at a computer, which essentially clocks us in and out. Our assignments are to be retrieved from vertical file cabinet A and turned in to lateral file cabinet B, with assignments located in the folder labeled with our class number (e.g., Math 55). So I now spend a minimum of an extra hour on campus. That means less time for dinner and the paper for me.
Our most recent lab assignment involved using the fancy graphing calculator. I needed the little reference guide in order to do most of the assignment. For the one part I couldn't get, and I had to go online and download the 500+ page manual. Do I have a better understanding? Ha! I'll be going to the math lab to ask somebody why I'm doing what I'm doing.
It's a bit frustrating, actually. To read and not be able to understand. And I'm reading in my native language? Dude.
The bad part is that I made silly mistakes. To think I could've gotten into the mid-B range. My favorite example:
f(x)=2x2+7. Solve f(x+h)
Here was my "thought" process:
f(x+h)=2(x+h)2+7
=2(x+h)(x+h)+2
=2(x2+2xh+h2)+2
=2x2+4xh+2h2+2
=2(x2+2xh+h2+1)
What?!
There are math lab assignments every week. The math lab is a place where you can get help, if needed. According to the registration information, an hour of math lab is required in addition to the regular class time.
We sign in at a computer, which essentially clocks us in and out. Our assignments are to be retrieved from vertical file cabinet A and turned in to lateral file cabinet B, with assignments located in the folder labeled with our class number (e.g., Math 55). So I now spend a minimum of an extra hour on campus. That means less time for dinner and the paper for me.
Our most recent lab assignment involved using the fancy graphing calculator. I needed the little reference guide in order to do most of the assignment. For the one part I couldn't get, and I had to go online and download the 500+ page manual. Do I have a better understanding? Ha! I'll be going to the math lab to ask somebody why I'm doing what I'm doing.
It's a bit frustrating, actually. To read and not be able to understand. And I'm reading in my native language? Dude.
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