(no subject)
Yeah so it's been a while since I posted anything, and it's 4AM on a Saturday morning, so I figured what the hey...
For those who don't know, I'm working at the lab downtown again this summer. This summer, I'm doing lab work rather than computer analysis, so there are several things I've had to learn and become accustomed to. The hardest part so far has been getting petri dishes out of the sealed bags without contaminating them... damn packaging. I finished my 'trial runs' today, so I'm on to the real thing come Monday. Sadly, once I get the hang of it, I'll be doing the same routine every day, so it will likely get kinda boring. It's a paycheck tho, and maybe it'll look decent on a résumé.
As I alluded to before, U-M finished up on a less than stellar note academically... something I'm not quite familiar with. I don't have anything to blame but a lack of motivation, really. I just found things to distract myself... anything and everything is more interesting than a physics textbook. All I can do is resolve to make next semester better. So long as things shape up, I'm looking to doing a double major in aerospace engineering and materials science. I have introductory classes in both this coming semester, so that's good. Band will be an added bonus, though I had better start practicing if I want a shot at the performance block.
On that note, I've spent an awful lot of time thinking about what I want to do professionally. Engineering has been my pursuit thus far because science and math, in general, interest me a lot and I'm relatively good at them. I also like to make things better and problem solve, so it seems like a logical solution. And yet, every time I attend a concert or hear anything even remotely pleasing from a musical perspective, I'm drawn to it. A perfect chord, a ringing note... I literally get chills. I know I can be a better musician than I am now, especially considering how far I've gotten with how little I feel I put in, but I question whether I can become good enough to make anything out of it. As much as science fascinates me and fills me with ideas and curiosities, it just doesn't compare to my passion for music. What does that mean? For now, I'm sticking with my original plan to keep my musical talents to a hobby/personal obsession, but I do vow to put forth the effort to exercise my talent fully. Of the goals I had this summer, my piano practice has been the only I've actually started: I picked out some Chopin ("Nocturne in E Flat" to memorize) and Rachmaninoff ("Etudes-Tableaux Op. 39, No. 9" to learn/memorize). I'll see where it leads.
Caution: Now descending one floor on the escalator of philosophy. Please watch your step.
I suppose the profession-question both stems and leads to such questions as what's best for me, what will make me happiest and why. Truth be told, I don't know the answer to that last part, which is probably why I have lots of other questions I so confusingly rattle around in my head (and thankfully, to my oh-so-patient friends). I suppose it's not a question answered lightly nor quickly. It all has to do with that meaning-of-life thing. Sorry, no new answers today.
[subject change]
I've been busy shopping lately; in fact, I've probably been to the mall more times these last 2 and a half weeks than half the number of times I went over the entirety of last year. And I've actually bought stuff too. Must be a sign of some sort. I also redesigned a bracelet I'd started last fall-- it's almost done, and I plan to wear it to the next outing, assuming there will be one this summer. Thanks Warren/Metro Detroit for all your great hangout places... sure is nice to know there's a club only 35 miles away. God I miss Ann Arbor (and even that's not the greatest). Still managing to meet new people, tho, so that's happy.
Looking forward to the next few days and weeks. Small party for my aunt's birthday today, STAR WARS Wednesday night (CANNOT WAIT!), and possibly the air show at Selfridge next Sunday. I'm also interested in seeing Kingdom of Heaven, Everything is Illuminated, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and definitely War of the Worlds, in case anyone's interested. Ok, time for bed: good night.
For those who don't know, I'm working at the lab downtown again this summer. This summer, I'm doing lab work rather than computer analysis, so there are several things I've had to learn and become accustomed to. The hardest part so far has been getting petri dishes out of the sealed bags without contaminating them... damn packaging. I finished my 'trial runs' today, so I'm on to the real thing come Monday. Sadly, once I get the hang of it, I'll be doing the same routine every day, so it will likely get kinda boring. It's a paycheck tho, and maybe it'll look decent on a résumé.
As I alluded to before, U-M finished up on a less than stellar note academically... something I'm not quite familiar with. I don't have anything to blame but a lack of motivation, really. I just found things to distract myself... anything and everything is more interesting than a physics textbook. All I can do is resolve to make next semester better. So long as things shape up, I'm looking to doing a double major in aerospace engineering and materials science. I have introductory classes in both this coming semester, so that's good. Band will be an added bonus, though I had better start practicing if I want a shot at the performance block.
On that note, I've spent an awful lot of time thinking about what I want to do professionally. Engineering has been my pursuit thus far because science and math, in general, interest me a lot and I'm relatively good at them. I also like to make things better and problem solve, so it seems like a logical solution. And yet, every time I attend a concert or hear anything even remotely pleasing from a musical perspective, I'm drawn to it. A perfect chord, a ringing note... I literally get chills. I know I can be a better musician than I am now, especially considering how far I've gotten with how little I feel I put in, but I question whether I can become good enough to make anything out of it. As much as science fascinates me and fills me with ideas and curiosities, it just doesn't compare to my passion for music. What does that mean? For now, I'm sticking with my original plan to keep my musical talents to a hobby/personal obsession, but I do vow to put forth the effort to exercise my talent fully. Of the goals I had this summer, my piano practice has been the only I've actually started: I picked out some Chopin ("Nocturne in E Flat" to memorize) and Rachmaninoff ("Etudes-Tableaux Op. 39, No. 9" to learn/memorize). I'll see where it leads.
Caution: Now descending one floor on the escalator of philosophy. Please watch your step.
I suppose the profession-question both stems and leads to such questions as what's best for me, what will make me happiest and why. Truth be told, I don't know the answer to that last part, which is probably why I have lots of other questions I so confusingly rattle around in my head (and thankfully, to my oh-so-patient friends). I suppose it's not a question answered lightly nor quickly. It all has to do with that meaning-of-life thing. Sorry, no new answers today.
[subject change]
I've been busy shopping lately; in fact, I've probably been to the mall more times these last 2 and a half weeks than half the number of times I went over the entirety of last year. And I've actually bought stuff too. Must be a sign of some sort. I also redesigned a bracelet I'd started last fall-- it's almost done, and I plan to wear it to the next outing, assuming there will be one this summer. Thanks Warren/Metro Detroit for all your great hangout places... sure is nice to know there's a club only 35 miles away. God I miss Ann Arbor (and even that's not the greatest). Still managing to meet new people, tho, so that's happy.
Looking forward to the next few days and weeks. Small party for my aunt's birthday today, STAR WARS Wednesday night (CANNOT WAIT!), and possibly the air show at Selfridge next Sunday. I'm also interested in seeing Kingdom of Heaven, Everything is Illuminated, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and definitely War of the Worlds, in case anyone's interested. Ok, time for bed: good night.