You Must Be Present To Win
Fwew, how the month flies.
Some of you may know that in 2002, at the age of 19, I was academically disqualified from Arizona State University. One could say that as a child I was a classic example of what
mrrules recently posted about -- I grew up with lots of comments about how smart I was and what great things I would accomplish but I can't remember anyone ever reinforcing the effort it takes to put talent to good use (Not that I'm excusing my behavior, but I find it helpful to trace the treads that make up me). I mention this to give context to me being the lazy student I was throughout my primary, secondary, and tertiary education.
The first thing I decided to do the day I was fired from Google was to go back to school and get a bachelors degree. It was the one thing that was totally impossible to do while I worked there, and while it took me a while to find employment to support myself on a part-time basis I started my first classes this fall with a full time load: a 100-level Java class (yawners-ville, but thankfully web-based), a digital design class (my third attempt), and a biology for majors class (oddly required for CS degrees at ASU).
This last class was transformative for me. It had been seven years since I last took biology in high school and I found that I had really missed studying science and the journey of acquiring understanding about life and its surprises. I did (what I felt was) exceptionally well and felt highly engaged by my studies. Based upon my experiences, and an invitation from my professor to take an invitation-only undergraduate research class with him, I have decided to let go of my prior opinion that I was good enough to be a scientist and to pursue a degree in the biological sciences.
As for my other classes this last Sunday the last grade came in and I'm proud to report that I've received all 'A's in my classes earning me a 4.0 GPA.
I never thought I had the capacity to be a good student. It's nice to be shown I was wrong.
On the social front I took myself out to the local gay cowboy bar, Charlie's the other week and had a grand time. Not only did I get to reconnect with an old friend, take in a great drag show, make some new dance-floor friends, but I won a prize in the AIDS walk benefit raffle! Now I get free admission for two to the post-pride parade party and $30 worth of drink tokens. Go me!
Coming up next: Trip to Columbus / Dayton, OH; New Year's Eve party; Zurich!
Some of you may know that in 2002, at the age of 19, I was academically disqualified from Arizona State University. One could say that as a child I was a classic example of what
mrrules recently posted about -- I grew up with lots of comments about how smart I was and what great things I would accomplish but I can't remember anyone ever reinforcing the effort it takes to put talent to good use (Not that I'm excusing my behavior, but I find it helpful to trace the treads that make up me). I mention this to give context to me being the lazy student I was throughout my primary, secondary, and tertiary education.
The first thing I decided to do the day I was fired from Google was to go back to school and get a bachelors degree. It was the one thing that was totally impossible to do while I worked there, and while it took me a while to find employment to support myself on a part-time basis I started my first classes this fall with a full time load: a 100-level Java class (yawners-ville, but thankfully web-based), a digital design class (my third attempt), and a biology for majors class (oddly required for CS degrees at ASU).
This last class was transformative for me. It had been seven years since I last took biology in high school and I found that I had really missed studying science and the journey of acquiring understanding about life and its surprises. I did (what I felt was) exceptionally well and felt highly engaged by my studies. Based upon my experiences, and an invitation from my professor to take an invitation-only undergraduate research class with him, I have decided to let go of my prior opinion that I was good enough to be a scientist and to pursue a degree in the biological sciences.
As for my other classes this last Sunday the last grade came in and I'm proud to report that I've received all 'A's in my classes earning me a 4.0 GPA.
I never thought I had the capacity to be a good student. It's nice to be shown I was wrong.
On the social front I took myself out to the local gay cowboy bar, Charlie's the other week and had a grand time. Not only did I get to reconnect with an old friend, take in a great drag show, make some new dance-floor friends, but I won a prize in the AIDS walk benefit raffle! Now I get free admission for two to the post-pride parade party and $30 worth of drink tokens. Go me!
Coming up next: Trip to Columbus / Dayton, OH; New Year's Eve party; Zurich!