| For jillian |


No Jillian, I will not buy you coffee. If I remember correctly, you owe me about... $2,104.36 worth in coffee. I expect that to be paid in full upon my return. That is all.

| The presentation |


The DLN (dry low NOx) video presentation went well. My "buddy" gave a nice introduction of me to the people there that didn't know me. He mentioned I am only a sophomore in college that hasn't even had thermodynamics, heat transfer, etc. and that he felt I have done an astonishing job under those circumstances. That really lifted me up before I presented and I think it was Chris's way of hinting at everyone to take it easy on me. I think I did well overall. No one really asked me the questions I had prepared to answer (I had all of these really awesome ways to make it look like I really knew the subject material). However, I had the "chief engineering smiling at the end," according to my buddy. Everyone was really kind and my TL (technical leader) came. That was really nice of him considering how busy he is. He also stayed at the end to give me his one-on-one comments on my presentation. I really thought that was valuable and very professional of him. He really is a good leader. Among his comments were to sit more upright and to have a conclusions slide (which I somehow just forgot to add?). I think I accomplished what people could expect of me, so I'm pretty happy with it. I was scared that the chief engineer wouldn't be so considerate, but it turns out that he was very nice and supportive. I've seen him get pretty nasty with other people in their presentations. I am just sooo glad for it to be over. Let the summer begin.

| Work update #2 |


Ok since my last post didn't 'count' as a blog, I will try harder this time. I am sorry some people were disappointed. haha.

Two weeks from tomorrow is my last day at work. I'm pretty excited. I have a lot going on until then. I've got a couple minor presentations to my team at tomorrow's meeting. After that, the only major thing I really have left is a DLN (dry low NOx) presentation on April 26th. It is making me kind of nervous. Fortunately, it won't be the most people I've had to speak to at one time. The State Beta convention took care of that one ;-) . However, everyone on my floor is invited and they also broadcast it throughout the GE internal server. Who will show up? I'm expecting the 5 co-ops that sit next to me, my TL (team leader), my buddy, and a few others that my buddy convinces to come for support. The rest will be people I don't know that are just there for the information. For those who are interested... I am presenting on the first of about three projects that I worked on this semester. I am just going over the results of my analysis and how it contributes to the big picture. My biggest challenge in this presentation is the terminology. I had no background of gas turbines, combustion, or the like before I got to my job. I have learned a tremendous amount of information, but it will be difficult to be able to comfortably present this information in front of a group of Ph.d's. The point of these presentations is for one's peers to ask hard questions before any further work is done. So, I'm pretty nervous, but very anxious to just get this thing over with. Anywho, so that's basically what's on my mind until next weds. After that ... well, work will be wrapping stuff up before I leave the next week.

Happy, dave? ;-)

| work update |


I miss school.

| Exciting |


I've made the decision (and collected enough money) to finally buy my own cello! I only rented one before now, and I haven't even done that since high school. I am so excited. I called Jan (my cello teacher) and asked for her help in finding a good one. We are going to go cello shopping as soon as I return to Richmond for good in early May. Hopefully I can start lessons up through Tech's music department somehow. I'd also like to get good enough to audition for the community symphony there. I've heard it's not too hard to get in... We'll see. I must get the cello first. But it's going to happen. Why do I speak of it now? Well, today is the first day that I have enough funds to purchase the cello and all its accessories while still having enough money to cover rent, gas, meals, etc for the next several months. Pay day is a wonderful thing. :-)

| Repeat that one more time...|


It's interesting how so many things seem to repeat themselves.

Music, in all of its beauty, is nothing but repeated phrases, rythms, melodies. We wouldn't appreciate music if it were not in some form repetitious. The sound wouldn't be music to our ears without us being able to somehow organize and recognize it. This is not to be confused with recognizing as in "heard before," but rather a recognition of patterns. The patterns are what make it music.

History, no matter how much we try to stop it, inevitably repeats itself. As much as we try to prevent it, this is true. Every generation has its conflicts. These battles all seem so new and distinct to each generation. In reality, the roots are strikingly similar. Our current strifes still involve the imaginary lines man has drawn and re-drawn across the globe. Arrogant religious ideologies fill minds with a shocking and self-contradicting hatred for others. These and so many others form the core of so many conflicts we see in today's society.

Giving follows this pattern. For those that have seen "Pay it Forward," you already have an idea of what I mean. Under the right conditions, a pattern can emerge. Giving anything will certainly make an impact - hopefully to spark more giving. This flows along and grows exponentially as the network of givers rapidly increases. The thought of the receiver may be to repeat the kindness shown to him/her. Surely it is a wonderful and welcome feeling to be thought of, to be considered. Why not be considerate of someone else to bring that joy to his/her life? Of course, this is ideal. Unfortunately, few unconditionally think this way.

Just to name a few. What else can you think of?

| Out of the loop |


I just finished The Da Vinci Code. I thought it was a great story. I love books that are clever like this. Now I understand the big deal with this book. I was out of the loop before. The story was very fast-paced and jam-packed with action.

It was very well-written and thought-provoking. I love how it challenges how people currently view the world and its history. Great story. You should read it if you haven't. You may not like it like I do, but it really is my kind of book.

The movie comes out May 19th. Read it before you see it.

Now time to read Angels and Demons to compare.