I would like to thank you, dear readers, real and imagined, for taking interest in my blog, and not simply for your empathic inklings. This gratitude extends from the joy I've experienced in publishing my thoughts in writing. I have long considered myself far more capable in written, rather than spoken, communication. This notion was occasionally observed in high school, thought the lack of stimulating topics and the suffocation of creativity brought about by mere mandate stifled whatever potential I had more often than not. But here, where I can write about whatever happens to catch my fancy without regard to proper essay structure or, for that matter, well-formed ideas, I think I've been able to gain some ability. I took the GRE test recently and, at least in part due to this blog, performed best in writing: 5.5/6 points, which equates to the 92nd percentile of all who take this test. Further, the test was taken in lieu of my favored Dvorak keyboard layout, which I estimate reduced my typing speed by at least 20 wpm. That's all the bragging I can stand to do for now.
The reason I was taking the GRE is that I'm now in the process of applying to various graduate schools. I haven't concluded on any programs, but in general am interested in a MS in Civil Engineering with emphasis in Water Resources. One of my professors persuaded me to look into UC Berkeley where the Civil Systems program looks more interesting than their others, perhaps even more interesting than WR elsewhere. But I've only begun looking at schools.
In light of the expectation that I'll start school again next year, I've stopped looking for career path exits to this hum-drum life. Actually, I stopped looking about a month ago, when Erik Anderson asked me to help out with MCC's high school group. So no more spending pointless hours on Craigslist and Monster seeking and applying for engineering jobs for which I think I am qualified. Instead, my days are seas of time spent enjoying the marvels of Hulu and the diverse wisdoms of writers of theology, philosophy, and physics punctuated by brief spells of graduate school applications. I also started lowering my standards for employment and applied to Target, Radio Shack, and Best Buy. I know, I disgust myself, too. On the plus-side, if the Geek Squad hires me, I can blog about the similarities between my life and Chuck Bartowsky's.
Some things I've been reading:
-A really big book of ambitious scope, self described as "in the spirit of Lewis Carroll." Offers unique insights on the concepts of intelligence, philosophy, and mathematics. More enjoyable than it sounds, but I didn't finish the 777 pages before it was due back at the library.
-A friend's recommendation, as it pertains to my oft-hoped-for life's trajectory. Likens young missionaries to urban slums around the world to several monks and nuns in the early days of monasticism. Will make you want to move downtown and live in a homeless shelter. My warning is: consider your personal mission. Don't go where you want or where a book tells you, go where you're called.
-Old-school paperback from my mom's shelf about realizing your old, sinful self has been crucified and is dead, and in this death your resurrected self is more alive in Christ than ever. I was worried one day I wasn't getting enough wisdom in my life, so I picked this at random.
-I finally realize I never understood relativity and string theory, and never will. But it's fun to think about anyway.
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