Why Do I Bother?

computer

I know I have been neglecting this blog lately. Sadly, that will probably continue for the next few months at least. Studying for school has proven to be even more challenging than I thought it would be. Partly it is a matter of time management, but the material is also difficult.

Currently I am studying to take the A+ Certification. There are two exams that I need to take in order to get this certification, one is on Computer Hardware, the other is on Operating Systems. Both of these topics are familiar to me, but the level of detailed knowledge that is required is more than I currently am able to demonstrate.

Here is an example of a question on hardware:

36. What I/O address range is typically assigned to the video controller BIOS?

A. C0000 - C7FFF
B. C8000 - CFFFF
C. D0000 - D7FFF
D. D8000 - D8FFF

The correct answer is A, but I would have failed this question on the exam. Luckily I have some pretty good books and a decent practice exam to work with. I just have a feeling that this is the sort of class that an actual classroom experience would benefit me more than self directed online study. I must stay motivated if I am to make it through this successfully.

I’m taking a break from all this next week, which is both good and bad I suppose. Our niece and nephews from California are going to be with us for a couple days this weekend. I’m pretty excited about that. We hardly ever get to see them. We will have them for 2 days then we drive them up to meet the family in Seattle where they will stay for a couple weeks.

I wish we could do more, but if they stayed any longer I would have to put them to work digging up my back yard. We start work on the creek next monday. I’ve hired a friend who is a contractor to kind of supervise and direct the event. You are all still welcome ( read expected ) to come help though.

Another thing is going on today actually. The young man I have been telling you about that I mentor for is graduating from his program! Unfortunately, I am unable to attend his graduation because of work. Just one more reason to hate my job. I really feel bad about it, but I am very proud of him. It will be nice to have him home so we can start spending more time together. He wants to join a gym, maybe he can help keep me motivated to exercise. That would make my wife very happy.

No promises as to when my next post might be. It’s not that there isn’t a lot going on, it’s just the crazyiness level of my life right now that keeps me from it. Thanks for being patient, I promise to be back as soon as I can. Take care!

Technorati Tags: A+ Certification, certification, Computer Hardware, Operating Systems, niece, nephew, mentor

Tags: Family, Mentoring, School by Jeffrey
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I have completed my first class in half the time that was allotted. It was just an introductory class, but it’s a class nonetheless. Now I get to start on the real thing. I’m expecting a call from my advisor later today so she can help me set up a plan to complete the 24 remaining classes that I need to earn my degree. Looking at the list of classes, I expect that the first few will go as quickly as the last one. I hope to be able to finish this whole degree in two years or so. Less would be nice.

done

Technorati Tags: class, degree

Tags: School by Jeffrey
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homework

I made it through the first week of school! Yes, I know it’s only Wednesday, but I’m done already. The first class that I am required to take is an orientation to online education and covers basic concepts like how to access the internet, how to post a message on a message board, and how to write and send an email. Yes it’s boring, but it is a requirement for everyone. It also requires some interaction with a group of students so I am restricted by the schedule of the group somewhat. I can’t proceed to the next step until everyone completes the first one. Every 5 days a new set of assignments will be posted and there are 4 sets. I should be able to complete this class in about 3 weeks. I’m looking forward to having this behind me so I can get on with the real thing. Kind of a slow start.

Technorati Tags: school, class, online education

Tags: School by Jeffrey
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My first class starts on Monday. It’s just an orientation class that basically teaches you how to take classes online, but I’m still excited to get started. Every day that I go to work I get more and more motivated to get this degree finished so I can move on. I’m looking forward to bigger and better things … like a starting salary about one and a half times what I’m making now. Wish me luck.

(aside …) Mel and I are getting bikes tomorrow morning. Whee.

Technorati Tags: class, degree

Tags: School by Jeffrey
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It has been a long week. and it just got started. I usually get about 3 or 4 posts out during the week, but I seem to be slacking a bit this week. Let me tell you what happened.

Monday morning, Bryan and I went to the casino in Grande Ronde. We had to leave town about 8 in the morning because each of us had committments later in the afternoon. The place was surprisingly crowded for that time of day. I’ve never been out there so early, I expected less. We headed straight to the blackjack table as we usually do, but were dissapointed to find that the non smoking tables were not available yet. It seemed to work out for the best though since Bryan and I both walked away quite a bit ahead of where we started. I won $280 over my initial “investment”. Bryan won even more. Nice way to start the day.

blackjack

Monday afternoon I went to Bend to visit my mentee. Luckily my favorite person was able to come along with me to keep me company on the ride. The young man I am a mentor for wasn’t expecting me. I wish I could use his name here so the relationship didn’t sound so sterile, it really isn’t. It was nice to see him and he was pleasantly surprised. We had lunch together and walked around for a while talking about his plans for the future. He’s making responsible choices for the most part. They aren’t choices that I would make, but they aren’t my choices to make so that’s ok. It’s great to hear him talking about the future with hope.

Tuesday Mel left for a job out of town for 2 days. We had to say goodbye in the morning when she left for work. I hate it when she’s out of town. It’s hard for me to sleep well without her. She comes back today, but leaves again to visit her mother and sister this weekend. I have to remember that one of the things I love about her so much is her independence. I still miss her when she’s gone though.

I also learned that the financial aid applications that I had filled out had to be done again. I spent Tuesday morning trying to get that done as well. It seems silly, but here’s what happened. When I filled out the forms there were two options given on the web site. (I was going to use a semi-colon there, but I remembered Vonnegut’s advice) I was asked to choose between the 2005-2006 school year and the 2006-2007 school year. This is 2006, right? So I chose 2006-2007 and filled out the lengthy application that required me gathering all of our tax information and bank account info for 2005. Have you already figured out where I screwed up? I start school in May. The 2006-2007 school year doesn’t start until June. I would have had to fill out both forms anyway, but it was a bit frustrating. I hate to be in a rush to get things done.

Because of my difficulty sleeping alone combined with the start of allergy season, I haven’t been getting enough rest. That leaves me tired and cranky sometimes. I was able to sleep in a bit this morning until almost 8:30 which is unheard of for me. I think it is just exhaustion rather than being restful. At any rate, I feel a bit better today.

So that’s where I’ve been if you noticed that I was even away. What have you been up to?

Technorati Tags: casino, Grande Ronde, blackjack, mentor, sleep, financial aid, allergy

Tags: Friends, Love and Marriage, Mentoring, School by Jeffrey
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classes

I got a letter of acceptance yesterday conditional only on receipt of my tuition. All of my financial aid forms are completed. The only step that is left is for the school to evaluate my transcripts which they assure me they have received. As soon as I know what pre-requisite courses I have to take I can start taking classes.

The entire program is online and is competency based. That means that I can take courses whenever I am ready and take as many as I am able. My study is completely self motivated so how quickly I progress is up to me. The nice thing is that I pay tuition per term rather than per “credit“. I have to take a minimum of 12 credits to be considered a full time student, but there is no maximum. I could complete the whole degree in one term if I was smart enough and crazy enough.

I’ll let you know as soon as I have more information. My first class will start May 1.

Technorati Tags: tuition, school, classes, competency, courses, credit

Tags: School by Nuts
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