A Student's Thought's: My Life Confessions.

Long Time

2011-05-03T18:09:00.000-07:00

I think its time I rekindle this blog!

A Rather Technical Post

2009-11-30T08:23:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,

It almost seems that it only when exams are coming up that I blog about stuff. But it's when times get this stressful that I really want to let loose and just do something totally unrelated to school work!

Not too long ago, I listened to a talk from Woody Norris, a top inventor and he said something that caught my attention. He said and I quote "Almost nothing has been invented yet!". Woody Norris is an awesome inventor with 15 patents and 45 inventions. Although, he completely supports education, he did not actually graduate from college. This almost seems to be a recurring theme for people that revolutionized technology ( Bill Gates, Mark Zukerberg and the list goes on). I love education but one of the things that REALLY defines you as an engineer, scientist, fashion designer or whatever profession you find yourself in, is what you do outside of the classroom. With that I started thinking about how I can define myself and I know I have a passion for software development so I have actively started learning new programming languages. Software development has many applications ranging from application programming, artificial intelligence, national security, web-development and even simple game design! The list goes on and on.

I am currently learning the following languages: PHP, HTML, JAVA, Python, Ruby, SQL, LaTeX, Objective-C, C/C++, database management systems (DBMS) . I am using PHP (Hypertext preprocessor) and HTML(Hypertext markup language) which are general web-oriented languages to design and update the NSBE website which I am the president of. I am just learning the basic syntax of python and ruby which both have a WIDE variety of uses. However, reviews say that when you learn python, you pretty much don't want to use anything else. I am using SQL (which is a structured query language) to learn C/C++ and successfully interact with DBMS. I am using Objective-C to create iPhone applications. I have developed a number of fully functional apllications; one of which is the IIT Navigator which shows the current location of the iPhone user on the IIT map and also displays current points of interests. I plan to go even further to use OpenGL to create games on the iPhone. LaTeX is the exception to everything above in that its not a language per say but more like a document preparation software which allows users a wide range of typesetting functionality. In other words no more word processing applications!

I know this is a lot to do in addition to the 6 classes I am taking, work at the admissions office, being president of a student org, director of another and so on but I cant help but feel that its still not enough and I need to stretch myself even more. ( Believe it or not, there are a lot of people that have more responsibilities than me so this is nothing!)

Finally after learning all this, I plan to become an inventor of some sort. What to invent, I am unsure of, but one thing is certain though- "I am on the right path".

A midterm week/month at IIT

2009-10-07T10:02:00.000-07:00

In other to graduate from any academic institution, you obviously have to go through a testing period. Some practical and others theoretical. For me, last week was a mixture of all of them. It was midterms week for most students at IIT. What I am going to describe to you in this post is a typical exam week. Its sooo much fun, so sit back relax and enjoy the ride. Obviously my narrative would differ from student to student so what I am showing you is the exception and not the rule!

09/27/09

This is the day before my first midterm in Physics. I wake up after a long night out with some friends and I am really tired to say the least from all the food and drinks. But I know it is time to get to work as time waits for no one! I lazily stand up from the bed thinking about how much time has been wasted - it's 2pm! and I was supposed to meet up with a study group at 11am, i think "damn! those guys did not call me!". I quickly take a shower, washing away the remaining ounces of sleep and grogginess in my eyes! "This should be a fun day!"- I say to myself. After grabbing breakfast its about 3:30pm, I quickly meet up with the study group at 4:00pm and at that time, they were rounding up. We study together for a little bit but then one by one they start inching out of the library. "Where are you guys going?" I asked. They reply in unison to my surprise "home!". I stay alone in the library onwards and its wonderful how much stuff I put in my brain under so much stress. Its midnight and the library is closing. I'm impressed with myself and ready for the week ahead, or so i thought.

09/28/09

Its 7:45am, I hear my alarm go off. I think "oh gosh!" its time already. I debate with myself whether to get up or doze off for a couple of more minutes. My better judgment wins and I get up knowing that If I do not, its going to mess up the schematics of the day, I had no room for contingencies. I step into the shower at 8:00am and start reciting the things crammed into my head last night, I'm impressed I can still remember. WOW! I run over to the exam which should start at 8:35am. The professor is late- "this cant be good" I tell my friends. They think the exam is canceled, but before further a due, he walks in and hands the paper to us! Ha! time to murder the paper I say! but who murdered who is the question I still ask myself today as I am yet to receive my grades! Fingers crossed my friends! At work afterward, I sit and think "one down, four to go". Tomorrow is another day.

09/29/09

I get up today thinking about what lies in store for me. I don't have any exams today but today, NSBE is holding its general meeting. I wake up thinking "Oh snap! I did not write the agenda". But its no problem really because I am good at thinking up things on the spot. I quickly and efficiently put some power point slides together and then go for my first class. After that, is the meeting- we have an impressive attendance and the jokes I cooked up while writing the agenda actually come in handy as its a pretty interactive meeting. I think to myself "nice" while running to work. After work and class again, It's already 7pm and I have not studied for my data structures exam tomorrow. Oh darn, another all nighter.

09/30/09

It's 8:00am, I'm having my first exam at 3:15pm but I'm pretty busy till then with class and work. I'm thinking its just like I have a 9-5 job. No wiggle room. But I love it though because it teaches or "is teaching me" how to manage my time! Before long it was 3:15pm and I was writing my exam. The professor is pretty cool and gives all these weird analogies in class. The exam was not an exception as he talks about the exam being a flight simulator, cell phones off and plane lands in an hour and 15! At landing, am thinking to myself " Thank God! the alnighter paid off". Two down, two to go!

10/01/09

Today is the second to the last day of midterms. Ha, I'm almost done. But I think to myself, after 6:15pm today, I have to wait another week for my next exam and after that wait another 2 weeks for my last one, so a midterm week for me is actually a month! (So to speak). But whatever, there's not much I can do but be prepared for each one. There's work today obviously and I'm holding a NSBE board Brainstorming session. It goes really nice, lunch is provided and I am pretty excited about the upcoming events we are planning! But yeah back to school work. Sometimes its really challenging to juggle the things together but I'm learning. It's 5:00pm and I am about to write my circuits exam. It's 2 questions and I'm pretty bummed out at 6:15pm after the exam as I don't feel like I did as well as I should have. After the exam I discuss with a couple of friends and it seems to be a general feeling. I say "Well that's nice it would probably make a good curve". But I cant help but have the feeling that some others would have aced that test. Oh well, I cant dwell on the past..1 more to go, but before that- time to PARTY LIKE A ROCK STAR all weekend!

10/01/09

My last exam before another two week break(from exams not school). Its my digital computing class. I love this class but the professor has the tendency to give crazy exams. I'm unfazed by that as I really studied all weekend for it. It goes really well and I am actually quite pleased myself. I think to myself, "Damn, I do impress myself sometimes!".

10/20/09

This would be the last day and I would find out what happens....and let you know. Otherwise keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck cos I have no idea what I am doing. HELP!

School and Life thus far..

2009-09-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

As the start of the blog, I figured I would first give a brief description about myself and what I have been up to thus far.

This semester has started off to be all and more than what I was expecting, of course in a good way. Last May, I was elected as the President of the largest Student-run organization in the country- the National Society of Black Engineers and I am currently serving the IIT-chapter of this organization (NSBE-IIT). It has been a memorable experience this past couple of weeks and I must say I am enjoying every minute of being in that position of POWER!!!!! (evil laugh).

Last week, we had our annual BBQ and a host of people attended. Here are some pictures from the event.

Our next general meeting would be held tomorrow so if you see this, be there..

I am also a Student advisor for the Fiance Board at IIT which is a branch of the Student Government. Basically, me and a number of others are in charge of advising and allocating money to Student Organizations on campus. This week is a particularly stressful one as proposals from over 50 organizations are to be filtered through and on Saturday we have hearings which pretty much lasts all day! Good thing there would be food though! :)

Classes on the other hand have been a bit skecthy and fun as well! I am having a "great" time balancing all my activities together and sometimes I forget that I have to do homework which then results in me pulling all-nighters already. Don't get me wrong , I enjoy my classes! I am taking this ECE 242 class which is basically digital computing and I am having fun playing with 1's and 0's, that's about my most awesome class thus far...the professor is cool. I could say this for a number of professors on-campus as they always make a constant effort to ensure we know what they are talking about. But at times it really feels overwhelming, the amount of work they make you do. I like to think of it though as preparing a solid foundation for the years to come.

I am looking at my schedule for the week now and I am pretty much busy everyday from about 6:45am to 9pm. I can be very forgetful at times so I made it a point this semester to create a schedule of everything I do from meetings, to class, to events, to even homework and reading times. This I believe would help me stay on top of things, seeing as there is a lot to be done.

Over the course of the semester, I would update you all weekly/bi weekly/monthly about events and activities on and off campus, so check regularly to know what's cooking. By the way, look out for the Fall Career Fair this Thursday hosted by the CMC! Great way to get a job, I'll be there and hope to see you too. Homecoming will be hosted during the week of September 20th-26th. There will be much food and various activities going on that will promote IIT spirit. This is only the beginning so watch out.

"Life is not about the moments you breathe but about the moments that take your breath away"

2008-12-14T21:21:00.000-08:00

So I was just chilling, after a seemingly long day and I found myself wondering into the vast universe of the internet looking for what I could do to engage this itching mind of mine...... After browsing a bit more, I got into a friend's blog and it interested me to find out how fascinating it could be to have a place where one can come and share their creative (I think..lol) reasoning..yep! Blogging!

I am totally new to all this but I must say, it is pretty interesting. It might not be like the whole editorial masterpiece people like to see but it would simply would be my life as I know it.

MY LIFE FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT-(I LIVE IT AND YOU WATCH!)