"Clifford, what do you exactly do you do/study"?
"Oh, well I work with big data".
"Really, what does that mean"?
"It means that I use very large sets of data to build statistical/mathematical models to check for trends, look at probabilities...."
This question has been posed to me many times since I first started to dedicate my life to the exciting world of big data. I love to share with people what it is exactly what it is that I do, but I often get the feeling that most people really don't fully grasp what it is that I do. However, when I start to explain that I use math to make predictive models, I see peoples eyes glass over with a "Wow this guy must be some kind of genius". While I would love to be able to make the claim that I am some kind of Steven Hawking, I am just your average math lover.
Ever since I was a little kid, math has been one of the very few things in life that has made any sense. To this day I still struggle deeply with grammar and spelling, if it was not for spell check I would be in deep trouble. However, math has always been a subject that has been my guiding light in the world of academia.Which is why I got my degree in Actuarial Science (Business Mathematics and Statistics).
Now that you understand why is it I do what I do, let me further explain what it is that I do. I actually work for The Kroger Company, they are one of the nations largest "traditional" grocery store chains. The department that I work for, focuses on trying to improve the shopping process, and the team that I work for specifically works on trying to make your check-out experience quick, smooth, and painless. I am the analyst on my team, so that means that I get to be the one that gets to have the real fun, no matter what anyone else thinks or says.
How does this all relate to big data? Big data is simply just a name that has come about to identify all the data that companies these days collect on their customers. This data is things like buying trends, shopping trends, favorite items, etc, etc. People like myself, who have spent many hours learning how to handle this amount of data, help companies understand what it is that their data is telling them. I use various computer software to help "mine" through the data. Once I have identified the type of data that I want, I then build a statistical/mathematical model that helps me to understand what the data is telling me. Often the size of the data that I am working with numbers in the millions of observations. My largest data set to date has been in excess of 13 million unique observations.
One thing you should know about big data is that it takes lots of time and patients. When I work with a set of data that is larger of about a million observations, my computer really slows down and has a very hard time working with that much data. In addition to that, you also have to be willing to go down one path, realize that all the work that you have done up to that point is wrong, and start over. I have done this more times then I care to admit. But in the end, with lots of hard work and time I am able to understand the story that the data is telling me.
So there you have it, what it is that I actually do. Yes, it is really nerdy, but I love it. And no I really am not that smart, I just really like what I do.
Friday, August 1, 2014
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Letter To Mac Users
Dear Mac Users
I am really glad that you got a Mac computer. I know how cool you think you are because you stood in line for 3 days straight to get the newest Iphone/Ipad/Imac/Ipod. I am really glad that you only had to spend $200 more then I did to get your new device.
Yes I know I am not hip and cool with my PC. I know that Apple products are where it's at right now. I have listened to you time and time again as you have told me how much better Macs are to PC, how having a Mac is great because you don't have to have antivirous, spy wear, etc, etc. I know that when you have a Mac you join the cool crowd and everyone thinks your cool.
I got into computers because I really like them, nothing to me is more fun then either doing a dual boot or a virtual machine so that I can run two different operating systems. I love how I can spend a few hours and figure out most issues on my computer. Or use some code to get the work done that I need to. It was this love that caused me to use a PC, or a Linux if I am really feeling like being adventurous and nerdy. You see a PC is great for doing things like this.
That all being sad, don't ask me to help you out with a MAC issue! Remember YOU chose the Mac because it was so much better then a PC. YOU chose to spend that extra money to get something that was cool. YOU chose a Mac because it was "easier" to use then a PC. YOU chose a Mac because it would allow you to be more artistic. So shouldn't YOU chose to learn how to actually use your Mac?
So no, I don't know how to download songs to your ITunes, I don't know how to get said download onto your Iphone/Ipad/Ipod, I don't know why you can't make a graph/picture larger in your word processor so that your boss can actually understand your report, I can't help you get your Apple TV to connect with your Wi-Fi network, and I don't know why it is that you cannot run any of the great programs that I have on your Mac.
When you finally realize that you have just paid over $200 more just to be able to be cool, and decide it is time to get a real computing device, I will be waiting and happy to show you how to make your machine as cool as mine.
Kindest Regards
A Computer Nerd
I am really glad that you got a Mac computer. I know how cool you think you are because you stood in line for 3 days straight to get the newest Iphone/Ipad/Imac/Ipod. I am really glad that you only had to spend $200 more then I did to get your new device.
Yes I know I am not hip and cool with my PC. I know that Apple products are where it's at right now. I have listened to you time and time again as you have told me how much better Macs are to PC, how having a Mac is great because you don't have to have antivirous, spy wear, etc, etc. I know that when you have a Mac you join the cool crowd and everyone thinks your cool.
I got into computers because I really like them, nothing to me is more fun then either doing a dual boot or a virtual machine so that I can run two different operating systems. I love how I can spend a few hours and figure out most issues on my computer. Or use some code to get the work done that I need to. It was this love that caused me to use a PC, or a Linux if I am really feeling like being adventurous and nerdy. You see a PC is great for doing things like this.
That all being sad, don't ask me to help you out with a MAC issue! Remember YOU chose the Mac because it was so much better then a PC. YOU chose to spend that extra money to get something that was cool. YOU chose a Mac because it was "easier" to use then a PC. YOU chose a Mac because it would allow you to be more artistic. So shouldn't YOU chose to learn how to actually use your Mac?
So no, I don't know how to download songs to your ITunes, I don't know how to get said download onto your Iphone/Ipad/Ipod, I don't know why you can't make a graph/picture larger in your word processor so that your boss can actually understand your report, I can't help you get your Apple TV to connect with your Wi-Fi network, and I don't know why it is that you cannot run any of the great programs that I have on your Mac.
When you finally realize that you have just paid over $200 more just to be able to be cool, and decide it is time to get a real computing device, I will be waiting and happy to show you how to make your machine as cool as mine.
Kindest Regards
A Computer Nerd
Sunday, July 3, 2011
What they don't show you in the movies
My entire life I have been a really big fan of romantic comedy movies. I don't know why, I just do. I find them enjoyable and they make you excited for your time when you actually get to find your own partner for life. Thankfully the time has come in my own life, that I have found my own special someone that I want to be with forever and ever.
Yet there is one thing that they never seem to show you in movies, the things that matter the most, and as I have been in my relationship for a while now, I am starting to see what is truly important in a relationship.
What really matters is how you two view each other. Are you seeing your partner as equal? Are you making sure to put their needs in front of your needs? What is it that you want the most out of your relationship, the others happiness or your own?
There is something else that is important also, that is how you both feel and view about everything. What are your feelings about God and family? What about Gays? Temple Worship? And what about a family?
All these things are of the most worth in a relationship.
It seems like every time that me and Lian talk I learn just how similar that we really are. Most recently we have been talking a lot about gays, one of our close friends has just told us that he is gay. And it seems like we both feel the exact same way about them and how we deal with them.
And that is what they don't teach you in the movies. It is not about rolling around in between the bed sheets, or all those feelings that come from when you first start to like someone. It is about sharing the same beliefs and wanting the same thing. About know the person as well as you know yourself. About putting their needs and wants ahead of your own. Being willing to stay up all night and talk to them and comfort them because they are feeling down about themselves or something that happened to them.
That is true love, and that is what you don't learn in movies!!
Yet there is one thing that they never seem to show you in movies, the things that matter the most, and as I have been in my relationship for a while now, I am starting to see what is truly important in a relationship.
What really matters is how you two view each other. Are you seeing your partner as equal? Are you making sure to put their needs in front of your needs? What is it that you want the most out of your relationship, the others happiness or your own?
There is something else that is important also, that is how you both feel and view about everything. What are your feelings about God and family? What about Gays? Temple Worship? And what about a family?
All these things are of the most worth in a relationship.
It seems like every time that me and Lian talk I learn just how similar that we really are. Most recently we have been talking a lot about gays, one of our close friends has just told us that he is gay. And it seems like we both feel the exact same way about them and how we deal with them.
And that is what they don't teach you in the movies. It is not about rolling around in between the bed sheets, or all those feelings that come from when you first start to like someone. It is about sharing the same beliefs and wanting the same thing. About know the person as well as you know yourself. About putting their needs and wants ahead of your own. Being willing to stay up all night and talk to them and comfort them because they are feeling down about themselves or something that happened to them.
That is true love, and that is what you don't learn in movies!!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
My Fiancee has skills
One of the nice things about marring someone is that they will often have talents and skills that you lack, yet you want to be part of my family. In my case there is no exception. Lian is a very talented person when it comes to the fine arts department. Now my skills in that department are next to none, thankfully Lian more then makes up for it with hers.
Lian is one of the very few people that I know that can actually play Classical Guitar, now to make that even better, she happens to be the only female I know of that plays it. And as it turns out, she is one of the very few females that she knows that does also, turns out it is a very male dominate field.
She is also a very talented singer. In fact on her mission, her and one of her companions made a CD of them singing the church hymns, while Lian was playing on her guitar.
And even this is not enough for my little Malaysian Bat, she was given a nice Cello and wants to learn how to play that. Adding yet another of her many music talents to our family. So Mom in the end you finally got your music player, you just had to get it through marriage.
Now not only is she a great musician, she is also a very talented artist. She has painting skills that I can only dream of. In fact on my first trip there I was trying to help her paint some hand outs for the primary kids in her branch, and lets just say that is was very obvious of which ones I had painted verses her. Poor kids.
She is also a wonderful amateur photographer. Her pictures are some of the best that I have ever seen. What adds even more to her photos is the fact that her camera is not one of the top models in the world. In fact, from what she tells me, it is actually a very simple model, and that the shutter speed is slow and the lenses is not all that good of quality. However, you would not think that at all if you look at her photos. She just takes such wonderful pictures, that you think, dang I want her to do my wedding:).
Finally I think the best part about all her talents, is that for some reason in the end, she still loves me, even when I drive her nuts by nut fully appreciating all the many talents that she has. As I have said from the beginning I am a very science minded man, the fine arts are the great mysteries of the world. It is because of this view that I have not spent nearly enough time in my life devoted to learning more about them. And sadly it has done me no good. I lack the ability to see all the artist work that Lian often puts into things. I somehow always seem to find the one picture in the entire album that she is not proud of, and think it is the best photo ever. While the ones that she is most proud of I think are her worse, sorry Lian. But that is because I am lacking to much in those departments, not her.
She has more talent for the fine arts in her one little pinky toe then I have in all of my 6'3" 250lbs frame. I am very thankful that she loves me, I am very thankful that she puts up with me so much. I know that I can be very hard at times to put up with, and it means the world to me when I have someone that will stand by me, not matter how doinky I become.
In the end, I love you Lian, and I want to be with you forever. I know I drive you nuts, and am not the best at times, but I always love you and your many talents.
Now just so that all of you can see what I am talking about. Here is a link to one of the songs that she and her companion, Sister Olsen did. Lian is the one playing the guitar. Now you all get to see the wonderful talent that my Little Malaysian Bat has:).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO6zoUvPpuA
Lian is one of the very few people that I know that can actually play Classical Guitar, now to make that even better, she happens to be the only female I know of that plays it. And as it turns out, she is one of the very few females that she knows that does also, turns out it is a very male dominate field.
She is also a very talented singer. In fact on her mission, her and one of her companions made a CD of them singing the church hymns, while Lian was playing on her guitar.
And even this is not enough for my little Malaysian Bat, she was given a nice Cello and wants to learn how to play that. Adding yet another of her many music talents to our family. So Mom in the end you finally got your music player, you just had to get it through marriage.
Now not only is she a great musician, she is also a very talented artist. She has painting skills that I can only dream of. In fact on my first trip there I was trying to help her paint some hand outs for the primary kids in her branch, and lets just say that is was very obvious of which ones I had painted verses her. Poor kids.
She is also a wonderful amateur photographer. Her pictures are some of the best that I have ever seen. What adds even more to her photos is the fact that her camera is not one of the top models in the world. In fact, from what she tells me, it is actually a very simple model, and that the shutter speed is slow and the lenses is not all that good of quality. However, you would not think that at all if you look at her photos. She just takes such wonderful pictures, that you think, dang I want her to do my wedding:).
Finally I think the best part about all her talents, is that for some reason in the end, she still loves me, even when I drive her nuts by nut fully appreciating all the many talents that she has. As I have said from the beginning I am a very science minded man, the fine arts are the great mysteries of the world. It is because of this view that I have not spent nearly enough time in my life devoted to learning more about them. And sadly it has done me no good. I lack the ability to see all the artist work that Lian often puts into things. I somehow always seem to find the one picture in the entire album that she is not proud of, and think it is the best photo ever. While the ones that she is most proud of I think are her worse, sorry Lian. But that is because I am lacking to much in those departments, not her.
She has more talent for the fine arts in her one little pinky toe then I have in all of my 6'3" 250lbs frame. I am very thankful that she loves me, I am very thankful that she puts up with me so much. I know that I can be very hard at times to put up with, and it means the world to me when I have someone that will stand by me, not matter how doinky I become.
In the end, I love you Lian, and I want to be with you forever. I know I drive you nuts, and am not the best at times, but I always love you and your many talents.
Now just so that all of you can see what I am talking about. Here is a link to one of the songs that she and her companion, Sister Olsen did. Lian is the one playing the guitar. Now you all get to see the wonderful talent that my Little Malaysian Bat has:).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO6zoUvPpuA
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Coke!
Okay so this blog post is going to be all about the magic drink that is known as coke. Now I know what most of you are thinking that coke is really not the best drink out there for you. And for the most part I would have to agree with you on that. However, let me tell you why I think it is magical.
So for the most part I do not really drink coke all that much. I find it to be not something that I am really fond of and the taste is not really to my liking, I prefer a nice Root Beer instead. But that all changes when I head overseas.
So many of you have heard the old story that if you leave like a piece of meat in coke over night and then check in on it the next day, the meat will have been dissolved. This is 100% true, coke contains some very powerful ingredients that will take out a lot of things, but this is why I love coke so much when I am overseas.
So one of the first things you need to know about traveling abroad is that you will get food poisoning at least once in your life, no matter how hard you try to avoid it, it just will happen. I am afraid that our American food system is really good, and most other countries do not always have the same standards for their foods. So in the end, you will be spending a night in some bathroom wishing that the food would just get the heck out and you no longer have to fell so bad. For me a trip outside of the States is not complete without getting food poising at least once.
But back to the topic, coke should always be you drink of choice outside of the states. Remember all those things I said about it and how it was powerful, well that will prevent you from ever getting anything. Well hopefully. I know that for me this Christmas I was once again in Malaysia visiting the Fiancee and I made sure to drink twice as much coke this time, and I didn't get sick at all!!
So there is your 411, make sure to have a coke a day, it keeps the toilet away!
So for the most part I do not really drink coke all that much. I find it to be not something that I am really fond of and the taste is not really to my liking, I prefer a nice Root Beer instead. But that all changes when I head overseas.
So many of you have heard the old story that if you leave like a piece of meat in coke over night and then check in on it the next day, the meat will have been dissolved. This is 100% true, coke contains some very powerful ingredients that will take out a lot of things, but this is why I love coke so much when I am overseas.
So one of the first things you need to know about traveling abroad is that you will get food poisoning at least once in your life, no matter how hard you try to avoid it, it just will happen. I am afraid that our American food system is really good, and most other countries do not always have the same standards for their foods. So in the end, you will be spending a night in some bathroom wishing that the food would just get the heck out and you no longer have to fell so bad. For me a trip outside of the States is not complete without getting food poising at least once.
But back to the topic, coke should always be you drink of choice outside of the states. Remember all those things I said about it and how it was powerful, well that will prevent you from ever getting anything. Well hopefully. I know that for me this Christmas I was once again in Malaysia visiting the Fiancee and I made sure to drink twice as much coke this time, and I didn't get sick at all!!
So there is your 411, make sure to have a coke a day, it keeps the toilet away!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Clarkson
Okay, so I am not really sure if anyone but my Mother and my Fiance even bother to follow this blog, and for that I really don't blame anyone for not. I mean of all the blogs out there of people just rambling on and on about what is going on in their lives, why read another? Oh well, for those hard core enough to follow my blog, this is a post for you.
So over the past few months I have been in Clarkson University, trying to earn my Mechanical Engineering degree, and it has been a very interesting semester. So First off I have been in the apartment from heck, it feels like. So the floor in it slopes in towards the center of the apartment, so no matter what room you are in, it feels like you are falling into the center.
Now I know people that don't have heat, and I feel for you, but sad to say my place has too much heat, in fact if I don't open a window it will often get to be around 80 degrees in my place. So needless to say I am very much looking forward to not roasting in my house every night.
Then to top all things off, I live in "downtown" Potsdam, so that means that Wednesday through Saturday night, all I get to hear is all the wonderfully underage kids out getting as drunk as they can, and then yelling at each other when they come out.
Which brings up a great point of how much underage drinking there really is going on here. So of course when the parents come, we give the the whole routine, no we don't allow underage drinking, we have strongly enforce the no underage drinking, and also punish the kids that supply the drinks to the kids that are underage... you know the deal. However, I have never seen a school so lacking in guts as Clarkson when it comes to drinking. Here is there great stiff punishment, a stupid seminar about the dangers of underage drinking, and drinking as a whole. But get this it gets even better. That my be just too stiff of a punishment, so what they do is have you create posters about it, because I mean that is soo hard to do, the average poster will take you a whole 15 minutes to put together, and because it is not graded at all, who cares if it is worse then a Haden Christian movie?
Of course I mean I may just be over reacting, but to prove my point let me tell you the story of an upper class men who supplied underage kids with drinks, and got busted for it. Now in most places you would turn him over to the cops and let our justice system work. Of course Clarkson didn't want that type of bad press for their "wonderful" school, and decided that instead of that, they would just make him give a seminar about how suppling boos to underage kids is a crime.... you get the picture.
So I guess I should give my final thoughts on Clarkson. If you like a school that lacks any kind of moral fiber, or one that thinks they are a good school simply because their courses are hard, or if you like a school that has a almost 70% dropout rate, then I say Clarkson is the place for you, and don't worry about having to bring your own boos, we got a bar on campus to make sure you don't get drunk.
So over the past few months I have been in Clarkson University, trying to earn my Mechanical Engineering degree, and it has been a very interesting semester. So First off I have been in the apartment from heck, it feels like. So the floor in it slopes in towards the center of the apartment, so no matter what room you are in, it feels like you are falling into the center.
Now I know people that don't have heat, and I feel for you, but sad to say my place has too much heat, in fact if I don't open a window it will often get to be around 80 degrees in my place. So needless to say I am very much looking forward to not roasting in my house every night.
Then to top all things off, I live in "downtown" Potsdam, so that means that Wednesday through Saturday night, all I get to hear is all the wonderfully underage kids out getting as drunk as they can, and then yelling at each other when they come out.
Which brings up a great point of how much underage drinking there really is going on here. So of course when the parents come, we give the the whole routine, no we don't allow underage drinking, we have strongly enforce the no underage drinking, and also punish the kids that supply the drinks to the kids that are underage... you know the deal. However, I have never seen a school so lacking in guts as Clarkson when it comes to drinking. Here is there great stiff punishment, a stupid seminar about the dangers of underage drinking, and drinking as a whole. But get this it gets even better. That my be just too stiff of a punishment, so what they do is have you create posters about it, because I mean that is soo hard to do, the average poster will take you a whole 15 minutes to put together, and because it is not graded at all, who cares if it is worse then a Haden Christian movie?
Of course I mean I may just be over reacting, but to prove my point let me tell you the story of an upper class men who supplied underage kids with drinks, and got busted for it. Now in most places you would turn him over to the cops and let our justice system work. Of course Clarkson didn't want that type of bad press for their "wonderful" school, and decided that instead of that, they would just make him give a seminar about how suppling boos to underage kids is a crime.... you get the picture.
So I guess I should give my final thoughts on Clarkson. If you like a school that lacks any kind of moral fiber, or one that thinks they are a good school simply because their courses are hard, or if you like a school that has a almost 70% dropout rate, then I say Clarkson is the place for you, and don't worry about having to bring your own boos, we got a bar on campus to make sure you don't get drunk.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Knowing that you found the right one
I am finding out just how nice it is to know that you have found the right one to marry. It is such a good feeling, knowing that you have made the right choice and that your life together will be great.
My entire life I have wanted to find someone that would bring out the best in me. Also I have wanted to be with someone that saw my good points. I know that I do have bad points, tons of them, but being around someone that builds me up is so important. How doesn't want to be with someone that builds you up. And now I have found the one person that does that for me. Lian is so wonderful, she always builds me up, and makes me feel good. Whenever I am around her I feel like being so much better. Things that in the past would upset me, like being late for something and getting stuck in traffic, doesn't bother me at all. I just want to be better whenever I am around her.
It is so nice to finally be with someone that is right.
My entire life I have wanted to find someone that would bring out the best in me. Also I have wanted to be with someone that saw my good points. I know that I do have bad points, tons of them, but being around someone that builds me up is so important. How doesn't want to be with someone that builds you up. And now I have found the one person that does that for me. Lian is so wonderful, she always builds me up, and makes me feel good. Whenever I am around her I feel like being so much better. Things that in the past would upset me, like being late for something and getting stuck in traffic, doesn't bother me at all. I just want to be better whenever I am around her.
It is so nice to finally be with someone that is right.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Okay I have a big secret to tell.....
Okay so it has been a while since I last got up here and posted my life on this place. And I am not sure if anybody really reads this but my family, however, for those of you that are hard core enough to read this, here is an update.
So believe it or not, I am engaged! Yes I know that this will come to a lot of people as a shock, but hey, what do to. So I know that most of you have thought that for the last couple of years I have been single and not been really dating anyone special. Well that is not true. I have been dating someone for over a year now, and we are now engaged.
She is a girl that I met while on my mission, and got the feelings that I should date her. So I have been, and in July I finally popped the question. I can honestly say that she has been the best choice I have every made up to this point in my life. And I get the strong feeling that she will be the best one I ever make.
She is a wonderful girl, and the best part about her is that she loves me, which is a big relief for me let me tell you. While she is not a math lover like me, she still lets me be my mathy self, and keeps my in line. Which is one thing that I really needed. She also tells it like it is, I hate fluffy people. She is also super artistically talented, a thing that I truly lack.She is also very giving and kind to people. And hates to follow the crowd.
I think many of you would want to know how I proposed so here it is. We where in Penang Malaysia, and we were walking down the beach. Well I told her how I felt about her, you know all that mushy, lovey, dovey stuff. And then knelt down in the surf and asked her to marry me. She took a few seconds to answer me, and those where the longest seconds of my life, and then she said yes. I then jumped up, and kisses and hugged her very tightly.
So there you go that is the story. One day soon this blog will give way to a couple blog, maybe eastmeetswest.blogspot?? What do you think?
So believe it or not, I am engaged! Yes I know that this will come to a lot of people as a shock, but hey, what do to. So I know that most of you have thought that for the last couple of years I have been single and not been really dating anyone special. Well that is not true. I have been dating someone for over a year now, and we are now engaged.
She is a girl that I met while on my mission, and got the feelings that I should date her. So I have been, and in July I finally popped the question. I can honestly say that she has been the best choice I have every made up to this point in my life. And I get the strong feeling that she will be the best one I ever make.
She is a wonderful girl, and the best part about her is that she loves me, which is a big relief for me let me tell you. While she is not a math lover like me, she still lets me be my mathy self, and keeps my in line. Which is one thing that I really needed. She also tells it like it is, I hate fluffy people. She is also super artistically talented, a thing that I truly lack.She is also very giving and kind to people. And hates to follow the crowd.
I think many of you would want to know how I proposed so here it is. We where in Penang Malaysia, and we were walking down the beach. Well I told her how I felt about her, you know all that mushy, lovey, dovey stuff. And then knelt down in the surf and asked her to marry me. She took a few seconds to answer me, and those where the longest seconds of my life, and then she said yes. I then jumped up, and kisses and hugged her very tightly.
So there you go that is the story. One day soon this blog will give way to a couple blog, maybe eastmeetswest.blogspot?? What do you think?
Monday, July 19, 2010
Back In Malaysia
Well so it might have been a while sense I posted my last blog post, and for all of you who actually look at this, I am sorry. It has been a couple of crazy weeks for me, lots of new adventure and travailing that has kept me up and out. But I need to let everyone know how I am doing, and let you get the new stories with my life.
Right now I am staying in a place called Kangar, Perlis. Which for all you none world geography experts, is in the norther part of West Malaysia. There really is not a whole lot up here, and no I haven't ever served here as a missionary, in fact, there is not church here in Kangar as the majority of the people are Islamic. So why do you ask I am up here, well that is really quite easy to explain. I am here because my host lives up here. Liew Hui Lian and Liew Anthony are two of the best members in the Kuala Lumpur area, and they are letting me stay with them while I am here. And I am very thankful for them to let me come here and stay with them. The only down part to this all is that Kangar is the hottest place in all of Malaysia, the hottest day ever was 40+ degrees centigrade, which is over 100F. And sadly there is no Air con here, so I am finding that I will no longer complain about how hot New York summer is.
But beside that heat, I have found Kangar to be a wonderful place. It is a really small town so there may not be a whole lot to do every day, but it is nice. I mean the pace is so laid back, I often find myself just being able to relax and enjoy the time that I have here.
Thankfully, however, I have also been able to go back to Penang, which was my very first area on my mission. That was super amazing. I had forgotten just how much I loved and missed that place. It is such a beautiful place to be at. It has some of the best beaches that I have ever seen, and it is modern enough that you can feel safe.
Now while the Island is just plain awesome, it is nothing compared to the members of Penang Branch. There are not many of them, only about 60 that are coming every week, but yet they are super strong and just amazing. I was quite surprised to see just how many of the remember me and were happy that I was back.
I was most excited to see that Daniel Ng remembered me. He was such a good member and a great help to all of us missionaries. I remember that for his birthday, the missionaries, took him out to Soul Garden for dinner. that was really fun. He is such a good guy and soo humble. To tell you the truth I would trade half of my branches elders quorum just to have on of him in it. Hmmm I wonder if the church would allow that?
So yes being back here in Malaysia is wonderful and I am looking forward to having many wonderful adventures before I go home. I have gotten to drive on the left side of the road while I have been here, so that was fun. Look for more adventures to come.
Right now I am staying in a place called Kangar, Perlis. Which for all you none world geography experts, is in the norther part of West Malaysia. There really is not a whole lot up here, and no I haven't ever served here as a missionary, in fact, there is not church here in Kangar as the majority of the people are Islamic. So why do you ask I am up here, well that is really quite easy to explain. I am here because my host lives up here. Liew Hui Lian and Liew Anthony are two of the best members in the Kuala Lumpur area, and they are letting me stay with them while I am here. And I am very thankful for them to let me come here and stay with them. The only down part to this all is that Kangar is the hottest place in all of Malaysia, the hottest day ever was 40+ degrees centigrade, which is over 100F. And sadly there is no Air con here, so I am finding that I will no longer complain about how hot New York summer is.
But beside that heat, I have found Kangar to be a wonderful place. It is a really small town so there may not be a whole lot to do every day, but it is nice. I mean the pace is so laid back, I often find myself just being able to relax and enjoy the time that I have here.
Thankfully, however, I have also been able to go back to Penang, which was my very first area on my mission. That was super amazing. I had forgotten just how much I loved and missed that place. It is such a beautiful place to be at. It has some of the best beaches that I have ever seen, and it is modern enough that you can feel safe.
Now while the Island is just plain awesome, it is nothing compared to the members of Penang Branch. There are not many of them, only about 60 that are coming every week, but yet they are super strong and just amazing. I was quite surprised to see just how many of the remember me and were happy that I was back.
I was most excited to see that Daniel Ng remembered me. He was such a good member and a great help to all of us missionaries. I remember that for his birthday, the missionaries, took him out to Soul Garden for dinner. that was really fun. He is such a good guy and soo humble. To tell you the truth I would trade half of my branches elders quorum just to have on of him in it. Hmmm I wonder if the church would allow that?
So yes being back here in Malaysia is wonderful and I am looking forward to having many wonderful adventures before I go home. I have gotten to drive on the left side of the road while I have been here, so that was fun. Look for more adventures to come.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Tired of being hurt
I am so tired of being hurt by people that say that they care about you. I am not a very open with feelings guy. I have been hurt many times in the past by people that say that they care about me, or claim to be my friends. This has been hard for me to deal with, and I found the best way in dealing with them is to make sure that I don't let my feelings out.
Now while this may seem drastic, it has kept me from getting hurt time and time again. This is one of the reasons why I don't like to date. I have done it a few times, and every time that I have I have been hurt and learned the hard way that when you break up with someone they want revenge on you and try to find ways to hurt you. I never got this either. I have had girls break up with me, and I have not made it a goal in my life to make them feel the pain that I feel. I know that it is a hard enough time for them and that the last thing that they need is someone trying to make their life harder on them.
Once again though I find myself facing this problem. I let my guard down and told a person who I thought I could trust some of my feelings. Sadly they have used these feelings to hurt me. I just don't understand it. Why can I not find someone who will listen to me, and not use my feelings against me. Is that really to hard to ask for? I know many secrets about people, many of the people I know trust me not to tell secrets. But yet while I will listen to them and not share their secrets, it seems like they don't feel that this is a two way street.
In the end I am tired of being used. I am tired of not having a person that I can talk to and just tell me feelings to, without them judging me or spilling my secrets. Does it ever stop?
Now while this may seem drastic, it has kept me from getting hurt time and time again. This is one of the reasons why I don't like to date. I have done it a few times, and every time that I have I have been hurt and learned the hard way that when you break up with someone they want revenge on you and try to find ways to hurt you. I never got this either. I have had girls break up with me, and I have not made it a goal in my life to make them feel the pain that I feel. I know that it is a hard enough time for them and that the last thing that they need is someone trying to make their life harder on them.
Once again though I find myself facing this problem. I let my guard down and told a person who I thought I could trust some of my feelings. Sadly they have used these feelings to hurt me. I just don't understand it. Why can I not find someone who will listen to me, and not use my feelings against me. Is that really to hard to ask for? I know many secrets about people, many of the people I know trust me not to tell secrets. But yet while I will listen to them and not share their secrets, it seems like they don't feel that this is a two way street.
In the end I am tired of being used. I am tired of not having a person that I can talk to and just tell me feelings to, without them judging me or spilling my secrets. Does it ever stop?
Friday, May 7, 2010
The great Clarkson and Binghamton debate
So this is my last semester at MCC, and so I have found myself applying to many of the schools that I would like to go to.
Now I have been able to keep up a great G.P.A over my time at MCC, so this has allowed me to choice whatever school I would like to go to, and get into most of them. While this has been a great blessing it has also put me in a very unusual spot.
From the time that I started to apply I have wanted to go to Clarkson University in Potsdam Ny. It is one of the top Engineering schools in the country, and as I want to be a mechanical engineer, I thought this would be a great place to go. So I applied there and to many other schools in New York, on of them being Binghamton. Now Binghamton has a great reputation as a math school. So both of the places are great schools and would be a great place to get an education.
I got into Clarkson and they gave me a very generous scholarship offer, nearly full ride tuition scholarship, I would only have to pay about $4000 a year for school. But they wouldn't take most of my credits. So I thought, well maybe not for me. So then Binghamton came along and told me that they would take all my credits and get almost full ride also, about $2000 a year for school.
So I decided that I would go with Binghamton, but then today I got word from Clarkson. Apparently I am one of their top choices for a transfer student, and to entice me more they are willing to give me another $2000 a year in scholarships!!
So now I don't know what to do. They are both good schools and cost wise are not all that much different, but I just don't know where it is good for me.
Gah!!
Now I have been able to keep up a great G.P.A over my time at MCC, so this has allowed me to choice whatever school I would like to go to, and get into most of them. While this has been a great blessing it has also put me in a very unusual spot.
From the time that I started to apply I have wanted to go to Clarkson University in Potsdam Ny. It is one of the top Engineering schools in the country, and as I want to be a mechanical engineer, I thought this would be a great place to go. So I applied there and to many other schools in New York, on of them being Binghamton. Now Binghamton has a great reputation as a math school. So both of the places are great schools and would be a great place to get an education.
I got into Clarkson and they gave me a very generous scholarship offer, nearly full ride tuition scholarship, I would only have to pay about $4000 a year for school. But they wouldn't take most of my credits. So I thought, well maybe not for me. So then Binghamton came along and told me that they would take all my credits and get almost full ride also, about $2000 a year for school.
So I decided that I would go with Binghamton, but then today I got word from Clarkson. Apparently I am one of their top choices for a transfer student, and to entice me more they are willing to give me another $2000 a year in scholarships!!
So now I don't know what to do. They are both good schools and cost wise are not all that much different, but I just don't know where it is good for me.
Gah!!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Do I work too much?
So today once again I was called into work for extra hours, for another day. Then while I was there someone called in because their friends passed away and they were having a hard time dealing with it. Now I am not upset that he is having a hard time dealing with it. I mean I know that is hard, so whatever. But the problem that I am having is that whenever I get asked to come in, I do, no matter ho tired I am, or how much I need to get done. I just go into work and work.
Right now I am working two jobs and going to school full time. So I manage to stay very busy. In fact I work six days a week, and I would work the seventh, but I take my Sunday's off so I can keep the sabbath holy. So as you see I stay very busy. Then to make it even better I am in charge of Gathering in the Grove this year, so that of course means I still really busy with that, then I just found out that I am going to be a temple worker. Now while I look really forward to working in the temple, I just don't understand why I make my life so busy.
Over the past few days I have been thinking a lot about what I like to do. And I started to remember. I love to play sports, basketball, baseball, cricket and volleyball. I love to camp, back pack, fish and bike. I use to do that a lot when I was younger. I also remember that when I was on my mission I made planes to come home and get into that stuff again, but now all I do is work.
I mean I have great things, so I cannot complain that I don't have any money. and I am able to get tickets out to the mission so that I can be with the people that I miss. So I mean that is nice. But still I wish I could do more fun stuff.
But yet every time I get the call I still head off. I think though that when I go off to school this fall I will not work as hard so that I can do more fun stuff.
On a side note I don't understand people at all. Like at work, we have self check-outs, now I know that they can be aggravating at times and that they don't work as well as anyone would like. I mean not even I don't like them at times. But all the same, just because it doesn't work they way it is suppose to, why in the world do you think that you can do it your way and all of the sudden it will work? I mean where does you logic come from? Then they tell you the best thing, I didn't want to do (entire thing) so I did it my way. I mean what in the world. Sure that is going to work or course I mean you want to do it your way, so of course that will work.
I never get people. So if you read this and are one of those people, well stop please!!
Right now I am working two jobs and going to school full time. So I manage to stay very busy. In fact I work six days a week, and I would work the seventh, but I take my Sunday's off so I can keep the sabbath holy. So as you see I stay very busy. Then to make it even better I am in charge of Gathering in the Grove this year, so that of course means I still really busy with that, then I just found out that I am going to be a temple worker. Now while I look really forward to working in the temple, I just don't understand why I make my life so busy.
Over the past few days I have been thinking a lot about what I like to do. And I started to remember. I love to play sports, basketball, baseball, cricket and volleyball. I love to camp, back pack, fish and bike. I use to do that a lot when I was younger. I also remember that when I was on my mission I made planes to come home and get into that stuff again, but now all I do is work.
I mean I have great things, so I cannot complain that I don't have any money. and I am able to get tickets out to the mission so that I can be with the people that I miss. So I mean that is nice. But still I wish I could do more fun stuff.
But yet every time I get the call I still head off. I think though that when I go off to school this fall I will not work as hard so that I can do more fun stuff.
On a side note I don't understand people at all. Like at work, we have self check-outs, now I know that they can be aggravating at times and that they don't work as well as anyone would like. I mean not even I don't like them at times. But all the same, just because it doesn't work they way it is suppose to, why in the world do you think that you can do it your way and all of the sudden it will work? I mean where does you logic come from? Then they tell you the best thing, I didn't want to do (entire thing) so I did it my way. I mean what in the world. Sure that is going to work or course I mean you want to do it your way, so of course that will work.
I never get people. So if you read this and are one of those people, well stop please!!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Sigma Notation!!!
So my entire life I have seen what is called sigma notation. It is used in mathematics to figure out the area under a curve, and I have always wanted to know how to do it. And finally this past week I learned how to use it!!
I was so happy when I finally got yo learn about this notation, that I couldn't get the smile off my face the entire day!! It is so cool. I mean here is the one last thing that I have wanted to know for so long, and I get to find out about it in my first semester of calculus. And the good news is that I have another two semesters of calculus and advanced mathematics!
Math is just so much fun. I mean why would you not like it?
I was so happy when I finally got yo learn about this notation, that I couldn't get the smile off my face the entire day!! It is so cool. I mean here is the one last thing that I have wanted to know for so long, and I get to find out about it in my first semester of calculus. And the good news is that I have another two semesters of calculus and advanced mathematics!
Math is just so much fun. I mean why would you not like it?
Who I am
Okay so I am tired of facebook and the fact that everyone puts on their post things like when they are off to bed, when they are going to the bathroom, and what type of surgery they need to get that week. So I have decided that I would start a blog in which I could just say what I felt and let people know more about the real me.
I also want to create this blog so that I can let out my inner math and physics geek out, hence the title. And for all of you that don't know, the name of the blog is how you figure out the force of an object on a slope.
So truth be told I am a realy nerd when it comes to math. I have always been really good at it and have been able to stay advanced in it. In fact at my height I was one grade ahead of everyone else in math. Now I find myself in college and I love math even more. To me it is so much fun and is easy and has rules that are followed. There is always one right answer, and the rest are all wrong.
So this blog will mostly be about math, physics, and other sciences related stuff. So if you are not into that kind of stuff, well this blog may not be for you. You have now been warned!!
I also want to create this blog so that I can let out my inner math and physics geek out, hence the title. And for all of you that don't know, the name of the blog is how you figure out the force of an object on a slope.
So truth be told I am a realy nerd when it comes to math. I have always been really good at it and have been able to stay advanced in it. In fact at my height I was one grade ahead of everyone else in math. Now I find myself in college and I love math even more. To me it is so much fun and is easy and has rules that are followed. There is always one right answer, and the rest are all wrong.
So this blog will mostly be about math, physics, and other sciences related stuff. So if you are not into that kind of stuff, well this blog may not be for you. You have now been warned!!
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