"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" ~FDR

We all remember learning in history about Franklin D. Roosevelt's fireside chats during the great depression. You might also remember learning about the slums on the outskirts of towns titled "Hoovervilles." It almost seems funny now to think of my history book being so willing to teach such a slam on a past president. With the same spirit of America, I'd like to challenge the history books to do it again. Should all American elementary school children be required to learn the new term:

Bushvilles -- A suburban sub-division containing 32 homes: 8 homes are for sale and priced to sell quickly, 10 homes have been foreclosed, 6 homes contain no furniture (although there are plenty of kids toys), and the last 8 homes have two families living in them--the family that bought the house, and the used-to-be neighbors who are now renting because their homes were foreclosed.

I don't think it would be necessary for the numbers to be exact, it's the concept that counts.

And no worries FDR, I have confidence the American people will not hide in fear on election day!

Waha

The Hybrid Bus

I noticed the buses in Ann Arbor, Michigan are hybrid buses... I think that's pretty frickin' sweet, in 90's terms. Apparently, they we're the first city to have them too. Props to Ann Arbor!

Step two: Convince someone important that IIT needs a hybrid bus. (for the shuttle bus that runs to and from Union Station and Olgesby Station)

Loving to Lead

So, I recently filled out an application to be a volunteer at a national youth convention (for high schoolers) through my church...  and well, I'm WAY EXCITED!!!!    I really love big events like this, and it's not even until next summer, and I don't even know if I'll get it.  But, if I do...  it would pretty much be so beyond amazing.  I love having the opportunity to go somewhere I know no one, and experience something new.  I find it soooooo exhilarating.  Even better, I'd be leading discussions, doing crafts, dancing, and maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll get to do a MC-ing (a personal favorite).  I don't even care what they ask me to do, I'll do whatever, I just want to be there helping and meeting people.  

On a less positive note: I'm finding myself quite discouraged by my MCAT study prep.  It's overwhelming.  There is so much to know, and I want so badly to do well.  I know I just have to dig deep, because confidence will pull me through.  However, the more I practice, the more I realize, I don't remember any of this!  It's not a very fun way to spend my summer nights...  

Back to the up beat though--wow, I'm bouncing all over today.  My big research news:

MY PUMP WORKS!!!

My control loop is closed, and I'm off to the ice cream shop now!  I find the maximizing the program part of programming to be my favorite, so I'm way excited about that, not to mention that I can now say I've achieved something this summer!  I think I'll ride that high through my MCAT studying tonight...  ;)

Peace,

Waha

Oh, and I'm aware how I failed English in this post, but I don't care today.  

Happy Belated 232nd Birthday America

Even long weekends seem to disappear quickly... and, no surprise, my accomplishments of the weekend were not what I actually needed to accomplish.

I attempted to attend the fireworks downtown, but we didn't get there in time. So, we missed them. It was a little sad considering it was quite a fight to get there with the crazy crowd.

My sidekick, Karen, and I made a bbq extravaganza for the fourth:
Hot Dogs
Hamburgers
Broccoli Slaw
Veggie Pizza
Fruit Salad
Cupcakes
Lemon Cake (with strawberries and blueberries making an American flag on top!)


Karen, Ross, Samuel, and I painted the kitchen of the Kappa house an electric green. Seriously bringing the kitchen to a higher potential. Although, that might be the potential for the other girls in the house to complain.

I took yet another practice MCAT. (a little improvement, but I've got a long way to go)

Studying for the MCAT needs to pretty much take over my life from now to the test day. Just a few more weeks left! Ahhhhhh!!!!!! I'm getting nervous...

Peace,

Waha

PS. After strenuous working on Monday, my code has been resuscitated with little to no injury!

Speaking Visual Basic for Applications

I've chosen VBA has my programming language for my syringe pump program (I'm writing it for my summer research project for the summer).  I'm having a little bit of a challenge though...  I'm working in Excel, but Excel does not excel.  It's 

-----S-L-O-W-----

It's getting rather frustrating, but I'm hesitant to change languages so late in the game.  I think I'm gonna stick with it, I already have communication established with the pump.  The difficulty of establishing that in another language could put me too behind on time.  So, slow as it is... I'll continue programming in VBA.  

Feeling the need for speed,

Waha  

Maybe Coconuts Aren't Thrifty

Many Can't Always Thrive
Money Counts Anyone's Thorns
Multiply Chrome And Think
Monday's Come Across Trendy

I've clearly been studying VERY hard for the MCAT...