Two Peas in a Pod

I started my new semester this last Monday. I'm taking two engineering classes at City College and 2 communication classes and 2 computer classes and institute at Grossmont. Dad and I are taking Java (online class) and C++ together (it's on Monday nights).

When I got to my communications class yesterday, the teacher recognized me. I was surprised as I didn't know her! She asked if that was my dad I was walking with on campus Monday evening. I said, yes. She then told the class that while she was walking on campus on Monday she saw two students that looked definitely like a father and son walking on campus. She said she spent 5 minutes thinking while she was walking how cool that would be to take a class together with your father. So, that is why she recognized me. She then said that we are clones and asked if I had any of my mother in me! Ha.

Just another day at work

I need to take two engineering classes at City College. Because I attended a college out of state, I had to prove my California residency. So we all tried to figure out the best day and way to get me downtown. Since we have 4 people going in 4 different directions and only two working cars, transportation arrangements have often been pretty creative. I could drop Mom and Chelsea off at work, take the car to classes and then park the car at the trolley and use Dad's jury trolley pass to go downtown right near the college. Or, I could.... Dad came up with a great solution. Since he works downtown anyway, I could go with him on Friday when I don't have any classes and then walk to the college (just a few blocks from where he parks). And then, he thought after I finish at the college, maybe I'd like to go over to his work for the rest of the day. Yeh, cool! So, he had one of the men he works with, figure out a task that would be good for me to work on. So, it was pretty cool to go to work at Dad's office! And of course, fun to use a few computer skills and see what Dad does everyday. Thanks Dad!

Computer Language???

Dad and I have been having a great time on Monday nights taking two computer classes over at the college. One class is assembly language and the other is C++. I've really been getting into studying the book and working through problems - even ones not assigned. Dad and I discuss our questions together and enjoy sharing this together. We've even helped TA during class lab time because we both understand the material well.

This morning at breakfast (I was still pretty groggy from just being awakened), I said that I must be getting into the computer stuff pretty heavily. I woke up this morning thinking that a new phrase for a measurement of memory could be, "bit -ty baby." This might only be funny to my sisters who knew how much Chelsea loved her American Girl doll called, "bitty baby."

Another Brentism

Tonight after roundtable, I came in and found cookie dough in a bowl on the counter and cookies waiting to be baked on a cookie sheet. Hmmmmmmm, wonder what kind of cookie dough that is (I do prefer cookie dough over baked cookies). So of course, (and wouldn't you), I get out a spoon (ok if Mom weren't standing there I would just grab a handful) to taste the dough. Hmmmm, I comment to Mom, "It tastes like some kind of hybrid! Can't tell what kind it is!" "Hmmmm," Mom replies, "It's peanut butter cookie dough with chocolate chips, hybrid, eh??"

What kind of commercial is that?

Today at lunch while eating PB&J sandwiches, I commented to Mom and Dad that I had seen a new telecommercial. There was no response for a few seconds, then Dad asked (the question mom was wondering), "What is a telecommercial?" That's not what I had said. I said, "I had seen a Nutella commercial." Communication is a process at our house! I had never seen a commercial for nutella before. We got hooked on Nutella from our German exchange friend, Lili, who gave us a gift of a huge Nutella jar from Germany. Yummm, chocolate and hazelnut spread! Maybe I'd better go get some now! (I know Mom has a small jar tucked away in the cupboard.)

I'm Coasting (not really)

Well, I did it. I finally purchased a bicycle! One that is big enough for me, has 24 speeds so I can commute to Grossmont College, and rides smoothly! It's a hybrid bike: part racing and part road bike. It has the racing handlebars and thinner tires so it moves more aerodynamically (more smoothly) and has a little heavier frame for durability (road bike). It's a 2008 model reduced to a great price! The shop we went to was very helpful. I even got a helmet that really fits well (for a big head - I mean a person with a large frame and a larger than average head size). I've been out getting back into the swing of biking the last two mornings (short rides because it's been hot, up in the 100's). I haven't ridden a bike I don't think since my 5th grade major bike crash landing me in Children's Hospital with dozens of stitches in my face. So, it's good to get back into riding and hopefully I'll be ready before long to take a practice ride up to the college (about 15 miles from home with a couple of pretty steep hills). My goal is to ride to school two days a week which will relieve car sharing and get me in shape!

A new skill to add to my resume: Public Speaking