Captain of my fate, master of my soul

iceddawn — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 01:05:43 GMT

Be careful what you wish for, because nothing is impossible to a willing heart. All you have to do is decide and take control.

The final hour

iceddawn — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:50:45 GMT

Tomorrow is (finally) election day. I reminded my students and friends to register to vote a month ago, and today I scribbled on the blackboard during labs about voting tomorrow.

Even though the word "Hope" has been associated/branded with Barack Obama's campaign, I feel that's what everyone will be carrying with them at the poles tomorrow, no matter who they are voting for. Beyond "hoping" that McCain or Obama wins the election, we will all be hoping for a brighter future. Even when we feel our lives are out of control between financial issues or family problems, we feel empowered by electing who that man, or woman, represents the "Red, White, and Blue" best.

Without a doubt, tomorrow will be one of the most memorable days of our lives.

Rant invoked post VP debate

iceddawn — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 03:21:44 GMT

Most of the VP debate rhetoric last night was predictable: Palin regurgitated memorized lines in between the beginning and end of the debate, and Biden tried hard to not talk down to Palin and show his human side. Just an interesting tidbit of the words that irked me:

"Maverick" 9-6, Biden to Palin

"Tax/Taxes": 36-35, Biden to Palin

"Middle Class": 10-2, Biden to Palin

"Change": 21-15, Biden to Palin

folksy speak (ie heckuva's and 'darn rights'): 4-0, Palin to Biden.

Winks 3-0, Palin to Biden (It's not a word but it's just as bad as the Bush smirk.)

C'mon, independent voters. You should feel OUTRAGED that both parties believe you will be brainwashed from sheer repetition of the same sentences, only to be filled in between with occasional winks and off-topic stories as facades to relate to your personal life, even for an instant. You should feel OUTRAGED that they candidates include Christian religious beliefs into why and how they should have a government position. How can such representatives of our own country have so little respect for American intelligence? It makes me want to hurl!

On the McCain/Palin Economic Strategy:

This is 2008, not 1983. In case you haven't noticed, supply side economics does not work in 2008. Especially with a global market, cutting tax breaks for the wealthy will not trickle down so readily. And let's face it, tax cuts DO NOT equal economic growth. The McCain/Palin campaign is repeating this NONSENSE so much, it reminds me of how Hitler blamed Germany's economic problems on the Jews. Especially because there are blind followers who believe this horseshit, vote based on this horseshit, and SUFFER from it (ref. 'What's the Matter with Kansas').

On the McCain/Palin definition of the VP:

READ THE CONSTITUTION, YOU DUMB FUCKS. Biden even stated the roles of the Vice President to Palin's face during the debate. It's in Article 1 of the US Constitution. The VP is the president of the Senate and exercises a vote ONLY for Tie-breakers. The VP's other roles are to help out the president when necessary and take over the presidency should something happen to the president. THAT'S IT. The Vice Presidency is a part of the executive branch, NO MORE. How can you say Dick Cheney was one of the best VPs we have ever had and then call yourselves CONSERVATIVE? Cheney has defied the very foundations of US democracy and attempts to turn government into an oligarchy!!!

To the voters who vote for conservative social issues:

Grow up, please. If you are voting Republican because you want to keep your guns, fear not because Biden is a supporter of the 2nd amendment. If you are voting Republican because you are pro-life, think of all the lives you choose to kill with the continuation of the war in Iraq. If you are voting because you want to ENFORCE the Christian religion in public education and government in general...think about how many YEARS McCain has been in the senate and how much has the maverick done to push any of these 'morals' into law. Think about it, if you can.

Question

iceddawn — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:25:18 GMT

Do you think I should write a novel based on my outrageous experiences working at Victoria's Secret?

Request

iceddawn — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:05:16 GMT

Dear Q104.3 FM,

Please play more Grateful Dead and less Bon Jovi.

Thanks,
Keri

Finally, some good news

iceddawn — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:02:55 GMT

I GOT INTO NJIT!!! FOR FREE!!! OMFG, W00T!!!

I'll be working a 18k-22k research associate position doing radio astronomy/plasma physics at NJIT. Now I really need to work out my housing details--should I live on campus or at this nice spot I miraculously found for only $800/month?

Ok, well that still doesn't change the fact I need to find any job for right now. now.

~backatchya.

Did I ever say ...?

iceddawn — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:21:37 GMT

I am so glad I like radio astronomy because I am definitely a ~~(get-sleep-over-with)~~ morning person.

Moses bless you, Google Books. I raise my glass to you.

I find it awesome that I am making 100% of my meals *^_^* . Oh, the satisfaction of biting into that perfect sandwich or sipping a favorite tea!

haha, I'm not joking

iceddawn — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:05:19 GMT

What does a paranoid physics major do on a 3-day weekend when she hasn't heard back from any graduate schools?

Apply for an Equity Quantitative Analyst position at Credit Suisse.

...

booya.

Holy Llama Jama!

iceddawn — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 02:23:49 GMT

Today just kind of seemed like a long day. I dealt with hellish senior lab, reminded Oluseyi about recommendation letters that were due a week ago, wolfed down a turkey sandwich, and worked out for 2 hours. I walk out of the shower and hop onto the pc to check how many WW points I would gain from my workout and I get this stunning email:

You have been selected to receive the Wachovia Merit Scholarship, and a
$2500.00 scholarship amount has been applied to your account.

blah blah blah congratulations.

WHAT THE CRAP?!?!?! Why me? I have NO idea, but I just was freaking out in my towel for a while. I guess the next thing to do is write a 'thank you' email. I just wonder, how is this going to help me pay for my tuition if it has already been paid for (with loans)? *Shrug, I guess I can email that to someone in Fin Aid. Holy poo, this is exiting!

In other news, God Bless you, Abuela. Maybe this was a gift from you, exactly two years after you left this world...and now, sadly I will also miss you, Heath Ledger. You were both so talented, beautiful, and loved.

yay for activism

iceddawn — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:14:11 GMT

I can't believe I just emailed a congressman ^_^ . I should write more. Muahaha.

So it begins

iceddawn — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 15:27:58 GMT

Hooray, the next generation is here! I now am second cousins with Jacob Hunter Horenstein as of 6:20AM today! ^_^

I did it.

iceddawn — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 15:48:12 GMT

I just submitted my application for Harvard!

Though still lost, we ride.

iceddawn — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:30:13 GMT

I'm leaving for my flight to New-new-new Jerrrrrseeeeeeeeeey in less than 10 hours!

Yesterday I talked with Vicki on the phone throughout the day for quite a while, probably the longest I ever have since I've started college. We still have a lot of catching up to do, but I'm sure we'll be staying up late talking our ears off to each other tonight or watching Labyrinth. I also had yummy, late-night chicken wings with someone I haven't hung out with individually in a really long time. It was a lot of fun, and I think I had a near death experience via laughing at one of his stories.

Dan has classes Wednesday (isn't NYU horrible? j/k :p ) and won't be coming back home until tomorrow afternoon, leaving me plenty of time to hang out with the family and run to the mall to fill job applications. Or other applications of much greater importance. Harumph.

Ooh I am really starting to like Death Note. Naruto Shippuuden introduced Sai last episode (*squee for pasty, scrawny anime boys that kick ass) . It makes me want to read ahead in the manga again, ooh it's so awesome. On the other hand, I haven't been impressed with Bleach lately. Maybe I should just read ahead for Bleach while I'm at it, because the anime is moving at a snail's pace compared to the other two I'm watching.

And so far I've gotten As on all of my second round of midterms! w00tness.

Ok, I guess I should pack now.

Days go by

iceddawn — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 16:07:05 GMT

I nearly lost control of myself last night...I was stressed out and beginning to wonder if I was capable of handling my situations.

And then I decided to go to the House of Joe. I walked through those doors with wounded wings and walked out as new as a phoenix.
Old acquaintances greeted me with hugs, stories, and songs. Dear friends gave me advice and stayed by my side until I had a realistic schedule of how I could manage my life. I played my heart out of my saxophone.

This morning, for the first time in weeks, I woke up not feeling stressed over what I had to do for the day. I actually wrote something in my real journal. I feel so refreshed, amazed that experiencing such a journey like this in a lifetime is possible.

The schedule of champions...and crazy people.

iceddawn — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:29:05 GMT

Since Monday, I've been running at 5:30AM around Southgate with my roomate and some other buddies. It's only for a half hour, but the humidity and sand-turf gets to you after a while. Afterwards, I put in an exercise DVD (pilates or bellydancing) for another half hour. And then shower...yeah. I also make breakfast and do homeowork/phyics GRE stuff afterwards. If I go to bed at 11:30PM the night before, I have enough energy for the rest of the day.

It's an insanely early workout, but it was worth it this morning as we jogged under the total lunar eclipse ^_^ .

Last night, after trying to solve it for a few days, I figured out a proof for Astrophysics 1 HW! I was so ecstatic I danced around the room, sang, and air-guitared to I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness.

Hopefully I won't forget to attend Solid State today...I accidentally missed it last Thursday while I was in the library...I'm such a dork.

FALL '07 CONCERTS (not including Social or Metro )

iceddawn — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 14:23:42 GMT

OK I really wish I can go to all of these upcoming concerts but I know I'm not going to spend hectobucks for this....

7/20--Blue Man Group & Tiesto--sounds like the party of a lifetime, but only for those who saved up for it...NOT GOING, at $200/ticket

7/26--SILVERCHAIR! I am luckily coming home that night between Montauk & Cooperstown because my parents make no sense, but hell this makes perfect sense to me at this point, for $22, I'M GOING!!!

8/5--The Police @ Giants Stadium--NOT GOING UNLESS I win tickets from a radio station...

8/10--SYMPHONY X ...goddamn, this AMAZING band caught like wildfire and instead of just gigging in NJ like when we were in HS they are doing world wide tours with Dream Theater ! So yeah it will be a few years since I've seen them live, and I going at the double the price than the first time I saw them but hell I love 'em and it's worth my $20. I'M GOING!

8/10--Incubus...I know it's the same night as Symphony X, but I'd rather see X for $20 than pay $60 + for incubus. Again, NOT GOING UNLESS I win tickets from a radio station.

10/4--Megadeth--Oh heck yes, finally some super-awesome metal comes my way near Melbourne and I can afford it!
$28.50 + entire tank of gas....I really want to go...I'M GOING!

11/15--Nightwish-- I don't care if it's by myself, I missed seeing this great band last time they were in the US & I'm not going to lose that chance again! I don't care if it's $22.50 & a tank of gas....I'M GOING!!!!

WAKE UP, GEN. Y: ASK WHY, ASK HOW, ACT NOW.

iceddawn — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 17:05:43 GMT

OK, OK. I've been raised by hippies: we have a compost heap in the backyard, grow our own berries and other plants, donate directly to a poor village in Bengal, recycle, wash laundry with cold water at full loads, and only use fluorescent light bulbs and sunlight for lighting our home.

But that is no excuse. My family, your family, and all of us can do more to conserve the environment. Go ahead, criticize me for publicly ranting about it now while it is a pop cultural, controversial(?), hotbed. But now is a chance to prove to myself and the rest of the cynical American public & media that this generation cares about the world.

I don't care if you recognize global warming or not, just please, exercise some selflessness & responsibility. Appreciate that an Earth even EXISTS in this sea of elements, dark matter, and particles, regardless of how you believe it was created.

Yesterday, 7/7/07, the world united in a call for help, SOS, to Save Our-Selves. Millions, (but not billions) of us answered that call. Here is how you can help, at no cost:

http://www.liveearth.org/

http://liveearth.msn.com/green

http://www.conservation.org/English/

http://www.liveearthtree.com/

....my pledge is to make Earth Day every day. I made that pledge on 4/22/07. On top of the other things I do to conserve the environment, starting this year, I will: no longer use plastic bags for shopping, unplug all appliances when not using them, eliminate paper billing/junk mail, and campaign to reduce light pollution wherever I live.

And if you want to turn it up to 11 (OH YEAH, SPINAL TAP!) go to:

http://www.exxonsecrets.org/

THE WORLD IS FLAT---We are globalizing, whether you like it or not, and if you really want to find information, you can find it. Go ahead, find out which corporations are turning your dollars and support into war bonds and weapons. Find out which fossil fuel conglomerates are poisoning the earth and defecating on the name of science and everything it stands for. Educate yourselves and realize that you are not the center of the universe.

WE LIVE IN A CAPITALIST SOCIETY. Hello? Last time I checked, my friends and I are living in THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. We are the labor force, we are the consumers, and in the end, WE RULE. For the first time in this generation's upbringing, show some courage and defend yourselves. Empower yourselves--keep the goods and services you want on the market and kick the bad ones out ! </div>
May the force be with you and your heart fill with love.
OM.

Attack of the red pen!

iceddawn — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 00:20:40 GMT

That's it...*stamps foot*.

I'm going to sit down and organize my life.

Everything's definitely out of wack, and once I straighten out my schedule, budget, and priorities, then I think I'll be able to sleep earlier tonight. It's summer for pete's sake, I shouldn't be sleeping for less than six hours every night.

one short w00t

iceddawn — Thu, 31 May 2007 03:24:30 GMT

I GOT MY NEW LAPTOP TODAY!!!! HOORRAAAAAYYY!!! And it is awesome and big (15.4") but light . and sweet.

My older pc's name was "The Brave Little Toaster" . I decided to call this new guy "Borealis" Don't ask me why, I have no idea, either.

oh, and one more thing

iceddawn — Thu, 10 May 2007 16:12:39 GMT

Next Thursday Dan, Q, (Amber?), and I are all going to see Divinity Destroyed in NYC!!!! There was a reason why I didn't go to a lot of concerts this year--it was because I was getting ready for the most kickass concert of them all with my close friends *^______^* .

I'm going to buy my tix on Monday on my lunch break....yeah! *bangs head to DD*

Pwnd-free

iceddawn — Fri, 04 May 2007 13:59:30 GMT

HOORAY! I AM DONE WITH FINALS! ONLY ONE MORE YEAR AT THIS DAMNED PLACE!!!

Summer 07, here I come!!! *BIG HUGS* to all of my FL Tech buddies--I will miss you over the summer more than you think...and I can't wait to see you again in the fall!!! Haha, in the words of my middle school yearbook: kitkat

Too Fast for Love

iceddawn — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 11:51:36 GMT

My laptop is falling apart! *tear* My brave little toaster is turning into a franken-laptop...I doubt it's going to survive the summer, it probably won't even make the drive back home. I'm probably going to come back with a new laptop next semester and hopefully some cash in hand after selling some parts from my current one.

I haven't posted anything decent lately because it's cram time right about now. I'm between wrapping up the last of my homework due before finals, packing, studying for finals, and wrapping up club meetings.

I am so pissed Dr. O didn't put up the homework until very late night/early morning when he said he was going to post it this weekend. I want this homework BS out of the way...grrrr! So, maybe I'll start working on it today, maybe. Tonight, I want to start studying for some finals that will surely save my grade if I do well on them. I also plan on finishing my report for work today.

MAA is over and Jeff Kelly's Black Belt test is Thursday. Afterwards, all of the fighters from the karate class, MAA, and PJC are going out to TGI Fridays for dinner. I hope this all goes well...
And then afterwards I'm tutoring JC in BVP because he hasn't been to a single class after the 2nd midterm.

Friday, my birthday, is probably going to feel like a regular, ol' day. Even though it is the last day of classes, I have no idea what I'm doing after EM and before the MAS meeting. Yes, even on my birthday, I'm going to MAS & the astronomy public lecture (proabably because it's the public lecture I was looking foward to since January). I don't plan on getting smashed because Saturday morning I am driving out to see Aunt Violet and the fam. in Boca on Saturday. I will most likely get a tasty, free dinner.

I should be back in Melbourne Sunday afternoon and then I have to hit the books again (or scramble to finish the EMT hw). Monday I am free of finals, so here is my finals schedule:

Tuesday: BVP 3:30PM--5:30PM, EMT 6:00PM--8:00PM (man, this SUCKS)
Wednesday: Quantum 8:00AM--10:00AM
Thursday: Civ. 2 1:00PM--3:00PM
Friday: EM 8:00AM--10:00PM

On the bright side, I have practically all of May 4th to pack the rest of my junk and pick up my dad from the airport. Maybe we'll see my dad's friend Jack again, who knows. I'm leaving Saturday morning, though, as early as possible. I want to get back to NJ, pronto!

iceddawn — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:57:24 GMT

Right after the Sigma Pi Sigma inductions on Tuesday night, I saw about eleven pitched tents in the dorm quad...I didn't think people would line up so early before signups. I was furious--I cursed out the freshman/sophomores who had nothing better to do but camp out like a bunch of dumbasses six days before Southgate apartment signups--I wanted to see a movie with my roomate and work on a paper that was due later in the week. Not only were there at least eleven stupid tents there, but they were placed in no particular order; there was a paper list instead of a physical line and at 8PM on a Tuesday night, Toki & I were placed at #24. My plans were put to a hault and I just stood in the quad and called Toki for a tent. I spent the first night in a one-person tent and powered up my laptop (that has a 15-minute battery life) to Grissom Hall so I could work on my paper. I stayed up practically all night and it sucked. The only good parts about that campout was around 4AM when I talked to some Saudis, saw a huge meteor, and watched the sprinkler hose down the tent next to mine.

Thankfully, the next day, Brandi & Eduardo let us camp out in their HUGE tent. Having company in the tent almost every day made the wait a lot more bearable, even fun. I got to know some people (,some more than others,) that I haven't talked to in a while. I listened to Toki's music collection, got the complete Malice Mizer collection (*dies*), and watched some DVDs on Toki's laptop. But it wasn't all play: I finished my paper, studied quantum, and read more assigned articles for Civ 2. And of course, I still went to classes and had to deal with the BS with my AC. There were a lot of interesting conversations, laughs, and pranks from outsiders.

Sunday morning signups finally arrived. It was 6:30AM and I woke up to Paul yelling, "Anyone want breakfast from McDonalds?" Oy. So I get up and walk towards campus services and sure enough there was another line of chairs forming, as if "the list" was futile. When the ROTC list enforcers woke up, they herded everyone to their proper place. And of course, there were the douchebags that decided to roll in on Sunday morning and think that they can get the exact apartment they want by either bitching about it or trying to cut people in line five minutes before sign ups started. I really didn't like those people, one idiotic, ogre-like bitch in particular. I was annoyed for most of this morning until Paul cracked us all up.
Once the doors opened, those douchebags started rolling down the side of the line, trying to cut in, but they failed miserably under the angry mob.

After all that, after camping for several days, Toki and I were the penultimate pair to get a double occupancy, two bedroom apartment in Southgate. The guy behind me got the last room like ours and he was nearly mauled. I don't care what my other college friends think, living in an apartment for $400/month ($3200/year and college runs for about 8 months) with unlimited utilities, cable, internet, and phone doesn't sound so bad to me. And best of all, I HAVE A KITCHEN. Next year I will live much, much closer to the gym and closer to my classes, too. Starting today and hopefully into next year, I'll be doing laundry at JC's house, so I'll be saving roughly a hundred dollars.

OK enough about Southgate, it's finally over. Hooray

The Calm after the storm

iceddawn — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 17:35:14 GMT

I let out a huge yell of relief after finishing my EM test on Friday at 3PM. My week of hell was officially over!

On Friday morning, for SPS's Physics Experiment Day, I taught fourth and fifth grade students about potential and kinetic energy using an experiment with popper droppers and rubber ball. Little did I know I was presenting at the West Melbourne Elementary School for Science, a public school full of brainiac children who were taught about potential and kinetic energy since they were in second grade! It felt great to teach physics to kids who were actually interested in it. I was also happy that my experiement was hands-on. However, after talking for over two straight hours, the other SPS members and I were extremely thirsty!

Friday night after my test I went to the junior/senior design showcase. I met up with some peers and looked at their projects. My mech-e buddies won an award and Toki's chem-e project won two awards! Go, Toki!!! I also saw Ado for the first time since he graduated because he is engaged to someone in my major who was presenting a poster!

I also tried Vietnamese food for the first time. It was interesting and I wish I had more time to pick what I exactly wanted because the waiter was so impatient! No wonder nobody goes to eat there, dang! After the chow, I chilled out with Jared and watched a lot of movies.

I completely relaxed on Saturday. I didn't do anything productive at all and I enjoyed every minute of it. I went to the Green Campus Weekend that Erin Z. & Adam were putting together. There was a solar cookout and speakers from the GIobal Renewable Energy group/Indian River Green Team. I won a gift basket at a raffle (I'm getting good at these things, aren't I?). Participating in Green Campus Weekend got me really motivated and even though I recycle, use as little water as possible while washing, and unplug everything when I'm asleep, I'm going to kick it up a notch and use my tote bags instead of using plastic bags. I have too many tote bags as it is, I might as well start using them more. Whatever happened to the days of Captain Planet, Zoobooks, and Ranger Rick? Maybe everyone should make an Earth Day resolution as well as a New Year's Resolution.

Most of the juniors in my department went out to dinner at Young's Chinese Buffet. We combined three tables and had lots of laughs and ok eats. I still can't believe that we spent what felt like a half hour playing "telephone", lol. After having such a great time, I think we all agreed to go out to eat together everytime a week from hell occurs.

Today I luckily finished my laundry before the downpour. I've been downloading music like mad woah and I saw a few episodes of deathnote last night when I randomly woke up between 4AM and 5AM. Maybe tonight I'll get some free food at the international festival.
Oy, I don't want to write my paper... >_<"

orly

iceddawn — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 19:49:52 GMT

This week seemed very unorderly. I didn't consistently go to the gym or work this week, and I spent way too much time on EMT between studying books, working on the HW, and doing the labs and lab reports.

SAS nominations were this past week and I nominated myself for VP. After the actual meeting, we saw the moon, Venus, and the Orion nebula through the celestron. Way to go, Midnight Society! The night was very clear and beautiful; it was a shame it had to end with a lab report.

I got my temp driver's license in the mail so I wouldn't drive from FL to NJ with an expired license. I applied for MCC, and I am questions away from finishing my FAFSA.

Mom had surgery yesterday and the doctors said it was very successful. I briefly spoke with her on the phone and I'm glad she's alright. I wish I could be there for her and I tonight at Relay for Life I feel like I will be (, since her cancer is why she had this surgery) .

Dan is doing accounting work for a family friend. He is most likely going to stay in NJ this summer and take some classes since he's now dual majoring in accounting and math. *grin* I can't wait for summer. It's going to be a blast--working at AMNH, getting one of my electives out of the way, living in NJ with my family and friends, and spending time with my favorite guy.

I passed my quantum test, 11 points above the average. I feel good about it, and even though I worked my ass off only to get a 73, I felt like I deserved every part of it--no more and no less.

Dr. Durrance asked me if I knew Ben Oppenheimer and when I told him 'yes' he said that he used to work for Dr. Durrance and the coronograph that's on the 6th floor is actually something he worked on!!!! CRAZY!!! WHY IS EVERYONE AT FL IN SOME WAY CONNECTED TO EVERYONE AT AMNH? I don't get it: Dr. Durrance & Ben Oppenheimer, Dr. Turner and (blank, only to be nice), Dr. Vennes and Sebastian, Dr. Oswalt and Mike Simon, and then there's everyone and their mom and Neil Tyson. He doesn't count. S'all creepy.

Tonight is Relay for Life and I'm cosplaying as Jane Jetson for only $7.42. Nice. Ok well I guess I should get back to the room and load up my car with my chair and blankets.