A Little Late, Am I?

Sorry, I kinda forgot about the email for about 2 weeks, but I blame the fact that I've been busy. It's been a couple of crazy weeks, that's for sure. School, midterms, and then we had some Web issues with one of our clients and I have just now been able to sit down and email. Thank you, everyone, for your replies last email. And a special THANK YOU to Grandma Edith for the awesome S'mores maker. We've already had several sugar filled nights with it.

I'm doing good in classes. I mean, I don't know actually grades but I'm assuming that I have A's and B's in everything. I've been figuring out my schedule for next semester and I'm hoping that I can get everything I want. I register Friday, so everyone hope that I get what I have planned, or else there's going to be problems.

Dad came home two weeks ago? and visited me up here. I showed him around campus and he took some pictures. I've attached one of the pictures, just because they're so big. They are really, really pretty. His camera rocks hard core. I would steal it from him if I thought he wouldn't notice before he got out of the country.

Ok, I know this is super short, but I have a study group, so I'm out of here.

Tar

Coming Live from the LSC

Alrighty, I meant to send this out before the end of the weekend, but as I think you guys can all see, it's a little late for that. So, I'm sending this to you all live from the Lory Student Center here on the beautiful CSU campus in sunny Fort Collins, Co. I know I didn't have to type that all out, but I felt like it. Gives it a more, I don't know, vocal feel.

So for those of you that haven't had the pleasure of talking to me via phone in the last week, yes, I did get sick. I'd been fighting it for weeks and it finally hit Tuesday night. Hard. Yeah, I was out of it for three days. Friday I could actually think enough to realize that I was missing class, I was just sleeping so much it didn't really matter. I'm all better now, thanks, just a bit of the sniffs and throat clearing left. I'm not sure what it was, but that has passed so it doesn't really matter anymore.

Because of my sickness, I obviously didn't do much in the last week. I did have a math midterm on Wednesday, that was fun. Not. I quite literally woke up at 5:50pm Wednesday, rolled out of bed, put on something that could be considered decent in public, drove three blocks to the exam, took it, drove back to my dorm, passed out again till about noon Thrusday. The real interesting thing was that it took me an hour to answer 6 questions before I realized I really shouldn't have been taking the exam. The bad news is that there were 8 questions. I got a 33/50. Yeah.... I called my professor. Soley, who cannot exactly teach at a speed known to the general populance as normal and writes in a solid block of curlys and quies (made that up), is very understanding and says that if my grade at the end of the semester is not an A and she can tell that I have been trying (in other words it was the exams fault), she will talk to the course coodinator about my grade. I just realized that that sentence was wayyyy too long to be correct, but I don't care. It's early (11:17). I got less than four of sleep (4:20-9). And I'm going to have a late night (three books and a paper).

The great news is that the Wednesday from heck that I had last week was the official middle of my first semester in college. I think I've done very well for myself. Not only did I join an organization, but I also stuck with it until its collapse (yes, Live Life Late is officially dead). I have already established several good relations with professors, changed the way a few things are done in classes, Aced three midterms (it'd be four if it wasn't for that stupid .5 of a point), and made a large group of good friends. I'd attach pictures to this email but I'm on the LSC computer, so I don't actually have any of them with me.

That reminds me, I am very happy and surprised with CSU's student services. They have free use computers in the LSC, library, USC building (that's the CS building) and in a few other places on campus. And the computers aren't trashed! Holey rusted rocks, Batman! No one checks your ID or is watching over your shoulder. If you trash the computer, it's one less one for you to use. And the library, wow. I thought Colorado College's library in the Springs was good. I like this library so much that I'm doing a report on it for my seminar class. They also have a writing center, that checks papers for free; counseling center; and a Career Center that find me another job (like I can handle it). I highly recommend CSU's facilities.

Alright, this email is getting huge, so I'm going to cut it off after a few brief shout-outs:

1. Everyone give it up for my Mom! She came out for Parent's Weekend the 8 & 9th and ran in the CSU Homecoming 5k. She's coming back strong from her surgery and tore it up at 7:45 in the morning. She also did me the favor of running around the campus and giving herself a tour, so I didn't have to.

2. Everyone send a big pat of the back to my roommate, Berlin, who finally decided that if she actually went to class, maybe then she wouldn't miss all of those pop quizes. Oh, and studying actually kinda helps...

3. You can stop sending First Aid kits, at least for now, Beth and Rachel made it a whole 2 weeks without an injury! Granted, Rachel's eye is infected a bit still and she's still healing from where her stitches were removed, but those aren't something new so I'm saying no injuries. They also finally beat that level of Donkey Kong they've been working on for a week.

4. Send good waves to Emily Meirtz, a high school friend that decided to drop by with about 4 of her friends last night around 10. Her and her buddies, along with the normal crew that lives in my room, hung out and chatted till about 2am. She drove all the way up from Mines to visit Tirrel, who just happened to be in my room at the time. It was a blast and I do have pictures of everyone (all at once, on the couch) that I will probably send out by themselves later this week.

5. Last but not least, send it out to Fish. I'm not sure if I said this in the last email, but he got a DJ spot on KCSU, the college's radio station. He drags his butt out of bed early every Saturday to be on the radio from 6am to 8am. I haven't actually been awake yet to hear his show, but I have no doubt it's good. He had a hard gig last Saturday, so everyone send him happy vibes, he deserves them (he's the one that single-handedly doubled the size of my music collection, we like his music).

Alright, I've been at this for almost an hour, so I'm going to let you guys go and actually go grab something to eat.

Peace, Love and Chicken Soup,
Tar

Two Weeks In One!

Alrighty then! I missed last weeks email because I was at my mommy's for the weekend, and didn't really have time to do much. This weekend is also going to be crazy, so I decided to have two emails in once. So! This accounts for last week's email and next week's.

I can't really remember what happened last week, except that I had my first History mid-term last Wed. I tell you what, my hand is still aching (course it could be from all the typing I've been doing, too). The mid-term was four ID (basically a who, what when and where with a bit of analysis throw in) and two essays. That was way too much for the time we were given. I got all my IDs done and had 40 minutes to write 2 essays. So, I wrote 3/5 of the first one and 2-3/5 of the second. It's all good though. I got the exam back Monday. 96%.

The weekend was good. I took Fish, Rachel and Berlin home with me. My car stereo is broken, so we didn't have any music on the way down. It was alright, though. We sang our own songs, gossiped and told jokes for the 2 hour drive. During the weekend, I dragged them all to my different appointments. Eye doctor, meeting with Tom, meeting with Amy, going to Best Buy, etc. Fish got his hair cut (finally) and somehow, Rachel lead Mom, I and herself into getting our eyebrows waxed. Ow.

Oh yeah. There was a passing last weekend. My iPod, Baby, passed away last week, and was put to rest last Saturday. She's in a better place now (probably at Apple, getting refurbished) and I have a new iPod. His name is Big Boy, because he's bigger than his older sister, by about 40 GB. I'm treating him better than I did Baby, hoping that he'll last much longer.

Oh yeah! I totally forgot, but Beth and I went to the CSU v. Air Force game last Thursday. It was the best! We had such a blast! We stood by the band the entire game (stand because nobody sits, except during Halftime) and screamed out lungs out. Beth wasn't a big football fan before the game, but by the 2nd quarter, she was screaming along with the rest of the crowd. We left after halftime, picked up Rachel, and finished watching the game at Chili's. We were cheering in Chili's, we were so into it. We're all going to another game together, and are going to tailgate before. Probably the Oct. 15th game. We killed Air Force, by the way.

Another member joined our little group of friends. Miles, a junior that lives on the 3rd floor, likes to come over about everynight and hang out and study. He really likes our couch and my popcorn. Mark also kinda joined, he's my physics and math study-buddy. I help him with physics and he helps we understand the stupid math book. He comes over and we do physics together (for like 5 hours straight and still don't finish the stupid problems!). So I guess I can't say the group is so little anymore. I attached some pictures of Miles and the girls playing. Tirrel is the one on the left and Rachel is on the right. No, he's not pregnant, that's a pillow up his hoody.

Alright, I have to go to Math now, so I'll talk to you all later. As always, send snail mail!

Tar

The Time You've All Been Waiting For

Alright, folks! It's that time of the week! Time for Tar's weekly update!!!! (Can you hear the cheers? I can!)

Alright! Let's start at the beginning of the week! On Monday I had my first ever college math exam! Woot! Was I ever nervous! But, no worries! I flew through the exam, receiving a 100%. 50/50. All correct answers. Yeah, I'm still a bit pumped about that one.

Tuesday and Wednesday, I'm not sure what I really did, so it must have just been classes and junk.

Thursday I had my first ever physics college exam. Now, I wasn't as worried on that one, and for good cause. I didn't do as good on it as I did on the math exam, however. Only got a 97% :(. It's all good though, it didn't really bring my grade down any.

Thursday was also the day of the Pep Rally that Live Life Late put on, but I was in the exam so I didn't get to go to it. Apparently, it flopped. So, yeah. But! I did go to the movie after wards. Which also flopped. We have to figure out how to get more people coming to these events. I think Thursday was also the day I cleaned "house." I made Fish chuckle and my roommates look at me strange. I did all the dishes, vacuumed, and picked up around the room. And then! I cooked Fish fried Ramen. Who said you couldn't get creative with Ramen? And no, I didn't cook in the dorm room. We have a student kitchen in this hall and it's not exactly big and great, but it's better than a microwave by a long shot.

Friday I went to my two classes and the study abroad fair. I've been looking at doing at least a semester abroad now for a few years. I got a bunch of information on Asia exchanges and also one booklet on Semesters at Sea. I'm not sure which I'm going to do, but there's a good program in Shanghai that's drawing my attention if I don't go with the Semester at Sea. There are some awesome countries planned for upcoming trips with the Semester at Sea group. Besides, why visit one country when you can visit 10?

Saturday, yesterday, was the Computer Science Department's picnic. Not only did I go for the free food, but I also went to play softball. It was the Undergrads against the Grads and facility. Well, not really. There were only 4 Undergrads, so it ended up old verses young, kinda. I got to play catcher the entire game, for both sides, so I also got to throw the most and my arm is feeling it this morning. And, no, I wasn't unfair to either side. I even got a guy out on my team when I caught his foul ball. Granted, I wasn't really thinking when I did it, but my team still let me play for them. After they pulled my chain a bit, of course.

So! After the picnic I studied, which I'm going to go do after I send this email out. I have my first ever History exam Wednesday and the review is tomorrow, so I have to study. I also have some math and physics homework. Oh! It just dawned on me earlier this week that after I pay this last tuition payment, I need to start earning money for next semester! If any of you know anyone that's looking at getting a website made and wouldn't mind working long distance, let me know. And no, please don't just send me money, folks. I wanna work my way through college and while typing out this email every week is a bit of work, it's not enough for me to feel justified if you just give me the money. So, yeah. Web Design and development is my game, money is my aim!

Love, Peace, and sore arms!
Tar

The Peak of Free Stuff

So I've already lost track of how long I've been here exactly. I think it's a hazard of doing so much oncampus with different organizations. Course, I've only really worked with one or two groups, but it's getting crazy. The good news, however, is that I get a lot of free stuff. I've gotten a lot of free meals, five free t-shirts, and 4 free Nalgeen bottles (those are expensive).

But! To explain the title of this email, I have hit the mother-load of free stuff. On Thursday Live Life Late (the organization that I'm currently trying to take over the world with) sponsored Buddy Lee Jeans to come to campus and setup a booth. They needed people to help run the booth so I got all my friends out there to help. So! Buddy Lee Jeans hooked us all up with a free pair of $40 jeans, Nalgeen bottle, hat, t-shirt, sweat bands, key chain, and as many stickers as we wanted. The also fed us. So, in conclusion I received a completely new outfit for running a basketball and RC car game booth. Yes, I am a special person.

Live Life Late(LLL) is really awesome. I love working with them. So much so that I dedicated 7 hours of my life today to go to a Leadership Conference just so LLL can be a student organization. I am now a registered officer of CSU Student Organizations. Woot. Slowly but surely, I will be extremely well known within the Student Organization department. You just
wait.

In other news, my Computer Science Research Grant research is going no where quick. My mentor found out that I make websites to pay for my tuition. Can we say "Uh-oh"? So yeah, they're paying me and I like doing it, but working on a new publications database and website wasn't what I was thinking of when I put in the get the grant. That's alright. My mentor also found out I'm interested in finding better ways to teach people the computer. So, I think I'll start researching here in the next few weeks. Elaine, the main boss over my grant is getting a bit frustrated with me though. They're giving me special privileges with my grant compared to the other students (which is funny cause all of us participating in the research are getting special privileges) so I don't really need to worry about pounding out a research project soon. See, apparently Computer Science people can writing software that allows computers to think and see like humans do. They just can't make a good website.

To class work: I still like and love the classes I did before and my grades are good, considering it's so early in the semester. First exam is in Math on Monday, and my second is in Physics on Thursday. Those are my repeat classes, so I shouldn't have any problems. Also, I've made some friends in both classes, so I have study-buddy resources. I'm lucky enough to have gotten on the good side of a guy that's taken the math course before and needs help in my physics class. So he helps me in math, I help him in physics.

Oh! Mr. H/Ron/Dude! I've got a project in my Asian American History class coming up and my group and I are focusing on Asian American literature. So if you have any suggestions other than Maxine and Pearl S. Buck, let me know! That goes to anybody else here that knows Asian American lit.

Um... I don't think there's anything else to really say. I haven't checked my snail mail in a few days, so don't know if you guys sent me anything. Thank you, if you did. I'll go check after I send this. I'm just too lazy to do it now. So yeah, I think this is the end of the email. Shoot me an email if you wanna be taken off the list, know someone that wants on, or if you want me to call you (there's a lot of you out there and I can't remember to call you all on weekends).

Love, Peace, and Free Jeans (which I'm currently wearing),
Tar

Some Pictures With This One

I'm doing this email in two parts, so sorry guys if it gets a bit weird. I've attached some pictures of my room and some of my friends. The picture with the interesting "cake" is when we made a cake for Tirrel out of animal crackers and other sweets. She just turned 18, so we had to celebrate. In that picture, Rachel is the one with the glass, Bria the one without. Beth is in the last picture with Rachel, I think. Sorry about the weird angles and the darkness in the pictures. My camera is evil....

Alright, I'm going to pause the email and now eat breakfast. This shall continue either during or after my Seminar.

And now it's after!

Alright, so last week's classes were fine. I've learned that yes, it is best to do the homework before it's due and that yes, it's very easy to skip my math class and not miss anything. It's also very convenient that the gym is less than a block away. Also, the swimming pool is packed the later it gets.

Um.. aside from classes this week I attended a seminar and wrote my first paper. Woot. We also threw a surprise birthday party for Tirrel (hints the animal cracker cake) and had a slumber party. I'll have to send pictures of that next week. Oh! We also found out that smores can be made with lighters, you'll just run out of lighter fluid after the fifth one. If anyone would like to send a non-scented candle that would last a long time, that would be awesome. I think I'm going to bring my oil candle back up with me when I go home in October. We've also learned to take advantage of the to-go boxes in the dining halls. I still have food left over from last week. Finally, I finally used my dad's popcorn popper. It always burns the second batch, though. Anyone got any suggestions?

The first Live Life Late was Friday. It wasn't a huge success... but it was a success. For some reason we decided to not go with the Foam party and instead had an Open Mic night. We had four people, I think, and then we did some improv just to eat up time. The whole thing was over with around 10:30, even though it was supposed to go till 1. That's alright though cause we still had a blast. This week's event is a relief concert for hurricane victims. It's on Thursday night, so if you try to call, I won't get it. If you can't tell, I'm really into getting involved with activities. The hall painting is on hold until I can finish with my Colorado Springs client's websites, but I should be done with Michael's here in the next week.

This has turned out to be a massive email, but I guess that's alright cause the last one was so short.

Love, Peace and Free Water Bottles,
Tar

A LIttle Late, I Blame the Computer

So, the internet in my room isn't working, so I couldn't really send out my weekly email when I wanted to. So, now I'm sending it during my Java class. Shhh... the TA doesn't care.

I'm now in my third week and already wishing I could finish all my work. I finished one of my client's webpages, one to go while I'm starting to working on a new one. The CS Department discovered that I did websites so they've roped me into making them a new Publications database. At least I'm getting paid, right?

You'd be so proud of me! Someone... Lol. I've already started picking at my professors. I called my Physics professor today during his lunch and moaned about his stupid homework program. Trust me, none of you would like it.

Uh-oh, the next class is starting soon and I told Fish I would leave before his stomach ate through his flesh (He forgots to eat in order to sleep more. Can we say lazy?). So yeah, it's short, it's sweet, and it's incomplete!

Tar

P.S. Going to be in Fort Collings Friday? Check out the Foam party from 9pm-11pm! LLL is hosting.