Week of 1/24

Last week, we had the option of continuing with Java or starting with Python. I chose to start on Python because it is much easier for me to understand and to execute methods. Instead of complicated syntax and random abbreviations for different words, it uses the words themselves (for example, the only word needed to print a line is "print"). I like Python a lot better even though I had to simplify the syntax that I had previously learned with Java.

These are the results of the Screen Actors' Guild Awards last night:

http://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/17th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards

I was really happy with most of the winners. I'd actually seen four of the fives films in which the casts got nominated for awards, so it was neat to see the results last night.

week of January 18th

Last week, Laryssa helped me with the string labs and I got to understanding them a lot better. Java was really hard for me at first because I didn't understand how the syntax worked, but after I got people to help me, I got a lot better at it. It's still really confusing but hopefully it will get better in the future.

This weekend I found a cool Chrome extension called Minimalist Gmail. Here's the link:
https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/npppajnlimcafecjepdjcijnoamopngp

It's an easy way to get rid of all the junk buttons that come with Gmail, like the ones at the top that I don't use often and even the ads that run across the top of the screen.

week of January 10th

Last week's labs were very confusing for me until the end of the week. I didn't really understand how to format the labs to solve equations given input numbers. At the end of the week, however, I watched Jaron writing code and I figured out how to do it. We worked together to finish three labs on Friday and by the end of the class period, I understood the concepts.

This is a cool iPhone app I saw on Engadget:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/19/megareader-brings-true-multitasking-to-the-iphone-lets-you-walk/

It does seem a little gimmicky to be able to read and walk "safely", but I think it might actually be pretty useful to college students who have some of their texts on their iPhones and need to read while on the go.

week of January third

I was pretty confused last week... as we go further and further into Java, everything starts to become a huge jumble of nonsense in my brain. I recognize that this is probably not a good thing, but I am able to reassure myself that it's somewhat alright since I'm not planning on going into any career that involves knowing computer science. I'm awfully glad that we're graded mostly on effort, because I do try to understand... it just goes in one ear and out the other (or completely over my head, your choice). Hopefully things will get a little easier if I keep trying to do the labs.

My winter break was pretty cool. I've been working at Toys R Us since late November, so I worked a lot during December. Some of the shopping days before Christmas were a busy nightmare, but I got paid, so it's okay. I also got to eat a lot of holiday food, which was nice. My parents both cooked a lot more since my sisters and I were out of school. I'm kind of glad that we didn't go out of town, because I was able to work more and it's always hectic when we have to pack and go to the airport, etc.