Drawing Conclusions

Either Im pretty intellegent or just have way too much time on my hands.
Probably a little of both, but I just got a freaking hundred on a chem 02 exam. I wonder how many people can say they've done that. gotten a hundred on a college chemistry exam. This sounds pathetically conceiteed, but i really wonder what this says about my life. I should get a life hey?

Well there are two things that are clear in this situation.
1) I am very good at calculating equilibrium solution stoichiometry.
2) I will not be outwitted by any professor's trickster mathematics.

I think thats the primary reason people dont do well in chem 02. They are outwitted by tricky twists in the math problems, like unit conversions and equivalence point calculations : things of that nature. It isnt that they dont understand the theory behind it, they simply cant master the math. Ive never been good at math before, but I seem to have become functional. If there was one thing Id say would give you a leg up on exam day, its awareness of the elements of the problems. Always check for consistencey of units first thing, and then look for any trick the professor has added to the problem besides the general principle he was getting at. Then Identify the general principle and solve accordingly. And NEVER EVER EVER solve a quadratic by hand. Use Polysmlt, because its really hard to make a mistake that way. Make sure the root you choose makes sense! There cant be a negative concentration, so if you have one, then youve picked the wrong root! HELLO!

Maturity

I went to the morning service on Sunday (granted this is rare since Ive been working on sundays) and was approached by someone who's known me all my life pretty much. It's an elderly woman that no doubt at times has had serious problems with my existence. Anyways, sunday she said to me, "You are so grown up...I dont know what it is...but you are." I gave that sheepish little smile look and hurried out of the bathroom. Always akward moments with me. It was probably what I was wearing. So apparently if you want to look like a grown up, wear long patterned skirts and a black sweater, with black tights and shoes.

or maybe it was something else. maybe my hair wasnt quite so unruly or something.


funny.

Falling...with style (I am Buzz Lightyear.)

I think Im in some sort of odd transition phase, and I know there is a lot that has to take place in the next three years, decision making and that sort of thing, but right now, I like this place. The other day, when it was very snowy and everything was getting cancelled, I saw "East Side Turners" flash up accross the screen. I decided that I really missed gymnastics, so the next thursday night I would drive out to the gym and visit my old coach. Ive joined a class, mostly middle aged women, but about two college students, and Im learning a lot. Not just about gymnastics, but about who I am, and about life.

Today we vaulted, something I hadnt done in about four years. I was a decent vaulter, John (the coach) said, and then he said the words i dreaded the most. "Front hand spring" he said. "What? Squat Over?" I replied, "No no, just hit the board and go over, you used to do this without a thought." So I did one, horrible front hand spring vault. I hit the board, put my hands down, and gracefully (yeah right) let John push my ribs over the horse. The second one was worse, this time there was no hands on the horse, and no going over; I hit the board and crash ribs into the horse. "I forgot," he said, "You have fear." "Well something hasnt changed," I said. He asked me if i had one more in me, of course no was my reply. John is one of those people who will just ask the question over and over until he gets the appropriate response, so rather than go through all that redundancy I replied "I guess" the second time he asked. So I run, hit the board, and go over easily with little help. "Im glad you did that last one," he told me. And it made me think, that sometimes you just need someone, someplace, to catch you. to give you that little (or huge...) boost. Gymnastics is catching me right now. It's a familiar place, that honestly hasnt changed a whole heck of a lot since i left. like home or something like that.

Ive been giving Laura a ride home from the gym. Laura is a first grade teacher at Divine Mercy school over by lake drive. She is a wonderful person. We have the sweetest little conversations about how I want to go into the Peace Corps, and how she thinks its important to realize that there is something about humanity that connects us all, and the places weve gone and the people we've met. Gymnastics is worth it just for the chance to give her a ride home.

There's so much thinking to be done in life right now. and reflecting. and dancing.

and flying. or falling with style, and a lot of Grace.