Taking it Easy

Today was a calm day, with not much going on.

I decided that I would sleep in today.  I am not sure how this feeling came about, but I obeyed.  With no alarms set, I could do it with no problem.  First, I was awakened by the sound of things being dropped a floor above me.  And this continued all though the morning, while I was sleeping, while I was eating, and most annoyingly while I was reading papers.

We had a meeting with Brendan Mumey (our advisor) this morning - Kate and I.  We spoke to him of our progress (which I feel I am behind a bit) and he suggested that the next thing to do would be to create a program that creates a random network, converts it into an linear programming problem, gives it to CPLEX, and converts the answer from CPLEX to a graph with flows on each edge.  My hope is that by the end of the weekend, I will have read both the papers and have made some measurable progress on the program.  We haven't got into the good stuff yet, and I don't want to delay it much longer.

Brand new location on Main and Black

Before I headed off, I picked up my paycheck and set up direct deposit.  I don't even know how I will go about depositing this one.  During the day, I went to Shnees to buy hiking boots.  I think the pair I purchased are nice.  They are waterproof, and are a little higher by the ankle.  The only worry is that they will get hot and sweaty.  That is why I bought proper socks as well -  those that are meant for hiking.  Because of the grand opening sale, I paid less than usual, but I still spent $70 on them.  They ought to last me a very long time.

They have a huge selection

I called home for some time, and talked to my parents.  I stopped by the office briefly to set up remote access to my computer in my lab and pick up one of the books.  I was able to meet a group that went downtown to eat dinner, heading to a Chinese joint.  We ended splitting up because the fist place was a bit too expensive for some of us who went next door to a Japanse place.  We made it to the store and back to the dorms without getting too wet in the rain. 

I felt too tired for insanity today.  So I took my time getting ready and all. But I still did it - with the least amount of breaks I must say.  It was non-stop cardio today.  I am so glad I am not doing it alone.

Of course, throughout the day, I practice my piano - going up and down in the key of G.  I think by Tuesday, I should be really familiar with the key and ready to jam out in front of my teacher - if my nerves behave themselves, that is.  I am still choosing a song to work on for voice class, so if anyone has a suggestion, feel free to put it in a comment.  Right now, I am leaning toward Adelle's "Someone Like You", mostly because it will may help me break out of this shell and express some real emotion.

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On a different note, I ought to start preparing for the GRE.  But I am hung up on choosing a school.  I have no idea what I want to focus on, and every piece of advice I get is making me more confused and unsure.  Should I just pick a school and choose a topic after, or the other way around?  How do I even go about investigating all the areas in computer science and get a feel for what research in it would be like?  I am planning on asking some professors at home and here.  More posts on this later.

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For now, enjoy looking at my rather expensive boots (was on sale, but you know what I mean).

My new boots :)