Math "Review"

Right now I am in the middle of math review. It is called math review, but for me it is not a review. It is the first time that I am seeing 90% of the material that we are covering. It was kind of sad that the professor was able to cover almost all of the math I knew in the first lecture. The math we are going over is very abstract and a lot of it is related to optimization and real analysis. This class has made me feel really dumb. For the first few days I had the hardest time paying attention for the entire three hours of class. It reminded me a lot of the beginning of my mission when I was trying to learn Portuguese. I could only focus so hard for so long until my brain would get so tired that it would just turn off. Gratefully every day it became less of a struggle. I hope that this will be the case with my math review. It has gotten better, but I still feel like I am behind a lot of the other students. I laughed when I found out that upper level math classes at BYU counted for foreign language credit, but now I understand why. I comfort myself with the fact that most of the other students are Econ PhD students so most of them have already taken graduate level math classes. The few math classes that I have taken in the last seven years are nothing compared to the amount of math that most of the other students have taken. All of the Econ students have to take a preliminary exam at the end of the year covering all of the micro Econ classes that we take this year. If they don’t pass after a couple of attempts then they are kicked out of the program. Luckily I am not required to take this exam. My goal for this year is to pass my Econ classes and then do well in my Accounting seminars. I hear from everybody that it doesn’t matter how well you do in the Econ classes as long as you pass. So that is my goal and my strategy is to become friends with some of the smart econ students so that they will study with me. Maybe I can bribe them with a good dinner from Amber. Most of the other students are single so I am sure they would appreciate a home cooked meal.

Motozine

These are some images of my work cell phone (Motozine). It's biggest draw is the 5 mega pixel camera that Motorola partnered with Kodak to develop. Some of the previous pictures on our blog were taken on my cell phone, such as the ones from the "Our First Northwestern Football Game" and "Our Ocean". It's been very convenient for those random moments when you want to take a picture. I've enjoyed working at Motorola so far and really like all of my co-workers. Our team is driving 2 different programs right now which is very unusual, but also extremely exciting. I've learned a lot and feel like I'm finally beginning to contribute.

For those of you who are tech nerds here is a quote from 2dayblog.com.... "Motorola MOTOZINE ZN5 finally here, a 5.0-megapixel camera phone from Motorola. Thanks to Kodak for its 5.0-megapixel sensor, it is equipped with autofocus, a xenon flash, image stitching, and on-device integration with Kodak Gallery. ZN5 employs the Motorola’s “ModeShift” technology for morphing the keypad depending on device mode, and includes quadband GSM radio with EDGE. Other features include WiFi, 4GB of optional external memory, CrystalTalk technology, and support for SMS, MMS, IM and personal e- mail. The Motorola ZN5 will arrive first in China in July 2008 and expected to ship out globally throughout the remainder of the year."

Our First Northwestern Football Game

We went to our first Northwestern football game last Saturday. One of Spencer's professors gave us his tickets since he was going to be out of town. It was a fun game and a nice atmosphere. The field is really pretty and the stadium is pretty small. I really enjoyed the family friendly atmosphere, it was kind of like going to a baseball game. Although I think Spencer missed the wild and crazy BYU football games. The stands were pretty empty because school doesn't start for a couple more weeks so most of the students weren't there, so maybe it will get a little more wild and crazy for Spencer :).

Even though Spencer was glad he got to go to the Northwestern football game, he was sad that he would be missing the BYU football game that evening (since we don't get the channel that the games are on out here). But Saturday was Spencer's lucky day... After the Northwestern football game we had a ward ice cream social ( a mere 2 hours before the BYU game started). At the social Spencer found out that a family in the ward actually got the channel that the BYU game was broadcasted on (very rare out here). Brother King (BYU channel guy) invited Spencer along with a few other die-hard BYU fans over to watch the game immediately after the ice cream social.

We had a good time (especially Spencer) and they have invited us back for the rest of the games this season so needless to say - Spencer is very excited. I can handle a little football, but a full days worth is quite a stretch for me. Luckily Spencer knows he owes me, so now all I have to do is come up with something really good that I want (suggestions are welcome :) ).

Special Conference with Elder Oaks

Normal church meetings were canceled today because we had a special conference with our stake. Elder Oaks had some other church meetings this weekend and the first presidency asked him to stay one more day to do a conference with our stake. It was a good conference. We were also able to hear from our stake president and Elder Hicken (a seventy who lives in our ward). Luckily we were able to sit up front (third row) so we had a good view. We had to get there early and since there were only two of us we could squish on the end of the bench. We were both able to shake Elder Oaks' hand on his way out of the meeting. It was a great experience. One thing that I have always liked about Elder Oaks is that he is a very practical person, yet a person of great faith. I was happy to see these characteristics stand out even more in person. It was a great Sunday except that we missed not having nursery time.

In the picture above Elder Oaks is shaking hands with people as he leaves. The older guy in a suit behind him to the right also shaking hands is Elder Hicken. The couple leaning over at the front of the picture is our bishop and his wife.

Amber's New Watch

I've been needing a watch lately, since I always seem to be in a meeting and wanting to know what time it is. But I'm not entirely sure what kind of watch I want. I don't want a nice metal one, but need one that doesn't look out of place at work. I've been thinking I might want a black sporty watch, but haven't found one that I'm in love with. So after looking at several stores Spencer and I decided just to go to Target and get a cheapie one until I can make up my mind about what kind of watch I want. So here it is ... my $10 cheapie watch that I wear to work :).

We're Officially Illinois Residents

Sad Spencer :(

Before...

During...

After...

Our Ocean

Spencer and I went on a walk today and we decided that Lake Michigan isn't actually a lake, it's the ocean. This is our evidence...