Statistics 511 Makes Me Angry

Well, almost done with the weekly homework, just have to go run one problem through the computer program we use for this class. I've spent roughly 3.5hrs on it this morning, and need to spend a lot more time with the material this weekend because our first exam is on Thursday, and I am DETERMINED to get at least a B on it because my professor is such a jerk face!:)
The reason I believe him to be a jerk face is because he wasn't very helpful getting me back on my feet after my absence...as in, he didn't let me turn in one of the homeworks late, and as a result I turned in half a problem....WHICH DOESN'T HELP ANYONE. So, I am going to do so well on this exam he'll have to take back that snide little question of..."Have you taken stats before?" In response to how poorly I did on my first homework...jerk face.
Any way, next week will be another hell of a week. Two exams and a presentation, plus my project is getting going now as well.
At least the vanny van is fixed:)
Hope everyone else is doing well.
ciao,
Megan

Girls Night Out!!

I think we all deserve this, a night at the Trailhead for two-for-one burgers and $2 pints. I'm pretty much all caught up, give or take a chapter of statistics...and I haven't gone out since...since, with the old people in Mexico:) All of us cycling team girls have actually never gone out together! We spend every weekend, and some weekdays together, and we still have never spent any down time together. Should be interesting...I hope we have more to talk about than biking stuff, perhaps no, that's pretty much all we do:)
Hopefully I'll have some nice biking pictures to put up here soon...considering I haven't really done any riding or racing lately. I'm thinking if not tomorrow, then at least Thursday I'll get back on the bandwagon. I'm also planning on doing a long ride this weekend, and racing the short track on Sunday.
I actually have some stuff to do for my project now! I'm working on this spreadsheet in Excel...and it's going really slowly because I'm bad at Excel, but at least I'm doing something. I'll also hopefully be starting on isolating some DNA from the mosquitoes we brought back from Tapachula. I hope I can get this project done in time for Laura to use the strain. I'm a little worried about it already because there is so much background work to do right off the bat, then the crosses will take about 9 months. She wants me to be ready about a year from now I think...so, I've got to get crackin!!! Hopefully the Christmas Break trip we have planned won't mess things up too bad. I'll just have to plan accordingly.
Well, I should go, get off this darn computer:)
Besos,
Megan

Cars are Expensive!!!

The vanny-van is going in to the shop today...not just any old shop, but the dealership...Dealerships are good I think, especially for older models, but still, I hear they charge quite a bit more than just a regular mechanic. Anyway, this is going to be a big one, and I am eternally grateful that Mom and Dad are still paying for maintenance because otherwise, I wouldn't. When I get a car of my own, I'm going to make sure I have the income to support it, otherwise, it's biking for me! Even if I do own my own car in the future, I'm going to try as much as possible not to drive it. That definitely means living in a place where commuting by bike is possible, but if I end up working at a University or something, that would probably be pretty easy. Maybe by the time I get a car they will all run on carbon fusion or something like that and will be way more environmentally friendly.
Anyway, I need to go do more homework, just thought I'd rant a little about expensive cars...
ciao,
Megan

Pictures of my apartment

For everyone (Caitlin....) who has not managed to see my apartment!!

THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO

In this time of school stress and research pressures, I am looking forward to the following:

Durango Bike race
Thanksgiving- Either at my parents, aunts, uncles, or with Caley and friends
Christmas- A visit with Caitlin, skiing in Colorado and Vermont, relaxing with the parents, Christmas with the huge Botte clan!
Spring- Lot's of nordic skiing
Summer- Perhaps a little bike tour in the Northwest?
Next year- Moving in together?? and GRADUATING!!
Three years from now- Our big bike tour of Europe...gotta start saving now!!!

Hopefully I can keep all these great things in mind while still focusing on the present and getting what I need to done....sigh.

Besos,
Megan

Some of the last Mexico Pictures

Reality Bites

School is overwhelming at the moment...as in, I'm drowning in work and feeling completely lost in statistics. Not to mention that I've been sick this week as well. I actually feel a lot better today due to Caleys administrations, chicken soup and about 5 gallons of orange juice. Anyway, I'm failing statistics, but trying to take the steps to get up to speed. Basically I'll be soooo soooo happy with a C in that class. Is one allowed to get C's in graduate school? I'm not sure, better check on that... I was even thinking about dropping the class, yes, it's that bad.
Anyway, I have to go study for my Parasitology exam tomorrow morning at 7:30am...BLEAH! It covers so much material, I wish we knew what she was going to focus on, the first exam is always the toughest. It's different this year because I know the professors and feel like I have some sort of expectation to do well. I'm also pretty positive I won't do that well on the exam because of my trip. Oh well, what can I do, try to stay on top of if for exam two material.
I'll keep you all updated on the struggles...sounds like Caitlin is having a rough week of it as well. Although, hers is due to severe exercise induced fatigue...man I wish I was a varsity athlete and that could be my focus in life!

Besos,
Meganita