JAVA: Oscillation {Week 4}

I just wanted to make a quick post about Week 4 before I post my Project.... Week 4 was really awesome! Chapter 3 starts off with trigonometry (?).  I don't have much to say about that, except that I need/want to brush up on my math skills so I can use these concepts efficiently.   But, even with my lowly Pre-Cal skills (and our amazing textbook), I was able to create some really cool things!!!

Here's a sneak peek at something I am using in my project. 

(Click the picture to see the action)

JAVA Week One

It is only my first week of school and I love my CS classes already.  The Professor for my Java programming class is using the Finch Robot instead of a text book.  I am actually surprised that any computer science teacher would use a textbook.  I took CAD for 2 years and I don't remember opening a textbook ever.  The Professor would work on her computer and we would follow along.  Then we would get a sheet of dimensions and draw on our own.  I guess the difference is, architecture is objects and programming is mostly text.  Also, teaching how to USE a program must be different than teaching how to CREATE a program.  I think the Finch will be way more fun to practice programming - instead of just running text programs in that dreary Net Beans.

I have a feeling everyone says this, but I think it's not the actual "programming" that interests me.  All this Java, language, detailed, syntax crap kind of makes me feel bored.  I feel like I can look at a list of Java syntax and memorize what it's function is.  Yay Syntax.  Not me - it's those algorithms that fascinate me.  I can't believe how much I struggled with the extremely simple problem solving exercises we did in class Wednesday - but it was SO fun!  That's what I want to do! I want to help people come up with amazing programs that will make their organizations function more efficiently.  I want to design the program and the applications and organize the information and make it all look pretty and be really easy to use.  Somehow, I have the feeling that the same job everyone else wants too.  :)

I'll post a picture of my finch on my blog next week.  

New Goals, New Blog

I'm so excited about my brand new blog!  It goes perfectly with my brand new goals.  First, I guess I should explain how I got to this strange place in my life.  The first time I went to college (several years ago), I had intentions of getting a degree in Interior Design.  I didn't know the exact job I wanted, but I knew the field would be a good fit for me.  I never imagined I would end up in kitchen design, but I spent 5 years doing it and I absolutely loved it!  2 years ago, the building market took a hit and so did my paycheck - it was cut in half.  With 2 kids in daycare, I was pretty much breaking even, so I had to quit my job.  I never had the desire to be a SAHM, but I figured I would try it.  Everyone kept telling me how wonderful it was and how lucky I was to have the "opportunity".  That's the last time I will take advice from anyone that doesn't have a full time job.  I love being with my kids and I really love being able to volunteer at my daughter's school, but other than that I am miserable.   I am a very independent person and I like being in control of my own finances.  I got my work permit at 15, I moved out at 18, and I worked 3 jobs in college to pay all my own bills. Overall, it just wasn't a good idea for me to be jobless for 2 years.    

On a positive note, being at home has given me time to get a lot of things straightened out. Well, sort of.  So here I am now!  I started taking some intro classes a few months ago in computer science technology and I think I want to focus on web design.  The only class I will be taking this summer is Statistics (yikes), so I hope I can keep myself motivated and practicing the skills that I do know, until classes start up next fall.  I want to get myself familiar with blog sites and continue working with style sheets and Adobe.  I started this blog so I can document what I'm working on and hopefully see my improvement over the next couple years. :)  It's going to be awesome, I just know it!!!!    

Elizabeth