Darts

Darts is a lot of fun.

Cary came over today to burn some pictures he had taken w/ my camera and as he was leaving he saw our dart board. The whole term it has been hanging there in our hallway not being played. The darts were still in Aaron's room. So when Cary asked where were the darts as he left, Aaron heard him and went downstairs, found them and brought them up.

Next thing I know, Victor, Aaron and I played darts for 4 hours! After 4 hours, my arm is a little sore.

Yes, this is a bad sign, espicially since my parents came up today and we went to St. Jacob's market for a few hours. Which means I haven't gotten any work done today.

Now really, I will begin working.....NOW!

--Nelson

Picked up the latest SLAM issue and it has Kobe gracing the cover. The article on Kobe was pretty enlightening, giving insight into the life of number 8. Interesting point was brought up about all the haters of Kobe, saying he's too cocky, how he can't win it all by himself....etc etc. His response was, yeah, he know's he can't win it all by himself, he needs the big fella, but that is besides the point. The main point is that they both can work together and accomplish their goals of winning and being champions. Comparisons of him to T-Mac also irked him. Yeah T-Mac is a great individual player, but Kobe could've been one too. Years back, when Kobe had the chance to sigh elsewhere or stay in LA, he chose to stay with LA and win rather than going to a weaker team and being "Da Man". He brought up the fact that if T-Mac stayed in TO, the Lakers would be facing the Raptors in the finals the past 2 years! Anyway, Kobe made a choice with his career and he chose winning. He's happy with his life. End of case.

Jobs

So far this term I haven't been matched up with a job yet. I had an interview in the first round with ATI, and I really wanted it, but I lost out to Barry Ip and someone from my class. So it was the second round (continuous) for me.

Again.

Good news though, today I had two interviews. One for Honeywell in London Ontario and one for March Networks in Ottawa. The Honeywell job isn't very good, programming for control systems...but the March Networks is sooo goood!! It's a hardware developer position, with Bluetooth and embedded PC board design and a little DSP stuff. And it's with a really cool company. And the best part about it is that I think the interview went really well.

But there is a problem. Since I had two job interviews the same day, and since the March Networks interview was very late in the day, if I get matched for the Honeywell one, I have to accept it. I don't have a choice. That's the way the second round works...as soon as you get a job, you have to take it. So I'm really hoping I didn't get the job for the first one and I get the 2nd one. I'm crossing my fingers. We'll see what happens on mon.

Ahhhh too much stress...jobs and exam pressure!!!

--Nelson

mmmmm.....hot showers....

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Showering

Apparantly the water heater guys came on thurs but no one woke up for them. My theory is that they are too lazy to do any work, so they knocked lightly a few times and then just left. Oh well...they said one should be coming in on sun. I really hope so. Which means for the last few days I've been going to other ppl's houses to shower.

I had to go over Huy's on fri to shower. Guess who I bumped into? Nicole Leblanc from middle/high school! I actually didn't see her there, because when I walked in, my glasses were fogged over. Then when she said hi, I had no idea who it was since i'm so blind w/o my glasses. Then i tried to have a conversation w/o being able to see properly. Turns out she knows Dave Gulas, (my classmate, and Huy's roomate), but they left before i was done my shower and I didn't talk to them much.

The next day i went over to cary's place, but that's not the interesting part... Edmond bought some roller blades on sat on a whim and came home really wanting to try them out. The thing is he came home near midnight. So me, with my problem of not being able to say no to suggestions (seems like the crazier the suggestion, the more likely i'll say yes) went with him. The reason why this is dangerous is because Edmond and I are basically beginner roller bladers and the route to Cary's place is quite hilly and at that time of day, kinda dark too. We it made it there and back safely, with Edmond close to falling only once. The reason we made it there and back safely was liberal use of rollerblading (/walking) on the grass. I really should learn how to stop...I think it'll make rollerblading much safer, don't you think?

I celebrated Kitty's birthday by cooking dinner for her. Now I was quite nervous for this because I hardly cook at all. The last time I really cooked on a consistent basis was back in 1A. Every other term has been mom's frozen food and going out to eat. After having Victor very nicely drive me to Zehr's to shop, I cooked up this dinner: Farfalle pasta in a cream sauce w/ red peppers and mushrooms, Grilled Salmon fillet and Asparagus. Everything turned out quite well! What a relief and it was quite successful! Since I was going to be cooking anyway, I also picked up a steak for myself for the next night.

You can never go wrong w/ steak :) Yum.

--Nelson

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Krispy Kreme

Remember all the hoopla when the first Krispy Kreme opened in Mississauga? Well there isn't that much hoopla anymore. The proof? Well they opened the third one in Kitchener (the 2nd one is in Richmond Hill) on tuesday. Of course for Grand Openings, they like to have them in the middle of the night, and this one was no different. This one opened at 5:30 AM...and of course I was there when it opened. That night also happened to be the Leonids, a meteor shower, which was the most plentiful it was going to be in our lifetime, but unfortunately, it was too cloudy to see anything. Anyway, after arriving at around 5:15 and having to park in the next parking lot (a Zeller's parking lot) we got in the line. The line itself was actually pretty short. I guess people aren't that excited by a new Krispy Kreme or maybe Kitchener has a much smaller population. After getting in line, there was some cheerleading, prize giveaways and waiting around in the cold, but not long after, we were in and got our free donut! I actually didn't end up buying any, but the free one was good. Kitty got two free ones! Edmond bought a box and ate the whole thing on the car ride back. Yes, he eats a lot. Anyway, for some pictures, check out my roomate Kevin's blog.



      Yet another joy of student living: Our water heater broke yesterday. We are left with freezing water in which to take our showers in :(

I of course can't stand taking freezing cold showers. I tried to take one yesterday, but I couldn't will myself to step into the freezing cold water. I think the water takes the temperature of the outside ground. And that's damn cold. So instead, I went over to my friend Huy's place, who luckily only lives about 5 houses away to take a shower. We called up the water heater company today, and they said they should have one in by tomorrow. I really hope they do come.

Actually, this experience made me think a little about student living. Yes, it is without a doubt, ghetto. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I'd like to believe my experiences now, will make me really appreciate whatever future living arrangements I'll have. (assuming that it's better than the present) Even now, whenever I go home on the weekends, I notice immediately that it is much nicer. Little things that you wouldn't even appreciate if you never lived away from home, like the smell of a home. My home in Toronto smells very pleasant, while my home in waterloo is not as nice. Something that I only really notice when I move back and forth from one to another. As Einstein once said, it's all relative. There is some chance of people becoming spoiled without some grounding in their life. Not to say YOU are or will be, but just saying.

It all fits into my belief that it's good to broaden your range of experiences. And be brave enough to really follow through with it. Only then can you really know what you like or dislike, what you would like in the future and how to direct your current life to achieve those goals.

Anyway, gotta go wash dishes in some freezing cold water. And maybe today I'll suffer through it with a smile.

-- Nelson

Got a hair cut tonight from my roommate and his girlfriend. Judy worked the clippers and Austin was manning the scissors, and they both worked on my hair at the same time. Kinda funny and kinda nervous... for me atleast. The haircut actually doesn't look half bad since I was expecting worst because it was the first time. Austin tried using the clippers one time and made a light patch on the rightside of my head. He just kept going on and pretended nothing happened. It wasn't until Judy looked over and noticed a slightly bald spot. Hahahaha. Luckily it wasn't too bad and was easily patched up.

Midterms are over atleast and I've got some time to take it easy. Just a few assignments here and there, nothing too serious. Keeping myself busy with church stuff, bible study, basketball, and warcraft III. Has any of you guys played Rival Nations for Warcraft 3? Man it's addictive!

Mike

Christmas is Approaching

You know when i finally realized this? When I was walking as part of the Santa Claus parade in Waterloo! Kitty's friend Rosalyn corralled me into getting up really early on sat to help give out candy to kids lined up along the parade route. I was part of the Engineering Society float...hard hats, dune buggy, race car and all. I was waking beside the float (actually a big flatbed MAC truck), but there were so many kids that i ran out of candy a quarter of the way through it. But it's warmer if you don't have to give out candy with your bare hands! On the whole, I think it would have been more enjoyable if it wasn't so damn cold. I really, really hate the cold...and it was plenty cold that morning...I froze my ass off for two hours walking on a very long parade route. I was still cold after drinking a burning soup... But at least it was nice to see so many families out to see Santa Claus.

My Electrical class doesn't have that much spirit. Although our ECE departmet spirit event was fairly successful at few weeks ago. I was helping out by manning the casino horse race game. It was set up as a casino night/Cove(ie free video games)/free pizza type of event, and a lot of people did show up...but i think it was mostly for the free pizza... I mean that's why i showed up last year! I had to leave early and go to my night class, but I had a lot of fun yelling out the all the winners and losers :) (and btw, that game makes tonnes of money....people really do lose a lot of money playing that game!) So watch out next time you're at the CNE.

But for our class event, one of our profs is a big soccer fan and wanted us to organized a class soccer game. So we did.

It was held this sat at the Columbia IceFields (an indoor gym other than the PAC) and i'd say about 30 people showed up! What a great turn out! But our guest of honour, Prof. Shahram Yousefi had some car trouble and wasn't able to show up....but at least our TA's made it to the game! I'm not a big soccer fan, but soccer is pretty fun, even if it is indoors. I even managed to score a goal! Actually my team was dominating...Edmond was in goal for our team and he had no shots on net....so he had a shutout....but he did stop a lot of passes and broke up a lot of plays. After the class went to a bar, but I had other plans...

It was Cynthia's bday party on saturday night! Went to Ennio's, the pasta house...again! We had reservations for 8:30, which is pretty late to start dinner, but more on that in a bit. Cynthia had a very big gathering of about 24 people! What a popular girl! And another thing - they were all guys!!! Except for Kitty, my gf, the rest were guys from Comp/Elec and CS. Whanger had baked a cake for Cynthia and it turned out really good...I think Kitty has some ideas in her head now...because her bday is coming up at the end of this month (but i can't bake!!!). Anyway, we stayed there really late...so late in fact that all the other customers had left. Around 11PM, the waitress came in and completely cleared all the tables. And then we saw the light dim a bit. We were all joking around about when and how they would kick us out. We joked that we would leave when the vacuum cleaner came. Finally when 11:30 rolled around the waitress came in and asked us nicely to leave. Yup, so we got kicked out of a restaurant.

--Nelson

Midterm Results

We got our midterms back a couple weeks ago. I actually did a little better than expected. First of all I thought I would be closer to failing, but luckily nothing close. Keith and I always compete on our marks, it's something that I think drives me to do a little better. I know, it really helped out in high school, but in university, it's not working was well.

Well when Keith and I compete, we compete with money. Contrary to what you may think, the person who gets the lower mark receives the money. In the past (ie high school) we would bet a dollar on each exam. The person who gets a lower mark on an exam would receive money. We set it up this way, because we are both ultracompetitive (but in a friendly way) and the person who got the lower mark would get some pity money to "soften the blow" of losing (losing academically, not monetarily). So in University we decided to raise the stakes. Historically, Kieth and I have always been very close in terms of marks, one just edging out the other, so we decided to have the monetary exchange based on the mark differential. So for example, if I scored 75 and keith scored 85, he would owe me $10.

So as always, this time around the bet was on again. 4 midterms to compete with. $1/mark differential. Anyway, not to get in the details, I now owe him $36. That is when we dropped one of the midterms, (b/c it has the potential of not counting in the final mark). If we had counted that one course I would have owed him $76!!! Meaning I had performed in total, 76 marks higher than he did. I did better than I expected, and Keith, well he didn't do so well. The good news is that he uninstalled his games. I hope that'll help him ouit. Now I have a huge debt :(

This weekend was......more softball!!! I'm amazed at how well the weather is holding up. Edmond, the crazy hardcore softball player bought a $700 bat. And even though I couldn't believe it, what a difference it makes! I'm not a normal homerun hitter, but with this bat, I was able to hit them out of the park!!! I was so amazed! And trust me, it's such a thrill to be able to hit them out of the park. So that was my physical activity for fri and sat. Lot's of fun...and it was still warm.

On a side note, I went to Golden Griddle after softball on sat w/ a bunch of people. In time for the breakfast buffet. I ate about 20 strips of bacon..........i think i overdid it. Looks like i should eat a lot of salad for me this week.

Speaking of food, Kitty and I are three months now, and we went to a japanese restaurant to celebrate. I got the beef...not exactly a lean choice. Oh well. :)

--Nelson

Well I'm happy to see that my blogging partner is alive and kicking. Life has it's up and downs and you can't avoid them. But you'll always have your friends :)

So i haven't blogged in a long time....so i have some stories to tell from way back...

As you may have noticed, hallowe'en passed by a while back. It's especially apparant when kids start ringing your doorbell and showing up dressed up in costumes. Since we didn't feel like answering the door, we closed our lights. But our kitchen faces out the front and when you're in the kitchen, you have to turn on the light, which can be seen from the outside. So this one time, Aaron and I were down in the kitchen and some kids rang the doorbell. He decided to open the door even though i told him not too. So he opens the door and he makes them wait while i to go scrounge around for some candy to give. Punk teenager kids too. Anyway, after that we left the kitchen and shut off all the lights. So a bit later in the night, we hear this incessant ringing of the doorbell...it just wouldn't stop! We all commented on it, and I personally was thinking how annoying those punks were. We didn't answer the door. So i didn't think anything of it for a while...

Until class next day. It turns out that the person ringing the doorbell was Richard! He wasn't very happy that we didn't answer the door for him. And then when i told him, he should have called on his cell phone (which of course he doesn't have....yet) he got a little more annoyed. Anyway, he was in the area (at Huy's place) and wanted to drop off my Frosh training certificate, which he very nicely brought to class the next day. Thanks.

And later that night I went over to Kitty's because her house was having a party of sorts. Ah drinking games and food. Although they did run out of alcohol, but it was still quite fun.

The following morning (w/o a hangover, which I don't think i've ever had before, because i always drink water before going to bed) i headed off to TO for my sister's commencement! I was able to sit through the whole thing, and not get bored out of my mind. Good seeing some of the teachers again and i saw Monty there. His sister Jeanie was Valedictorian for her year. Her speech was pretty good, very well delivered and i think she was crying by the end. But I still think Matt's was better. More entertainment value :) I also noticed very few Waterloo engineers. Boo. Lot's of people at Queens though, at least it seemed that way.

That's it for now...

Hey everyone!

Whoa, what's with this? Second blog this week! I better watch out... this might become a habit!

Well, things are getting better. I'm still doing my best to live with the choices that I've made.

On a happier note, Diana came to visit London and I had the wonderful opportunity of catching up with her for Pho with Jo, Carol and Will. Cary, you were right about Di's awesome job, it really is awesome! I'm glad I took those science courses cause the things Di described about her work, I was lucky to catch on to those fancy words and sci talk....

Anyway, want to say hi to Chris. Sorry I missed your badminton competition. I hoped you kicked ass! (however, just not Western's...)

Later!

Mike

Hey all,

Long time no see as the old saying goes. Well, in my absence many things have happened, but not everything will be disclosed. Let's just say that it's been a huge learning experience about life. If you see me, I'll explain myself in person.

Yesterday (Wednesday), me and some boys made a trip to TO to see the Raptors play the Mavericks. It's been the most spontaneous thing I've done in a while. One minute I'm in London, 2 hours later I'm in the ACC in lower bowl seats watching JYD dunk OVER Bradley! The Raptors lost (as was predicted) but it was still a ton of fun. Dallas is just sooo stacked. Having Nowitzki, Finley, Van Exel and Nash, that's just sick. Afterwards we chilled in Chinatown,eating some late night bbq duck, bbq pork and rice. Man I didn't know how much I miss real chinese food. Actually, what I think I miss is TO. I haven't been home in a long time and I'm getting kinda homesick. Anyways, the ride home consisted of a lot of basketball talk. The topic drifted from the Raptors to Tmac to Cwebb, to KG to kicks, to Adidas, Nike, to Kobe.... just good times.

Cary called today and got me all interested in Pocket PC's, the Dell Axim in particular. For a moment, I was ready to place an order, but after we hung up, I thought about it more and returned to my senses. The toy is going to cost me 5 bills! Do I look like Mark Cuban?!!! Dang, Cary could make a really good salesperson... (but I still kinda want to get a pda... better start saving)

Well, that's all for now,

Later!

Mike

Mike, where are you? Please blog....my internet time recently has all been taken up by my basketball pool.....i will start blogging again very shortly...