I finally heard back from the Census Bureau yesterday, after interviewing there over a month ago. It turns out three departments are interested in hiring me!! I'm still thinking it over, but I'm probably going to go with the one that works on the Decennial Census. That manager was interested in me the most, plus, for us statistics majors working on the big 10 year census is like a theater major starting on Broadway.

Haha maybe not quite but still, I'm excited! My official job title? MATHEMATICAL STATISTICIAN. Sounds smart, huh? I've started looking online, trying to find a safe place to live. The job isn't actually in D.C., but in Suitland, MD, which is a little east of the city. Which apparently is not the best place to live, so I need to find something not too far away, but that's nice and affordable. It's the old Maryland vs Virginia debate, and I'm conflicted. Having lived in Maryland for 23 years, I feel a certain amount of loyalty towards the state, however, apparently if I want to live with my like minded conservatives I should consider VA. Maryland probably also has more crime, but I would have a longer commute living in Virginia. So I don't know yet, I need to do more research.

Census Bureau "news"

My BEAUTIFUL christmas tree:



Who doesn't love pink? Today a girl in my TA class asked me where I shop because my clothes are beautiful.  So, I am having a happy Monday

I applied for a real job yesterday! I probably won't get it since they want someone with a couple years experience, but I figured it was worth a shot. It's really nice that it's in Morgantown and starts in January, but bad because it's a programming job and I don't really like programming that much..... soooo I don't know. I'm still trying to decide if I want to find a job next semester, or if I want to stay at WVU. I'll have finished all the classes I NEED, but if I take 9 credit hours I can keep my job as a TA. That might be good since I've barely started my research, so it's likely that I'll need to finish that up next year. Ah decisions decisions. The bane of my life.

In other news.... our house got struck by lightning so all Dad's office computers haven't been working so HE can't work, since his business is in the basement of our house. And my parents got in a car accident and apparently the insurance company isn't paying up all that they should for a  new vehicle. Please pray for them, they're going through some tough times.

Teaching is going really well, at this point I really know the material and can anticipate my students questions, so that makes me feel smart. AND the other day when I practiced lecturing in my TA class Dr Lee said I did very well!!! So I'm happy about that. I still really don't understand why I like teaching and I don't get nervous - I remember at Cedarville I HATED my spanish class since the professor made us talk in class. I guess I'm finally growing up.

Time to update the Xanga!!!! I'm back in west virginia, and it's insanely hot and humid. So, if you're trying to remember what I look like, think sweaty and really frizzy hair. Today is my last school day of the week, since I lucked out again and have Fridays off. I can't go home this weekend though since the cable guy is coming on Saturday. As of today, I have gone one week without tv! I'm not going to lie to you - it hasn't been easy. Especially now when I don't have any homework and stuff to occupy myself with. AND I also don't have internet yet. So I can't even watch tv online. And I have to walk in the heat and humidity allll the way to the computer lab just to check my email

Anyway, basically:

• Classes are good and don't seem hard (yet)

• Teaching is good, no stupid questions

Haha I'm just kidding, there are no stupid questions.  Except 'how does ink come out of pens?'

I have an interview at WalMart in two days. That's right, I can now look forward to spending the rest of my summer being a cashier at the suckiest place to work in Oakland. OK, actually I think working as a server would be worse, or McDonalds, or TDEC. I guess it's not that bad, and if Mom is willing to put up with it I shouldn't be complaining. And you get a discount on nongroceries and don't have to dress up, so that's nice. AND it's only for two months, since I wasted my first month studying for my comprehensive exams (which I probably FAILED and will have to retake in the fall). At least they're only for WVU and free, not like Kak's LSAT. I'm taking her to Morgantown tomorrow for her test, and I guess I'll hang out at the mall or Target while she is busy with her logic games and whatnot. Then we can go out for dinner to celebrate the end of 6 weeks of studying!

I am excited for next semester, I found a new apartment for next year which is actually really nice and closer to school than the last place I lived. Furnished and everything with a washer and dryer like my old place, but not as modern looking. It's almost the same price, but I'll have to pay for utilities so that'll be extra. Still, now I have a place for just myself. Holy crap, I just realized this is the first time I'll be living really truly on my own - BY MYSELF on my own.  Hmmm I don't know how I feel about that. I should probably get myself a rape whistle or Life Alert.

I still haven't bothered to sign up for classes next year since if I end up getting a job at Garrett College I'd only be able to go to school part time. I applied for a full time permanent position - Director of Institutional Research. I don't particularly think I'll get the job, but WVU is really laid back when it comes to classes and I can probably wait a few weeks before school starts to register. To be honest I've also been putting it off since I don't know what I want to do for my research class. Next semester I have to take 3 credit hours of research with the professor of my choice, and then write a "Problem Report" which is like the research thesis thing for the stat grad students. NOT looking forward to that. So much in fact I'm trying to decide if I want to stretch my last semester at school into a full year. They made me sign a 12 month lease for my apartment anyway . . .

Though really, I don't know why I'm so worried, WVU's Graduate Seminar class turned out to be a joke so maybe the Problem Report thing isn't really that big a deal. I guess I'll find out.

Dad's snoring and Mom is making me wash the porch with her so bye.  

Kathy is coming home in 2 days!!!! Super excited about that. My classes are hard and they're boring  -  and I have two tests next week so I'm going to have to spend most of the weekend studying instead of hanging out with Kathy. But still, I'm trying to look forward to her visit instead of dwelling on the fact that MY ROOMATE LIED TO MY FACE grrrrrrrr

whelps that's all just a little update

I'm going home for the weekend today! I'm loving my awesome schedule that's leaving Fridays free!!!! That'll also make it a lot easier to visit my amazing friends over at cedarville . School is going well, the beginning of the semester before all the exams and projects is always the best. I'm still a TA, with a few improvements. Instead of teaching labs for stat 211 & 215 I'm only doing 211, so it will be much easier to prepare. Also, I don't have any labs or office hours on Friday, hence the awesome schedule. AND I guess the stat 211 professor likes me, because she has 3 of my hours listed as her assistant, which means I might spend 1/2 hour a week typing stuff up for her. So for now at least, I am content.


If only this feeling could last all semester.

It finally snowed today!!!               and we decorated!!