I was sitting on the bus yesterday, people-watching, when my eyes started to wander...  Everyone on the bus had earphones in.  I follwed the cords down, and noticed that they were all attached to iPhones.  Never in my life had I felt so alone.  I was sitting there holding my old, broken down Samsung Mythic, wanting desperately to listen to the latest Nelly song, check my e-mail, or try to beat my Bejweled Blitz high score.  Alas, I had to sit there and have a thumb war with myself to keep from becoming bored to tears.

Here we are, about to see the release of the iPhone 5, and I have yet to own an iPhone 1, or any smart phone for that matter.  I am so jealous of all these people and their convenient access to the world.

I don't know if I want an iPhone, though.  I've been comparing phones for about 3 years, but always end up getting the cheap phones that don't do anything but call people (often when I don't want it to).

Last weekend, I was leaving my apartment to go to Grandmommy's house for Easter dinner, when I saw a little black device laying on the ground.  After taking a closer look, I realized that it was a G2 Google phone.  It was love at first sight.  Being the honest person that I am, I attempted to hack into the phone so that I could find out who it belonged to, and return it.  I really should have called Brett, since he works with Android phones, and could have easily hacked the code (SHOUTOUT, BRETT!!).  After numerous failed attempts, I decided to take out the simcard and put it in my phone.  Once I powered up the phone, a message appeared that said something to the effect of: "This is NOT an AT&T simcard.  Please enter a 10-digit code to unlock your phone.  If you get the code wrong, your phone will be locked forever, and you will be SOL."  So, I took the card out right away and decided never to do that again.  Instead, I used my boyfriend's phone.  He has the same carrier as the glorious G2 phone, so we put the card in his.  We were able to call someone from the owner's address book and find out where he lived.  It ended up being his birthday, so it made me feel 1000 times better knowing that I made his birthday a little bit better (though I so deeply wanted to keep that phone).

Since that day, I've been doing some research.  iPhone, or G2?  EVERYONE has an iPhone, but Androids are so much more attractive!  So then I decided, why not ask my readers?   If you've experienced an iPhone, an Android, or both, please, please, PLEASE e-mail me with your thoughts!

ambassadorjordan@gmail.com



Pet Peeves...

I have two very huge pet peeves, and this week in particular, they are really getting to me.  The purpose of this blog is to give logical explanations as to how we can all work together to fix this, so I will be a happier Jordan.

Pet-Peeve Number One:  Dishes in the Sink

I absolutely hate this.  My roommates do this.  My boyfriend does it.  My boyfriends roommates do it.  I get home from a long day at school and find the sink full.  I do the dishes for whoever left them there.  Then, to relax, I go to my boyfriend's house, only to find more dirty dishes.  I feel like all day every day, all I do is wash other people's dirty dishes.  I am supposed to be spending that time studying!!

I don't dare confront my roommates, because I'm scared (maybe they'll happen to read this blog), but I am not at all afraid to let my boyfriend and his roommates know that this is unacceptable.  They tell me it takes too long to put the dishes in the dishwasher.  Puh-leaze.  It takes about a hundred times longer to sit there and argue about whose turn it is to "do" the dishes.  And what do I mean by "do" the dishes?  Transfer all the dishes from the sink into the dishwasher.  Why can't you just put them in the dishwasher after you use them?  And then start the dishwasher when it's full?  And then put the dishes away after the dish-washing is complete?  Then maybe you'll have a clean bowl for your cereal.  It's not rocket science.  Here, I'll even make a step-by step list that you can print out and tape to a cupboard so you won't be confused:

1)  Eat your food.

2)  Throw away the scraps

3)  Rinse the plate

4)  Place the plate in the dishwasher

5)  When the dishwasher is full, add soap and turn it on

6)  If the dishes in the dishwasher are clean, take 2 minutes to put the dishes away, then start at step 2.

Note:  This procedure is applicable for all dishes, silverware, and utensils, not just plates.

Pet-Peeve Number Two:  Texas Drivers

I feel like the traffic flows very nicely in Oregon, like water through a hose.  In Texas, however, the hose is full of kinks.  In particular, the merging onto the highways seems to be the major problem.  Granted, TXDOT doesn't give you but 100 feet to merge.  However, this does not have to cause major bottlenecks.  The steps to a smooth transition are as follows:

1)  If you are in the right-hand lane on the highway, and you see that someone up ahead is going to merge onto the highway, move to the left lane.  DON'T SLOW DOWN.  This really irritates the people behind you who have to slam on their brakes, as well as the person trying to merge who now doesn't know whether to speed up or slow down.  Then you both end up playing chicken for the next 1000 feet, while he's driving in the emergency parking area.

2)  If you are in the right lane, and there is someone in the left-lane, and you see someone wants to merge, still try everything you can to move to the left lane.

3)  Truck drivers (and slow drivers), stay in the right lane at all times.  In many states (including Oregon), it's a state law that all slow vehicles MUST stay in the right-hand lane.  Now, don't get confused.  If someone wants to merge onto the highway, and you're going 30 mph, get in the left-hand lane and allow them to merge, then immediately get back into the right lane.

4)  Get TXDOT to go visit Oregon, see that the proper length of lane to merge onto a highway should be at least 1/4 mile, then re-do all the roads, but do them at night (like ODOT), so that nobody has to sit in traffic.

See, I really am an engineer.  These are two huge problems, and I went ahead and found very effective solutions.  I think I deserve some sort of scholarship for that.

Why I am not a doctor...

WARNING:  This story get's a little graphic

For the longest time, I thought I should be a doctor.  I was frequently bandaging and kissing Barbie's owies and listening to my dog's heart with my Fisher Price stethoscope.  The first time I saw my dad smash his finger with a hammer, the doctor thing quickly went away.  I don't do blood.

This past weekend, I was reassured that I was taking the right path studying engineering rather than pre-med.

My friends and I were at my apartment playing sand volleyball.  I'm pretty new to the game, but for the most part, I was doing well.  Then the Murphy's Law part of the day occurred... I hit the ball far left rather than over the net.  That sent my two teammates (one of them being my boyfriend) running after the ball.  They collided full force.  It sounded like a boulder hitting the ground after falling ten stories.  But they were men, so they got up and tried to walk it off.  After the next serve, my boyfriend Jared told me his ankle was starting to hurt.  I looked at it and watched as a cue ball grew from his ankle.  There was a little white part starting to show through, and the teammates started shouting, "Oh my gosh, his bone is about to poke through his skin."  At that point, I turned and sprinted away.  Now, if you know me at all, you know that I don't run.  I don't jog.  I don't walk briskly.  But that day, I know I broke the record for fastest sprint.  Today, I'm still not sure why I ran.  I had to play it off, though, so I ran to my apartment and grabbed a bag of ice.  Being the nerd that I am, I grabbed a towel to wrap around the bag of ice so it would last longer in the sun.  I sprinted back to my injured boyfriend.  When I got back to the volleyball courts, I was very surprised to see him standing around.  I looked at his leg which was now covered with blood.  Down I went, face first into the sand.  You see, I have very very bad asthma.  I'm guessing that sprinting the length of 3 football fields in record time induced the attack, and the sight of blood finished me off.

Now, a third person had to get involved.  Luckily, we had a friend with us who knew I had asthma.  She ran to my car and got my inhaler for me.  After a couple puffs, I could finally breathe.

Clearly, I am not cut out to be a doctor or an athlete, but I'm perfectly happy inventing things that will improve the lives of doctors and athletes!

Cows: Train Engineers of the Future

I was checking out the list of the 50 best inventions of 2010.  The list included things like the iPad, a lifeguard robot, spray-on fabric, and lab-grown lungs, all of which are incredibly interesting.  There was one invention in particular that caught my eye: Amtrak's Beef-Powered Train.  I had to investigate...

Apparently, Amtrak is researching a beef-based bio-fuel. They are going to be testing the train for one year on a track that runs from Fort Worth to Oklahoma City.  How completely crazy is that?!  A train that is powered by cows... the fuel is made from the beef byproducts, so it shouldn't affect the price of hamburger, but perhaps the price of hotdogs.  And the smell... would the train produce an awful, wretched, rotten meat smell, or would it be more like grilled steaks?  I guess I'll find out since the train blares by my apartment twice an hour.

The use of the bio-fuel is reported to reduce hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions by 10 percent, particulates by 15 percent, and sulphates by 20 percent compared to regular diesel.  After the one-year testing period, Amtrak will analyze the statistics of the actual emissions.

I've attached some links for videos and articles about the technology.  Warning:  refrain from eating while watching or reading!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cX2kHtzruc

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/apr/26/amtrak-cow-train-biodiesel

http://www.fastcompany.com/1627919/amtraks-beef-powered-passenger-train-debuts

Ultimate Pong!

Last week in my project 2 class, we gave group presentations on a game that we were instructed to write code for using the Matlab program.  The options were:  a scientific calculator, a slide puzzle, and the classic "Pong" game.  My group went with Pong :]  It was really awesome to see everyone's presentations.  Before Project 2, I had no idea how to use Matlab or what a GUI was.  Familiarizing myself with the program was so interesting.  I felt so accomplished and proud of myself when the code actually worked!  --I also was really proud of myself when I saw my group got an A+ on the project :] 

I assume that not everyone has access to Matlab, so I wont bother posting the code.  Instead, enjoy this free online version!

http://www.play-free-games.com/free-games/pong/tennis.cfm 

Tips for an impressive interview

Wow, it has been way too long since I've posted a blog!  I can't believe the semester is halfway over.  This year is going by too fast.  Oh well, that just means I'm that much closer to graduation. 

In the past few weeks I've had interviews with three different companies for a summer internship -- DRS, Alcatel-Lucent, and Stryker.  Though engineering is one of the degrees in highest demand, jobs are still very competitive.  Interviews and resumes are such an important part of the hiring process, so I thought I would share some tips that I've found attractive to potential employers

1.   Be Involved!

We all know that there's a "typical engineer" stereotype floating around the world--the shy, introvert who can't speak in layman's terms.  Well, the goal is to break that stereotype.  Employers look for a candidate who knows how to interact with people in various situations.  Join a club, intramural sports, Greek life, a professional organization... they're all a great way to build communication skills (and to give you a break from studying).

2.  Accessorize!

Last semester, I carried resumes with me in a $0.25 folder.  After weeks of pulling it in and out of my backpack, shoving books and my computer in with it, my folder (along with my resumes) were bent.  This was not appealing to potential employers whatsoever.  Before my second interview with Stryker, I invested in a leather folder.  I felt so much more confident walking in with this little accessory, and it definitely showed in my interview.  Not only was it perfect for storing resumes, but it has a place for business cards, and paper for taking notes (TAKE NOTES).  Below is a picture of the folder I purchased at WalMart for under $20.

3.  Thank You!

It's always a great idea to write a follow-up thank you letter to the company  who interviewed you.  That little extra step could be the deciding factor between you and the other candidates.

4.  Say My Name!

OK, not MY name, but do make sure to use the name of the person(s) interviewing you.  I have trouble remembering names, so I use this little exercise.  When you greet the interviewer and s/he introduces her/himself, I repeat their name back.  Example:

Interviewer:  Good Morning!   My name is John Smith.

Me:  It's a pleasure to meet you, John.

Then, I silently repeat his name to myself three times (John, John, John).

To further the memorization, I relate his name to a friend, actor, or story (I have an uncle named John, my dad's brother).

Try to use the interviewer's name throughout the interview.  When the interview is wrapping up, YOU be the first to extend your hand and graciously thank him for the interview (and use his name!)

5.  SMILE

Make the interview fun!  It's probably just as awkward for the person interviewing you as it is for you.

Use these tips to make your interview a more profitable experience.

PS, I took the job with Stryker :]

There's an app for that :]

I really want to give a shout out to CSE today.  I think that I (along with millions of other people) really take technology for granted.  It is because of these awesome people that we have those really addicting iPhone apps.

Lately, I have been spending so much time with school that I am having trouble keeping up with my reality shows.  As of today, I am two weeks behind on The Bachelor and one week behind on Jersey Shore.  I would love love love to have a DVR at my apartment, but because I am a starving student, it's just not in the budget. 

This week has been a major turning point for me.  I got an iPod touch.   

Rather than waking up at 4:00 AM just to catch up on who Brad is giving a rose to, and whatRonnie and Sammy are fighting about, I can watch the episodes on my iPod!  I was literally walking from class to class (not IN class) with my headphones in watching the episodes!  It was fabulous. 

Then I discovered games.  Instead of waiting in the doctors office twiddling my thumbs, I can play Scrabble with someone in North Carolina at the same time I play Life with someone in Montana. 

After that, I entered the calories I ate/burned off in the diet app!

Meanwhile, I was listening to John Mayer on the Pandora app.

I realize that apps and iPods have been around for years, but for someone who is terrified to spend money, it's like the whole world  has changed. 

So, I say thank you, CSE people, for making my life accessible on a 4.3" x 2.4" screen

Random Fact:  A healthy person can drink about three gallons (48 cups) of water per day.

Engineering Video

This week will be very exciting at UNT's Discovery Park.  A professional videographer is coming for the first of two sessions to film each of the engineering departments: Mechanical and Energy, Electrical, Materials Science, Computer Science and Engineering, and Engineering Technology.  The video will even feature some of the labs, classrooms, and undergraduate research projects.

Guess who will be narrating / sitting in class / being interviewed?

Yours truly :-)

Since I will be talking about my undergraduate research project in the video, I figured I should  tell my blog-readers, too!

My project is called the North Texas Ambient Energy Monitoring Station, or NT-AEMS.  A couple years ago, we put a weather station at Discovery Park with a bunch of equipment on it.  Each piece of equipment measures something important, such as: wind speed, wind direction, soil moisture, the intensity of the sun, and rainfall.

The equipment is hooked up to a program on the tower that can be accessed wirelessly from the campus (it's a pretty long walk out there).  All of the data that we collect over a period of 5 years will be analyzed to determine if Discovery Park would be a good location for solar panels or wind turbines.

Actually, because of NT-AEMS, UNT has received 3 large wind turbines to power our new football stadium!

It's great to be a part of a project that can have a huge impact on our future.

Random Fact: 8 million pounds of guacamole are consumed on Super Bowl Sunday

Snow Day!

UNT is closed today due to inclimite weather.  Normally, I would be jumping for joy.  Today, however, I have a cold and sinusitis. 

I went to the doctor yesterday to get a prescription for a Z-pack and some strong cough medicine.  I had the doctor fax my prescriptions to WalMart so they could get started on it before I  got there.  Well, 2 hours later, I went to WalMart to get my meds, and they said they hadn't received the fax.  I called my doctor, and they said they hadn't sent the fax, but they'd be happy to.  I asked them to fax it to CVS since WalMart was SIX HOURS behind. 

I wanted to call CVS right away to ensure they got the fax.  I called, and was on hold for almost an hour.  By the time I finally hung up out of frustration, I had driven to the store.  When I got inside, the line to the pick-up window was half a mile long!  It moved fairly quickly, though.  I got up to the counter only to find they had yet to look at my prescription.  Ugh. 

I told them, "I'm feeling horrible, and it would be really nice if I could just have my medicine."

"It should be ready in an hour and a half."

"OK, so if I come back at 10:00, it will be ready?" 

"We can't promise anything, but you can call at 10 to confirm." 

"I would love to do that, but the last time I called, you guys didn't answer the phone!" 

"Oh, really?  I'm sorry about that." 

Well, I went home and called back at 10, waited for only 30 minutes this time, only to hear the following:

"We're sorry, CVS is not a participating pharmacy with your insurance." 

"What?!  Why didn't you guys call and tell me this?"

"Oh, we're just now getting to look at your prescription."

Crimany.  I called my doctor back to see if they could fax my prescription back over to WalMart so that I could pick it up in the morning.  They said they couldn't fax a second prescription without calling the pharmacist to void the first one, and, since it's closing time, the call has to wait until tomorrow.

Well, today is tomorrow.  There's snow on the ground, I can't drive anywhere in my scaredy-cat car. 

Just call me Murphy.

Random Fact:   Hot air balloon pilots need a commercial pilot's license (fixed-wing). They must have at least 35 hours of flight instruction, attend ground school for basic aviation training, pass a written test for hot-air balloons and have a flight check from a Federal Aviation Administration official.

Train, Train, GO AWAY!!!

I have never complained about something via blog.  Well, there is a first time for everything, and that first time is today.

My apartment is RIGHT on the train tracks.  Back in Oregon, a train goes by maybe once a day.  Not here.  No, this train is scheduled to pass through town every hour on the hour.  Even at night.  When I am trying to sleep.

I am so frustrated with this darn train.  I have been back in Texas for two weeks, and have not slept a wink.  The train comes by and not only shakes my house, but the horn is so dang loud it scares me to the point of falling out of bed. 

To add to the frustration, every Monday and Wednesday night when I head back from class, the train goes by, so I have to stop and wait for it.  And wait.  And wait.  And wait.  All while it's blaring it's 9208341024 decebil train "whistle." 

The part that really gets me is the fact that I signed my lease for an apartment on the opposite side of the complex.  The side where there's a forest and bunnies and flowers and rainbows.  I'm not sure how I ended up over here.  And frankly, I'm not super thrilled about it.

Anyway, I'm going to pack up and head to the Robotics Society Meeting before the train can get me.

Random Fact: Goldfish can live over 20 years.

How I Stay ORGANIZED!!

As seen in my previous blog, I have quite a busy schedule.  Many people have asked me how I keep from pulling my hair out.  I have a few simple steps to optimal organization.

1.  Planners, Planners, Planners!

I carry a 2010-2011 planner with me at all times.  It has an entire month calendar as well as a daily schedule.  In my planner, I write down test dates (as soon as they are given to me), homework (the date it is assigned, as well as the date it is due), appointments, gym time, and friend time.  When something has happened, say I completed a homework assignment, I check it off. 

I also use the calendar on Microsoft Outlook.  It sets reminders for me, and the color-coding makes it easy to see when I have a test or an assignment due.

2.  Folders

In the past, I used one single notebook for all of my classes.  My notes were organized by date, not by class.  That method got pretty confusing.  This semester, I carry a Five Star expanding file, with a separate folder for each class.  The folders have brads in them so I can easily secure loose-leaf paper and handouts.  The syllabus stays in the left-hand pocket of the folder for easy access to the itenerary.  In the very front of the expanding file, I keep my planner, loose leaf paper, and... Résumés!!  I've met too many potential contacts without a résumé on hand.  Now I am prepared at all times!

3.  Notes

In many of my classes, the Powerpoint presentations are available online before the lecture.  I have found it much easier to print out the presentation BEFORE class so I can take notes on it.  Rather than trying to copy down the slides, I can listen to the professor clarify them.

4.  Motivation

Procrastinating is the enemy of every college student.  It's so easy to say, "Oh, a concert?!  My homework can wait.  Oh, a movie?!  My homework can wait.  Oh, shopping?!  My homework can wait."  Then it's 5AM the day that the homework is due, and you're fighting to get it done.  It's much easier to get the assignment done before making plans; then I can enjoy the rest of my week(end) without worrying about everything I need to do!

Random Fact: The word "dinosaur" was coined by Sir Richard Owen, who also founded the Natural History Museum in London, England. "Dinosaur" means terrible lizard, and is based on the Greek words "deinos" (terrible) and "sauros" (lizard)

Back to school, back to school, to prove to dad that I'm not a fool!

What a great break!  I got to do everything from ice skating to tubing to snowboarding to seeing the traveling Broadway production of Grease to making Norwegian potato pancakes!  Alas, it is all over, and school is back in session.  I've got quite a course load this year!  Each of the course descriptions come directly from the UNT Course Catalog.

EENG 2620: Signals and Systems:
This course introduces elementary concepts of continues-time and discrete-time signals and systems. Specific topics include linear time-invariant (LTI) systems, impulse response, convolution, Fourier series, Fourier transforms, frequency-domain analysis of LTI systems, Laplace transforms, z-transforms, rational function descriptions of LTI systems, and principle of sampling and modulation.

EENG 3510: Electronics 1
The course covers fundamental device characteristics including operational amplifiers, diodes, MOS field-effect transistor, and bipolar junction transistor. The main goal is to present the students to the concept of modeling and analysis of modeling as applied to electronic devices and circuits.

EENG 4010: Topics in Electrical Engineering
Technical elective course specifically designed by the instructor each term / semester to cover the topics in the laterst state-of-the-art technology advancements in electrical engineering.

EENG 1920: Introduction to Electrical Engineering
This course provides the students the foundation necessary for the successful execution of electrical engineering design projects.  The design process embodies the steps required to take an idea from concept to successful design.  These steps include the requirements specification, architectural model, concept generation and evaluation, feasibility study, functional decomposition, design, testing, an overview of ethical and legal issues, and maintenance.  Technical design tools, such as MATLAB, VHDL and Spice software, critical to designing a project are introduced.  Small projects using these design tools are implemented.  A final project requires team work, an oral presentation, and a written project report.

EENG 2910: Digital System Design
Digital system design projects that provide students substantial experience in logic analysis, design, logic synthesis in VHDL, and testing.  Project documentation including all the phases of project cycle from requirement analysis to testing as well as a project presentation providing the students an opportunity to enhance their communication and presentation skills, are essential components of this course.  Instructor may choose to include a mini-project for breadboard implementation with discrete components as a part of this course.

SPAN 3090: Advanced Spanish Grammar 1
In-depth study of selected areas of Spanish grammar for third-year students, particularly verbal aspect and mood, spelling and punctuation, and agreement.

Whew!  It should be a pretty interesting year.  I also plan on mentoring high school students again and giving tours of our fabulous campus.  I'm also going to be looking for a co-op in the DFW area.  In my next blog I'll discuss some ways that I stay organized with all that I've got going on. 

Random Fact:  Before toothpaste was invented people used all kinds of dry, rough things as an abrasive to clean their teeth – things like crushed eggshell, pumice the burnt hooves of animals!