While I wait, I'll wait some more.

This is it. The final push of the semester. It seems like a never-ending game of "hurry up and wait." I guess that's the nature of the beast, but that doesn't make it any less stressful. I really want this semester to be over just so I can be done with it. I'm ready to move on.

Next semester, I have a feeling I'm going to be a little bit busier, simply because of the fact that I am taking my final two classes, sitting in on one that I have already taken (which was recommended to reinforce my knowledge in the subject matter) and working at my current research assistant position. Now, the difficult decision of whether to get a job or go to get a Ph.D in statistics or biostatistics is slowly rearing its ugly head. I'll send out my apps this week. It needs to get done.

More to come, but here are the courses I'm taking in the Spring of 2013:

STAT 360 - Linear Models

STAT 295 - Applied Logistic Regression & Survival Analysis

STAT 261 - Statistical Theory (Already taken it, but I'm sitting in on this one)

Somber News this week

Well, what can I say? It's been a very humbling week so far. Just heard that a family member of mine has cancer. When I was told about it, I was shocked, to say the least. All this after this summer, when one of my closest friend's mother passed away after a long and arduous battle with it. This morning, I heard that another's father has just passed away, just a couple of days before Thanksgiving. My heart and prayers go out to all of those who have lost loved ones. I want everyone who reads this to do me a favor: give someone a hug today. You never know what kind of battle they might be fighting. I know it helps me, and I think that everyone could use some love sometimes, especially now, during the beginning of the holiday season, when people are supposed to be happy and relaxed. It kills me to hear that others have the misfortune to have lost loved ones, no matter what time of year it is. I have lost my share, as I'm sure others have to. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Now, and always.

I'm not a very religious person, but I do believe in a certain kind of balance in the universe. I think people need to feel the way they feel in reaction to certain events for a reason. Be it negative, positive, or something in between, I believe that every "feeling" is necessary for us as people to grow and mature. To become better than we are right now. Isn't that the goal that our deceased loved ones wanted for us? To be the best "us" that we can be? I believe this to be so.

Wrapping up, my sincerest wishes of good faith to all. God bless us, everyone!

My last Thanksgiving Break is upon us!!!!

I never thought that I would utter this phrase, but next week is my last week off for Thanksgiving break. I don't think people get a whole week off for Thanksgiving if they're not in school, unless they ask for it off.

Bottom line, not sure how I feel that this is my last Thanksgiving as a student before I start building my career  via full-time work. I have to say, I do look forward to not having to bring my work home with me. It'll be a nice and welcome change of pace marking the next chapter of my life. Looking forward to it.

Anyway, just wanted to put down a quick word. Peace!

If this grad school thing doesn't work out...

Lately, I have pondered the question, what would happen if grad school does not end up working out for me, whether it means I won't get a good job with my degree, or if, by some form of divine intervention, I am unable to finish up, what would happen then? What would I pursue after that? Today, while talking to my room mate, I believe that I have discovered the answer: I'll be a bartender. Easily transferable skills, the ability to make a bunch of tasty cocktails, and be able to distinguish what's good and what's bad without much trial and error tasting for myself. Seems good enough to me, and I would make more money than I do at the moment (which, now that I think about it, is pretty pathetic).

I have a feeling that, if I talk to someone like my dad about such an idea, he may say something along the lines of: "Yeah, like that's gonna pay off your student loans. Get back to the manufacturing line, boy!" In that instance, I would probably agree with him. I have piled up a ton of debt just getting through college, let alone graduate school. So, here's hoping.

Anyway, random thought ended. How's the weather?

#gradstudentproblems

Ok, I know I have already said this before, but I am going to write more on this blog, I promise...

Since late August, I have been swamped with work, and I seem to forget to take some time to pull myself together and put thoughts down in writing. I have no good excuse. Between work and studying and tests, however, it is very easy to get caught up in whatever you are doing that you forget all other aspects of your life. I have come to realize this about myself, and I promise to make sure that I remember where I came from, who my friends are, and keep my eyes on the ball as much as I can.

Sappy stuff aside, I am getting ready to register for my last semester of graduate school at UVM. I have had a blast coming here for grad school. I've made new friends, acquired a taste for foreign and unique cuisine, and have become more engaged in all that has been around me (or at least trying to be). I'll admit, sometimes time can get away from me, but my two classes, research, and my current job as a research assistant for the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program have all been keeping me very busy. It's all very interesting work that I am doing, and my classes are great! I am currently taking STAT 200 - Medical Biostatistics and Epidemiology, and STAT 224 - Statistics for Quality and Productivity. The professors are incredible instructors and are more than helpful whenever I go to talk to them about any problem that I am having, academic or otherwise. In terms of my job, my title is "research assistant," which means I basically do the statistical research and SQL programming that most of the other members of the program do no know how to do. I obtain data from the database and dump it into a statistical computing package (SAS usually), and in doing so, get to see if any tests I perform while the data is in the computing package are "statistically significant," or worth looking into more. Getting a master's degree in Statistics was probably the best decision that I have ever made, since it exposed me to so many different ways of thinking that I would not have conceived of, and granted me opportunities to broaden my scientific horizons. I am very grateful for the doors UVM has opened for me, and I hope to continue learning as much as I possibly can.

Well, that about sums up everything in a nice little package. Have a great one all!

PASSED! Movin' right along...

I passed the retake of my comprehensive exam! I'm pretty stoked! Now that that's been taken care of, I'm planning on taking care of my last 4 courses for my master's degree and finding a job. The only question, regarding the job, is where to look. I don't have a clue where to start.

I would assume statistics jobs would be easier to come by than most, primarily because it's a field that not a lot of people are really interested in pursuing, but I guess those types of positions are harder to find than I thought. Anybody have any clue as to where to look for stat jobs?

I'm not looking to teach (been there, done that), so I would really like a job similar to what I am doing now, which is statistical consulting, or something along the lines of "industrial statistics," like quality control, or even something along the lines of biostatistical analysis. Any thoughts or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks all!

Comps are done... now what?

The time has come and gone, but now the comps are done. I can take solace in the fact that no matter what happens next, I never have to take those exams ever again. I must admit that I'm pretty relieved. Assuming I pass, I will be one step closer to my master's degree and that much closer to a well paying job. Speaking of which, I have been doing a lot of thinking, and I have decided that I am open to going out of state for work and such. I used to be dead set on getting a job in the Burlington area, which is where I'm originally from, but after thinking about it some more, I wouldn't mind it if I found a job in Boston or DC or something of the like.

Anyway, another boring post is over. Time to get back to work. Thanks for reading!

Why do I even bother...

There are times when I think, "why do I even bother?" The group of people that I normally hang out with, many of them happen to be friends of my brother, don't seem to give a damn about what I do with my life, and even if I tell them about what's going on, I always get the sense that they are half-listening and half wishing the conversation with me would end. Why do I feel this way?

For starters, I am four courses away from getting my master's degree in statistics, a very lucrative and well-paying field, and I am working for a statistical consulting group at a research university. All of that is really cool. I'm successful in nearly every aspect of my life (except romance, which is something I don't feel I can really get right), and yet nobody seems to care. It seems that they would rather go out to bars/do other things with my brother, rather than listen to what I have to say. I have stuff that I would like to say, but I can never feel like I get a word in edgewise. Sometimes I think it's because I'm shorter than a lot of my friends, many of them pushing 6'2". Other times, I think that it's because I'm boring to talk to because many of the things I talk about has to do with the studying and research that I'm doing. Grad school is the biggest thing in my life right now, and I'd like to talk to some of these people about it, but I don't feel like they ever listen, or even want to talk to me half of the time. I'm interesting, god dammit! I have my own hopes and dreams and fears and needs that make me who I am! I want to be heard!

On the other hand, I can see why others don't want to talk about school and other stuff of that nature. I have no disillusions about that. Other people talk about their job, or their annoying co-worker, or who they had sex with the night before. I'm sorry that the topics I contribute to are not that kind of thing, but I am trying to get a grip on reality, and I'm trying to do it in my own way. I really want to relate, and I am trying to contact them (calling, texting, Facebooking, etc.) to talk and get in touch, but I don't feel as though many of them are meeting me half-way on this. It really hurts my feelings that I don't feel like anybody really gives a damn about what I do or what I care about.

If by some chance that somebody/a group of the people I am talking about stumble upon this post, I would just like you all to know that I am not trying to insult or blame any of you for how I feel. Much of this may span from being an asshole or from being trapped in my own head for too long, but I really want to be heard. I would at least like the occasional text message, phone call, blog comment or Facebook post/message to see what's up with me. I do the same for you. And guess what? I listen to every word that you say because I am interested in what is going on in your lives. That is all.

Cody

Really gotta write more frequent posts for this...

I don't know why I don't get on this more often. I really do want to do more of this, I swear. :)

I have been thinking a lot lately, and I really think I want to at least attempt to pursue writing/directing/producing/acting in a movie or a webseries of my own. I have at least one friend that wants to be involved and I am happy to help him get this off of the ground. I think this would be a fun project to do, even if we don't make any money off of it, it would be awesome to just put ourselves out there and show people that we can act, direct, write, and do all that stuff. Just to be able to say that we did it is an awesome thing in and of itself. I'm just curious as to what we should pursue. As far as the genre of the movie/webseries, I was thinking something along the lines of a drama (like The West Wing or The Newsroom) or a comedy (like The Office or Trailer Park Boys). I'm having a hard time coming up with ideas at the moment, so I would like to take this opportunity to crowd-source a plan for this project. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks all and good night (or morning, as the case may be).

'Bout Damn Time I got back here...

Good afternoon,

I apologize for not updating this blog in some time, but I've been pretty busy as of late, what with finals, my comprehensive exams, and working at my new job. I don't have much time to write, so I'll make it brief.

I passed all of my finals, which is a good thing, which means I can go back to graduate school for my second and final year. As of May 2012, I will have earned my master's degree in statistics. How awesome is that? I'm pretty pumped, but I still have a ways to go before I process across the stage. Here's hoping!

The comprehensive exams (or "big, scary test," as I so affectionately refer to it as) went better for me than for others. I only failed one section, so I only have to study for one test rather than 6. I am extremely proud of that, especially since there were several people in my class that failed 2 or 3 or even 4 sections of the test. It's definitely something to be proud of, but I will be more proud when the comps are no longer a factor in my life.

As for working, I've been working at a biometry facility (which was mentioned a couple of times in previous posts), for the past 4 weeks. I am very happy with this place and I could not have asked for a better internship. It gives me experience in my field, and I get to work with some great people. Not a bad day for Cody... :P

I watched the news recently, and I heard that the Supreme Court declared "Obamacare" a constitutional thing. As I understand it, it is a program set up by President Obama that raises taxes for people who go without insurance. I saw that the long-term goal of this program would be to reduce the size of the Med/Med (Medicare/Medicaid) bubble. If we continue to pump as much cash into this "bubble" as we are now, or god forbid increase the cashflow into Med/Med, then it seems as though, from this reader's perspective, it could very well bankrupt the entire U.S. economy in the not-so-distant future. If some of these details are off, please feel free to correct me. I'm not a real political person, but I do care about my country and the people that govern it. I'd like to get more involved if I could (once I'm out of grad school, that is).

Anyway, TTFN! (Ta Ta For Now!)

Cody

Moving on forward...

And here I am, simply moving forward...

I have been having a rough month. I bombed an exam in a class I really need to do well in. I am more and more nervous about my GPA falling below what it needs to be. I'm nervous about the comprehensive exams that are coming up on May 25th. On top of all that, I am unsure of where I want to work this summer. I already have a good position lined up at the biometry facility in the state, but I'm interviewing for another position on Thursday with a firm that I would also really like to work for. I'm kind of at an impasse. I'm being pulled in several different directions and I really don't know what to do. With all the studying, homework, exams, family functions, friends wanting to hang out (most recently at a birthday party) and trying to figure out what my life is going to consist of within the next couple of months, I'm more stressed out now than I ever was in college (although, I'm pretty sure that's the nature of the "grad school beast"). I just want it all to be over and my life to be figured out.

I think it may look like I'm kinda wishing my life away, but I'm really nervous about everything, and how it is affecting/going to affect my private life and my personal life. I don't know what to do. This seems to be a tragic flaw in the human condition: wanting immediate gratification and having to wait painfully long periods of time in order to get any kind of results. It's all rather frustrating.

Ah well, there's nothing I can do about wanting to have everything done all at once. Although having comps out of the way would be a huge monkey off of my back. PLEASE GO WELL!

Peace! (And thanks for reading.)

Boring Day

Another day at the office... what, with grading and homework and studying and more studying... what could possibly be more boring than a day like that. Oh well, at least it's not nice outside like it was earlier this week. Otherwise, I really would not have the patience or attention span to even consider studying and doing work. I'm concerned about the exam I take on Tuesday of this week, but I am far more concerned with the comprehensive exam that I have to take at the end of this year. If I don't pass, I get to take it again, but if I don't pass the second time, I guess the policy is that I get axed from the master's program. Frankly, I don't want that. What I really want to do, is to finish what I started. Otherwise, I tend to view myself as inadequate. Does anybody else feel that way in situations like that?

And so, as I take the time I should be using to study to write this post, I am very fearful of what lies ahead. However, I should keep my chin up. Where there's a will, there's a way! I will persevere!

Well, back to the grind. Thanks for reading!

It's been a week...? Already...?

And we're back...

Sorry I've been absent the past week. It's been a long one. Having significant trouble with one of my classes, but I'll keep plugging away. It's bound to get better at some point.

I am really looking forward to the end of the semester. I am taking this class entitled "Design of Experiments" for my master's degree, and I am having a tough time with it, as I have failed the first midterm exam. I'm attempting another form of studying that I have not used before, and it seems to be working so far. I would think that my understanding of the material has increased in magnitude, if only a little bit. I'm happy with the progress so far, but we'll see the "fruits of my labor" when I take the next test. Cross your fingers!

As for the teacher, I am having a hard time learning from them. This individual goes at a very fast pace and barely stops for questions from the students. I think this had some contribution to why a large portion of the class (myself included) failed the first test. I endeavor to study harder, go see him during more of his office hours, and hopefully pass the class so that I do not have to take it again next year. That would set my program back a year, and I don't want that to happen. I refuse to let it happen, in fact. I will persevere, and I will not falter anymore. I will pass all the classes this semester and the comprehensive exam this year! Believe it!

Anyway, I think that's a good attitude to have, given the circumstances surrounding it. Thanks for all who listen to my rants!

I'M OUT!!

Unexpected

Well, this is unexpected. I just got a call from another company that I applied to for an internship this summer. Apparently, they want me to come down for an interview sometime next month. I'd be happy to work for them simply because I'm looking into becoming an actuary/analyst in some capacity. On the other hand, I'm already lined up with another internship at a biometrics facility in the state as well. Quite the dilemma... I'll just have to go through with the interview and see what's what with this particular company. I'm pretty excited, but I'm kinda terrified. Anybody have any advice?

My Spring Break was good, how was yours?

Well, spring break has come and gone. I had a nice, quiet break at home with the family. I'm feeling pretty good about it.

It was also a pretty productive week. I set up a time for my study group to meet. I finally got the internship I was seeking to get for months. I caught up on my sleep. Overall, it was pretty good. I'm not going to say that I didn't have my downturns this week, but all in all, the week was good.

I was also looking at a the University of Notre Dame website, and found out that there is a one year master's degree program there that interested me. If I weren't already in grad school, I'd probably apply to that program. However, I'm pretty happy where I am now, and if I work hard during the summer, I'll be able to pass my comprehensive exams for my master's degree program, finish my capstone project, and be in a prime spot to get a job with a biometrics facility in the state. I'm pretty pumped.

I would say that this is not a normal spring break, what with preparing for a summer internship and my capstone project and my comprehensive exams. One of the people I work with asked me, "Cody, it's spring break. Shouldn't you be in the Caribbean now?" The correct answer is 'yes', but I haven't really gone on any kind of trip like that. I'll do it when I have steady income and paid days off (which I've never had, and am very much looking forward to that after grad school).

I notice that some people are actually reading this blog, and I have to say thank you to those who do. It's great to know that things I write are being read.

Thanks all and have a good night!

Cody

Hodgepodge Second Post

ESPN.com finally confirmed that Peyton Manning has been released by the Indianapolis Colts. Why? From what I saw on SportsCenter, it seems to have something to do with the Colts picking up the remaining 4 years on his contract (worth $63.6 million), or paying him his $28 million bonus by a set date and then letting Manning go. At least, that's what I understand. If anyone has any insight on what the specifics are, please comment. I'm a little too lazy and nerdy to actually go onto ESPN.com and read about it. I'd rather just hear about it from the fine people who read this. :P

Anyway, back to the nerdy-ness of the author. I recently played a board game called "Civilization" with a couple of friends of mine this weekend. To the gamers of the world who might find this interesting, this was a board game that was based on the computer game. I thought board games came first. This may be the exception to the rule. But I digress...

This game is very dynamic in how one can play it, and there are multiple ways to win. Some of the ways you can win (I assume they are similar to the computer game) are called "economic victory", "military victory", "cultural victory", and "technological victory." To achieve an economic victory, one must accrue a certain amount of wealth before the other players (some call this an easy way to win, but I don't find that to be the case at all). In terms of the game, it pretty much means that you are able to buy anyone in the game off such that the victory will be yours, or something of the sort. A military victory, as one would come to expect from a strategy game in any medium, is to take over the other player(s) capital cities before they can conquer yours. This makes you seem like such an overwhelming military super-power that nobody can fight back against you. A cultural victory entails that you go through cultural events and gain "great persons," which entitle you to various advantages and abilities that other nations or players would not otherwise have. I don't know how the victory would be phrased in the game, but one of the great persons that I got while playing was Henry Ford, which allowed me to "increase my movement speed by 1." I was playing the game as the Americans, so it was a good fit whether or not I won. Finally, a technological victory was attained by achieving all the levels of technological advancement or intellectual stimulation, from philosophy to space flight. I thought it was funny that achieving space flight entitled a player to an automatic victory, but I couldn't help but wonder if that meant that I was ready to take on exploring the galaxy with a Warp 5 engine like they do in Star Trek: Enterprise. I really hope that's the case, because I'd love to have the ability to travel the universe at 10,000 times the speed of light and form a galactic federation. That would be so sick! ... oh crap, I got way off topic... but nonetheless, I stand by the fact that exploring the universe like that would be extremely exciting... I really hope that somebody is working to develop that kind of technology so I can go up into space and potentially interact with other life forms.

Boy, that was kind of a cluster of randomly thought up topics. NFL to Civilization to Star Trek... don't really know why that happened, but I had fun writing about it.

Archer, out!

Mandatory First Blog Entry

Ok, here it is. I've been meaning to start a blog for some time now, and haven't really gotten the chance to until now. I guess this is as good a time as any. Here's a little about me and what I'm thinking right this second.

My name is Cody. I'm now a grad student getting my master's degree. With any luck, I'll be able to find a job sometime after graduation. From what I've heard from people that I know, or from what has been reported on the news, this has become more and more difficult. I think this kind of sucks. A lot. I know a good number of decent, hard working people who are well educated, but are having a really tough time finding any kind of gainful employment. I really feel bad for them, but I can't help but think, will something that extreme really happen to me? After I graduated from college, I went right into grad school, so I really didn't have to think about it too much. I admit that sometimes that is a part of my reality that I take for granted. I promise to be better about that. That's it, I'm done ranting about how much I worry about my future and now feel much better. :)

Well, now that that's out of the way, let me end this cliched, and probably pretty hammy, initial blog entry with a pledge to all of the people that may (or may not) read this. Things on this blog will get more interesting. I promise. This is Cody, signing off!