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!