miles to go before I sleep

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

and miles to go before I sleep,

and miles to go before I sleep."

-Robert Frost, from stopping by woods on a snowy evening

Goals

School is tough right now. Really really tough. Sometimes when I need to stick it out I think about my future and my goals. One of my goals is to have a beautiful chocolate lab.

Japan Earthquake

"Positive thoughts to Japan and those fearing for their daily well-being across the earth. Gratitude for all of us privileged enough to worry about things like career aspirations and love instead of where the next bullet is coming from or when the next meal will be." - George Watsky

'The headline you won't read today: "Millions saved by good engineering."' – Jeff C. Ho

As someone aspiring to be an engineer the idea of a massive natural disaster such as the recent 8.9 on the Richter Scale earthquake to hit Japan makes me consider so many different thoughts and emotions.

Today I looked outside and it was snowing - after the rain yesterday I thought that maybe winter was over. I checked the news to see the massive earthquake that happened just offshore of Japan this morning and thought to myself "You know what, maybe the snow really isn't that bad". I have never lived or been in any kind of natural disaster.

On the engineering side of things Jeff's quote really got me thinking. People are always fast to focus on building failures and everything that went wrong. Very little emphasis will be put on all of the great engineering that saved people's lives.

Engineering, specifically civil and geological engineers carry a lot of responsibility during disasters like this. One day that could be me.

All over the place

I had my fourth year design project presentation last Friday and I think that went really well. We haven't heard back grades wise yet but I had a meeting with my supervisor and he seemed pleased overall. Afterwards we all went out as a class and the usual class bonding took place.

I have the best classmates anyone could ever ask for.

My class Peru trip is coming up and the idea of being there and having absolutely no school work to do (during the after trip, for the school field trip we have reports and presentation) is exciting, but I am also apprehensive. For the past five years I have always had something to do. Something due soon, something to study, work term reports to write.

I went to the barn for a few hours today to clear my head a bit. I find it interesting how some alone time, fresh air and hard work can really make me exhausted. I think I am going to call it an early night.

Less Asshole

"...you're going to go through life thinking that girls don't like you because you're a nerd. And I want you to know, from the bottom of my heart, that that won't be true. It'll be because you're an asshole" - Erica Albright in The Social Network

A good friend and I were talking the other day, and this quote came up. It gave me a stark reminder to not be an asshole to people. It is easy to blame others not liking you on this or that, but when it comes down it it, there's no excuse to be rude to people.

Right now, my life is pretty hectic. I am finishing school and my fourth year design project is taking a lot out of me. I am stressed. I am looking for work and haven't been very successful so far. This has caused me to say and do things that really have been out of the ordinary for me. I have been more rude to people and in my own mind justifying it because I am stressed out.

Not cool.

So, I am going to make a greater effort to be nice, especially to those close to me. My friends, peers and family have been really supportive of me and I need to show them how much I appreciate that. Being rude and hostile does not convey this message.

So basically I am going to try to be less of an asshole.