5/22/14

The Cookie Monster

     Thursdays are Engineering Seminar days and today we had a Professor visiting from a prominent structural academy in Hong Kong. His think tank of engineers came up with a more efficient way of designing rebar for construction. A quick background on what rebar is: basically steel covered with concrete to make supports for buildings, bridges, and other types of structures. Steel can only take force in certain directions but concrete can counter any force that steel can not and vice versa. So they're both combined to make the best tool for building. The Chinese professor told us that they made concrete (which is cement put into a mixer with usually water) that was lighter, easier to mix, and more structurally stable for use in rebar design. Instead of just putting in straight water into the mixer with the cement powder, they mixed the water with a soap like solvent and fed the mixer with the foam; causing the concrete to expand yet keep all its properties. It was really interesting for me to know that all leading technology comes from universities and not really from the leading companies in the trade.

Another reason why this seminar was one of the best, was the fact that my mother had gotten me a box of pastries. I passed out the pastries in seminar, and even the guest speaker indulged in a cookie. It got me to think that no matter where we're from, everyone's got a sweet tooth!

Its almost the weekend....

5/21/14

Outwit, Outlast, Outplay: Survivor

Having my mother around has brought back old traditions like watching the reality show Survivor together and today was the finale! I woke up this morning, took a shower, had class on and off between 8am and 5pm. Wednesdays are my longest day but today it seemed as if it went by in a heart beat. Lecture, Discussion, Lab, Homework - DONE.

Being half Iraqi Kurdish (look it up) and half Iranian (persian), my mom has a taste for Arabic food. After a quick search on Yelp (best site ever), I found a place down Culver called Doner G. They serve Turkish/Arabic kabobs and gyros. Let me say, no matter how anyone's culture has affected their taste buds, there is no chance they wouldn't enjoy a nice gyro wrap. 

We got the food, took it back home and flipped on the cable box. Its time. I won't ruin the ending in case anyone still hasn't seen it but this season was definitely one of the best. I've seen soo much survivor in my life, I know I could win it all if I got to participate. You know what? I'll just apply right now!

Till Tomorrow... 

5/20/14

The Queen Has Arrived

My Mom made it. Everything instantly changed the moment she walked through the door. All my worries, anxiety and loneliness drifted away when she walked through my door with that iconic smile of hers. I love my Mom, and thank God everyday that I still have her in my life. Not only did she bring her joy and uplifting spirit with her, but she also brought suitcases filled with food. Well, not actual suitcases but pans that are pretty damn close in size. Kabobs, Persian rice, Lentils, grilled veggies, you name it she brought it. Finally! No more PB&J's with instant noodles for dinner; I'm living like a king.

 One thing that makes my mother the best mother in the world is the fact that she has a low cost of operation! My mom has never been needy. She survived 3 wars while she lived in the Middle East and knows the true meaning of life. 

I woke up today to my mom vacuuming my living room, which gave me flashbacks to high school. I wasn't quite sure if I was about to go to my Highway Design course or to 1st period Physical Education with Mr. Punto. It felt as if I had re-grounded myself in a sense and made sure to never forget it. My mom told me family stories (that I've heard a million times) but I enjoyed them as if I had heard it for the first time. Reliving moments that brought us all here added fuel to my fire for growth academically and spiritually.

There's a part of me that wishes this day would loop itself into eternity, but the reason  life's worth living is the progress that we make as people. I know that today, at this very instance, I am a better person because of the precedent my Mother set for me and that's the greatest gift anyone will and has ever given me.

Till the next story... 

5/19/14

BEING AN ADULT

 Being an adult is difficult, stressful, but most importantly; a gift. It hit me this weekend when I saw my parents at my aunt's house. I hadn't seen them for around a month and this was the first time I could tell that they are aging. My aunt pulled out a photo album from her wedding in the mid 70's. My dad was my age and looked exactly like I do now. It hit me that I need to spend more time with them before I regret it. I invited my mother over to my apartment to stay for the week. 

My mom still hasn't arrived to my house, but I'm pretty excited. Its been 3 years since I have lived at home and i'm interested how this might go. I have a couch that turns into a bed in my room, so not only will my Mom and I be spending time together, we'll literally share the same room. I'm pretty excited about how this might change/enlighte me for the better. It's time to go back to my roots before I can't anymore...

 Till Tomorrow.... 

 

5/16/14

Gobble Gobble for the 300

   Today is the 16th. The day is finally here. Irvine Lanes Bowling tournament baby. The crazy part about bowling tournaments aren't the scores or trick shots people get, but the fact that i'm always the youngest one there. I always feel all eyes on me whenever I bowl and not to lie, I kind of like it. If a 20 year old is as consistent as a 60 year old who's been playing the game since the 70's, then there's really not much time lost. I'm hoping I bowl at least a 180, but my personal goal is to reach 200. I've gotten to 200 once and the feeling was insane.

 Besides the the bowling tournament that is coming up in a couple hours, today was just like the rest. Study, study, study, watch some bowling form videos on youtube, study, study, take a midterm and write a blog. Today's the last day of the grin and I feel that I did pretty well on my midterm.
Luckily, I approached this midterms week differently. I've made rules such as:

1) Get 6 hours of sleep minimum

2) No Skipping Meals

3) Take breaks and enjoy everyday

The new approach is working rather smoothly but I feel as if it might be missing something. I'll have to ponder and see if I should add anything else, but for now, its turkey time!

f 

 Till Next Time... 

5/15/2014

The daily grind

Today went by soo fast, despite the fact that I only did about 5 different things: Shower, Eat, Study, Attend lecture, and use the restroom. It got me to think that maybe simplicity is the best way to live life. I have a midterm tomorrow and all I've been able to focus on is the test. Before writing this blog, I tried watching some t.v; my eyes were watching the screen but all I was seeing in my mind were the logarithmic equations for decay in water sources. Ahhh I'm doing it again. 

 I always made fun of environmental engineers but I wish I could take it all back. I'm taking a required Intro to Enviro Engineering course right now and I'm finding it really relatable. In the first few weeks we went over the calculations on how to remove contaminants in water supplies based off EPA regulations and now we're going over the different types of tests used for future planning. 

My AP English teacher once told me that sleep is just as important as studying, and its getting to be that time.

   

 Until the next day,

May 14th, 2014 - Blog Post 2

                              The Hottest Wednesday Ever

Wednesdays are my most hectic days. 8am Discussion. 11am Lab. 12pm Lecture. 3pm Lecture.

but for some reason... today was different. I woke up with the greatest outlook on the day. I jumped out of the oasis that I call my bed and dove into the rainforest that I know as my shower. After staying awake through my Engineering modeling discussion and finishing up my lab assignment at my lab, I found myself sitting in my Environmental engineering lecture. Today was different.

We had a guest lecturer come speak to us because our professor was at a conference in DC. The guest lecturer was a former student who now works for the Indio Valley Water and Power. He went through different processes and theories of water treatment but the idea that stuck out to me the most was the fact that filtered water tastes best cold because the chlorine in the water is odorless at low temperatures. After his presentation, the speaker gave us some life tips that I wanted to share in this blog:

The speaker highlighted his definition of success. He said that it was composed of 95% preparation and 5% opportunity. It took me a second to take it in. I never had a personal definition of success, and now I do. The speaker was at a place where I want to be, therefore all his advice is worth listening to.

I've had a long day today, and it's time for some sleep! Well, maybe an episode of Modern Family first...

Till Tomorrow...