School has started..and I have a cold!

School started last week on a Thursday, which meant I only had one day of school that week. This past week was close to a full week of school, with only Monday off(due to Labor Day) and only having not taken one class, which is scheduled only on Mondays. After taking 6 of my 7 classes, I can say that I'm fairly happy with my schedule. Everyday gives me at least 2 hours break, and on Thursdays I have a 7 hour break, which I use to catch up on school work. Combine that with a 3 day weekend, and I have plenty of time for rest and homework.

My main concern, Calculus 2, doesn't appear to be that bad. I was able to complete all but 2 problems from the assignment given to the class(a total of 20 problems on it), and even spotted out 2 errors made by the teacher. We are using the books from last semester, which means I saved roughly $150 on a book. I still have to purchase a Ti-89 Titanium calculator, but even for $100 I'm still glad it is required. This gives me a reason to buy a very nice calculator that will help a lot, not only for Calculus but also for Engineering Physics that I will be taking either next semester or next Fall.

Coincidently, on the first day of school I was fortunate enough to start having acute sore throats in the morning everyday. Since the symptoms were happening only after I slept and have been going on up until now, I was pretty worried. Finally the full fledged sickness came out today, and I'm just glad I know what it is now. It feels like it's finally going away, and I should be fine after a few more days.

I also did a major overhaul on my Python game(a lot more efficient and easier to modify). I'm not sure if I'll continue working on it, since I want to move onto GUI applications in Python. In fact, I ordered wxPython in Action a few days ago. My Circuit Analysis class has had some homework on Series and Parallel circuits, so I developed a Python program to compute all values for it, including Voltage, Current, Power, and total Resistance. I intend to enhance it more and make a GUI for it.

Nearing completion of my book, very anxious!

5 Chapters left, or roughly 100 pages to go until I finish Learning Python(the book). I'm very excited, soon I will be able to move onto Programming Python and start to do some real programming. Unfortunately with all the excitement of finishing this book comes the anxiousness of wanting to start the next book. I started reading Learning Python the second week of this month(9th or 10th, can't remember which), and after 3 weeks I am already becoming very familiar with the language. My hopes are to have this book finished by Wednesday. Chapter 25 is really short, some 10 pages long, so I will probably finish that tonight, leaving me with 4 chapters to read over the next 3 days. I will be able to read two chapters at work Tuesday, so I can almost guarantee finishing by Wednesday.

My second year of college(and fourth semester) starts next month also, August 30th, two days after my birthday! With only a month left until school I feel a need to start moving through my Python studies a little faster, this fall I have 23 credits, and although the only concern is Calculus 2 as far as difficulty, I am still kind of weary about having so many classes. Heres a list of the classes I have(in no particular order),

1. ELEC-133-01 = Circuit Analysis
2. MATH-172-01 = Calculus II
3. ELEC-211-01 = Med Voltage Power Dist Systems
4. ELEC-137-01 = Microprocessors
5. ELEC-134-01 = Electronics II
6. ELEC-130-01 = Introduction to PLCs
7. ELEC-126-01 = DC Motors and Controls

7 classes in total, thank goodness they are all classes I will enjoy. I love electronics, and math is an awesome subject, so I should be fine this upcoming semester. If homework is the equivalent to what it was last Winter when I had 17 credit hours, then I should have plenty of time on the weekends to continue studying Python. Thank goodness, even with so many credits, that I could maintain having Friday off. The extra money saved from not having to drive 35 miles on Fridays really helps.

I'll probably get back to my book in an hour, going to grab something to eat soon and just browse some of my favorite sites, such as Digg, Slashdot, AllaboutCircuits, and so on.