Chemistry Graduate

You are now reading the words of a self-taught chemistry graduate!! At about 12:00 today I officially completed my chemistry course, despite its best efforts to ensnare and kill me. (Yes, I'm sure it wanted to kill me. Probably with some HSbF6 hidden in my lemonade.)
I'm so glad to have it all over and done with! And this last test ended up a 94%, which I'm perfectly satisfied with! The one problem I got wrong was because I missed something in looking over the text one last time. =P Now my average is 90.6% or so, and an A- is great, considering all the pain and agony I went through to get it! What I think is funny, tho, is that Dr. Jay L. Wile says in the last paragraph that "If you get a C+ or B, you should be proud! You taught yourself chemistry! If you get an A, however, you should be quite proud, because you are obviously talented in this, and consider pursuing a career in chemistry." Ha! I think it's more "cram-cram-cram/memorize-memorize-memorize/pray pray pray" than talent! But oh well, he can say what he wants and I'll do what I want. =D
The important thing is that I'm DONE!
=D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D
~Kiwi da Joyous Proud Accomplished Fruit~

School Stuff

I'm working through chemistry (as previously mentioned), and to entertain myself I've started giving chemists points for creativity, clarity, and such.
Creativity Points given for the word "Stoichiometry!" A very original, creative word, I doubt there are any others like it in the chemistry language! Easy to forget how to spell it, but more difficult to forget the word itself or confuse it with others.
Creativity Points removed for "molarity" and "molality." C'mon, surely they could do better than just change one leeetle letter, couldn't they? I understand that molarity came from Moles and molar mass and all that, but what's with the 'l' in molality??
Creativity Points removed for Solvent, Solute, Solution and Solubility. I know they chose similar words to show they're all related, but I always have to repeat them in my head to remember which is used for what.
Easiness Points removed for Pascals (Pa), atmospheres (atm), millimeters of mercury (mmHg), and torrs. 101.3 Pa = 1 atm = 73.15 (or similar numbers of) torr = 73.15 (see last parentheses) mmHg. As I have not yet gotten to the examples of the usefulness of these units, I cannot fully understand them, but....It's just further complications. torr = mmHg. Why? Why have both? It shall probably be explained to me tomorrow, but tonight: why?

I did a lot of ACT studies today. Worked all through the "ACT Mathematics Test: strategies and concept review" section, which I needed. It's amazing how much one forgets when one has not had any algebra for a couple years. Discovered I need tattoos. I want this tattooed up the inside of my left arm:
the definitions of sine, cosine, tangent, secant, cosecant, and cotangent; An=A1 + (N-1)D,  An = A1(r)n-1, AX2 + BX + C = 0 (the quadratic formula), Y=MX+B (slope-intercept), and M = (Y2 - Y1)/(X2 - X1) (slope formula)
also I'll have whatever other important info I need to complete the ACT well. I wonder what the ACT people would do if I tattooed my notes on my arm? They can't take THOSE notes away!
~Kiwi~

Aww....

Aww, I should threaten to leave more often. Got me a lot more attention than I've gotten in quite a while! ;-)

Okay okay okay, I won't leave. I'll stay put for now.

Sooo, what am I doing today? Feeling guilty when reading an interesting book instead of homework, but then feeling miserable doing homework instead of reading my book! Do you ever find yourself in such a predicament? It's a lousy one to be in, I can tell you that! But I chose read the 225 page book instead of 12 pages of Chemistry this morning, and paid for it this afternoon when I had to do the chemistry anyway. =P Making choices stinks!!

The other night I made a movie. A really dumb movie, but I'm going to paste it together on the computer and maybe put it on here. Late nights do something weird to minds, though. Weeeeiiiiirrrddd...
The title (so far) is "World's Greatest Detective vs. The Camel Theif!"

I'll try to stick it up here next week sometime! In the meantime, keep reading, keep commenting, and thanks! :D
~Kiwi~

(I just had to stick this super-cute picture of my second-cousin, Hannah, on here!! We saw her and my cousins and a few aunts & uncles over New Year's.)

*sigh*

I am trying not to lose patience. I am trying to keep a happy smile on. I am trying to pretend to enjoy chemistry. I am not succeeding.
I loathe it.
And now I am going to go cry into my pillow, or do something of the kind.
Goodbye.
~Kiwi~

(I just had to say that to someone, and I think Mom's getting tired of hearing it! So I am unloading on you. I'll try to post something interesting and less depressing tomorrow.)

I TOLD you we should have bought a dump truck....

A week or two ago, Sis and I took a friend shopping. On the way home, we came to a T-intersection where we could have turned right or left--towards construction or away from it. I suggested left, but noooo, Sis wanted to turn right because 'she knew how to get home from there better.' So we turned just in time to be first in the line of cars that were stopped. We sat and waited. And waited. And twiddled thumbs. And I bugged her. And we rolled our eyes as the flagger waved dump truck after dump truck past us.
"I told you that you should have bought a dump truck. I told you! And I also told you not to turn right...."

So that's where the title came from. I thought of it and just had to use it, even if the post had nothing to do with the title.

I started school today. This is my senior year!!! Frankly, I'm not looking forward to this year, but I'm going to try to be pleasant about it. I complain way too much. But let it be written, chemistry is terrible, writing is hard, and literature is stuffy. Now that that is out of the way, my List of Courses to Get Through This Year in Order to be Able Graduate Next Spring is this:

• Apologia chemistry: I am already almost half-way through the book, so I might get it done.
  
• Typing: I know all the keys fairly well, but Mom says I ought to keep working on speed. My average WPM is 60, though, which isn't too bad!


• Wordsmith Craftsman writing: I only have 5 or 6 essays left, then I'm done!


• Christian Light Education's Literature course: Part-way through that, too, I just need to finish it.
  
• "Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?" economics: I have barely even seen the book, so I don't know anything other than what Mom told me--"It's really good!"


• History: I'm mostly just reading books and writing reports and the occasional essay.

Later in the year I'll start Government, and later in September, Mom and I are taking a continuing education art class from the community college! I'm mostly looking forward to the art class. But I'm also nervous about it. I'm just always scared of messing up! You should see all the paintings I haven't shown on here! On second thought, though, maybe you shouldn't...

So what are y'all doing for school this year? Are you looking forward to/enjoying school so far?

One random, unconnected item: Mark September 19th on your calendars as "Talk Like A Pirate Day!" Yes, folks, it's that time of year again! The time when you unpack your eye-patches and shake the mothballs off your peg legs, the time when you try out your piratey accents and start digging in the yard for buried treasure. What? You doubt the creditability of my statement? Check THIS out. Or there's the official site.

Don't forget!
I'll see y'all later,
~Kiwi~
p.s. look to your left for a new poll!
p.p.s. there's a new post on my photo blog: http://www.kiwi-and-her-pictures.blogspot.com/

My Life--Monday #3

Huuuh. I think I'll start out this post with a quick overview of my past week.

Tuesday, March 3rd: I.......did.....schoolwork aaand....schoolwork. I don't remember doing anything else. If I did, it was obviously not important.


Wednesday I had a very difficult school day, filled with insightful, meaningful, and sentimental thought-provoking questions, cruelly confusing chemistry, weird writing assignments, and horrible history. Okay, maybe the history wasn't that bad, but I spent an entire beautiful, sunny, warmish day sitting inside working. And illiteration sounds good. :)
We had bible study that night, and afterwards we had quite a few discussions based on the videos: Jordan is not real, the pain from my non-real fist is not real, the crumbs from my tortilla chip? Not real! :D It was Theology, and he grazed that subject. I'm just glad that the teacher didn't go in depth about it!


Thursday was a Day of Firsts! Rapunzel and I went on the First bike ride of the year, I heard the First red-wing blackbird (they don't come up until Spring!), and I went outside in short sleeves for the First time in 2009. We had a simply grand time out in the 60 degree sunshine!


Friday had its Firsts, too. First robins....the robins are back!! First day of bare feet!! We played all over the structure at the park (mostly where we weren't supposed to play--on the tunnel, on top of the enclosed slide....), and I went barefoot because it's easier to clamber with bare feet.
Note to self and all concerned: The first time you go barefoot after a long winter, don't walk on the road barefoot. It's slightly painful.


Saturday we went to the library and unexpectedly ran into people from church, including Friend o' Narnia and Julia. I like seeing people from church at random places around town!
I finally got to hear the videos Downhere put up of the Christmas Album Recording Process. But I forgot/ran out of time to watch the video on Duncan's blog. *aaaaaaaah*

Rats.



Sunday we went to church (of course) and got to see Owan at long last. (Before I forget again, Owan, could y'all send me a few pics from the Winter Jam concert? Especially the one of me 'n' Nirva, and me 'rapping.' Lol! I can just imagine how weird I must have looked! I think Heather has our email.)
We also had Jumbo Shrimp, Kirsten, and their younger brother over yesterday. We made a soap opera, and managed to get two people murdered by the jealous 'Iris'. :D In the next episode of "Young Stomachs Churning," We'll hopefully have another guy in it so we can get a little love-triangle going.
(Please do not think that we enjoy real soap operas. This is making fun of them. Just in case you wondered. :)


Today I rediscovered my detestation of cleaning bathrooms. They're gross and disgusting. (I wish I were in Star Wars or Star Trek. I'll bet Anakin and Princess Leia and Spock and T'pol never had to clean toilets!)
And I made banana bread, which smells quite delicious.
Now I get to spend the rest of my day in relative leisure. I'm gonna paint somethin'!


*aaaaaaah*
I keep remembering. Hmph.
I guess I may as well go ahead and post my thoughts on the Newsboys Stuff. I'm refraining from looking at the official notice until after posting. I'm afraid I might be too upset after reading it to post.


Oh, why do this? If I'm too upset, I'll simply hit 'post' and post what I've got. I can't sit here another minute and keep wondering!
Here goes! *runs over to NBSite with worried look*

*returns*

Hallelujah! (no that's not the Song of the Day:) It's not as bad as I'd feared!! I was scared that Pete was leaving was an "entirely, for-good, ne'er-comin'-back-again, nothin'-to-do-with-the-band-from-now-on" kinda leaving! I'm still horribly sad that he's not going to be at most of the concerts, but hey! It'll still have that 'Peter Furler style' to it! Does anyone know if he'll still be on their cds?
Here's the scoop for those of you who haven't a clue as to what I'm talking about: apparently, a few concerts ago, Michael Tait came out instead of Peter (?) and announced he was the new front-man (lead singer). Without any notice ahead of time. So there's been LOTS going on on the NB Message Boards about that. Every time I've been on them in the past 48 hours there's been at least 40 people on! And the comments on the Big Announcement have been jumping every time I refresh the page!
I'd actually sat down and written out a whole big, long speech about how I don't want Michael Tait to join and Pete to leave, but if the 'Boyz are sure that's what God wanted done, by all means, Do it! but I'm not going to post all that. I am behind Pete 99% in this decision. I'm having a hard time reconciling myself to this, but.....this should be interesting. Maybe it'll be the start of something new, a real good thing.


Rapunzel says to tell y'all that she's rejoicing that Pete isn't leaving entirely by wearing black today. I wish I had some black to wear. I wish I had an NB tee shirt to wear. I wish I could have attended one of the more recent concerts (one with Pete in it) and gone ahead and bought a shirt. I got money for it now! *sigh*

Lastly is the Song of the Day. No one found my last little hidden title which was "A Better Way" by Downhere. "There's gotta be a better way to do school work than slogging my way through!" One point for me!

And Avalon gets five points for finally blogging. That brings her total up to (drumroll, please!) 0! Well, it's better than -5, isn't it?

I'd better get off now and do something else. I'll post again on Wednesday.
Ciao!
~Kiwi the Bitterly/Sweetly-Happy/Unhappy-Weirdly-Emotional Fruit

Wednesday #2

Um, I think I shall delay the Exhaustive History of the Newsboys until next week. I had promised Jumbo Shrimp and Short Stuff that I'd be doing that today, but given the circumstances.....I don't think that's gonna happen. I have spent the last....five-and-a-half hours working on school work. Chemistry went slowly, because the teacher did not give me all I needed to complete the lesson. Literature was exhaustive because I was supposed to figure out all the stinkin' symbolism in a horrid, long, boring story. There's gotta be a better way to do school work than slogging my way through!

So instead I'll give you my history project that I've been working on for an hour or so. It's about the Salvation Army. Enjoy!

3-4-2009

A Brief History of the Salvation Army and its Accomplishments
By Kiwifruit

William Booth and his wife, Catherine, founded the Salvation Army in 1865.
William preached to the poor while Catherine spoke to the wealthy, asking for financial support. One of the unique things about Catherine was that she was allowed by the Salvation Army rules to preach. Quite an interesting fact, considering that very few women were allowed to do so at the time.

In 1880, the Salvation Army started work in Australia (a colony of Britain made up of primarily convicts), Ireland, and the United States. Within the next ten years it had spread to twenty-five other countries, such as Canada, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa. The Salvation Army has continued to spread throughout the world, with Namibia, Mali, Kuwait, and Mongolia being the most recent. The Army now covers over one hundred countries.

Eleven years later, the first kettle fundraising drive took place, starting what is now a Christmastime tradition. In 1901, the first Christmas dinner was served to the masses. Now the bell ringing and Christmas dinners are yearly occurrences, with the bell ringing raising millions each year and the dinners feeding hundreds of thousands in the United States alone.

During the World Wars, the Salvation Army was active offering its services to the Allied troops. After the wars, promoted a program called Marching Forward, the main objectives of which included the promotion of evangelism, the prevention of juvenile delinquency, aid to veterans and their families, and the rehabilitation of Salvation Army work in countries devastated by war.
During the Great Depression the Salvation Army found ways to provide food, lodging, and jobs for the needy whenever possible.

The Salvation Army is continuing to serve the world with its charity work through second-hand stores, rehab centers, and disaster relief.




http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?articleId=221402
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Salvation_Army

There y'are! It'll probably have a bit more added to it, but that's all there is for now. It was rather interesting doing research for that. Did you know that for quite a while, S.A. Officers were only allowed to marry other officers? And in some countries, they still stick to those rules.

Interesting.

Monday's Song of the Day was guessed correctly...eventually. Catfreak got pretty close when she said "Hallelujah, Sunday's not that far away," so I'll give her 2 1/2 points for getting that close. guitargirl won by answering "Sunday" by Tree 63! This was found right here: "I was also thinking 'hallelujah, Sunday's not that far away!' because I hadn't seen Owan in two weeks." I'm surprised, however, that none of you went back to guitargirl's birthday post and checked for the song there! It was quite obvious. "Happy Birthday" is a song. :D I snuck it past again. :-P

Squirrel Update: Thursday we hung the suet feeder on a clothesline pole, hoping that the squirrel wouldn't notice or be unable to get at it. *raspberry* He shimmied up the pole, and took the suet feeder off!!! That squirrel may not be as dumb as we thought! He didn't just slide the feeder off, he unhooked it!! Rrrgh! So now the feeder is back on the tree and I'm sittin' here watching him, proped up on the mothballs that are supposed to repel him, eating the suet. There's nothing I can do...at the moment. >:)

So now I'm all caught up! I'll see (or rather, write to) you on Friday!

~Kiwi da Fruit

My Life--Monday

Hello, and welcome to My Life. Today I'll be going over the past little-over-a week and telling you what-all happened.

Saturday the 14th. Valentine's Day (aka Singles' Awareness Day): Mom made a pretty centerpiece for the table consisting of: a red place-mat covered with light, gauzy fabric, a wine glass filled with conversation hearts and Twizzlers, a Valentine card, and little candy hearts sprinkled o'er it all. I wish we had a picture of it!
In the afternoon, Monkey, Jordan, and I went over to J.S. & Kirsten's house for the afternoon. 'Twas fun! We played a few games, sang along with Short Stuff's Ipod, and practised The Play. Which of late has been known only as The Play. It used to be called "A Maid's Tale," but then the maid got cut out. I have one of the three lead roles....The Lady Constance, the Grand Heiress, and get to be all melodramatic and stuff. So much fun! Alas, Rapunzel and Jonathan were not there, so we didn't get a full practice in. Oh well. It'll get done eventually.

Skip down to Wednesday the 18th. We watched LOST in the evening, two whole hours of it. The writers have been wrapping up a few more of the threads, but another spool's-worth of tangled plot has been thrown in. I'm starting to be glad there's only one more season after this one. And I'm not gonna get to see it for who-knows how long because of Bible study! Yes, I know, Bible study is more important. I just wish that the two weren't on the Same Night. *sigh* Actually, the pastor's daughter told us to "go ahead and skip Bible study" (italics are mine) and watch LOST instead. Tsk tsk tsk. I think she was joking. ;^)

Friday the 20th: we went shopping and I found an incredible tee-shirt at Goodwill. Literally. It's red with a big 'I' on it with a swoosh around it and The Incredibles logo. It's cool. :) And know what was even nicer? When Short Stuff said "I love your shirt! Where'd you get it?" and I (finally) got to say "Goodwill." It's always the other way around, with others getting the good stuff at Goodwill. Turnabout's fair play, peoples!
There was a Women's Night Out non-sleepover sleepover at church where we stayed up late and played games and ate snacks until midnight. Games were so much fun! I was pretty good at Pictionary and Catchphrase. Then came the table (we were going from table to table, mixing up groups as we went) with the Ungame on it. Oi. The Ungame is a 'game' with no winning, no ending, no point to it except for you to share your feelings. I don't remember all the rules, but one where everybody has to agree to be silent except during their turn. (find the rules HERE) Julia was there at my table, and as the first rule was being read, she started giggling. With the second rule, I was laughing, and by the end of just reading the rules, most of our table was whooping with laughter to the point of little helpless moans. I almost died laughing. So much fun!! we played Catchphrase after the first two turns of Ungame. Why play a game with no winning, no losing, no foreseeable end, no actual point to it? I'm competitive, and I play games mostly to win. I'm not a bad loser, but I play games where you can win.

Saturday the 21st I was going to work on a quilt block for a bible study I'm joining, but we didn't have fabric we liked. So Mom went out and bought some for me, and it's awesome fabric!

Sunday I made the quilt block. It was fast and easy and I only made two minor, fixable mistakes! Yay me! I'll post a picture of it as soon as I can get one.
Also on Sunday, I realized something. I belong here!! I belong in this town, with these friends, and in this church! It's an amazing feeling.

"Created for a place I've never known
This is home
Now I'm finally where I belong
Where I belong
Yeah, this is home
I've been searching for a place of my own
Now I've found it maybe this is home
Yeah, this is home....

And now after all my searching
After all my crashes
I'm really coming home
I got a brand new mindset
I can finally see the sunset
I'm gonna call it home....

I've come too far
And I won't go back
Yeah, this is home"
(Switchfoot, "This is Home")

In Iowa I had friends an' ev'rything, but I didn't feel at home in church or youth group or in Mini-ville or the surrounding area. Talking with Judi helped me realize this: I haven't been shunned in the past five months. I have rarely heard curses in the past five months. I've been talked with every Sunday at church for the past five months. I've been a lot happier for the last five months. Yes, I miss my friends, and I miss going out to youth group every Sunday night, but I don't miss much else. And even youth group isn't missed a whole lot. I was getting pretty miserable there towards the end. Yeah, this is home. :D

Today I: went to the Library and got books and three cds and two movies. Started Chemistry. Here's my all-time favorite quote from the dvds: "....In a similar manner, you are a good chemistry student. Close your eyes and repeat this: 'I am a good chemistry student, I am a good chemistry student. Chemistry is easy!' Believe that, and it will happen." Um, yeah. I'm using The Great Courses from The Teaching Company as a precursor to Dr. Jay Wile's chemistry book. This consists of a dvd lesson followed by a problem set, and I enjoyed using it for Geometry.

Song of the Day Game: Friday's winners were Owan and Matt. The song was "Something Beautiful" by the Newsboys and was found in this paragraph: "Mom and I went jeans shopping in Kohls the other day, and found something beautiful."
Congratulations, Owan and Matt! You have each won five all-expenses-paid Blogger Points! Yay!
I have enabled comment moderation so that no cheating is possible and I can have two winners each day instead of just one.

And it's like me to ramble on and on at this point, but guess what? Y'all were just saved by my timer going off! Lucky for you....

S'long!
~Kiwi~