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So I missed about a week's worth of classes last week to attend my first ever Formula competition at VIRginia International Raceway.
It was a very exciting and grueling experience. I got about 5-6 hours of sleep each night, but was working under the heat of the Virginian sun for about 12 hours straight.
But it was all worth it though, because when all was said and done, my team had placed 3rd overall - our first podium finish since 1982.
Formula SAE VIR Series - Final Standings
Static Events
- Presentation: 9th
- Cost: 6th
- Design: 5th
Dynamic Events
- Skidpad: 4th
- Acceleration: 3rd
- Autocross: 3rd
- Endurance: 3rd
Overall: 3rd Place!
We placed top 10 in all events, and we know we could have done better if our driver wasn't stuck in 2nd gear due to a chain tensioning problem during the endurance race. We will see the top 2 teams in Detroit, along with several other big players. We shall see who's left standing in a few weeks!
Haha. I sincerely apologize for using the letter "X" in two consecutive blog titles. It is not helped by the fact that I've been listening to X-Japan a lot recently. I also burned an X-Japan DVD that is playing on my TV right now. Xsssssssss! So good.
Anyways. I took a 3-day trip to the East coast for a job interview earlier this week. It was tons of fun. It started off kind of frustrating, but it ended on a high note.
I first landed in DC and immediately got lost after about 15 minutes of driving (rented a Chrysler 300). I even unintentionally passed by the White House, which I later found out had the Pope visiting on that day too! After about 5 hours (should have been 2.5) and help from some people (you get interesting looks when you ask, "Excuse me, but where am I?"), I finally reached my destination.
There was a small misunderstanding at first, so I was unable to get on the military base at first. But afterwards, I showed the soldier-guard some government issued document, and they let me in. I'm not even joking. I just don't want to get into too much detail because...I dunno...big brother reads my blogs?
The base is an interesting place. During the tour, we got to see drive around, and you know how when you're driving and you have to stop and wait for a train to finish crossing? Well, we had to stop and wait for a jet to finish crossing. Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed on the base, but when I had the chance, I drove off-base for a few hours and took a bunch of pictures at the nearby museum and some other locales.
On the last day, I decided to get up early and check out early so I could drive into DC and find parking at a good time. One of my interviewing managers told me that I could find parking between 14th and 15th street, and that's exactly where I parked haha. I walked around DC all by myself among the many other tourists and snapped several pictures around town.
Near the end of my stroll, I was lucky enough to see a family of ducks crossing 15th street. It was quite adorable, but 3 of the ducklings couldn't jump the curb and was stuck in the road. Fortunately, a few other people and I were able to get the ducklings off the street and back to their mother. It was uber-cool.
What's not uber-cool though, is that even though time felt like it stood still when I was there, I came back to be reminded that life goes on and that I still have homework to turn in. Boo.
I took the FE exam on Saturday morning. It was a mentally and physically grueling session, but I got through it (I think).
The FE exam is the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, which lasts for a grand total of eight (8) hours. 4 hours in the morning, and 4 in the afternoon, after lunch. I woke up at 5AM (since it starts at 7), armed with two bottles of Rockstar and a calculator the non-engineers use (stupid rules).
120 questions in first 4 hours. 60 questions in last 4 hours. I made the error of taking it easy for the first 4 hours (I mean, we got 4 frickin' hours), but I was too slow, and was forced to randomly guess like 10 answers. I got the hang of it in the last 4 hours though, I think. I learned that the way to go is not necessarily to find the right answer, but to immediately pick out the wrong answers.
The pass rate for this exam is 95% for engineers from my college. So...I wasn't sure if I should have been more or less worried (I don't want to be in the bottom 5%, that's for sure). But I will find out in about 2 or 3 months whether I pass or not.
But, regardless, I'm going to try to stay HIV-positive. (South Park, anyone?)
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And of course, I made sure I rewarded myself with some "relaxation" time, characterized by my not doing anything productive for myself, but for other people. Hah
I think it's kind of funny that even though I've been "very busy" this past week, I'm still able to put in about 3-4 hours of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII every night. And really - I AM busy. I guess there's just 3 hours of rest in between busy-streaks.
Needless to say, I am almost done with CC. The game was actually shorter than I expected, but it's still longer than God of War (40 bucks, 6 hours of gameplay).
I am very satisfied with the game so far. At first, I had a little bit of doubt, wondering how they're going to "rehash" this. I never thought it would be a bad game. I just wasn't sure if the original FFVII story would be kept intact. And now that I'm about 90% through with the story, I'm happy to report that it is.
AND, even though the original VII story did not have Crisis Core in mind, I REALLY like how they developed the characters. The relationship between Zack and Aeris - truly a masterpiece. Before I knew Zack, I always had this, "Who the heck is this guy?" attitude towards him. And I always thought, "Aeris/Aerith is the one for Cloud!" But CC really changed my mind. Aerith's heart has been with Zack from the very beginning, and vice-versa. And nothing should change that. But...it's just so sad.
And the later development of camaraderie between Zack and Cloud...it really puts things into perspective for me, knowing that Cloud will go on with severe amnesia, thinking he was Zack. And through the Buster sword, Zack actually lives on through Cloud. And again...it's just so sad.
Square Enix does it again with this masterpiece. I leave you with this touching scene.
Aerith: A little luxury is all I ask for.
Zack: You say it's only a little but really it's a lot right?
Aerith: Yup! Will you hear me out?
Zack: How many is it?
Aerith: Umm. 23?
Zack: Write it down on paper since I'll probably forget.
Aerith: Um...There are 23 little luxuries. But you probably won't remember. There's only one thing I want the most - to be together with you more often.
