This first PM class has 2-3 homework assignments each week plus a project every other week (4 total). I received 100% on the first 2 projects. Woot! Tomorrow I'll print out the schedule from the last project and start on the next project, which is due on the 13th.
I did my weigh-in today - I didn't lose anymore weight since yesterday, so I'm 3 pounds down in one week. I was hoping for another half pound today, but I can't complain.
I created another chicken dish in the crockpot today. For this one I filled the pot about 3/4 full with kale, red chard, and collards, then added chicken breasts, bacon, smoked salt, pepper, and herbes de provence. It turned out pretty tasty. The bacon was a little weird because it looked raw but it was thoroughly cooked and fell apart when I tried to pick it up. It added a nice undertone to the chicken. I should have taken some photos but I didn't even think about it at the time.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
School ... again
After being out of school since 2004, I’m back again.
For those who don’t know, I received my A.A. from Orange Coast College in 2000, my B.A. in Russian Studies from UC Berkeley in 2003, and I did one year of grad school at University of Virginia before leaving and moving to Russia.
I’m currently enrolled in 2 separate programs: the Project Management certificate program through UC Berkeley, and the A.S. degree in Web Development program at College of the Canyons. The PM cert should be completed by December, and the WebDev degree about 6 months later. I was hoping to do all of the WebDev degree online and finish it in one year, but I was so far back in the registration line that I only got 1 of the 3 classes I wanted, and the class is on-campus instead of online (the online section filled up several days before my registration date).
The first PM class started January 9 and is an 8-week class. The second PM class starts 2 days after the first one ends and is also an 8-week class. The first WebDev class starts on Tuesday, Feb 7 and will run until May 31. I’m on the waitlist for the online PHP class that starts in April. I’m 6th on the list, so I’m hoping a bunch of people drop the class before it starts.
This all started in November when a friend asked me if I had a Project Management certificate. I hadn’t even known there was such a thing, but he said that it was pretty much mandatory for PM jobs. I didn’t think much about it until mid-December when I had a 4-hour ride home on the motorcycle to think about life. It was then that the PM cert popped back into my head. I thought about it for a few days (did I really want to start school again?), did a day of research to find good programs, and within 4 days of that bike ride I was enrolled in the program at Cal.
After a couple of weeks in the PM program, I looked at PM jobs and realized that most of them required some sort of specialization (PM with engineering, PM with IT, etc). I thought about what I like to do …. create web sites. I started creating web sites in 1998 and loved it. But I had my sites set on eventually getting a doctorate in History and teaching at a university, and I didn’t seriously think about pursuing web development as a career. I made the wrong decision back then, so now I’m following the path I should have 15 years ago. I took about a week and looked at all the programs that I could do online but were close enough that I could take classes on-campus if needed. College of the Canyons had the best program for my needs. I’ve been in an email conversation with one of the professors, and he’s been extremely helpful.
It’s going to be a busy year, and I won’t have much of a social life, but it’s going to be worth it.
Back to homework….
For those who don’t know, I received my A.A. from Orange Coast College in 2000, my B.A. in Russian Studies from UC Berkeley in 2003, and I did one year of grad school at University of Virginia before leaving and moving to Russia.
I’m currently enrolled in 2 separate programs: the Project Management certificate program through UC Berkeley, and the A.S. degree in Web Development program at College of the Canyons. The PM cert should be completed by December, and the WebDev degree about 6 months later. I was hoping to do all of the WebDev degree online and finish it in one year, but I was so far back in the registration line that I only got 1 of the 3 classes I wanted, and the class is on-campus instead of online (the online section filled up several days before my registration date).
The first PM class started January 9 and is an 8-week class. The second PM class starts 2 days after the first one ends and is also an 8-week class. The first WebDev class starts on Tuesday, Feb 7 and will run until May 31. I’m on the waitlist for the online PHP class that starts in April. I’m 6th on the list, so I’m hoping a bunch of people drop the class before it starts.
This all started in November when a friend asked me if I had a Project Management certificate. I hadn’t even known there was such a thing, but he said that it was pretty much mandatory for PM jobs. I didn’t think much about it until mid-December when I had a 4-hour ride home on the motorcycle to think about life. It was then that the PM cert popped back into my head. I thought about it for a few days (did I really want to start school again?), did a day of research to find good programs, and within 4 days of that bike ride I was enrolled in the program at Cal.
After a couple of weeks in the PM program, I looked at PM jobs and realized that most of them required some sort of specialization (PM with engineering, PM with IT, etc). I thought about what I like to do …. create web sites. I started creating web sites in 1998 and loved it. But I had my sites set on eventually getting a doctorate in History and teaching at a university, and I didn’t seriously think about pursuing web development as a career. I made the wrong decision back then, so now I’m following the path I should have 15 years ago. I took about a week and looked at all the programs that I could do online but were close enough that I could take classes on-campus if needed. College of the Canyons had the best program for my needs. I’ve been in an email conversation with one of the professors, and he’s been extremely helpful.
It’s going to be a busy year, and I won’t have much of a social life, but it’s going to be worth it.
Back to homework….
Leptin Reset
Last Sunday I began the Leptin Reset program by Dr. Jack Kruse, found at http://jackkruse.com/my-leptin-prescription/.
I've been eating a mostly low-carb, grain-free diet since 2008, and I lost a little over 70 pounds doing it. But my weight stagnated once I started my current job (Oct 2010), and I gained ten pounds over the holidays. It's a new year and time to take control again. Dr. Kruse's program works with the way I like to eat, the way I know makes me feel the best, and the way that has given me the best weight loss results.
As of this morning, I'm down 3 pounds. I'm guessing it's from losing the inflammation that was caused by both my holiday binging and the sugar in the protein shakes I've been drinking for lunch (Muscle Milk Naturals mixed with 10oz of Trader Joe's whole cream-top milk). Tomorrow is my actual weigh-in.
In his program Dr. Kruse states not to count calories in the beginning, just to concentrate on getting the right amount of protein and keeping the carbs low. But I still do so I can go back 6 months from now and see what worked and what didn't. Since 2008, on the advice of my doctor, I've kept a daily food diary. I document what I eat, how much of it, and the calories. I also keep track of my water intake and I weigh myself every day. Being on Dr. Kruse's plan, I added protein and carbs to my diary. His plan requires that you eat 50 grams of protein at each meal and stay under 25 total carbs for the day.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Chin Strap - November 4, 2010
It was a mostly uneventful commute, but I felt uneasy when I started out so I was a little more watchful today -- probably kept me out of trouble in some spots. The excitement of the day started when I transitioned from the 5 to the 210 freeway. As I *allegedly* hit about 85mph (flow of traffic was 80mph) I heard a "thwap thwap" sound coming from my helmet. I forgot to buckle my chin strap! Now this is only a problem if you crash ... but if you crash it can be a huge problem. I have never buckled my strap 1) with one hand, 2) while moving, and 3) with gloves on.
Yeah, I could've pulled off the freway and fixed it, but I didn't want to. I figured I would pull over if I was unable to attach it on the go.
So there I am, flying down the freeway, with my gloves on, using one hand to figure out where everything was (the strap was tucked up into the helmet), and picturing what it was that I was feeling. I had a couple of mis-starts, but when I finally got the strap through the first part of the buckle I knew victory was mine! I manhandled the strap through the second part and snapped the end in place. Woohoo! No time lost, kept my speed and lane position consistent, and did something new.
As I was getting back into the rhythm of riding, and had slowed slightly because I was blinded by the rising sun, I realized I was coming up on the back of a Sherriff's SUV. If I hadn't been preoccupied with the buckle all that time, I probably would have blown by him. I slowed down in time to not grab his attention.
Yeah, I could've pulled off the freway and fixed it, but I didn't want to. I figured I would pull over if I was unable to attach it on the go.
So there I am, flying down the freeway, with my gloves on, using one hand to figure out where everything was (the strap was tucked up into the helmet), and picturing what it was that I was feeling. I had a couple of mis-starts, but when I finally got the strap through the first part of the buckle I knew victory was mine! I manhandled the strap through the second part and snapped the end in place. Woohoo! No time lost, kept my speed and lane position consistent, and did something new.
As I was getting back into the rhythm of riding, and had slowed slightly because I was blinded by the rising sun, I realized I was coming up on the back of a Sherriff's SUV. If I hadn't been preoccupied with the buckle all that time, I probably would have blown by him. I slowed down in time to not grab his attention.
I Scared Myself - November 3, 2010
I scared the crap out of myself on Lilith yesterday morning. As I turned down a street near work I saw a large truck in the middle of the street. The driver was putting out cones and blocking the street in both directions. I didn't want to turn around and find an alternate route (I was 60 seconds from work), so I decided to use the sidewalk to get around him. I took off a little too fast and cut the corner, and my back wheel dropped off the cement and onto the grass. It spun and slid out, and I nearly dumped the bike. It was an adrenaline-filled few seconds as I manhandled the bike to both stay upright and not launch myself into the retaining wall. Scary and fun at the same time. I thnk I need a dirt bike. lol!
Gold SUV - November 1, 2010
On this morning's commute I was run out of my lane and onto the shoulder by a gold SUV. I don't know if the guy saw me or not, but right before I was fully out of my lane I was next to his door and hitting the horn, and he didn't seem to react. Luckily traffic was light at that point and I hit the throttle harder and took off with the satisfaction of knowing that soon he'd be stuck in traffic and I wouldn't.
As a reminder, please double-check before changing lanes. The life you save may be mine.
As a reminder, please double-check before changing lanes. The life you save may be mine.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Last day of work before the New Year's holiday! The traffic has been very light -- if only it was always this light -- but it has been heavier than I expected.
It started raining last night and hasn't stopped. I took the car to work -- I haven't waterproofed the gear yet.
I'm not sure if I'll get any riding in this weekend. I have a lot of catching up to do with things around the apartment. I had hoped to take the bike out of town for the holiday, but I'll be home.
It started raining last night and hasn't stopped. I took the car to work -- I haven't waterproofed the gear yet.
I'm not sure if I'll get any riding in this weekend. I have a lot of catching up to do with things around the apartment. I had hoped to take the bike out of town for the holiday, but I'll be home.
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