Wow, it seems like this semester has been very up and down. There are many things that I would have done differently. There was a lot of learning and figuring things out – it all seemed very random and felt very over-whelming at times. I was having a difficult time organizing information – both, in my head and in my blog. Initially I wanted to explain step by step with a lot of pictures. But, it slowed me down – I was trying to program my own pics. Now I would use other’s pics first – then I would go back and work on it on my own. I tend to be a visual learner – and figured that that would be the easiest. I also had a goal of presenting it in the manner that an average person without that much background in math would be able to understand it. I have noticed that that was a feature of some of my favorite presenters. They were able to take what they knew – as complex as it was – but, they were to present it in such a way – that it did not seem as complex – it is a personal goal of mine – to be this way. Now, I realize that the ability to break things down and explain things to a non-math person – is difficult at times – but, that is my goal.
I have also learned this semester to overcome a great deal of fear – I am just now at the point where I feel settled and functioning in CSUMS – I am now comfortable speaking with my advisors. Not sure why it took so long – but, I am happy to be gone with that fear. I learned that my fear was unjustified.
I have finally figured out how to organize my blog to present things that I am learning and have learned. That was another huge lesson that I learned. Preparing for the poster presentations was a very good experience on many different levels. The Laptop I was using kept crashing every time I went to print my presentation – I was trying to print it without saving the file because I lost the majority of my visuals after I saved the whole poster – I later learned that it was a software issue – to my relief – I did not damage the Laptop. At UMASS Amherst – I noticed that Elise and Dan had glitches – I was so impressed at how they responded – they taught me a lot. I am not able to change things by increasingly becoming panic stricken – they just seemed to go along and take it in stride.
I have enjoyed interacting with everyone in CSUMS – I am learning a lot about math and computer programs – and I am enjoying learning on my own and from others. I have definitely learned to keep everything in my blog – it will be accessible in the event of glitches 
I guess I felt silly writing things like – today I created a line and then a square in MatLab.
I baby sat for a friend twice last month. A beautiful 8 month little girl. I have been able to observe her learning process. She understands more than she can speak. She only says a few words – but, seems to get her message across with what she knows. She has recently learned to say – bye-bye. I giggled when she said bye bye to her food – but, realized she wasn’t able to say – “I do not want anymore” or “I’m full”. She communicated with what she knew – with what she had. My goal is to do the same …
