Academics

Stuff to Read

CIAG Scholarship Application Essay [PDF]
(2003, Fall, CIAG Scholarship)
This essay was written as part of an application process for the CIAG Scholarship offered semi-anually to Graduate and Undergraduate students which pays $2,500 per winning entry. I'll let you know in November if I won or not.

Update: I just received the following EMail from Cisco Systems, Inc. ...


To say the least, I am elated beyond breath. :-) If you would like to take a look at their website, which includes the winners' announcement, click here.
Poe's Ambiguity [PDF]
(2002, Fall, "Poe, Hawthorne, and Melville: A Complex Vision")
Written for Bruce Bickley, Jr.'s "Poe, Hawthorne, and Melville: A Complex Vision" class. It makes a critical analysis of the way Poe uses ambiguity as a device to entice the readers into enjoying his short fiction.
Mind Over What Matters [PDF]
(2002, Fall, "Poe, Hawthorne, and Melville: A Complex Vision")
The final paper for the same class, this examines all three authors in a cross-section style to comment on the use of themes regarding science and nature, academics and fate, as it were. I spent 3 hours doing research in the Strozier library on Wednesday, wrote the paper Thursday from 3pm to 3am, then turned it in and got a 98% (A) right before I took my Mythology exam the following morning (and got an A on that as well). ::whew!:: :-)
Legends of Gondor and the Shire [PDF]
(2002, Fall, "Ancient Mythology")
An analysis of characters in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings trilogy in the heroic sense, and how they measure up to the modern or classic definitions of a hero.

Current Classes

I am currently taking the following classes at FSU for the Spring 2004 semester (click on the appropriate links next to classes to view notes I have taken in them so far):

  • PHY2048C - Physics I (Lecture) [Notes]
  • PHY2048L - Physics I (Lab)
  • MAD3105 - Discrete Mathematics II
  • EUH2000 - Midevil Civilization [Notes]
  • MUN2720 - Vocal Jazz Ensemble

History

Well I suppose I shall give you a general rundown of my academics thusfar. I grew up in Tallahassee, so I attended Covanent Community School (which has now changed names to Community Christian School) for my Preschool thru 8th grade experience. It was really a wonderful contrast to live as I know it today, but CCS was a very small school with a lacking High School program when I was about to "graduate" from the 8th grade. Hence, I moved on to Lincoln High School which was on the other side of town. Four interesting years later, lo and behold, I ended up at Florida State. That's about it, and here I am.

Goals

While I'm here, I hope to do quite a bit. I tend to be a very multi-faceted person, so I have interests in many fields and only a limited time to fulfill as many of them as I want. Among these are my interest in Music and Sound Engineering, Computer Science, Psychology, English and Literature, Theatre and Theatre Technology, Bowling, Martial Arts, Mythology/Classics, and French.

Music

I love music! It is one of the few things that can really move a soul. It can be harsh and full of emotion, or light and playful. I think it is one of the few things that can universally express the condition of the human heart accurately. Thus, I have developed a strong interest in it since I was little. I started playing the piano at the age of six, took three years of lessons, and have continued to play on my own ever since. This is one passion I certainly wish to persue avidly. I also enjoy singing. I was in the Community Players at CCS and Continental Singers, the most prestegious choir at Lincoln.

Following this pattern, I felt I should find something similar to continue to "broaden my horizons" at FSU. From my first semester here, I have chosen to remain active in the music program, even though I am not on my way to a major or minor, specifically. I was a member of Choral Union for both of my Freshman semesters, where I also picked up Vocal Jazz, which take this semester (Spring 2003) as well. Choral Union, taught by Dr. Andre Thomas, was a wonderful class that allowed me to keep my classical choir training and exercise my voice range a bit. The pieces continued to be a challenge and were very much an accomplishment to refine. Directed by graduate students, it was a very warm feeling of comradery to sing with such a talented group. Vocal Jazz, similarly, was an excellent course to expand my stylistic music knowledge. I have learned so much there about various styles and techniques, I feel I could not have lived the same fulfilled life without that piece of my semesters. Again, a very talented group of people who are always a pleasure to sing with.

Computer Science

Probably what I could go on the longest about, but what I will keep short for that very reason. Computer Science is my current major at Florida State. The digital medium is a realm that has intrigued me since my father brought me to his office on the weekends and let me play with government computers. :-) I owe my current facinations mainly to him who supplied me with a very old and very useful Kaypro 2000 laptop computer (seemingly more dense than steel and weighing about 35 lbs at the time). From there, I began learning about computer programming, games, Bulletin Board Systems, and other fun stuff you could do with billions of ones and zeros.

Here, I have persued that interest into Web Design, Graphic Design, Computer Programming (Software Engineering), Network Administration, Professional Audio Design and Mastering, Video Editing, and just about anything else you can think of that applies to any form of digital medium.

All For Now ... come back for more!