First Week of College Classes

This week has been very exciting for me! I started college, did the freshman devo, had a EMT job interview, and I've had lots of studying!

My first day in college went well. My first class, College Algebra, was at 10:00am. It's extremely easy for me because I took Calculus with Mrs. Lawler in high school. She did a great job preparing her students for college. I honestly think that my college math is easier than high school math. Everyday in Mrs. Lawler's class we had at least 15 problems to do for homework. In my College Algebra class, I finished my 10 problem homework before we even went over anything at all in class.

My next class was at 7:05pm... yes, at night. Mondays and Wednesdays I have English from 7:05pm to 8:20pm. We talked about class for a couple of minutes, then we jumped right in to writing an essay. My idea for the essay was good, but I only had 20 minutes to read an article and write the essay over it, so I didn't get to say what I really wanted to say. Tonight, Wednesday night, we were assigned a research paper about a controversial topic of our choice, and we have to write two argumentative essays, one from each perspective. For my topic I chose to ask the question of whether Americans should concentrate on serving America instead of the serving the needs of other countries. I got this idea from my experiences in Kenya. While we were at Made In The Streets, we would often talk about America's role in getting involved with other country's problems. I think I have a good view of perspectives in order to write this paper, but I still need to do some research on the topic and maybe narrow it down a little bit. (David, I'm accepting input!)

Then I have my only class on Tuesdays and Thursdays; General Chemistry. This is the only class that I'm nervous about not doing well in. I didn't do well in all in high school chemistry and when the professor, Dr. Gostecnik, went around the room asking questions, it seemed like I was the only one that didn't know what the most abundant element on earth is, and that gasoline is a hydrocarbon. I have some reading to do! I think the only thing I'm excited about for chemistry is the lab coat I have to have for labs. haha

My Firefighting Strategy and Tactics class is online, so I take it at my own pace. For those of you who thought I knew everything about firefighting, you're wrong. I got a 36 on my pre-test. Luckily it's not a grade, just an assessment of our knowledge previous to starting the course. However, after reading the first chapter of the textbook, I have made a 100 on my first quiz and a 100 on two discussions about occupancies (Assembly occupancies, Educational occupancies, Health care occupancies, and so on...)

My interview for an EMT job at A&M went well, despite riding my bike as fast as I could across campus to get to the health center in time, and being a little sweaty once I got there. The EMTs at the front desk were out on a call when I came in, so I had a little bit of time to cool down before the training lieutenant came to get me from the back. I fit right in and was able to show the chief and training lieutenant that I have a good personality and wouldn't be that weird guys that they regret hiring because he goes and hides in the corner. During the interview, I was able to call back on my experiences with Dallas Fire Rescue Ambulances and that impressed them. The chief seemed to like me and told me he thought that I'd do fine in the department and told me what to expect for the hiring process. If I get hired on, it will take me until the end of this semester to be out on my own in the field. I have to go through an EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course), spend so many hours as the third man, and prove to them that I have the skills necessary to work for them. Please pray for me to get this job.

I've also been running two miles every other day to keep off the freshman fifteen. Kelly Davidson thinks that this is a good enough reason to take me to the marathon that AFC does to support...something, I forget what he said. Anyways, if I can keep up the running trend, I MAY be able to do the HALF marathon.

HAHA, I'm starting to remind myself of my brother. I went to buy a PGA Golf Tour polo shirt for when my housemates teach me how to play golf, and now I'm talking about running a marathon. David...you've inspired me!