Just an Update!

So, last weekend there wasn't much for me to do besides stay in the dorm(right) and relax and do some work. I like to spread my work out over the days so I don't mine working on the weekend. I've been reading a lot about GIS, GAMS, IMPLAIN, and CGE all week but I'm still not very clear about what these things are lol.

I also had my writing lab Wednesday in Caldwell Hall(left) with the graduate student Omar. All of the social science and humanities students meet with Omar every Wednesday morning for 2 hours. The social science students include me and Cymone. The humanities students include Vanessa, Kiara, and Courtney. During this lab we work on different things that can help us with our writing skills. This week we had to read two articles and write two questions about each one. We discussed how we felt about the articles for about a hour then we had to write a summary of the article in 2 to 3 sentences. Each article was over 10 pages so that was the hardest thing to do lol but we should get better by the end of the summer. Our take home assignment was to take a quote out of one of the readings our mentor assigned us and write 250 word summary of that one quote. My quote was "Mathematical structure of an input-output systems consist of a set of n linear equations with n unknowns (Miller, and Blair 6)." Mine was pretty easy to explain in 250 words because I broke down what each part means and then tied it back together.

Yesterday I finally broke down and bought the gym membership at Noyes Gym(left) for the university. I am trying to lose 8 pounds before I go home in July for my birthday. It was small actually even though it doesn't seem like it. There were a lot of students in there too so I am trying to get there earlier before everyone else does lol. They also have different types of classes.




This weekend I am going hiking with the other people that stay in my dorm. The hike is 1.5 miles on the gorge trail and I think it would be a good experience and good exercise. I am excited!!! I plan on taking lots of pictures and then I can post them on here!

1st day in the office

So, today was my first day in my office in Sibley Hall(above). I actually got to sleep in today! Yay! lol I started off by first trying to work in my dorm room but the document I had to read was scanned and put online which made it very difficult to read. So, i went on the www.library.cornell.edu to see if they had the book in any of the libraries on campus. Sure enough they did have the book in Olin Library(above) right up the hill. The lady in the library was very kind and explain to me how to find books in Olin Library. I thought it was pretty cool because when i went up to the fourth floor where my book was located i had to walk down the aisle and turn on the light for the row where my book was located. It was so historic! lol

Next, I went to The Cornell store(below), which is the book store on campus. In the Cornell Store they have two banks a small store and two floors of Cornell paraphernalia. I bought a key ring that goes around your neck, a notepad for my research and an umbrella! I also saw some cool stuff to buy family and friends.

Next, I went to my office and read my book called Input-Output Analysis Foundations and Extensions by Ronald E. Miller and Peter D. Blair. I actually love this book so far. It's the first time I saw mathematics and economics combine personally and I love it. I am a Applied Math and Economics majors but I've never seen it combine, so this is very exciting to me. I left my office about 6:00 today and now I'm back in the dorm. We met some other people the other night so I think they are coming by later on. Till next time I'll be chatting with the other girls!

1st blog 5th day

Today is my 5th day in Ithaca, New York. I like it here and I have since Ive been here but I think today was the first day that I was actually okay with being here. What I mean by that is today was the actual day that I didn't feel like okay I am here but I rather be home. Don't get me wrong I would love to be home but I have came to realize that this is the best place for me to me at this moment. I am finally at peace with being here at this stage of my life. I have met wonderful loving and caring people here in Ithaca, at Cornell University more specifically.

So, why am I here at Cornell University for the summer you ask. I got accepted into The Leadership Alliance 2010 Summer Research Early Identification Program. This program is at many schools across the country. Some of the schools include but are not limited to University of Chicago, Brown, Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Tufts and Yale Universities.

I am staying in Keeton House on West Campus with four other wonderful ladies. By the way there are 14 ladies that got accepted into the program and it was not done purposely. My suite mates include Cymone, Valerie, Destiny, and Andrea. The other ladies that are in the program with me are Kiara, Danielle, Abby, Vanessa, Morgan, Stephanie,Courtney, Brendalen(spell check), and Shaleesa.

Out of all the ladies so far I am the closest to Kiara. She is from Illinois and goes to school in Orangeburg, South Carolina. We can sit all day and talk about every. Our topics range from school to men to our spiritual beliefs. She is a really cool and nice girl. I am going to say a little something about all of the ladies. Destiny is so funny. She keeps me laugh no matter what. I love to be in her presence because she is always laughing and making other laugh as well. She attends school at the University of Maryland College Park and is from New Jersey. Simone is funny also but what I admire the most about her is that she is her self no matter what. She does not put up a front for anyone. I have also noticed that she speaks very well loud and clear so everyone can hear. She also goes to school in Orangeburg, South Carolina with Kiara. Andrea is very quiet I don't know much about her right now but I hope to find out a little bit of something by the end of the summer. Valerie is a fun person. She always whats to go on an adventure and she also loves sweets lol. She goes to school in California but is from Alabama. She also speaks very well too and when I say speaks well I am talking about in front of an audience of people. Shaleesa is a fun person too. She is loud but funny. She is from the Virgin Islands! I am not sure where she goes to school yet but I will by the end of the summer. Morgan is a quiet girl too but she hangs out with us and talks sometimes but most of the time she is laughing and its probably at Destiny lol. She is from New Jersey and goes to school at Stephens University. Danielle is a very determine and a go getter and I really admire these things in her. She is always on her own agenda lol. She is from a country in Africa but I can't remember the exact country right now but she attends school at the University of Delaware. Stephanie is the oldest of the group. She is from Texas and has two sons, one that is 20 and the other 13. She is a very calm and collected person. She speaks very gently but confident. I really like her drive and I am proud of her for being here because many people her age believe they are too old to go back to school. So the fact that she went back to school and is doing research is a real great thing. I really admire her. Abby, I know nothing about her besides that fact the she goes to the University of Florida and that she speaks Spanish and English but hopefully that changes soon. Vanessa is from Puerto Rico and studies Literature. She is quiet in a group of people but one on one she talks. I know i will find out more about her by the end of the summer. Brendalen is quiet in a large group of people but she will talk in smaller groups and one on one. She does not like food much meaning real food like meals. She like snack foods and most of all chocolate lol. She said "Me and chocolate are meant to be together." She is from Pennsylvania and also goes to school there. She the most prepare for all kinds of weather lol. She has her winter clothes, summer clothes, rain boots and jackets lol. Courtney is the first person I met of the program. She is very friendly and warm. I love how every time I see her she is in a happy mood and is always smiling. I also like how she loves what she does, history! She is from Maryland and attends Bowie State University. I heard she has a tough mentor but I think she can handle the challenge, she is very smart girl!

So, this a summary of all the people that are in the program with me and that I live with. They are all wonderful people and I expect to learn something from everyone!