I heard an interesting quote not too long ago, I think it was by the CEO of Home Depot. Something along the lines of "No one can reach their full potential without being coached". It has been ringing through my head for several weeks now and at first it made me a little upset, that I possibly couldn't reach my potential on my own and that it would be stupid to go out and get a life coach to follow me around. Then I realized that I do receive a lot of coaching - from my friends, and all the random people I encounter.
The random stranger's/new coworkers feedback is an underestimated feedback tool. If I don't like how I'm being treated, and I get it from several people, I am probably doing something wrong and should figure out what needs to change. However, the best coaching I receive is from a few select friends (males), my significant other included, who are always honest, even if it hurts to hear it. I love that. I used to hate it, but what better way to show you care about someone than holding them accountable for being their best. I'm so lucky. Of course, it would be way creepy if I went out and told them all of this, so I just write about it in my blog.
I propose that we all start holding each other more accountable for being our best. You know your friends the best, and vice versa. It's probably difficult for most people not to sound like they are nagging if they do this, but I bet if we picked our battles wisely it might work out.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Ketchup. Catsup? Catchup.
Whats going on blog.
This will be an informative post, somewhat disjointed because I am tired.
My second semester went reasonably well, not as stellar as my first semester. I got an A in Linear Systems Theory, A minus in Digital Controls, and B+ in Nonlinear Optimization. The B+ pissed me off but it was a hard class. However, that professor is a genius and I am grateful for the challenge.
I had a project due in Digital Controls and I put a lot of stress on myself to complete it a few days early because Nadia was coming into town (which was awwwwwsome), and I thought I was going to fail that class. However, I am discovering that I really need to learn how not to use stress and emotion as a motivator because in this case it made me unable to think. I was getting an ulcer because I kept running into road blocks with the project and could not get a solution. It physically hurt and I realized that I might not be cut out for research work. However, by some miracle I did reasonably well.
Prior to this project I had been giving a lot of thought to a PhD. I have a friend with whom I confide in regarding career choices and decisions, and he vice versa. We spoke about the pros and cons of a PhD and possibly a Masters Thesis. Now I am of the mindset "If I can do it, I should do it" because it would only be a waste if I didn't. I just don't know if I want to though. I am about to turn 28. I need to start it next year if I am going to do it. Let's face it, the clock is ticking on a lot of things, especially if I want to have kids.
Pro's of a PhD:
-I can stand up and say "I am!" when someone asks "IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?!"
-Enormous sense of accomplishment
-Sweet red robe at graduation
-Actually contributing something to the engineering field
I just don't think I'd be doing it for the right reasons. What does everyone think about the "If I can do it, I should do it" mentality?
I've done a lot of cool stuff since school let out. My mom and my brother came to visit me, which made me so happy and Nadia later. I am getting better at not being a bitch to my family but it is still hard. Kris was in town and we went hiking in Malibu. We also went to the Dodgers/Tigers game and rode our bikes to the stadium from Silver Lake. One night during his stay we went a great restaurant in Silver Lake called "Cliff's Edge". Our relationship is evolving and always getting better. I also went to the Huntington to see the Corpse Flower which blooms once every few years.
And new pictures!
http://picasaweb.google.com/Crystal.Nassouri/
I am disappointed in myself that I haven't done a better job documenting my travels. My plan is to come home in Dec/Jan after I am done, and drive back. Hopefully get my brother or Kris to drive back with me. I just started to appreciate this place, which I knew would happen. I kept telling myself to suck up my loneliness and enjoy it because it would not last forever. My mind is like the angel and devil on your shoulders: Crazy rampant emotion vs Sound logic.
A week after school ended, I started working at GM in Torrance. I was very excited, and hoping to get a project that I could use for a Master's Thesis. Unfortunately this has been a bit disappointing. I was ready to hit the ground running and it took a long time to get a project defined. My mentor admitted that she did not know what I would be doing but eventually I was assigned to work on test bench diagnostics.
My project was 90% complete about a week in, and since then I have been dragging out the last 10%. I just do my homework and study for the circuits class I am taking. Millenworks offered me an internship that I had to turn down. So did Intel. I am so bummed out. Also, I am getting screwed on my GM pay for reasons I won't go into. I've been considering ending my GM internship early and picking up the rest of the summer with Millenworks. They offered me part time work in the Fall, which I might take, and employment after work.
However, for the sake of my relationship with Kris I'm going to have to turn it down and return to Michigan. I am so torn. I am almost afraid to go back to Michigan. Mostly I am afraid of falling back into bad habits and feeling depressed again. Life is so easy here. It has its difficulties of course but this is my exploration paradise. I hope that Kris and I can live out here when he is done with his PhD.
So I've seen two unique movies lately. Splice, and Coco/Igor (a movie about Chanel). Splice...wtf. Go see it and then let's talk about all the insanity behind that movie, plus the somewhat bad acting. Coco/Igor was good. Subtitles and everything.
Also crazy bitch roommate moved out and my friend Vanessa and her BF Ryan moved in. Thank goodness there are some polite people left in this world. Did I mention her? Ex roommate has stomach problems and used to blow up the bathroom but not wash her hands after. It must have been an effort to save water, because we are in California and all.
This will be an informative post, somewhat disjointed because I am tired.
My second semester went reasonably well, not as stellar as my first semester. I got an A in Linear Systems Theory, A minus in Digital Controls, and B+ in Nonlinear Optimization. The B+ pissed me off but it was a hard class. However, that professor is a genius and I am grateful for the challenge.
I had a project due in Digital Controls and I put a lot of stress on myself to complete it a few days early because Nadia was coming into town (which was awwwwwsome), and I thought I was going to fail that class. However, I am discovering that I really need to learn how not to use stress and emotion as a motivator because in this case it made me unable to think. I was getting an ulcer because I kept running into road blocks with the project and could not get a solution. It physically hurt and I realized that I might not be cut out for research work. However, by some miracle I did reasonably well.
Prior to this project I had been giving a lot of thought to a PhD. I have a friend with whom I confide in regarding career choices and decisions, and he vice versa. We spoke about the pros and cons of a PhD and possibly a Masters Thesis. Now I am of the mindset "If I can do it, I should do it" because it would only be a waste if I didn't. I just don't know if I want to though. I am about to turn 28. I need to start it next year if I am going to do it. Let's face it, the clock is ticking on a lot of things, especially if I want to have kids.
Pro's of a PhD:
-I can stand up and say "I am!" when someone asks "IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?!"
-Enormous sense of accomplishment
-Sweet red robe at graduation
-Actually contributing something to the engineering field
I just don't think I'd be doing it for the right reasons. What does everyone think about the "If I can do it, I should do it" mentality?
I've done a lot of cool stuff since school let out. My mom and my brother came to visit me, which made me so happy and Nadia later. I am getting better at not being a bitch to my family but it is still hard. Kris was in town and we went hiking in Malibu. We also went to the Dodgers/Tigers game and rode our bikes to the stadium from Silver Lake. One night during his stay we went a great restaurant in Silver Lake called "Cliff's Edge". Our relationship is evolving and always getting better. I also went to the Huntington to see the Corpse Flower which blooms once every few years.
And new pictures!
http://picasaweb.google.com/Crystal.Nassouri/
I am disappointed in myself that I haven't done a better job documenting my travels. My plan is to come home in Dec/Jan after I am done, and drive back. Hopefully get my brother or Kris to drive back with me. I just started to appreciate this place, which I knew would happen. I kept telling myself to suck up my loneliness and enjoy it because it would not last forever. My mind is like the angel and devil on your shoulders: Crazy rampant emotion vs Sound logic.
A week after school ended, I started working at GM in Torrance. I was very excited, and hoping to get a project that I could use for a Master's Thesis. Unfortunately this has been a bit disappointing. I was ready to hit the ground running and it took a long time to get a project defined. My mentor admitted that she did not know what I would be doing but eventually I was assigned to work on test bench diagnostics.
My project was 90% complete about a week in, and since then I have been dragging out the last 10%. I just do my homework and study for the circuits class I am taking. Millenworks offered me an internship that I had to turn down. So did Intel. I am so bummed out. Also, I am getting screwed on my GM pay for reasons I won't go into. I've been considering ending my GM internship early and picking up the rest of the summer with Millenworks. They offered me part time work in the Fall, which I might take, and employment after work.
However, for the sake of my relationship with Kris I'm going to have to turn it down and return to Michigan. I am so torn. I am almost afraid to go back to Michigan. Mostly I am afraid of falling back into bad habits and feeling depressed again. Life is so easy here. It has its difficulties of course but this is my exploration paradise. I hope that Kris and I can live out here when he is done with his PhD.
So I've seen two unique movies lately. Splice, and Coco/Igor (a movie about Chanel). Splice...wtf. Go see it and then let's talk about all the insanity behind that movie, plus the somewhat bad acting. Coco/Igor was good. Subtitles and everything.
Also crazy bitch roommate moved out and my friend Vanessa and her BF Ryan moved in. Thank goodness there are some polite people left in this world. Did I mention her? Ex roommate has stomach problems and used to blow up the bathroom but not wash her hands after. It must have been an effort to save water, because we are in California and all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)