The Sparks Lady

On Monday, I had two tests to study for: one in Prints reading class and another in Install Methods class. By the afternoon I already had the marks for the Prints test posted on eLearn (Mohawk's online student acess website). I got a 92.5%! The Install test I know I passed, but not sure with what. I studied the chapters we were told about, and reviewed the labs for the class. The content wasn't quite what I thought it would be, and some of the questions seemed vague. We'll see what happens when the marks come in. By Tuesday I decided being an adult and going back to school is a lot of work. By the time I did shopping, cooked dinner and got laundry going, it was already 7:00pm, and I hadn't even started my homework yet, or eat said dinner.  At some point since starting school, it's occurred to me how trusting a group of people all in the same situation can be. Even in the first week, people were leaving bags with new found friends to run off for a couple minutes. Jus...

Well, this week has been a little quieter. We got out marks back on Monday from the Basic Theory review test. Our teacher commented that typically people's marks on the review test are within 5% of what we would have passed Basic Theory with.  I got an 86%, so that sounds about right. There was one person who failed that test. If I had to hazard a guess, I could probably figure out who in the class it is. I wish I could say that I think he just doesn't test well, but based on the questions he asks during class, I can't say I'd buy that excuse. In Monitoring and Communications we wired up a basic fire alarm system in the lab. While I had this class through my college program (it's not something you cover in Basic), I did notice a difference in my speed and understanding of the project. Of course it helps that since then I've done fire alarm systems in a couple buildings. What a huge difference it makes having the real world applications and practical experience...

I had a 2.5 hour theory class. On a Friday afternoon. Who plans this stuff? And this is the same class where we are watching a movie from 1961 made for the US Military about DC motors and generators. Granted the theory or applications are the same as +50 years ago, but in all that time someone must have made something more current. It's almost as bad as the grade 11 science "Miracle of Life" birth control they make you watch. I'd grabbed a drink and a snack from the bookstore to get me through the afternoon. The lady who cashed me out straight up asked, "so, are there any hot guys in your class?" I laughed. After a while, they all look the same, especially with the abundance of lumberjack styled beards that have been cropping up of late. When you've worked with a bunch of guys, after a while they all look the same, smell the same, there's no need to differentiate one from the next.   Yesterday my theory teacher (when I handed in my test) ask...

One week down, nine more to go. I did indeed spend almost as much on books for school ($592) as I did on school ($600), plus parking, plus supplies for the electronics lab, plus, plus, plus. Now that I've gone through a week of me schedule, I've gotten a feel for each of my teachers. Everyone seems knowledgeable and approachable, and a touch of humour (some more than others). I've made some connections with people too. I spent that first day observing the other classmates. There seem to be a range of ages. As the Intermediate level of school is mixed, there is a combination of both the 309A Construction & Maintenence group and 442A Industrial Electrician group. (It separates for the Advanced level). There is also a combination amongst  the 309A crowd who have solely residential experience vs. those who have experience in the commercial side.  I found people that seem to be interested in actually learning and doing well while in school. Sticking with smart, like...

Well, after 16 months of working post-electrical basic schooling, I'm back at it for intermediate. Apart from a former teacher I ran into, and one other classmate I worked with for 4 months, I hadn't  said more than 10 words to anyone else by lunchtime. There seem to be clusters of people that know each other, either they work together or old friends from the last block of school. I thought I was lucky to know even one person. There are 2 other women in the class: the aforementioned former coworker, and another woman who also doesn't appear to know anyone. I made eye contact with her,  but she glanced over me sitting on my own at lunch to take a table to herself. So much for solidarity. The group of 60 in this block are split between 3 different schedules. Some of our schedules overlap, shop time has to be separated for space. I'm curious to see which faces will end up in my group. I have started a list of textbooks I have to buy. By the looks of it, when I...