Sunday was work filled. I had some homework, a report, and a presentation for CIS 320 (telecom) and writing on my thesis proposal for ISAT 491 (senior thesis seminar).

Yesterday I met with Jeremy, an ISAT Major, and the manager of Product Support at Fairfield Language Technologies. Jeremy has joined me on my thesis project. We are going to try to simulate the Product Support call center. This is the place that customer questions and problems are escalated to for support.

Today I had ISAT 351 (biotech). Dr. Bachmann discussed different cancers, skin cancer and it's causes. He showed us slides with pictures of melanoma skin cancer. He discussed heredity of cancer as well.

Next up for today, ISAT 344 (intelligent systems), lunch break, and then ISAT 341 (simulation and modeling). After 341, I have a meeting with Dr. Henriksen and Jeremy to discuss details of our thesis.

In the afternoon, I went to work and investigated a problem we are having with PowerBooks and the photography team. Every time they print we get the same error on the color laserjet. It's become really frustrating because we can't pinpoint the cause of the problem, and it's a difficult problem to troubleshoot.

I left work early to come back to campus for a Research Advisory Committee meeting. We discussed the recommendations about the future structure of the committee, and research issues within the university community. It's always an interesting meeting, because it's an aspect of the university that not many students have the opportunity to see.

After the committee meeting, I went over to the Harrisonburg
Children's Museum to finish up my Community Service Learning Project. This weekend I need to write up the project to turn it in to CIS 320 next week.

Today, in ISAT 351 (Biotech) we discussed the causes of baldness and various treatments. We finished up a group project deliverable for ISAT 344 (Intelligent Systems). And I met with Dr. Henriksen to discuss more details with my senior thesis. I've decided to start writing my proposal and find a company to work with later.

This evening, I went to work and continued to troubleshoot the printer problem. I think it's a firmware issue with the printers or jetdirect devices that connect the printers to the network. Then, I spent the rest of my time moving my desk to a new place within the Technical Services area. I feel like I've spent more time in the past few weeks moving my desk, than I have actually being productive.

I've got to get some sleep so I can be ready to answer questions for ISAT 252 Lab with Dr. Cushman in the morning.

This morning Dr. Bachmann reviewed our exams and peer review responsibilities for our research papers (ISAT 351 �?? Biotech). Dr.Marchal is out of town, so ISAT 344 (Intelligent Systems) was cancelled and we had a group meeting to work on a deliverable for our Artificial Neural network.

This afternoon I met with Dr. Henriksen to discuss some problems I'm having with my senior thesis proposal. I haven't been able to get the details I need from the company I'm working with to begin to write the proposal and determine if the hopes and dreams of the company can be met with a simulation.

I finally got to take a peak at the 2006 Onedisc that JMU sends to all newly admitted students. To those students who may be reading, congratulations! Welcome to JMU, class of 2010! I have received many compliments for my contribution to the video section of the disc, and I was anxious to see how it turned out. Everyone in University Communications and Marketing did a great job with putting the entire disc together (as well as making The Madison Channel possible).

Here's a picture of the farmer's panel, with Dr. Bachman moderating. See more pictures of the conference.

After helping all day with the conference I am exausted, but I went to ISAT 491 (Senior Thesis I) to review my annotated bibliography for my thesis proposal, then went to work for a few hours. On my way out of ISAT the heavens opened and a downpour of rain began. It was the first real spring thundershower.

Now, I'm going to collapse into my bed.

Dr. Marchal, in ISAT 344 (Intelligent Systems) reviewed material, as next week he is going to be out of town and has canceled class. I have some work to do on some assignment point recovery this weekend for his class.

This afternoon my group met for ISAT 341 (Simulation & Modeling) to work on our group project for Dr. Henriksen (it is due tomorrow). We took a break and reconvened at 5 pm to finish up some work.

I've got to do some work on my senior thesis introduction and annotated bibliography. I'll let you know how it goes!

Yesterday afternoon, I spent time at the Harrisonburg Children�??s Museum, in downtown Harrisonburg working on a Community Service Learning Project for CIS 320 (Telecom). I am updating their reception computer, and ensuring security on their network. I installed some software for them, and tested their connectivity throughout the museum.

This afternoon, I am going to meet with the Director of Operations of the museum to donate several iMac computers from Fairfield Language Technologies. It�??s a great opportunity for the two entities to connect and share resources.

Right now I�??m ready for CIS 320 Exam review, I�??ll post more later.

In CIS 320 (Telecom) we reviewed our exam study guide in preparation for exam on Friday. It is going to cover a large amount of material, but it shouldn't be too difficult because we've had quizzes on all the material along the way.

This evening at work I had to replace the broken midplane of an iMac G5 with the working midplane of another machine with a broken screen and power supply. That way at least one of the two iMacs are functional. It was exciting when I screwed the midplane in, connected the power and the machine booted successfully!

Tomorrow morning I have my ISAT 351 (Biotech) exam, so I've got to finish up studying.

Friday afternoon at work, I worked on diagnosing the status of several returned iMac G5 computers. We use those machines at our kiosk locations located throughout the states.

Friday evening, I had a group meeting with Dr. Henriksen and my Simulation group to discuss the status and changes needed for our model. Our model was relatively well built and accurate. We only need to change some minor details and naming of entities.

After the group meeting, I went out to eat to celebrate Lauren's roommate's birthday! It was her 20th �?? Happy Birthday Megan!!

On Saturday, I went to my house and went through some boxes of stuff from when I was in High School, trying to consolidate and get rid of the stuff I don't need or use. We cut the stack of boxes in half, which is exciting because it's less stuff I have sitting around taking up space at my parents house �?? which makes them happier.

Today has been work-filled and productive. I had a group meeting to work on an Artificial Neural Network project for ISAT 344 (Intelligent Systems). Followed by some reviewing of ISAT 351 (Biotech) slides in preparation for my exam on Tuesday. This evening I've been working on a quiz and review for CIS 320 �?? we have an exam on Friday. Sunday is traditionally workday to catch up on the things I didn't do over the weekend that I should have.

Tomorrow brings the beginning of another week, and I'll write later to fill in how it went.

This afternoon, Congressman Goodlatte and Congressman Blunt visited ISAT and met with JMU President Dr. Rose, Dr. Warner , Dr. Brown, Dr. Noftsinger, CISAT Dean Dr. Benson and other JMU students and faculty. I spoke with several of the students and faculty that were outside ISAT to greet the congressmen.

JMU President Linwood Rose with Congressmen Roy Blunt and Bob Goodlatte. More Photos

Congressmen Blunt & Goodlatte with CISAT Dean Jerry Benson. More Photos

Me with the Ford Escape Hybrid, one of ISAT's alternative fuel vehicles. More Photos

Rep. Goodlatte announced that he is working to introduce a bill in the house to support American competitiveness in innovation and technology. He called the bill The Innovation and Competitiveness Act. Both Rep. Goodlatte and Rep. Blunt complemented Dr. Rose and the university on their forward thinking and aggressiveness toward funding. Rep. Goodlatte mentioned the cautions of using earmarking in legislation and said through reform, the process could be completed with the right steps to make it a successful way to provide funding to specific projects. It will be exciting to see how this affects the university research funding. Hopefully it will allow the expansion of a Biodiesel processing and testing facility.

After Rep. Goodlatte's speech I went to ISAT 341 (Simulation and Modeling) to work on finishing the baseline model for my group project. We have a meeting tomorrow afternoon to put some finishing touches on it before we meet with Dr. Henriksen to discuss the project.

I've got to get to work on a quiz due in the morning for CIS 320 (Telcom).

Also, if you have any questions about any aspect of JMU �?? feel free to contact me!

Mrs. Greens had Breakfast for Lunch (Eggs, Bacon, and French Toast), which made for a great meal!

This afternoon, I was at work taking apart some iMac G5 computers to troubleshoot and diagnose their various issues. The majority unfortunately have Logic Board problems and are cost prohibitive to fix.

Tomorrow will be an early morning, as I'm going to help Dr. Bachmann prepare for a visit from Rep. Goodlatte and Rep. Blunt. They are discussing Alternative Fuels and future projects at JMU. I'm headed to bed to get some sleep for tomorrow!

It snowed off and on all day, which could have been nice, but it really made campus cold and wet (which is not really fun).

This afternoon I had my Simulation Exam, which went better than I expected. The exam covered more material I knew better (I think that since it was my second exam in this class I knew how to better prepare).

Tonight I met with my group for Simulation and continued coding our discrete event simulation project in ProModel. We've got a bit more work to do tomorrow evening, but it is slowly coming along.

That's all for now, time to get some sleep!

CIS 320 (Telecom in Business) went well. Dr. Choi lectured on topics discussed in my ISAT 464 class: Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTNs), telephone carriers and related regulations, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). We discussed the use of Skype for communications via the internet.

I had a deliverable due for ISAT 341 (Simulation and Modeling) and I forgot to bring it with me when I went to class, so that caused more back and forth running in my day between my apartment and Showker.

This afternoon I'll be rather busy, I've got to get to work for a bit to check on my desk (they were going to change cube walls), then find time for dinner before I head back to ISAT to lead the review session for ISAT 252 (they have a test on Wednesday night). Then tonight I've got to crack open my books again to review for an ISAT 341 exam tomorrow afternoon.

Right now I'm waiting for a class to finish up so my CIS 320 Lab on Wireless Networking can begin.

Before spring break my team in Intelligent Systems (ISAT 344) turned in an Expert Knowledge Base project. It was a vacation selector that asked questions to determine what vacation destination fit the users preference best.

A month ago I sent my resume in for a summer internship position with a contractor in Northern Virginia. I was called in for an interview the Friday before spring break. The interview was a great experience and consisted of an introduction to the company, a lunch with several project leads and employees, and then four individual interviews. I was very impressed with the entire process; it shows that there are employers who really care about their employees, and candidates for employment. I received an email last Monday offering me the internship! I am excited about this great opportunity for my summer. I'll be spending my summer in the DC area working with the contractor.

For spring break I went to Duck, NC on the Outer Banks. The weather was rainy on Monday, a little cool mid-week, and beautiful on Friday (of course, the day we leave it gets nice). Since it was still out-of-season many of the shops were closed or just opening for the season.

This is the Atlantic Ocean and the beach access to the resort.

Here is the outdoor pool (which we never used because its not heated) and some of the units at the resort.

We didn't get in the water, as it was very cold�?� instead we walked the beach.

Last week was busy trying to get back into the groove from break. At work I prepared some computers for donation to the Harrisonburg Children's Museum in downtown Harrisonburg. Classes are preparing for our second round of exams in the next few weeks, which will be absorbing most of my time. I'm also starting to prepare my Senior Thesis proposal, which is nerve-wracking because next year is my last year of college!

This weekend I went home with Lauren to celebrate her father's birthday. We had a great weekend, and enjoyed the snowstorm that hit JMU remotely. Friday night I watched the opening of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics, and have been trying to catch some coverage of the games. I have been frustrated with the number of commercials, and the fact that Italy is 6 hours behind, so that gives the network an excuse to show pre-taped footage.

I've also started the first steps of my Senior Thesis. I am going to be working with Fairfield Language Technologies (software developer of Rosetta Stone Language Learning Software) and Dr. Henriksen to simulate the Computer Help Desk process flow, and optimize the system.

Sorry to cut this short, but I am a Teachers Assistant (TA) for ISAT 252 - Analytical Methods (the course covers Visual Basic .NET, HTML, and Knowledge Bases), and I need to help the students.

This semester I'm taking ISAT 341, Simulation and Modeling with Dr. Henriksen, for the IKM Sector; ISAT 344, Intelligent Systems with Dr. Marchal, for IKM Concentration; CIS 320, Business Telecommunications with Dr. Choi, for Telecom Sector; ISAT 351, Biotech in the New Millennium II with Dr. Bachmann; and ISAT 491, Senior Thesis with Dr. Goodall, Mr. Henriksen, and Dr. Tang (reality that graduation is about a year away, has set in). Also, I am a Teacher's Assistant (TA) for ISAT 252, Analytical Methods (Software Development using Visual Basic, HTML, and Knowledge Bases), for Dr. Cushman.

I've got a full schedule this semester besides classes, as I am working 15 hours a week at FLT. I've also returned to an exercise schedule and am visiting UREC three times a week.

Time for Simulation and Modeling Lab. In lab we build models of manufacturing processing systems and how they operate. The animations that come with PROMODEL (the modeling software) move around as the simulation is running. Once the simulation has been run, the results analysis begins.