Re: Trackball Mouse

I've used the Logitech Trackball Mouse for a while now, so I figured it was time to give it another review.

Overall, the mouse is an easy to use mouse with an easy learning curve. The only tricky operation I found was to drag stuff around. To do drag and drops successfully consistently took some time to master, but it wasn't a big deal and it got easier once you got more accustomed to the track ball. I’ve had no problems with it doing drawings on CAD.

It’s a true plug and play with no software installation required (I’m using it on the company computer and I don’t have privileges to install stuff). Smooth integration between software and hardware (the computer doesn’t notice a difference between which mice I’m using as far as I can tell).

The new mouse did indeed take stress off my wrist. However, my wrist would still hurt occasionally if I’ve been working non-stop with it. That, I believe, is just muscle fatigue from too much usage rather than strain due to improper support and posture.

The mouse is a decently large size, and thus does provide support for the palm and wrist area. However, I only have medium sized hands (so my dish-washing rubber gloves say), and that fact might not hold true with users with larger hands.

Goals, goals, goals

It's that magical time of the year again! No, it's not New Years, it's the countdown to back to school. My year is divided into thirds that rotate between school and co-op. So this goal setting thing actually happens about three times a year. (Better than the once-a-year for New Years right?)

Let's start with short term goals. Things that need to be done ASAP and is more like a to-do list. I'm going to put it out here so I can be accountable to someone in cyberspace.....or at least so I know there's a permanent record of it in this world.

So, what's on my goal list/things to do list for the next little while?

1. Log my PEO Hours
2. Finish Work Report
3. Finish reading 222 notes (It's a course I'm taking next term. One that I particularly dislike and thus, I figured I should get a head start on it.)
4. Review last term's Math course (Because who really remembers all those theories after 4 months?)

Re Amy Chua / Tiger Mom

The internet has been abuzz with Amy Chua's book and her parenting style for quite a while now. I've been quietly reading them and thinking about what people has been saying and felt the need to add in my two cents.

First off, congrats to her daughter who got into Harvard. However, it's NOT a testament of Chua's parenting skills. Her kid was a Harvard shoo-in to start off with. You CANNOT be a prof's kid and not get into their school. Especially when you are the child of two law professors who are also Harvard Alumni. To not get into Harvard would have been a challenge. Their daughters had the perfect conditions given to them regardless of how Chua parented them. They would have been surrounded by the some of the smartest and most motivated people in the world growing up, and they would have had great role models. They had access to basically endless resources, I’m sure money or even time spent with parents was never a problem. Parenting is only a part of the picture, not the whole story. Please people, let's give the children some credit for what they achieved. I believe they would have achieved MORE if Chua didn't control their lives so much actually. They, the daughters, are clearly gifted and motivated individuals.

Second, those daughters are going to need therapy when they are older. I GUARENTEE it. They would be unable to cope with failure, constantly seeking others’ approval, and of course, endlessly trying please their mother. I can only wish them the best when they are faced with failure, because they have probably never learned what it is like. I hope they will be okay when dealing with rejection and disappointment.

Third, Madam Chua, you are a hypocrite and liar to some extent. Your husband is Jewish, and non-asian. There was no way your children would have been exposed to ONLY Asian parenting. No way. Impossible. You, yourself, are rather non-traditionally Asian yourself, and I’m sure it passed on to your daughters through your parenting. Your own life choices defy Asian parenting. Madam, I’m sure growing up, you had more freedom than your daughters. I’m also sure you grew up with less amiable circumstances than your daughters, but you overcame hardships because you were free to make your own choices and claimed ownership over your life. You defied your parents and married a non-Asian. You defied your parents and went into Law. I wonder if your daughters will have the guts to defy you in the future? I wonder how much stuff they hide, or will hide, from you to avoid your disapproval? I wonder how many days and nights your daughters will spend stressing to figure out a way to tell you something. I’m sure if your daughters got tested for their ability to lie, especially lie to you, they’ll be up there with some pretty damn good poker players. Madam Chua, as your daughters grow older, they will grow closer to their father and further from you as their father will offer them understanding and not judge them. I hope you are aware of all this and prepared to deal with what the future has in store. Actually, I know you are prepared. I just hope your daughters are prepared too.

These are my thoughts on what I have gleamed from your interviews and newspaper publications. I have not yet read the book, and I’m sure it’s a lot less severe than what the media makes it out to be. However, my worries and thoughts towards what your daughters will deal with are genuine and some are from experience, because like them, I was raised by a Tiger Mom. I love her dearly, but I sure would appreciate a less painful up-bringing.

To all the Tiger Cubs out there, I want to hear about your experiences. I would be extremely interested to see a book showing the other side of the Asian parenting experience. If anyone IS compiling something of the sort, I’ll be happy to contribute.

Grey's Anatomy: SUCH A GOOD EPI!

This week's epi (song beneath song ?) is SOOOO GOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO WATCH GO WATCH GO WATCH!!!!!!

Coco Cola Mugs

Look what I found at the dollar store! Don't you think they look pretty cool? I think they'll be fabulous for some beer, juice, and of course, cola. Ben, don't you think it'll fit my collection of coco cola bottles perfectly? =D

OPI Nail Polish: Green-wich Village

I bought two OPI nail polishes in January, one purple, one green. I'm going to review the Green-wich Village one day since it's near spring and st. patrick's day. =)

The nail polish has a decent formula, it's a little soft compared to those long-wearing nail polishes, but decently long lasting and durable. You need about three coats to achieve the colour on the bottle, or else it looks more like a lighter lime colour. The green is slightly, very slightly, more yellow than blue. It's not super noticeable and the colour does get darker with each layer you put on. The colour is opaque and without any shimmer or glitter. It's just a nice, glossy, and strong colour. It's not a neon, but it is noticeable and nicely bright.

Overall, it's a pleasant nail polish, easy to use and apply. I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for a green nail polish. It is the true-est green I have found to date. The photos for the nails are below. They were taken by the windows, and there's conveniently some real plants in the background for comparison! =)

Scheduling

Scheduling. Will it be my savior for next term? I'm alright with doing everything I need to do when I'm home on co-op, but I seem to have a knack for destorying any attempts at keeping a sane schedule when I'm away at school. So, with an eye on the future and with my 20/20 hindsight of what happened during the last two years I was at school, I'm going to create a schedule that is hopefully flexible and encompasssing of all that I need to do.

Here's a list of needs and wants that I need to fit into my schedule.

1. 15 minutes to and from class
2. 2 hour of 'me' time a day (it's not excessive at all, because I'm throwing in my showering, teeth brushing....etc time in here)
3. 3 meals a day min.
4. class time.
5. laundry and house cleaning time each week
6. 9 hours of sleep a day (yes, 9 hours. I actually function best when I get 10 hours, and at 8 hours a night, I'm like a zombie.)

I will post what I come up with later. Wish me luck! =)