14th Sponsor Meeting

Yesterday marked the end of visits with Charlie. We basically began to finalize the drawing and consider what materials I will need in order to complete the model, which is still in the process of construction. The model is a lot more time consuming than I thought, but I enjoy working on it except that I have to leave every other period to go to another class. On top of that work from other classes is driving me crazy because I feel like I do not have enough time to do everything i need to do. I'm stressing like crazy and I feel like I'll barely make the deadline of my presentation. I'm trying to focus, but it's a lot harder with all the obligations I have. Next week Charlie wants to discuss how the presentation will go even though I'm just going to do what comes naturally.

13th Sponsor Meeting

Yesterday was the first day that I visited Charlie twice in one week. Anyway, I spent my time yesterday actually creating a drafted diagram of my park. It was a long process. I spent three hours with Charlie. Two of them i spent trying to make the drafted version of the park. It was a long process, but I managed to finish. The other hour was spent doing a final review of variances and ordinances that apply to my project. If any problems applied that may possibly make an issue in the design occur I may have to address it. But lucky for me not a lot of problems appeared to be a hassle to correct. Now I'm on the designing portion and I hope the model will be a whole lot better than the drawing.

12th Sponsor Meeting

I have taken the next step in my project process. Over the past few days I have drawn up sketches and plans for the layout of my park. When I visited Charlie to show him the plan, he was very pleased on what I had created. His feedback was relieving and insightful. He provided suggestions and corrections that I neglected to do and added ideas that I never even thought about. Now I have several connections that i have to make to my original plans and I also must create a blown up version of my park. But before I do anything I must first look at all the setbacks and clearances and possibly fence restrictions that I been recommended to incorporate. I have a lot to do this week for my project since i leave for senior trip next Tuesday.

My Growing Eye for Engineering

My knowledge for Civil Engineering is growing everyday. I've recently picked up the habit of looking for the formation of puddles at intersections while I drive while also looking for inlets for water removal. I mainly notice that a lot of places have natural water removal while others have potholes that fill with water or are naturally sloped on a slant where the water will flow and sit until it evaporates. This habit just appeared and I am now noticing it. I also tend to look for how the layout of intersections suit the flow of the infrastructure. The markings left by surveyors catch my eye whenever I walk down a street or pass by a new development. I believe that the more I study and observe what Charlie looks for and how he identifies problems, the more I become adept at developing my skills.

Anecdote

When I was little boy, I remember playing with this set of building blocks my mother gave as a birthday gift. I spent hours and hours playing with them building variety of things. But this one instance I built this tower that I believed was the coolest thing in the world. This tower seemed to be calling out to me like a voice in the wind. My creation was inspired by the towers on Disney castle that extend high beyond the clouds. This castle sprawled forth all of my hopes and dreams of being a engineer of some sort. Over time that passion developed further as I grew and my outlook on it adapted and changed. As I became influenced by my environment, my passion stayed true. As I entered high school, the passion to just build amazing building changed so slightly that it will make all the difference. I changed my focus of engineering in order to give back to my community and to make a difference which will now make a dramatic impact in the world today.

Another Missed Sponsor Meeting

This week was kind of a bummer because I wasn't able to see Charlie again, but this time he was sick. I managed to find out that he was home sick before I left for his office. His wife who works at the school managed to find me and tell me that Charlie was unavailable. The news was somewhat bitter sweet because I didn't see Charlie, but I then could go to the baseball game that I would of missed. Unfortunately, we lost the game. Anyway, I did begin the designing process of my project today and I hope to add more detail and formulate a better layout than I pictured in my head.

My Weekend

My weekend went as I had planned , but there were a few things that happened that were unexpected. For instance, my step-brother snuck out the house Saturday and was caught which was funny, but I knew about it and I lied to my dad so I wouldn't get in trouble. I felt bad, but I really didn't fell like getting in trouble. I my dad found out, he would lose his trust in me. That bothered me for awhile, but time heals all wounds. Anyway, I had work to do. I managed to finish the feasibility study by my accounts and I also completed the cliff notes that I was assigned to do for chemistry. Overall, my weekend was filled with work to do as well as some excitement.