Thursday, July 20, 2006

What I've been up to



Most of you have noticed the fact that I am not publishing that often anymore. The truth is that I have a new Nintendo DS, yes I know, that's for kids, but, I really like it. I've always liked Mario Bros and I have this game called Brain age that lets me exercise my brain and what not.

Anyway, when I finished up those two classes that I barely passed (God knows how I did it) I got a lot more free time. Most of the Month of July I have been working from home and taking care of Anthony in the Mornings and working on the senior Project in the afternoon, then, whatever time we have remaining I spend it with my family. Life is good. I hope that when I get a real job I get to spend time with the family like that.
To me, teaching my son how to be a decent person is very important, I only have one shot of getting it right and I don't want to screw up my son's life by not giving him the proper guidence. I don't want to be overbearing but I don't want him to be spoiled either. I want to show him everything I know about life. Does not sum up to much. But I guess here it goes:

-Self Control is key.
Got to have that self discipline. A lot of people out there want instant gratification, but things are so much sweeter when you work a little bit harder for it.

-Honesty and Honor
I would like to implement that without being too strict. I want him not to lie, cheat or steal. I would like him to be a trustworthy person.

-Education.
Go to college. Any Major. Does not matter. Do what you like. But don't worry if you don't know what you want yet. Go to school.

-Learn to question Authority.
Learn to think. Find out the reason. Question everything. Learn what it means to know something. Don't just believe something because someone told you so, find out on your own.

Ok, I think I've written enough. I have to get to work. But It's good to put my thoughts on my blog. This is what I've been doing.

Oh, another thing I wanted to mention. I have found some Computer Science and Engineering video lectures from some elite schools. I think it is awesome to see how they teach programming at MIT, I am listening to the lectures and actually following two courses, one in graduate level Computer Architecture and another first-year undergraduate introduction to Programming, the first year course is fascinating, I would be a much better programmer now If I would have taken that course my freshman year. The name of the class Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs. Anyway, here's the link to all the videos if anyone is interested.

Link to MIT's OpenCourseware, I love them with all of my heart for this. Thank you MIT.

J.V.

6 comments:

Loralee Choate said...

I have really thought about getting that for my kids (Being a die-hard Mario lover and that I think that brain thing would be cool).

Still, it's nice you came back to post. I think that you and Martha are incredible parents. Your list is perfect and balanced. I wish that I had more guidance on #1 from my parents. I did not, and my life has really suffered because of it.

Keep up the good work.

Jose said...

Well Thank you so much Loralee.
I try to be a good Dad, and I know that I will not be perfect one, but it's good to try.

The DS is awesome. Martha is freaking addicted though, she's playing as we speak. She can multi-task though, If I sit down to play I am gone from this world.

Froyd said...

Nintendo DS ROCKS.

My suggestion is Mario Kart DS and Advance Wars DS.

those two games, wow. I got those for my birthday, I haven't needed to get any other games since.

Of course, time is in relatively short supply, but totally worth it.

Jose said...

My Friend has Mario Kart, and I'm totally getting it, along with Tetris. I used to have Mario Kart on Super Nintendo, you know, back in the day, oh how I used to spend whole afternoons playing....

What's Advanced wars about?

Froyd said...

Advance Wars? It's tough to explain. it's sorta like a strategy game where you control tanks, infantry, atillery, navy, air force...the graphics are cartoony, but it's a very very good game.

I love it. It's one of the few games I'll play all the way through, over and over again, and still not be bored.

Just give it a try, guarantee that you'll be hooked.

Michael said...

i'm going to bookmark those links for MIT and check them out when I am on break after my summer class but before fall.

This fall I'm taking both C# programming and Java programming... should be interesting.

What a way to start off the junior year huh?