Throwback Blog: My All De Anza Review Blog

Blogger’s Note: Throwback blogs are blogs from my past. I start posting past blogs reflecting what I wrote. It's like my "A Second Look" blogs for which I give myself feedback.

Today's throwback blog is titled My All De Anza Review Blog in Dec 2012. I blogged a self Q&A discussing my experiences at De Anza College. I reread my review blog. There was one answer I questioned today. One of the reasons I started taking Accounting classes was companies not hiring during the great recession. I know two people who found jobs in 2009. Time will tell whether my two years at De Anza pays off which currently has not.

Blogger's note: I wanted to blog my all De Anza review when I found a job. Unfortunately, I haven't found a job. The timing is appropriate to post my review. I use a Q&A interview format pretending 60 Minutes' correspondent Steve Kroft is interviewing me. My favorite articles were the financial crisis and real estate bubble.

The blog entry is unedited for grammar and content. 60 Minutes is represented by "60M" and I'm represented by "RM".

Introduction

60M: It's been 18 months since Raymond Mar attended De Anza College. Mr. Mar earned an AA degree in Accounting. His contract job at a telecommunications company was terminated in 2008. The financial crisis and real estate bubble bursted at that time. "I knew family and friends who lost their jobs," said Mar. He chose to go back to school rather than look for a job in a bleak job market.

We sit down and ask whether going back to De Anza was worth his time from Mar. 2009 to June 2011.

Interview

60M: What inspired you to go back to school?

RM: Actually, my first classes were ballroom dancing, strength training, and beginning Japanese. I dropped Japanese because the instructor, the sensei, taught too fast. I asked my friends who took Japanese at other colleges. All of them agreed I must drop Japanese. I saw a classmate in another class the next quarter. She said half of the class dropped before finals.

60M: What about ballroom dancing and strength training?

RM: My sister encouraged me to take ballroom dancing. She competed in amateur ballroom dancing competitions. She also went to school, and she didn't have time to teach me. As for strength training, I wanted to take a class to learn how to lift weights properly.

Ballroom dancing was fun. I met lots of people and made lots of friends. I met my girlfriend, too.

60M: In Fall '09, you choose to take an accounting class.

RM: Accounting was one of my majors I wanted to change after quitting majoring in Mathematics at San Jose State. I choose Economics. I thought I take the first accounting class and see what happens. If I liked it, I continue and work my way to earn an AA degree. After all, nobody was hiring during the financial meltdown. I had lots of free time.

As it turned out, I liked accounting and continued taking accounting classes, as well as taking ballroom dancing.

60M: You were a little careless taking your accounting classes.

RM: I admit I was a little careless. I took a couple of classes I didn't need to take. It turned out those couple of classes were taught by terrible instructors. One class was a complete waste of time. I should have dropped it when that class had too many students. That Spring '10 quarter I took that overcrowded class was the busiest quarter in terms of homework and studying.

Yeah, I should have planned out what classes to take. On the other hand, I wanted to take that overcrowded class when the first opportunity came to me because I never know when the next time the class was offered considering budget cuts.

60M: What were the biggest mistakes you made?

RM: I start with two mistakes I corrected. The first mistake was taking Japanese. Fortunately, I dropped the class. The second mistake was taking Advanced Accounting, a class I didn't need to take.

60M: It sounds like Advanced Accounting was required.

RM: It wasn't. I took the class out of self interest after I earned my AA degree. The professor was the worse professor ever, and that includes San Jose State. He couldn't lecture and couldn't explain the concepts just to save his life. We played games.

60M: Games?

RM: Yeah, games. Once a week, he brought these buzzers. All the students were divided in teams. The professor asked questions and the students answered them correctly to earn extra credit. You don't need extra credit because his grading was easier than high school exams.

Another game was the professor show an image he took in campus. Located and identify the image and you earned extra credit. Likewise for movies. The professor showed a clip from a movie related to accounting. Identify the movie and you earned extra credit.

Anyways, the third mistake that I failed to correct was taking a singing class. I took singing after playing Beatles Rock Band. I was inspired to learn how to sing better because I was the singer in the video game. There was nothing wrong with the instructor. It was just that the class didn't meet my expectations and I wasted gas and time driving to campus for just one evening.

The lesson was sometimes its okay to quit. There were more important priorities and better uses for my time.

60M: What were the lessons you learned? Of course you learned accounting.

RM: The lessons were everyone is human, go with the flow, timing is everything, and use it or lose it.

60M: Those four are life lessons.

RM: Yup, life lessons. Going back to De Anza was a second chance in my life. It was my mulligan card. I wanted to correct my mistakes or don't repeat my mistakes I did at San Jose State. I wanted to experience life as a college student again. I wanted to be a college student the right way.

60M: What was the right way?

RM: I wanted to meet new people and make new friends. (Thank you Facebook.) I wanted to experience new experiences and seek new adventures. For example, there was ballroom dancing I mentioned earlier. Others included hiking, visiting the Charles Schulz museum, playing Starcraft 2, visiting Monterey and Carmel, and much more. I didn't want to take college seriously like I did at San Jose State. Have fun, relax. Complete homework and projects last minute. Don't study too hard. Open myself up to something new from the simple try new foods to the first time moments riding a San Francisco cable car, and dating.

60M: Fall '10 was your best quarter. Why?

RM: That quarter I met the most people and made the most friends. One class everyone worked in teams for in-class work and for group presentation. I was lucky my group was the best in teamwork and presentation. The rest of the other groups experienced problems. The downside was the instructor was a bitch.

60M: Lol

RM: The downside of Fall '10 was I had to attend classes four days a week instead of two days for all of the other quarters.

Another best was the movie of the week checking out a DVD from the library. All of the DVDs I checked out must be from the American Film Institute Top 100 list in 1997, not 2007. *looking at the list* Some of the movies I watched were Midnight Cowboy, Citizen Kane, On The Waterfront, Singin' In The Rain, Some Like It Hot, Chinatown, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Philadelphia Story, Vertigo, The French Connection, and Yankee Doodle Dandy. I also watched Rosemary's Baby.

60M: Some people say you should not have gone back to school. Instead you either find another job despite the bad economy or take a class on a specialty skill such as a software program. Further, even though you have an AA degree in Accounting and a BS in Economics from San Jose State, you're having problems finding a job now since many jobs want relevant and/or recent job experience. How do you respond?

RM: If I went back in time to Mar 2009, I still go back to De Anza, or at least Sept 2009 when I took my first accounting class. The experiences, the people, the memories, the lessons on life, everything from Mar 2009 to June 2011 made me a better person who I am today. I mentioned earlier about the mulligan. Everyone deserves a mulligan. I used my mulligan on going back to school.

Going back to De Anza was like a time out in my life, a long time out. Going back to De Anza was a life refresher, to rediscover who I am, to find who I wasn't. Slow down, relax, don't repeat my past mistakes again. It was a time to be a grown up, a mature person. Everything, everything I experienced I apply for all my present and future relationships, my careers, and my daily living life.

I'm optimistic I find a job. I was interviewed seven times this year. I received calls from recruiters and hiring managers. It's a matter of when I find a job and start my life after college part 2. I need a little luck and timing in my favor.

60M: What was your worse quarter?

RM: I say Winter '11, technically my last quarter. I got sick and missed a week. The instructor for my Intro to Business was boring. Oh, BTW, I still remember the videos we watched and that opening theme song.

Spring '10 came in second. Listening to Beatles, classical music, classic jazz, and Vocaloid music helped me study well.

60M: You choose to continue taking an accounting class in Spring '11, the quarter after you graduated. Why?

RM: I enrolled in Auditing and Advanced Accounting. I dropped Advanced Accounting as mentioned earlier. Auditing was a hard class. I actually learned a few things I apply when I hear business news about disclaimers, security breaches, fraud, and embezzlement. It wasn't a waste of time. I was in survival mode for most of Spring '11, yet I didn't take the class too seriously such that I spent hours and hours studying. I had a life.

Auditing was a class to complete the full circle of all the accounting classes I took.

60M: In the Auditing class, you met a classmate who graduated at a CSU school with a business degree. Tell me what information she gave you.

RM: That recent graduate was smart and a quick learner. I remember one class meeting she arrived late. We had an in-class assignment. She opened the chapter, read a few pages, and then answered the questions correctly. She never took auditing as an undergraduate.

The information she told me was clarifying graduating with a BA in accounting. There was no such thing as an accounting degree, at least at the CSU schools. Business majors graduated with a business degree with an emphasis in accounting, or finance, or marketing. We went to the library, went online to compare an AA degree in Accounting and a BA in Business-Accounting. There was little difference. Most of the classes for an AA degree were the same classes for a BA. The major difference was two or three classes not taught at junior college. Further, if I were to transfer, I had to retake at least my two quarters of Intermediate Accounting because those credits were non-transferrable.

The bottom line was I could have a BA in Business-Accounting should I count my GE classes at San Jose State. It's those two or three classes that made the difference between an AA and a BA. How about that. Something to think about. I bet most BA or BS majors don't know just a couple of classes makes the difference between another BA or BS and an AA degree.

60M: How were the instructors overall?

RM: Overall, the instructors were good. Most of the part time instructors were good. Some of them really cared and some took time to share life experiences. The full time instructors were so-so. Having said that, students going to community colleges, I suggest you favor part timers.

60M: Timing was in your favor. You got all your classes at favorable times, with the exception of Fall '10 when you attended school four days a week. The friends who still attend De Anza said it's worse now.

RM: It's one of my life lessons I learned. Timing is everything. All my friends told me overcrowding is at the worse and classes are harder to get. They're seeing older age people unemployed going back to school.

60M: Share some little tid bits.

RM: I remember World Cup '10 was huge. The cafeteria had big screen projectors. I remember a group of card gamers moving all the tables together and playing card games. They're a perfect example of geek gamers. Do I want to meet them? No.

The cooks who worked the grill gave lots and lots of fries when people ordered the burger combos. Even their breakfast menu was decent. Prices were all reasonable. No refills on fountain drinks.

The only time I cut class was when I was sick. I never cut class just for the heck of it. To be honest, there was no reason to cut just for the heck of it.

There were three rooms I attended classes two or more times. Two of the three rooms I earned A grades all the time. Moreover, all my classes took place in two buildings and the computer lab, with the exception of the singing and ballroom dancing.

I ate lunch outside De Anza two times, and they were all on the first day of school for the two quarters.

60M: Compare the students at De Anza to when you were a student attending San Jose State.

RM: De Anza students had cell phones and smart phones. San Jose State students a few had cell phones, and you needed either a land line or pager to communicate. Email was spreading slowly. De Anza students could buy books on the web or at the bookstore, or buy a cheaper .pdf copy. San Jose State students bought at the bookstores only. The short answer was technology and communicating.

De Anza students could take tests and submit homework online. San Jose State students all work were done in class. And De Anza students had portable mp3 players for music. San Jose State students had walkmans.

De Anza students registered online. San Jose State students register by phone using a class scheduled printed hardcopy.

60M: Raymond Mar continues to think about De Anza occasionally, much more than San Jose State. He believes college students today have an easier time than when he attended San Jose State. Students today use technology to help with their assignments, keep in touch with friends and instructors, register for classes, and get their final grades. On the other hand, he fears that the technology today can make more people being alone and too independent.

The biggest mistake when he attended San Jose State was meeting very little people. That should be life lesson number #5: always meet new people.

Mar has experienced recruiters and hiring managers not considering him because of his lack of recent job experience and going back to school. What you do being unemployed can be just as important as what you did at your recent job. Right now is the best time to hire Mr. Mar because he's a better person who's more professional and more mature than ever.

Email: feedbackininblog@innovateinfinitely.com

My All De Anza Review Blog

Blogger's note: I wanted to blog my all De Anza review when I found a job. Unfortunately, I haven't found a job. The timing is appropriate to post my review. I use a Q&A interview format pretending 60 Minutes' correspondent Steve Kroft is interviewing me. My favorite articles were the financial crisis and real estate bubble.

The blog entry is unedited for grammar and content. 60 Minutes is represented by "60M" and I'm represented by "RM".

Introduction

60M: It's been 18 months since Raymond Mar attended De Anza College. Mr. Mar earned an AA degree in Accounting. His contract job at a telecommunications company was terminated in 2008. The financial crisis and real estate bubble bursted at that time. "I knew family and friends who lost their jobs," said Mar. He chose to go back to school rather than look for a job in a bleak job market.

We sit down and ask whether going back to De Anza was worth his time from Mar. 2009 to June 2011.

Interview

60M: What inspired you to go back to school?

RM: Actually, my first classes were ballroom dancing, strength training, and beginning Japanese. I dropped Japanese because the instructor, the sensei, taught too fast. I asked my friends who took Japanese at other colleges. All of them agreed I must drop Japanese. I saw a classmate in another class the next quarter. She said half of the class dropped before finals.

60M: What about ballroom dancing and strength training?

RM: My sister encouraged me to take ballroom dancing. She competed in amateur ballroom dancing competitions. She also went to school, and she didn't have time to teach me. As for strength training, I wanted to take a class to learn how to lift weights properly.

Ballroom dancing was fun. I met lots of people and made lots of friends. I met my girlfriend, too.

60M: In Fall '09, you choose to take an accounting class.

RM: Accounting was one of my majors I wanted to change after quitting majoring in Mathematics at San Jose State. I choose Economics. I thought I take the first accounting class and see what happens. If I liked it, I continue and work my way to earn an AA degree. After all, nobody was hiring during the financial meltdown. I had lots of free time.

As it turned out, I liked accounting and continued taking accounting classes, as well as taking ballroom dancing.

60M: You were a little careless taking your accounting classes.

RM: I admit I was a little careless. I took a couple of classes I didn't need to take. It turned out those couple of classes were taught by terrible instructors. One class was a complete waste of time. I should have dropped it when that class had too many students. That Spring '10 quarter I took that overcrowded class was the busiest quarter in terms of homework and studying.

Yeah, I should have planned out what classes to take. On the other hand, I wanted to take that overcrowded class when the first opportunity came to me because I never know when the next time the class was offered considering budget cuts.

60M: What were the biggest mistakes you made?

RM: I start with two mistakes I corrected. The first mistake was taking Japanese. Fortunately, I dropped the class. The second mistake was taking Advanced Accounting, a class I didn't need to take.

60M: It sounds like Advanced Accounting was required.

RM: It wasn't. I took the class out of self interest after I earned my AA degree. The professor was the worse professor ever, and that includes San Jose State. He couldn't lecture and couldn't explain the concepts just to save his life. We played games.

60M: Games?

RM: Yeah, games. Once a week, he brought these buzzers. All the students were divided in teams. The professor asked questions and the students answered them correctly to earn extra credit. You don't need extra credit because his grading was easier than high school exams.

Another game was the professor show an image he took in campus. Located and identify the image and you earned extra credit. Likewise for movies. The professor showed a clip from a movie related to accounting. Identify the movie and you earned extra credit.

Anyways, the third mistake that I failed to correct was taking a singing class. I took singing after playing Beatles Rock Band. I was inspired to learn how to sing better because I was the singer in the video game. There was nothing wrong with the instructor. It was just that the class didn't meet my expectations and I wasted gas and time driving to campus for just one evening.

The lesson was sometimes its okay to quit. There were more important priorities and better uses for my time.

60M: What were the lessons you learned? Of course you learned accounting.

RM: The lessons were everyone is human, go with the flow, timing is everything, and use it or lose it.

60M: Those four are life lessons.

RM: Yup, life lessons. Going back to De Anza was a second chance in my life. It was my mulligan card. I wanted to correct my mistakes or don't repeat my mistakes I did at San Jose State. I wanted to experience life as a college student again. I wanted to be a college student the right way.

60M: What was the right way?

RM: I wanted to meet new people and make new friends. (Thank you Facebook.) I wanted to experience new experiences and seek new adventures. For example, there was ballroom dancing I mentioned earlier. Others included hiking, visiting the Charles Schulz museum, playing Starcraft 2, visiting Monterey and Carmel, and much more. I didn't want to take college seriously like I did at San Jose State. Have fun, relax. Complete homework and projects last minute. Don't study too hard. Open myself up to something new from the simple try new foods to the first time moments riding a San Francisco cable car, and dating.

60M: Fall '10 was your best quarter. Why?

RM: That quarter I met the most people and made the most friends. One class everyone worked in teams for in-class work and for group presentation. I was lucky my group was the best in teamwork and presentation. The rest of the other groups experienced problems. The downside was the instructor was a bitch.

60M: Lol

RM: The downside of Fall '10 was I had to attend classes four days a week instead of two days for all of the other quarters.

Another best was the movie of the week checking out a DVD from the library. All of the DVDs I checked out must be from the American Film Institute Top 100 list in 1997, not 2007. *looking at the list* Some of the movies I watched were Midnight Cowboy, Citizen Kane, On The Waterfront, Singin' In The Rain, Some Like It Hot, Chinatown, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Philadelphia Story, Vertigo, The French Connection, and Yankee Doodle Dandy. I also watched Rosemary's Baby.

60M: Some people say you should not have gone back to school. Instead you either find another job despite the bad economy or take a class on a specialty skill such as a software program. Further, even though you have an AA degree in Accounting and a BS in Economics from San Jose State, you're having problems finding a job now since many jobs want relevant and/or recent job experience. How do you respond?

RM: If I went back in time to Mar 2009, I still go back to De Anza, or at least Sept 2009 when I took my first accounting class. The experiences, the people, the memories, the lessons on life, everything from Mar 2009 to June 2011 made me a better person who I am today. I mentioned earlier about the mulligan. Everyone deserves a mulligan. I used my mulligan on going back to school.

Going back to De Anza was like a time out in my life, a long time out. Going back to De Anza was a life refresher, to rediscover who I am, to find who I wasn't. Slow down, relax, don't repeat my past mistakes again. It was a time to be a grown up, a mature person. Everything, everything I experienced I apply for all my present and future relationships, my careers, and my daily living life.

I'm optimistic I find a job. I was interviewed seven times this year. I received calls from recruiters and hiring managers. It's a matter of when I find a job and start my life after college part 2. I need a little luck and timing in my favor.

60M: What was your worse quarter?

RM: I say Winter '11, technically my last quarter. I got sick and missed a week. The instructor for my Intro to Business was boring. Oh, BTW, I still remember the videos we watched and that opening theme song.

Spring '10 came in second. Listening to Beatles, classical music, classic jazz, and Vocaloid music helped me study well.

60M: You choose to continue taking an accounting class in Spring '11, the quarter after you graduated. Why?

RM: I enrolled in Auditing and Advanced Accounting. I dropped Advanced Accounting as mentioned earlier. Auditing was a hard class. I actually learned a few things I apply when I hear business news about disclaimers, security breaches, fraud, and embezzlement. It wasn't a waste of time. I was in survival mode for most of Spring '11, yet I didn't take the class too seriously such that I spent hours and hours studying. I had a life.

Auditing was a class to complete the full circle of all the accounting classes I took.

60M: In the Auditing class, you met a classmate who graduated at a CSU school with a business degree. Tell me what information she gave you.

RM: That recent graduate was smart and a quick learner. I remember one class meeting she arrived late. We had an in-class assignment. She opened the chapter, read a few pages, and then answered the questions correctly. She never took auditing as an undergraduate.

The information she told me was clarifying graduating with a BA in accounting. There was no such thing as an accounting degree, at least at the CSU schools. Business majors graduated with a business degree with an emphasis in accounting, or finance, or marketing. We went to the library, went online to compare an AA degree in Accounting and a BA in Business-Accounting. There was little difference. Most of the classes for an AA degree were the same classes for a BA. The major difference was two or three classes not taught at junior college. Further, if I were to transfer, I had to retake at least my two quarters of Intermediate Accounting because those credits were non-transferrable.

The bottom line was I could have a BA in Business-Accounting should I count my GE classes at San Jose State. It's those two or three classes that made the difference between an AA and a BA. How about that. Something to think about. I bet most BA or BS majors don't know just a couple of classes makes the difference between another BA or BS and an AA degree.

60M: How were the instructors overall?

RM: Overall, the instructors were good. Most of the part time instructors were good. Some of them really cared and some took time to share life experiences. The full time instructors were so-so. Having said that, students going to community colleges, I suggest you favor part timers.

60M: Timing was in your favor. You got all your classes at favorable times, with the exception of Fall '10 when you attended school four days a week. The friends who still attend De Anza said it's worse now.

RM: It's one of my life lessons I learned. Timing is everything. All my friends told me overcrowding is at the worse and classes are harder to get. They're seeing older age people unemployed going back to school.

60M: Share some little tid bits.

RM: I remember World Cup '10 was huge. The cafeteria had big screen projectors. I remember a group of card gamers moving all the tables together and playing card games. They're a perfect example of geek gamers. Do I want to meet them? No.

The cooks who worked the grill gave lots and lots of fries when people ordered the burger combos. Even their breakfast menu was decent. Prices were all reasonable. No refills on fountain drinks.

The only time I cut class was when I was sick. I never cut class just for the heck of it. To be honest, there was no reason to cut just for the heck of it.

There were three rooms I attended classes two or more times. Two of the three rooms I earned A grades all the time. Moreover, all my classes took place in two buildings and the computer lab, with the exception of the singing and ballroom dancing.

I ate lunch outside De Anza two times, and they were all on the first day of school for the two quarters.

60M: Compare the students at De Anza to when you were a student attending San Jose State.

RM: De Anza students had cell phones and smart phones. San Jose State students a few had cell phones, and you needed either a land line or pager to communicate. Email was spreading slowly. De Anza students could buy books on the web or at the bookstore, or buy a cheaper .pdf copy. San Jose State students bought at the bookstores only. The short answer was technology and communicating.

De Anza students could take tests and submit homework online. San Jose State students all work were done in class. And De Anza students had portable mp3 players for music. San Jose State students had walkmans.

De Anza students registered online. San Jose State students register by phone using a class scheduled printed hardcopy.

60M: Raymond Mar continues to think about De Anza occasionally, much more than San Jose State. He believes college students today have an easier time than when he attended San Jose State. Students today use technology to help with their assignments, keep in touch with friends and instructors, register for classes, and get their final grades. On the other hand, he fears that the technology today can make more people being alone and too independent.

The biggest mistake when he attended San Jose State was meeting very little people. That should be life lesson number #5: always meet new people.

Mar has experienced recruiters and hiring managers not considering him because of his lack of recent job experience and going back to school. What you do being unemployed can be just as important as what you did at your recent job. Right now is the best time to hire Mr. Mar because he's a better person who's more professional and more mature than ever.

501

I forgot to say thank you when I posted “500” blog. Thank you to the people who read my blogs, and the numbers are very few `__^ I hope my blogs help you become a better person. There is always time to change, to improve, and to innovate. The examples include trying something new, forgiving yourself, making the tough choices, and taking risks. Life is taking action, not sitting on the couch waiting for someone to give you life on a sliver platter.

I want to mention the three lessons I learned attending De Anza. It’s good timing to review the lessons. Here are the lessons:

Fall ’09: We are all human. Everyone is human. We make mistakes and we learn from them. We’re happy, sad, depressed, cheerful, frustrated, optimistic, loved, scared, angry, forgetful, and not perfect. The emotions, the pains you feel are part of being human.

Winter ’10: Go with the flow. We have good days and bad days. Don’t fight it. There’s always tomorrow.

Spring ’10: Timing is everything. Sometimes I’m at the right place at the right time. Sometimes I’m at the wrong place at the wrong time. Sometimes I get lots of green lights. Sometimes I get lots of red lights. It’s all timing.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Dec 7, 2009

Mon Dec 7, 2009

I remembered to print my accounting term project before I went to class. I placed more emphasis on the final than the term project. Regardless of the grade I earned on the project, I learned something reading financial statements.

The first five minutes of class the instructor showed us real time pics of skiing mountains in Utah. We saw Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort and Alta Ski Area. I'm going to ski one of these days.

The rest of the class the instructor reviewed for the final. There is so much to know it's information overload. I'm reminded of the days at SJSU. Cumulative finals were harsh.

The instructor didn't spend time finishing Chapter 9 homework. Looking at the review outline, it doesn't look like a Chap 9 problem is going to be included. I'm iffy at Chap 9 because we went fast on Chap 8 and Chap 9. However, looking at Chap 9 at home earlier today, I'm making the material hard. It's not as hard as I thought.

My plan is to begin with Chapters 6-9 and then continue with Chapters 1-5. The end of each chapter I work on the big problems and skip the brief exercises. Next, I look at the lecture notes. Finally, I look at the outline. I should follow the plan twice. If I study a third time, then I'm overstudying. I either understand it or I don’t.

Wed Dec 9, 2009

My accounting final is Thur Dec 10. Today I attended my dance class. We learned a new Salsa move and reviewed Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, West Coast Swing, and Fox Trot. The instructor mentioned Winter '10 classes begin at a later time. She encouraged us to take dancing again next quarter.

Comparing Mon and Wed classes, Wed class was the better of the two. The dances I learned Mon and Wed were great. The difference was the students in the Wed class was much better than Mon; in particular, the students I met in Spring '09 some returned for Fall '09.

Thur Dec 10, 2009

Accounting final. My first final since I graduated at San Jose State in Dec 1997. The extra studying before I went to class was useless. The accounting class proved to me extra studying is useless. The extra studying when I attended San Jose State was mostly useless. I say extra studying helped me about 5-10% of the time. Next quarter I repeat my studying habits avoiding extra studying. It's either I know it or I don't.

The final was comprehensive. Most of the multiple choice questions were straight forward. A few were tricky. There were three questions I had no idea the answer. I don't remember reading nor remember the instructor lecturing the concept. To repeat, it's either I know it or I don't. The short answer questions and the math were no problems.

I picked up my term paper after I submitted my final. I got an A grade. My score entering the final looks good for an A grade.

Before the final, a few students wanted to check their grade to know what they have entering the final. That delayed the instructor passing out the final. The instructor should have passed out the grade sheet on the last day of class for students to know where they are entering the final.

Highlights

There was one highlight that took place on Sun Nov 1. I realized I'm a human being just like my classmates and just like the students at the campus center. The month of Oct was one of my worse months in 2009. I was borderline depressed. I was lucky I took one class that was significant. If I had more classes and felt depressed, I don't think I earn high scores in my exams and homework. I'm human. I experience positive feelings such as happy and cheery and negative feelings such as depress and lonely.

I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Nov 30, 2009

Mon Nov 30, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing holiday. My Thanksgiving was great. We had good meals for a change and no more boring dinners. I played video games and shopped on Black Friday finding bargains. Those were two different activities I usually don't do. No complains because I have other important activities than video games and I save money spending less.

In accounting, we finished Chapter 8. Wed is Chapter 9. The term project is due Mon Dec 7. Chapter 8 talked about fraud and safeguarding a business. The lecture reminded me when I worked at Blockbuster. I was naive working there. I trusted everyone. I never thought Blockbuster employees could steal and couldn't be trusted. I was wrong. There was an incident in the Los Altos store where the store manager, an assistant manager, and a worker stole. I have a better understanding the procedures managers and employees must follow. The procedures protected the company from fraud, theft, and unscrupulous workers.

The instructor shared stories from his clients. A few of his client's companies committed fraud. A few of his client's committed theft. One time the instructor worked at a company. One co-worker didn't show up for work for two weeks. His motorcycle was found two weeks later in Nevada. He was never seen again. He was suspected of theft. And another company the instructor worked at someone broke into his office to steal blank checks. He needed money because he was addicted to drugs.

Side note on drugs: oxycodone is a pain-killing drug that is highly addictive. It's more addictive than cocaine. Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxycodone

There was a great turnout for dance class after the Thanksgiving weekend. We reviewed the Nite Club Two Step for the Dance Demonstration Wed night. We started entering in the stage, dancing three times, and exiting out the stage. We repeated for the second time. Perfect practice makes perfect. The rehearsal was good. Then we spent the rest of the class on the Hustle. I didn't have time to review the Hustle before Accounting.

Wed Dec 2, 2009

I woke up at 4:50am to register for Winter Quarter '10 classes at 5am. There were problems with registration. I successfully registered and got my classes around 8:30am. I'm taking Financial Accounting II, Payroll and Business Tax, Peachtree Software Training, Social Dance-Wed, and Beginning Singing. The singing class is for Beatles Rock Band. I mentioned in past De Anza blogs that I'm spoiled (and lucky) I don’t need to take GE classes.

The instructor took the entire class meeting to lecture Chap 9. He went fast. He stopped to share personal stories. The lecture wasn't boring. I didn't feel sleepy. The end of the class some students left class early. The instructor was pissed. He gave everyone four points for staying the entire class meeting.

Mon Dec 7 the term project is due. The instructor is going to review for the final giving us an outline. The rest of the week I finish the term project and then I study Chap 1-8. I start on Chap 9 on Sun Dec 6. I feel it's better to review what I learned already instead of reviewing all nine chapters.

The dance demonstration was today. All students must arrive at 6:30pm. We practiced at the lobby before 7pm, the time doors opened. My Nite Club Two Step and Cha Cha Cha classes danced around 7:15pm. The Nite Club Two Step went perfect. Unfortunately, the Cha Cha Cha was not perfect. For some reason, everyone forgot the last steps in the Cha Cha Cha. Everyone. What were the chances everyone forgot? We all froze. Could someone continue the Cha Cha Cha and everyone else followed? Nope. Fortunately, the second and third times we danced the Cha Cha Cha correctly. There was a long pause between the first time and the second time because we ended the first Cha Cha Cha early. No worries. The dance demonstration was informal and it was all dance classes showing their dances. No awards for first place.

I'm still in the dance mood as I finish the blog. Friday morning and afternoon I self practice all the dances I learned.

I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Nov 23, 2009

Mon Nov 23, 2009

The instructor finished reviewing Chapter 6 homework. The class was interrupted for two minutes from three students who wanted to wish a classmate happy birthday. The instructor approved it. Personally, it was rude.

Next, the instructor lectured and completed Chapter 7. He said 90% of the material is useless. I agree. In my opinion, the chapter should have been skipped. I believe good instructors never finish the book. They concentrate their time on the most important concepts. When I was at San Jose State, only one class the instructor finished the book. All my other classes the instructor didn't finish the book. If I was teaching Accounting 1A, I skip Chapter 7 and concentrate more time on another chapter.

At the Campus Center, I purchased a one item Chinese meal. I broke the rule not eating at the cafeteria to save money because the dance classes last week I was tired and weak. After eating, I got a mild stomach ache. I didn't think it's the Chinese meal. I ate Chinese in the past. I'm guessing it was the leftovers I ate at home before class.

The minor stomach ache was no factor. The instructor taught us the Hustle. We reviewed the Tango, started the Hustle, and reviewed the Nite Club Two Step. I liked the instructor reviewing the Nite Club last instead of first. It was a variety. Tonight's class was in a better mood compared to recent Monday night classes.

Wed Nov 25, 2009

Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Maybe it's just me. I observed there were some people in a pissy mood. It's the holidays. Take it slowly and cheer up. Given the economy and any personal problems Thanksgiving can't solve, I can see people not in a holiday mood. However, don't take it on others.

Anyways, today's Accounting class was a half day. The instructor started Chapter 8. I read Chap 8 and continue on the project on Sat or Sun. Time is running out and the quarter finish fast.

I learned something new out of the book. Some retail places have a sign saying if the customer doesn't receive a receipt, the customer receives a free meal. The reason customers must receive a receipt is internal controls. The retail business assures there is a legitimate transaction. The cashier can't pocket the cash from the transaction because the transaction is recorded in the cash register.

Dance class was a full turnout. Nobody cut. We reviewed the Cha Cha Cha and Salsa. Then we started learning the West Coast Swing. The next Wed class meeting is the Dance Demonstration.


I Continue To Find Myself Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Nov 16, 2009

Mon Nov 16, 2009

This morning I learned washing your face with warm water before shaving makes the shave smoother. I shaved without washing my face and my shave was rough. I wash my face half-ass and I realized it still made a difference.

We got our accounting mid-terms #2 back. The average score was 80. I scored a 94. One question I thought I knew the formula; unfortunately, I didn't. The second question I missed I got partial credit. The partial credit question I failed to read all the choices because there were two correct answers. Lesson learned for the final: read all the multiple choice questions. Read all!

The class was missing quite a few students. Most students and the instructor guessed they dropped the class. My thinking is if they can't pass Accounting 1A, maybe business is not cut out for them. The same thinking applies to me when I was a math major. I couldn't prove math theories, I changed majors.

The instructor started chapter 6 after we discussed mid-term #2. There is going to be a quiz on Wed.

I need to check my De Anza registration for Winter '10. I plan to take Accounting 1B, two other accounting classes, singing (for Rock Band), and Social Dance-Wed. I'm taking advantage of one accounting class to catch up on anime. I should find time to read a fiction book after I catch up on anime. I find time for cooking, working out at the gym, and time with my friends. I feel spoiled I don't have the work. I respect full times students who work.

The beginning of dance class I was out of it. We started the class reviewing the Nite Club Two Step. I didn't follow the routine, and my partner didn't help me. I vowed to stay focus on the Dance Demonstration on Wed Dec 2 where the class dance the Nite Club in front of other students from the other dance classes. After Nite Club, we learned the Tango. There was a new spin move the instructor forgot the name. I ask my sister tonight.

Wed Nov 18, 2009

I checked my registration date. I register on Wed Dec 2. I plan to take Accounting 1B, two more accounting classes, singing, and social dance. None of my classes are general education. I shouldn't have any problems.

There was another quiz in accounting. It was a simple question. The purpose of the quizzes was to take attendance more than quizzing how the students know the material. After the quiz, the instructor finished lecturing Chap 6 and started the homework. The instructor said Wed Nov 25, the day before Thanksgiving, we have class for one hour. There is dance class Wed night. More free time between accounting and dancing.

OK, for the rest of the quarter, I must eat something before dance class. If I must buy food at the cafeteria, then I buy something. The first part of the class we reviewed the Cha Cha Cha for the Dance Demonstration on Wed Dec 2. I started dancing the Nite Club Two Step. Bad move. I vowed to stay focus on the demonstration. The rest of the class we learned more Salsa. I had problems concentrating; fortunately, I memorized the footwork and the arm moments. Need more practice.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Nov 9, 2009

Mon Nov 9, 2009

Today was another example you never know too many people. One of my classmate's friend got a contractor job at Google. She was the student who got laid off at Yahoo! in Feb'08. She continues to take Accounting 1A while working. She's not going to attend classes. Congrats!

Today we reviewed the upcoming second mid-term covering Chaps 4 and 5 on Wed. I did OK on the pre mid-term. The questions were straightforward. The second mid-term is 1/3 multiple choice, a couple of short answer, and lots of journal entries. After I take the mid-term, I start on the class project.

Dance class we finished learning the East Coast Swing and started the Tango. I knew the basic Tango from my sister. The instructor taught the Tango at an intermediate level. And I want to say today's class reinforces my opinion the Wed class is better than the Mon class.

Wed Nov 11, 2009

Veteran's Day. The drive to school was much easier. Schools were closed. I took my second mid-term. It was trickier and harder than the first. Some of the questions were harder and wasn't clear cut. Thinking was involved. I liked the instructor telling the students to write their thinking on multiple choice questions if they're not sure for partial credit. The last question was a fun question that asked our favorite ice cream. The second to last question was calculating the inventory of ice cream, and that was one of a few tricky questions. My thinking was beginning inventory plus added inventory minus used inventory equals inventory now.

The second mid-term convinced me over-studying is useless. Even though I'm taking one class requiring homework and studying, I believe over-studying is a waste of time. Studying and reviewing today is useless. Both are not going to help me increase my score. It's either I know it or I don't.

I over-studied too many times when I attended San Jose State. Thinking back, I say almost all of my over-studying was useless. Over-studying increased my worries and anxieties. I could have used the wasted time for something more productive. Over-studying was more memorizing and less thinking. Taking Accounting 1A and going back to school made me realize I failed to think in class. I could have gotten better grades, understood the concepts efficient, and had extra time to learn and grow outside my classes.

I had a light lunch. The extra time between accounting and social dance because of the mid-term I use to eat dinner. I know I'm not supposed to eat at Campus Center to save money. Today I made it an exception. I wanted to eat Chinese. I timed getting Chinese because around 6pm the cook prepared new food. Unfortunately, it was not the case. There were lots of people at the Campus Center. I walked up to Chinese and the food was gone. I settled for a burger and fries. I talked to one of the cooking staff waiting for my burger and fries. He and I small talked during Spring Quarter '09.

Dance class we reviewed the Cha Cha Cha for the Dance Demonstration on Wed Dec 2. Then the rest of the class we learned the Salsa. Good choice, instructor to skip the Fox Trot. The Wed dance class has been much better than the Mon dance class. I sign up for the Wed dance class for Winter Quarter '10.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Nov 2, 2009

Mon Nov 2, 2009

Daylight standard time began yesterday. It's different seeing dark after my accounting class. I'm behind in my accounting even though I'm taking one class. There were events last weekend beyond my control. Tonight and tomorrow I want to finish Chap 5 homework. The second mid-term is Mon Nov 9; however, one student asked the instructor after class if the second mid-term is actually Mon Nov 9. The instructor said he thinks about it. I'm struggling with Chap 4 concepts. It's not getting easier and an anticipated more challenges as I continue to take accounting classes.

The first part of the class we had another quiz. The quiz was funny because two students arrived after the instructor told the class the question. The first student thought it was the beginning of the lecture and said part of the answer. The class laughed and said jokes including, "What she said." Likewise with the second student. The class laughed and said, "What he said." The quizzes were attendance checks and lighthearted. The instructor took it lightly.

I find it sad to see some tables in the Campus Center common area dirty with food and packaging. I find the behavior disturbing and rude.

Mon dance class almost everybody was tired and not eager to dance including me. As class went on, everyone woke up. We're happy and almost everyone was focused on Nite-Club Two Step and East Coast Swing. I was surprised because the Wed class is more exciting. The instructor added another quarter turn, side-cross-side, and basics to the Nite-Club Two Step. We learned a few new moves in East Coast Swing.

Wed Nov 4, 2009

The instructor made a mistake in the class schedule. We meet on Wed Nov 11 that is Veterans Day. De Anza celebrates Veterans Day on Fri Nov 13 that is Friday The 13th. Friday the 13th has been a good luck day for me. In addition, the instructor moved the second mid-term to Wed Nov 11 instead of Mon Nov 9. I liked the delay because I have been struggling with Chap 4. The instructor passed out candy as an apology for the confusion.

After class, I thought about full time students who work part-time or even full-time. I have more respect for those students taking classes and working. I imagine it's tough. Working means less time studying. It's tougher when the students have a relationship, family obligations, and any other important priorities. I admit I'm spoiled. I worked part-time during part of my life at San Jose State. I didn't have external priorities and commitments outside school, work, and family.

Dance class I forgot to step back when I do the underarm turn for the Cha Cha Cha. Must remember. We finished the Fox Trot and we started on the Salsa. I believe students who cut the class for any reason stop cutting now that we learn the Salsa.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Oct 26, 2009

Mon Oct 26, 2009

I arrived just in time for the quiz. I was 10 minutes late leaving home. The quiz was a surprise to me because the instructor didn't start lecturing Chap 4. I did the best I could. I did read Chap 4 and did some of the homework.

The mood in the class was tired and lazy. The instructor's first joke was here is Chap 4 and if you understand this you know Chap 4 and we leave early. We didn't of course. The instructor finished lecturing Chap 4 and we review the homework on the next class meeting. By the way, if I forgot to mention earlier, the instructor uses PowerPoint for his lectures.

I'm back on AIM and maybe Yahoo instant messaging. I'm going to be on both during my break between Accounting and Social Dance in the campus center. I'm happy to say I haven't purchase any food in the cafeteria. I'm trying to save money. My unemployment benefits are out.

Dance class I was out of it. I was sweating on the state and above normal evening temperatures outside made me worse. I was tired when the instructor taught us the East Coast Swing. I asked my sister for additional help on the East Coast Swing. Tomorrow, I find time to practice East Coast Swing.

Wed Oct 28, 2009

There were two thoughts before class. The first thought was I start dating when I move out of the house and find my own residency. I wonder how students who work and study find quality time to date? The second though was my laptop cooler pad. It's dusty and I need to blow compressed air inside the pad.

Before class one student asked me did I finish my homework. I replied, "Almost." I forgot to ask him the same question to keep the small talk going :< Too much in my mind—always thinking =P

The instructor reviewed Chap 4 homework. He used Excel to review some of the problems. He included running totals below that was a great idea. I took some notes to reinforce my knowledge. The concepts seemed easy; however, my mind makes them complicated. The complication is another reminder when I was at San Jose State. The instructor finished the class lecturing Chap 5.

In the campus center, there was a student on my right eating curly fries and studying flash cards. He reminded me when I crammed a final at San Jose State. It was Spring Semester 1996. I crammed my Religion in American 190 final. The students got the questions. The final include some of the questions. I crammed in the library in the morning, ate lunch in the student union including eating curly fries, and finished cramming in the afternoon. The final was in the evening. My final grade was B+. What a miracle!

The Wed dance classes have been better than the Mon dance classes. The reasons include more people, easier dances to learn, and I know a few people. There were disruptions meaning those students who disrupt are having fun. The disruptions were small.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Oct 19, 2009

Mon Oct 19, 2009

I took my first mid-term at De Anza and my first after I graduated San Jose State in 1997. The mid-term was OK. I never say I did good, great, or aced it. If I know I did poorly, I say I did poorly and I treat myself to a vanilla shake, lol! Most of the questions were straight forward. There were some tricky questions I hoped I figured out.

I know I'm taking Accounting 1A, the basics of the basics. Throughout the first third of the quarter, I understood and comprehended the concepts either the first time or the second time from the lectures and/or from the readings. I felt smart—really smart. I never felt this smart ever in my life. These four weeks reminded me of a classmate at San Jose State. His name was Richard King. I took Calculus I, II, and III and C++ programming. He saved my ass many times. He rarely wrote notes. He focused on the lectures. Homework, quizzes, mid-terms, and finals he earned A's. I felt like Richard King. Of course, this is De Anza. What if I took basic accounting at San Jose State?!? Final word, maybe I'm focused because I'm mature compared to when I was a student at San Jose State. Another possibility is I eat breakfast everyday and I workout. I don't think the reason is I'm taking one class.

There was a surprised storm. The campus became wet in a matter of hours.

In dancing, we finished the Nite Club Two Step routine for the mandatory Dance Demonstration on Wed Dec 2. Girls or followers, let the guy or the leader lead. The next dance we learned was East Coast Swing. Two students stayed after class for practice and questions. I didn't. I had to leave to buy milk. I drink whole milk. Ballroom dancing is great. I hope more people learn how to dance. I have nobody to go social dancing with *cries*

Wed Oct 21, 2009

I arrived at class late. I knew there was no quiz so I was OK. The reason I was late is I played Japanese Mahjong online. I found a flash version and I played for two hours. Not good.

The mean was 78 and the median was 81. One of the students told me the students' mood was gloomy. Many students didn't do well. The instructor mentioned possible extra credit work and assured students most beginning accounting students don't do well in the first exam. Some of the students with low scores were understandable such as work and raising a family. The student who was laid off at Yahoo is a mother. My score? I aced it.

The rest of the class the instructor talked about the project. We are going to look at Wal-Mart's annual report and do a project on it. The requirements are straightforward. The project is due on the last day of class; however, we're not ready to start on the project because we still need to learn more accounting concepts.

The instructor didn't start lecturing Chap 4. The homework is due on Sat Oct 24. It looks like I'm on my own. I reread the chapter and start on the homework Thur morning.

We continued to practice the cha cha cha and we continued learning the fox trot. Lots of students arrived late. There were a few students who were rude when the instructor was teaching. I didn't stay afterwards for additional practice.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Oct 12, 2009

Mon Oct 12, 2009

I shopped at Borders before I attended class. I wanted to buy the Japanese comic (manga) D.Gray Man Volume 12. Borders didn't have it. I shop another Borders between Accounting and Social Dance.

The instructor lectured Chap 3. I was half asleep. I woke up when the instructor talked about the continued budget in California. He predicted Michigan is the first state to declare bankruptcy. He ended the class reviewing Chap 3 homework. He finished the review and review Chap 1-3 for the first mid-term on Wed class.

The instructor engages the class by asking questions to the students. Sometimes the questions are good, sometimes the questions are obvious, and sometimes the questions are cheesy. Regardless, the class stays focused for the most part. That's OK with me. He's not boring.

I drove to another Borders after Accounting. I drove on a street that led me to my kindergarten and first grade school. There is a park before the school. The playground that was there when I was a child is still there. Wow!

The second Borders store didn't have Volume 12. WTH?!? I purchased Volume 14 with a 40% coupon and $5.00 Borders Bucks. I walked to the children's section and saw a display for the movie Where The Wild Things Are. Cell phone pic below:


In dance class, we finished the Nite Club Two Step we perform at the Dance Demonstration on Wed Dec 2. The class needs more practice, and I mean it. More practice. I need more practice. It seemed everyone was busy and nobody stayed afterwards to practice. The girls must trust the guys to lead. Maybe that's why the divorce rate is around 50%. The girls need to trust the guys to lead and the guys need to be a man and lead ^__^ Everything goes both ways. It's just like in accounting where assets must balance with liabilities and owner's equity. Debits must balance with credits. OK, I stop now and go again another day, lol!

Wed Oct 14, 2009

I drove to De Anza at 2:55pm and I arrived at De Anza in 20 minutes. That was the fastest I arrived. Usually the drive has been 25-30 minutes because of signal lights and traffic. I waited 10 minutes for the instructor to arrive.

The instructor finished reviewing Chap 3 homework. I completed the homework before class. There was some challenge and it took a long time. I understood the review and it looks like I’m ready for the mid-term on Mon Oct 19. I still want to study and review and don't take what I already know for the mid term granted. The second half of the class the instructor reviewed the material. No problem on the review. I wrote some concepts to emphasize my understanding.

There was a delay in Social Dance. The projector screen was down on the stage. It seemed the speaker or maintenance forgot to raise the projector screen up. We finished practicing the Cha Cha Cha chorography. Now it's practice and practice. The instructor started teaching us the Fox Trot. Awesome! I stayed after class as usual and got some corrections for the Nite Club Two Step.

Side Note: There was a power outage at De Anza yesterday. I walked around campus and there were debris and water puddles from yesterday's big storm.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Oct 5, 2009

Mon Oct 5, 2009

I went to the post office, returned rice to Smart & Final (it's not a big deal, Mom), and shopped for jeans at Kohl's in the morning and early afternoon. The last time I wore jeans was in 2005. I forgot how jeans are durable and comfortable XD I ate a quick lunch and headed to class.

I arrived in class just in time for the quiz. The questions were straightforward, and if a student either attended the Wed Sep 30 or read Chap 2, the quiz was an easy 100% score. The rest of the class the instructor finished Chap 2 and started reviewing Chap 2 homework. If I didn't read Chap 2 last Sat, I write more and messy notes, lol. Today's lecture was a good example to read ahead and do the homework. I completed half of the homework. It was all reinforcement of Chap 2 concepts for me. The instructor gave the students a one week extension for Chap 1 homework because some students had trouble logging on to the website to submit the homework.

I finish Chap 2 homework tonight.

I walked around the first floor of the Campus Center. I saw a poster on bi-polar. There was a study taking place in Palo Alto, and the study was looking for volunteers. Pics taken with my cell phone camera.


I had to eat again. Bring a banana next time.

Dance class the instructor returned after missing last week. We continued the nite club two step. We learned new moves. The instructor told us something about dance events I thought was good information. Dance is a conversation itself. There is no talking, except for small talk. Dancing most of the time there is no talking. Your attend a dance event, check in your coat or put your coat somewhere, dance with people, and leave. The exception is meeting a person or people and going with them afterwards; otherwise, most of the time you leave by yourself. The instructor has been dancing for at least 20 years including at dance events. She knows many people and doesn't know their last names at the dance events.

The instructor emphasized the man (or leader if same sex dance) must lead. The right arm must be confident, strong, firm, and knows what's going on. Eye contact with the woman (or follower if same sex dance) is a key.

Wed Oct 7, 2009

One thing lead to another. Yesterday I did errands most of the day I didn't finish Chap 2. I'm taking one class with homework and exams and I couldn't even finish it. Pathetic!

Before lunch, I worked on Chap 2 homework. I'm almost done. Then I ate lunch hoping I don't eat at the cafeteria.

The instructor reviewed Chap 2 homework and gave us the solutions. I paid no attention to the review because I finished the homework and I rather learn from my mistakes instead of the instructor giving me the answers. The rest of the class he discussed Chap 3 accrual and deferrals. The class approved delaying the first exam from Wed Oct 14 to Mon Oct 19.

I talked to two students who sat on my left. One of the student has a computer science degree laidoff from Yahoo. The second student attends San Jose State and De Anza. Both of them like me are considering accounting as a second degree or change in major. I told them my story my contract at Cisco was terminated.

Wed dance class the instructor taught us more cha cha cha. We learned the basic cha cha cha moving vertically and practice the chase, a common move my sister told me. Monday and tonight's class very few stayed afterwards to practice. It seems everyone was busy. I wrote on paper the new moves I learned immediately at home.

I want to finish Chap 3 homework before Mon Oct 12 to have one week to study for my first mid-term since I graduated San Jose State in 1997.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Sept 28, 2009

Mon Sep 28, 2009

I drove to De Anza from my house at 2:50pm. To repeat, it's faster to drive to De Anza on surface streets instead of freeway. On Wed Sep 30, there were so many cars I forgot there was a clean green light. I didn't want to be late because I almost missed the quiz.

I arrived in plenty of time. It appears there is no class before my class. Everyone waited for the instructor to open the room. The instructor arrived at 3:27pm. The students settled in and the instructor asked as a quiz question. If a student read the first 5 pages or attended the lectures, the question was easy to answer. After the quiz, the instructor reviewed the homework. I don't know why he reviewed the homework because the green sheet said the homework is due on Sat Oct 3. I finished reading Chap 1 and I'm ready to complete the homework. I ignored most of the lecture and wrote down information not related to Chap 1. For example, he talked about how Oracle submitted falsified financial statements. I wrote down how Oracle did. I say it was genius. The final ten minutes he started on Chap 2.

FOB = Freight On Board

I headed to the Campus Center. I choose to keep my car in the parking garage instead of parking my car near the Visual Arts Center. I wrote Blogs. There was a student who asked me about WiFi and her Mac laptop seemed to not work. I asked questions trying to diagnose the problem. She tried the library to access the internet. I think the problem was she has a Mac laptop.

I brought my dancing shoes for Social Dance. The instructor was out for the week because she has work for her dance company. There was supposed to be a substitute. He couldn't make it. Half of the class attended because an email was sent informing the students the class was cancelled.

The instructor's assistant taught the class. The assistant's husband helped, too. Before class started, I talked to one student taking a singing class. I asked for more information because when I play Rock Band, I'm vocals. We reviewed the Nite-Club Two Step for half of the class. The other half of the class some students danced other dances. I danced the Waltz and Fox Trot with a couple of students.

Wed Sep 30, 2009

There was no quiz today in Accounting 1A. I must complete the Chap 1 homework tonight. The instructor lectured Chapter 2. Some of the information was straight forward. Some was not and I need to read the chapter. Cooke Cutter Accounting is a company takes profit from one quarter financials to use for quarter financials. There was one student who kept asking questions. The student needed to think more, or maybe he was thinking too much. The questions were good. The timing was bad because the instructor needed to stop his lectures too many times.

I talked to a classmate about the Chap 1 homework. She said it was straightforward and easy to complete online. Tonight, I create my account and complete the homework. I don't know how I'm going to use the homework to study since I only need the answers.

Here is a pic of the table I sat in the Campus Center. If you can't see the pic, it's a happy cloud made out of salt. I took the pic with my cell phone camera.


There was a substitute in dance. The substitute, with all due respect to the regular instructor, was better. He was detailed, funny, and controlled the flow of the class. We learned a new move for the Cha Cha Cha. I wonder if the regular instructor incorporates the move in the chorography for the upcoming Dance Demonstration event.

I want to thank Joseph for the DVD copy of Dancing With The Stars Week 1 first episode =)

Side Note: I forgot to mention my Accounting instructor is left handed ^__^

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Sept 21, 2009

Mon Sep 21, 2009

The first day of school. I'm taking Financial Accounting 1A 3:30pm-5:40pm and Social Dance 24A 7:00pm-8:40pm Mondays and Wednesdays. I'm taking accounting because accounting may be my second major. I plan to transfer to San Jose State majoring in accounting (or something else). I'm taking dancing because dancing is one of my favorite and newest hobbies thanks to my sister.

I arrived at 2:30pm to secure parking. Plenty of parking. I parked in the garage to keep the car cool. The weather was hot! I walked around the lecture buildings to find my room. No problem. I walked to Campus Center to stay cool. The main areas were packed with students. I found an open bench downstairs and rested. I saw a list of clubs in De Anza. There was an anime club listed; unfortunately, there were no meetings. Even if there was a meeting, I doubt I join. I check out the De Anza clubs. The website is http://www.deanza.edu/clubs.

I walked to accounting at 3:25pm. I entered the room and sat in the front row. I wore my driving glasses to see the white board and projector clearer. The instructor has been teaching part time for 10 years. He works part time and has an MBA. Homework is turned in online or hard copy. It's the first time I complete homework online. Times have changed.

After class, I walked to my car and I reparked closer to the bookstore and the Visual Arts Center where the dancing class is taught. I kept my laptop in the trunk because backpacks were prohibited inside the bookstore. The accounting textbook is actually papers that needed a binder to keep together. The cost is $65 $-( I walked out of the bookstore after waiting a long time in line I saw Chun. I was surprised to see him because I thought he attended De Anza Tues and Thur. I got his scheduled confused. We chatted a bit and he told me about his classes.

Chun went to his night class and I walked back to my car to put my accounting book in the trunk. I saw Phong walking out of a classroom. Phong tried to add a night class. No go. We hung out for the rest of the six o'clock hour. We both walked back to my car. I dropped off my accounting book and I picked up my laptop.

Phong and I split up at 6:55pm. I had my dance class at 7pm. I saw three classmates from my Spring '09 class. The instructor and her assistants were back. We are learning the Nite Club Two Step. In Spring '09, there was no dance lesson on the first day. Tonight, there was. I also saw a classmate from my Japanese class in Spring '09. She said about half of the students dropped. And there was a student who spoke Japanese. Coincidentally, they were next to each other as the ladies switch partners.

One requirement was to attend a dance show. The ticket was $17. I paid my $17 and a few classmates and I purchased tickets for the Fri Oct 2 show. Finally, I signed up for the Wed class via the add code. I attend both Mon and Wed night dance classes. My sister approved!

Wed Sep 23, 2009

Man, what's with the cars! I drive surface streets to De Anza from my house. The freeway takes longer. I arrived at class five minutes late and just in time for the quiz. The quiz was lighthearted and a great way to take attendance. Teachers, take note of another way to take attendance.

The class voted on Mon for no breaks. I voted for a break. The class starts at 3:30pm and ends at 5:25pm instead of 5:40pm. Today's class I almost went out. I went out just in time when the lecture was almost over. The instructor finished lecturing Chapter 1 on the introduction of accounting including what is accounting and the basic accounting principle.

I always sit in the Campus Center between accounting and dance classes. I work on my blogs and surf the web. I purchase food if I'm hungry that actually happened =( I'm trying to save money $-) I bring snacks from home. Usually, I repark my car closer to the Visual Arts Center. Today, I keep my car in the parking garage because of the hot weather.

The dance class we are learning the cha cha cha—again, at least for me and a few classmates from Spring '09. It's good ^^ Great to review and to improve my cha cha cha. There were a few students from Mon's class taking the Wed's class. I recognized a few. Next week's dance class I wear my dancing shoes.

Side note: If I find a job, I drop my accounting class.

I'm growing up Finding Raymond Mar