The Law of Averages

Acing my music midterm has given me a much welcomed respite from receiving my calculus midterm (I know that I failed because I forgot vector direction. It was just time to get over it!). However, I am happy to say that partial derivatives will save my life and my grade because they are far easier than vector-valued functions!

It's Mathematically Possible

I have shared my college prep research experience regarding Bill Gates’ with a friend. The thing that still stumps me even after all of these weeks, is how I hadn’t known that I could be an engineer while sitting in calculus III! Well, I still can and I would study either chemistry, physics (I studied this in high school but did not have the math background. Now that I do I feel more comfortable with the formulas) or biology, for biostatistics. Mastering math opens a wider window of opportunities available to me right now or after receiving my doctorate. That's why passing the credit by examination proctored tests are so essential towards expanding my professional capabilities.

No longer will I depend upon someone else for advancement. Earning the nine statistics allows me to venture into other fields within my own department. I can also become a statistician, mathematical statistician and biostatistician. Now that’s recession-proofing my career because this year I will garner the credits necessary either through class or credit by examination to accrue 29 math credits to vie for these other jobs! Immediately I print all of the statistician jobs to review the requirements. My economics background supplies stellar transferable skills. Also it is a big plus that one of the largest government agencies hiring statisticians is under the same department as my employer. This distinction further would boost my candidacy.

This Is Not What I Want

Lord Have Mercy! Both ZP-III economist interviews were busts! During my morning interview, the interviewer gave me a wink-wink, nudge-nudge that I would be promoted without competition this May; however, I still felt that I wanted to vie for this position because it offered no competition for ZP-IV promotion. Becoming a Senior Executive Service Economist required ZP-V so every promotion was important towards realizing my career goal and I defended my decision to seek out other opportunities before my two-year anniversary. The interview was quite challenging especially there was not an abundance of information available; however, I was able to be honest in telling him what I did and did not know about the position since there was no information on the intranet. The afternoon one horrible because instead of a pure economist job, they were trying to sell me the okie-doke: an admin. support post with economist only in title! Yikes! What were they thinking? Luckily I had the phone interview tomorrow else I'd be depressed. Oh well, back to the drawing board!

The Economists Have Finally Reached a Consenus That We Are in a Recession But I Know That Already!

Finally! The WSJ has coped to a recession (It’s about time the paper gets its nose out of the sky! I regularly shop at Saks, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales and the week before Christmas I was the only one in Jimmy Choo store (The author is also an economist!)). And like I have said even before Bernanke’s hire, I have openly questioned why an academic without any real-world job experience would be appointed to the Fed Chief position given that his predecessor held jobs outside of the Ivory Tower? The main problem is that the current subprime lending crisis did not follow the economic models and he is slow to respond. Bernanke cut interest rates but they have very little impact upon stimulating because unemployment is still higher and people are losing their house, their primary financial asset. Personally, I am purchasing savings bond to protect my assets from inflation. The remaining 2006 ARM will reset throughout this year but the real financial recovery will take at least another year given that America will have to adapt to another administration.

Opportunity Journal Entry #20: Killing Two Birds with One Stone

Another division has scheduled me for a ZP-III Economist interview! Yippee because that’s two ZP-III interviews in one day. However, still apply for the three outside GS-11 Economist jobs as backup. Furthermore, I will remember to mention at both interviews that I am an ALDP Finalist and this is a departmental plan. In addition, I am sticking to my price tag because I am currently making the minimum; plus I am on the tech committee and am a department-wide finalist and this alone speaks volumes about my proficiency (Personally, I believe that the other division will give me the better deal because they don’t know me, therefore, will pay me more money. Be prepared to move on and up to earn my worth.).

Opportunity Journal Entry #19: Reaping the Harvests of Mentoring

Until I researched material for my beautician’s son, the idea that sitting in a calculus III was somehow a great feat that most people did not accomplish. This week while reading the 2006-2008 catalog, I realized how close I was towards obtaining a BS in Mathematics. However, these epiphanies helped me unearth an abundance of available opportunities to recession-proof my current career. Attaining my math degree qualified me for the mathematician, statistician and mathematical statistician positions. Mathematicians required 24 math credits while statistician and mathematical statistician jobs required fifteen math credits and nine statistics. Presently, I had twenty credit hours but no statistics courses, that’s why the university’s credit by examination option presents the chance to earn them. For only tuition plus a $50 fee, I can test out of a class. Of course, I will schedule these exams upon achieving residency in July to save time and money. Testing out of all of my statistics classes would allow me to focus on differential equations, mathematical statistics I and II; thereby, allowing me to simultaneously graduate with both a BS in Mathematics and an MA in Economics.

Although this past Saturday I wrote in my journal that after taking one year off from American to improve my math skills, I should find a way to graduate because of all of the time invested in this endeavor. In addition, possessing a BS in Mathematics enables me to recession-proof my career (You have noticed that no one lay off the engineers?!). Furthermore, I can get almost any technological job that I want. Having always loved tinkering with electronics (I took PASCAL in high school), so math is natural. Having emailed the departmental chair, I will keep asking her until I receive a straight answer about the exams. If she decides no then file a grievance because the university says that I have a right to take it. Yet always have a backup plan. I am contacting the other university to see if it would schedule its statistics equivalency exam this summer so that I can test into the graduate statistics courses; thereby, enabling me to take higher-level stats classes which will resonate on my transcript. There are so many different avenues to venture and without mentoring my beautician’s son, I would had never known how wide open my future was!

Coming Full Circle

Tonight I returned to Shirlington to celebrate with my fellow Urban League Young Professionals at the conclusion of the legislative conference held here in Washington, DC. Though I was in familiar surroundings, my life was a complete 180 degrees from when I lived in Virginia. My bad credit was the reason behind my move (really, it was a force-out) from DC and anger and disappointment consumed me for the better half of that year. Determined to return to DC, I diligently paid off nearly all of my creditors and returned to the city. While on the 25A returning to Pentagon, I realized that it was me not the city that was the problem and the solution. Furthermore, returning to Virginia allowed me to reconcile all of my feelings and let go of all of the animosity.

Succeeding at Every Level Against All Odds

The alumni office has sent notify that a fellow alum has made the Cleveland Crain’s Business Edition Forty Under 40. But to my surprise my old high school alum has made the list. This makes me feel that I am not isolated in my success; and, that others from my same background can be successful! However, I am quite dismayed about his remark that something has told him that he is not smart enough to be a doctor so he should work in patient care. What a cop-out! I have never placed limits on my capabilities which is why I now understand why I have never really spoken to him. All of my friends regardless of job and location are high achieving.

Opportunity Journal Entry #18: It's All Starting to Make Sense

Thirteen is a lucky number (at least for me) because I have learned from my boss’ boss that not only am I an Aspiring Leader Development Program finalist but he will sign off on the paperwork! Furthermore, a consulting company wants to conduct another phone interview because the company is interested in me for the vacancy! I am so happy that my career is in full blossom. Nothing is totally sealed yet so I will keep all of my options open.

This is a better turn of events versus the debacle at my bank. I am glad that I listen to my intuition and walk into a branch rather than open the Way2Save account online because the financial specialist informs me that this savings account constricts me to only depositing $100 per month. Even with the $50 accumulated interest, it is still half of the $300 I save every month. (Secretly during this nearly 45-minute ordeal, I thought about not getting an updated DC state identification card which resulted in the online bank denying my online savings account because it could not verify my address.). However, the better bet currently will be to write the $315 check to my other bank, and purchase either the $25 savings bonds or the automatic saver CD for $50 without a maximum savings limit.

Keep Emitting Positive Energy

I returned to Hook restaurant to take advantage of its prolonged Restaurant Week menu. No sooner did I enter the eatery did one of the waiters graciously met me. Though he was not my original waiter, he immediately recognized (Maybe it was my $4 tip on the $20.08 prix fixed menu.) which was comforting. I took it as a sign that emitting positive energy was important towards having people treat me favorably.

An Economist's Take on Current Recessionary Pressures

I have started today off with a boom by opining about an Los Angeles Times’ article about why some people do not think that a recession will occur. When food and gas prices exceed the CPI inflationary targets then we will have a recession. Period. Regardless of where you are in the economic strata, if you cannot afford food and clothing then we will have a recession. These things are not luxuries just the basics; and when the essentials outpace inflation then America has a problem! Even though I am unaffected by the sub-prime lending crisis and my income outpaces inflation, you do not need to be a genius to understand that the domino effect is coming.

During the last week of Christmas I walked into the Jimmy Choo store at 6:30pm and no one was there. Though I knew that the store closed at 7pm, the fact that no one was in there did not resonate until earlier this year when the dismal retail numbers were reported. When the upper middle class cannot afford to spend their discretionary income because of higher consumer prices then why denounce a recession? That’s ridiculous!

Finally, I have a problem when all of these analysts, idolizing the rich, make these outlandish statements about a self-contained or regional slowdown. The majority of these reporters cannot afford to buy items out of Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus on sale, let alone at regular price! As an economist, I know a domino effect when I see one because though I can afford these high-end items, I cannot be the only one in the store.

Reapplying to American

I have just applied to readmittance into American University and will ask my boss for a recommendation. Setting the wheels in motion boosts my confidence especially since by the end of the year, I will be finished. That’s what motivates me to awake and keep going every morning. Just knowing that every day puts me closer towards achieving my MA in Economics degree pushes me to do my best by overcoming my fear about the comprehensive exam.

Darren McFadden Has Entered the 2008 NFL Draft

Darren McFadden has entered the 2008 NFL Draft and all that I have to say is “It is about time! All of these other no-names entering the draft. Why not the blue chips prospects?” Of course, ESPN’s Len Pasquarelli proclaims that the league is not ready for Darren but incorrectly compares him to Adrian Peterson. Run DMC is way better than Adrian because McFadden is more patience, trusts his blockers and can line up in the Wild Hog formation, an asset to deceive any defensive line. Darren’s ability to play both quarterback and running back will push him over the top. Furthermore, Darren is a team player who is not selfish and is okay with sharing the backfield with fellow running backs Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis. This transferable skill will bode well for whichever team drafts him. Congratulations, Darren!

College Football Warts and All

Dan Wetzel’s blind advocacy for a playoff without conducting due diligence is unfounded for this reason:

All conferences should either have or disband a championship game. The Bowl Championship Series does not mandate this because currently neither the PAC-10, Big East, nor Big Ten have them. Eliminating the championship game removes the corporate interests currently involved in college sports. You must sell advertising, accommodations essentially everything but the game which is ludicrous because it is the reason behind the playoffs. Some conferences such as the ACC openly admit that if not for the corporate interests, it would not have created a championship game. The conference plans to move its championship game from Jacksonville, Florida to Charlotte because of decreased revenue. Furthermore, no coach would want to play one more game thereby increasing injury to his players.

He should conduct more due diligence before merely speculating that it is the BCS is the Big Ten’s doing especially since there are other conference participants like the SEC, ACC, Big XII, Big East and the PAC-10 that benefit from this system. Mr. Wetzel’s sticks it to the Big Ten rather than the PAC-10 because of the pull of Hollywood. It is easier to battle Midwesterners than powerful entertainment people and if Mr. Wetzel wants to keep his sports entertainment job with Yahoo then he knows who not to upset. In order to have a playoff system all of the big leagues must decide on a uniform code but none would do that proclaiming competitive advantage or rather that’s what make our conference unique. Finally, they would point to the fact that pre-BCS, college football awarded #1 without a playoff system. Though I understand why Mr. Wetzel feels this way especially during this topsy-turvy season without unbiased due diligence, this wayward cry is baseless.

Resolved in 2008: No More Drama

Resolved in 2008: No More Drama! No more waiting for blowback and any other bad emotions pent up inside of me allowing them to fester. It is imperative to immediately address any and all issues that I have either with someone of myself because life is too short to carry grudges. Furthermore, I will diffuse all erroneous and blatant libel and defamation swift and immediately so that they too will not linger. I will be total peace with myself physically, emotionally and spiritually this coming year!

Conversations with my mother and other enlightened discussions

Last night I have told my mother that I have earned a 3.25 grade point average in my initial semester at UDC and she was very pleased. Then I divulged that maybe I was a nerd for carrying three different kinds of calculators to which she said that I was not and recommended that I purchase a leather organizer to store all of them. Afterward, Mom notified me that one of my maternal cousins was expecting in the summer (Hopefully, it would be August because we need more Leos :)). Upon learning that she worked at a restaurant, immediately I cringed remembering the woman at the Wendy’s drive-in who returned to work one month after giving birth. I did not want her to end up like that. My mother then says that another cousin was stressed over her supervisory job at MBNA to which I responded she was probably working with seasonal people who would not return after January. Finally, I confessed that I bought a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes in addition to the laptop as personal Christmas presents. Her reply “Get out!” When I explained to her that how I miscalculated how I would walk in these shoes because they were four-inch heels instead of the one and one-half inch heels of my gold shoes, mommy asserted that I would not be working in them merely attending parties. Furthermore, I should buy a shoe travel bag (She’s very big on bags this Christmas season!). All in all it was great speaking to her because I can tell her anything!

This conversation also crystallizes my 2008 goals because now my math grade goal will be a B+ and I will focus more on my music which are very important to me. In the beginning of 2007, with precalculus being the most advanced math class I’ve ever taken, I could never have imagined that I would earn a B in calculus I and calculus II! This is big for me. However, during our talk, she’s also mentioned the need for balance; and with two USDA distance learning classes outstanding which must be finished, I should heed this clarion call. Taking out more time for me is one of my 2008 resolutions!

Sean Taylor Posthumously Selected to His Second Pro Bowl

Sean Taylor was posthumously selected to start in what would have been his second Pro Bowl. The fans admired his work and even in death recognized his contributions not just to the Washington Redskins but to the National Football League. Taylor will be sorely missed.

A Haute Couture Christmas

Christmas present to myself: I have bought the Jimmy Choo shoes that I have always wanted (the red ones fit better than the black ones plus it’s my favorite color). However, they are four inches (I thought that since my 1 1/2 inch heels have a thinner heel, that the four inches' thicker heel would cancel out any uncomfortable feelings). Though I am 5’ 11” never in my wildest dreams have I ever thought that I would have to transform into Giselle, Tyra or Naomi (Secretly, I wonder how they do it especially when they have to break in new pairs of five inch heels minutes before embarking on the runway). They are so high that my right foot ALMOST cramped and these shoes work my calf muscles (I am used to flats but the ones at the store fit too snug and I worry about them rubbing against my toes). Furthermore, the carpet in my room and apartment are harder than the store’s compounding the problem. Oh well, I have four weeks to break them in so I will be okay! At least I have stayed within my budget!

Opportunity Journal #17: Push, Persistence and Perseverance Pay Dividends

Yesterday my professor returned my take-home exam and on its front sheet had my score and overall course grade which astounded me because I did not think that I earned a B. This pleasantly surprised me and immediately I thought about taking calculus III and not fighting over finishing the lab assignment's last problem because there was enough cushion to sustain myself. Also I learned that I was the only student who completely solved all of the problems (because well, that was what was required of me so I did it!). During the beginning of the review session, another student talked about one who departed early. I told him that he resided far away and since it was an evening class, the trains and buses took longer. However, I secretly did not condone him leaving early because last year when I lived in Arlington, VA and had AU night classes (sometimes the class concluded at 10:40pm), I had to take two rail lines and bus to arrive home at midnight sometimes 1m and had to awake at 7am to take a bus then transfer to rail to get to work. Furthermore, (I know that I am a Type A but still) as an immigrant, he should had some grit in him because his family came to the US to seek better opportunity.

Oftentimes I am confounded by my drive to be the best that I can be. As soon as I received this job, I finished school transferred to AU, and continued my education even when I moved to Arlington. Now after improving my math skills at UDC, I am reapplying to AU to complete my MA in Economics degree. Sometimes, my type A personality puts me into overdrive but I still
manage to get at least six hours of sleep and reclaim my weekends. It's all about balance and striking that has enabled me to enhance both my personal and professional lives!

Today my boss informed me via email that the agency has approved my calculus III tuition request! Immediately I search for the training form on the Intranet but could not find it; so, I ask the secretary who then ask my boss to locate it. During this time, I find a paper version, complete and copy it then return it to the secretary to process. I want my form processed by Thursday (which with the antsy HR man that I have will happen!) because UDC's returning student registration deadline is December 21.

Calculus III is very important to me and upon learning that integration will not be mentioned, further motivates me to enroll. In addition, my first choice for doctoral school has told me that calculus III along with regression is its requirements; meaning, that this will be the first time since my undergraduate years at Hiram, that I have entered school with all of the required math courses. Furthermore, with my MBA I can finish the program within 4 1/2 years instead of the standard 5 years which makes me extremely happy! It is about push, persistence and perseverance!

Darren McFadden Got the Heisman Shaft

I totally disagree with awarding the Heisman trophy to Tim Tebow over Darren McFadden because his own conference, the SEC, gives Darren Offensive Player of the Year honors. If the Georgia Bulldogs cannot play for the BCS national championship because it hasn’t won the SEC conference championship, then why should Tim Tebow when his won conference hasn’t voted him the best offensive player? Furthermore, Tim hasn’t defeated the #1 team, the LSU Tigers, but the Razorbacks have. In addition, half of this decade’s winners are unemployed (Eric Crouch, Chris Weinke and Jason White). Everyone agrees that Darren is the better overall player meaning that Tim will the fourth winner not playing in the NFL while McFadden will garner Pro Bowl selections and Super Bowl championships! What a shaft!