Holy crap! I got a job! Holy Crap! It's the end of August! Holy Crap! It's the first day of School!

Well it's the end of August now.  We started school today (need to get pics up soon).  Irene is having a bonus year which means she is doing a repeat of 1st grade in order to get a confidence booster and gets a chance to really find out school is a good thing and not a struggle.



Also, I got a job!  I am now working for a company called DDNi doing test automation and tool development.  So far: I am doing build integration and tool fixing - we'll see how that goes. *rolling eyes*.  I am having a blast and it's a ton to learn.  Amongst the things I am having to get my brain wrapped around again is C#.  Am taking Cabrillo's online class for C#.  If you've done languages before, do intermediate.  Beginning levels for languages are always the basics of how to core generic language stuff - while loops, etc.  If you're wanting to get more meaty stuff, go to intermediate.  I do however recommend the Introduction to Python if you're wanting to do Python.  They don't have an intermediate - but this worked great! If they ever get an intermediate course I would take it in a heartbeat.

I am discovering having used RAD Studio for long, I am now having to learn all the little keyboard shortcuts that I love, now in Visual Studio.  ugh.  Found something neat though - a poster with keybindings that Microsoft posted.

Visual C# 2005 Keybinding Poster
Visual C# 2008 Keybinding Poster

Am waiting to hear back from the teacher of the course I am taking to see if he has particulars he likes too. :)

I am also still working on the Brook Knoll Website for Irene's Elementary School.  That is coming along nicely.  A lot of people want to see everything go paperless as much as possible.  So that's been a good focus for us. Also a load of data needed to be updated - so it's been busy these last few weeks.

Other than that, things are just moving along.  Next weekend is my Mom's birthday, so we're celebrating by going to Shadowbrook next Saturday.  That'll be fun.

The summer decided to arrive in the last couple of days as well.  I think my tomatoes will start to finally turn red.  It's been a cold summer this year (not that I am complaining..I hate hot) but I am happy to have this warmer weather for my veggies.

Boy! I had a lot to say today!  More soon as I continue my learning process! and yes..I will get back to Android development.  :)

We've gone and returned from Spain!

Arc de Triumf in Barcelona, Spain

Well,
   We have gone to Spain and returned.  There was so much that we did while we were there.  The first questions asked were always "How long are you staying?" and "What do you plan to see?".  I have to shamefacedly admit that I didn't know what I wanted to see.  I'd never traveled like this before and so really hoped for my sister-in-law and her hubby to just drag me to places. Thankfully they did.  We not only learned how to use the tram, subway, and train while we were there (no car access which was just fine), we also walked our butts off while we were there.  We walked around the suburbs of Barcelona where April and Andrew live and saw all sorts of different buildings - new and old. We were able to go shopping for food.  We found out not all places with toilettes have seats - that was an experience.  Why? I don't know. We saw open air markets with fresh everything from meats to fruits. 

The humidity was massive. I have a new found love for dry heat.  Each day here since we've returned is mild in comparison to the heat in Spain.  Being closer to the Equator says a lot.  Barcelona sells fans there which we call a novelty item - something we hang on our walls for decoration. There? They are useful! You don't go anywhere without them...  The heat is that bad and not all places have AC. We were thankful that April and Andrew's apartment had AC.

I found that much of the culture is dictated by how the weather goes.  With the heat, you *have* to shutdown during the middle of the day.  Nobody is willing to move around during that time of the day so why be open?  Places that were open had AC - malls etc.  Shops re-opened around 4:30 - 5:30 or so (that is a suggested time..not actual - they might be early, they might not come back for the day ;) ).   More often than not, everyone went home and took a nap.  Loosing a day of travel messed us up royally. :)

I'll post more as to what we did.  The other big thing was that we went to Venice, Italy!  What a treat.  below is a pic from there.

From a bridge in one of the many "alleyways" in Venice

Venice the first 2 days was great for weather.  Warm but not hot/humid.  The last two days we got the hot and humid.  But we still had fun.  LOADS of Gelato were in our future - let me tell you!  We tried to keep things to a minimum though.  Once after lunch and once after dinner.   We also learned if you want good pizza DO NOT go to the restaurants.  Go to the street cafes where you buy it by the slice and that is the only thing they have. OMG! What a difference. 

I was the book buying freak while were in both Barcelona and Venice.  I'll post pics of the books later - I haven't taken pictures of them yet. :)  Right now we're just trying to find places to put everything. We also got Venetian masks, linens, jewelry, St. Christopher medallions, salt/pepper shakers and some Venetian glass (had it shipped).  When it arrives, I'll take more pics and post. :)

OK. So 1 more pic for the road from Barcelona.  This is called The Agbar in Barcelona Diagonal.

Night shot of The Agbar in Barcelona, Spain

 

 

 

Holy Moly! I've become the Webmaster!

Yup...you saw that right.  So before anyone gets all OMG on my hinney... it's:

1) a volunteer position
2) for the PTA group at Brook Knoll with some additions..
3) It's nothing in comparison to what I've dealt with before.

So: details:
I saw in the little newsletter we get from the school a few positions for volunteers that opened up. Amongst them was this Webmaster and also another for Life Lab which works in the gardens as an assistant to the head honcho on that.

Webmaster asked basically if you knew Facebook/Twitter etc...wanna be the webmaster..right? :D  Well of course I sucked that one up.  What it came down to though was that I would be on the Executive PTA board (what the hell was I thinking?) and I would also be assisting all sorts of people dealing with the Brook Knoll sight.  Turns out because I am the geek I am I am probably going to do a LOAD more.  Talked with the front staff and they don't have a webmaster to look after anything.  So my first thought was: "How long has it been since they have backed up the sight?" Followed by: "Oh lord, they have seriously old data" then followed by my opening my mouth, inserting foot and saying, "I can take care of a lot of that stuff.  Just send me an email and we'll get it dealt with". *rolling eyes*  I thought I had purged this business of my saying Yes..I can do that... a long time ago..Obviously my being off work for nearly a year suddenly reclaimed that bad habit.

On the other side of the coin.  These are NICE people that I am going to be working with.  I am meeting more of the school staff AND I am getting more integrated into the things I always longed for - being a mom, getting out to be with other full-time mom's.  Who knows..maybe I'll like being on the Executive board ;)

So additional details? Well I have to go to the Exec board meetings once a month in the mornings followed by the PTA meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm.  Didn't realize that would be apart of the job description either..but again. I'll get to know a load of people and perhaps actually get more involved - like I have been wanting to do.

So what does this mean for my learning curve? I get to learn Dreamweaver!  Ordered an older version for like $200 less than the current which is great.  Picked up a book on Dreamweaver from my Visual Quickstart Guide group and I am going to enroll in Cabrillo's online class for Dreamweaver CS4. 
Talk about brain investment. :)

I am content.  I think this is going to be really good for me for a load of reasons.  Plus I'll volunteer for Irene's class next year.  That'll be exciting too. We'll see how it goes. As I learn, I'll post my learning here.  I like keeping notes ;)

Android - Hello World!

So the last time we talked, I had tried using Netbeans on my Mac.  This time I decided to use my Windows XP VM on my PC to see how working with Eclipse would work out.  I wanted to see what functionality I might be able to use that I might like better. Well the short of it was: Try using the Eclipse IDE, if you haven't already.  It's pretty darn smooth - plus getting it setup is a LOT easier than trying to figure out why things don't work while using Netbeans - unless you're a person who "just does *not* use Eclipse" and "Are you insane?" type mentality.  By all means, bang your head against the wall.

Now here is where I do some redundancy on getting Eclipse setup.  Use the following link to get the Eclipse IDE.  I used the one for Java Developers.  Get the Oracle JDK for Windows (nothing terrifically special).  The link explains what you should do.

http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html

Next: use the rest of that link above to learn how to get Android setup on Eclipse - pretty simple I thought. 

Once that is done, do the Hello World tutorial.  It talks first of all about how to write your first app.  Then it talks about how you handle UI such that you don't have to deal with UI changes programmatically.  Instead you learn to use XML - pretty cool.  Plus it talks about Internationalization and why XML will make your life easier if you want to translate your application.  Finally it walks you through debugging an application.

First thing I learned about this process: Yes the emulator takes forever to load - OMG.  It isn't kidding when it says that the emulator could take a few minutes to load before you're going to see your application.  So seriously - once you start running the app, walk away. Wait till you see a screen that looks like a Droid app screen with the pretty pics and then do that voodoo that you do so well... IE: start up your app.

This tutorial was well done in my opinion.  Exactly the amount I wanted to read while waiting for the appliance guy to come and replace our stove (see Facebook on this date for my feelings about what happened with that).  I am now going to go on to read Application Fundamentals.  Should be interesting.

Cheers for now!

Android - learning to program

Well, I bit the bullet.  I decided it was time to learn how to program in the Android space.  Plus I wanted to do it on my mac.  First thing I had to ask myself was: What the heck language did Android use? I was praying Java, as it was Google that was doing this...but  fearful it was going to be yet another different language I was going to have to learn in the process.  Mind you, I am not complaining I need this type of practice.  But still...

OK so first things first. What did I do?  I did a search using keywords "tutorial Android".  I also used "netbeans android tutorial" cause I am using the Netbeans IDE rather than Eclipse.  I like Eclipse but it I like netbeans better - probably because it was the IDE I used to learn Java in my "Learn Java in 21 Days" book.  If I sat down and worked with Eclipse for a while I'd probably figure it out.  *shrug* if I find the plug-in support netbeans isn't sufficient then sure..I'll do it.

 Results of the search: found a crap ton of stuff.  Not a big surprise..but still surprised to find that they had a plug-in for netbeans in the first place.  Interested in the link I chose?  Here you go:

http://wiki.netbeans.org/IntroAndroidDevNetBeans


This took me to everywhere I needed to get started.  It included:

• Getting the SDK installed
• Getting the plug-in setup in Netbeans 
• and probably more - but wanted to try running a basic Hello World and ran into issues.
• which I am now researching.

My first issue I ran into:  I didn't realize you have to install the SDK yourself.  I've gotten spoiled when I worked with our Dev Suite at Embarcadero - we provided the SDK's for you.  Not so much with trying Android.  I can't complain - it's free...


Next issue I ran into with my mac: If you're running a mac and you want to create a virtual device that the emulator will attach to,  or run any of the tools for that matter, I found I was getting "Command Not Found" anytime I tried something from within the Terminal window.  Turns out I was calling the commands as I would in Windows/DOS... *smack on the hand* bad girl!  You need to start thinking Linux..hmm..wonder if there is a Cabrillo Class online for learning Linux stuff. :)

Anyway, I found this link showed me what I was doing wrong.  Now I have a couple of virtual devices created that I can have the emulator link to... YAY!!! I just figured that out. 

Now: for those of you who want to get started with Android using Eclipse - you're life will probably be easier because the Android Doc's reference that plug-in as the defacto plug-in.  :)  For that see the following link:

Main Home page for Android: http://developer.android.com/index.html

SDK page: http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
 - you'll find the installs as the first thing for the SDK here.
 - Also in the instructions it talks about working with Eclipse and the ADT (Android Dev Tool) plug-in for it.

Dev Guide: http://developer.android.com/guide/index.html 


So now I'll go try out Hello World and report back in the next blog post. :) Ciao for now!

Cabrillo's online programs

Well, I have to post of the latest things I've been doing. I haven't posted it here.  I have been taking classes.   Amber suggested we take classes through Cabillo's Online system.  The first class I've been taking was Python. I finished it a week ago or so.  Classes are 6 weeks with 2 classes a week, and great for getting you into the area you're interested in.  No credits - but if you're like me where you don't need credits - just exposure - this is great.  Classes are $95 each and you get a certificate of completion once you take the final.

One wish: They had done the Python class in version 3.0 rather than 2.5 but I can figure out the updates.  Overall, it was a good exposure.  Amber and I have since been investigating different pages related to Python.  One of the things that I wanted to add was additional exercises that I could complete to help keep my background up.  I found this: http://www.bembry.org/technology/python/exercises/ 

Another class I am taking right now is An Introduction to Java. I have to say, I was not prepared for an introduction to Programming using Java - but that's that's what this is.  If you're willing to put up with the fact that it takes nearly 6 lessons before you write your first program, then it might be worth it.  It's got an intermediate class, but not sure if I'll take it yet.   I think because I wanted to learn Java and not how to program that I find this particular teacher rather irritating and loves to get off topic easily.  Again - if you want the extra reinforcement into programming, this class might be for you.   I find it hard to get into the class as I am just now into Lesson 5 (remember we have 12 lessons total) and we're just now writing our first program.

I am giving serious consideration to PHP/MySQL class next but I am pacing myself.  The different classes start every month - Feb 17, Mar 17, April 17 etc.  So you have a 2 week overlap of classes ie: 4 classes that overlap each other.  So we'll see if I get to it.

Anyway, had to post the latest endeavors. 

Latest Cross-Stitch pieces

Boy..I am the poster galore today.  I also realized that I had not posted the piece I worked on for Christmas for my mom.  It was a Huck Towel called "Peppers".  It was a real treat to see it come together.  I had a load of fun making it and it took probably 3 weeks total.  The first 2 weeks were working each day perhaps 2-3 hours a day.  The last week was maybe an hour a night or so mainly because I didn't quite finish it by Christmas and gave it to my Mom a couple of weeks afterward - so I wasn't as motivated to finish it until about the week before Mom was coming ;).  The Procrastinator to the fore-front. But finished it is..here is a pic:

Finally getting out of the US!

Man, I suddenly realize that a whole bunch of stuff has happened that I needed to post about.  Besides my little dancer... I forgot to mention that we finally applied for our Passports so we can see the world!  We applied about 2 weeks ago Friday.  So we've got at least another 3 weeks to go before having any chance looking for our passports in the mail...we'll see.

So the next thing is: "Where are we going!?" right?  :)  Well Marcus' sister and the family moved to Spain in November of 2009.  It was a real big surprise...but at the same time I know they are enjoying it.  We're keeping in touch over skype at this point - saves some serious money and we can still see our nephews and how fast they are growing.  So yes..that is where we are going this summer.  Spain - Barcelona specifically.  We're contemplating seeing Rome (apparently it's a 45 minute flight from Barcelona) and possibly make a trip to Paris as well.  I was thrilled just to see Spain, but apparently we can go to these other places too without too much trouble. :)

Now we do the waiting game.  But it won't be for long!!! WHEE!!

My little dancer

I can remember a time when I would dance on stage for friends and family for the recitals I learned dances for. Tap, Ballet, etc.  Now the next generation is about to take over.  Irene and I went on Friday (yesterday) and got her signed up for dance class.  It's a combo class of tap, jazz, and ballet.  There will be a recital in June. 

She's soo excited.  So Friday (yesterday), we flew down to Santa Cruz right after sign-up to get her dance gear.  Leotard, tights, ballet slippers, and tap shoes.  Just as a little extra she got a little skirt too.  She was soo adorable - but I have to say that...I am Momma. :)  I need to get photos that I took on my iPhone over to my PC.  Once I do that, I'll update this blog post and show the cute pics.

Something to write about

I just looked at the page and realized I haven't posted in at least 3 months.  Welcome 2010!  I am hoping to figure out whether I'll have a job or I'll see whether I get to retire.  I've been aching to write.  I think I am going to have to get my music on and see if I can get some pieces written - whether it's a story or poetry. 

I plan to work on the downstairs and get the things dealt with.

I plan to finish cross-stitch pieces this year (beyond the gift to my mom).

I plan to finish my first pair of socks that I started late last year.

Beyond that?  I just want an calm, consistent year.

Worlds of Wonder

Irene's been working on learning to read and she checked out a book today from the library at school by Scholastic.  They're called Wonder Books.  Talk about really cool!  She read the book to me twice tonight!  She was so excited to be the one reading.  Man..I am seriously thinking we should pick these books up but with needing to watch the budget I think we'll be telling people that's what she'd like for Christmas this year.   We'll see.

Wonder Books: Ben's Pens

Found a neat Knitting/Crochet site

A friend just went through and showed me a new site that I am thrilled with. :)  http://www.ravelry.com
Talk about a neat spot.  You can post the projects you're working on as well as other's you've done.  There is a nice newsletter with helpful stuff like dropped stitches in knitting etc.  Anyway, if you're of a mind, have a look! It's great.

Learning curve

Now that I have been laid off for about 2 months now, the learning curve has been immense.  I am not only learning Java, Python, Perl, and JUnit but I went out and bought a new MacBook Pro.  What a beauty that is. So now I am going to do all my learning on a mac to give me better background and I am going to try downloading the SDK for iPhone developement.  It's *that* that I think will give me an edge.  Looking forward to the fun.

Games, and the world in general

Well, I sit here playing Dragon's Quest IV for the Nintendo DS. I have to say I am having a blast. I found a blog here on blogspot that is great as it has nice pics / a wonderful world map.

Here is the link.

While looking at this blog, I realized: How do these people create the image captures? I realized, I had no idea - if I'd like to do something like this - as to how to do this. I did some research. By just googling, I found a link:
http://www.screencapturenews.com/2009/07/07/capturing-video-from-nintendo-ds/

This was fascinating because I found they actually make a camera! Then of course there are the Emulators - which totally makes me think - NEAT! Am tempted to try out the Emulator. Not sure what I'd do with it, but *shrug* it's something interesting.

I am currently learning Java and having a wonderful time. I have to say I really needed this type of time to learn something new. I am absorbing as a result and I feel like I have time with which to do so. For those that don't know, I was laid off at the beginning of July. The latest QA jobs out there, are looking for people with experience in Java and in JUnit. My Plan?
1) Learn Java
2) Create a couple of apps that my husband has drawn up that would help him in his game tournaments
3) Learn JUnit in the process and build a test system for the apps.
4) Use the Selenium automation tool to automate from the front end
5) Display this all on our newly designed web site as apart of my job interviews.

I have to say, I am quite excited at this prospect. Isn't it amazing what happens when we get laid-off?

As I sit here

It's Saturday and I sit here contemplating the world while Irene is watching the The Backyardigans.  I think that I need to post a pic ... so here we go. This is from our trip in Disneyland this year.  We went to the Disney Princess dinner the first night we got there.  This is one of the shots with Snow White.  Unfortunately , Irene wasn't feeling all that great, so most o the pics with the princesses look like this...but that's fine.

 

I have to say...This is fun! I am going to have to get a digital book or something setup up at Shutterfly soon. :)  

Inspired....

Well I got inspired when reading Liz's posts on her crochet work. So I thought I would post something creative here. The pic I am posting is really old considering that the scarf is now beyond 63 inches in length (am using up the rest of the ball - why waste? ) :) It's a simply K3 P3 and reverse side is P3 K3. I am really enjoying it. Hopefully you can see it. I took the pic with my iPhone so the detail really isn't there. Hmm I think it is time to get my camera back out. I promised to get the Disney pics posted soon anyway. :)

Wanting to be creative

Well, I have to say that I am fighting the urge to just leave work, and go find a good knitting pattern for socks and do my stuff. So much of what I have been needing to do lately is to do something creative - write fantasy, knit something new, work on Irene's new afghan - something. Instead, I am sitting here at work and feeling ho-hum about the world.

Easter is coming up. Family is coming in. I am having to figure out what the heck I am making for the main dinner course. I know I'll do the Cooking Light Grasshopper Pie that my family loves. I know I'll probably do green beans that I know Irene will eat. The question is: What to do for the main course? Maybe I'll ask my brother. Maybe he'd be willing to help me with it...hmm. I wish I felt confident to do a Leg of Lamb. I would *love* to do that. I have the spit stuff for the BBQ *sigh*. My parents have sort shown me. But I think I need to just do it myself. hmm...

Isn't it supposed to be freezing and wet and stuff?

So, it's January, right?  I  didn't miss winter right?  Cause I think I did somehow.  We are currently getting notifications of having 74 degree weather.  I had to dress Irene in short sleeves from her Summer clothes (thank god I keep a few shirts in her dresser). It's 4pm and it's registering at around 72 degrees!!! Oh my lord! It's JANUARY!!!! WTH???

What a great IDEA!

My friend, Emeli, found this recipe.  What a great idea!  You use cookie cutters in the shape of leaves for cutting out cheese. It really looks neat.  Take a look at the pic.

http://www.cooksrecipes.com/appetizer/autumn_wreath_recipe.html

Build a Bear is adorable!!!

A quick note, if you haven't gone to see the latest Build A Bear stuff...oh my.  :)  I think that will be one of Irene's and my outtings.  They have a Reindeer (not Rudolph) as their mascot for the Christmas season. The antlers are adorned with christmas lights...and yes...they light up.  Guess what I am going to be doing!? :D

Jeeez...last post was Sept.  I need to update everyone. Next post.