The third class we play with timers to do things like turn off an LED after a calculated time.  The professor also plugged in a capacitor the wrong way into a breadboard.  Although we were prepared for it, the sound was still surprisingly loud from such a small object.  Charging a polarized capacitor the wrong way will quickly make it explode.  The fourth class we learned about digital circuits and how to use gates to do boolean algebra.  We also moved from the small lab we were in to the 6.111 lab with their larger, better equipment.

For the last class, we only made one final circuit.  It was a digital lock where depending on the sequence the switches were depressed, the LED would turn on.  We used a combination of NAND gates, AND gates, and shift registers to make the circuit.  It took me almost the full four hours to make the circuit because first, I wanted to make the wires look nice, and second, because the LAs would refuse to help if the wires were not multiple colours.  We got to take this circuit home to be able to show off.  I’m quite glad I made it pretty.

Be anal about the appearance of things you can bring home to show off.  Pretty things are more fun to present.

The next day, I woke up fairly late and realized it was about time to go join ATS and do a practice Mystery Hunt.  I went out to the Student Center and found Wei in the PDR.  I pulled out my computer and began working on the first puzzle.  I was invited to a Google Docs file where we were collaborating on answers.  I invited Vivian in to help out as well.  Even though she was still in Texas, it would be good to practice.  After a while, not many were focused on puzzle solving anymore, and were doing other things.  There were cards flying around everywhere and Nick finished folding his flower.

Free time is precious.  Abuse it.

• 6.091 Intro to EE Lab Skills
• Mystery Hunt with ATS
• Make a successful install on my reuse machine
• Nuke my computer and start fresh
• Spend more time with friends
• Eat healthier
• Learn to cook
• Exercise more
• Try to find time to visit friend at Yale
• Charm School
• Learn Dvorak keyboard layout
• Many non-credit classes
• Spend more time in Boston
• Find a normal sleep pattern by the end of IAP
• Relearn violin?
• Read a few books
• Enjoy MIT

If you want a happy time here’s the way
Pick your classes so you always get an A
You big nerds, all in course 6
Have no free time, we both agree
While I play bingo and pickup sticks
We’ll both still get a Tech degree

MIT is easy when you study biology
Or course 13, or course 13
Planetary science is the ultimate party scene
Just like 15, just like 15

My one problem set is due the first of May
If it’s past or late I’ll go find my TA
Bat my eyes and act real ditsy
Say he’s cute and flirt in class
I hope that med school will be this easy
I’ll get an A, and I will pass

MIT is easy when you study biology
Learn about proteins, examine genes
Imagine if you never had to hand in a problem set
Get lots of sleep, that’s what you’d get

My TA speaks real good English
We look at the zebra fish
There’s no math or calculation
It’s easier than mastication

My exams are a fiesta
Grades are on an A+ scale
And in class there’s a siesta
You never fail, you never fail

MIT is easy when you study biology
We party lots, others cannot
While you’re dressed to study, we run out to get our booze
Or hit the snooze, or hit the snooze

MIT is easy when you study biology
Intense premeds, four-color pens
All you have to do is have a pulse and you’ll get an A
Class is a laugh don’t need no math

MIT is easy when you study biology

Awesome song.  BTW, VLC currently has a santa hat on it.

I studied all of Sunday at Next on 8.01 Physics Mechanics not for Masochists.  Took the test Monday morning 9-12 and did not think it was utterly and completely horrible.  It began with a post-diagnostic test, which should be 26 free points, essentially.  Then the real exam began.  Luckily we were allowed to drop a question so I dropped the one about a gyroscope in a car.  The rest, I thought were decent, and I just hope I get a passing score on the test.  Then everything will be good.  They STILL haven’t posted scores.  The other physics have their scores already.  Anyway.  After the test, I found Rachel and we got ourselves some soup from the LEM (Luteran Episcopal Ministry).  I went to the student center to get some more food, and found the group of 8.012 people.  We got food and moped around about our physics tests.  I returned to my dorm to “study” for my 3.091 exam.  We calculated it and I needed only about 4% to pass the class, so I worked so very hard to understand every little bit of information that I could absorb.

I walk in to Johnson Tuesday morning and find a seat in the back.  Sadoway is dressed in a tux again and he begins the test.  I quickly go over what I do know, skip over all things amino acid/lipids/organic and try to maximize my points before I leave an hour early.  I return home, sleep, and try to start studying for 18.01, which I know decently well enough to pass enough without studying too much.  Wednesday morning, Vivian calls me to remind me to meet her early for an quick cram session before the test, so I head out to meet her.  We take the test and I passed the final with a 76/120.  Yay.  Afterward, we go to Anna’s to grab quesadillas and head to the Coop.  We find Moose (yes, Moose) and all head over to Kendall where I obtain myself a MIT umbrella.  I find a little stuffed beaver and cuddle with it for a while.  A while being the rest of the time we are in the store.  We look at the toys and see a dreaded gyroscope.  Vivian wants it so I pick one up for her.  We finish shopping and I drop the beaver in Vivian’s basket.  After we purchase everything, Vivian and I exchange gifts ^_^.  She got a gyroscope and a magnet saying “never never never give up”  and I get a stuffed beaver.  I think I win this trade.  After all, the beaver is SO MUCH cuter cuddlier softer BETTER more stuffed than the giver of the gift.  Hehe.

Vivian and I wander campus, visiting the physics department… and wandering a little in tunnels.  We head back home because I need to start packing.  I finally begin at around 3, finish in like 10 minutes, and decide I need to clean my desk.  I do so and there is SO MUCH more room now than there was 25 minutes before.  I make my bed, and my side of the room is clean and made.  I just wish it could stay that way.  I head out to Kendall to get to the airport. As I drag my bags along, I write a text to send to everyone.

Goodbye all! I am now leaving this dreaded place called MIT.  I am going to a place where everything will be better.  Goodbye.  You will all be worse without me.

When I get there I find some other MITs waiting at gate C33 to Tampa.  Their flight was delayed because the plane was simply circling the airport.  Apparently Logan went into a ground state.  They finally get on their plane, and I get onto mine a few minutes later.  The flight takes longer than expected because of headwinds, and I make it to Denver around midnight.  I am currently writing from my bed in Denver,  it creaks a lot.

When you coddle a stuffed animal long enough in a store, eventually someone will buy it for you.  Take advantage of this!