As I think about the mid-term, I realize that at the end of 2006, my direction
is undetermined. UW will complete and I am unsure of where I will go from
there. Today, I asked my professor if he would take me as a research student
for my last quarter. Regardless of his answer, I realized (in the shower) that
I need to begin my CS GRE prep (as this will be required for a doctorate
application.) I have taken the test once before but did not score well; instead
of seeing it as a hurdle in my way, this time I see it as an opportunity to
excel. While at the same time that I think about my career, I realize that I
need to balance my life more; particularly, I need to exercise my body as well
as my mind -- and I need to take a short-term focus. Eriko and I have decided
to begin going to the pool twice a week. This will put further pressure on me
to be organized (and complete class preparation early) as this activity will
take approximately 4 hours. In addition, I've decided to resume riding my bike
to and from work. Finally, I must find a way to excel at Japanese, instead of
the bare-minimum I am doing now.