Monday, February 7, 2011

The Life of a Contract Engineer: Week 2

In the working world: I love engineering! It is awesome! Right now I'm still in the honeymoon phase, excited just to have a job, but I'm having a great time. I spent most of this week sorting out a license problem which basically stalled me for a few days. Then we figured thing out and I got to run some simulation and start my first simulation from scratch. Well, I don't build the parts or models in CAD but I build the mesh and simulation in ANSYS. I even worked some overtime working on a cooling problem for some residential generators. In fact, I learned that often companies build in cost reduction targets for a product at intervals after it's initial release. I'll probably write a post about that in the future but I am just stunned at how great of an idea that is. I am amazed that it took me so long to learn that.

In short, working is awesome, so far.

In the running world I ran 81 miles, a low total after four consecutive weeks of 100+ mileage. Most of that was due to "Snowpocalypse" that made running my normal double digit daily mileage or double runs far more challenging. However, I had a 20 miler at 7:03 per mile pace with a double on long run day. I would like to double every long run day and get 25-30 miles every Sunday, but my body can't hand that just yet. Then I had a tempo just over nine miles long at 5:45 pace, which means I set a personal record in the nine mile.  That was my first official marathon pace tempo. I'm not sure if I am going to run a marathon this spring, but I might. Finally, the plan is for an 8k race this weekend. Hopefully, I'll set a new personal record.

In the social world I had all sorts of fun. In chronological order I went skiing for the first time this season with a co-op student from work. We had a pretty good time. The plan is for a ski trip up to the UP (upper peninsula of Michigan) in a few weeks. Friday I ate supper with a handful of interesting women in Milwaukee.

Finally, Saturday I road tripped seven and a half hours to St. Louis, Missouri to go to the birthday party for my best friend from high school. I hadn't seen her in years and I don't work on the weekends plus I'm actually earning money now, so I drove down. It was amazing to see her. She changed my life, for the better, and helped me to understand mental and emotional things that no one else has ever helped me understand. Which is to say, she helped make me who I am. Without her I wouldn't be nearly as understanding to a number of issues. I am so happy I saw her. That has been on my to do list for a long time.

I love my life. I am so fortunate. I have everything. Well, not everything, but most of it. Why me? Why isn't all of this awesomeness given to someone who is starving or dying or was simply born in a less developed country? I guess this is asking the question: "what is my purpose in life?" I don't know. I don't know.

2 comments:

  1. Seems... you enjoying your professional life and personal life. Gr8, keep it up. And your intention of every one to be happy is really impressive. People with such intention will always be happy and also make others happy.

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  2. I hope you are right, and I think you are. Work hard, play hard. Have fun at work, have fun at play.

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