Yes, Mom and Karen, I have dropped off the face of the planet (Karen, stop giving my mom these ideas!). Anyway, the reason for my extended departure and sporadic entries this week was not just my foray to Florida, but, in fact, because I have been in training class hell.

So, since you missed my entries so much, I am going to bore you with a REALLY long rambling entry.

Training classes

Its funny which classes I have liked and not like, but as a part of my 3 year "internship" program, I had to take certain classes on certain topics. So, last week, to fulfill some of these requirements, I took a class called "Understanding Space". It was about 60% a waste of time, as we went over very simple astrodynamics (for you techies: "this is inclination" "this is an elliptical orbit" etc.), the other 40% was kind of interesting, because it was about integrating all the systems in a satellite and it followed my favorite textbook (Whhooo hoo SMAD!! that's Space Mission Analysis and Design... it was like my Bible during the space design competitions I worked on...Am I a nerd to have a favorite textbook?).

Then, I ran off to Florida and was in the office on Monday. But then, TUESDAY, I went to a class called "STEP: Safety Through Everyone's Protection." Its a required course for everyone who works at JSC. It was 8 hours. It sucked. And the chairs were uncomfortable and the material was common sense. Aren't you glad to know your federal government spends its money on this?

Yesterday I went to a class called "Communication Skills for Technical Professionals," which is one of 3 courses I have to take on the subject of communicating (I took "Professional Presentations" last month). I wasn't exactly looking forward to it, because, well, have you ever known ME to have a problem communicating? Anyway, I actually really really enjoyed it. It wasn't so much the course material that was inspiring (I did however learn that I a mix between a socializer and director... anyone surprised?), but the instructor was just really good. He made you want to listen to him (I guess if you are teaching a communications class, you better be able to do that). He was also really really insightful about everyone in the class, that is what surprised me most - it always surprises me when people are just that good at interpretting human nature (I guess since he had like three degrees in psychology, again, he better be good at that).

One more famous person missed

On Tuesday, Prince Andrew, His Royal Highness, Duke of York (so, BLAH, Karen, I think I got that right) was here for a little visit. I am getting to know this lady in PAO (that's public affairs) whos job it is to coordinate between the famous visiting people and the center director, so she tells me all about this stuff (she really liked the minister of Japan who was here last week). Anyway, I saw H.R.H.'s limo. Unfortunately I didn't see him (there goes any chance I have of becoming a Princess).

Yoga canceled and jogging on hold

My yoga class was canceled today. Sigh. I really like yoga. There is nothing like an exercise where everytime you start to exert yourself, the instructor dims the lights, turns up the music, and tells you to lie down and close your eyes.

As for jogging, well, I've gone the last couple of days, but last night while walking the dog in my new sandles that lift me about 2 inches of the ground, I slipped, and must've twisted my ankle, because it hurts to walk a little bit (though its gotten better), so its on an indefinite hold until I can walk strait again.