return void;

So I now have finished CS 6375 Machine Learning, with the exception of the final exam. This marks the 12th credit of 33 required credits towards my masters degree. I also found out that they are changing the PhD qualification exam policy, so I’m not really sure what I am going to do in that regard.

Today is Thanksgiving and right now, the thing I am most thankful for is rest. I desperately need some time off that does not involve studying or working around the house. I decided to make today one of those days and it has been extremely peaceful. We decided to have a quiet dinner by ourselves this year. I started a fire in our fireplace since the temperatures dropped by about 40 degrees in 2 days, and we have been sitting around the living room all day.

I also went out for a run today to start getting acclimated to the cold weather run in preparation for this year’s Too Cold Too Hold 5K. Last year, I won my age group, so I’d like to repeat that performance. Starting in December, I’m going to follow the Ryan Hall Half Marathon training plan in hopes of reaching the elusive sub-2-hour half marathon.

I don’t really have any other news to report other than I wanted to express my gratitude for a day of solitude.

It seems like all I ever do anymore is work. I leave work and go to school which is like an extension of work. The more I work, the more I complain that I need some time off.

I have been procrastinating several posts lately. As of this week, I have started a long long study session. I have 3 exams in 3 weeks; each of which increases in difficulty and importance. Next Monday is the second midterm, followed by the final exam, and lastly the qualification exam.

Since this is basically my last hope at passing the qualification exams, I am really trying to do everything I can do to earn a pass. I have been beaten up by two marginals, so I really could use this. At the same time, it’s to the point where if I didn’t pass, I don’t think it would be as big of a deal as I imagine it.

Christmas vacation is rapidly approaching. I am hoping to avoid any on-call work over the break so that I can take car of things around the house that sorely need attention. I have a giant TODO list that keeps growing. Hopefully, I’ll get around to posting that list before the break starts so I can see how much of it I accomplished.

Bleh, I was going to say more, but I lost my train of thought.