Last month I made the decision that I’m going to do all I can to become a private pilot. So far I’ve found out the following:
- It’s gonna cost me around $7,000
- It’ll be an expensive hobby to keep up
- There are a number of locations in the Portland area to learn to fly
- I like Stark’s Twin Oaks Airpark the best.
- I’m gonna take my lessons from a fellow named James.
Though it’ll cost me up front, my thought is since it is education, that I can use it for years to come. Also, since I didn’t pay a ton for my car a couple years ago and live pretty frugalous, that I’m allowed to make this dream of mine happen.
Weather providing, this journey begins on Monday, August 30th, when I take my first lesson!
I’m going to be logging my adventure learning to fly at*: lookingtothesky.gilldev.net.
I hope the few people that read my blog will continue to track my progress as I learn to fly in the next few months.
Jason
*Looking To The Sky – lyric from “Learn To Fly” by the Foo Fighters.
This weekend I went to Portland Code Camp, and I am so glad I did. This years FREE event, hosted at the University of Portland, had over a thousand people in its attendance, nearly fifty plus speakers, and seven sessions with a dozen or more topics in each to attend. I ended up attending a number of different session topics ranging from mobile phone development to parallel programming; all of which were quite stellar. On top of the sessions there were prizes that could be won by the different sponsors at the event (one being a 320GB SSD Hard Drive, WOW!!!) There was food and snacks provided throughout the day with the dinner including complimentary been and wine. I didn’t stay for the final session (after dinner), but either way I had a blast and learned quite a bit while also filling my belly!
Be sure to follow the site for next years event schedule, for it will be even bigger than this one!
- Jason
After six whole months of interning here at Garmin AT, I’m finally heading out. I’ve had a fantastic time being part of the Garmin team and will definitely be looking this way in the next few months as I get closer to graduating. Hard to believe that the internship has come and gone already.
I’ve learned a lot throughout this ordeal and am extremely glad I took the time out of my sequence to partake of it. I gained a lot while I was here and have given my fair share of help throughout this internship.
For all those Garmin people who take a look at this, thanks for all the good times and for making me feel like an actual part of the team. Who knows what will happen later down the road, I may just end up sitting next to a few of you.
This entire internship was totally worth while and I would do another one with Garmin any time (Cept I’d rather have an actual job with them for better pay if nothing else).
I recommend Garmin AT to anyone with an interest in aviation who wants a fantastic job, so go apply as soon as you can!
I’m going to miss this place for sure!
Jason
Filed under:
Education, Job
I finished everything I needed to get in for school this last Monday and just found out today that I got an A in all three of my classes!!! That brings my overall GPA, between Chemeketa and OIT, to a 3.52!!! My GPA at just OIT is 3.55 and my GPA with my core classes is 3.75. How great is that.
On top of that, I have a phone interview with Microsoft this this Friday at 2:30pm. Wish me luck if you get a chance. Until then I’m going to do all that I can to prepare for it, and also spend some time applying everywhere else I have in mind.
J!
After five years, I’m happy to say that this last Tuesday, I finally received my Associates degree in Network Technology from Chemeketa Community College!
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Fall term is coming to an end, which means I have a lot left to do in a short amount of time. This next Monday I have my senior project design to turn in and my OpenGL Graphics class to finish up and get my project turned in. I have a good amount to do on both, so wish me luck.
On top of school work I also have my six-month internship coming to an end December 28th. It’s hard to believe that it’s already been five months since I started working here and it’s coming to an end so soon. 
This new year brings on a whole bunch of new challenges that I’ll have to face. No longer getting my nice paycheck from Garmin, and having to push myself to the extremes with five classes this term and five the next. I’ll at least be able to get paid for the work I do for Campus Activities which I start when I return and will also be taking back the presidency position for the Oregon Tech Game Developers.
With so much to do in just six more months of school, I’m quite stressed. But I know it will all pay off in the end!
Until next post.
Jason
