I would love to post about anything other than work, but it is the main component in my life right now so.... sorry guys.

I don't know how many of you have gone on co-op or have worked in an industry.  I am on my first co-op right now.  First I'd like to say if it's not already apparent I love my job.  I am working for a rather large semiconductor company.  You may be aware of it, Intel.  Yeah they make processors, mobile chips, and medical chips now as well.  I work in one particular area of this factory in sustaining the machines and the product.  Our factory makes all kinds of different products, and it is quite a task to sustain those products and all the machines involved in making them.  So there were when I started 5 engineers in our group, John Ron Tamera Marlon and Scott.  Shortly after I started Intel laid off 100 engineers and we were reduced to John and Ron.  Because of that they added a couple of guys to partially support our area.  So we also have Davis, David, and Jacque.  Those three guys are not familiar with our machines or our layers but they are just there to help us out.  Personally I can say they aren't much help.  But that is beside my point.  My point here is MY work. 

So I am working on this really involved project.  It required me to do a lot of training when I started.  I had so much training actually that I had more training on the machines and the equipment in our area than anyone else except for my mentor John.  So I am doing a ton of work with multiple machines, and gathering a lot of data tabulating that data.  First time I've ever wrote a program template for excel, and I must say I hope the last.  But... where I am going with all of this.  They knew it wasn't going to be possible for me to really finish this project before I left.  So I have to pass all my work and all my data onto someone else who can take over.  There is one slight problem... no one but John is trained how to do my work.  John is going on a 9 week sabbatical well starting tomorrow.  Soo.... I now have the daunting task of not only trying to finish as much of this project that I can, but also I have to train a replacement.  Let me just said this is the most awkward and frustrating thing I've ever done.

One: Jacque may be one of the smartest people I know but he is certainly not the fastest.  He's probably late 40's, and he's really bright.  It just takes a while for things to really sink in for him.  So I have to walk him through each machine multiple times.  Considering the number of machines I run, this is going to take a while. 

Two: He is one of the uppity up guys for this factory.  His sole job is to work on any weird defect issues we find in the factory and to try to find ways to cut cost.  The latter is why I am training him.  My project could cut cost for this material by like 60%.  So naturally Jacque is a good choice to take over.  But his schedule is soo busy he is really just slowing me down.  If I didn't have to train him I might be able to finish my portion of this project before I leave.  But if things keep going at this rate it is going to be hard.  So on top of all this Jacque likes to challenge my thought process.  Which is good because I've been designing this project and everything pretty much with just feedback as to am I going in the right direction.  But Jacque wants to always try new things, which are good I agree I learn more.  But nine times out of ten my original idea is what we go with.  So like I appreciate the effort, but I can't really explain in detail why his idea won't work, until I see the results and I'm like yeah well that makes sense I could have predicted that.

On top of all of this, Intel asked me to stay an additional three months.  Basically because John and I are the only engineers trained on all the machines and programs, and well they are going to lose us both here in a few weeks.  So they wanted me to stay and take over John's tasks.  But I can't do it, because of this stupid math class.  Damn I finally get a job that I love, and is related to engineering and they want me to stay and I can't because I f'ed up in this math class.  I'm really kicking myself in the ass for that.  Oh well.  I am going to get some rest because John won't be in tomorrow so I have to cover for him.  Goodnight all.

So I am going to use the most simple words possible to describe how awesome my work has been.  I realized the other day that I can't really describe to people what I do at work at all.  I am going to describe this as clearly as I can, with as much detail as I am allowed. 
Alright first and foremost I work in a clean room making mobile chipsets for Intel.  So I work with 8 inch wafers. 
Making chipsets is a fairly simple process actually.  You put a film on the wafer, then you develop that film in a pattern.  You "bake" that patter onto the wafer.  After doing this say 9-10 layers and then putting the metal into those patterns you make chips.  So..... I have been working with the films used.  There are only a few that Intel uses, and we are trying to introduce a new film that costs less.  So I am on the team of engineers that have to make this new film work at every layer we process.  But that is not what I want to talk about cause that isn't my favorite part about work.  It should be I mean I get to be a part of a revolutionary process for Intel, and my work could be carried throughout Intel worldwide.  But my favorite part of work was the other day.  I got to work with the tool technician.  So there are two tools basically.  The "track" and the "stepper".  The track puts the film on the wafers, the stepper then develops the pattern, then the wafer goes back to the track to got through a series of hot plates. 
Well, I got the luxury of being an EE major.  So when one of the sensors went bad on one of those hot plates, the track technician took the whole hot plate assembly out of the machine and let me tear it apart to get the sensor off and replace it.  I was slightly proud of myself for being able to teach the technician a few things about the electronics on the tool, as well as the pneumatic system.  Well, he enjoyed working with me, and there was no other track technician at work for the day, so I became his personal assistant for the day.  He assisted me as i took a track apart to clean everything inside in a scheduled cleaning event.  The hardest part about the cleaning of the track is the hot plates.  They are, well HOT!!!  And even when you power down the track those plates are a ceramic disc and it takes a while to cool down.  Soo.... When you are using clean room wipes that you've drenched in isopropyl alcohol, there is a slight risk of fire.  But no worries, i didn't catch myself on fire, and I didn't catch the track on fire either.  Seriously this was my favorite day of work so far.  I got to climb inside the track, take things out, see how everything works.  I realized today I am the biggest geek ever.  Because I was looking as I'm in there cleaning everything to see how stuff works.  Seriously in my head I'm imagining the different flows of a wafer, since I know all of the recipe's.  I know when I write a recipe or edit one which hot plate I tell the wafer to go to, and what tempurature those plates should be set at, and in my head I'm "watching" my recipe at work.  I know GEEK!!!!  But oh well, it was a killer day for me.  I just hope that I get to work with the track technicians some more in the next few weeks.  I know one tech. is going ot be out for about 5 weeks, so I could have the chance to work quite a bit on the tracks we have in our area.  I have a special treat as well for you guys.  Today we had to take some pictures of the parts used in our tools to order some more.  So I got camera privileges for the fab.  And well... I got some pics of me at work.  Here the are for you!

There's this big debate about same sex marriage, people are for it, people are against it.  The people against it always say, marriage is between a man and and a woman it has always been that way, and it should always remain that way.  If people can marry of the same sex what's next people marrying animals.  That's where they go first, every time.  These people scare me, and they think we're weird!  I don't want to marry a goat.  I can't even imagine getting to that level of commitment.  Sure you'd live together to see if you're compatible.  Pictures around the apartment of you and goat on the beach, the four photo strip at the mall.  Sunday morning you're trying to read the paper, the goat's trying to eat it.  Don't you eat that section I'm not done reading it, don't you, ah, come here you...... goat.  I'm sure that's got to be a hard day, even for the most liberal of parents.  Mom, Dad, this is Billy, we are in love. 

Lesbian Demands Cheese  Causes Riot!

The way I see it... if you need both of your hand for whatever you are doing, your brain should be in on it too.

There used to be a door in dressing rooms, now there's a  2x4.   Before  the clerk could just  stand on the outside and knock, "Can I get you anything do you need anything?"  Now they can just pop their head in there, "Can I get you anything, do you need anything? How is everything?"

Does anyone ever feel like they are a part of a secret society when you say you go to RIT?
It's a school apparently not many people have heard about.  However, whenever I wear an RIT t-shirt out or RIT apparel I always get someone who says to me, "Oh, you got to RIT?  I know so-and-so that goes there."
It's like a secret little world.  The people who've heard about it always say, it seems like such a great school.  Or my friend who's there now Loves that school.  It makes me giggle inside a little when I wear RIT clothes.  I feel like I'm bearing a blantant sign that I'm in a secret little cult, like Skulls or something.  I'm in a secret society where geeks and artisans mix and mingle within the confines of a swampy wetland.  And, somehow, I always manage to think of getting to campus as some wild excursion that takes you through the Gracies woods, and under the Genesee River to pop out on the ring around campus.  Landing yourself in a quiet little world patrolled by Public Safety on their little segways (that they don't know how to drive, but that's another story).  Sort of like a little Pleasentville, or Stepford. Maybe more like Stepford with the robot builders and the decorators of RIT.  And it is within this pleasant little world that you meet other people who fit in to the campus in their own little ways.  The art students struggling to carry a huge portfolio on a windy day (or any day for that matter).  The greasy kids that could probably hack into anything they wanted, but choose to spend hours on end playing World of Warcraft.
Anyway, I might be a little creative and imaginative, but hey I go to RIT I'm allowed to be a little quirky.  So next time someone comes up to you and asks you where you to to school, think of RIT that secret society that we all love and adore.

OK I would like to know who thought it was such a good idea to make Creme Brulee into this totally difficult thing that no one can make. 
Granted I've been told I can cook a lot of things other people can't.  Frankly my cooking kicks Kelly's out of the water, but I love you anyway! But honesty this is no difficulty people.  There is no complicated or hard to come by aspect of this dish.
So here it is people the BIG secret to cooking creme brulee.
egg yolks
heavy cream
sugar
vanilla
THAT IS IT!!!
Now if you want the fancy sugar crusted top you have to get a culinary torch, but even that isn't rocket science.  You are burning sugar, how f'in hard is that?  Now I will give the French a little credit for there is a trick to getting this wonderfully creamy dessert to come out creamy inside.  You don't just bake it, you bake it in small dishes submerged halfway in water.  So you might have some difficulty getting your pan out of the oven with hot water and creme brulee dishes, but still not that hard.  So let me tell you, if you adore creme brulee as much as I do, you can make it yourself.  You don't have to go to a fancy restaurant and order it for what $6-7 sometimes more.  I have perfected the art of making creme brulee by itself and I am moving on to adding things like Baileys, chocolate, and fruit.   Now that you will all be storming my apartment in the fall for dessert, just know I might have to start charging for this little delight. 
That is all.
Bon Appetite!

Found an old project of mine from last year's journalism class. 
Think I will update this when I get a chance.
Reading my first entry made me smile, I love Crew.
Check it out.

http://jennrows.blogspot.com/

GO RIT CREW

Ithaca we will get you next time!
Dad to visit? = me panic!
leftovers means yummmy lunches for a week!
buddha is gorgeous and a horrible distraction
I'm the host for Wes Culwell and I have no idea what to do.
I have so much work to do and my brain can't focus.
As you can tell it's jumping from random thought one to twenty to fourteen to three.
I can't think straight.
I ate too much today.
I need to work.
Ok, work, I can do this, work!
Goodnight!

Over six years since I've seen you.
Over six years since I've heard your voice.
Over six years since I've cried for you.
Today hearing your song, the first one you taught me to play on the guitar, I broke down.
It's been a long time since I've thought about you.
And it's been an even longer time since I've really heard that song.
And today, for whatever reason, it made me miss you.
Here's to you Grandpa.
Amazing Grace

So here is a little list of things that we've realized about me.
I say we because some friends helped in this conversation.
One: Despite appearances I'm really just a big girly girl.
Two: I fuss over my hair, more than some straight girls.
Three: I have too many shoes, and yet not enough at the same time.
Four: I fuss over my outfit and my big ass legs. (sometimes too much)
Five: I have big legs because I'm a great athlete (thanks Kelly)
Six: I've got amazing maternal instincts. (not that I want to use them right now!)

So all in all, I am a girl, I just like to look more like a boy than most!

Today is my day.   I have everything set in its place. 
My speaker is coming.
I tossed and turned last night over what the outcome will be.
Will there be lots of people interested, what I'm hoping for.
Or will there be a few psychology students and students from RITGA and GLBT Studies class?
What will I say to everyone? 
Will I totally screw something up like pronouncing his name?
Will I be the horrible clutz that I am and spill water or something on me?
So many things can go wrong, but there's so much possibility for a great outcome.
Well, time is actually on my side for the moment, so I am going to take advantage of that.
See you later!!  Come see the presentation!

Dr. Ritch Savin-Williams
"The New Gay Teenager"
06-A205 from 2-4pm
February 9th, TODAY!!

I've been thinking of a way to describe the past two weeks or so.
Spiderwebs come to mind, and I think JLo's the only one to get that.
But yes spiderwebs.
Also TechMemo and Circcuits lab needs to be less anal.  TechMemo is the format for our lab reports, and it's horrible.
The TA's just need to be more relaxed.  They are so controlling and our data has to be perfect before we can leave.
Work Work Work Work Work, lots of homework, SG, and crew.
Crew is in season now, two practices a day, lifting and abs in there. 
Spirit week just ended, great time good turnouts, and lots of fun.  But lots of work too.
And as I think about it being, what, week 8, I can't imagine what happened to the quarter.
I don't know where my time went, what I've been doing, or in some cases what's going on.
So really I can't sum up the past two weeks or so, because it just flew by.
Soon I'll be in Florida with the crew team, peeling pieces of skin the size of quarters off my hands.
All I have to say is wow, it's been crazy.
I love being Ritchie!
And of course Spiderwebs. 

I have been training so hard with the crew team.  Two practices a day, lifting, erging, running.  The whole shebang.  So naturally I thought I was in the best shape of my life.  Then I decide the weekend before "official" practice to try snowboarding.  Every inch of my body is sore.  Mostly from falling on my face, my side, my ass and yes my pride.  But seriously that is an intense leg workout.  Imagine doing wall sits, but there is no wall, and you are on a slippery surface.  That is how snowboarding feels on your body.  By the end of the day my legs were burning so bad from staying in a squat that I honestly didn't think I could finish the run.  Which brings me to my other story.
So I decide to follow the group to the other side of the mountain to Jackson Gore.  Where you can't get to the base unless you do like two runs to get to the bottom.  So we get to the top of the lift I'm feeling pretty bad at this point.  My ass was so sore and my legs were on fire, but I was ready to tough it out and go down two more runs to get to the bottom.  As I am getting off the lift it is me, Sarah, and Ellen.  Ellen veers to the right, Sarah goes straight and I am in the middle trying to not hit them.  Sarah falls right in front of me, I'm trying to avoid hiting her so I "brake" hard on the board promptly falling square on my tailbone.  This was the final blow.  The debilitating hit that wiped me clear out of being tough little Jenn that can take anything.  I imediately knew at that moment that I wasn't going to make it down the mountain.  I couldn't bear to hit my ass one more time on the ground.  I was done, out for the count.  I got up after a few seconds of coming to the realization that I was in a lot of pain.  And after getting up my inital reaction was suck it up you wimp, go down and save whatever pride you might have left.  But as I stood there and my tailbone was throbbing I couldn't help but actually cry.  I wasn't crying so much that I was in pain, but that I knew I wasn't going to make it down.  I knew I was going to be one of those people pulled down on a sled.  And I was so ashamed of myself.  I thought about it long and hard, and I thought about how many times I was likely to fall again.  There was no way to guess for an accurate number but I willing to say about 8 give or take a few.  And I knew I could always make sure I fell on my face instead, but I had done that once already and decided that it hurt worse to eat snow. 
Side story of my faceplant.  So was doing pretty good on the back edge of the board.  I had that mastered but the front edge wasn't going so well.  But I hit a point that I had to turn on the front and I tried to keep it from catching, I really did I tried hard.  But it caught, I was going pretty fast, and I went face first into the snow.  I slid for a good 5 feet face buried in the snow, feet and board flipping up over my back and head.  Back fully arched and arms outstretched, I was praying to stop.  Sarah comes along behind me and as I lay there wondering what a fool I must look like, starts busting out laughing.  I got my answer, aparently it was hilarious.
So anyway, I knew that hitting my bum 8 more times was not an option.  So Ellen went over to ski partol and told him that her friend needed a ride down.  He walks over and looks at me and asks what's wrong.  I tell him I have just hit my butt too many times and I don't think I can make it down.  He asks if there is anything else wrong any stinging or shooting pain, and I said no.  So he gets on the radio to see about getting me a ride back and the guy on the other end asks what's wrong, broken arm or leg?  And the guy with me says,"Nope, nothing, first time snowboarder, beat up pretty bad."  That was the finaly low blow that it sunk in how lame I was for asking for a ride down.  He goes into his little shack and comes back with a sled and his skiis.  I was going to ride down behind him, oh goody. 
Let me tell you, those rides might be nice for anything other than a bruised ass.  But they hit every bump hard, every little turn digs into your sides, and quite frankly it might have hurt worse to take the ride than to try going down myself.  None-the-less, I was thankfull for not shocking my butt with 8 hard hits and rather just kneading it on the sled.  I get down to the bottom there's only 500 feet or so left and he drops me off.  My face is windburned, and there's snow all over me from him slowing down on his skiis by plowing.  I strap in one last time and brace for the last bit down.  I made it all the way without falling.  Managed to come to a standing stop at the bottom before the pile of people getting on the lifts and got down into the lodge.  All in all I liked snowboarding.  It was hard and I love the challenge.  I would do it again, but not any time soon.  So now I am going to take some ibuprofen or something and try to sleep.  And tomorrow I start practice, not sure how I am going to erg with black bottom and a certainly bruised tailbone, but I'm sure it is going to hurt.  Oh well, I had fun.

Winter is by far my favorite season. 
I love snow, and I love ice.
I love how clean everything looks with a layer of snow.
Sledding is also one of my favorite things to do.
The crew team went sledding for practice today at Cobb's Hill.
I highly recommend this place if you want a good hill to sled down.
Anyway, if you are in the mood to be 10 years old again and want to go have a blast.
Go to Cobb's Hill, grab a sled or something and have a ball.
(oh and I wouldn't know myself, but Gracies Trays work really well for sleds, I've been told)