I thought I had a Biology test today. I was wrong: it was more of a chemistry test than anything. This school has a way of making every single subject into a computational science. Not asking a single definition. Not asking anything about cells. Only quantitative questions about chemical reactions and bonds in cells. I like quantitative questions, but only when I'm expecting them =P.


Though his response was amusing, I have to say I disagree with my TA on the purpose of Analysis of Mathematics 18.100A. My life, and the world in general is complicated as is, and surely does not need my help to become more so. I think Analysis has the opposite purpose: by proving formulas, we construct complicated statements by expanding onto simple statements in small logical steps. This shows that all complicated truths really stem from simple ones. Sometimes analysis does expose some things taken for granted as obvious to have a complicated twist, but by way of proofs, it also shows that these complications can still be reduced to something simple.


The reason I'm putting myself through this ordeal of a class is: (ironicallly) to put my mind at ease: to show myself that the many many formulas we used in Calculus and Differential Equations were not a result of handwaving, but based in reality. Sadly, this urge to put my mind at ease only drives me to construct a proof to the point where I understand it, not to the point where it is rigorous and written in formal mathematical terms. My grades show it. My TA can never understand my proofs, and thinks that I skip a bunch of steps. But since I'm rather on the dumb side, if I think something is obvious, it must be obvious right? I'm wrong---- not because I'm smart, but because I'm scatter-brained. My room is a mess. I'm in trouble when I drop my open backpack because not only are things not in their binders, the papers that are are not in the rings. Who could follow the thought process of someone so disorganized? My mind follows steps in different patterns and much of what people think is obvious I have a hard time understanding.


My dad should be arriving some time tonight, and tomorrow I should be expecting a student from the Cambridge University Symphony Exchange. Hoping the accent rubs off. . .