TO DO: Really (really) stop time.

It feels like I was writing about the beautiful sunrise yesterday. But, alas, it was a week ago. It was a mixed week for me.

I started off attempting to understand how to implement data structures in Coq. That didn't really happen, even with a relevant book Stephanie gave me. So, then I decided to use my favorite research tool: Google. WIthin a few minutes I had 20 tabs open, and I was staring blankly at an implementation of binary trees. This lack of comprehension lasted for a 2 days. FInally, during one of my meetings with Stephanie, she walked me through 2 or 3 functions, and showed me how that code actually did what the comments said it did. So, I am set to conquer slightly more complicated data structures. I also finally figured out how to work through Benjamin's lectures at a decent pace. Most of the proofs in the first 8 chapters clicked. Only problem is that my perennial habit of forgetting is still around. So, I am in the process of redoing it. Benjamin's notes are diverging away from my research, but I still really want to read them, so I will work through them anyway.

As for fun, I spent the weekend in Boston visiting old friends from High School. I also walked on the Freedom Trail, enjoyed the Sunset Cruise, marveled the realistic glass flowers at the Harvard Museum of Natural Science, explored my geeky side at the MIT museum, played with CS legos at the Museum of Science, walked down Newburry Street, roamed the esteemed halls of MIT and Harvard, and enjoyed Monet's work at the Museum of Fine Arts. Not a bad way to spend the weekend. Again, I will have to whittle down the pictures to 1/80 their initial value, so they will be up as soon as I get a chance.

This week I plan to experiment some more with Coq. My research is finally starting to look like "research:" (quoting a friend) hacking on code that may (not) be commented and may (not) work to see if I can (not) make it do what I need it to do. I will (not) give up.

June 23 - June 29