3/2/11
First of all...YOU ARE STILL #1. Had to get that out of the way. How have you been? In case you have forgotten, this is your friend from the Bahamas, although I'm no longer in the Bahamas, I'm in freezing and snow filled Connecticut. Anyway, since I spoke to you last, I have enrolled at a CC and was actually able to test into Intermediate Algebra. I'm having a ball with that, but I'm struggling a bit, since I really don't have a strong enough foundation. So right now, i'm simultaneously learning the class material, and learning the things I should already know up to this point. I have to tell you, I was moving along pretty good until I got to these adding rational expressions. For some reason, I just wasn't picking it up. So what did I do? What any other person in the know would do and that is check out your videos. I have to say Julie, in 3 short videos (roughly 30mins) I now have a feeling of what it must feel like to be blind and then see again. With a few helpful phrases and reminders, I'm actually aceing (sp?) these things.
I don't have to tell you, but math is really a beautiful subject, and I think it's a shame that more people don't understand that. It took me almost 45 years to realize it and now I feel like a new person (at the risk of sounding a bit corny). I'm studying every chance I get and that's definitely new for me. I need to personally thank you, because it was you who kind of got me over the "hill" when I was starting to get frustrated and contemplating letting this go. Just to refresh your memory, I was actually studying independently and you helped me out TREMENDOUSLY when I was struggling to grasp the Distance Rate Time equations. Anyway, I know you have better things to do than to read my 2000 word message so I hope all is going well, and once again, thanks for really teaching the concepts of math, and not just showing us how to solve a problem. My current professor is a knowledgeable guy, but he is just zipping through this material and not taking the time to teach. Perhaps that's how it is in College, I'm not sure, but I just wonder how many people leave uninspired after going through something like that. Anyway, enjoy your day and the upcoming weekend.
4/30/11
I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record here but you are really a great teacher. For some reason when my Professor goes over this it sounds like Japanese to me, but when you do it sounds like basic arithmetic...lol...Thing is though, I know my Professor knows what he is talking about and I don't consider him a "bad" teacher or anything, I just find the contrast to be strange. Have a great weekend and thanks again.