Kitty Learns Code

I read the homework last night and I have used HTML and CSS before. So why did I feel so lost when Erica was going over it today in class? I am trying to figure out the best way to receive the information in her presentation. My first reaction is to take notes, but what she is showing us is already beautifully played out in our books. Plus, I don't think I follow the norm when it comes to learning style. They say that when a person writes stuff down it makes that person remember things better. I have found when I take notes in a lecture, the information goes in my ears and exits my hand without leaving a trace in my brain. Then I just have poorly written mis-spelled notes and no real comprehension of what was just presented. So, I figured out that the best thing for me to do is concentrate and listen well to the info given and ask questions, even just for clarification. I guess I was just feeling uncertain about actively listening vs. taking notes. I mean when you take notes you can see instant results, there are your notes on the page. While paying attention and just listening has no instant proof that you are doing it well.

Today was the perfect first day at Detroit Labs. It started out a little cold, like -6. I though I was going to freeze to death right in front of DL trying to get buzzed-in. In my excitement I overlooked the part of the email that said that the class was actually a few doors down. “Please God let me in” I cried into the intercom. Thank goodness Beef Wheels (aka Jason) was there to let me in for a sec while we figured out where to go. When everyone made it to the comfy conference room, that we will be spending our mornings in together for the next few weeks, we did some GTKY games and some intros. Mine went something like this “My name is Kitty, short for Katrina. I’m still in school taking two classes, Span. and Ad Art. Yesterday was my last day at a retail shop in Royal Oak. I love animals, all kinds. I love trees, I really do. Oh, and I think we are all connected.” As the rest of the class went through theirs I wrote down each of their names. Something I’m quite terrible at is remembering names. It was a bit intimidating to know that so many of the apprentices had more coding experience then me, but Erica and Robb helped me realize that these are my team mates and the more they know the more we can all benefit from helping each other learn. Those two are going to be an awesome team of coaches for us, I can already tell. The rest of the class was spent going over what we are in for the next three months and what success in this program will mean. Before we had lunch we were each given a few really nice textbooks to keep and a super-cool MacBook to use for the duration. We went over to DL and had delicious Mexican food with some of the staff. It was nice to meet them without the whole “you are judging me and plying a part in deciding my future” like when we met in the interviews. After lunch one of the founders talked with us about the history and the mission of Detroit Labs. The way that Nathan talked about Detroit and making a difference actually gave me Goosebumps. I couldn’t be happier to be right here, right now, a part of this.

As my first day of the apprenticeship at DetroitLabs​ draws near I find it increasingly hard to believe that this is real. I have been projecting visions of this future for over a month. I drive into Detroit in the cool morning. I sit with my partner scribbling on notepads and desperately searching the screen for the piece of code we need. Laughing at lunch. Celebrating small successes. High-fives and LOTS of COFFEE. Coming home to a big house we just bought and are fixing up. Working days. Looking forward to weekends.Starting my career.These are the things that I want so badly. I am bewildered by how fate has laid out this path for me. I can see my goals ahead of me clearly now and i know that I can make it uphill to get there.

This is also a great interactive tool for learning JavaScript.