Of Earth and Stars

I am now an official fangirl for Coursera. I think I mentioned that I signed up for a free course on climate change science, mostly as a refresher for myself, but also because I want to play with climate models, which is where I'm supposed to be at the end of 8 weeks.

Oh, my, I had forgotten how much fun it is to be a part of a class, especially with other people interested in the same topic that want to learn and are actively engaged. I've already breezed through six of the eight lectures for this week and done 2 of the homework assignments. (It's all stupidly simple stuff at the start, like factor-label method and converting units of energy, heat, and light and blackbody objects, etc., which I suppose is needed for such a course.)

But there are online study groups! And discussion forums! And quizzes! And projects! And people who think! People who love climate science. And a college professor with crazy hair/beard! *cries with joy*

I am obviously very excited. *rubs hands gleefully* If all goes well, I've noticed there's another climate change course in the works, I could have fun with that one, too. :D

(Ommpf, Duolingo is pinging me to practice German. Somehow I have gotten myself very busy, but at least it is busy learning things that I enjoy!)