Peter's experiences as a Mechanical Engineer with an interest in the visual arts.
Breaks
Mohawk
Jul 20th
So, if you’ve known me for the past two years, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve had a mohawk. It’s not something that you kinda just overlook, since, well, it’s on my head. It just kind of blares at you, and I think that was the point. I’ve gotten names because of my mohawk (Galo in capoeira, for instance), and professors even remembered who I was because of it (no joke). While there are other people with them, it’s something that was uniquely mine, especially at Hopkins.
Back when I had a long mohawk sophomore year
I remember when I first got my mohawk. I had wanted one for a while, but never really had the guts to do it. Then one day, I just decided to. I was going to get my hair cut anyway, so I figured, why not? I’m in college, and I like to have fun, and most people don’t know that about me. So I did it; I went to the barber and got it cut. At first I had a really long mohawk for about a year, then I figured I would need to cut it for any interviews I would have for an internship (I didn’t end up with any though), so I just cut it really short. Low and behold, I fell in love with that look now. It was nice, clean, refreshing, and I would stop having to use the Got2b Glued that I swore by (and I still swear by it, it held up an 8 inch mohawk for most of the day).
So, this summer, my sister was getting married to her now husband, and while I did a lot for her prior to the wedding (I designed pretty much every paper good with the exception of 3 things), in the end she had one final request; shave off the mohawk. I tried to resist, tried to make her feel guilty, but when I thought about it some more, I realized, hey, at least I’ve had this thing for over two years. Plus, if I really wanted it again, I could just grow it back really easily. So that was that, I shaved it off, and I stood up there at the wedding with the other groomsmen, complying with my sister’s wishes.
My sister and I on her wedding day!
But, what’s the point of this story? I think I’ve grown up because of my mohawk. Sure, at first, it might’ve seemed a little childish, but I think I needed that. I needed to let loose a bit, especially before I really became an adult. I needed to have fun, and I did. My mohawk became a staple, and I really do miss it. But I think I’m ready for another stage of my life, without my mohawk. And honestly, I do like my hair really short too, so it’s not like it’s the worst thing in the world.
My best friend Christina and I celebrating at the wedding!
Plus, can you say you’ve had a mohawk for 2+ years of your life?
Confused as to where my mohawk went
Impulse
Jun 21st
When you study physics, you cover the topic of a force. From a Newtonian standpoint, a force is simply the mass of an object multiplied by its acceleration. Continuing this, you learn about a type of force known as an impulse, which is when there is a sudden spike in the force v time spectrum. This is often represented by a Gaussian distribution in the form of a bell curve (see example here). We’ve learned that impulse is often bad, such as that of a car crash, however, sometimes impulse can be good. Not necessarily the literal force, but doing something on an impulse. I often group it together with that of shopping, such as an impulse buy. However, I’ve learned that many good things come out of an impulse.
For example, one day, I decided to just go to a Capoeira class. I fell in love with the art, and I’ve only tried to spread that joy to others. Recently, I decided to finally get my ears pierced, and I haven’t looked back on it since. But really, I think the greatest impulse I’ve had thus far was to apply to my current job at Kelly’s. It might not be the most glamorous job, but I love it anyway.
How did I go about applying there? Well, honestly, the thought of applying there never even really crossed my mind. It was one day in high school that my school decided to have a job fair, and at the time, I was unemployed, so I went. I pretty much dropped of my resume tons of places, and then finally, I saw Kelly’s. I decided, “Eh, what the hell” and talked to the guy at the table. Little did I know that the guy would end up being my future boss. Long story short, 4 years ago I started working for Kelly’s Roast Beef and Seafood after applying on a whim. Do I ever regret it?; Yes, and no. Yes, because sometimes I don’t get the best hours (today I ended up working from 11am to 10pm), or I get in a rather stingy mood with some of the other employees. But most of the time, no, I don’t regret. I do actually love my job, I love my coworkers, and I loved the person it has really made me. Even if it has made me into a sassy character with a North Shore accent who constantly smells like a mixture of onions, grease, and fry oil.
But honestly, who doesn’t love Roast Beef? I say, go out and by one on an impulse.
“A spoonful [read: lump] of sugar…”
Jan 21st
So, right before I left Boston (I stayed home for the majority of Intersession), there was a big snow storm that hit, giving us about 2 feet of snow. Granted, everyone there was calling it “snowmageddon.” Really? REALLY? Clearly they had forgotten about that storm that hit Baltimore and DC just a year prior, giving a nice 3 feet of snow, shutting the city down for a week. Regardless, it was a lot of snow, and pretty much I was trapped inside for a day. So, I decided to bake!
Now, growing up with a portuguese heritage, every Easter I would get Portuguese Sweet Bread. It’s a tradition of sorts; and there’s usually an egg baked inside (don’t ask me why, I honestly have no idea). Anyway, it’s a nice fluffy bread that is just pure delicious. So, I decided; why not give it a shot?
The recipe called for a lot of flour, and a LOT more sugar than I had intended. I forgot how sweet the bread really was, so I was reluctant to put the sugar in. And, there were a lot of eggs. Only after I put the loaves in the pans did I realize how much bread there was. I got two big loaves from the recipe; next time I’ll try for one. But, I followed the recipe from start to finish, and make the bread from scratch.
As I was baking the bread, I realized how time consuming making bread was. I forgot that you had to let the proof rise, then you had to mix the ingredients in. Then you let the bread rise, then punch the air out, AND THEN you let it rise again before you bake it. I got a little impatient with the proof, but overall, the bread was pretty successful, and I had fun making it. I kind of forgot how much I loved to bake. It’s not something I do often, because I really don’t have the equipment handy (i.e. I have to use a toaster oven because I have cheap roommates who don’t want gas, and we have a gas oven).
Anyway, I think I want to add “Bake more” to my goals of 2011 that I listed before. It’s a nice stress reliever, and I’ll probably need it given this semester’s workload.
And with that, I’m off to go watch a movie as I fall asleep. Until next time!
“Watch the sun come up, it’s calling”
Jul 20th
So today, I came upon a sudden realization. Ok, maybe it wasn’t so sudden, but for me it kinda came out of nowhere. Summer, in my opinion, is a disconnect from school. I don’t take classes, but I work. So when I was thinking about school the other day, 
I realized that I’m gonna be a junior. Then I thought, “When did that happen?!”
Honestly, I can’t believe I’d completed two years of school. People tell you all the time that it will fly by, but most of the time you just take it in stride and give one of those “yeah yeah yeah” replies back. But then it hits you like running into a wall; you never saw it coming. I remember first semester freshmen year went by so slow, but looking back, it’s because it was new. Everything was so new, my mind didn’t know what to expect. Now, since I’m used to everything, it’s crazy how fast stuff goes by. I can’t believe how fast this past semester went by (I swear last week was snowpocalypse), and on top of it, sometimes I forget I’m 20! (sidenote; my birthday was amidst finals, and so I was way too busy to celebrate it as well)
While at work flipping patties and breading seafood (I still work in a restaurant!), I was thinking about how much I have actually learnt at school. I learnt about gear ratios, safety factors, how screws work, how to control a motor with an AC current, how to create a 3d model in autoCAD, how the powercycle on an engine works, how a gearbox works, how to dissect and reassemble a bicycle. Aside from all that engineering stuff, I learnt about animation, portuguese, and art concepts, as well as things that influence my life even though I had no idea. I’ve learnt a lot of things, and really grown. I never thought I’d be at this point to be honest, and it’s been a big blur. Hopefully the next two years won’t go by as fast!
“This is your moment, No hesitations”
Jun 29th
So, unless you’ve been hiding under a rock or something, you know the big tournament that’s going on right now. No, I’m not talking 
about Wimbledon (who cares about tennis, right?). I’m talking about the World Cup! (And unlike the “World” Series and other championships, it involves the whole world, not just the United States).
Back in ’06 when Italy won, it was CRAZY. I went to the North End to celebrate, and boy was that crazy. For those of you who don’t know, the North End is the part of Boston where all the hardcore italians live. But that’s why we love it. Anyway, after Italy won, it was a crazy festival for days. But I really didn’t follow the tournament and it was kinda depressing. So I made it a point to follow it this time around.
First off, I followed it from the beginning. Not the beginning as in Eurocup and such, but from the Group stage, where it’s a sort of Round Robin tournament to see who advances. Of course, the teams I wanted to win where pitted in the infamous Group G, also known as The Group of Death. There 
were some heart-wrenching games, some cheap plays/fakes, but in the end my teams, Brasil and Portugal, came out unscathed (well, Kaka got a Red Card, but that doesn’t really matter anymore). Cote D’Ivoire did very well too, but North Korea just did horribly. Someone was bound to lose, but at least they did it very nobly. However, as JHU Wafa said, they play like robots, and that was their downfall.
Now, as I’m writing this, the Quarter final teams are finalized. Portugal lost to Spain. It was probably one of the most intense games I’ve watched (and that includes Game 7 of the Celtics vs. Lakers finals), but I can honestly say Portugal did put up a fight. Spain made some cheap fakes/plays, but they did have the skill and deserved to win to some point. I just wish Portugal did better. Brasil however did very well against Chilé, so I’m happy about that. Hopefully Brasil can continue on and win it all.
But most of all, I’ve realized that I really do like soccer, or football if you prefer. It’s a lot more fun to watch than most sports, and it’s a lot of fun to play. I’ve played it most of my life (I was 5 when I started and stopped when I was 15, due to cuts at my high school), and I enjoy playing it whenever I can. It’s something that I’ve enjoyed, and the World Cup definitely has sparked my interest yet again. It’s not just a tournament for some cup or recognition. These players are all in it for the fans, they enjoy playing, and they know the fans enjoy watching. I guess that’s why it’s the biggest sporting event in the world.
Now enjoy some pics of some soccer players! I know I will, hahaha.
Oh, and enjoy Shakira’s song Waka Waka, everytime I watch it I get so excited. AHH!
p.s. how annoying is the Vuvuzela?!?!
“…or maybe just need some sleep”
May 19th
So I’m back at home, and after the past few days, let me just say that I wish I was in Baltimore. 
Don’t get me wrong, I love being home. I’m within 10 minutes of the beach, I don’t have assignments or anything, I’m near all my friends, AND I can sleep in; it’s nice. But I think I’m pulling out all my hair from just being with my parents, and if you know me, the only hair I have is that strip in the center.
Seriously though; at school you have a lot of freedom. Chances are you don’t have your parents breathing down your neck all the time. And then when you’re at home, all they want to do is hang out with you, ALL THE TIME. And it’s even worse if you’re the youngest of your siblings, like I am. Let me just say that there’s only so much of my mother I can deal with. Whether it’s waking me up at 10am (that’s a big no-no. I need sleep), or yelling at me from across the house to do something, it gets a bit tiring. But I know she loves me, and that’s all that matters.
The point? If you’re at home before college, spend as much time as you can with your friends. Your parents will be there to bother you EVERY time you go home, don’t worry.
“And I’ve been working… like a dog.”
Dec 29th
So first of all, my Christmas was nice. It wasn’t elaborate, which was what I wanted. It was my family, then hanging out with some close friends, which is all I could ask for. Of course, I was dead tired the whole time, but with good reason. Whenever I’m home, I feel the need to work. I’m not joking either, I work non-stop.
What do I do for work? Well, on campus, I open mail and sort all the applications. That is very low-stress, and it’s a nice break to my day. However, at home, I’m an employee at Kelly’s Roast Beef. The actual position names where I have worked are: counter, expedite, attendant, host, counter trainer, drive thru window, cash booth, order booth, salads, dress, dress trainer, set-up, grill, and fry. I have also covered slice before. Now, what does that entail? I pretty much have: taken orders, given out food, cleaned the dining room, washed dishes, brought out food to the tables, trained new employees everywhere, given out food at the drive thru, taken money and orders in drive thru, made salads/seafood sandwiches, put condiments on burgers, roast beefs and other sandwiches, put seafood platters together (fish, shrimp, scallops, clams, oysters, etc), cooked burgers, toasted rolls, and deep fried various foods. Oh yeah, and I’ve sliced beef and other vegetables, meats, and cheeses before. Yeah, it’s a long list. I haven’t really considered how much I do there, but there’s good reason for it. I love my job.
Now most people ask me, “why do you work on break?” And like I just said, I love my job. Being a cook and working in a restaurant is not someone’s idea of a fun time at all, but for some reason, I love it. Sure, I get super stressed out and snap at people from time to time (most often with good reason), but I honestly love it. I have so much fun with my fellow employees it’s just an added bonus that I get paid. But that’s the thing, I get paid. It’s a job, it’s work, it’s money.
And that’s where I realize I’m actually lucky. I found a job that, although won’t get me the same pay as an engineering job would after college, gets me pay. And I have a job to say the least. Most of my friends can’t even find work, and yet I’m working horrible hours and in the end losing sleep because of it (I sometimes call out orders in my sleep, ask my mom). But I never realized that beneath the thick layers of grease and grime, I was lucky. Sure, my job isn’t a walk in the park, but it’s a lot better than no job at all. And I’m not trying to flaunt it around either; as much as I try to hide it, I can’t.
I am a fry cook.
“Fun for all that children call their favorite time of the year”
Dec 22nd
As I’m sitting here typing this, I’m munching on a linguiça calzone and watching the snow slowly drift down. I’m home, finally. Luckily my flight did not get delayed and got out just in time before the storm, but the lines were crazy. It was a nice adventure, but I’m just glad to be nice and warm, or at least kind of warm, in my house.
Honestly, we didn’t get a ton of snow, which I really hoped for. We got around 6 inches maybe, and it’s fluffy snow. FLUFFY SNOW. That’s the worst kind, because then you can’t make snowmen, have snowball fights, or make snow angels. Plus, you can’t walk anywhere because you just get pelted by it. Oh well. Hopefully there will be another nice storm later and I get snowed in with wet snow, that way I can make a snowman, haha.
But seriously, I’m just glad to be done with my finals, away from Hopkins, and around my family and friends. As much as I love Hopkins, I need a break every once in a while. I loved my classes by the end of the semester (with the exception of DiffEq), and part of me wanted them to last forever. But it was nice for them to come to an end, and for me to find something that I was really interested in.
Other than all that I spent last night at a Secret Santa with my friends (7th annual? wow), and it was a lot of fun. And then today I went to go visit my high school (bad idea, since the secretaries did not like my hair and wouldn’t let me in), and then after went to go see all the christmas lights. Hopefully I can get a video sometime for all you guys, because it’s excessive. OVERLY TACKY.
Did I mention these people are Italian?
“Here here here, the best time of the year”
Dec 9th
Once again, Happy Holidays! Oh, and here’s my animation project
Intro to Animation Fall 09 – Final Project from Peter Costa on Vimeo.
Enjoy!
Name: Peter C.
