Blog: 2024

I got accepted to a master's program

2024-04-29 by Pablo Morales

This post was written in en

I'm really excited to share that I applied to the graduate program at the alma mater I graduated from at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. I applied for the Masters of Science in Education in Learning, Design & Technology with an Information Technology Concentration. I chose the IT concentration because, I work in IT where I would like to implement my knowledge at the school level. I'm not in the classroom as often anymore. It seemed more appropriate to go this route.

I'm really excited to go back to school! I've been itching for this for a while. Since, I still work in education, it seems appropriate to also continue my education and better improve my knowledge and skills in addition to what I do already with other forms of learning.

I also value education as well. I want to also have degrees beyond a bachelor's degree. My goal in the near but possibly distance future is to get a doctorate degree. Even with a master's degree, it's been a dream to teach a course or two at the university level. I would teach technology courses specifically for teachers to help eliminate barriers and increase technology literacy for teachers. I would also teach methods for teachers of all ages through scaffolding to embrace technology.

As a Latino, I find it important to help represent that we can succeed in higher education.

Time to register for classes!

Nebraska Tornadoes

2024-04-26 by Pablo Morales

This post was written in en

My home state got hit pretty hard with tornadoes today. Many people's homes were destroyed. My friends and family were giving me updates. They are all okay. Things will get back to normal but will take time. im also worried with climate change, we will see these intense storms happen more often.

thinking of my people in Nebraska

El tren y los estudiantes universitarios.

2024-04-26 by Pablo Morales

This post was written in es

Hoy es el ultimo viernes de abril. Quiero relajar después de un dia bien ocupado y productivo. Estoy bien feliz que ya empezó el fin de semana. En este momento estoy escribiendo en el tren y voy para la ciudad de San Francisco. Es mi manera preferida e mas conveniente. Siempre uso mi computadora para que me entretengo. De vez en cuando levante la cabeza y miro a mi alrededor al interior del tren.

Cuando me subí al tren en Sacramento, estaba medio vació. En la próxima parada de Davis, se suben varios estudiantes universitarios. Traen mucha buena energía positiva. Ellos están con sus amigos. Se van de parranda a San Francisco. Muchos toman el tren para regresar a casa.

Viendo los estudiantes universitarios me da mucha alegría. Me recuerdan mucho cuando estuve en la universidad. Siempre de aventura con mis amigos. Pero en lugar de usar tren, usamos el carro. Estoy contento que ahorra vivo en un lugar que el tren es mas común.

Me gusta ver que están disfrutando estos momentos preciosos.

Technology at McDonald's and what it taugh me.

2024-04-25 by Pablo Morales

This post was written in en

When I was 16, I applied for my first job at McDonald's. I ended up working there during high school and through most of university. I learned so many skills that last me a lifetime. I was very fortunate enough to learn the ins and outs of the technology that runs a McDonald's Restaurant. The technology that runs a McDonald's restaurant, is a testament that withstands times.

I've always been great with technology and implementing new things. I sometimes wonder why I didn't always go into IT right away. That's a conversation for another time.

While I worked at McDonald's, I was the de facto guy who knew technology and could fix most problems right away.

Since I've last worked there so much has changed but at the same time it hasn't. When I left, lot's of the things we take for granted now at McDonald's we're implemented.

McDonald's changed their back office software from a command-line interface program to a web based back office web application. I remember being a 22 year old college student being in charge of implementing the transition from the old system to the new system. That's a lot of trust in someone to make a major change to the mainframe. If you look at the picture above, this CLI program ran the entire store. I could open the store, I could run reports, I could count down drawers, make transfers, etc. IT DID IT ALL! Talk about , "If it ain't broken, don't fix it!" This is a prime example of legacy software that is virtualized and maintained to run the operations of one of the most popular food chains.

Performing major projects was key to make sure the store was up to date so we could handle the new software implementations that were coming up (many of us didn't know what the future had coming.) It was fun to do all these since these were hands on and it got me away from my normal duties as a McDonald's manager.

Major projects

Replace two main frame computers (one OS upgrade and one electrocuted computer.)
Replace Drive-Thru system
Replace old back office software to web based

Not only was I trusted to handle the equipment of a multi-million profit store location, I also started to trust myself and be more confident in myself.

Mobile Ordering was officially implemented. Back in the early days, there were no time limits on when you can use a deal.

After, I left the ordering kiosks were implemented.

How I Want to Write

2024-04-08 by Pablo Morales

This post was written in en

This blog post is my participation to Homebrew Website Club - Writing Edition hosted by Sara Jakša. Thank you so much for hosting! You should read Sara's blog!

I'm writing this post on topic mentioned on the event description.

Any topic connected to writing can be covered here. Some of the possible topics include the process of writing, the joys of writing, the frustration some could have, how to improve it, what to write about or people can just showcase what they have written (or see it written on the web) and why they like it. You can also bring your own questions about writing that we can discuss or even trouble shoot. Or you can just listen to other people's ideas. All ways of participating are alright.

The joys of writing.

Writing helps soothe

My (sometimes) chaotic process

Since I started to write again, my writing has improved significantly. I've been more expressive as I share with the reader. My writing journey is only just starting. I've broken a few barriers with myself. I still feel that I need to break another layer of myself. Often, I find myself holding back. What am I holding back? Honestly, I over think things too much and that is frustrating. That leads to me sitting on a post for a few days before I touch it again. That if I am determined to finish it, even if it takes me a while look at it. Here is the typical stage of what my writing process goes.

write a few words
Delete
Overthink
scream
walk away
try again,
repeat
eventually finish the post.

I will admit my writing process is a bit chaotic. Not all of my writing is like this, Only a few posts. This is only one part of my writing process.

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