Puzzle+Reflection

=Rush Hour Journal=

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get progressively more difficult. ||
 * **Date** ||  || **Commentary** ||
 * 10/25/2009 ||  || I haven't played Rush Hour in a while, I started out with Puzzle 1 at the Beginning stage. It was fun and fairly easy to solve. I felt a since of pride at solving the puzzle, even at such an easy level. ||
 * 10/26/2009 ||  || I did Puzzle 2 today. I found myself having to think ahead in my moves in order to solve the problem; more strategic in my thinking. ||
 * 10/27/2009 ||  || Tonight's puzzle went fairly quickly. I'd pretty much mapped out the escape route in my head before I started. I wonder if I'm getting significantly better in this short period of time? We shall see as the puzzles
 * 10/27/2009 ||  || Tonight's puzzle went fairly quickly. I'd pretty much mapped out the escape route in my head before I started. I wonder if I'm getting significantly better in this short period of time? We shall see as the puzzles
 * 10/28/2009 ||  || #4 - I was actually looking forward to tonight's puzzle. After a day full of requests and responsibilities, it was nice to sit and focus on something fun and challenging. I found myself working out a strategy before I even started moving the pieces. I made me think of how I approach problems in everyday life. That is knowledge I'd like to transfer to my students. ||
 * 10/29/2009 ||  || #5 - Okay, tonight's puzzle was too easy, even though they're supposed to be increasing in difficulty. I'm looking forward to the more challenging puzzles. ||
 * 10/30/2009 ||  || #6 - I find it interesting that I begin trying to figure out the puzzle before I get started. I had to slow down and actually go step-by-step from the beginning. Still, it helped speed up the process to progress with the end strategy in mind. ||
 * 10/31/2009 ||  || #7 - This puzzle was fairly simple because there were no long cars to impede the exit. Only have the small cars on the grid made it easier to navigate and figure out a course of action. ||
 * 11/1/2009 ||  || #8 - I was almost stumped on this one. This grid had the most cars on it to date and I was quickly frustrated with the challenge. I was attempted to quit and try it again another day. Since I am to work on a puzzle everyday, that wasn't an option. How best to proceed? I took a deep breathe, calmed myself, and sat back to contemplate the board. As I studied, I looked at what needed to move in order to make the exit. After searching out all possibilities to proceeded to move. Pretty soon, my red car was pretty boxed in. Suddenly, it came to me to move the red car around, too. I hadn't had to do that in the other puzzles and I was excited when that strategy worked! ||
 * 11/2/2009 ||  || #9 - Having discovered that moving the red car around is a major help, I incorporated that into solving this puzzle's strategy. Even though the puzzles are becoming more challenging, the new strategies are helping to get them solved quickly. ||
 * 11/3/2009 ||  || #10 - The grid was a bit crowded, but it didn't take much time to solve the puzzle with the knowledge of moving the red car around in my mental repertoire. ||
 * 11/4/2009 ||  || #11 - I am now at the intermediate level and this puzzle was more challenging than the others. With the red car strategy in mind, I didn't fret and soon had it figured out. ||
 * 11/5/2009 ||  || #12 - Even more challenging puzzle. While I was able to see what I needed to do to solve the problem, getting there was kind of a long process. ||
 * 11/6/2009 ||  || #13 - For this puzzle, I began looking at the end. I searched out the main barrier to the red car exiting the grid, which was the Yellow Bus. I focused on the Yellow Bus instead of the Red Car. Lesson: Sometimes to solve a problem, you focus on a solution to the barrier and the problem itself may be resolved. (I wonder if that makes sense to anyone besides me?) ||
 * 11/7/2009 ||  || #14 - Oddly enough, this puzzle was easier to solve than puzzle 13. My focus this time was to find openings. The board is becoming increasingly tight, so movement is key. ||
 * 11/8/2009 ||  || #15 - Tight board, tonight. It's quite frustrating. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing there IS a solution. ||
 * 11/9/2009 ||  || #16 - Tonight I am in no mood to complete the puzzle. It's too challenging for my tired brain. Perhaps I'll put it down and pick it up later tonight. ||
 * 11/10/2009 ||  || #17 - There were fewer cars on the grid tonight, which reduced my anxiety level starting out. There was more move for movement, BUT more longer cars! ||
 * 11/11/2009 ||  || While I have enjoyed Rush Hour, it wasn't able to hold my interest for an extended period of time. Therefore, I am done journaling for this particular puzzle. ||
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