Thanks for stumbling across my site! My name is Ricky Llamas. I'm a third year student at the University of Texas at Austin where I study both Computer Science and Journalism (an odd combination, I know).
Since I can remember, I’ve always had a passion for computers. From teaching myself Java in high school to working on programming research projects in college, I love learning about anything involving computers. In the course of my studies, as well as through my own initiative, I’ve gained proficiency, if not at least familiarity, with a number of the more widely used programming languages. I’m well-versed in the use of Java and to a slightly lesser extent, C, C++, and Python. I have also accrued some experience with x86 assembly code as well as bash script writing. Like any good computer scientist, though, I welcome the chance to add any new languages to my growing repertoire. My curriculum has for the most part centered on courses such as Computational Intelligence in Game Design, Unix Software Systems, Algorithms and Data Structures, Analysis of Programs, Computer Organization and Architecture, and Theory in Programming Practice. I'm hoping to be able to work on adding a few courses related to video game design next semester to the list as well.
My experience with journalism has been a more gradual but no less important experience. My first year in Austin, I found a position as an intern in State Representative Eddie Lucio III's office at the Texas Capitol. The internship gave me the perfect opportunity to get a close up look at how our state government works, and I hope to get the opportunity to go back and work there sometime in the near future. I always managed to get a little experience in broadcast when I worked as a programming intern at KLRU-TV, Austin's public television station, over the summer my sophomore year. In addition, I've recently discovered my fascination with photography. Despite the fact that I've only owned a camera for a few months, I have already found work as a photographer for UT's student newspaper, the Daily Texan. I hope to be able to continue my work as a photographer when I study abroad next semester in Limerick, Ireland.
