New Orleans or bust?

...bust

As some of you know, I was suppossed to be on my way to New Orleans as of yesterday. The plan was to drive my car to San Marcos and meet some people there who I would then ride with to The Big Easy. Well the biggest possible hitch to that plan happened yesterday around 4:30m/5:30c. First, the oil light came on and started fading in and out, so I thought "When I hit the next town I'll stop somewhere and put some oil in or something". Next thing I know the car dies and slowly stops. Luckily tho, it stopped within less than a mile of a Border Patrol checkpoint close to Sierra Blanca. I check a few things and then decide to walk up to the station and see if they can help, still not knowing for sure what happened to my car.

As I'm walking up I call my family to let them know what's up, and then one of the officers comes out and asks what's up. I tell him and they bring me inside, give me some water (maybe I should have left in the morning?) and call Tony who owns a mechanic shop/tow service in Sierra Blanca. While I'm waiting, I update the people I was supposed to meet with and my family.

So, Tony comes and takes me and my car down to SB to see what the problem is. After a few minutes of checking the oil, the battery, and anything else surface level that could have caused the problem, he tell's me it's either the engine itself or something that carries the oil to the engine, but nothing for sure. He asks where I come from and says that if I can't find a friend or someone to come down and get my car and me he can tow me to El Paso...for about 250 bucks!

I don't have that much but I call my mom again and tell her, and she gives me a few suggestions on who to call. So I start calling around, even to Amanda who is currently up in Glorietta, NM for "Student Week" with the BSU to see if anyone up there knows of someone still in LC that can come get me and my car....no luck. And no luck with everyone else I had a number for. Of course, this all takes a few hours partly b/c cell phone service in SB is spotty and there were only like two or three spots with-in a 15-foot radius that had good enough service to call or text. By this time, I'm pretty frustrated and starting to worry that my options are either stay in SB overnight trying to figure something out or calling Tony back (he closed the shop for a few hours and also had to take care of his sick wife for a bit) and asking him to take me to El Paso. I chose the latter after consulting with my mom. They transferred the money and I called Tony and then a few friends in EP to see if 1) I could have the car towed to their house and/or 2)get a ride back to LC.

The only friend I could get a hold of was Lina (thanks, BTW if you're reading this!) but after a few back and forth games of call/text tag (bad service among other things) and a couple of changes of plan it's determined that I'll tow the car to the Casa Nissan service center and then she'll pick me up and take me back to LC (actually, Shaun...again, thanks!...was the one that came to get me, and then dropped me off at UTEP's Miner Village). Keep in mind tho that Tony doesn't get back til sometime after 9 or 10 because he's helping other motorists and such. Finally, about 10:30 we get the car hitched up to his truck and make the trek back to EP and everything works out fine. I leave a brief note in the car window to let the dealership know why this car is sitting in their parking lot and tell them to call me in the morning so I can get the keys to them and they can take a look at it.

So I get home sometime after midnight feeling pretty down that my trip was ruined, but thankfull for the Border Patrol, Tony, Lina, Shaun, my mom and sister. I send off a quick email to the head honchos of the Phi Sigma Pi (which is why I was going to NO in the first place) explaining what happend and asking what should be done since I was supposed to be the delegate for our chapter at the business part of the meeting, and then finally head off to bed. Thankfully I have until Monday off from work so I can get stuff done with the car and other things that I need to get done.

Fast forward to today. I take my sister's car (she got a ride with someone else to Student Week) down to the dealership to give them the keys. I notice tho, that the coolant temp is getting closer to the dangerous level so I take it easy on the gas and turn off the AC which helps a little. I don't worry to much and figure I'll just put some coolant in when I get to the dealership. After waiting for Mike (the guy I talked to there) to stop flirting with his girlfiriend, I finally get my keys to him and he says he'll call tomorrow to let me know if they found what was wrong. As I walk back to Amanda's car to try and put the coolant in. The cap was on tight and plus it felt a little hot, and since the sticker on the cap says not to remove when hot I decided to try again later when I get back or something after it's had time to cool down. I then notice that one of the tires looks pretty low, so I find a nearby gas station and put some air in. When I take the hose out I hear a hisssssss coming from from the tire and feel air coming out. At this point I'm feeling like I'm somehow bad luck with cars or something. I decide to take the car to Wal-Mart's tire center and see if there's something they can do, but by the time I get there I don't feel or hear the air coming out and the tire center looks pretty busy anyway. I still need to let the car cool down so I can get the cap off where the coolant goes so I wander around Wal-Mart for about an hour. I try the cap again and fianlly get it off and add the coolant. The tire still looks fine so I drive back to LC.

And that brings the story to now...Amanda's car is ok...for now, and my car...well, I'm still waiting hear about that. Either way there is no chance of me getting to New Orleans by tomorrow unless they can pay for me to fly out there or something. Bummer, I guess, but at least I'm safe and not stranded in the middle of nowhere...

Vacation and a holiday from school?

To start off, for those of you who haven't heard yet, by this time next week I should be in New Orleans. This'll be my first trip to N'Awlins...never got to experience it pre-Katrina =( It'll still be pretty cool I'm sure and I'll get to see somewhat how they've bounced back and rebuilt. In case you're wondering, I'm going as a delegate to the National Convention for the honor fraternity I'm in (Phi Sigma Pi). This is the 2nd year I've been the delegate, but the first time that the convention part is combined with the "Grand Chapter" part (basically like a much bigger, much longer regular chapter meeting), and the first time that I'll be the only one from my chapter there. Luckily, I know how it works and know a lot of people that will be there so I'm not so worried. I might need to brush up on my Robert's Rules/parliamentary procedure a little before I go, but otherwise I'll be fine. The only thing I'm working out right now is transportation. I think what I'll be doing is meeting up with one of the TX chapters that's halfway from here to there and then car pooling with them, b/c they have enough space in their car(s). So, that's a big blessing cuz being a delegate was a last minute thing for me so I didn't have time to save up for a flight and I don't think my car would make it that far (it's not in horrible condition but it's probably better not to push it) plus driving that far alone es no bueno.

Now, to explain the 2nd part of this entry's title. Right now, I'm still short quite a bit on last semester's tuition. That means I can't register for this coming semester until I pay that off. Let's just say it's not something I can get past with just one paycheck...so chances are unless I get a loan or win the lottery out of nowhere this could be a real problem. I'd already be going into my 3rd year of being a senior, and now it looks like it'll take even longer. So, what would I be doing if not going to school? Well, first I'd have to find a new job b/c my current job is a "student job" (not work study) kinda like when I worked at the Pan Am, so if I'm not a full time student then I can't have that job. Stinks a little that it's like that but I understand, so whatever. What I'll probably be looking for is either being a sub or a teacher's assistant. I need to get apps/resumes in ASAP tho b/c the public schools are starting in like a week or so. Granted I'll have to say I can't start right away cuz I'll be out of town when most of them start, but if it's meant to be then it'll work out, I'm sure.

The only other thing that not going to school next semester would majorly affect is my membership with PSP. I would have to go inactive which is not something our chapter needs right now, but I can't be active unless i'm in school at the time. I can still come back next semester or next fall -- if it comes to that -- but after that I can't officially be in it. I just don't like the idea of leaving them one person shorter right now cuz right now our size is where everyone is an officer and I just took on the newly combined role of secretary (used to be 2 positions). So, if you're going to NMSU, have a 3.0 and this isn't your 1st or last semester, check it out. If you wanna know more about it, ask me. Hey, if I can't be an active member I can at least recruit for them right? ;-)

That's about it for now. I'll give an update when I get back from NOLA, N'Awlins, New Orleans, w/e you wanna call it :-p

Maroon and Orange Effect Day

For at least this year we can recognize this day as something other than a reference to a certain drug. But it's not that much happier except that as a result a lot of college students have become a lot closer across the nation. Today we forget our pride in our own schools and today we are all Hokies. Whether it's shown through the wearing of a black ribbon or armband or wearing VT's school colors (maroon and orange), today we show that our hearts are united with theirs.

Another thought on my mind today (and kinda off and on this week) as I thought about the shooter, was what happened in his life that brought him to this point? Was he excessively teased or made to feel worthless by people with higher incomes? Did anyone try to reach out to him on a regular basis or did they just ignore him thinking he was weird? I've had times in my past when I was teased and ignored...and sometimes have those moments when I feel alone, but then I am reminded of the friends I do have and those who have reached out to me and made me feel special and worthless. A song that kinda relates to this train of thought and which inspired me to write this today is Superchic[k]'s "Hero" (Red Pill Remix). I wanna post the lyrics and let them speak for themselves:


Verse:
No one sits with him, he doesn't fit in
But we feel like we do when we make fun of him
Cause you want to belong do you go along?
Cause his pain is the price paid for you to belong
It's not like you hate him or want him to die
But maybe he goes home and thinks suicide
Or he comes back to school with a gun at his side
Any kindness from you might have saved his life

Tag:
Heroes are made when you make a choice

Chorus:
You could be a hero
Heroes do what's right
You could be a hero
You might save a life
You could be a hero, You could join the fight
For what's right for what's right for what's right

Verse:
No one talks to her, she feels so alone
She's in too much pain to survive on her own
The hurt she can't handle overflows to a knife
She writes on her arm, wants to give up her life
Each day she goes on is a day that she's brave,
Fighting the lie that giving up is the way,
Each moment of courage her own life she saves
When she throws the pills out a hero is made

Tag
Chorus

Verse:
No one talks to him about how he lives
He thinks that the choices he makes are just his
Doesn't know he's a leader with the way he behaves
And others will follow the choices he's made
He lives on the edge, he's old enough to decide
His brother who wants to be him is just nine
He can do what he wants because it's his right
The choices he makes change a nine year old's life

Tag
Chorus

Little Mikey D. was the one in class who everyday got brutally harassed
This went on for years until he decided that never again would he shed another tear
So he walked through the door, grabbed the four-four out of his father's dresser drawer
And said I can't take life no more
And like that life can be lost
But this ain't even about that
All of us just sat back and watched it happen
Thinkin' it's not my responsibility to solve a problem that isn't about me
This is our problem
This is just one of the daily scenarios which we choose to close our eyes
Instead of doing the right thing
If we make a choice and be the voice for those who won't speak up for themselves
How many lives would be saved, changed, rearranged
Now it's our time to pick a side
So don't keep walkin' by
Not wantin' to intervene
Cause you wanna exist and never be seen
So let's wake up and change the world
Our time is now

Chorus:
You could be a hero
Heroes do what's right (our time is now)
You could be a hero
You might save a life (our time is now)
You could be a hero, (our time is now) You could join the fight

Raindrops on roses

The following is a list of some of my favorite things. What are some of yours? (BTW to those who notice the similar notes, yes I was inspired by someone else's)


a good story (more reading than viewing b/c you get to make the pictures yourself, but some are able to do a good job with it on film)
chances to share/debate my faith
rain
climbing and exploring things
fun times with friends and family
letters, cards, pictures, or other artifacts that remind me of good times with friends and/or family
beaches, the ocean, rivers, and lakes
music
admiring God's creation
a cool breeze to cool me off
looking up at clouds (in the day) and stars (at night) and making my own pictures
having something in common with a friend or just a total stranger
tasteful humor

just to name a "few" =)

A Travel Holiday

Inspired by my sis, the travel channel and 43places.com , a list of places I wanna see or live in (in no particular order, and I reserve the right to add on in the future):

California (I've seen some of southern, but I also wanna see up north)
Colorado (been there but wanna see more of it)
Louisiana
Florida
New York
South Dakota
South Carolina (parents live there, but I still wanna see more...greedy? yes! =p)
D.C.
Canadia (aka Canada =p)
Australia
Austria
Germany (lived there for a few years but was too young to remember much)
England...not just London, gotta see the country or its not worth it
Ireland (home of my name)
Texas (lived there and have travel to most of the big cities but I havent really seen them)
France...again, not just Paris cuz there is a lot more to that country
Italy
Israel
China
S. Korea (it's where my parents met)
Hawaii
New Zealand
Philippines
Mexico (more than just the beaches)
Puerto Rico
Egypt
Morocco
Russia

That's all I can think of now. If I get to see even half of these I think I could count myself extremely blessed. If you know of specific areas in any of these places, let me know. I'd love to be able to focus my travels and get the most out of these places. Or even better what would your list look like? Maybe I might get inspired by you? And of course I wouldn't wanna go alone so who would you go with (me, friends, family, significant other, pet)?

The Ides of March

Ceasar was warned about this day long ago. I don't think it had anything to do with the day itself. It's not "unlucky" like any Friday the 13th. It just basically means the middle of the month but you still don't normally associate good things when you hear about the Ides of March. Right now it's just bringing to mind the things I'm concerned about, not necessarily anything I need to "beware", just stuff that I want to be different.

The first thing is that I'm still without a job. I've been lookin and applying off and on for at least a month to no avail. I think maybe I'm not trying hard enough, not taking it seriously. My parents help me out with a certain amount at the beginning of each month and now my sister has a job, so I don't have to worry about getting by, but I'm getting tired of not having my own money anymore to do with what I want. Then again I haven't used what I have wisely b/c usually near the end of the month I somehow manage to overdraw my account (at least I have overdraft protection). I do my best to keep in mind how much I still have whenever I'm spending. The problem is I don't keep any official record. I mean I keep receipts and occasionally check my balance at the ATM or online, but I don't really keep track of the receipts and since I mostly pay with my debit card the balance isn't always up to date because it often takes a while for transactions to show up. I wonder if that's just b/c of my bank tho b/c I've seen commercials that I think were for another bank where the transaction shows up automatically. Maybe I should just switch to that bank, b/c it's starting to really peeve me. But, anyway, back to the job situation. Someone suggested that I go back to working for Special Events but right now that wouldn't do me much good b/c as far as I know there aren't that many big events around this time of year and I need something more regular. It's tempting but not very practical at the moment.

Then there's also my social life or practical lack thereof. I have friends and I don't know of anyone that hates me, yet I am usually stuck at home doing nothing and seeing evidence online that my friends are doing stuff and going places. Maybe I just need to get up off my tush and start doing something, anything just so I'm not sitting on the couch or in front of the computer when I'm not doing homework. But even when I'm with other people I get the occasional "hi" or "how are you?" but not much else deeper than that except for a little bit of jokin around. I think part of it is that I should seek out conversation myself instead of waiting for it to come to me cuz the latter hasn't really worked so far. Or like I said just a while ago I need to get off my tush and get involved in stuff, like ultimate frisbee or something else going on on campus. It's not like I'm purposefully avoiding people and I'm not a total homebody. The one thing I've never really had is a best friend, or at least one thats around for more than a few years. During those times I could usually count on something to be happening or at least something to talk about.

*sigh* so the warning for me on this Ides of March should be "Beware unemployment and a lack of a social life." Not as foreboding as the one Ceasar received but it's still got my attention. I guess the best thing to do now tho is just give it to God b/c obviously I haven't been able to fix it myself or else you wouldn't be reading about. Off to bed now I guess, and tomorrow we'll see if the Aggies can actually dance their way past Durant and the Longhorns.

The Day the Music Died

Hokay, so here's the earth...er I mean hokay, so don't be fooled by the title of this one, no famous musicians died or anything like that. It was the best "day" title I could think of for tonight. Tonight was the last night of the Jack Ward Festival (aka 1st choir concert of the spring). It went great and its over!! Time to celebrate...by..uh...um...eating at Carl's Jr. and getting the cheesecake for dessert? Sure why not!

Another reason to celebrate: I'm finally starting to feel better. I'm not completely recovered but feelin a lot better and it still didn't affect my singing. Something Dr. Alt said during our warm-ups kinda made sense of why being sick didn't affect me too much. She said something to the effect that if you're sick the night of a concert you shouldn't let it change your singing, just keep doing it the same way you've been doing it. Basically, it's partly in your head. If you concentrate on it too much it's gonna take your focus off the music and of course if you're not focused you probably won't do as well. It's all about where your focus is. Good life lesson, really.