From the title it sounds like this is going to be one of those "tagging" blogs where people challenge you to do this and then pass it on. Ok, well in a way I guess it is, but I'm not going to officially tag anyone, but if you like the idea, feel free to do it in your own blog, or just in the comments. Basically I got the idea from a friend: When life is overwhelming...name 5 things that are good, things you are thankful for. They can be small or large...but they have to be something you are glad for.
Things aren't quite overwhelming yet, but they're getting there. Anyways, here's my 5:
1) I got to take my roomie, Isaac, to Chico's Tacos for his first time. If you've never heard of Chico's it's a family owned chain of Mexican fast food restaurants in El Paso, TX. I really wish they'd at least expand to Las Cruces if no where else. It was nice to go, though, because my sister and I hadn't been in a while and kinda missed it. Hopefully, next time (when we'll be taking along another friend: Peyton and probably his g/f) Isaac will get the signature tacos instead of a cheeseburger.
2) I finally got my other roommate's printer installed on my computer so I can print stuff out when I need to, since I can't print from the school computers when I'm not a student. This means that:
3) I can finally turn in an application that required a cover letter. I've had the cover letter ready for a while but didn't get to print it out before Mom and Dad left.
4) My roommates are awesome people (including Mike who is currently in Iraq somewhere), and I love how we're constantly encouraging, helping, and just generally having awesome times together (for proof of that check this out...I wish I could share the group of photos that came from).
5) I have an awesome God who is constantly watching over me, leading me, and providing for me, often in ways I would never have expected.
I feel like saying more, but for now I'll just leave it at this.
Doctor Who status: haven't gotten further in the classics yet, but I felt it worth reporting that the newer series now has a new Title graphic (that will start with the 11th Doctor's run), which has met with mixed reviews. If you're a Doctor Who fan, what do you think? Or even if you're an unbiased non-fan, what do you think?
VOTM (Verse of the Moment): Psalm 55:22 (NIV) Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
10.06.2009
8.25.2009
Joy (and spiritual connections to cartoons)
"Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with." -Mark Twain
Proverbs 17:22
Proverbs 15:15
Psalm 86:4
All of the above in a way relate to me today. The first was quoted by a friend on twitter, and the verses were mentioned in a devotional about joy that I read today. Looking back on the day so far (and to some extent, this past week) I realized how true each of those statements are.
In relation to the Twain quote, I overheard a conversation between two friends of mine today. It revolved around the recent news of the one friend's recent engagement and how he proposed. I had heard last week that it might happen soon, and then hearing that it went well made me smile inside. Joy like that is something you just can't keep to yourself. You want to share that with anyone who will listen! But I suppose the devil just loves to strike when great things are happening b/c soon after that, I got to thinking of how I'm still alone and keep getting crushed by crushes, and I realized the truth of the first part of the Twain quote.
Not to be outdone though, God brought the joy back with run-ins with a friend who probably doesn't even realize how much they lifted up my day with just their presence. When He does things like that, He reminds me of how Silverbolt is with Black Aracnia on "Beast Wars" (it would have been impossible to get through this w/o at least one refernce, haha). If you don't get the reference. Basically, Silverbolt is a Maximal (good guys) with a hero-complex and the heart of the ultimate gentleman and Black Aracnia is a Predacon (bad guys) who was originally supposed to be a good guy and has been wooed/swayed to the good side by Silverbolt. He knows just when to swoop in at the right moment to save her from danger, even when she shows hints of her bad self. That just jump out to anyone who knows the Good News of how God reached out to us when we were yet living in sin and wooed us to the "good side"? (see what I meant the other day about spiritual connections to Beast Wars? haha).
So anyways, I just wanted to "divide" this post on joy with you all b/c good news is always worth sharing. Oh and in other good news, I talked with my roommate last night and he's going to sell/give me his old bike after he just got a new one. I can't tell you all how much I've missed having a bike to ride! This is gonna be great!
And now I must leave b/c I hear the marching band starting their annual Concert on the Green!
Beast Wars update: Season 3, Episode 6
Proverbs 17:22
Proverbs 15:15
Psalm 86:4
All of the above in a way relate to me today. The first was quoted by a friend on twitter, and the verses were mentioned in a devotional about joy that I read today. Looking back on the day so far (and to some extent, this past week) I realized how true each of those statements are.
In relation to the Twain quote, I overheard a conversation between two friends of mine today. It revolved around the recent news of the one friend's recent engagement and how he proposed. I had heard last week that it might happen soon, and then hearing that it went well made me smile inside. Joy like that is something you just can't keep to yourself. You want to share that with anyone who will listen! But I suppose the devil just loves to strike when great things are happening b/c soon after that, I got to thinking of how I'm still alone and keep getting crushed by crushes, and I realized the truth of the first part of the Twain quote.
Not to be outdone though, God brought the joy back with run-ins with a friend who probably doesn't even realize how much they lifted up my day with just their presence. When He does things like that, He reminds me of how Silverbolt is with Black Aracnia on "Beast Wars" (it would have been impossible to get through this w/o at least one refernce, haha). If you don't get the reference. Basically, Silverbolt is a Maximal (good guys) with a hero-complex and the heart of the ultimate gentleman and Black Aracnia is a Predacon (bad guys) who was originally supposed to be a good guy and has been wooed/swayed to the good side by Silverbolt. He knows just when to swoop in at the right moment to save her from danger, even when she shows hints of her bad self. That just jump out to anyone who knows the Good News of how God reached out to us when we were yet living in sin and wooed us to the "good side"? (see what I meant the other day about spiritual connections to Beast Wars? haha).
So anyways, I just wanted to "divide" this post on joy with you all b/c good news is always worth sharing. Oh and in other good news, I talked with my roommate last night and he's going to sell/give me his old bike after he just got a new one. I can't tell you all how much I've missed having a bike to ride! This is gonna be great!
And now I must leave b/c I hear the marching band starting their annual Concert on the Green!
Beast Wars update: Season 3, Episode 6
8.22.2009
Back in the Land of Enchantment
I thought about vlogging an update on youtube because I think it would help me with public speaking which I have a difficult time with occasionally, and also because I've picked up a few more subscribers and feel like I should keep them entertained or up to date if they care. I think I would ramble too much though and I don't have access to editing software for now so it would go on too long, I'm sure. Also, I finally got moved in with my friends a couple of weeks ago, and it's hard to find a place/time in the house to vlog quietly. The last vlog I did had to be from my car which kinda weird.
Speaking of that last vlog, it wasn't even for my personal channel on YT. If you hadn't heard yet, I'm part of a new collab channel called SnailMates with my friends Beth and Lucy. It basically started when Beth asked her friends on twitter if anyone wanted to receive letters (snail mail style) from her and both Lucy and I said sure. Then, I think it was Lucy who suggested the collab idea. Unlike just about every other collab channel on youtube, our main way of talking to each other would be in letters/postcards. We'll read the letters on the channel and respond to them then or in another letter. We've been talking on twitter and reading each other's blogs for the better part of this year now, and I think this will help us get closer as friends, especially since Lucy is separated from Beth and I by the whole Pacific Ocean and a hemisphere. Beth is in Alabama and is a HS friend of my sister although I never met/knew her then. But anyways, I hope you'll check that out, it should be fun.
Okay, enough promoting. I basically just wanted to let anyone who cares know that I finally moved back up to Las Cruces after a year and half in El Paso. Mom is almost all packed up to head to Houston with my dad in a few weeks, and Amanda should be coming back up to Cruces soon as well. Both of us are gonna be taking a break from school to work and save up to go back. She's only got a semester left when she does, which I'm proud of her since it's taken me longer to get out of here and I'm still not done (and still in undergrad status). I'm kinda disheartened though as well because it feels like I'll never get through with this school thing and it's mostly my fault, though most of the time I just blame one stupid class that I hate more and more every time I think about it, and really wish they'd drop it as a requirement. Rawr!!
Speaking of dinosaurs (didn't see that coming, did you?), I'm loving living in the new place with my friends from school/Christian Challenge ministry. It's the first time I've lived with people I knew beforehand and who are not family. I mention dinosaurs because before school started back up, we didn't have much to do during the day so we started watching the Beast Wars Transformers cartoon from the 90s, and quote it or make refernce to it at least once a day. We've even converted new fans when friends stop by. My favorite (almost spelled that "favourite"...darn you British and Aussie friends! :-p j/k) thing to do is imitate Megatron who has a habit of adding "yes" or "no" to the beginning and ending of his sentences. *wrings hands like evil villians tend to do when plotting* That will suit me just wonderfully, yes. And my roommates, Isaac and Jeremy, have picked up Optimas Primal's phrase "Well, that's just prime!"....Okay so it might just be fun to us as a kind of inside joke thing, but it's cool to have that bond already as roommates.
Another thing I love about my roommates is how we can have great and random spiritual talks throughout the day and just generally encourage one another daily, even through the little things. This is gonna be a good thing. I just hope I can get a more steady job than working events for the Pan Am Center so that I can contribute more financially other than rent and utilites. Thankfully because there are 5 of us (one is going to be gone for a while on deployment to Iraq) it's not much all split up.
I'm also glad to be back up here to be able to see and keep up with friends I've been missing while I was down in El Paso. I've felt out of the loop and not as close to these people since I've been away. While I was gone though, I made a ton of new friends online through youtube and twitter, and now I just need to find the balance of time spent with both. Yes, that will be quite difficult (there I go again, lol).
There's more I wanted to talk about but I'll probably just tweet more of that kind of stuff throughout the day or try to update this more than once a month.
And just for the fun of it, I'll end this with where I'm at in watching through Beast Wars.
Beast Wars status: Season 2, Episode 11
Speaking of that last vlog, it wasn't even for my personal channel on YT. If you hadn't heard yet, I'm part of a new collab channel called SnailMates with my friends Beth and Lucy. It basically started when Beth asked her friends on twitter if anyone wanted to receive letters (snail mail style) from her and both Lucy and I said sure. Then, I think it was Lucy who suggested the collab idea. Unlike just about every other collab channel on youtube, our main way of talking to each other would be in letters/postcards. We'll read the letters on the channel and respond to them then or in another letter. We've been talking on twitter and reading each other's blogs for the better part of this year now, and I think this will help us get closer as friends, especially since Lucy is separated from Beth and I by the whole Pacific Ocean and a hemisphere. Beth is in Alabama and is a HS friend of my sister although I never met/knew her then. But anyways, I hope you'll check that out, it should be fun.
Okay, enough promoting. I basically just wanted to let anyone who cares know that I finally moved back up to Las Cruces after a year and half in El Paso. Mom is almost all packed up to head to Houston with my dad in a few weeks, and Amanda should be coming back up to Cruces soon as well. Both of us are gonna be taking a break from school to work and save up to go back. She's only got a semester left when she does, which I'm proud of her since it's taken me longer to get out of here and I'm still not done (and still in undergrad status). I'm kinda disheartened though as well because it feels like I'll never get through with this school thing and it's mostly my fault, though most of the time I just blame one stupid class that I hate more and more every time I think about it, and really wish they'd drop it as a requirement. Rawr!!
Speaking of dinosaurs (didn't see that coming, did you?), I'm loving living in the new place with my friends from school/Christian Challenge ministry. It's the first time I've lived with people I knew beforehand and who are not family. I mention dinosaurs because before school started back up, we didn't have much to do during the day so we started watching the Beast Wars Transformers cartoon from the 90s, and quote it or make refernce to it at least once a day. We've even converted new fans when friends stop by. My favorite (almost spelled that "favourite"...darn you British and Aussie friends! :-p j/k) thing to do is imitate Megatron who has a habit of adding "yes" or "no" to the beginning and ending of his sentences. *wrings hands like evil villians tend to do when plotting* That will suit me just wonderfully, yes. And my roommates, Isaac and Jeremy, have picked up Optimas Primal's phrase "Well, that's just prime!"....Okay so it might just be fun to us as a kind of inside joke thing, but it's cool to have that bond already as roommates.
Another thing I love about my roommates is how we can have great and random spiritual talks throughout the day and just generally encourage one another daily, even through the little things. This is gonna be a good thing. I just hope I can get a more steady job than working events for the Pan Am Center so that I can contribute more financially other than rent and utilites. Thankfully because there are 5 of us (one is going to be gone for a while on deployment to Iraq) it's not much all split up.
I'm also glad to be back up here to be able to see and keep up with friends I've been missing while I was down in El Paso. I've felt out of the loop and not as close to these people since I've been away. While I was gone though, I made a ton of new friends online through youtube and twitter, and now I just need to find the balance of time spent with both. Yes, that will be quite difficult (there I go again, lol).
There's more I wanted to talk about but I'll probably just tweet more of that kind of stuff throughout the day or try to update this more than once a month.
And just for the fun of it, I'll end this with where I'm at in watching through Beast Wars.
Beast Wars status: Season 2, Episode 11
1.15.2009
8 Days of Happiness: Day 1
I was tagged by my friend, ![[info]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vxxyp0TccinkkzqiSL8Lny4v1a1nt3fX7R8pndbifsbAZjNPycSYW5RYrQr3fwTM2xB8WoRT2bRA0uQSzF0iMCb2UO4RayA4L5UXT2smyhpvs=s0-d)
miner_beth (aka Beth Savoy), to do this. The rules are that everyday for 8 days you list things that made you happy that day. Then at the end of the 8 days, you are supposed to tag people to do the same. So here I go:
1.) AWANA kids
2.) $5 pizza
3.) Twitter chat's with friends about "Mtv's Made", "American Idol", and poetry/grammer.
4.) New shirt (proceeds go to help sending the evangelist doing the revival at our church to the mission field)
5.) Lost recap episode
If ya don't wanna wait for me to tag ya, start it on your own or just comment below on what made you happy today. =) here's to finding the happy moments in any day!
miner_beth (aka Beth Savoy), to do this. The rules are that everyday for 8 days you list things that made you happy that day. Then at the end of the 8 days, you are supposed to tag people to do the same. So here I go:1.) AWANA kids
2.) $5 pizza
3.) Twitter chat's with friends about "Mtv's Made", "American Idol", and poetry/grammer.
4.) New shirt (proceeds go to help sending the evangelist doing the revival at our church to the mission field)
5.) Lost recap episode
If ya don't wanna wait for me to tag ya, start it on your own or just comment below on what made you happy today. =) here's to finding the happy moments in any day!
8.22.2008
New semester and I'm not a part of it
Today was the first day back to school @ NMSU...but not for me. Amanda tho, is still going back because she can still get loans to offset tuition or possibly even completely cover it. I, on the other hand, have reached the loan limit. Ya, after so long they figure most people would be done and out in the real world. Well, I've got news for you: I'm not most people :-p
"Well, then get a job to help pay your tuition" you say. That is what I've been trying for all summer but with no luck, and it's really frustrating. Frustrating that I don't know why I'm not getting ANY call backs. Frustrating that this is the 2nd fall semester I've had to miss out on b/c of $$ issues. Frustration at my self for not having been done with school by now and in the real world working a real job (and by "real" I mean not minimum wage). Frustrating because I won't get to see all my school/Cruces friends as often unless I can get hired up there and move in with some friends. And finally, frustrating b/c I'm 25, jobless, with no degree, and still living with my parents.
Oh, and did I mention that I might be slightly masochistic. I say this b/c I was given the option of staying home all day doin a bunch of nothing or going up to NMSU with my sis and mom for Amanda's first day back. Of course, I knew it would hurt to see people I knew or even just a whole bunch of strangers going through their first day back and knowing I'm left out of it. And unlike last fall, I'm not living up there so I can't still feel like part of the crowd. If I wanna handle it the same way, I'd have to drive up everyday, which isn't easy to someone economically challenged. But at least I got my car working again (stupid new battery died on me for a bit) so I don't have to ask to borrow the parent-mobile when I do get those moments.
At least I'm not alone on the being jobless in this house. So far we're all still unemployed, but at least Mom and Dad have been getting calls and such. Just keep us all in your prayers/thoughts b/c it's starting to get frustrating and trying for us all. It's gonna be a rough fall, but I know God will provide in many ways. Just wish I knew how and when, lol! But the not-knowing part is what makes faith so powerful. Amen? ("Amen!")
"Well, then get a job to help pay your tuition" you say. That is what I've been trying for all summer but with no luck, and it's really frustrating. Frustrating that I don't know why I'm not getting ANY call backs. Frustrating that this is the 2nd fall semester I've had to miss out on b/c of $$ issues. Frustration at my self for not having been done with school by now and in the real world working a real job (and by "real" I mean not minimum wage). Frustrating because I won't get to see all my school/Cruces friends as often unless I can get hired up there and move in with some friends. And finally, frustrating b/c I'm 25, jobless, with no degree, and still living with my parents.
Oh, and did I mention that I might be slightly masochistic. I say this b/c I was given the option of staying home all day doin a bunch of nothing or going up to NMSU with my sis and mom for Amanda's first day back. Of course, I knew it would hurt to see people I knew or even just a whole bunch of strangers going through their first day back and knowing I'm left out of it. And unlike last fall, I'm not living up there so I can't still feel like part of the crowd. If I wanna handle it the same way, I'd have to drive up everyday, which isn't easy to someone economically challenged. But at least I got my car working again (stupid new battery died on me for a bit) so I don't have to ask to borrow the parent-mobile when I do get those moments.
At least I'm not alone on the being jobless in this house. So far we're all still unemployed, but at least Mom and Dad have been getting calls and such. Just keep us all in your prayers/thoughts b/c it's starting to get frustrating and trying for us all. It's gonna be a rough fall, but I know God will provide in many ways. Just wish I knew how and when, lol! But the not-knowing part is what makes faith so powerful. Amen? ("Amen!")
5.24.2008
Miss me much?
Well, it's been a while since my last post, and if you actually read this blog (thanks if ya do!) you're probably wondering what's been goin' on. Did I fall off the face of the earth? Have some kind of serious, life altering experience that kept me from blogging? To answer briefly: no and no. Not a whole lot happened, but I'll sum it up anyways. I (mostly) survived yet another semester at good ol' NMSU...yes, I'm still there and still goin' for the BA (insert super-senior joke here). I'm still single and looking - and by that I mean I'm not really looking, but if ms. right comes along I won't send her away ;-) - even though there was almost something around February, but it just wasn't meant to be more than friends. I took yet another dance class (I may just turn out like the teacher sooner or later and have it become more than just an elective)...so if anyone's interested in helpin' me keep in practice, let me know ;-). I was kinda hoping for something with someone off and on throughout the semester but I'm at the point now of just letting it out of my hands and trusting God to bring her around when I'm ready.
So, what's new you ask? For starters, Dad no longer works for A.O. Smith and the family is together again back in El Paso! Still in the NE but a little closer to NM now. Right now everyone is looking for work again. Mom's finding out what she needs to be a certified TX teacher; Dad's trying to find a place to put his engineering skills to use (hoping for something with those wind turbines -- yay renewable energy!); and Amanda and I are looking for anything to help bring in the dough. I am especially hoping for something quick b/c I'm hoping to be moving in with my friends Michael, Kam, and Jeremy this fall but if I'm gonna help out with rent I need some kind of income. I'm excited about this b/c it'll be the first time since my parents moved away that I won't be living with family! Nothing against them, of course, but a guy's gotta break away sometime, right? And they won't be randomly appointed dorm roommate's for once, but rather 3 awesome Christian brothers! So I can't wait!
Anyways, that pretty much brings you up to speed for now. Stay tuned for more, hopefully sooner than later. After this holiday weekend (including a wedding, and possibly Wet n Wild and BalloonFest '08) maybe?
So, what's new you ask? For starters, Dad no longer works for A.O. Smith and the family is together again back in El Paso! Still in the NE but a little closer to NM now. Right now everyone is looking for work again. Mom's finding out what she needs to be a certified TX teacher; Dad's trying to find a place to put his engineering skills to use (hoping for something with those wind turbines -- yay renewable energy!); and Amanda and I are looking for anything to help bring in the dough. I am especially hoping for something quick b/c I'm hoping to be moving in with my friends Michael, Kam, and Jeremy this fall but if I'm gonna help out with rent I need some kind of income. I'm excited about this b/c it'll be the first time since my parents moved away that I won't be living with family! Nothing against them, of course, but a guy's gotta break away sometime, right? And they won't be randomly appointed dorm roommate's for once, but rather 3 awesome Christian brothers! So I can't wait!
Anyways, that pretty much brings you up to speed for now. Stay tuned for more, hopefully sooner than later. After this holiday weekend (including a wedding, and possibly Wet n Wild and BalloonFest '08) maybe?
8.08.2007
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...
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...
8.02.2007
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
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
4.08.2007
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 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" =)
3.18.2007
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)?
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)?
3.15.2007
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 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.
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