Monday, July 9, 2012
It's Been Awhile...
Greetings world!
More than 4 months have gone by since my last post. Since I moved to Grand Rapids, I have been living without internet. Surprisingly, I haven't missed it very much, since I stare at a computer all day at work. Why would I want to stare at one while at home? Well, tonight I was able to 'borrow' some wi-fi, so I thought this would be a great time to talk about how the last few months have been.
First, last time I posted, I had just got the job working for MDOT in Grand Rapids. So far, it has been amazing. It's great to be on my own and have my own place and my own responsibilities. Currently, I'm living in the suburb of Grandville in a 2-bedroom apartment. It is a very quiet neighborhood, so I definitely don't have any complaints. My drive to work is only about 8-10 minutes, so that's also a bonus. I get to sleep in an extra few minutes in the morning. I am really starting to settle into a routine too, which has been good and keeps me going to the gym. Now, if I could get the take-out food under control, I'd be in business.
The job itself has been great. The people I work with are fantastic. It reminds me of Boeing a bit, because most everyone is very friendly and helpful. It's a far cry from Camp Grayling, which now that I look back on it, was good for a college student who was home for the summer looking to make a few extra dollars, but always seemed to be a shitty place to have a full-time job, unless you enjoyed being stuck in your hometown and not getting out and exploring what life could offer.
Alyssa and I are still together, and things continue to get better and better. She is always there to cheer me up and make me laugh, and I try to return the favor as best that I can. I love her so much and hope to be with her for a long time.
And in current news, Fourth of July weekend was great. I took a couple days off of work and spent a few days in Kalamazoo with Alyssa just relaxing. It was nice to not have responsibility for a couple days. This upcoming weekend, we're going to Wisconsin for the wedding of my fraternity brother, Nick, and his bride-to-be, Theresa. It will be nice to see a lot of old friends and introduce Alyssa to all of them.
I can't really think of anything to rant on right now. I could talk about the Red Wings sucking it up in the playoffs and then striking out trying to get Parise and Suter, but I'm over it. Maybe after the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, I'll have something to talk about. In the meantime, I'm going to sit back, watch some long balls, and have a beer.
It feels good to be back and write some things down again. I'm not sure how often this will be, since I don't have reliable internet quite yet, but it'll be before 4 months, I promise!
More than 4 months have gone by since my last post. Since I moved to Grand Rapids, I have been living without internet. Surprisingly, I haven't missed it very much, since I stare at a computer all day at work. Why would I want to stare at one while at home? Well, tonight I was able to 'borrow' some wi-fi, so I thought this would be a great time to talk about how the last few months have been.
First, last time I posted, I had just got the job working for MDOT in Grand Rapids. So far, it has been amazing. It's great to be on my own and have my own place and my own responsibilities. Currently, I'm living in the suburb of Grandville in a 2-bedroom apartment. It is a very quiet neighborhood, so I definitely don't have any complaints. My drive to work is only about 8-10 minutes, so that's also a bonus. I get to sleep in an extra few minutes in the morning. I am really starting to settle into a routine too, which has been good and keeps me going to the gym. Now, if I could get the take-out food under control, I'd be in business.
The job itself has been great. The people I work with are fantastic. It reminds me of Boeing a bit, because most everyone is very friendly and helpful. It's a far cry from Camp Grayling, which now that I look back on it, was good for a college student who was home for the summer looking to make a few extra dollars, but always seemed to be a shitty place to have a full-time job, unless you enjoyed being stuck in your hometown and not getting out and exploring what life could offer.
Alyssa and I are still together, and things continue to get better and better. She is always there to cheer me up and make me laugh, and I try to return the favor as best that I can. I love her so much and hope to be with her for a long time.
And in current news, Fourth of July weekend was great. I took a couple days off of work and spent a few days in Kalamazoo with Alyssa just relaxing. It was nice to not have responsibility for a couple days. This upcoming weekend, we're going to Wisconsin for the wedding of my fraternity brother, Nick, and his bride-to-be, Theresa. It will be nice to see a lot of old friends and introduce Alyssa to all of them.
I can't really think of anything to rant on right now. I could talk about the Red Wings sucking it up in the playoffs and then striking out trying to get Parise and Suter, but I'm over it. Maybe after the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, I'll have something to talk about. In the meantime, I'm going to sit back, watch some long balls, and have a beer.
It feels good to be back and write some things down again. I'm not sure how often this will be, since I don't have reliable internet quite yet, but it'll be before 4 months, I promise!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Everyone gets their chance sooner or later
Well, it's been quite some time since I last sat down and wrote anything here. The Giants won the Super Bowl, the Tigers picked up Prince Fielder, the Wings won 21 (and counting) straight home games, and more coked-out singers died. I don't really have an excuse for not writing, just laziness for the most part. However, the past two weeks have brought great happiness into my life.
Let's start where I left off. Last time I wrote here, I was preparing for a job interview in Grand Rapids and for adventures in Houghton for Michigan Tech Winter Carnival. Well, after the interview, I had good feelings. I was definitely expecting something good. That came on Thursday, February 9th. I received a call to do a second interview. I was excited and nervous at the same time. It made me feel much better about what happened Monday. I proceeded to enjoy my time in Houghton and spend time with many old friends and make some new ones as well.
Monday came. The second interview (over the phone) took about 15 minutes. I guess I expected a little more. I had more mixed feelings about this interview. I felt like there was one question they asked that could make or break my chances, and I was leaning towards break for some reason. Nevertheless, I kept a positive attitude and just waited to hear the news, good or bad. Until about 4pm this afternoon, the week was full of ups and downs. On Tuesday, I bowled the best game I've ever had (172), but I also started coming down with a sinus infection, which is still having its way with me. Then, this afternoon, the news came.
I answered the phone with some doubt. I tried to hope for the best, but just couldn't get the worst out of my head. Some hesitation on the other end of the phone sure didn't help. But then, the offer came! I was their chosen candidate for the job! Pending a drug test and physical of course, but since I don't do drugs and I'm in the best shape I've probably ever been in, I'm not very concerned. I was so ecstatic. Tears of joy flowed uncontrollably. Two years of searching had finally paid off, and it ended with a job that I am really looking forward to doing.
Since this is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me, I feel the need to thank some people. First, my parents, for never doubting me and always helping me through the tough moments in life. Second, my girlfriend, for filling me with positive energy and believing in me these past couple months as I settled back into Michigan. Third, Lindsay Worden, for thinking of me when there was an open job at Boeing. Without that opportunity, I don't think I would have had this chance. Finally, to all my other friends and family who were really pulling for me. I appreciate all of you!
The next step is to look for a place to live in Grand Rapids. I am so excited to start a life on my own that doesn't include living 2300 miles away from home, only 170. I'm still in a little bit of shock and at a loss for any more words to describe how excited I really am.
That's all I really have for now. Now that I have more to write about, I'll get back to this more often.
P.S. - I lost 2 pounds while in Houghton, and all I did was get drunk and eat not so healthy food. Maybe it's a sign....or not...
Let's start where I left off. Last time I wrote here, I was preparing for a job interview in Grand Rapids and for adventures in Houghton for Michigan Tech Winter Carnival. Well, after the interview, I had good feelings. I was definitely expecting something good. That came on Thursday, February 9th. I received a call to do a second interview. I was excited and nervous at the same time. It made me feel much better about what happened Monday. I proceeded to enjoy my time in Houghton and spend time with many old friends and make some new ones as well.
Monday came. The second interview (over the phone) took about 15 minutes. I guess I expected a little more. I had more mixed feelings about this interview. I felt like there was one question they asked that could make or break my chances, and I was leaning towards break for some reason. Nevertheless, I kept a positive attitude and just waited to hear the news, good or bad. Until about 4pm this afternoon, the week was full of ups and downs. On Tuesday, I bowled the best game I've ever had (172), but I also started coming down with a sinus infection, which is still having its way with me. Then, this afternoon, the news came.
I answered the phone with some doubt. I tried to hope for the best, but just couldn't get the worst out of my head. Some hesitation on the other end of the phone sure didn't help. But then, the offer came! I was their chosen candidate for the job! Pending a drug test and physical of course, but since I don't do drugs and I'm in the best shape I've probably ever been in, I'm not very concerned. I was so ecstatic. Tears of joy flowed uncontrollably. Two years of searching had finally paid off, and it ended with a job that I am really looking forward to doing.
Since this is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me, I feel the need to thank some people. First, my parents, for never doubting me and always helping me through the tough moments in life. Second, my girlfriend, for filling me with positive energy and believing in me these past couple months as I settled back into Michigan. Third, Lindsay Worden, for thinking of me when there was an open job at Boeing. Without that opportunity, I don't think I would have had this chance. Finally, to all my other friends and family who were really pulling for me. I appreciate all of you!
The next step is to look for a place to live in Grand Rapids. I am so excited to start a life on my own that doesn't include living 2300 miles away from home, only 170. I'm still in a little bit of shock and at a loss for any more words to describe how excited I really am.
That's all I really have for now. Now that I have more to write about, I'll get back to this more often.
P.S. - I lost 2 pounds while in Houghton, and all I did was get drunk and eat not so healthy food. Maybe it's a sign....or not...
Monday, January 23, 2012
The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter...
To recap last week, ran 6 miles total. Want to ramp that up a bit this week, but the weather isn't cooperating so far. Skated again and was 100% better than two weeks ago. Will go again this week, probably Thursday. Didn't lose any weight, but didn't gain either, so I'll take it as a minor win.
I signed up for my first race of 2012. The AlphARace in Midland. It's a 3.5 mile run with military obstacles mixed in. It's also a night race, which should be interesting. Two things drew me to this. 1) it's more than just a run, which keeps things fun, and 2) I already know someone who is also doing it, which always makes it better. Still plan on doing a Warrior Dash as well, but probably not until September, since the other Michigan one is on a weekend where I have a wedding to go to.
Got some great news this morning. I have an interview scheduled with MDOT for the week after the Super Bowl. It's for a Business Analyst position in Grand Rapids. I'm super excited, but I'm trying not to get too jacked up about it and then be all depressed if things don't go well. I'm definitely hoping for the best though. If I was to work somewhere in Michigan, I want to either work in the UP or Grand Rapids.
RIP Joe Paterno. You were a great coach and a great role model for thousands of men who came through Penn State. However, for all your accomplishments, there will always be a black mark. I don't think you can talk about the good without the bad anymore, or vice versa. They will now go hand in hand. In my eyes, you held yourself and your players to a higher standard and expected them to go above and beyond, but when it came to the atrocities that occurred under your watch, you only did the minimum. Why? But regardless, You're still one of the best college coaches there ever was, and still deserved to be remembered for the great, not just the horrific.
A weekend of letdowns in the NFL. Special teams wasn't the shining light for Baltimore and San Francisco. However, one person cannot win or lose a game. It takes a team, and there are plenty of events that you can point to in those games that could have changed the outcome. A penalty here, dropped pass there. It all adds up in the end. I'll save my Super Bowl prediction for next week.
In other NFL news. Can anyone really justify Matthew Stafford being left off the Pro Bowl roster? I didn't think so. No one with common sense should rank Cam Newton ahead of Stafford. But apparently 5,000 yards, 40+ touchdowns, and getting your team to the PLAYOFFS isn't good enough these days. Also, if Indianapolis goes and hires Jim Tressel, they will be dead to me. Peyton or no Peyton, they will be completely dead.
Glad football is winding down. Now I can focus on my true love, Red Wings hockey. They are looking unstoppable right now. Tonight, St. Louis looked like a talented team, but they are nowhere near the level of the Red Wings, or some other veteran teams for that matter. That won't bode well when the playoffs arrive. Hopefully I can make it to a Wings game before the end of the year.
Well, that's all for now. This week should be most of the same. Working out, applying for work, spending quality time with family. This weekend is the Sno-Drift Rally as well. Will definitely be checking that out.
I signed up for my first race of 2012. The AlphARace in Midland. It's a 3.5 mile run with military obstacles mixed in. It's also a night race, which should be interesting. Two things drew me to this. 1) it's more than just a run, which keeps things fun, and 2) I already know someone who is also doing it, which always makes it better. Still plan on doing a Warrior Dash as well, but probably not until September, since the other Michigan one is on a weekend where I have a wedding to go to.
Got some great news this morning. I have an interview scheduled with MDOT for the week after the Super Bowl. It's for a Business Analyst position in Grand Rapids. I'm super excited, but I'm trying not to get too jacked up about it and then be all depressed if things don't go well. I'm definitely hoping for the best though. If I was to work somewhere in Michigan, I want to either work in the UP or Grand Rapids.
RIP Joe Paterno. You were a great coach and a great role model for thousands of men who came through Penn State. However, for all your accomplishments, there will always be a black mark. I don't think you can talk about the good without the bad anymore, or vice versa. They will now go hand in hand. In my eyes, you held yourself and your players to a higher standard and expected them to go above and beyond, but when it came to the atrocities that occurred under your watch, you only did the minimum. Why? But regardless, You're still one of the best college coaches there ever was, and still deserved to be remembered for the great, not just the horrific.
A weekend of letdowns in the NFL. Special teams wasn't the shining light for Baltimore and San Francisco. However, one person cannot win or lose a game. It takes a team, and there are plenty of events that you can point to in those games that could have changed the outcome. A penalty here, dropped pass there. It all adds up in the end. I'll save my Super Bowl prediction for next week.
In other NFL news. Can anyone really justify Matthew Stafford being left off the Pro Bowl roster? I didn't think so. No one with common sense should rank Cam Newton ahead of Stafford. But apparently 5,000 yards, 40+ touchdowns, and getting your team to the PLAYOFFS isn't good enough these days. Also, if Indianapolis goes and hires Jim Tressel, they will be dead to me. Peyton or no Peyton, they will be completely dead.
Glad football is winding down. Now I can focus on my true love, Red Wings hockey. They are looking unstoppable right now. Tonight, St. Louis looked like a talented team, but they are nowhere near the level of the Red Wings, or some other veteran teams for that matter. That won't bode well when the playoffs arrive. Hopefully I can make it to a Wings game before the end of the year.
Well, that's all for now. This week should be most of the same. Working out, applying for work, spending quality time with family. This weekend is the Sno-Drift Rally as well. Will definitely be checking that out.
Monday, January 16, 2012
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