Happy St. Patrick's Day in Advance! We probably will not post on the day of, so here it is! Celebration! Confetti! Parties! Green things!
Since I was small I've had a fascination for most things Ireland, and that includes St. Patricks' Day. I don't know why I never actually went and looked up information about the holiday, but I did today..
history.com has a great special on the holiday, and I discovered that corned beef is not actually the traditional food, because it replaced Irish Bacon during tough economic times around the turn of the century. Also, Erin go Bragh means Ireland Forever.
With any financial luck ourselves, we may even get to GO to Ireland this year! However, if our own economic times remain tough, we may have to substitute with paying for an apartment.. which is also a good thing to do with money.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
wow two in one day!
So, I don't want to push aside J's post, but I've been meaning to post lately as well. I started clinic this past Saturday, an exciting day because clinic is a 5.5 hour long massage-session for me. I give 4 or 5 massages in those 5.5 hours, am able to connect with the clients, and work on my own technique for interviewing, follow-up, and client-service. I visited the clinic the week before I began in order to scope out what everyone else was doing. I had planned to decorate my booth (we each have a little booth to massage in, like a crowded spa), and after seeing one booth that had no decor, I decided I HAD to decorate mine. Below is a picture of what I had, though it was taken at home and not at clinic. 
The table has a basket under it, which helped to keep my booth tidy and inviting. I also placed a Thank-You card with a business card inside on the brown tray, and I think it made a fairly good impression. Like one of my brothers-in-law said, how often do you get thanked for receiving a massage? But, as a student of body-work, I know it IS a gift to be allowed to touch another person's body; after all, you can heal and harm with the same hands, and it shows great trust to allow someone to manipulate your muscles.
The table has a basket under it, which helped to keep my booth tidy and inviting. I also placed a Thank-You card with a business card inside on the brown tray, and I think it made a fairly good impression. Like one of my brothers-in-law said, how often do you get thanked for receiving a massage? But, as a student of body-work, I know it IS a gift to be allowed to touch another person's body; after all, you can heal and harm with the same hands, and it shows great trust to allow someone to manipulate your muscles.
What to post?
So I ran into (not physically, but almost) a mother of a long time friend and it was fun to see her. WE chatted for a bit, and she told me that she actually knew about much of the new things in my life and admitted she was a blog stalker. We laughed and had a nice little chat, but as I was walking away, I thought to myself, "I should blog more." But honestly, what on EARTH do I blog about these days? Im not in paradise, I don't have anything life threatening or exciting to blog about, and Im just a boring guy with a phenomenal wife.
But I guess I should blog about my life. I cant really go into specifics with my job because of confidentiality, but I can still talk about it a bit. Needless to say my job is awesome! I love it. It is so much fun... SO much fun. Every day is different, and the kids are SO cute. They are just so innocent and fun loving, and when they have their "moments," most of the time its really funny. I also learn a lot from them, especially about confrontations and people interactions. Most of you know me very well, and know that I'm a very non-confrontational person. But many of these kids have no proper perception of what is proper to do and say among people and what is not, and that is why we are they, to help them use their words, to teach them proper social interactions, and how to live on their own. So, when the students have a problem with other people in society, we have to coach them to use their words to express how they feel, what they don't like, and how to fix the situation. Often it can be quite uncomfortable, but it really helps ME learn about how to deal with uncomfortable situations and problem/conflict solving.
So anyway, I am thoroughly enjoying life right now. Oh, something else that happened is that my computer pretty much blew up and died. Luckily I purchased an extended warranty, and so it is being fixed for free ( HP "fixed" it once and sent it back to me, but it still wouldn't work. So I'm sending it back.) Hopefully it will eventually work right.
Lastly, Lianna and I sent out our Christmas cards in February, and if you didn't one, its because we didn't have your address, so please, send me your addresses in one way or another so we can add you to our cool-people-list-with-whom-we-will-stay-in-contact. Take care everyone!
But I guess I should blog about my life. I cant really go into specifics with my job because of confidentiality, but I can still talk about it a bit. Needless to say my job is awesome! I love it. It is so much fun... SO much fun. Every day is different, and the kids are SO cute. They are just so innocent and fun loving, and when they have their "moments," most of the time its really funny. I also learn a lot from them, especially about confrontations and people interactions. Most of you know me very well, and know that I'm a very non-confrontational person. But many of these kids have no proper perception of what is proper to do and say among people and what is not, and that is why we are they, to help them use their words, to teach them proper social interactions, and how to live on their own. So, when the students have a problem with other people in society, we have to coach them to use their words to express how they feel, what they don't like, and how to fix the situation. Often it can be quite uncomfortable, but it really helps ME learn about how to deal with uncomfortable situations and problem/conflict solving.
So anyway, I am thoroughly enjoying life right now. Oh, something else that happened is that my computer pretty much blew up and died. Luckily I purchased an extended warranty, and so it is being fixed for free ( HP "fixed" it once and sent it back to me, but it still wouldn't work. So I'm sending it back.) Hopefully it will eventually work right.
Lastly, Lianna and I sent out our Christmas cards in February, and if you didn't one, its because we didn't have your address, so please, send me your addresses in one way or another so we can add you to our cool-people-list-with-whom-we-will-stay-in-contact. Take care everyone!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Hooray!
I know I probably ought to have let J blog about this.. but I couldn't wait! We have some exciting news for everyone...
No, we're not pregnant. J has a job finally!! He's going to work with a school district to assist with the handicapped children there. He starts next week Tuesday. We're so lucky in this economy to have been able to get a job; we feel especially so because he's been trying so hard to get a job and he didn't have any luck until finally this one appeared out of nowhere. He was talking to a friend, asking what she did, and asked if, perchance, there was a job opening. Lo and behold, there was. And, he applied and got it. It goes to show that it really is who you know first, and then your experience second. (He does have quite a bit of experience with aiding.) Hopefully one day he will get employed in what he graduated in, but we're so grateful for this job and so happy that he will be able to work in such a fulfilling vocation for now.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers!
No, we're not pregnant. J has a job finally!! He's going to work with a school district to assist with the handicapped children there. He starts next week Tuesday. We're so lucky in this economy to have been able to get a job; we feel especially so because he's been trying so hard to get a job and he didn't have any luck until finally this one appeared out of nowhere. He was talking to a friend, asking what she did, and asked if, perchance, there was a job opening. Lo and behold, there was. And, he applied and got it. It goes to show that it really is who you know first, and then your experience second. (He does have quite a bit of experience with aiding.) Hopefully one day he will get employed in what he graduated in, but we're so grateful for this job and so happy that he will be able to work in such a fulfilling vocation for now.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
A kick in the face from the Powers that Be.
So, I didn't get into medical school this year. That sucks. I would liken that to getting punched in the stomach when you weren't expecting it.
I applied for a job at a medical biotech company and got fairly far in the interview process, one of the more likely candidates to get the job... They called... I didn't get the job. I would liken that to, after the previous punch in the stomach, a kick in the face. Yup, right in the face.
So, trying to find a job anywhere, I went everywhere to find one... I even went to Blockbuster video... I know, I know, a biochemist college graduate working at Blockbuster video. Not the most glamorous job. But I need a job. I am desperate, and am willing to do almost anything. They told me that I can't get a job there. They have a hiring freeze. I liken the fact that I can't even get a job at Blockbuster video to, after the previous punch in the stomach and kick in the face, realizing that the kick knocked my teeth out and now I am choking on them as I lay on the ground, gasping for air, wincing in pain.
Let me recap my situation, just for emphasis: I'm a college graduate that has a degree in Biochemistry. I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.74. I have years of research experience and knowledge to go along with my degree. I also worked 3 jobs at college to support my family and I. But now I'm graduated, I don't have a medical school, I am unemployed, and can't even get a job at the local Blockbuster video. And to cap it all off, I live at HOME with my parents. (But as bad as that sounds, keep in mind my parents are wonderful and I love them very much.) Yeah, life could, and an emphasis on COULD, suck right now.
Luckily I have a better outlook on life. I read in the news paper that in January alone, over 600,000 people lost their jobs. Wow, sure not having a job at this point in my life is difficult, but it could be worse, really worse. I could be unemployed and have 13 kids to feed, clothe and educate. I also KNOW that the Lord doesn't require me to have a fancy job or top tier medical school education. He doesn't expect me to make millions, be famous, or have a fancy car. He doesn't even expect me to have my own apartment. So what then does He expect? He expects me to live righteously, keep His commandments, pray and study the scriptures. He expects me to be temple worthy at all times. So with all that said, and as hard as life might seem at this present time, I know in whom I trust, and I can honestly say that all I have to do is live righteously, and I will ALWAYS be taken care of. I will always have enough food to eat, somewhere to live, and all of the other essentials in life. I trust that someday, ( and truly hope that it will be soon,) things will get better. Sure, they may not last, but that's mortal life.
With all that said, if anyone knows where I could find a job, do tell! Thanks for listening to my rant, and keep in mind that life is simple. Keep the commandments, go to the temple, and trust in the Lord and His TIMING, and life will be full of good things.
P.S. I just noticed this, but the cartoon character has a doughnut. I laughed, because purely by coincidence, Lianna and I have bought 26 doughnuts in the past 3 days. (We were craving them, and they were the discounted doughnuts that come in dozens at the end of the day, can you blame us?)
I applied for a job at a medical biotech company and got fairly far in the interview process, one of the more likely candidates to get the job... They called... I didn't get the job. I would liken that to, after the previous punch in the stomach, a kick in the face. Yup, right in the face.
So, trying to find a job anywhere, I went everywhere to find one... I even went to Blockbuster video... I know, I know, a biochemist college graduate working at Blockbuster video. Not the most glamorous job. But I need a job. I am desperate, and am willing to do almost anything. They told me that I can't get a job there. They have a hiring freeze. I liken the fact that I can't even get a job at Blockbuster video to, after the previous punch in the stomach and kick in the face, realizing that the kick knocked my teeth out and now I am choking on them as I lay on the ground, gasping for air, wincing in pain.
Let me recap my situation, just for emphasis: I'm a college graduate that has a degree in Biochemistry. I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.74. I have years of research experience and knowledge to go along with my degree. I also worked 3 jobs at college to support my family and I. But now I'm graduated, I don't have a medical school, I am unemployed, and can't even get a job at the local Blockbuster video. And to cap it all off, I live at HOME with my parents. (But as bad as that sounds, keep in mind my parents are wonderful and I love them very much.) Yeah, life could, and an emphasis on COULD, suck right now.
Luckily I have a better outlook on life. I read in the news paper that in January alone, over 600,000 people lost their jobs. Wow, sure not having a job at this point in my life is difficult, but it could be worse, really worse. I could be unemployed and have 13 kids to feed, clothe and educate. I also KNOW that the Lord doesn't require me to have a fancy job or top tier medical school education. He doesn't expect me to make millions, be famous, or have a fancy car. He doesn't even expect me to have my own apartment. So what then does He expect? He expects me to live righteously, keep His commandments, pray and study the scriptures. He expects me to be temple worthy at all times. So with all that said, and as hard as life might seem at this present time, I know in whom I trust, and I can honestly say that all I have to do is live righteously, and I will ALWAYS be taken care of. I will always have enough food to eat, somewhere to live, and all of the other essentials in life. I trust that someday, ( and truly hope that it will be soon,) things will get better. Sure, they may not last, but that's mortal life.
With all that said, if anyone knows where I could find a job, do tell! Thanks for listening to my rant, and keep in mind that life is simple. Keep the commandments, go to the temple, and trust in the Lord and His TIMING, and life will be full of good things.
P.S. I just noticed this, but the cartoon character has a doughnut. I laughed, because purely by coincidence, Lianna and I have bought 26 doughnuts in the past 3 days. (We were craving them, and they were the discounted doughnuts that come in dozens at the end of the day, can you blame us?)
Sunday, January 25, 2009
A Year of Firsts...
So, in my defense, I suppose I should blog. But honestly, and I truly mean honestly, I HAVE NOTHING TO DO! Can you imagine going from being a college student, working 3 jobs, supporting a family, and saving the world biannually, to not having 3 jobs, not being in college, and saving the world only once every other year!?! It's mind-numbingly boring. I try to fill my time with useful chores and goals that I've set, but one can exercise only so much? ( I mean common, you don't want me to exercise so much that I become one of those sick-looking body builders that have -.004% body fat do you? I certainly don't) ((ok, so I only exercise twice a week, but it's a start.)) I also go to the bank fairly often to deposit checks, open safe deposit boxes, (just once), and get out of the house. I walk our FAT dog Riah. I cook every once in a while, clean house, sleep, sleep some more, play on the computer, and chauffeur people around. But anyway, this year has been a year of firsts for us, some of which I will list off
-The first year I was rejected from all Med Schools (For those who don't know, I'm going to med schools. It is EXTREMELY difficult to get in to med school, and most people don't get in their first year of applying. To give you an idea of how hard it is, I had a 3.74 cumulative GPA, and higher GPA if you consider only my science classes. I graduated magna cum laude, with additionally university honors from the Honors Program. I also had 2 significant research experiences, worked 3 jobs, was president of a club, volunteered often, and a bunch of other things that are boring. But no, I didn't get in. Such is life, there's always next year.)
-The first time Lianna saw snow falling. She was as giddy as a child at an amusement park. She was shaking and jumping up and down looking at it excitedly from the window, constantly saying how cool it was that snow was falling in 37 different ways.
-It is the first time Lianna and I have been in a family ward. It is quite different, but a lot of fun. We have our first calling in our first family ward, and it is great. We teach the 12 year olds, and they are a wild bunch of kids, but we have an activity at the start of each lesson that lets them get all their energy out. Then we sit them down and proceed with the lesson. Like today for example, we baked brownies and in an effort to permanently distill on their malleable souls the importance of being pure in heart, we had a few brownies and we said that they had a small bit of dog poop in them. The others didn't have any, and were quite edible. They loved the brownies, and were disgusted with the thought that the others had dog poop in them ( they didn't really), and grasped the importance of being completely pure in heart, not just enough on the outside.
-I had my first real job interview this year. It was with a company called Aspen BioPharma, a medical biotech company not too far from our home. I am well qualified for the job, but not sure if they found someone else who has more experience than me. So hopefully I will be able to get a job with them and start supporting my family. We should hear back from them soon.
-It was also the first time Lianna was able to meet ALL of my family. She still had not met my older brother Michael or his wife, Stephanie. They love Lianna, and Lianna loved them, obviously. She and I both had the opportunity to meet our niece and nephew, Ally and Logan. HOLY HANNAH are they CUTE! They were so fun to hold and play with. Just adorable.
-Along those same lines, it was a first time that all of the Quillen family has been together at the same time in the same place. What a lovely time it was!
-It was the first time that Lianna and I bought a frozen Tombstone pizza for UNDER $8!!! In Hawaii, they cost $10, but we got ours for only $3!!! It was so delectably delicious, I could taste the money I saved! Yumm!
-And last but not least, it was the first time Lianna maintained this blog when I did not. Guess there's a first time for everything.
We hope you all are great and doing well. Also, Lianna and I will be sending out Christmas (or whatever season it is) cards "soon." So please email us and send us your address. Much Mahalo!
-The first year I was rejected from all Med Schools (For those who don't know, I'm going to med schools. It is EXTREMELY difficult to get in to med school, and most people don't get in their first year of applying. To give you an idea of how hard it is, I had a 3.74 cumulative GPA, and higher GPA if you consider only my science classes. I graduated magna cum laude, with additionally university honors from the Honors Program. I also had 2 significant research experiences, worked 3 jobs, was president of a club, volunteered often, and a bunch of other things that are boring. But no, I didn't get in. Such is life, there's always next year.)
-The first time Lianna saw snow falling. She was as giddy as a child at an amusement park. She was shaking and jumping up and down looking at it excitedly from the window, constantly saying how cool it was that snow was falling in 37 different ways.
-It is the first time Lianna and I have been in a family ward. It is quite different, but a lot of fun. We have our first calling in our first family ward, and it is great. We teach the 12 year olds, and they are a wild bunch of kids, but we have an activity at the start of each lesson that lets them get all their energy out. Then we sit them down and proceed with the lesson. Like today for example, we baked brownies and in an effort to permanently distill on their malleable souls the importance of being pure in heart, we had a few brownies and we said that they had a small bit of dog poop in them. The others didn't have any, and were quite edible. They loved the brownies, and were disgusted with the thought that the others had dog poop in them ( they didn't really), and grasped the importance of being completely pure in heart, not just enough on the outside.
-I had my first real job interview this year. It was with a company called Aspen BioPharma, a medical biotech company not too far from our home. I am well qualified for the job, but not sure if they found someone else who has more experience than me. So hopefully I will be able to get a job with them and start supporting my family. We should hear back from them soon.
-It was also the first time Lianna was able to meet ALL of my family. She still had not met my older brother Michael or his wife, Stephanie. They love Lianna, and Lianna loved them, obviously. She and I both had the opportunity to meet our niece and nephew, Ally and Logan. HOLY HANNAH are they CUTE! They were so fun to hold and play with. Just adorable.
-Along those same lines, it was a first time that all of the Quillen family has been together at the same time in the same place. What a lovely time it was!
-It was the first time that Lianna and I bought a frozen Tombstone pizza for UNDER $8!!! In Hawaii, they cost $10, but we got ours for only $3!!! It was so delectably delicious, I could taste the money I saved! Yumm!
-And last but not least, it was the first time Lianna maintained this blog when I did not. Guess there's a first time for everything.
We hope you all are great and doing well. Also, Lianna and I will be sending out Christmas (or whatever season it is) cards "soon." So please email us and send us your address. Much Mahalo!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Laziness
So, we haven't posted in a while. No, not because we're busy.. probably because we've been lazy. And because nothing new is going on. I'm still in Massage Therapy School, and will be until August. J spends his time sitting around, running errands, and sitting around some more. Here's what it looks like:
I mostly go to school and do a lot of laundry..
Anyway, because there's not much new in our life, I'd like to report a little bit on our last few days in CA. We went with Aaron and Chris (two of my good friends) and Debbie to Muir Woods to enjoy the beauty of the Redwoods before we left the Golden State forever ... well for a long time.
It was gorgeous, even though it was bitterly cold and it rained. Needless to say, I really miss California.
I mostly go to school and do a lot of laundry..
Anyway, because there's not much new in our life, I'd like to report a little bit on our last few days in CA. We went with Aaron and Chris (two of my good friends) and Debbie to Muir Woods to enjoy the beauty of the Redwoods before we left the Golden State forever ... well for a long time.
It was gorgeous, even though it was bitterly cold and it rained. Needless to say, I really miss California.
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