So, last March Lianna and I went to Australia and New Caledonia. It was a GREAT trip... very short, but great. We had so much fun. But some of you might not know, but for me it was all paid for. Yup, BYU-Hawaii paid my ENTIRE way, food, lodging, airfare, rental car, gas, the whole 9 yards. So I decided that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and just had to bring my wife along. So we bought her a plane ticket and she stayed with me, drove with me, at with me, and therefore was almost an all-expense paid trip for her too! That just made it even more GREAT!
Well, a new year, a new opportunity. Lianna, as amazing and wonderful and kind and gentle and loving and sweet, and sensitive and fun-loving, and kind-hearted, and pretty much perfect as she is, has a lot of friends, many of which go to massage school with her. Well, one of Lianna's said friends is getting married this October, and wants Lianna to be a bride's maid.... IN SPAIN! Yup, that's right, in Spain. So her friend is going to pay her airfare and give her a place to stay in the Spanish country-side (the bride-to-be's grandma's house.) Pretty sweet deal hu? Well it gets better. They are also going to pay for ME to go! Crazy hu? So hopefully this works out. Now, October is quite far away and a lot could change between now and then, but who knows, we'll see. It's certainly something to look forward to!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
For those who can't tell us apart...
So for those of you who can not tell us (my wife and I) apart, that previous post about the history of St. Patricks Day was actually from LIANNA , not myself. (Sorry Sarah.) However, Happy Saint Patrick's day all. I hope its full of ridiculous good luck and fun memories.
As for me, I'm working. Yup. blogging at work, but the student I'm working with has free time, which makes me have free time. So blog i shall.
Anyway, about the whole going to Ireland thing, my family, i.e, mom, dad and emily, are all going to go to Ireland sometime this year. Lianna and I would LOVE to go, however the chances of that are looking less than good. Like Lianna said, it would be nice to have a place to life. However, we still have to pay off student loans for massage therapy school, make enough money to go, plan, pay, and all that. We really wanted to go with our family, but it looks like they may go much earlier than planned, which would be when Lianna was still in school. Sad day. But even if they did go at the end of July, we still would be hard pressed to go. That and I just found out how Littleton Public Schools actually pay their employees. Therefore this paycheck I will get on friday will be much smaller than I actually thought. (grrr... they only pay once a month, and instead of the pay period being from the 20th to the 20th, it is actually from the beginning of the month to the end, which means I will only get paid for two weeks in February, not the four weeks I was thinking/hoping. Oh well, at least I have a job. I'm happy about that.
Anyway, free time is almost over. Goodbye all.
As for me, I'm working. Yup. blogging at work, but the student I'm working with has free time, which makes me have free time. So blog i shall.
Anyway, about the whole going to Ireland thing, my family, i.e, mom, dad and emily, are all going to go to Ireland sometime this year. Lianna and I would LOVE to go, however the chances of that are looking less than good. Like Lianna said, it would be nice to have a place to life. However, we still have to pay off student loans for massage therapy school, make enough money to go, plan, pay, and all that. We really wanted to go with our family, but it looks like they may go much earlier than planned, which would be when Lianna was still in school. Sad day. But even if they did go at the end of July, we still would be hard pressed to go. That and I just found out how Littleton Public Schools actually pay their employees. Therefore this paycheck I will get on friday will be much smaller than I actually thought. (grrr... they only pay once a month, and instead of the pay period being from the 20th to the 20th, it is actually from the beginning of the month to the end, which means I will only get paid for two weeks in February, not the four weeks I was thinking/hoping. Oh well, at least I have a job. I'm happy about that.
Anyway, free time is almost over. Goodbye all.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
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.
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 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?)
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