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!
Friday, February 13, 2009
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.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Christmas! is over
Well, Christmas this year came and went, and the best part was definitely all of the family time. It was a little hectic this year, with J and me moving across the ocean, and the country, during Christmas, but it's so nice to know that we have so many homes in so many places to welcome us. It certainly has been interesting to pack up and clean up so many old memories - first in Hawaii leaving, then in California to clear out all evidence of my life from most of my old house, then again in Colorado to make room for two people's things in J's old room. Life leaves so many memories trapped under dusty shoebox lids and inside old bags and plastic boxes. Part of me is excited for the judgement day, when I get to remember everything all over again for eternity.. and part of me is glad I get to take time during this life to throw out the trash and embarassing Book of Life entries before reviewing it all.
Also, we have decided to start a couple of family Christmas traditions - to buy some nice cheese to enjoy and share (borrowed from the Goodwills, and professor family at BYUH we admire), and to send out Christmas cards. The last will be, unfortunately, late. But, I promise the tardiness is NOT part of the tradition.
Anyway, there aren't any pics for this entry, so I'll stop now before the text gets too boring. It's enough to say that seeing so many family (both Henderson and Quillen sides) has been huge buckets of fun and has made this break one to truly be grateful for. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and good wishes for the New Year!
Also, we have decided to start a couple of family Christmas traditions - to buy some nice cheese to enjoy and share (borrowed from the Goodwills, and professor family at BYUH we admire), and to send out Christmas cards. The last will be, unfortunately, late. But, I promise the tardiness is NOT part of the tradition.
Anyway, there aren't any pics for this entry, so I'll stop now before the text gets too boring. It's enough to say that seeing so many family (both Henderson and Quillen sides) has been huge buckets of fun and has made this break one to truly be grateful for. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and good wishes for the New Year!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
the fire is so delightful
Well.. J isn't totally right about the temperature here (though it is cold). He may have exaggerated a little (by that, I mean quite a bit). Yes, it is colder here than in Hawaii. No, we do not have to keep our winter coats and boots on in the house. It was true, though, that when he and I arrived at the house we are currently living in, it was about 40 degrees inside. Then, we turned the heater on for two hours, and it warmed up to 60. Now, it is a warm temperature, in fact, he was so warm last night that he couldn't sleep without eating ice cream. ^_^ This was due in part to the fire we built in our lovely fireplace, and partly to the various heaters. What will we ever do when we reach Colorado? He may be warm in his winter clothes.. and I may have to stay inside in my California-weather winter clothes.
At any rate - it is now warm here. And I'm sure I will learn how to be plenty warm in CO too. Merry 4 days 'til Christmas!
At any rate - it is now warm here. And I'm sure I will learn how to be plenty warm in CO too. Merry 4 days 'til Christmas!
New Post... what to post?
Hello all. So since I've got nothing else to do, I will blog. But blog about what? It's vacation, and I'm a lazy bum! "You Dirty Bum!!" (What movie, what movie?) So anyway, we are just here in California and enjoying time with Lianna's family. However, through careful observation, I have noticed that all Californians keep their homes heated to a scorching temperature of 60 degrees. Crazy energy-conscientious hippies! (jk jk) You basically wear winter coats, gloves and boots inside. Not my idea of cozy home.
I am also presently job hunting... trying to find a job that will use my degree. Something science-based, something that will look good on a med school application if I don't get in this round. (I hope that doesn't happen, but it has to many others and is quite common. Oh well, what will happen will happen.)
We are just getting ready for the holidays here, which is all great and fun. But I guess I will post some of the other pictures that I said i would. Here are more pictures of the Big Island as well and the crazy floods that we experienced the last few days.
This Car had it lucky. It was on high groud. Others were almost completely submerged.
This is the road. Well, was the road? Anyway, you can see the yards/houses. Look and the fire hydrant!
Here is the "Guard House" at the entrance to BYUH. Behind it is a big field.
Warning: Smoking is hazardous to your health, especially smoke bellowing from a volcano.
Our lovely thanksgiving feast... at Pizza Hut (And yes, I was still a Dominos worker at the time)
Here is us at the entrances of the freaking awesome lava tubes.
And here is my beautiful wife. Isn't she cute? I think so.
I am also presently job hunting... trying to find a job that will use my degree. Something science-based, something that will look good on a med school application if I don't get in this round. (I hope that doesn't happen, but it has to many others and is quite common. Oh well, what will happen will happen.)
We are just getting ready for the holidays here, which is all great and fun. But I guess I will post some of the other pictures that I said i would. Here are more pictures of the Big Island as well and the crazy floods that we experienced the last few days.
This Car had it lucky. It was on high groud. Others were almost completely submerged.
This is the road. Well, was the road? Anyway, you can see the yards/houses. Look and the fire hydrant!
Here is the "Guard House" at the entrance to BYUH. Behind it is a big field.
Warning: Smoking is hazardous to your health, especially smoke bellowing from a volcano.
Our lovely thanksgiving feast... at Pizza Hut (And yes, I was still a Dominos worker at the time)
Here is us at the entrances of the freaking awesome lava tubes.
And here is my beautiful wife. Isn't she cute? I think so.
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