It has been a while since my last post...again. I think I'll make this a monthly thing.
Since my last post, Kelly and I have been busy. We made a trip to Austin to see Emery, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, and Closure in Moscow. We didn't get to see much of Austin because we were only there long enough for the concert. The bands were AWESOME, and the venue, Emo's, was pretty cool. Our next planned concert trip is to Dallas in October.
I have been getting more involved with Toastmasters International. I have started performing leadership roles to apply towards completion of my Competent Leader manual. I have also been giving more speeches. A week ago, our chapter had a humorous speech contest that I got second in. The second round of competition (Area Contest) was today. I was competing against people who had up to 9 years of Toasmasters experience. I won first place in my area, and now I get to compete again on November 7 for the District Contest.
Work is still good. I have been very busy lately. Kelly has also been working a lot. Sometimes it seems like we don't get to see each other much. We are almost to our first anniversary and are talking about taking a trip to the beach to celebrate.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Update
I've finally sat down to make the post I've been meaning to do at least once a week since my last post.
The Van's Warped Tour was good. Kelly and I saw about 8 bands we really wanted to see, and even found a few more that we liked. Kelly and I got a picture with Roger from Less Than Jake. It wasn't a bad drive from Waco to Dallas and the day itself couldn't have been better, partly cloudy, upper 80s, light rain on and off.
Kelly went to Kansas for a week from June 10 - 19. I went up to join her on the 16th and help drive back after the weekend wa sover. She was up there for a classmate's wedding and to do a few things in preparation for her sister's (Rachel's) wedding. Rachel's wedding was good, no major drama or problems (as far as I was aware at least).
Since my last post, I have joined an organization called Toastmasters International. The organization is designed to improve speaking and leadership skills of its members. To progress through levels of leader and communicator, you have to meet certain goals of giving speeches and performing roles in club meetings. I gave my ice breaker speech last week , and not to brag too much, I think everyone was impressed.
It seems like there are many more details I could add in the previous paragraphs, but I need toget to bed. I'll post more soon. Stay in touch.
The Van's Warped Tour was good. Kelly and I saw about 8 bands we really wanted to see, and even found a few more that we liked. Kelly and I got a picture with Roger from Less Than Jake. It wasn't a bad drive from Waco to Dallas and the day itself couldn't have been better, partly cloudy, upper 80s, light rain on and off.
Kelly went to Kansas for a week from June 10 - 19. I went up to join her on the 16th and help drive back after the weekend wa sover. She was up there for a classmate's wedding and to do a few things in preparation for her sister's (Rachel's) wedding. Rachel's wedding was good, no major drama or problems (as far as I was aware at least).
Since my last post, I have joined an organization called Toastmasters International. The organization is designed to improve speaking and leadership skills of its members. To progress through levels of leader and communicator, you have to meet certain goals of giving speeches and performing roles in club meetings. I gave my ice breaker speech last week , and not to brag too much, I think everyone was impressed.
It seems like there are many more details I could add in the previous paragraphs, but I need toget to bed. I'll post more soon. Stay in touch.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The Times They Are A'Changing
My original intention was to make a post on a weekly basis, but I'm already not doing so hot at that.
Work is still good. I'm really enjoying the challenge that my every day work presents. I feel like I've accomplished something already this week because I've already initiated a change in a design. I'm still learning (and re-learning) a lot of things, but I think I enjoy that. My training last week was good...very busy and a lot of information though! I'm ready for this weekend though...it is tough transitioning from not doing anything for 4 months back to working 40 hours a week.
Kelly and I are still adapting to Waco. The people we have met so far are all nice. We are also close to a lot of stuff to do (restaurants and shopping). We are excited about going to church this weekend. I am wanting to get more involved with the music program there. In about a week we are going up to Dallas to the Van's Warped Tour.
I'll try to write again in a week. Stay in touch.
Work is still good. I'm really enjoying the challenge that my every day work presents. I feel like I've accomplished something already this week because I've already initiated a change in a design. I'm still learning (and re-learning) a lot of things, but I think I enjoy that. My training last week was good...very busy and a lot of information though! I'm ready for this weekend though...it is tough transitioning from not doing anything for 4 months back to working 40 hours a week.
Kelly and I are still adapting to Waco. The people we have met so far are all nice. We are also close to a lot of stuff to do (restaurants and shopping). We are excited about going to church this weekend. I am wanting to get more involved with the music program there. In about a week we are going up to Dallas to the Van's Warped Tour.
I'll try to write again in a week. Stay in touch.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Back to Work
I haven't made a post since my first and only post so far. Since then I have been laid off, found a new job, moved to Texas, and started working again. This will be my chance to catch everyone up with what Kelly and I have been up to. I also plan on making more regular posts now that Kelly and I are so far away from family and friends.
About getting laid off. With the U.S. economy the way it is now, the aerospace industry has taken a large hit. Both Hawker Beechcraft (where I worked) and Cessna have announced approximately 50% reduction in staff over the last year. I was laid off on February 6. I immediately started looking for work again in whatever fields and locations that I was qualified for, under qualified for, and over qualified for. My final job search stats were that I was out of work 4 months and 2 days, applied to 110 jobs, had 3 phone interviews, and one onsite interview. Many positions I applied for were cancelled, not filled. I now work for L-3 Communications and Integrated Systems in Waco, Texas.
In my time off I kept busy working on small projects around our house, spending time with Kelly and friends (even had a band for a little while), looking for jobs, and watching WAY too much TV. You know you've been watching too much TV when you start seeing reruns of multiple mid-90s TV shows 2 or 3 times. All and all I guess it was sort of a nice long vacation, except that I was getting anxious to work again towards the end. It was hard saying goodbye to all our friends in Wichita.
The start of the end of my unemployment was about a month and a half ago when I went to a career fair that I walked away from thinking it was a waste of my time. At that career fair I was directed to apply online to L-3 Communications in Waco. Two weeks later I had a phone interview, and they immediately brought me down for an onsite interview. The job seemed amazing regardless of the fact that I had been out of work for a while. Shortly after that I got the offer. I accepted the offer, moved to Texas, and started within a 3 week period.
Kelly and I moved to Waco on June 4. We found a 2 bedroom apartment here that we like. It has a pool, fitness center, and outdoor basketball court. Kelly likes the pool. It is all pretty good so far. I have worked for a week now, and it seems really interesting. Next week I begin some training on a new computer program. Kelly transfered to the David's Bridal here, but hopes to find something else soon.
Well, now that I've rambled on for a while, I'll remember to post more often so I don't have as much to type. I hope everyone is doing well. Stay in touch.
About getting laid off. With the U.S. economy the way it is now, the aerospace industry has taken a large hit. Both Hawker Beechcraft (where I worked) and Cessna have announced approximately 50% reduction in staff over the last year. I was laid off on February 6. I immediately started looking for work again in whatever fields and locations that I was qualified for, under qualified for, and over qualified for. My final job search stats were that I was out of work 4 months and 2 days, applied to 110 jobs, had 3 phone interviews, and one onsite interview. Many positions I applied for were cancelled, not filled. I now work for L-3 Communications and Integrated Systems in Waco, Texas.
In my time off I kept busy working on small projects around our house, spending time with Kelly and friends (even had a band for a little while), looking for jobs, and watching WAY too much TV. You know you've been watching too much TV when you start seeing reruns of multiple mid-90s TV shows 2 or 3 times. All and all I guess it was sort of a nice long vacation, except that I was getting anxious to work again towards the end. It was hard saying goodbye to all our friends in Wichita.
The start of the end of my unemployment was about a month and a half ago when I went to a career fair that I walked away from thinking it was a waste of my time. At that career fair I was directed to apply online to L-3 Communications in Waco. Two weeks later I had a phone interview, and they immediately brought me down for an onsite interview. The job seemed amazing regardless of the fact that I had been out of work for a while. Shortly after that I got the offer. I accepted the offer, moved to Texas, and started within a 3 week period.
Kelly and I moved to Waco on June 4. We found a 2 bedroom apartment here that we like. It has a pool, fitness center, and outdoor basketball court. Kelly likes the pool. It is all pretty good so far. I have worked for a week now, and it seems really interesting. Next week I begin some training on a new computer program. Kelly transfered to the David's Bridal here, but hopes to find something else soon.
Well, now that I've rambled on for a while, I'll remember to post more often so I don't have as much to type. I hope everyone is doing well. Stay in touch.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Starting Something New
Since my brother and his wife are taking advantage of this, I also wanted to try it out. I hope this helps me keep in touch with people I haven't seen in a while!
I still don't know what to think of blogs in general...maybe they still seem a little dorky to me, but I want to use this just to keep people updated and maybe motivate someone else to write a blog too.
I still don't know what to think of blogs in general...maybe they still seem a little dorky to me, but I want to use this just to keep people updated and maybe motivate someone else to write a blog too.
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