Hot tub party with David Beckham? July 22, 2008

Whoa!  I just went through a rollercoaster of emotions over the past two months and I have no idea what that was all about.  I’m an idiot.  I guess I just freaked because I didn’t know which way my life was going.  Living out here has had its complications, but I’m dealing with it and I know it’s not the end of the world.  Happiness sometimes isn’t the answer.  Sometimes you just have to push yourself and overlook the little things.  Hard times come and go.  How boring would life be if everything was handed to you and happiness was right there knocking at your front door?  It’s all about the learning experience and emotions just so happen to come as a side dish.  Unfortunately emotions sometimes get the best of me and I lose it.  I wish everyone had the nerve to move away from their hometowns, even if it was only for a few months.  It’s so worth it and you wouldn’t believe how much you learn.

I’m so excited to be staying here in Albuquerque for a while.  I have so many things to look forward to, and so many hopes and dreams.  I’m just going to stay positive and see what life will throw at me next.  It’s sad to say…but Cincinnati doesn’t offer me anything.  I want to be the best I can be and I don’t think I can do it there.  Sometimes I just think I’m rushing into something I know I’m not going to get….yet.  I’ve only been out of college for 2 years and I know there is no way I can land my dream job right now.  I don’t have the experience under my belt.  All I can do is be patient and build up my experience.  Yes, I do plan on moving home next year to be with friends and family for a while.  But I also see myself traveling more.  I love to see this country and I love to get out and experience different cultures.  Albuquerque isn’t quite for me, but you live and learn, right?  Who knows what’s in store for me next…?

When I move home, I’m going to look into auditing some classes at my college to help further my career.  Nowadays graphic design and web design come hand in hand.  It’s funny how much has changed in the past 4 years or so.  We were only required to take one web class for graphic design.  Now, every graphic design position wants to see web design skills.  Makes sense and I wish I would have known that while in school.  But again…you live and learn. 

These next few months are going to be so great!!  I especially can’t wait till October when Adam finally gets his life back!!!  He’s been a total loser who studies every night.  Even his weekends are shot with essay writing.  I mean, come on…who writes essays on the weekends?  Haha, I’m just teasing!!  I’m extremely proud of him.  He’s really dedicated his every spare minute to getting in a top ten school for his MBA.  Once he starts receiving those acceptance letters, he’ll know that all his hard work has paid off!!!  Although I wish we had more time to hang out.  I’m always afraid to ask him to do stuff  =(  But I know once October comes, we’ll be able to hang out more.  I can’t wait!!!  I hear a Nintendo match calling…

August 1-3 I’m going to visit Jamie in Denver.  She’s living there for the summer for her Occupational Therapy training.  She lives about 15 minutes north of Denver.  We’re both trying to save money so we’re just gonna do some hiking and maybe even take a trip to Breckenridge!!  It’ll be nice to get away and to see a familiar face!!

Danielle visits August 21-25!!!  I’m so excited to hang out with her.  We’re probably going to drop pillows down the stairs, jump on furniture, do headstands, throw flip-flips, listen to obnoxious 80’s music, drink until we can’t stand up, stick gum wrappers to everything, steal orange construction cones, block parking spaces, take someone to the hospital, run into trucks, take daily naps, take random pictures in the grocery store, run red lights, stop at green lights, and take shots of captain and pray we don’t have class the next day…..wait….we’ve already done all that. 

I’m also wayyyy excited to visit my favorite Jdogg in Orlando, September 4-8.  I haven’t seen him since college!  We talk almost every single day and he never surprises me with his random/hilarious comments!  I can’t wait to see what his “itinerary” consists of.  All I know is that we are going to Universal Studios and to some blues bar.  We’re probably gonna be eating a whole bunch of animal crackers too!!  Can’t freakin wait!

Whitney is supposed to come visit too, but has been on the other side of the pond (in Bosnia) for a month now and would like some time to relax when she gets home….although I did find her a plane ticket for $178.  I don’t know how she is handling everything over there.  Her blogs are absolutely amazing and I don’t know how she’s getting through it…emotionally.  She’s seen piles of unidentified people being buried, to wall to wall body bags full of skeletons, to listening to suicide stories, she has also helped out at a women’s facility helping rape victims and assisted abandoned women.  She said some of these women are so traumatized…they still can’t even look a man in the eye or shake his hand after 15 years.  She has also talked with some amazing children who are very intelligent but cannot further their education because of money and other issues.  She has also talked with kids who can’t afford to go see movies and who say “we smoke because there is nothing else to do.”  Their soccer fields have been paved over and no one seems to be interested in organizing games or other fun things to do.  It brings tears to my eyes to hear her stories and to think about these kids who can hardly do anything but sit on the street corner and smoke.  Whit also took a tour of a high school and found the library only had 50 books; the science lab had no running water and one microscope…without a lens.  She also learns that some kids only graduate because their fathers pay the school officials bribes.  Soon after day 5, she knew this was exactly what she DOES NOT want to do with her life.  She said it’s hard to deal with the “unbelievable trauma” and she “would constantly be breaking down in frustration.”  On a good note, she’s met some amazing people who will be lifelong friends and she has definitely had the experience of a lifetime!

Nick and Ryan – 4th annual Halloween bash?

I’ve also been getting random comments about a possible Trolley: Part 5.  Pirate theme anyone?  Holy crap…K-Cubed is really turning 25?!?

Bring on the snow.

That’s all for now.

 PS. Kim – Let’s definitely arrage a hot tub party with David.  I’ll have my people call his people.

 

 

$1 Goes A Long Way. July 15, 2008

Just thought I’d write (Pictures links in BLUE!!)

 

It’s been a week and a half since the interview with Safe Gard USA and I haven’t heard anything.  Not a big deal.  I don’t know if it would have been the job for me anyway.  I don’t think he was going to offer me as much as I’d like…plus it was more on the marketing side.  Although I would be designing 6 new ski tubes, life jackets, packaging, and getting to travel a few times a year.  He said design wise; I am over-qualified for this job.  But sitting in an office by myself all day, talking on the phone with clients, and trying to sell products is not my cup of tea.  I don’t really think I’m going to be hearing from them…and I’m not upset about it.  I think he was looking for someone who is more into marketing.

 

On a different note…I just got a $1/hour raise here at my job in ABQ!  I’m pretty pumped about that.  I was waiting for something to happen to help me with my moving decision, and I think that was it.  I’ve been working here for about a year and half and was beginning to wonder when my first raise was going to happen.  Hopefully this will help with my savings.  I’ve really been trying to save as much as I can.  I’ve definitely cut back on dumb unnecessary things…such as tanning, the gym (which I regret, and will probably join again in August), I don’t do yoga anymore, and I also try to do as many errands as I can in the same day and all in one trip to save gas.

 

As of now, I’ve decided to stay in ABQ thru ski season or until I find a job back in Cincy (kind of playing this by ear).  The raise definitely was a major factor in this decision; also my friend Danielle had a lot to do with it.  Danielle is such a great friend, sadly over the years we’ve grown apart though.  We’ve always been there for each other and have a very similar lifestyle so we can relate to each other on a lot of different topics.  We were best friends in high school and roommates freshman year in college.  Man, do we have some funny stories.  We are always giving each other advice whether it’s about family, relationships, life, school, etc.  She’s always there for me and always knows the right things to say.  So the past few days we’ve been emailing each other talking about where we are in life, catching up on old times, talking about family, jobs, school, etc.  I filled her in on my mixed up situation and she gave me some awesome advice that had a lot to do with my decision also.  I was telling her how unhappy I have been, how my job is boring, that I don’t have many friends, etc.  She responded by saying “I know you have a million and one friends back home, but you should stick it out.  Skiing will be such a great reward for all your unhappiness.  You don’t want to be miserable and just quit, have fun while you’re there and ski for one more season.  It will be so worth it and you’ll be glad you stayed.”  I love that and I think about that quote everyday.  Skiing will definitely be an awesome reward for sticking this out!  I’m so glad she told me that….because I never looked at it like that.  I’m so excited for her to come visit at the end of August!!!

 

Other stories:

 

Congrats to Molly and Craig Kantz on the new baby boy!!!  In honor of Molly’s dad – Dick (Richard) Charles Bucher…the baby’s name is Charles Joseph Kantz “Charlie.”

Born 7/14/08, 8lbs.

 

Congrats to Jody and Donald Raugh for the baptism of their baby girl, Morgan.

 

I guess next up will be Jessica!!  Good luck!!

 

Whitney is still in Bosnia doin her thing.  She hasn’t written in her blog for a while, so I’m not sure what she’s been up to lately.  I do know that she extended her trip by another week so she can go meet her pen pal from Scotland.  She seems to be having a great time, learning a lot, but realizing how well she has it back home (not necessarily in Cincinnati, but in the U.S.A.).  I can’t wait to see her pictures!

 

Happy Birthday Nick Sundrup!!!  He’s finally 21.  Took forever!!!!!  Sorry I couldn’t make it to the pub crawl….but I saw the pictures.  It looked like a blast.  Next time I come home, I owe you a drink.

 

Kim FINALLY quit the Beach Water Park!  She took on Graphic Design, Communications, Marketing, and occasionally Guest Services….staying till 1am some nights.  Eff that.  I’m so glad you quit.  Cheers!

 

Brad just bought a house and is moving in tomorrow!!!  He’s throwing a party this Saturday.  Everyone go crash it for me because I obviously can’t be there.  Great.

 

Lisa just quit her job at Turner Broadcasting in NYC and moved back to Cincy.  She hated living in NYC (I don’t blame her), and couldn’t put up with it anymore.

 

Josh Schneider (Fellow Taylor High Schooler), just swam at the Olympic trials in Nebraska.  He swam the 50 free, but sadly didn’t qualify. 

 

As many of you know, Jason Fuller passed away over the 4h of July weekend.  He was driving drunk, not wearing a seatbelt, and flipped his jeep on Buffalo Ridge.  If you are unfamiliar with Buffalo Ridge…it’s just about the hilliest road on our side of town (second to Rybolt Rd.).  Jason was pretty much Mr. Taylor High School – Homecoming King, basketball star, friendly to everyone, etc.  He will be missed!

 

Rob Guinn, former NM Scorpion also passed away.  He was in Des Moines, Iowa and another driver failed to stop at an intersection, hitting Guinn and causing him to land in a ditch.  Living with Jeff, I got to hang out with Rob and his wife Brooke a few times.  He was a very nice guy and always took the time to stop and talk to you no matter what.  He was also a sensational hockey player and captain leading the Scorpions to a great season ending in the playoffs. 

 

In two weeks I am going to see Jamie Cain in Denver!!  It will be a nice little vaca and time away frm ABQ.  It’s about a 6 hour drive, so I’m leaving right after work on Friday, August 1st…and coming back Sunday, August 3rd.  I told her I’m trying to save money, so I think we’re just going to play in the mountains and hike all weekend….which is totally fine by me!!  I can’t wait!

 

That’s all I can think of for now.

 

July 4th Weekend. July 8, 2008

As you know…I went home to Cincinnati for the 4th of July weekend.  Good times were had by all.  Not many people knew I was coming in, so it was a suprise to some.  Usually when I tell everyone I’m coming home, my phone never stops ringing.  I didn’t want that this weekend.  It was nice to just hang around the house and not be bothered for a change…although I did manage to go out one night and hang out with friends.  Overall, it was a perfect weekend.

Thursday I got into Cincy at 6:30 and went straight to Wild Mike’s with Dad, Jenny, Taylor, and Madison.  We had a few beers, talked for a while, and watched some of the Reds game.  I never get to eat at Wild Mike’s, so I enjoyed every minute of it!!  After dins I met Brad at Scoreboard to watch the rest of the Reds games.  A few others came up later…Kim, Ryan, Miranda, Jenny, Chris, etc.  Mom also came up.  Nothing too exciting went on.  Just had a few beers, watched the game, and Chris and Brad played about 1,520 holes of Golden Tee.

Friday (4th of July), I didn’t have any plans at all, and it was GREAT (except for my interview at 9am – which went pretty well).  Just what I wanted.  I hung out at Dad’s all day.  Even though it rained…me, Madison, and Taylor still went swimming, and even Peyton took a dip.  Pool is heated, so it felt better in the pool than it did outside.  We swam pretty much all day until dinner.  The menu for dinner was grilled chicken, beans, rolls, and potato caserol.  Yummies!  After dinner dad dug out the leftover fireworks from last year.  We shot off some bottle rockets, played with sparklers, and we had one green smoke bomb.  After messing up the driveway…me, Dad, and Taylor walked down to the corner of Rittenhouse and Cliff Rd. to watch everyone’s fireworks over the Ohio River.  It was a great view and we got to see a ton of firework shows.  Taylor got bored, and we walked back to the house after about fifteen minutes.  It was still early, so I called a few people to see if anyone went out, but no one did anything.  It was such a crappy day, everyone just stayed in.  So I went to bed.  I was tired from playing with Taylor and Madison all day anyway.

Saturday I tried to sleep in, but there’s no such thing as ’sleeping in’ at Dad’s house.  Woke up around 9 and hung out for a while.  Dad and I took the Ranger back to Tom’s and picked apricots, then stopped by Rusty’s so I could get a few pictures of the pool before the party.  When we got back to the house I went swimming with Taylor and Madison again, and played with Riley (miss that puppy!).  After swimming I took a shower and went to mom’s for the rest of the day.  We met the Lancaster’s up at our community pool and drank Bud Light Lime and ordered pizza.  2, 12 packs later we called it a day and went home.  Being as I never get to play corn hole anymore…mom and I got it out and played 2 games.  We each won one.  Then we went inside and poured some wine and hung out for a little while.  That’s when the cell phone starts blowing up.  Saturday night, Katie’s in town, what’s going on?  Kim and I had planned to get some people together and go to The Black Sheep in Cheviot.  So that was the plan.  I showered and got ready, Kim came over, then we went to the bar.  Lots of people showed up and it ended up being a good time!

Sunday, again, tried to sleep in.  Fail.  Up by 9:30.  I was dragging all day.  Sunday morning was pretty low key.  Swimming with Taylor and Madison, Ranger rides with dad, and even tried to get the old go-cart started.  Failed at that too.  Around 2 we went to dad’s friend Rusty’s house (across the street).  It was Rusty’s 50th Birthday and 30th company reunion.  Talk about going all out – 2 live bands, professional fireworks show, lifeguards for the pool, open bar, rental crane with a rope swing, horse rides, etc.  It was a pretty cool set-up.  Too bad I had to leave.  I had to split that day up.  After being at Rusty’s for two hours, I went with mom to the Bucher’s for a swim party and grill out.  It was the whole golf outing gang again.  We watched the video from the golf outing and it put everyone into tears….but it was still a good time!!  After Bucher’s, mom and I left and went back to Rusty’s.  We made it just in time for the fireworks show.  We hung around for that, then had to leave.  I needed my bed and had to get up at 3am to leave for Indy.

Monday, got up at 3am, made it to Indy’s airport by 5:30am, mega crowded, and my flight left at 7am.  Now I’m back in ABQ.

I’ve decided I’m going to make my final moving decision after I hear back from Safe Gard USA.  The interview on Friday morning went really well.  He said graphics wise, I’m over quailfied, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to do the marketing side of things.  Depending on how much he offers in the end will determine whether or not I take this.  I’ll keep you updated!!

I had a great weekend, and it was really good to see everyone!!  Miss you already!

Weighing My Options. July 2, 2008

Giving up is the worst feeling in the world.  It’s one of my biggest pet peeves.  Personally, I hate to give up, and I really don’t like to see other people give up.  Giving up means so much and I tend to get very emotional talking about it and experiencing it.  Since I am obviously no good at explaining how I feel in person…I will write about it (kinda why I started this whole thing anyway).  That way I don’t get interrupted, I can say what I want, and I won’t break down in tears like I always do.  I can’t help it…I’m an emotional person, especially when it comes to this particular topic.  In a way, I feel like I could easily give up and I think that’s why I get so upset and emotional about my thoughts.  I mean this was my dream to move out west, and ski in the Rockies.  Yes, I should probably give it more time…see what happens.  But I’ve already tried and I’m sick of waiting around for something great to happen.  I’ve even thought about moving somewhere else…Denver, Nashville, or Chicago.  But I don’t think I could do it by myself.  I’m such a family person, and living away from home just isn’t for me anymore.  You live and you learn, I guess.

 

So…for those of you keeping up….you know I’ve been having some major thoughts on moving back to Cincinnati.  On Friday (June 27^th), I was 100% sure that I was going to move home.  But everyone kept telling me to sleep on it and think about it for a few days, and that I shouldn’t let this be an emotional decision.  Now, almost a week later, I’m over the emotional part and I’ve come to realize that being upset is not going to help.  It’s only going to make things worse.  Now I just need to figure out what will make me happy, although basing my decision on happiness isn’t always the way to go.  Sometimes you just have to do what’s best in the end.  I need to follow my heart…although I feel like its being torn in half.

 

Option 1 - Stay in ABQ.  I feel that the only reason I want to stay here is to ski.  But when I look at the big picture, it’s not.  I have a steady job too.  I know the economy sucks right now, so job hunting in Cincy will be difficult…as I’ve already found.  I don’t know if I want to come home jobless and go thru the hassle of finding another steady job.  I could possibly be jobless for months!  If I stay in ABQ…it’s only a short 5 months till ski season picks back up and I know once it comes, I’ll be so happy I stayed.  I also know I’ll probably blow too much money as I did last season.  Not good.  But it was so worth it.  Come March, I will need a new car as my Cobalt lease will be up.  March…the end of ski season…I’ll be mega broke.  Great.  Financially, I feel I HAVE to move back home.  My money situation isn’t quite working and I know in December it will just get worse.  It’s not like I’ll never be able to ski again if I move home.  By saving money, it will allow me to take trips.  But yes, I’ll miss just packing up and leaving for the weekend.  I’m young and you only live once.  Financially I would love to stay here for one more winter.  I learned so much this past season and my skiing skills improved so much.  I hate to just throw all that away.  I got all new equipment, all new gear, and to only use it for one season kills me.  I just wish I had the money to stay.  If I can afford to stay, I could easily overlook what I’m missing back home.  But who gets to say the can just pack up and ski in the Rockies every weekend?!?  As Adam said last night “This is my last winter out here, I need to take advantage of this place while I’m here.”….and one season clearly isn’t enough.

Option 2 – Move back to Cincy.  Home is where mom is, and I miss that.  I miss family and friends.  I miss just calling people and being able to hang out.  I miss all the annual events and things to do.  I miss the Bengal’s.  I miss going to the lake.  I miss my social life!!!  If I move home, everything would go back to normal and I would have a life again!!  I would also get to save so much money by living at home.  I’ve had enough of the lifestyle out here, and since I hardly do anything, all I ever think about is what I’m missing out on back home.  I feel like I have better reasons to move back home, but I know come December, when the snow starts to fall, I’m going to regret moving.  I’m young…I wanna have fun.  I would love to be here for another ski season.  What’s another 10 months gonna hurt?  I think I can miss out on Cincinnati events for another 10 months.  I’ll live.  But do I want to really stay here just to get thru another ski season?  Is it really worth it?  Plus, who’s to say this is the end of my travels?  In a few years I could decide to move again.  Although next time I will be sure to move somewhere with a better lifestyle and friendlier people. 

This has been a constant headache and I’m totally sick of thinking about it.  I wish I could make a decision already and be done with it.  I’m coming home this weekend for an interview and to talk it over with mom and dad.  In a way…I hate asking people what they think because it’s only natural for people back home to tell me they miss me and they would love to have me back.  It’s not fair for me to hear that.  This will be a major life decision and I think that’s why I’m being extremely emotional and hard on myself.  I have no idea what’s in store for me and I have no idea what I will decide to do…but hopefully this weekend I will make up my mind for sure.

 

Happy 4^th.  Catch you in the Nati this weekend!

 

Stayed tuned….