Adulthood is overrated

Dear Journal,

I'm married! I got promoted at work. I'm still playing video games. My birthday is next week. I'll be 25 years old. I feel like I should be an adult, and although in some ways I'm an adult... I have a job, a house, a car, a wife, a dog, a life... yet I don't feel like an adult. I have an forever inner 16 year old that just wants to go out, play games, and hang with friends. Yet my friends are so far away.

I do a have a lot of things going on in my life right now though... I'm working full time, going to grad school, participating in a engineering book club, still going to church occasionally, and balancing the home/school/work lifestyle.

I'm sitting here looking at the 10 year birthday cake for liver journal. Wow, it's been 10 years? I've been on this thing since what... 2003? That's a long time. Time to update my pic seeing as how the pic doesn't look much like me anymore.

Ok enough rambling, talk to you in a few more months, Journal...

Here's how my horrible trip is going:

1) I get to the airport and have to pay $15 per bag to check them in. (This is nothing yet...)

2) I wait on my flight and it boards on time. There's overcast clouds.

3) I arrive in Charlotte, NC (connecting flight) and we walk about 1.2 miles from one end of the airport to the other end of the airport.

4) We have dinner and then go to our gate to find out our flight is delayed from 10PM to 1AM (3 hours!)

5) Around midnight they announce it's cancelled so we stand in line for the service desk for 1 hour.

6) The airline does not pay for hotel costs due to cancelled flights. We go look for our baggage but they say we can't claim it and it will arrive at the destination. I sit on my cell phone looking for a hotel for 30 minutes. I sit for another 30 minutes to get a hold of the airline to book my next flight. The next flight is at 9:30AM... now it's 1:45AM.

We're sitting on cold tile floor in a brightly lit area huddled around a power outlet trying to catch a few hours sleep before we have to go back through security to get on another flight. Hopefully this flight won't be delayed as well. The only consolation I have is that I have my computer and I have free internet. I'm just looking forward to a good night sleep at home in my own bed tomorrow.

='(

Y vs X

65 hour weeks. Too much work! I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving week. Not so much for the food, but for the chance to get away from work and enjoy what I've been missing for the past few months. I want to spend time with my fiance, my family, my friends, my dog, my car... The point is, I spend so much time at work that I forget about living a well rounded life. Some side effects include minor depression, weight gain, and overall fatigue.

With the general election over, it's nice to finally talk about something other than politics here in DC. The general consensus at the office is that president-elect Obama will be a refreshing change to the political conundrum known as Bush. Especially now, our lame duck president is lamer than ever. With the overall economy in a decline, Congress is convening constantly to handout ever-so-many bailouts to companies that abuse the privilege. It appears that the time is ripe for the Generation Y to take charge.

I feel that the office is declining in leadership due to the pessimism of the Generation X middle managers. The younger guys like me seem to take charge with enthusiasm, and the senior managers clearly see this as a threat. All we ask is for cooperation and recognition for our hard work. This rift, this great divide among the Generation X and Y seems to grow larger everyday as we seek to surpass previous efforts.

One day, I want to look back and be able to say that my hard work paid off. I'd like some recognition for that when the time comes.

I just got back from a wedding in Destin. It was quaint, not refreshing, yet very satisfying. I pretty much drank too much, spent too much, and didn't sleep enough. Meanwhile the world is busying around me while I struggle to maintain proper social posture and behavior. How difficult it is! To pretend to be something you're not around those who expect you to be something they are, all the while watching in disbelief while your friends are manipulating and being manipulative while the crowd cheers on. Weddings. I think I'd rather elope.

I've come to realize that the more money you make, the more you indebt yourself to the machine. The problem isn't the machine, it's the peer pressure of fitting in materialistically and "the machine" is merely the means to an end. This is why I am leaving all my credit cards at home from now on and boycotting gas. Wait a tick... that's not going to work.

I might be moving to Washington D.C. for a year. I'm awaiting the company memorandum. This should be interesting. And expensive.

The family wants to come visit next month. Oh boy...

There's a lot of definitions for "Daily grind." It could be your daily quests in your favorite MMORPG... your select coffee roast in the morning... your job where your work for the man... the classes and homework. Whatever it is, the part that makes it daily, is the fact that you know inside you will be doing something almost the same the next day.

This is modern life?

I believe the meaning of life is love and pursuit of happiness. Through God, through family, through friends, and through each other. What isn't a daily grind? Seeking God. Seeking God isn't a daily grind because it is the meaning of life. The pursuit of happiness. It isn't daily, it is the ultimate goal of life itself. While you're studying or doing homework, tasking away at work, drinking your morning coffee, or playing your favorite games, don't forget the reason we are here.

This is something I continue to struggle with everyday.

I'm going to Florida. Yes, you heard me. I'm moving on Monday, the movers are coming tomorrow to pack my belongings for me. Apparently I just have to sit back and watch. Harris Corporation is putting me up in a hotel for 30 days and paying me $44 a day per diem (cash expense). I doubt I will spend $44 a day on food, but I know I can easily spend it on electronics!

Mary and I have arranging our belonging and trying to schedule times for visits. I won't see her so much since I will be 9 hours away, but I'm sure everything will be fine. I love her very much, and I know she loves me too. If we get through this time apart, then I know we can get through anything. Melbourne is an exciting little city, with the beach on the eastern end, and the Indialantic river splitting it, there's opportunity for water events and entertainment. Not to mention, there's a decent bar and cafe strip with a couple clubs.

I'm looking forward to finally making some cash and showing something for all my hard work in engineering school. I'll also be looking into starting graduate school sometime either this Fall or next Spring. There's bound to be some graduate level exams I have to score well on first, so it's more likely I'll be beginning classes in the Spring. Harris also provides tuition assuming I score well in my classes. It will be an excellent opportunity to fast track my career.

At the age of 23, I've managed to complete my undergraduate degree and pursue a well paying career in a beautiful city near the beach. It seems too good to be true. The only catch, a days drive away from any friends or family. I will have a roommate, Joel, who's also a computer engineer from my graduating class at Auburn. I'm sure we can find something to keep us busy, such as fishing, surfing, and maybe I can get him to buy a motorcycle and we can go riding.

Anyways, that's my update.

It's been so long since I made a journal entry. It's strange. I've sat around in my room all day thinking about things to do. I ended up watching 13 back-to-back episodes of Onegai Sensei. I think the last episode was probably my favorite. I suppose it's one of those animes, which if carried through too many episodes, would begin to wear you down. Good thing it stopped at 13. 13 is kind of an odd number. Odd, prime, and overall square (as opposed to round) number. I wonder why they didn't stop at 12 or 15.

My dog is getting pretty big now. Yeah, my golden retriever puppy is now 9 months old and a whipping 73.5 pounds. We weighed him yesterday at the veterinarian's office. Seems he's also slightly overweight. I guess so am I though. It might be beneficial for both of us to start taking daily walks.

I've started a new web design project this month. The motivation is my web design course final semester project. I do intend to market this idea later on however. I suppose I'll have to hold back the details until we're near completion. The idea seems sound, and the business model is good. My partner and I have a lot of work on our hands. Currently I'm running the site off my home desktop through an apache web server. I've even got customized email addresses which is pretty cool.

I read something today that really made me stop and think. Life isn't about reaching a goal, it's about the journey toward that goal. All these people such as Franklin Covey and other success authors preach the idea of daily goal planning and tasking. I think I may have gotten the wrong idea somewhere down the line. Why continuously worry and and become disappointed when things don't go your way? Perhaps a different perspective: Live your day the best you can and be happy with your results. I'm a reasonably happy person. I think I could be happier with what I got rather than be unhappy that I don't have the next latest and greatest.

I woke up this morning to the chirping of my parakeet, Solar. You see, he never chirps. He's usually so quiet, sometimes he's forgotten. This morning he was chirping endlessly until I woke up and responded. So then we (the bird and I) had about a 10 minute chirp-reply session. I think I can speak parakeet now. =P

It's Chinese New Year! Huzzah! My grandmother, who I've never spoken to in my whole life even though I've met her before, called my father today and apparently gave him a shake down of "Why havn't you called me? I'm your mother! (sic)" and apparently some heated words were exchanged. I think my dad's really upset. He's a good father and a good son I believe. I don't understand what my uncles are saying to my grandmother to make her so upset with my dad. Well, I think my father has dysfunctional relatives. I may see a little bit of that dysfunction in my family as well. I have yet to find a family who doesn't have their quarrels, but to hold on to such Chinese traditional conversations so irrelevantly in a situation is disdainful. It's unfortunate my father has become the target of blame.

I feel this semester is a light load, however, I find myself lacking in interest and motivation to complete assignments. Indeed, I do manage to complete them by due dates, however, pacific procrastination is quickly overcoming. This "senioritis" is beginning to hit hard. Spring break couldn't come sooner.

That's it for now. Ja

Does my girlfriend look like BoA?

Hmm...
http://www.myheritage.com/FP/photo.php?siteID=1&photoID=6020950&source=album&sourceID=983309&albumID=983309

Wow, I've almost reached inactivity. I don't even recognize the website anymore. It changed. When did it change? How are my LJ friends out there? You guys doing well?

Here's my update:

I've been crazy bogged down with projects and tests. Sleeping at 4am and waking at 8-9am and studying, working on projects, and cramming for tests. Then there's the fraternity stuff. That's a load in itself. Now that the pledges are brothers, it'll ease up a bit. Formal is next weekend. I need to prepare for that. What color tie should I wear? eh?

Buffalo Wild Wings is now my favorite restaurant on Tuesdays... just to be random.

Also, I'm heading back to Cullman this weekend to get my haircut and maybe up to Huntsvegas to check up on my future house. gotta replace some doors, maybe rip up some carpet, maybe paint a little.

Ok, bedtime. Don't stay up too late... =)

His name is King Kirby Superstar... you know.. Kirby... Nintendo....

Anyway, Here's the pics:

I just drove to Gadsden and back... on the way back I had to drive through 30 minutes (25 miles) of rain at 55 mph... on my motorcycle.

Surprisingly, it was refreshing! The danger was still somewhat alarming, but what an adrenaline rush! It was like waterskiing or something, cool water and cool humid breeze rushin through you.

Ofcourse, I don't recommend anyone do this unless you've had training.

I need an idea for my license tag. Should I customize or not, and if so, what should it be?

Some ideas:
GRSSHPR, AURCKR, WEEEE, WOOT, BWAAH, LOL....

Those sound pretty stupid, I might not customize at all. Seems amateurish, disregarding the fact I an still a newbie. Hmm.. NEWBIE... or NOOB hahaha

ok enough.

I finally got me a motorcycle last Friday and drove it around yesterday.

Let me know what you think:

FINALS... bleh
We're going to the beach this weekend after finals I think... I hope so anyway.
Then off to Cullman and Huntsville. I start back at co-op work on May 15. Hopefully I can save my money this time instead of coming back to school empty handed like before.

I've got a lot lined up for this month:
Eliot Chang from comedy central is coming this tuesday at 7pm Goodwin Hall

Spring Brotherhood retreat this weekend.
Spring Formal weekend after
Pirates Booty weekend after that
Finals weekend after that? or maybe it's the next weekend after

Been awhile since I updated.

Things are going well. The house should be finished next week.
That's about it.
Ok, later.

I think I just aced another Accounting exam! Woot woot!

Grill out tonight at AKL 6PM ;P

So things have been alright, mom is stressed out because of the builder stealing building supplies from the house.
Looks like we're going to have to go to court. She doesn't want to move in now so I don't know what's going on.
Perhaps we still will move in but she says she doesn't feel peaceful moving in now.

All in all, I haven't heard from some friends in awhile. Nhut is supposed to be coming up to AU tonight, maybe
some WC3: DOTA action!

Ok then, later. mata ne, chao, ciao, aloha... ok that's enough.

midterms!

Yup, and I seem to be acing myt tests! I'm so proud! Thanks AKL and friends for old tests. I love old tests.

AKL formal is March 18... I get to go this time!
Paintball this weekend... not going.. too much else.

New house is done. Moving in March 27.

I'm excited.

The weather outside is freezing, and all the students are sneezing,
I'm sitting in class so cold, I wanna go home, let's go home, let's go home.

The teacher's voice is boring, and the guy next to me's snoring,
I'm feeling so all alone, I wanna go home, let's go home, let's go home.

My eyes are getting heavy, and I can't hold my pen steady,
And then I hear a cell phone, I wanna go home, let's go home, let's go home.

... like my song? Yeah, I'm THAT bored. What class is this?

MGNT3100 Business Management

=P

WOOT! Time to go home!

Yeah I havn't been updating...
Anyway school is rush rush rush and my Mondays go from 9 till 7pm and I haven't been to Karate class all week.

So much going on this week.

I'll update when I have time.. but right now i have 15 min to get to class. see ya.

Apparently there aren't a lot of posts during the Holidays huh?

Well anyway, We finished wiring the basement tv room with surround sound. Looks like the house will be completely finished around March or April and we can move in.

Now I need to install a surround system in the first floor family room. Hmm...

Jacob installed a sweet speaker system in his Isuzu Rodeo so I made a bumpin cd and we went cruzin through town.

I can't seem to keep my phone charged. Sad. I might need to go to walmart and buy me a car charger... *sigh* more money spending.

Well Mary's talking to me again. I think everything will be ok.

Jacob is throwing a massive LAN party (you know.. where you get together with your computers and play games...) tomorrow night. I'm going to drive to the next county to buy some rum for pina coladas. ;)

Anyway, It seems we won't be moved into the new house this Christmas. It won't be until March but I'm pretty excited. We talked with the builder about the driveway and swimming pool today and I inspected the work on the tile and hardwood floors.

I'm thinking about installing A/V cables in the basement theater room for possibly installing a projector for home movies in the near future. That'll be sweet.

Sony still hasn't called me back about my broken audio jack. I'm annoyed. I need to call them again and ask why they havn't phoned me. Lame.