One blood donation does not a veteran make. That was my lesson of the day. Last summer I gave blood while in CA with no problem. I was able to leave almost immediately after with no blackouts, queasy stomach or other difficulties. Hence, the formation in my mind of the idea that giving blood is no big deal. So today I go to give blood for the first time since then (after a year's hiatus due to an ear piercing). There was no problem giving the blood; I sat for the required time after the needle had been taken out, stood up and felt fine. So I left. Halfway back to my office, I had to sit down in the lawn so I didn't black out. After about five minutes I forced myself up the stairs and into my office where I promptly shut my door, dropped everything I was carrying and collapsed on the floor. I was sure I was going to throw up, pass out, and then die. Well, maybe not the dying part, but definitely the other two! Fortunately, after 30 minutes on the floor, I was able to sit up and eat lunch and then napped for another 30 minutes. I was worn out for the rest of the day and nearly blacked out again when I climbed the stairs into my apartment. Needless to say, I will rest for a while before leaving the donation site next time!
Find a site where you can give blood too at http://www.americasblood.org/.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Monday, November 14, 2005
11/14/2005
I broke down and bought a TV. I'm such a wimp. It really does get lonely, though, without a roommate. The purchase (and cable) paid off yesterday and today, though. Three words: Cup of China. Woohoo!! I can't wait for the Olympics!
On a sadder note, I just talked to my brother for what will probably be the last time for a year. His deployment date got moved up a day and he shipped out today as opposed to tomorrow. I'm glad my parents told me last night or I might not have called him in time. We didn't really talk about too much. Just how the rest of his leave had been and if he'd gotten everything together. Nothing serious. But after I said goodbye, I shed a few (or maybe more) tears. In some ways, I think this deployment is worst than the first one, at least in my mind. I don't know why. Maybe because the situation is so less clearly defined or maybe because I don't have the distraction of school. Whatever the reason, I'm praying even harder for his safety. Please do the same.
I love you, Michael!
On a sadder note, I just talked to my brother for what will probably be the last time for a year. His deployment date got moved up a day and he shipped out today as opposed to tomorrow. I'm glad my parents told me last night or I might not have called him in time. We didn't really talk about too much. Just how the rest of his leave had been and if he'd gotten everything together. Nothing serious. But after I said goodbye, I shed a few (or maybe more) tears. In some ways, I think this deployment is worst than the first one, at least in my mind. I don't know why. Maybe because the situation is so less clearly defined or maybe because I don't have the distraction of school. Whatever the reason, I'm praying even harder for his safety. Please do the same.
I love you, Michael!
Saturday, November 12, 2005
11/12/2005
Well, I am officially an enginerd. Not that I wasn't one already, but I've cemented that fact with the people down here as well. They know me well enough that when a few of them were looking for a fifth player to round out their Axis and Allies group, I was called upon because I "think like them." They're all engineers, so there you go. I have just spent the last 5.5 hours playing Axis and Allies. I am happy to say that the Allies won, with the U.S. (me!) taking the finally victory city (Rome). The poor Axis hadn't a chance. As Japan (Kyle) said, it's intimidating to have history siding against you. Ah, victory is so sweet! :)
Wednesday, November 9, 2005
11/8/2005
Well, I'm back in Beaumont, TX, after a long weekend home. The time with my family was great, expecially since this will be the last time I see Michael for a long time. Peter was also able to make it back, and I know my mom enjoyed looking down the pew on Sunday and seeing all of our bouncing legs!
The most exciting part of the trip was actually the flight out, or rather, attempting to catch the flight out. You know how tickets say that you have to be to the gate 15 minutes early or you'll lose your spot? Completely untrue! I proved that you can get to the gate 15 seconds before closing and still get on! Although, I must say, it's not an experience I'd like to repeat. I guess I'll leave a few minutes earlier next time (Just kidding, Dad! I'll leave at least, oh, half an hour earlier!). Oh, and here's my public recognition to God for letting me catch my flight. On Tuesday (11/1) at Bible study we were discussing how often we forget to thank God for what He's done, especially the quick "help me" prayers. Well, I definitely offered a few of those on my mad drive to the airport, so thank you, Lord!
Aside from seeing my family, the best part of this weekend was catching up with some friends that I hadn't seen since high school. Christi and Megan and I were great friends in youth group and on the missions trip to Bolivia, so it was great to find out what they are up to. We're basically the same as when we last met, single and with no prospects of that changing, but with one important difference: none of us really cared. It's amazing how far I've come in the past few months in regards to my romantic desires, and to see how all of my friends are at the same point too. Who knows, I may be an old maid yet . . . ;)
Good night!
The most exciting part of the trip was actually the flight out, or rather, attempting to catch the flight out. You know how tickets say that you have to be to the gate 15 minutes early or you'll lose your spot? Completely untrue! I proved that you can get to the gate 15 seconds before closing and still get on! Although, I must say, it's not an experience I'd like to repeat. I guess I'll leave a few minutes earlier next time (Just kidding, Dad! I'll leave at least, oh, half an hour earlier!). Oh, and here's my public recognition to God for letting me catch my flight. On Tuesday (11/1) at Bible study we were discussing how often we forget to thank God for what He's done, especially the quick "help me" prayers. Well, I definitely offered a few of those on my mad drive to the airport, so thank you, Lord!
Aside from seeing my family, the best part of this weekend was catching up with some friends that I hadn't seen since high school. Christi and Megan and I were great friends in youth group and on the missions trip to Bolivia, so it was great to find out what they are up to. We're basically the same as when we last met, single and with no prospects of that changing, but with one important difference: none of us really cared. It's amazing how far I've come in the past few months in regards to my romantic desires, and to see how all of my friends are at the same point too. Who knows, I may be an old maid yet . . . ;)
Good night!
Thursday, November 3, 2005
11/3/2005
Seven more hours! In 7 more hours, I will be leaving my apartment and heading for home. I'm so excited to see CO. I was looking at the forecast and it's weird to think about bringing wintery clothes. I'm still wearing short sleeves here, so it'll be nice to cool off for a little bit.
I went and voted today. The Texas election isn't until Tuesday, but since I'll be in CO, I went in early. It was so weird how you could see the difference in wealth between this county and those I've voted in in CO. When I went to early vote for the presidential race last year, it was this huge setup with electronic balloting and everything. Here? Punch cards. Don't worry, I checked for hanging chads! What I found even more amazing, though, was how few people, at least at my plant, realized there was an election going on, even though there are some pretty big issues on the ballot. Namely, Prop. 2 to add an amendment to the state constitution to ban gay marriages, but there are 8 other possible amendments up for ratification as well. I guess I can give them the benefit of the the doubt in being distracted because of Rita, but still . . . . ! I went around telling everyone they should take their civic responsibility and go vote. Somehow, though, I got the feeling that no one was going to. They better not be complaining when something they disagree with becomes law!
Tonight I had the guys from work over for homemade pizza. Really, I needed motivation to clean my apartment now that Kristin has moved out. I actually got my wall hanging up AND covered my couch! I feel so productive. Now that I have my living room the way I want it, I just need to work on my bedroom. Somehow, I think that is going to be a much bigger deal.
Well, I had better hit the sack. 5:00 is going to come mighty early!
A bientot!
I went and voted today. The Texas election isn't until Tuesday, but since I'll be in CO, I went in early. It was so weird how you could see the difference in wealth between this county and those I've voted in in CO. When I went to early vote for the presidential race last year, it was this huge setup with electronic balloting and everything. Here? Punch cards. Don't worry, I checked for hanging chads! What I found even more amazing, though, was how few people, at least at my plant, realized there was an election going on, even though there are some pretty big issues on the ballot. Namely, Prop. 2 to add an amendment to the state constitution to ban gay marriages, but there are 8 other possible amendments up for ratification as well. I guess I can give them the benefit of the the doubt in being distracted because of Rita, but still . . . . ! I went around telling everyone they should take their civic responsibility and go vote. Somehow, though, I got the feeling that no one was going to. They better not be complaining when something they disagree with becomes law!
Tonight I had the guys from work over for homemade pizza. Really, I needed motivation to clean my apartment now that Kristin has moved out. I actually got my wall hanging up AND covered my couch! I feel so productive. Now that I have my living room the way I want it, I just need to work on my bedroom. Somehow, I think that is going to be a much bigger deal.
Well, I had better hit the sack. 5:00 is going to come mighty early!
A bientot!
Monday, October 31, 2005
10/31/2005
So I'm off of nights, finally. Woohoo! Much as I loved working with the operators and getting to see how the down-and-dirty operations of my units work, I'll be glad to get back to a regular schedule. 7-12s (day-hours) have really been getting to me. I'm really happy I worked them, though, 'cause I've gotten to know the operators better and will feel a lot more comfortable going out to the unit more often.
Today has been a day of catching up with people. I was planning on going to friend's house to help her take her baby trick-or-treating (basically, I wanted a baby fix), but a real bad storm prevented that. I was kind of down, since I'm roommateless now and and had no one to talk to, but I ended up talking via phone or IM to half-a-dozen people. I guess God knew I needed a little cheering up!
Well, I must be heading to bed, even though I am far from tired. Today was my switch day, so I need to sleep now, even though I didn't get up until 1:30 this afternoon. I'll leave with a picture I just got developed (finally) from my trip to Europe. That's me and my best friend, Beca, in front of the Colosseum.
Ciao!
Today has been a day of catching up with people. I was planning on going to friend's house to help her take her baby trick-or-treating (basically, I wanted a baby fix), but a real bad storm prevented that. I was kind of down, since I'm roommateless now and and had no one to talk to, but I ended up talking via phone or IM to half-a-dozen people. I guess God knew I needed a little cheering up!
Well, I must be heading to bed, even though I am far from tired. Today was my switch day, so I need to sleep now, even though I didn't get up until 1:30 this afternoon. I'll leave with a picture I just got developed (finally) from my trip to Europe. That's me and my best friend, Beca, in front of the Colosseum.
Ciao!
Follower
Well, it looks like I'm hopping on the bandwagon. Man, I hate to be following in my brothers' footsteps! In my defense, I've thought of starting a blog for a while, and even signed up for a couple other places, but managed to forget my login info before I did anything with them. Anyway, no promises on frequency of updates (and I doubt I'll ever post like Peter), but here goes!
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