Life can be an adventure! I got laid off, and then bounced around with where I might end up working and thought it would be Colorado, but it wasn't meant to be - AT THIS POINT.
Michele and I will be moving and residing in Naperville. Naperville, was just voted by Money magazine in 2006 as the "BEST PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY". That vote was based on schools (tops in the country), hospitals (tops), shopping (tops) and crime (very low).
We found a 1200 sq foot condo we'll be moving into, and it's brand new with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Everything is top notch and it's quiet complex. The kitchen has granite counter-tops and GET THIS: the landlord said he would PAY UTILITIES FOR THE WHOLE YEAR. Credit goes to God. When do you hear stuff like that? I was praying for favor and let me tell you God pours it on when you ask!
My job I start mid-September and it looks like a good job with good pay and good earnings with bonus and benefits. All very, very promising!
So, M and I are finally relieved to find a place, and the next big thing? MOVING.
I hate moving.....
Aug 27, 2007
Aug 26, 2007
Turning down Paradise Weather
It was seemingly a great opportunity. Move to a great state, with great weather, but it didn't seem right.
Move two weeks after a funeral? My wife's family was just experiencing a heart-ache of watching my wife's aunt die slowly after a massive stroke. It was pretty agonizing because there were constant tears for a long period.
Then a job offer came through: Illinois was calling again with more money, more stablity and a better opportunity.
It was a difficult decision but ultimately, I think I made the right decision at this point. We had to stick around a bit longer for family. There's been three funerals since I arrived in Illinois and alot of heartache.
One of my wife's family said it best, "We just want to hear some GOOD NEWS." When I told her we would be staying ... she smiled brightly for the first time in a month.
Move two weeks after a funeral? My wife's family was just experiencing a heart-ache of watching my wife's aunt die slowly after a massive stroke. It was pretty agonizing because there were constant tears for a long period.
Then a job offer came through: Illinois was calling again with more money, more stablity and a better opportunity.
It was a difficult decision but ultimately, I think I made the right decision at this point. We had to stick around a bit longer for family. There's been three funerals since I arrived in Illinois and alot of heartache.
One of my wife's family said it best, "We just want to hear some GOOD NEWS." When I told her we would be staying ... she smiled brightly for the first time in a month.
Aug 21, 2007
Travel Horrors
What began as a free voucher for tickets turned into this:
PLANNING THE TRIP:
* Called at night for tickets, got a call center in India and waited two hours on the phone.
* Call center couldn't get reservation right the first time. Said no flights available when the flights were opened all over the schedule on the web.
* Booked us on a 7am flight, and then told us that we needed to pick the airline tickets at O'Hare TWO HOURS before takeoff.
DATE OF FLIGHT
* Arrived at O'Hare and go to US AIRWAYS ticket booth. Tickets were not there.
* As we checked in more, the tickets were not EVEN BOOKED, despite confirmation numbers given by the India team.
* We waited for an hour before the agents were able to contact to clear things up.
* When we got our tickets, my wife and I noticed were were booked ON DIFFERENT PLANES on our connection flight!
* When we finally got it right, we burned through 2 hours waiting and so close to missing our plane that we needed special escort to get through security.
FLIGHT BACK
* We arrive at Springs airport: found out our flight was cancelled.
* The earliest flight was NEXT MORNING, told them we needed to get back for a funeral.
* They said they would drive us to DENVER - 60 miles away. We agreed.
* We arrive in Denver, only to find out the promise of FIRST CLASS TICKETS and a flight back was bogus. NO such reservation made.
* We wait two hours to be rescheduled, and were issued vouchers for a flight NEXT MORNING. The vouchers were to redeemed for food and hotel stay.
* We are driven over the FURTHEST hotel you can imagine. It's a hole...almost.
* We asked were the hotel dining area room would be and asked if we can order for meal in. Hotel doesn't have a place. They pointed to the street across a field near a dozen parked big rigs: that was the restaurant where we can redeem tickets.
* The restaurant is the worse food ever....a buffet place where everyone looked like they lost their dog.
SECOND FLIGHT BACK
* We got on our morning flight - it was delayed for an hour sitting on runway.
* In our flight, I requested to a elderly gentleman if I could switch seats so I could be with my wife: NO! was the answer.
FREE VOUCHER? We paid $600.00 total after all said and done.
PLANNING THE TRIP:
* Called at night for tickets, got a call center in India and waited two hours on the phone.
* Call center couldn't get reservation right the first time. Said no flights available when the flights were opened all over the schedule on the web.
* Booked us on a 7am flight, and then told us that we needed to pick the airline tickets at O'Hare TWO HOURS before takeoff.
DATE OF FLIGHT
* Arrived at O'Hare and go to US AIRWAYS ticket booth. Tickets were not there.
* As we checked in more, the tickets were not EVEN BOOKED, despite confirmation numbers given by the India team.
* We waited for an hour before the agents were able to contact to clear things up.
* When we got our tickets, my wife and I noticed were were booked ON DIFFERENT PLANES on our connection flight!
* When we finally got it right, we burned through 2 hours waiting and so close to missing our plane that we needed special escort to get through security.
FLIGHT BACK
* We arrive at Springs airport: found out our flight was cancelled.
* The earliest flight was NEXT MORNING, told them we needed to get back for a funeral.
* They said they would drive us to DENVER - 60 miles away. We agreed.
* We arrive in Denver, only to find out the promise of FIRST CLASS TICKETS and a flight back was bogus. NO such reservation made.
* We wait two hours to be rescheduled, and were issued vouchers for a flight NEXT MORNING. The vouchers were to redeemed for food and hotel stay.
* We are driven over the FURTHEST hotel you can imagine. It's a hole...almost.
* We asked were the hotel dining area room would be and asked if we can order for meal in. Hotel doesn't have a place. They pointed to the street across a field near a dozen parked big rigs: that was the restaurant where we can redeem tickets.
* The restaurant is the worse food ever....a buffet place where everyone looked like they lost their dog.
SECOND FLIGHT BACK
* We got on our morning flight - it was delayed for an hour sitting on runway.
* In our flight, I requested to a elderly gentleman if I could switch seats so I could be with my wife: NO! was the answer.
FREE VOUCHER? We paid $600.00 total after all said and done.
Aug 13, 2007
Colorado Springs here we come
Well, a huge opportunity for my wife and I!
A new journey has begun. Being laid off, and now God opened a huge door for us - to Colorado Springs as I'm flying out to interview for the position as art director.
Which is something I've been aiming for - a management position as Michele and I will be transitioning into family planning. We expect a bouncing baby this time of year soon hopefully.
Lots of things happening! We got to move. We have some bad news of a dying relative. We got a job interview! We are flying out this week! Whew. What an adventure life can be and I found the perfect partner with my beautiful wife.
More details to come!
A new journey has begun. Being laid off, and now God opened a huge door for us - to Colorado Springs as I'm flying out to interview for the position as art director.
Which is something I've been aiming for - a management position as Michele and I will be transitioning into family planning. We expect a bouncing baby this time of year soon hopefully.
Lots of things happening! We got to move. We have some bad news of a dying relative. We got a job interview! We are flying out this week! Whew. What an adventure life can be and I found the perfect partner with my beautiful wife.
More details to come!
Aug 12, 2007
Much transpired...
Life has turns.
You're unemployed a month after you're married and the light breaks forth. It sucks to be unemployed if you're a man. Not providing for your woman gnaws at you. There is finally breakthrough because of a faithful wife. Thank you my love for your faithful prayers.
The slow dying of a relative is another turn that will spin your wheels. What do you do when a loved one is brain dead? Is life over? How can you watch and find reason, solace and comfort in a person you cannot communicate and be given the news that your relative's brain is 'cooked hamburger meat'.
The irony of life. Good nes, and bad news.
You're unemployed a month after you're married and the light breaks forth. It sucks to be unemployed if you're a man. Not providing for your woman gnaws at you. There is finally breakthrough because of a faithful wife. Thank you my love for your faithful prayers.
The slow dying of a relative is another turn that will spin your wheels. What do you do when a loved one is brain dead? Is life over? How can you watch and find reason, solace and comfort in a person you cannot communicate and be given the news that your relative's brain is 'cooked hamburger meat'.
The irony of life. Good nes, and bad news.
Apologies
Ok, apologies are in order for Brent and Suzie.
There are friends, that I wouldn't have the wedding I had if it weren't for them in many ways. My happiness is still linked by the token of your courage and willingness to break out truth.
So, Brent and Suzie - if you read this: apologies are in order.
Please forgive me.
There are friends, that I wouldn't have the wedding I had if it weren't for them in many ways. My happiness is still linked by the token of your courage and willingness to break out truth.
So, Brent and Suzie - if you read this: apologies are in order.
Please forgive me.
Aug 6, 2007
Job search
Well we finally see a light.
Got job offers coming in soon, the phone was ringing off the hook today and Michele and I were laughing.
I've always said, it's not WHAT you know, it's WHO you know. In this case, we know we have a good heavenly father.
Got job offers coming in soon, the phone was ringing off the hook today and Michele and I were laughing.
I've always said, it's not WHAT you know, it's WHO you know. In this case, we know we have a good heavenly father.