And another trip!

Well, I finally pulled the trigger and made the 3 hour drive to Las Vegas. My friend Matt was in town for his job and he got us a room comped at the Mandalay Bay shown above. It was the nicest hotel Ive ever stayed in and huge! We could have spent the whole time in their and not gotten bored. I was only up there for 2 nights and a day, but it seemed like we packed a lot in. We walked the strip a few times, gambled a little, drank a little too much on wednesday night at least, saw a burlesque show at one of the night clubs in the Mandalay Bay, went and saw Hoover Dam which is about 25 minutes southeast of the city. All in all it was a pretty cool experience, definitely something you should check out if you have the opportunity. A few words of advice however... first, make sure you have plenty of money as it is very expensive there; second, don't plan on sleeping a lot, the city doesn't really wake up until 9 or 10pm and goes all night. The weather was perfect when we were there, in the 60's and 70's; in the summer it is constantly around 100 so it gets super hot being that it is hot in the middle of a desert. I can see how people get trapped into Vegas and obsessed with it, but its not really me. Fun to visit once in a while, but there are a lot of other places I would rather go.

Its been a really busy 9 or 10 days for me. 3 papers, a midterm, and two trips. I think I've driven about 1,600 miles or so in 10 days.. which is a healthy amount. I don't mind that, I love driving and its been great. I was pretty exhausted yesterday though, I had to leave Vegas at 6am in order to get back home for work at 10am. So i was pretty tired, I went to bed at like 11:30pm last night and woke up at 8:30am for work so I got a good 9 hours which is like an eternity for me. I think that is what has made me the most tired, ive had alternating nights of 2-4 hours of sleep a night with 7-8 hours the next night, which will really screw up your sleeping schedule. Not too mention I probably drank 4 nights in the last 10 days, by far the most I ever have. So those things combined had worked me over a little. I feel good today though, my diet has been wacked out too (not diet like im on one or something but just the food I have been eating in general). So that is getting back to normal as well.

Im trying really hard to find some work I can do during the week. I love my job its so easy and I just do homework and read and stuff, but Im tired of working weekends. I dont make enough money (minimum wage) to make it worth my time anymore. I never hang out with my dad who goes quad riding like every other weekend but I always work. Also, I have to take off work to take all these little trips which I dont mind but it is just a pain. Im going to try to start subbing I think, also I have an interview tonight to assist a senior citizen just like 5 hours a week but 10$ an hour. I applied to a few writing things on craigslist to so we will see. If i can get 2 or 3 little things going that add up to how much I make right now, Ill quit here pretty soon I think.

School is finally winding down for the quarter, I only have 3 more regular weeks and then finals week. I have all 100%'s in my classes right now.. so I think I have a pretty good shot at getting a 4.0. I only have one more test left in any of my classes, its all papers and activities so its easy. As far as activities go.. The Indian Wells Tennis tourney will be here soon and im going March 12,13, and 22 I think. And then I leave for Cancun on March 26(my bday!) until March 31. Pretty busy month starting with the first trip up north last week, but I like that.

Sorry this post is so long, just had a lot to talk about I guess. Also, Im considering trying to create some kind of advice website.. I don't know just something I have always wanted to do, I think i have a lot of good advice to give on stuff and I like helping people so. We will see. Anyways take care and see you soon.

What a Trip!

Well I had quite the good time up north. I don't want to get into all the details because I could write for the next 6 hours about it. There are a few key points I want to point out however:

1. I made the 504 mile drive from Palm Desert to Vallejo in 6 hours and 15 minutes. This is an hour and 45 minutes less than Mapquest's estimated travel time.

2. The Bay was awesome as always; got to see my sis and Rob and see some friends in the city.

3. Reno was amazing. Im so happy I got to see Kenzie I had such a great time and was so bummed to leave. I hopefully will make it up there again soon...

4. Auburn area was good, got to see some family which I skipped last time I was up (X-mas/New years). Two uncles and two cousins. Got to see some of my best buddies too which is always fun.

5. The drive home was pretty good, saw Kyle Stowers before I left and made it from Roseville to Mo Val in about 7.5 hours or so. Not burning like I did going up, but there wasnt much of a rush.

Well thats it in a nut shell, I could write about Reno in particular for quite a while. Those thoughts however I shall keep to myself haha. My dad and I got like a weight machine tower today so i have something to work out now besides my little free weights. Ran today for the first time in over a week, which was good. Finished my paper turned it in and scheduled my classes for next quarter. Take care everyone.

Calm before the storm

Well I am about 7 hours away from beginning my drive to the bay area. I already did laundry and packed. I finished both of my papers for my online class and submitted them. I finished half of my analytical paper that is due next monday, so ill just finish that sunday when I get home. I put together a study guide for my midterm tonight and I have studied a little so I just need to finish studying it and Im all set. I watched 300 earlier and Im just about to finish Super Bad, both are great movies. Ive just had them going in the background while I finished everything. I got my directions ready to get to my sisters, even tho ive been there a few times from this direction, I always forget one exit. Im hoping to be leaving my midterm at like 9pm and its going to take me around 7 hours and 15 minutes to get up there so im gonna get there around 4 in the morning. Im going to get a coffee right before class and have a few energy drinks in reserve. Got my music ready.. should be all good.

I dont know if Ill post while im up north so if not hope everyone has a good week and Ill post again when I get home. Bye

The Grind

Well, it has been a busy few days and its not going to get any slower. I took my dad thursday night to see Robin Williams perform standup comedy live in San Diego. He was awesome, completely funny. The guy has so much energy for a 57 year old, he is just like non-stop go go go. He made jokes about bush, obama, the human body, all kinds of stuff I loved it.

Then last night I took my friend Andrea to see John Legend live out in Indio. Oh man he was legit! His voice is so good live, plays the piano and just entertains. He played about 20 songs from all 3 of his cds. The night started out kind of stressful with traffic and we thought we were going to be late. The show was suppose to start at 8pm, we got there at 8:30 and he walked in right by us so it was perfect timing. What a great concert. Afterwards, we stopped by my uncles for a bit before heading back home.

The rest of this weekend I need to try to do all my homework for my next week in my teaching class because Im leaving tuesday night and I do not want to have to worry about doing homework up north. I also have my midterm tuesday night that I need to study for and I have an analytical essay that will be due the day after I get home from up north. Busy busy, but its good I like having stuff to do.

Played tennis thursday, it was the first time ive played in probably a month that I actually felt like I had improved. My serve is slowly working itself out and I was a lot more steady on both the forehand and backhand sides. John and I played four sets and it was good, somewhat competitive tennis.

Today is Valentine's Day, so I guess I should say a little something about it. Ive only ever had a girlfriend on two valentine's days, so it has never been a huge holiday for me. I spent last year's in Athens and there was no mention of it anywhere - apparently it barely exists in Europe. I did do something special for someone, we will see if they can figure it out and I get a phone call from them later today. Ill have to post in the next few days and disclose my plan to everyone haha.

Oh yeah.. Finished the Obama biography. It was a really good and insightful book, from an outside perspective. I am about halfway through a book called "Life of Pi", which is a really cool, magical, cute kind of story. Haha that sounds weird, but I don't know any other way to describe it. Its good though and I highly recommend it. I hope everyone has a wonderful valentine's day and weekend. See you soon.

Super Saturdays

Well, I think I might have figured out a topic for my master's thesis. I was in the shower today when it struck me that Senegal is one of the most stable democracies in Africa.. maybe the most stable. Another interesting thought hit me... Senegal is a Muslim country.. wait what? Thats right, A muslim country besides India (which has a multitude of religions and is not predominantly muslim) that has a healthy, stable operating democracy. Why? I do not know, but maybe I can find out why and write my thesis about it. In this day and age where our new President is about DIPLOMACY and spreading democracy peacefully it would be an interesting thing to look in to. I have been thinking about writing my thesis on Africa so why not Senegal?

In other news.. I have a busy week coming up. Thursday is San Diego with my pops to see Robin Williams perform Stand up comedy. Friday is John Legend concert in Indio. Hmm, The next week might be even busier though, but Im going to keep that under wraps unless the chance that a certain someone stumbles on this blog and it ruins a surprise. Did not have the greatest week as far as working out and my cardio ugh... Its been raining down here and messing with my plans a little.

Everything is going pretty well though. I have been playing a lot of Halo and Rock Band 2. I can play most songs on expert for guitar and bass pretty easily except some of the solos. I can sing a lot of the songs on hard, expert is pretty tough. On drums I have gotten a lot better and I am starting to play almost all the songs on hard and a few on expert. In Halo, there are two areas of my game that have really improved. First, is sticking people with sticky grenades. I probably average 1.5-2 sticks per match which is really good. Ive had some unbelieable ones in the past week too. The other area is my sniping because im finally practicing it a little. Also the last two days I have been using the Spartan laser a little and have improved with that as well.

About done with the Obama biography I have been reading, have only like 20 pages left. Ill probably finish it tonight. I read Obamas Audacity of Hope which rocked, this is called from Promise to Power by David Mendell. It covers Obama from before his race for the Illinois senate right up to the point where he announced his presidential candidacy. Its really interesting to get the opinion of someone who was near him almost every day and had a lot of access to him (Mendell is a writer for the Chicago Tribune who covered Obama). I want to buy and read Obama's first book now "Dreams from my father" its suppose to be really good.

I feel really restless lately. Im fairly busy I guess, with school, work, exercise, reading, watching movies, tv, and playing video games. I dont know why but I constantly feel the need to plan and look to the future. I just have a hard time being content with things. It is a little frustrating because I plan trips and buy things to fill up my schedule when its not always necessary. I dont really regret it, just not sure why I wont let myself feel complacent. Oh well.

Tomorrow is my dads birthday, Im suppose to take him to BJs tomorrow night with my uncle but Brendan never called me back. I didnt buy my dad a card or bake him a cake yet.. hmm. Not really sure what to do, I would bake him a cake but we have had so many cookies and candy and junk in this house lately I really dont want to have to eat any. Its kinda selfish. I got an idea though. I could wake up early and make him breakfast... Thats a good idea. Pancakes maybe.. hmm I only have 1 egg though. Ill think of something. Anyways long post, guess I had a lot on my mind. See you soon

I love Thursdays

Well the Cardinals almost pulled them off, but the Steelers held them off 27-23. Great super bowl though. Lets see Roger lost in the Oz open final to Nadal in 5 sets which im still a little bitter about so I dont want to talk about it lol. Things are going well though. School is going really good and its easy which doesn't hurt. Reading an Obama book right now which is really good. Tells the story about his rise to power, so its really interesting. Been playing a lot of Halo with Garrett and Randy which is always fun and my sister and her bf got their xbox back so Ive played Rock Band 2 with them a few times. Im probably going to play a little later today. Cancun is only 7 weeks away so its coming up quick. Im still doing cardio and working out; my nutrition has not been as good as it started but Im starting to whip it back into shape. Ive gained about 5 lbs in muscle mass in a month though which is a good start. I have been playing tennis two times a week which I love... Im trying to learn the legitimate way to serve a tennis ball and its really hard. I have my serve that I do just to get it in which is fine, but its not the proper way to serve. Also, my backhand slice and drops shots are starting to really develop. However, my forehand and regular backhand strokes are still really inconsistant. Just have to keep plugging away I guess. John and I are thinking about going to see the French Open which is the last week of May and first week of June which would be totally awesome.

Lot of interesting dreams lately: three nights ago I was a bodyguard for Obama, 2 nights ago I was back coaching football at colfax, and last night I was at a grocery store and saw like 10 people I knew from high school. All really vivid too.. I go through periods where this happens. Its usually a good thing too so no complaints from me.

In other news, my dads bday is on sunday and hes turning the big 50. Im taking him to Bj's since he has never gone and Brendan (his bro) and Brendan's gf are going to meet us there. Then, a week from today Im taking him to San Diego to see Robin Williams do stand up comedy, which should be sweet. The night after that Im going to see John Legend in concert which will be sweet.

The only other news is that in the last few weeks Ive really begun to develop an awesome relationship with a friend that I went to high school with but was never super close with. Its been awesome talking to her each night and I definitely like talking to her this much, shes an awesome person.

Well thats my update for now haha, hope all is well with everyone.