Been awhile, huh? I bet you can't even guess what I've been going through. Well, actually, for those of you that know me, you can guess. My wife, Joanna, gave birth to our daughter, Abigail Grace, on September 22. So, since then, I've been busy taking care of my wife and newborn daughter. I've not had a lot of sleep, though I think that we might be turning a corner there. Who knows.
But enough about the baby. Like I said, this is going to be a blog about me because I'm selfish and I don't want to talk about the baby. Sue me.
Remember last month I wrote about new beginnings and all that? I wasn't just writing it to write it. Obviously, becoming a dad is a new beginning, but I also started a new job at the beginning of October. Wait, you're probably thinking, "a new job?" Yes, sadly (and with no regrets or bitterness), I was let go from the Chaffey High School District because of the wonderful California Education system. With not even enough money to keep one of their continuation schools active, a lot of things had to go - me included. But I wasn't mad. I've been in Education for a long time and I've seen the budget problems cut funding left and right. Even at Chaffey the past couple of years, I've seen funding dwindle, so it was not a shock. What was a shock was dealing with bills and an impending baby. But we managed.
Now, back to my new job. I was hired (after 20 unsuccessful applications around the area and only 3 actual interviews) to be the Web Content Manager for the School of Nursing at Loma Linda University. The ironic part is that web content management is only a third of the actual position. Let's get scary and try to do some Math: Seventy-five percent of that other two thirds consists of supporting the Blackboard environment for the faculty and students and supporting the Kaplan testing that takes place each quarter. Now, the other twenty-five percent of that original two thirds is doing techonology support around the building - stuff that I'm already familiar with doing. If I'm not mistaken, that should equal one hundred percent of the two thirds to go along with the other third that make up my job description. Lost? Me too.
Of course, add on top of all that the fact that I am one of three men on the staff in the entire school and therefore will be called upon to move furniture and boxes, hang pictures on walls or any number of "other duties as assigned".
Don't get me wrong, though, this is a great place to work and I am glad that I found it. The people are wonderful and friendly and I have been welcomed and accepted. They understand the fact that I have never used Blackboard or Kaplan testing in the past and are patient as I learn the systems that they are comfortable with. In time it will be second nature, but for now, I'm still learning. But as long as I stay one chapter ahead of the faculty and staff, I should be okay.
Until next time.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Other Beginnings
Today, besides writing about an impending birth and not having to serve on Jury Duty, I'm also going to take some space and talk about some of the shows that are premiering this week on television. I'll just mention some of the shows that I'll be watching. A lot of the shows that I'll be watching will actually be done online because of restrictions with DVR - and that's only because it can record two shows at a time, unlike the AT&T U-Verse package which allows you to record four, but it's not available in our area. Oh well.
One show that I am interested in is No Ordinary Family on ABC. Michael Chiklis is a great actor and it will be fun to see him on a less serious show once again. Returning favorites House and Modern Family will also be a staple of my online viewing along with Human Target - which was not a huge ratings hit, but I still enjoyed it. And of course, my online viewing wouldn't be complete without American Dad or The Cleaveland Show. And I can't miss Castle because Nathan Fillion is just a great actor and so perfect for that role.
Of course, I'll still be watching shows that are recorded on DVR, like How I Met Your Mother (which, I really hope they get to the whole finding the mother thing soon), and Family Guy (even if Joanna hates the show) and The Simpsons.
Naturally, there are plenty of shows that Joanna is going to want to watch as well - though some of them are still pretty good. Her choices: Desperate Housewives (can this show really keep going? It seems to be getting stale). Brothers and Sisters (this show is stale and I don't think Joanna will care since Rob Lowe is no longer on it). Dancing With the Stars (Kurt Warner is probably my choice to win, which means he'll be out rather quickly). The Biggest Loser (for health and exercise tips - I definitely need to watch this one).
But the one show that we both can agree on is Glee. Yes, I can admit that I'm a fan of the show. I like Broadway musicals and show choir stuff, plus the cast is phenomenal.
Anyways....these are just a few of the shows that I'll be watching this season. Well, at least until some of them are cancelled. Who knows, they might actually last the entire year. Enjoy television. I will.
Until Next Time.
One show that I am interested in is No Ordinary Family on ABC. Michael Chiklis is a great actor and it will be fun to see him on a less serious show once again. Returning favorites House and Modern Family will also be a staple of my online viewing along with Human Target - which was not a huge ratings hit, but I still enjoyed it. And of course, my online viewing wouldn't be complete without American Dad or The Cleaveland Show. And I can't miss Castle because Nathan Fillion is just a great actor and so perfect for that role.
Of course, I'll still be watching shows that are recorded on DVR, like How I Met Your Mother (which, I really hope they get to the whole finding the mother thing soon), and Family Guy (even if Joanna hates the show) and The Simpsons.
Naturally, there are plenty of shows that Joanna is going to want to watch as well - though some of them are still pretty good. Her choices: Desperate Housewives (can this show really keep going? It seems to be getting stale). Brothers and Sisters (this show is stale and I don't think Joanna will care since Rob Lowe is no longer on it). Dancing With the Stars (Kurt Warner is probably my choice to win, which means he'll be out rather quickly). The Biggest Loser (for health and exercise tips - I definitely need to watch this one).
But the one show that we both can agree on is Glee. Yes, I can admit that I'm a fan of the show. I like Broadway musicals and show choir stuff, plus the cast is phenomenal.
Anyways....these are just a few of the shows that I'll be watching this season. Well, at least until some of them are cancelled. Who knows, they might actually last the entire year. Enjoy television. I will.
Until Next Time.
Has It Been Two Years Already? And, "She Who Must Not Be Named"
The first reference is to Jury Duty. The second is to Harry Potter, of course. Let's take these separately, though.
Jury Duty is a civil requirement for anyone that is a citizen of these fine United States. I have no problem serving Jury Duty, except this year. As you know, our baby is due any day now and Jury Duty would certainly interfere if the baby were to come during the day. Obviously, I would be excused, but that's not the point. Luckily, I managed to once again be freed from duty and do not have to report. This is good news because this baby just doesn't know when she wants to be born.
Speaking of the baby, or, "She Who Must Not Be Named", the name game is coming to a close. We are down to the final two choices: Abigail and Natalie. Both work well with our choice of middle name (which will not be disclosed until a later date), and both have sentimental meaning to each of us. So who knows. Give us another week or so and the world will know. And then she'll probably want her own blog or something. She can do it herself, though. I'm not wasting my precious part of the Internet for her. :)
Until Next Time.
Jury Duty is a civil requirement for anyone that is a citizen of these fine United States. I have no problem serving Jury Duty, except this year. As you know, our baby is due any day now and Jury Duty would certainly interfere if the baby were to come during the day. Obviously, I would be excused, but that's not the point. Luckily, I managed to once again be freed from duty and do not have to report. This is good news because this baby just doesn't know when she wants to be born.
Speaking of the baby, or, "She Who Must Not Be Named", the name game is coming to a close. We are down to the final two choices: Abigail and Natalie. Both work well with our choice of middle name (which will not be disclosed until a later date), and both have sentimental meaning to each of us. So who knows. Give us another week or so and the world will know. And then she'll probably want her own blog or something. She can do it herself, though. I'm not wasting my precious part of the Internet for her. :)
Until Next Time.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
I'm Not a Paid Endorser, But......
I have heard commercials for Audible.com for over almost a year and have not really paid any attention to it. However, for some reason, last week, I actually did. For those of you that don't know, Audible.com is a website that has several audiobooks for sale. These are the same audiobooks that are found in libraries and stores and they have a lot of new releases as well.
What got me going to Audible.com and actually signing up for the free trial was that it offered TWO free audiobooks. I like audiobooks. Sometimes the narrator can be really good and it makes the story even that more interesting. On books that I have already read, sometimes I can get a better insight into it by hearing it aloud. Maybe a different inflection or tone than from when I read it, so it's really cool.
But I had access to millions of books. How to choose? Basically, it came down to books that I had never read before. One choice was a Star Wars book (surprise). It's called Death Troopers, and it's the first time a Star Wars story has been made into a horror story. From what I've read about the book, it should be kind of fun.
For my second choice, I decided on a book that I had been hearing about on a weekly podcast that I listen to. The book is called Elantris, and while it is the first book of a trilogy, I figured I would get it anyway. This is because I want to make sure that I enjoy it before giving into the entire trilogy. If it's as good as I've heard, then I probably will, though I may not continue in the audio format.
Plus, Audible.com has several free books and previews of each book so you can get an idea of the narrator before purchasing the book.
All in all, my free trial has been fun. I get to listen to two books that I may not have purchased, even though I have wanted to read them for a while, and I don't even have to pay any money. Of course, if you decide to stay past the 30 day free period, you will have to pay $10 a month. Not bad, because you get a free book each month, but then you end up paying for each book past that.
Well, it's you're choice. I'm just giving my opinion.
Until Next Time.
What got me going to Audible.com and actually signing up for the free trial was that it offered TWO free audiobooks. I like audiobooks. Sometimes the narrator can be really good and it makes the story even that more interesting. On books that I have already read, sometimes I can get a better insight into it by hearing it aloud. Maybe a different inflection or tone than from when I read it, so it's really cool.
But I had access to millions of books. How to choose? Basically, it came down to books that I had never read before. One choice was a Star Wars book (surprise). It's called Death Troopers, and it's the first time a Star Wars story has been made into a horror story. From what I've read about the book, it should be kind of fun.
For my second choice, I decided on a book that I had been hearing about on a weekly podcast that I listen to. The book is called Elantris, and while it is the first book of a trilogy, I figured I would get it anyway. This is because I want to make sure that I enjoy it before giving into the entire trilogy. If it's as good as I've heard, then I probably will, though I may not continue in the audio format.
Plus, Audible.com has several free books and previews of each book so you can get an idea of the narrator before purchasing the book.
All in all, my free trial has been fun. I get to listen to two books that I may not have purchased, even though I have wanted to read them for a while, and I don't even have to pay any money. Of course, if you decide to stay past the 30 day free period, you will have to pay $10 a month. Not bad, because you get a free book each month, but then you end up paying for each book past that.
Well, it's you're choice. I'm just giving my opinion.
Until Next Time.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
In the Beginning......
It's the beginning of September. From children going to Kindergarten for the first time, to teenagers heading to the rigors of Junior High or High School, and even older teens starting college, everyone starts something new, whether it's every day or just once a year. And then, of course, there are those people that are not attending school that start something new as well. It could be a new job, a new relationship or even parenthood.
Beginnings can be scary sometimes. I recall leaving Arizona for San Diego to start college. It was a little weird because I didn't know anyone at the school. When I moved in, my roommate was a local student and therefore went home a lot, which left me by myself. However, after a few days, I had managed to make a few friends and then the fear of being somewhere without knowing anyone was gone.
The feeling comes and goes for everyone and I don't think that anyone isn't afraid of new situations. I'm all about living life to the fullest and having fun and that every new situation is an adventure ready to be conquered. However, as I get older, I'm still all about the adventure, but I just have a little trepidation about things. Not about being a father, if any of you were thinking that. But just life in general.
To all those new students and old students, good luck - you're going to need it. For the rest of us, find something new to do today. And if you can't do it today, do it today. What's that old adage? "Don't put off til tomorrow what you can do today." That's right. Old and true.
Until Next Time.
Beginnings can be scary sometimes. I recall leaving Arizona for San Diego to start college. It was a little weird because I didn't know anyone at the school. When I moved in, my roommate was a local student and therefore went home a lot, which left me by myself. However, after a few days, I had managed to make a few friends and then the fear of being somewhere without knowing anyone was gone.
The feeling comes and goes for everyone and I don't think that anyone isn't afraid of new situations. I'm all about living life to the fullest and having fun and that every new situation is an adventure ready to be conquered. However, as I get older, I'm still all about the adventure, but I just have a little trepidation about things. Not about being a father, if any of you were thinking that. But just life in general.
To all those new students and old students, good luck - you're going to need it. For the rest of us, find something new to do today. And if you can't do it today, do it today. What's that old adage? "Don't put off til tomorrow what you can do today." That's right. Old and true.
Until Next Time.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Hotter Than You Know Where
Note that I said, You Know Where, not You Know Who (Harry Potter reference).
The hotter, of course, is Phoenix, Arizona. How do I know this? Because I was out in it and I have a computer to tell me these sorts of things. Just look:
Today's high in Phoenix, AZ - a city known to be hot during the summer, especially in August, even during monsoon season: 105 degrees Farenheit.
Today's high in Rancho Cucamonga, CA - a city, like Phoenix, in the desert, that usually gets hot from July through September and sometimes into October: 107 degrees Farenheit.
What? Did I read that right? Was the temperature in California hotter than Arizona? On the same day in the summer? Is that possible?
Of course it's possible, but is it really probable? Yes. Remember, I said Rancho Cucamonga was in the desert. Luckily for us, we're not out in the Eastern California areas where I'm sure temperatures got into the 110s and higher. And a good thing we're not in Death Valley, where tomorrow's high is listed at 123 degrees. Yikes.
So what does this tell us? That despite living in California, I do not get to enjoy the "surf, sand and sun". In fact, if I were to spend most of the day outside in this heat, I would either dehydrate or wither away. I'm not sure which and I don't aim to find out. If you come to California on a visit and wonder what it might be like during the summer, expect a lot of heat, unless you are on the beach. It might be a little warm at times or a little cold, depending on the time of day, but it will be a consistent of either of those.
Don't forget your sunscreen and wear a hat. You might not want to cover up, considering it is California, but it will be better for you in the end because you might prevent all sorts of skin problems later down the line.
Until next time.
The hotter, of course, is Phoenix, Arizona. How do I know this? Because I was out in it and I have a computer to tell me these sorts of things. Just look:
Today's high in Phoenix, AZ - a city known to be hot during the summer, especially in August, even during monsoon season: 105 degrees Farenheit.
Today's high in Rancho Cucamonga, CA - a city, like Phoenix, in the desert, that usually gets hot from July through September and sometimes into October: 107 degrees Farenheit.
What? Did I read that right? Was the temperature in California hotter than Arizona? On the same day in the summer? Is that possible?
Of course it's possible, but is it really probable? Yes. Remember, I said Rancho Cucamonga was in the desert. Luckily for us, we're not out in the Eastern California areas where I'm sure temperatures got into the 110s and higher. And a good thing we're not in Death Valley, where tomorrow's high is listed at 123 degrees. Yikes.
So what does this tell us? That despite living in California, I do not get to enjoy the "surf, sand and sun". In fact, if I were to spend most of the day outside in this heat, I would either dehydrate or wither away. I'm not sure which and I don't aim to find out. If you come to California on a visit and wonder what it might be like during the summer, expect a lot of heat, unless you are on the beach. It might be a little warm at times or a little cold, depending on the time of day, but it will be a consistent of either of those.
Don't forget your sunscreen and wear a hat. You might not want to cover up, considering it is California, but it will be better for you in the end because you might prevent all sorts of skin problems later down the line.
Until next time.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
The Sabbatical Is Over
We now return to our regularly scheduled blog. Thank you for your patience.
I am back to blogging. Have you missed me? I'm sure you did. Let's see, two weeks of blogging vacation and what happened? Not much. Oh, my family came to town, so it was nice to see them and hang out with them for a few days. Hadn't seen them since March, so it was good to catch up.
Oh, I remember what I wanted to write about. It's actually about the last two times that I was a reader at church. A little irony mixed with a little humor and what have you got? Me, someone from Arizona that happens to be half Mexican, reading a letter from the bishop of San Bernardino, regarding the current Immigration reform issue taking place in Arizona. Ironic, huh? Me, a Mexican from Arizona, living in California and reading a statement from the Bishop of San Bernardino. Good stuff. It's interesting how the U.S. Catholic Bishops are trying to support immigration reform and yet distance themselves from the act at the same time.
The second bit of irony was just this past weekend. The first reading at church was from the Book of Revelation. It talked about a woman being pregnant and going into labor and then a dragon appearing in hopes of devouring the child as it is born. But where's the irony you ask? Remember that my wife is pregnant and due to give birth in September. Plus, I also like dragons. These two facts prompted my wife (who is the cantor at mass) to whisper to me before I read the announcements to let the congregation know that she would not allow our baby to be devoured by a dragon. I didn't get a chance to offer the information to the congregation, though I'm sure that they will be concerned if there are any dragon sightings in the Inland Empire.
Now that my sabbatical is over, I will come back to updating the blog. Perhaps not every day, but every few days if something interesting happens or if there is something that "Grinds My Gears", to quote Peter Griffin from Family Guy. If it happens to me, then you might learn about it. Oh, and I might have to take another vacation in September, you know, since my wife is having a baby and all.
Until next time.
I am back to blogging. Have you missed me? I'm sure you did. Let's see, two weeks of blogging vacation and what happened? Not much. Oh, my family came to town, so it was nice to see them and hang out with them for a few days. Hadn't seen them since March, so it was good to catch up.
Oh, I remember what I wanted to write about. It's actually about the last two times that I was a reader at church. A little irony mixed with a little humor and what have you got? Me, someone from Arizona that happens to be half Mexican, reading a letter from the bishop of San Bernardino, regarding the current Immigration reform issue taking place in Arizona. Ironic, huh? Me, a Mexican from Arizona, living in California and reading a statement from the Bishop of San Bernardino. Good stuff. It's interesting how the U.S. Catholic Bishops are trying to support immigration reform and yet distance themselves from the act at the same time.
The second bit of irony was just this past weekend. The first reading at church was from the Book of Revelation. It talked about a woman being pregnant and going into labor and then a dragon appearing in hopes of devouring the child as it is born. But where's the irony you ask? Remember that my wife is pregnant and due to give birth in September. Plus, I also like dragons. These two facts prompted my wife (who is the cantor at mass) to whisper to me before I read the announcements to let the congregation know that she would not allow our baby to be devoured by a dragon. I didn't get a chance to offer the information to the congregation, though I'm sure that they will be concerned if there are any dragon sightings in the Inland Empire.
Now that my sabbatical is over, I will come back to updating the blog. Perhaps not every day, but every few days if something interesting happens or if there is something that "Grinds My Gears", to quote Peter Griffin from Family Guy. If it happens to me, then you might learn about it. Oh, and I might have to take another vacation in September, you know, since my wife is having a baby and all.
Until next time.
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