Ok, its been a while since my last post so bear with me...there is a bunch of things that took place, which will most likely cause this post to be a longer one. But its should be worth the read.
1) Job: I got the job at 3M and tomorrow is going to be my first day. Well, not really the first day at "work", because I'll be doing more of the paper work so that I can work, but it'll be my first official day as a full-time 3M worker. My position is going to be: APD (application and product development) chemist, I've heard a lot of what I'll be doing, but not all the specifics. So in a way I'm excited, but also kind of scared. In any case. its an all new beginning and I really hope that everything goes as planned and that people will like my being there. You'll be reading about my experience there soon. Not much about the technical side, but more of the impressions in a general matter - Can't forget that there is a confidentiality agreement!
2) Car: New tires are awesome. I'm really happy that I chose to get a full new set of tires. Now I have great grip and driving is a lot more fun. Unfortunately that wasn't the only news...My car had some issues last week causing me to arrive at work late and make me poorer by about 400 bucks. The bearings in the front axis (close to the rotars) were used up and not only did the mechanic have to change them, but also replace my fully rusted rotars. Anyways, its all nice and new and the zoom-zoom seems to be pretty much back. I'm still hesitent about my long drives everyday, but hopefully that'll change soon. Anybody want to room with me in east St. Paul area? I could use a trusty roomy.
3) Parents: They're here...here being in MN. My father and mother, both are here to visit and its been great to see them again. They are both in good shape and I feel much better about them being so far away - I was really worried that I may have to move back to Germany sometime soon, but I'll be a while till that happens. For now they'll be enjoying life while I try to get my carrier started. Tomorrow there is going to be a dinner party in Sun Fish Lake and I'm really looking forward to my mother's Japanese food. Yummm!
4) Random other stuff: I went to a wedding yesterday. It was the wedding of a childhood friend of mine, and I'm really happy to see him and his wife tie the knot. They are both great people and I can see them getting old happily together - just the way anybody would dream it to be. I wish I could say that I've met that girl (maybe I did a while ago-but that the past and I have noone to blame but myself) - maybe someday soon...or maybe not. Ain't my priority right now anyways...or so I tell myself.
I gave up on the triathlon stuff for this year. I'm going to continue training, but it won't be with a goal. Next season though I would like take part in a couple of sprint and olympic distance triathlons...and hopefully I'll get a decent position. I'm going to have to start planning my training for the fall and winter soon!
One thing I really need to stop is smoking. I've been smoking for over half my life, and though its a part of my "self" I really need to quit. Not only for the triathlon, the money, and how people percieve me, but also cause I need to prevent that cancer stuff growing in me (I know I could get some other type of cancer anyways, but lowering the probability should be always something to think of).
Alright, so thats about it I guess. Here is a nice little thing I found on a friend's myspace blog post. Its funny as hell and I had to copy and paste it.
HOW MANY MINNESOTA COLLEGE STUDENTS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB?
1. At Bemidji State University, none, Bemidji doesn't have electricity yet.
2. At Bethel, it takes none. They don't screw.
3. At Carleton, it takes two. One to change the bulb and one to explain how they did it every bit as well as any Ivy Leaguer.
4. At Concordia, it takes ten. One to figure out how to screw it in, nine to find an ugly enough lampshade to match there school colors.
5. At Gustavus, it takes six. One to change it, two to mix the drinks and three to find the perfect J. Crew outfit to wear for the occasion.
6. At St. Kate's, it takes seven and each one gets four semester credit hours for it.
7. At Hamline, it takes three. One to change the bulb and two to phone a friend at St. John's to get instructions.
8. At Macalester, it takes four. One to screw in the bulb and three to figure out how to get high off the old one.
9. At Mankato State University, it takes 1, but it takes him 6 years.
10. At Moorhead State University, it takes 3, one to change it and 2 to crack under the pressure.
11. At St. Ben's, it takes 4,one to change the light bulb and 3 to figure out how it will help them meet their future husband.
12. At St. John's, it takes none. We get the Young Tommie Sluts to do it for us, and they make us lasagna.
13. At St. Mary's, it takes five. One to change it and four to talk about how they would have done it in Chicago.
14. At St. Olaf, it takes 100. One to change it, 49 to talk about how they do it better than Carleton, and 50 who realize it's all a lie.
15. At St. Thomas, it takes eight. One to change it and 7 to bitch about how they wouldn't have gone to St. John's/St. Ben's even if they could have gotten in.
16. At University of MN St Paul, none, down town St. Paul looks better in the dark.
17. At University of MN Twin Cities, 4, one to change the bulb, and three to write up a complaint to the Board of directors stating that they could have gone to a better school If they had wanted.
18. At the University of MN Duluth, the whole student body, there's nothing else to do in Duluth on the weekends.
19. At University of MN Morris, it takes 1; he just holds the bulb and waits for the world to revolve around him.
20. At Winona State University, it takes 3, one to change it and 2 to figure out how to turn it on.
21.At St. Cloud State University, it takes 0- they don't know how
Take care y'all! And thanks for reading it till the end...and if not...then you won't be reading this so nevermind.