quick post

Well, Christmas was good. I'm leaving for Taiwan in the morning. I'll be back in the middle of next week. I'll have some good pictures to post. Later.

I love the smell of hot metal in the morning...

Today at work they installed a new ATM (that's automated teller machine for those of you who aren't "in the know"). So during work I had to endure cold drafts, loud noises, and the smell of hot metal. It was rough, but somehow I made it through. I am officially finished with working Saturdays. It feels great to know that my Saturdays from now on will be virtually free of anything having to do with KeyBank (yes, it is one word.) Last weekend, Jenny and I went up to Bear Lake. It was a good time, especially on Saturday as we watched a huge snow storm roll in. Something has to be said about spending time in beautiful scenery with few people around. Yes, something definitely has to be said, but I'm not eloquent enough to say it. Next week we're finally going to get everything done on the Pathfinder, so that will be nice. I'm excited for Thanksgiving. It's a good time to relax and spend with family. Tuesday morning I was completely giddy because of the snow on the valley floor. Even though I won't be skiing as much this year as I have in years passed, I'm still excited to get out and feel the burning in my legs and lungs. For those of you who have never skied; if you don't get out and ski this year, you'll be one year older when you do.

Stickin' it to the man

So check this out. The dealership has really been dragging their feet on helping us to get the bumper fixed on the Pathfinder. They told us that they wouldn't pay to have the dent fixed because they only remember talking about painting it. Well, last Saturday, Jenny wrote a letter to the dealership's general manager. In the letter she explained how poorly we've been treated since we signed the papers for the car. Well, a few days ago, she got a call from the general manager. Basically, the dealership is going to pay for our bumper to be fixed, have the inside and outside of the car detailed, and have it serviced. I guess the squeaky wheel gets the grease eh? Also, he gave Jenny his cell # so that she can call him if anybody treats us less than perfect. So that's that for now. As far as Disneyland goes, it was a blast. Pictures are on the way...maybe. I'm enjoying the cold weather and am excited for the snow. I guess one of these days I'll have to put the rack on. Who am I kidding? I'm excited for that day. See you later.Here are some of the pictures of Disneyland

Changes

Well, another week has come and gone. Last Thursday I was really sick, so I called in sick on Friday. It was a really crappy time to get sick, considering I had two tests, a paper, and homework to do. Well, I got the paper done on Saturday morning before conference started. Late last week I gained more motivation to find another job. My assistant manager informed me that when I take days off, I have to get paid for them. This leaves me with the question, "What's it to you whether I get paid or not?" So, this leaves me with the dilemma of how I can work out getting the other days off that I need for this year. Well, at least I don't have school this Thursday. Hopefully I'll be able to go and have the dealer finally fix the bumper on the Pathfinder. Speaking of the Pathfinder, we got the plates for it last week. The letters NYE are in it, so we've decided to name it Nygel. Hopefully I'll be able to post some pictures of it soon. Hopefully that can quell the outcries of my many fans. Tomorrow I have an interview with a financial advising company, so we'll see how that goes. I'll be excited for tomorrow to be over. Well, until the next episode.

Two and a half weeks...so what?

I realize I haven't posted anything for a little while. So, in order to calm the unrest of my fans, I am here with another post. I'm just up to the same old stuff. Jenny and I are most likely going to Bear Lake this weekend for conference. In October we're going to Disneyland. We're going to hop in the Subaru and drive down for a few days. My classes are going alright. I'm actually understanding all of them so far, which is surprising. When the air is cold during this time of year, it gets me thinking about the upcoming ski season. It's time to say goodbye to our good friend summer, and arrange for the welcoming of our better friend, winter. I'm trying to find some time when I can go and get the ol' Xtra Hots tuned up. I think I'm getting new tires for the Subaru right before we go to California.
On the subject of cars...car dealers are crooks. Yeah, as if we didn't already know that. Well, when we bought the Pathfinder, the dealer only gave us one set of keys. He said that if we wanted another set, he'd have the dealership take care of it. When I called him to tell him that we did want another set, he told me that the dealership was unwilling to pay for it. So, either we had to pay for it, or he said he would pay for it. Oh, by the way, the cost is $100. Well, I thought about telling him to go ahead and pay for it. Then, I found on ebay a blank of the key we had. Cost? $15 after shipping. What about the transponder chip inside? Well, there is a locksmith in Bountiful who will program it for $30. Yeah, I think we'll do that. Still though, that's a lot to pay for a key. Jenny is in the middle of writing a mean letter to send. I've also recently replaced the filter in the Pathfinder and put in a K&N filter. I've noticed some added power and slightly better mileage, about 2-3 more mpg. Well, hopefully this is enough info on my current life to keep all of the inquisitive people at bay. Thank you, and goodnight now!

New car

Well, we got the civic back a week ago last Thursday. That night we went out looking for cars. We ended up trading it in and getting a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder on Friday night. Yeah, it's pretty sweet. We took it up to Bear Lake that weekend and I tested out the four wheel drive through some mud. It performed beautifully. So, the semester is going okay so far. My econometrics class is already an absolute joke. I'm basically going to be teaching myself for this class. My other classes seem okay. So far in my feminist economics class, we've talked a ton about feminism, but I think I've only heard the word "economics" uttered once. We'll see how this goes. Nate thinks that I should've bought a VW Rabbit, and looking back, I guess I can see his argument. Wait, nevermind. Anyway, that's about all that's really happening these days. Talk to you later. Out.

It's done...and maybe I am as well

I just found out today that our car is finally finished with its repairs...and it only took three months! Tomorrow Jenny, my dad, and I are going to go check it out and make sure that the good ol' boys down at Jack Harris Autobody didn't miss anything. I have to ditch out of work early so that I can make it back in time for class. I asked the guy working on our car if he'd do a safety and emissions inspection as well so that we can get it registered. Apparently we're going to have to drive it for about 100 miles before it will pass an emissions inspection because it has sat for so long. Then, Jenny and I are going to go and look for another car. We're looking at Pathfinders and Pilots. Hopefully we can find something we like and can afford. Hopefully this headache is about over.

Well, one week into the semester and I'm already feeling like I'm going not going to make it through the semester. I think it's probably because I took a heavy load during the summer semester, so I never really had a chance to take a break. I'm still of the opinion that cramming a program with foreign grad students posing as professors is no way to run a department. I have 15 credit hours this semester. That's 5 professors, two of them Turkish, one Korean, and one Taiwanese. Oh well, I guess that's just how things go.

This weekend Jenny and I are going up to Bear Lake. Jenny's dad is having satellite installed in time for us to watch the UofU v. UCLA game this weekend. I'm looking forward to the drive through Logan canyon. I enjoy the drive and this time it will be on a Saturday afternoon, something that I don't get to do much. Well, until next time. Don't let the man get you down, and say hi to your mom for me.

The summer in a nutshell

Well, summer is about to come to an end. This wasn't much of a summer for me because I spent the majority of it either in school, or stressing over school. To make things even better, I wrecked my wife's car. Basically some lady wasn't paying attention and she ran a red let and t-boned me. So, I'm working on recovering from that, as well as fighting with the insurance company over the car and my medical bills. A highlight of the summer though was a trip that Jenny and I took to Bear Lake and then to Jackson Hole. Jenny's parents also recently bought a cabin at Bear Lake, as a result I am spending more time up there, and more money on gas. I'm looking forward to winter and the ski season, but I have a feeling that this semester could be the toughest one yet. Hopefully it will be my last. I've recently been reflecting on my college experience and I have come to the conclusion that it is definitely more important for a person to find a college that fits them, as opposed to one with a big name. I've also come to the conclusion that I hate the vast majority of graduate students posing as professors, and I hate the University Bookstore.

Here it is

Well, here is my blogspot. My friend Nate inspired me to create this. I suppose the greatest advantage of this is the fact that my friends can keep current on what I'm up to, and also so that I can have some sort of journal. I hope you enjoy.