New Experience....

I just came home from seeing this and had an awesome time! Christmas music will never be the same for me and I think I need to go and get Guitar Hero! WOW is all I can say! The only bad thing is that now I am all wound up and I need to be to work at 6:00 a.m. The alarm will go off at 5:00 and I am going to be hating life!

I have only 5 days until I am home for Christmas! I am excited. I hope to see as many of family and friends as possible!

SNOW in New Orleans....

Who would have thought snow in New Orleans! They tell me that last time they got snow in December the following Hurricane season was bad aka KATRINA. We shall have to wait and see. I just thought you all might enjoy the picture. It was 76° two days ago and just raining yesterday! Oh well it is pretty..... Only people at work and other offices are freaking out! Schools are closing and the State Offices are closing. What about us poor Federal Employees?

Oh my gosh I just got home and it is freezing in my house! I should have left the heater on in the house! Man I am ready for some hot chocolate or something to get me warm!

I forgot one more thing I found this headline! "More sex means less stress" I need to do something about this! Way to much stress in my life..... GREEN MEANS GO......

FIRST'S.....

My first thanks giving in New Orleans...... Remind me next time to just go to a restaurant for dinner next time! Way to much food for one!


It is good to be ranked #1! Okay it is not the kind of thing you want to be #1 in but it is amazing to me how we get desensitized and/or accustomed to things. When I first moved here it would bother me every time I would read the newspaper there was always a headline about the violence mostly the murders. I would map out where they occurred to see how close or far they were from my work and home. I have had two murders occur within two blocks from my house and another one about 5 blocks from my work. The one by my work I pass this house everyday. It is pretty sad. Now when I look at the paper it is like I just skip these articles other then when I want to view some interesting comments on the stories.

It has been a year that has been difficult regarding work! I dissolved my company and moved to New Orleans. WOW what more can I say other than lost of company lost of a friend lost of ...... SO MUCH LOST!

First Hurricane Season... Good to have the first one under my belt. What did I learn... You can never be to prepared and you need to be flexible.

Well enough of my first for a little while.

I WAS JUST WONDERING....

What would you say if.........

150 MS RIDE

My intent was to ride 150 miles after 110 I placed my hand on my helmet and said "NO MAS" I am tired and I ache in places that I will not mention at this point and time. Suffice it to say that currently I just took a hot shower and took Advil. I may take another hot shower in a few hours. MORE LATER! Just wanted to let you all know that I made it safe and sound and a lot of sourness.

Love you all that supported me on this venture!

Stay tuned for pictures and and a running dialog.

DO I WANT TO RIDE AGAIN NEXT YEAR ABSOLUTELY!
DO I WANT TO GET ON THE BIKE TOMORROW AND START TRAINING, NOT EVEN IF MY ETERNAL COMPANION WERE OUT THERE RIDING HIS BIKE AND I WAS GUARANTEED TO MEET HIM! OKAY! MAYBE IF THERE WAS A GUARANTEE BUT THAT IS ANOTHER POST ALL TOGETHER!

SCOOTER LIFE

I have so much fun on my scooter. Yes I finally got it all ready to go and have been riding it to work and all over New Orleans. It is such a fun little toy. and can I say economical.


You will have to click on the picture to see how much I spent to top off my gas tank on the scooter. I got about 75 miles per gallon. I spent a total of $4.20 cents for 1.116 gallons. I love it.

I only have 7 more days before my MS 150 ride I am really excited. I will take lots of pictures and share with the family.

Well sorry this is so short I just wanted to share with you my scooter news!

HOME SICK....

At the moment I kind of feel lost and alone! I hope you bare with me. I am sort of feeling out of sorts. Like I am tired and I just don't want to deal. So what do I call this?

HOME SICKNESS

I miss going with my sister to go buy a Carmel apple even though we both know it is not good for us.

I miss seeing my nieces and nephews at my mom' s house for Saturday lunch.

I miss having my niece cut and color my hair. I also miss my friend Bri cutting my hair.

I miss taking my nephew Alex for a ride in my convertible as well as my great nieces, Whitney, Sam, Emma and Kate.

I miss going up to my brother Hirams house just to hang out and talk to my brother.

I miss golfing with my brother Hector and my nephew Ryan.

I miss eating my mom's good food.

I miss being babied by my mom when I was not feeling well physically as well as mentaly.

I miss going to lunch with my friend Stephanie.

I miss hanging out at Brianna's house and baking sugar cookies, brownies and just hanging out and having dinner. She made some good meals.

I miss calling my friend Kim and going to a movie and dinner.

I miss going out to Tooele and visit my sister Isa and brother Peter.

I miss....

So what do I do this morning to try and get out of my funk...

GO ON A BIKE RIDE. AFTER ALL THE MS 150 is only 13 days away.

Saturday morning start time..... nothing but ZERO'S

Mississippi river along the levee.

Midway of my ride.

HOME AT LAST.

I am still feeling the blues, you would think that after 27.45 miles I would feel better. Maybe after I take my shower and get something to eat I will feel better.

HERE IS TO HAVING A BETTER DAY!

FEELINGS...

This is the second attempt at this post! Lets just leave it at "I wish that I could talk to you and tell you what is happening in my life" Here are a few highlights:

1. Surprised my parents in Mexico.

2. I was in Mexico when hurricane Gustav hit Louisiana.

3. Took me an extra day to get back into town because my flights were canceled because of Gustav.

4. No damage to home or property due to Gustav.

5. From what I hear from friends that stayed during Gustav the wind was worse for IKE than Gustav.

6. Work is good just a lot of it.....

7. Only 14 days for the MS 150 bike ride if you have not donated and would like to please view the link on my blog. I need all the help I can get...

8. As many of you know I got a scooter! I love it! I need to go get a leather jacket I guess I will just have to go shopping! You all know how much that excites me.... (NOT). The last time I went shopping for clothes for myself was with Brianna, wow that was a long time ago. Bri are you up for another shopping spree? I though I might ask

9. Get your shopping done! Christmas is coming soon and all I want for Christmas is ......

I would really like to know if anybody has heard from BRI or has any information they would like to share... I know! I am pathetic....

New Transportation

So I have been trying to figure out my transportation issue. I have a car that I can't register for reasons I will not get into here and I need to drive something that is legal so what shall I get? What can I afford? And what is economical? So I looked and looked and this is what I came up with!




One little wheel and it makes it go!

Add another wheel and it goes pretty smooth!

Add a body between the two wheels and what do you get? A scooter for NANCY! YA YA YA


It only has 5.4 miles on my new mode of transportation.


I love the way it looks from the front!

And the back!

and the view i have when i am sitting on the scooter. I need a name for my new scooter! Let's have a naming contest! Submit your name and I will pick the one I like the most and you will receive a prize. I haven't decided on the prize yet but I will send something that is NOLA.

I have not had my picture taken on it when my friend comes over tonight to take the scooter to her house for safe keeping. Why would I have my friend take my scooter when I just got it two days ago well I will tell you why. It is called tropical storm, tropical depression and possible Hurricane FAY is on its way towards us. So my friend offered her garage to store my scooter and get it out of the rain....

BENEFICIARY

So the one of the things I like about work with the Corps is that you have an unusual amount of paperwork that you have to fill out and complete before you start work and also when you arrive and then the madness just seems to continue.

One of the items I have had to fill out is by beneficiary form. As I thought about this and about who to place on this form it was a difficult decision. So I have filled out my form and this is what will happen.

1. When I die you will receive notice from the Corps that you have been assigned as my beneficiary. You will receive the following:

1. You will receive 4 times my base salary, which right know is $240,000.00.
2. You will receive my money in my 401K which currently is $140,000.00 Lets hope that the market recovers and I don't lose to much more of this.
3. If I die while on the job you will also receive an additional $120,000.00

It is pretty sad that I am worth more dead than alive. Oh well. I only ask that you do the following in case of my demise.

1. Pay for my funeral etc.
2. Remember that I chose you! Use the money wisely and remember that I loved you and if I had a child I would be proud if they grew up to be just like you. Your parents did well in teaching you and in raising you!
3. I have a small plastic tote that is in my house as well as a similar one at work with copies of all the important documents. They say here in case of Hurricanes to have the documents in an easy accessible place. Any way there is a letter that is addressed to you my Beneficiary and in it I explain why I chose you.

RAIN - HURRICANE

LET IT RAIN, LET IT RAIN, LET IT RAIN......

So I was hoping to have my first hurricane it does not look like it but hopefully it will bring some relief to the high temperatures.

I rode my bike in to work this morning and had a strong head wind. It took me about 10 min. longer to get here than normal.

I rode last Thursday and when I got home I was so tired and hot I could not figure out why. I sat in front of the air conditioner and was listening to the news and they said the temperature was 95 degrees but with the humidity it felt like 105. No wonder I was tired and felt like I was going to pass out.

Oh well.. More later. I am hoping Edouard will hit closer so that I can go home early. Riding home should be an adventure.

Intersting Phrases

"we can learn to respect one another's boundaries"

What an interesting little phrase! Are boundaries meant to keep us in? or out? What if the boundaries become blurred? What was once acceptable is no longer acceptable! Or wanted! Or needed!

I look at my life and I think of all the boundaries that I have crossed? Was it worth the effort? Was the prize everlasting? Did the ends justify the means? Were the boundaries set by the two of us or just by one? I will allow you in only as long as it makes me feel good! I will allow you just to see a little bit of me but not all of what I am!

"in the future we can avoid further damage to fragile feelings"

Another interesting phrase! Is it better to ignore the ringing of the phone because you know who it is that is calling? If I don't answer the phone they will get the hint that I would prefer not to talk to them! If I don't respond to emails will they understand or know that you are not respecting the boundaries I have set-up?

"We are simply different people, and that leads us to see situations quite differently"

Is this not a good thing? The world would be a very boring place if we all thought and acted the same! Can we not learn from our differences and become a better person?

Just some random thoughts... I think I will go to bed now.

Stay tuned for some more insightful blogging from "SHE WHO HATES TO WRITE"

Corps of Engineers

From an article in the local newspaper"

"Relatively small amounts of water have been leaking from the Lakeview canal levee for a year or longer, despite $24.4 million in repairs by the Army Corps of Engineers since Katrina breached the eastern floodwall in 2005."

Here is a comment posted regarding this article.

"Have they tried Mightyputty? It works on TV, fixes any leak."

I don't know about you but this just made me laugh.

No this is not one of my projects. All of my projects are on the west bank of the Mississippi river. And what I do for the Corp is process modifications etc. for the different contracts.

Just a side note. I think since I have been here almost 5 months I think I can count on my hand the number of days that an article did not appear in the news paper about something that the Corps is doing or is not doing. It kind of makes you careful when you talk to people and thy start asking about where you work. We all kind of have the bullseye on our backs.

Any way I thought you might enjoy a good laugh.

A good laugh.....

A friend sent me this picture the title was " Rare photo: Mexican Navy Seal" I had to laugh. I hope it brings a smile to you as well.

I am working on getting ready for the MS 150. I am excited and a little anxtious because the ride is in Oct. and I feel like I am way behind on training. Oh well.....

I got a new bike! I sold my Felt 80 and purchased another one with the money I received from my other bike. I will post pictures later.

Hard to believe that I have been here for almost 5 months working. So many things to work through and so many things to just let go because they are not worth the effort....

More later.....

New Orleans Police at its Finest

Just a quick post. Take a look at this article and tell me what you think! Just a little background on some of the comments you will read.

1. In the last two weeks a police officer that was going to retire that day chose to ware a police shirt (old) shirt from previous years and was suspended on his last day for his wearing the wrong color of shirt. The shirt was blue and it should have been black. becasue of his suspension he is not allowed to apply to be on the reserve force for the police department.

2. A New Orleans Police Officer was on his way to work crossing the Causway bridge (24 mile bridge) he was late and so another police (Causway Policeman) tried to pull him over and he tried to ram the police officers car and then when he was leaving the scean he hit the Causway Policeman. The police officer that was late was clocked going in excess of 90 MPH on the bridge.

Now this I tell you it makes you wonder about the Police here in the area.

Read and let me know what you would do in this situation and what would you tell the kids that witnessed this?

How long can you survive

My niece had this on her blog check it out it is pretty interesting. It said that I could survive for 599 days. Not to bad thank heavens for food storage and for a wood shop. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Birthday wish

So just a quick post. I thought all day if I should call and wish this person a happy birthday today. I struggled all day with this and decided that I would send a birthday post. I hope you have/had a great day. Birthdays only come once a year except for me because I use to always tell you it was my birthday everyday. I do hope this year brings you all of your desires and wishes.

You are not forgotten just placed in a location in my heart that I at times allow myself to enter and other times I don't dare go there.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY. HARRY POTTER LIVES AND I WILL GO AND SEE THE LAST MOVIE WHEN IT COMES OUT IN YOUR HONOR!

Tagged by Baby Joe and HIs Beutiful wife Jessica

I got tagged by baby Joe and his wife Jessica,

10 years ago I was..... sorry I had a senior moment. Just kidding, 10 years ago I was working at Clinical Innovations full time and going to school full time. I could not pass up the opportunity for Uncle Chris's company paid for my education. I ended up only paying 50% books they paid for the rest! What a great company to work for!

5 things on my to do list today

1. Go on a bike ride. I am trying to get ready for the MS 150 in October. oh wait I did ride this morning on the levee so that is off my list but it was on my list so I am leaving it.
2. Go grocery shopping - Done
3. Take out the garbage - Done
4. Study - Done. Study you might ask what I am studying well I decided to study Thermodynamics. yes a little light gaining of knowledge.
5. Take a shower and go to the Essence Festival.
   

If I were a millionaire I would buy a house and travel more. I would really like to go to Australia.

Places I have lived, Texas, Utah, Florida, Connecticut, California and know the beautiful state of Louisiana NOLA ROCKS!

I tag the following people: Amanda, Johnathan, Boo, Monse and Stephanie

Rules of Tagged - Each player answers the questions themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment letting them know that they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you've posted your answers.

Bike Ride

I rode in to work today. I needed to start getting time on the bike getting ready for the MS-150 in October. I ride from my house in the lower garden district into the 9th ward and then into work. The route takes me through the French Quarter and then along the Mississipi and into the navel base on Poland Street. The route is about 5 miles or so. I need to get a new battery for my odometer to make sure. Anyway it was a good ride I had to carrie all of my stuff in my backpack so I had an additional 15 pounds on my back. It was a good ride. I did not realize how sweaty I was until I got into the building and took off my backpack. I need to bring a bunch of stuff so that I don't have to carry everything in the mornings.

Anyway I got in to work and was looking at the newspaper and this is what I found

"Man murdered in Lower 9th Ward this morning
by Ramon Antonio Vargas, The Times-Picayune
Wednesday June 25, 2008, 6:46 AM
A 48-year-old New Orleans man was found murdered in the Lower 9th Ward this morning, a spokesman for the New Orleans coroner's office said.
Victor Russell appears to have died from gunshot wounds, said John Gagliano, the coroner's chief investigator. Someone found Russell dead the 6300 block of North Rampart Street and alerted police, Gagliano said.
The New Orleans Police Department hasn't released details about the case.
Media reports also indicated that someone coming home from work found Russell dead inside his home.
Court records show Russell had a litany of drug convictions.
He pled guilty in 1989 to possession of crack cocaine and received a one-year hard labor prison sentence in 1990, according to court records.
Six years after receiving that prison sentence, Russell was sentenced to seven years of hard labor in prison after pleading guilty to a possession of crack charge.
In 2004, Russell pled guilty to a possession of cocaine charge, receiving a two-year prison sentence. A judge suspended it and placed him on active probation, court records show.
He was off probation by May 2007, court records show, but police arrested him once more in June 2007, booking him on a possession of crack charge in June 2007.
Russell was awaiting a trial date in that latest charge at the time of his death."

This is right by work it is about 3 blocks away. It is a good thing I am not riding into work between 1:00 - 4:00. I do leave my house at 5:45 a.m. I feel safe but it makes me realize that I need to be vigilant when I do ride. I have friends at work that know that I am riding and so they come by my desk and make sure that I make it okay. If not they come looking.

Life is good and I am loving what I am doing and hope to do well on the MS-150.

Jessie- HAPPY BIRTHDAY 35 IS A GREAT YEAR!

WORK WORK WORK

I had to work on Saturday. It was okay because I only worked for 5 hours.

I am still planning on my emergency evacuation plan and head on up to Atlanta to see Nessa and Kevin and family on the 4th of July weekend. I am excited just to get out of NOLA.

I am going to see a comedian on Saturday Night. I don't remember who he is but I am scheduled to go with some friends on Saturday.

Well sorry this is so boring but oh well. Life is good and I am continuing to train for my MS 150. Thanks to IGES, Ingenieros, Michelle, and Wadsworth family for your support on the MS ride. I really appreciate you guys.

Later much, maybe I will write some more later.....

GOOD NEWS FOR BRIANNA AND KENNETH

GOOD NEWS.......
So life in New Orleans continues. It is crazy to think that I have already been here for 114 days. Yes I counted the days. 114 days in New Orleans area. I actually left Salt Lake 116 days ago. I recall the ride here and I was just glad when I finally arrived after 30 hours in the car I was just glad to not have to drive more than short distances.

SO YOU SAY WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS!

Well today I heard that Brianna my friend was back with her husband. Believe it or not that makes me really, really happy. I have prayed that she would find peace with what ever decision she made in regards to her marriage to Kenneth. I have prayed that she would find joy in her life and always know that a kind and loving Heavenly Father loves her and would always be there to support her and help her in her decisions. For I know that she is one of our Heavenly Fathers choice daughters sent to this earth to teach me and help me through some difficult times. I know that he has heard my prayers.

Together we learned about the elephants in South Africa.
I love that you love to learn!

You impressed me by showing me that you loved my parents.
You wanted to learn how to make tortilla's! You bring JOY to my heart
when I see this picture!

Kenneth you will forever be one of my mom's favored son's.
My mom and dad enjoyed you coming to learn with Brianna.
Together you learned! That made me HAPPY!

I saw the love you had for the scriptures and you
taught me to love them even more than I had before.
I loved it when you would read to me before we went
to bed every time we were together
for YW in the Richards Ward.

PEACE BE STILL and know that a loving Heavenly Father
loves to hear from us in pray and he listens to us.
DO WE LISTEN TO HIS ANSWERS TO OUR PRAYERS?

I love this picture because it brought me peace
to know that you were both happy!
I longed to have what you had with somebody
that was out there that would love me unconditionally.

There is beauty everywhere if we but look!

Brianna, aim for that which is best!
Know that a GOD will always be with you!

Return with Honor and with the one you love.
For GOD saved you for this the eleventh hour!

Two became one and with GOD nothing is impossible.
Find your way back to each other! For there is joy in what is
bound on earth!

DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE?

Walk with me MY FRIEND!

The road is long and at times lonely but we are never alone!

A day on temple grounds will always have
a special place in my heart!

I wanted to make you something with my own hands!
I loved the time I spent on this project for with every hour
I spent on it I found peace in knowing that it was a gift of love for a friend!

The smile on your face was so worth the effort!

Find your way back together and remember
to have GOD in your partnership for with him nothing
is impossible and with him all things are made better!

I love you BOTH! Brianna as my friend and sister,
you who allowed me to cry and feel peace in your presence.
Kenneth as my little brother for I wish you the best in life!
SOME DAY WE WILL EACH FIND PEACE IN EACH OTHERS COMPANY!

Strive to return to the house of the LORD and know
that he loves all of us and is only waiting for us to ask
him our questions. He will answer prayers for
he has answered mine!

The sun rises and sets and and I shall see you in
GOD's time not mine!

I have prayed that my will, wants and desires in regards to Brianna and Kenneth would be malleable to my Heavenly Fathers will, in regards to this friendship that I long to have. I still continue to pray for Brianna and I pray that I will see here someday HAPPY AND CONTENT. I have seen her in my dream, happy and content, a dream in which we shared the joy of friendship and the knowledge that we care for each other.

I commend you all for reading the whole post! I know it is long but it was something that I needed to do!

Okay so this incident happened yesterday around 5:00 p.m. it is a lot of traffic at the time but I about died laughing when I read this:

"The driver appears to be 16 years old and the passenger 14, according to preliminary information, said Officer Garry Flot, a spokesman for the department. Both will be charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, flight from police officers and possession of marijuana. The driver also will be booked with numerous traffic violations and aggravated flight from police officers, Flot said.

"I was stopped on Poydras waiting for the light, when I heard a loud boom -- like a lightning bolt. Their car smashed into a maroon Hummer waiting at the light (on Poydras at St. Charles). It had been bouncing off cars, hitting one after another as it sped down Poydras (headed toward the river)," said Doug Salzer, one of the many motorists who watched as the Hummer and Trailblazer then slid to the other side of the intersection and caught fire.

As the "two young men" bolted from the Trailblazer to make a run for it, said Salzer, one was delayed because "his pants fell down to his ankles and he had to pull them up before he ran."

So much for a fashion statement.

I laughed and laughed and laughed. I hope it makes you laugh as well.

I will post more later

Rainy Day's and Sunday

So I woke up today thinking of my dad so I gave him a call. He asked how things were going and how the weather was. I told him it had rained some yesterday and that I had heard it raining in the night. He asked how the roads were I told him they were fine. Well I think I should have looked out my door before saying that. The roads around my house were rivers. The water was up to mid wheels on my car. I got ready to go to church and had to go through the river. The water was just above my head lights. It was crazy. When I walked out of my house I crossed the road to get to my car, the water was up to my knees. This picture is from across the street from the church. Luckily when church ended the roads were again passable and I was able to make it home. Oh by the way the first thing on my list to buy tomorrow or the next chance I get is an umbrella.





This is a link to an article about the thunderstorm.
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/06/rain_flood_new_orleans_streets.html

By the way happy fathers day to all of you out there.

Bikes, Treadmills and other equipment

Michelle thanks for the suggestion of a movie chocolate and soft pillows. This had to do. I have no couch or comfortable chair but I did have a camping chair and an exercise ball to prop my feet up for my AA day (Attitude Adjustment), it worked and I felt much better today and was able to wake up and conquer the World!




I have converted my front room to a home gym. I purchased a treadmill and got an indoor trainer for my bike. Why you ask would I do such a thing at my house. I have committed to ride the 150 mile for MS here in Louisiana. It is over a two day period 75 miles on way and 75 miles back only a different route in October. So I have commited to get myself ready. I need sponsors so I am asking you all that read this blog to go to the following http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=5113220&pg=personal&fr_id=9300 and support me I would like to raise as much as possible. Please help.

So what else is happening:

• Went to the Temple on Friday. Was nearly in an accident. The truck in front of me started fish tailing and hit the car next to him and and almost went over the embankment into lake Ponchartrain. I finally made it safe to the temple.

• Temple: did not make it to endowment session. I learned that you have to call and make an appointment. Oh well. The temple workers were kind enough to hold a special sealing session and the six of us on the waiting list were able to do sealings.

• Work: life is good. I am getting more and more comfortable and in what I am doing. I went out and met with one of the contractors today and had a good fact finding meeting regarding the contract and the modifications I am working on.

Well that is enough for now. Please support me if you can for my fund raising for the MS ride.

Evacuation Plan

So hurricane season begins June 1. I have decided that my evacuation plan will be to head up to Atlanta and camp out at Kevin and Vanessa's house. I talked to Vanessa tonight and she said that would be fine and that I could even stay as long as I needed to. I am going to do a dry run, hopefully nothing will happen between now and July 4th weekend. I am going to make a driving trip up on the 3rd and ensure I know the route etc. It will be fun weekend to say the least.

I get my treadmill on Wednesday and so I have been rearranging my living room. I have taken down all the pictures that I have up and will replace with the pictures that I get from you all. Thanks Vanessa, Allison and hopefully Jane's soon. I am still waiting to hear from the rest of you.

I am going tomorrow to a craw fish boil. At work we have a lot of people that work with us but they actually are hired through contractors so they are not Corps employees. Anyway there are about 5 of them in my area that I eat lunch with etc. The company they work for is having their summer party and so I was invited to go with them. It will be fun and hot only 90° and maybe only 75% humidity. It will be a lot of fun.

LIFE IS GOOD!

Daily Life

I did it I did it. I finished my self evaluation today. It only took two days like Brook said. I don't have to worry about it until Sept 30 when the pay evaluation is due. I am just glad that is done.

I booked my ticket today for going home for Christmas. I figured I would take care of this now or the prices are more than likely to go up because of gas prices etc. I come to SLC on Dec 23 and come back home to NOLA Jan 1.

Today has been a good day. I went to work and felt like I was very productive once I finished with my evaluation I was able to address the projects that have been on my desk since I had left on my vacation.

I came home and took a nap. I was tired and I went after work to the bank and run some errands and then when I got home my bed looked to inviting so I took a little power nap, is a 1 and 1/2 hour nap considered a power nap? Well it was good to sleep. I got up and removed all of the items from 3 of the shelves from the book case that has to be moved to make room for the treadmill. I only have 2 more shelves to go. It is going to look so nice.

I am still waiting for pictures from you all I only got pictures from Vanessa, thanks Nessa. Please send me some as soon as you can.

Well that is all for day Sleep well

Hurricane Season

FYI let the madness begin. The season starts June 1 I guess the first one can't wait to be noticed.

Training

So I got my Income Tax refund and I had told myself that I was going to use that to buy my treadmill. So guess what I just did. Yes I have ordered and paid for my new piece of equipment. I am excited, it gets here in 7 to 10 days. Does that mean I don't exercise until then? :-) just kidding. I need to make room in my exercise area.

I failed to mention that yesterday at my Branch activity I was out grilling hamburgers and hot dogs in 91 degrees and 85% humidity.... It was so hot I was very dehydrated when I got home.

Work was spent today doing my self evaluation. I hate self evaluations. Oh well I guess I just need to work my way through the process. Brook, my team leader, came and talked to me this morning on the status of some of my projects and said that everything had to wait until I got my evaluation done. He told me it would take about 2 days to complete. I thought no it should not take that long to do the evaluation. Well I spent about 6 hours on it today and am still not even close to finishing. I need to have it done by Thursday so I am giving myself the dead line of tomorrow.

Michelle thanks for helping me with the link and how to do them.

That all for now I am off to the next task.

New Beginning

It was a good trip to Utah. I had fun and was glad to spend time with the family. My trip to DC for Kevin's graduation was quick and fun as well. I would like to go back to DC and see some more of the sites. What I did see was awesome.

I left Utah on Sunday and flew home. What is home.... New Orleans is now my home and it will be a good home for the time being. I was reading the Ensign on the way home and I came across the following from President Eyring "The thought and the hope that I can have eternal relationships carries me through the trials of separation and the loneliness which are part of mortal existence." as I thought of this I was reminded of what Michelle wrote in her blog. I in essence have done that by coming down to New Orleans. I have come to work in a place where no one nows me. I have a chance to recreate who I am and what I want to become.

My how things change. I thought my life was golden and things were going well at work with Caro Bri. How wrong I was. My life changed and it brought me here to New Orleans. I have a good job working with the Corps and I will continue in my company but it is now call Caro Nikele.

Goals here are three of my goals

1. I will begin my exercise program to feel good about myself. I will do it so that I can feel good about what it is that I have to offer. I am worthy to be loved unconditionally.

2. I will write daily about my thoughts and feeling and not be embarrassed of what I write. I will write for me. Not in hopes that others will read but to ease my burden of what I am feeling and know that I am worthy to be on this earth and enjoy that which it has to offer.

3. I will live my daily life in a manner that I will be pleased with what has occurred in that day. All that I do will be to the best of my ability and I will have the knowledge that it will be good in the sight of my GOD. I will trust in the inner compass that I have that will allow me to do things morally and ethically correct.

Sorry just some random thoughts for today.

Comming Home

Okay so call me a slacker. What can I say. I have been trying to get ready for my trip home and working extra hours so that I don't have to use any of my annual leave for my trip. I am very excited to come home. I have a few things that I would like to be sure and do while I am home.

1. Go eat sushi/Japanese food. I spoke to Allison and she will make reservations at the place she always goes to. You all just need to call her and let her know if you are coming so she can reserve the room etc. I thought it would be fun to have a girls night out. It will be on Thursday May 22 at about 6:00 ish. I sure would like to see as many of you as possible, Dusty, Jessica, Sylvia, Michelle, Areli, Kathleen, Shelly, Jennifer, Jessica (baby Joel's wife), Boo, and any one else that would like to join us . Jane, Chach, Isa, Sherilynn, Mary, Stephanie, Brianna, Kim and all others.

2. Get my hair done. Sylvia can you let me know when you are available so that I can get my mop addressed. You will be shocked at how it looks. I guess I am going to have to break down and find a hairdresser here because I don't think I can go 7 months before my next hair appointment unless of course you or Brianna want to come out and take care or my hair. I would consider sending plane tickets to get either one of you out here to take on the task. As you can see I am not planning another trip home until Christmas time if all goes well.

3. I have set up an eye appointment with Dr. Alldredge. I need to have my eyes checked and my prescription for my glasses adjusted. I am hoping to get into contacts if at all possible. I have my appointment on Tuesday May 20 in the morning so that morning I can't play.

4. I have a wedding to attend on Saturday May 24 so that day is pretty much taken care of I can spend time with the Family then.

I think those are the only things that I have scheduled so far. I am free for lunch and stuff all of the other days.

I will be flying home on Sunday May 25 in the afternoon. I figured I would need a day to relax from my vacation before going back to work on May 27. I am really excited to come home and see as many of my family and friends as possible.

Family and Friends

Calling for pictures from all family and friends please send me pictures of yourself, your family and your friends (okay only of your friends that i know). I need them as soon as you can. My email address is nancy@caronikele.com please send them in jpeg or in cs2 or photo shop. I do not have CS3 so please format in something I can use. Thanking you all in advance. Let me know if you have any questions.......? I will certainly try and answer them.

Jacksonville Florida

I took a water taxi from the hotel I was at to Jacksonville Landing. It was kind of fun.















Sushi















Do you like the picture of my new boat? actually this was taken from the land side of Jacksonville landing. I was having sushi and this came driving by while I was having dinner. Oh and for all of you that are interested in woodwork. Guess what class I have signed up for? Yes I am going to take a wooden boat building class. This is a description of the class "Wooden Boat Building – To help preserve the centuries old wooden boat building tradition of Louisiana , the Museum offers classes that allow interested skippers - mostly novices with no experience - to build their own wooden boats, under the supervision of a master boat builder. Over 75 boats, from pirogues to 20-foot lake skiffs, have been started since we began offering these relatively inexpensive 12-week courses three years ago, and we have a waiting list of future classes. The Museum also holds its annual tribute to these graceful vessels – old and new - when it hosts the annual Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival each October. Scores of classic wooden boats, hundreds of other watercraft, and thirty thousand or more visitors attend this extremely popular event each year.

Can I Just say that I am just totally excited. Brothers get ready to see an awesome looking project.




So the door won! I was walking out of the hotel room and got my finger caught between the safety lock and the door. Oh well what can I say!

Jacksonville has been a great time. I have learned a lot in the class. I will be glad to go home and sleep in my own bed. When I first got here the memory of living in a hotel room came flooding back.

I got a call from my friend at work today and told me that my bikes had arrived. I am excited, another coworker has told me he will help me assemble the bikes so I can start training on the levees.

Well friends and family. I am living my life and having a great time. I love where I am living and the opportunity that I have traveling for work. I am excited to see some of you, as many of you as I can when I come home in May.

Jacksonville Florida

Today was travel day. I left this morning and got to Jacksonville Florida. I am here for a week of class. Oh well somebody had to go. I just got here and I am starving I am going to head out and try a place to eat.

I hope the Fiesta for Andrew and Trisha went well. I can not wait to see photo's etc. I will be heading to Utah on the 15th of May but I will be flying out to DC on the 16th I will be back in town on 19th and will be in SLC until Sunday so I have time to visit with Family and Friends. Set your appointments up Hector, Hiram, Isa, Sam and all others as well :-) Allison Sushi sounds good to me you just tell me the time and location.

My hair needs attention to all you stylist in the area that are willing to tackle the job :-)it is long and out of control.

Well I am hungary and I am getting a headache so I am off to find food and will write more later.

Birthday

Today is my big day. It is my Birthday so here are 47 things about me that I will share with you all.

1. My middle name is the same as my maternal grandmothers 1st name.
2. I love to make things with my hands mostly woodwork things. My favorite project was a table I made for a friend for Christmas.
3. My favorite candy bar is “Big Hunk” which by the way they do not have in New Orleans. So sad :-)
4. I will eat a “Milky Way” but well Milky Way just has a whole other meaning for me
5. I love sugar cookies and I finally learned how to make them in the last two years. It was a great recipe and I had a great teacher. Currently my neighbors and coworkers love them the best of all the baking I have done thus far in this place called NOLA.
6. I am the 12th child of 12 that my mother and dad had. Yes same father and same mother.
7. I have 33 nieces and nephews between the age of 9 (Nick or are you ten?) and 35 Allison (which will be 36 one month from now).
8. I have 40 great nieces and nephews between the age of 15 (Whitney I think will be 15 or is it sixteen, boy Allison and John you are getting old) to new born (Breezy).
9. I also love to do cross stitch, I know Mila I am behind on the angels but someday I will finish the rest. Two are done and two are almost complete that leaves 3 more to go I think there were only 7 but I don’t remember. After all I am getting old and can claim a senior moment.
10. I love to sew; quilts, my sister Mila and my Mom have been very patient in trying to teach me.
11. I love to go with my oldest sister Chach and buy Carmel Apples and I love when she goes with me to pick up Sushi. She hates sushi but she will go with me to pick it up when I lived in Salt Lake, she would even sit at the kitchen counter and watch me eat sushi.
12. I loved when I made the little wood benches for my sister Isa and her new Store “The Purple Cow”.
13. I love my brothers, Sam, Ed, Joe, Hector and of course the baby boy Hiram.
14. I love that Hiram takes good care of his favorite little sister. OH wait I am his only little sister . I guess he has no choice.
15. I love that I can call Hector and invite myself to dinner at any time. I also love that his wonderful wife lets me come and eat at any time.
16. I love that Sam and I had an opportunity to take woodshop class together. Although the wood shop instructors always tell me that I am a much better woodworker than my brother. But you should see some of the things he has built he is incredible and I love that he always was willing to share his woodshop table with me. 
17. I love that Joe did not disown me when I put a huge dent in his truck when I moved recently. He is a good brother that has a huge heart and is willing to forgive his little sister for all my mess ups.
18. I love that Ed takes the time to visit my parents and for what he does for them.
19. I love to cook but at times it is very hard to cook for one.
20. I love that my mom and dad always told me that I could do anything and become anything I wanted to do when I grew up.
21. I love that I am my Tia Naela’s favorite, sorry guys but you all know it is true.
22. Did I mention that I love my brother Hiram? He has been such a great example for me and he has helped me through some tough times. And he has also introduced me to the world of bikes. I am joining a team, coworkers that ride the levees here in NOLA. I am hoping to ride in the 100 miler for his company.
23. I took a line dancing class, here at NOLA. A Mexican with no rhythm is getting maybe just a little groove.
24. I love walks in the park with a good friend.
25. I love the wii, Nick get ready because I am getting really good at bowling and at boxing, you are going down when I see you in May 
26. I love that when I call Hiram and Jane’s house Zach always answers the phone. Hiram and Jane I really hope you pay him good for his services.
27. My favorite food is a Hamburger. I can eat hamburgers every night.
28. I ate fantastic home made manicotti that a friend made for me with a great salad and of course we had dessert first because we took the youth in our ward to do Baptisms and were treated by the bishopric for ice cream at Baskin Robins. I think Home Made Manicotti is my second favorite food.
29. I am not much of a vegetable eater. Hector’s family can attest to this. Although I do like asparagus but not broccoli and cauliflower so much.
30. I had my first taste of crawfish and I like this new food.
31. I love photography; I am hoping that when I grow up I will get a camera just like my nephews (Pere’s). I love the cannon rebel.
32. I love that I only have to list 15 more things about myself to reach 47.
33. I love my new Branch. The New Orleans 1st Branch rocks. They have taken me in and have welcomed me into the little Branch.
34. I love that I am almost done unpacking from my latest move. I only have 7 more boxes to open.
35. I love to read. So if you have a book for me to read let me know.
36. I have never seen the movie “Forrest Gump” and I hope I never will.
37. I read all of the Harry Potter books last summer for the first time. I never thought I would read them but a friend convinced me to start them. Good books.
38. I love my job at the US Army Corps of Engineers. I love construction and see things being built.
39. I love to read all of my nieces and nephews blogs. Although some of you are slacking and if you don’t change them soon I am going to stop visiting your sites.
40. I love robotics and some day I am going to build a robot.
41. I hate housework but I love to work in the yard and garden
42. I love my mom and dad. They are the best people I know. They are loving and kind to all they meet.
43. I love that I have 8 living siblings that spoil me rotten and I know that I am their favorite little sister.
44. I love that I am currently living in New Orleans.
45. I love my Sunday routine of going to church, coming home and having a big breakfast, taking a nap, going for a walk and then come home and bake goodies.
46. I love that I am a member of “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints”
47. I love that I have a sure testimony that my Heavenly Father loves me and he knows me by name and that he does answer prayers. He is mindful of my needs wants and desires and he has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams.


I hope you all have a great day.

UTAH IS A WHITE STATE.....

So I get to work today bright and early 6:00 a.m. I am tring to make up time so when I come home in May I am not using any of my annual leave. Anyway back to the topic of why I am writing this from work. I get to the office and we have a person that visits our office once a month to just talk about issues if we have any. Kind of like a free shrink if you need to vent etc. So anyway I am at my desk working away and she comes over and sits at the chair by my desks and introduces her self etc. she asked me where I was from I told her I was born in Mexico but that I was raised in Utah. The next thing out of her mouth is "UTAH IS A PRETTY WHITE STATE!" I just kind of looked at her and she proceeded to say that she had been to Utah once for a wedding and felt very out of place because she was the only minority there. I just sat there stunned. I told her I had never had a problem or ever felt out of place no matter what state of the country I was at.

So Family and Friends what experiences have you had living in a white world and being maybe just a little brown or in some of our cases a lot of brown. CAN WE NOT JUST LOOK AT THE OUTWARD AND LOOK AT WHAT WE ALL HAVE TO OFFER FROM WITHIN. After all we all do bleed red don't we?

It reminded me of the time I got pink slipped out of Chemistry class in high school to go visit my Chicano counciler who informed me that if I ever was not prepared for a chemistry test he could always get me excused because after all I was the only Mexican in the class... As you all know my favorite thing to be called is CHICANO....NOT

Activities and some stuff

Just a few highlights of the past week,



I am back to baking on Sunday afternoons. My neighbors and my coworkers seem to like and enjoy the fruits of my labors. It does keep me out of trouble and by giving away the goods the temptation to eat them all by myself is gone....






I was out inspecting the levee system from the Bonne Carrie Spillway up to Baton Rough, 110 miles of levee system, when a coworker called to see if I was interested in going to the Hornets Playoff game. It was so much fun I really had a lot of fun.




I went to V-Day in hopes of seeing Oprah. It was good overall but I think I could have done with not hearing a couple of the monologues. Oprah was supposed to be there but at the end they announced that she was ill and unable to attend. It was a disappointment because I basically wanted to see her but oh well. It was a good evening of entertainment. I guess I am still into plan B of going up to see John and Karoyln when they move up to Chicago… do I have any takers to join me?



Levee inspection continues, the flood watch continues and thus it makes for very long days. When I go on Flood Fight (levee Inspection) it takes any where from 12-18 hour days. It is good only because I am trying to earn time so that when I go home in May I will not have to use any of my annual leave it will be good to go home.




I took some pictures of our levee inspection. Any day out in the field is a better day than a great day in the office. This was taken in the morning at the beginning of our inspection day it was about 6:30. The mighty Mississippi River can be very impressive. God has created a beautiful world for us to live in and enjoy.



This was taken about 1/2 way through our inspection it is a Church property, I think it is Jesuit but I was not sure. I just thought it was an awesome view with the trees and the manicured lawn.






The story goes that this is Patches house. This is a house that when the levee system was built was on the flood side of the levee. The owner was an older gentleman that was self sufficient. He lived off of what he could hunt and fish. When Katina was baring down on the area he did evacuate. He returned to his home and lived out the remainder of his life. He died shortly after returning but the story goes that this man was an incredible man he lived off the land. I thought it was a pretty cool house out on the Mississippi River it reminds me of Tom Sawyer.

Not to interesting of a post but I am just tired. More later.