Summer 2006 Trips

So it started on July 10th, Sarasota, FL. It has been some crazy weeks. Fun though. SJ brought me to the airport and we had coffee at 6am before catching the plane. I'm grateful for how much she helps me out. She's so funny and it definitely makes me smile when I think about her. Flight was rather boring and it was definitely interesting when I had to board a flight that I actually had to duck down low as I find my seat. (Needless to say, it's not a very common problem for me). This would mark the start of my summer training venture to interesting places in the US. I can't complain because I'm actually grateful to my company for investing so much into me. By the end of this blog you will find some interesting stats about my expense account.
Sarasota welcomed me with an interesting gesture....a marine tank filled with baby sharks. I couldn't pass it up but took some pics of it because I thought about SJ with her baby shark obsession. National Rental decided to be funny and gave me a friggin' purple chevy. What the heck???? That honestly messed up my roll. I was experiencing identity crisis. But I couldn't let that ruin the rest of my trip so whatever. The hotel was by the beach. It has a pretty cool view but I wasn't that all amazed by the condition of it.

Lido beach is a small beach community that caters to millionairs who have bad taste in fashion. However, I have to admit I did purchase a pair of sunglasses that cost me 300 green bucks. I couldn't passed it up because I needed a pair of sunglasses and the lady was kind enough to show me every pair of prada and bvlgari that she had...that would suit me.
The class was decent. Everything an inspiring engineer needs to know about Steam Turbines and Generators. I won't bother to put details here as it would definitely cause you to quit reading right here.

The night life: one would think that being a beach town in FL, many happenings could be found....I'd rather spent my nights in the hotel room if it wasn't for Donald who wants some company as he puts down 6 packs. I would have to say that there were many incidents where I met and chat with a couple of girls but it was just weird. There was Christy, Megan, Lindsay, and Michelle. All at different places and times but I guess it just didn't feel right continuing any long term relationships with them.



July 14th, 2006 - Head over to ATL to meet up with Josh and Tara. It was a good time as I got to meet up with Andy, Steen, Matt and Chelsea.
Spent Saturday night with Josh's best friend in his bachelor party. Don't worry, we split right after dinner before any typical bachelor party activities started. Had a good afternoon spent with Josh's parents.





July 16th, 2006 - Board the plane and flew to Milwaukee. Luggage was overweight so I had to cough up 25 bucks for the extra pounds, a mere 4.5lbs. That sucked. What sucked even more is when I got there at 10pm and discovered that they lost my luggage. So here I was, tired and nasty, spent the rest of the night without any change of clothes. My luggage decided to show up the next evening. I was grateful although it was just weird to have on the same change of clothes 2 days in a row. Class was a bore. By now, I had enough of Ray, our instructor. He's a roughneck and a half. Very knowledgable though. This is part 2 of turbine class. The best part of the trip is hanging out with the guys from work. I can't say they are exactly the type of people I will hang out with every weekend, but they sure were entertaining.



The last night in Milwaukee was cool as I got to go to an annual Italian fest and catch a reggae band playing at a local hang out spot later that night.

July 21st, 2006 - Packed up and decided to grab lunch before heading to the airport. "Simple lunch will do", I thought to myself. Although I hated the food in the hotel's restaurant, it would have to do for that day. But to my surprise, 3 of the patrons were the girls that we had met in the hotel lobby the last couple of nights. (met=hello goodbye). After much cool composure and exchange of smile, I had to go but decided to bless one of them and paid for her meal without her knowledge. So I left Milwaukee with that hanging in mid air because I don't think she even knew my name or anything else but the fact that I just paid for her lunch and we will never meet again...silly as I laughed at myself but I think it made her day regardless. So I headed to the airport with glee until I saw the plane I had to board to take me to my next stop.


9:00pm Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Sooner state. It was so good to see Steve and Kimber. Steve used to lead worship at our church and left for Taiwan as a missionary. They just had a kid. Ethan. Adorable. Kimber's gift is definitely hospitality. It's always such a blessing to visit with the Morrows.
I was able to visit the church that he was trying to get a job with. Definitely the city with the most beautiful God-loving girls, not that it has anything relevant but just a point that stood out. I guess it is the buckle of the bible belt.
I gave my presentation. It was a disaster because I choked. I was the 3rd speaker and the phone that kept vibrating on my side did not help either! But after that it was a breeze to sit through everybody elses' presentation. Ofcourse I was excited because I knew I was going to see Heather that night. It was a long drive down to Denton, TX but it sure was worth it. I missed her. She definitely has grown a lot and it was interesting to see how well she carried some matured conversation. Her roomate Jenn came with us along with her bf to the japanese steakhouse for dinner. Jenn is a cute little girl with a good
taste in her clothes. Heather has a keen sense of style that exerts enough energy to invite you to talk to her but yet maintaining her posture as a godly lady. hmm...was I trying too hard to come out with the last sentense or did it just come out like it sounded good?

Spent the last night with the Morrow brothers and we hung out at this cool little campus bar and cafe called 7:27. I absolutely love the theme of industrial stainless steel furnishing the rest of the cafe.

July 26th, 2006. Woke up late and missed my flight. That was just dumb. But I managed to purchase another ticket from Southwest. When I got to the counter, the lady with a puzzled look on her face asked..."sonny, are you lost?"
"no maam" I answer.
"I just need to purchase a ticket"
"How old are you? You have to be 16 to fly, sonny"
"(dead silence dagger piercing stare with dropped jaw)maam, I'm 25"

Nevertheless, I got my ticket eventually and headed back to New Orleans. SJ came and picked me up. It was very sweet of her but she got lost and was not able to wait for me. Instead I had to get her out of her lostness. Aw. I miss her. Home sweet home.