Thursday, February 28, 2013

Road Trips

Lately I have been quite busy, granted it may be my own fault. I have been going back and forth to Grand Rapids a lot. The first reason a great friend lives there. The second reason I love the city. Third reason even on the most boring days it beats sitting at home.

Calculated average takes me about 3 hours to get to GR. That may be a fourth reason I go, I honestly love the drive. Living at home with parents and siblings (past) there is a moment you recognize, "why does it seem I'm never alone." With a busy, active household alone time is a precious gem.

So, 3 hours driving in a car without anyone is kind of my own utopia. I get to play my music as loud as I want, I can sing along with every song without embarrassment and I can even talk to myself without the fear of someone hearing me and commenting on my mental stability. (Save yourself from trying to convince me that you haven't talked to yourself)
So I look forward to my roadtrip.
In addition, I am a music listener when I drive. If the radio is not on it drives me nuts. So when I ride with others and they want to talk and turn down the music, I get so antsy.

I'm 100% stubborn and set in my ways.

Lately, I think I enjoy getting out of my hometown due to my job as well. I work as the Senior Sales Executive at my hometown newspaper. Being it is a small town, news travels fast especially working there. So all week I hear about the town drama and being that my job is advertising I go to several local businesses weekly and am constantly working with the community.

I honestly love my hometown, I appreciate the business owners and like working with them. My downfall is when you have already ate at every restuarant in town during the week on lunch breaks, it becomes more of a routine rather than a weekend outing. And to go to the closes city with a mall or different restaurants is an hour drive to get there. So in a round trip I'm already spending 2 hours on the road. What's another hour?

Road trips are a whole different level when traveling with others. The first thing is an intial level of excitement and chatter. Then comes the hungry phase everyone's gotta eat. Then comes the passive quiet phase. Did I mention this all happens within the first hour. So then what do you do? Well, I chose to blog (as in currently on my roadtrip.)
Some play the license plate game, trying to find as many different state plates. When I was younger we would play the alphabet game, which is mainly seeing who can find all the letters in the alphabet first either in license plates, billboards or other road signs.
Fortunately, this car trip is just a short one without any border crossing. The rest of the trip will be an air trip.

This being my first time flying I have already created a thousand different scenarios of what may happen on the flight. I am sure a blog will follow describing my perspective as a first time flyer.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Novel Fantasy Brought to Life

  Frequently, I get wrapped up in book or movie series that mainly focus on fantasy. There are reasons I enjoy stories with vampires, wizards and time lords, because they simply are not real.
  I could watch/read a story focusing on a real life drama about working individuals struggling to survive day to day routines, romances or sicknesses. But why? Life is already stressful, why dwell on that in my free time.
  So I opt to watch/read a fantasy about a sparkling vampire, a witty doctor who time travels and school of extraordinary wizards. I love the idea that there "could be" something so out of this world for these characters to join forces to fight off the evil Lord Voldermort or the Volturi. In Dr. Who's case fighting off everything that could ever be thought possible (really, people with pig heads? Concrete angels coming to life and who really is Boa and why is his enormous face in a tank?).

               .                      Harry Potter

  I began reading Harry Potter when I was in 7th grade. The series grew with my generation a franchise of 7 amazing novels by JK Rowling followed by 8 outstanding films. As I got older I followed the series reading the books as they were released and visiting theatres as the books came to life. The best thing was the series came out with releases being apart by a year and the stories each covered a year of Harry's life. Making my generation literally growing up and reading his first adventures at young ages such as 10 or 11 then finishing the series at ages of 17 or 18 with the main character.
  There was something exciting about knowing one of the new books was going to be on the shelves at midnight and begging my parents to take me to the releases of the new book and of course needing them to buy the novels as well. Waiting in long lines late at night with other crazed fans. Then spending the entire day reading the story because it is so good you can't put the book down. Then the movies began to release about 1 every year and the adventures heightend again seeing commercial previews weeks before. Going with friends and parents to midnight showings in theaters then afterward waiting a few monthes for the DVD release at midnight to get the chance to watch the movie yet again. The series took so long that the first 3 movies I own on VHS then rebought on DVDs and the last movie I own is on bluray.

            .                                Twilight

  The love story of an ordinary human falling in love with the most handsome vampire and his family of animal diet blood drinkers. Is another that created a whirlwind of excitement in the last few years.
  For Twilight I did not know about the books or story until after watching the first movie in theaters and falling in love with the storyline. When I first found out the movie was based on a novel I had to get the book and read. That same weekend I bought, read and finished the first book to the Twilight Saga. I was captivated to read the rest and also go back to the theater and rewatch the movie in a new view of how these characters were portrayed from book to film.
  The series captivated my interest from buying the entire series, movie posters and once again going to midnight movie premieres as the series progressed.
  Maybe it isn't just the thought of a fantasy movie or book that excites me but the thought of a series that can and will possibly hold my interest for 9 years or even just 3 years, rather than a 2 hour movie when after it is finished, that's it and if they do create a sequel we all know they are usually terrible.
  Several other shows such as Vampire Diaries hold the same appreciation due to the series being drawn out week after week waiting for the new episode.
  Simply, I love the anticipation of knowing more is to come and wondering throughout the week, month or year what's coming next.
  If you can find a 2 hour movie that can hold that long term dedication I will definitely be willing to watch the movie or read the book.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Say Vacation

  For the first time I am going on a vacation that is going to be several first time experiences. First, I am going to be flying to Florida. I have never flown, ever. All I can say is I am beyond nervous. Second, I am going on a trip with my best friend, that is not school related or family related. Third, I am going on a trip for an entire week with nothing but the intentions to have a blast and relax, no schedules.
This is going to be a blast though. I love the people I am going with and I know it is going to be anything but stress.
Things that I am excited about, I have heard that you can hear dolphins from the backyard in the channel of the house we rented. Another thing is I am greatful for warm weather, I am sick and tired of being cold here in Michigan.
All in all I believe the trip is going to be excellent.... As long as I don't get sick on the flight.

Family Time

Time for family time.

Sometimes this can become a stressful thing. There are always those moments when you visit family you are not used to conversing with when they ask that dreadful question.

"Do you remember me?"
normal response "Well ya, how are you?"
Truth "Um No!"
Then they proceed to explain how young I was the last time they saw me.

I never want to hurt any feelings or disappoint the parents. But I just need to spill the truth.

Truth is.... I don't remember your name, it isn't because I don't want to remember, or that I am so rude to take the time to remember, but I would like to clarify one simple thing. I have over 70 first cousins on my dads side of the family alone. So once we break down to 2nd and 3rds it just goes down hill from there.  Too many faces. So I am sorry.

But being as tho I am a nice person and wouldn't ever want to be rude I will continue to smile and nod like an idiot at family events.

So sometimes I become shocked at people who know me through my parents. I wish my memories were clearer of all the people I have encountered.

Recently, an old family friend came into my workplace and asked me if I was my parents daughter, when I said yes then she actually said "you look just like your father." Still trying to decide if that's a good thing, being I am a girl and he is a boy. I found this encounter interesting and neat that she knew and remembered me and the fact that I look so much like my dad (apparently) that she could tell from 5 minutes around me is just fascinating.

But, growing up in a small town with a lot of family around the area my entire life and knowing so many people in the community is truly a good thing.

Bucket List

  The common phrase of "kicking the bucket" came across my mind recently, making me think of what are some things that I really want to accomplish in my life. So here it goes.

1. Go underwater in a shark cage to see sharks up close. (yup, no joke. Sharks are my favorite aquatic animal. I have even visited the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga twice in the past 4 years to see sharks.)

2. Travel to another country that is not attached to the United States.

3. Fly in an Airplane. (This has been on my list for several years and will soon be accomplished on an upcoming trip)

4. Attend a concert for a professional musician.

5. Visit New York!

6. Go to Chicago.

7. Drive across the Mackinac Bridge (My parents took me when I was very little but I don't remember it)

8. Paintball fight with friends and family.

9. See a Dolphin.

10. Go Jet Skiing

11. Ice Fish

12. Fly in a helicopter

13. Go whale watching.

14. Donate 10 gallons of blood (Just passed 3 gallons!)

15. Ride in a Hot Air Balloon


Recently Accomplished:
Walk on an ice covered lake (Recently accomplished)
Visit an Aquarium
Go to a Zoo
Ride in a speedboat
Go Camping

That is all I have for now. There is no doubt that I am forgetting something major that I have always wanted to do.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Moments

I know right now in this precise moment what I live for. I live for being the best I can be in every situation that I come across. I want to be remembered for not the ego but the time spent loving and caring for the people that enter my life and the actions of positive that I try so hard to influence in others lives. There are many people that have crossed my life path making me who I am for life. Every moment has made me know without a doubt that I walked my path without any regrets. I have seen pain and I have my own scars burned into my heart for life.

Moments:

That moment when someone tells you "I love you."
That moment when you realize your actions may have saved a life.
That moment when you have showed a young mind positive influences.
That moment you and your best friend laugh for hours over something so ridiculous only they would understand what is so funny. 
That moment when you finally see the impact you have made in other's lives.
That moment when you finally realize your siblings are your friends and not annoying pests.
That moment you fully understand why your parents worry about your safety.
The moment you have seen another loved one become an angel.
The moment that you realize how fast life is passing by.

I vow to be the best daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend I can to the ones I love so they know that I have done everything I could to live a life of happiness without regrets. 









Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Michigan vs. First Cars


This is a first had account of my history with vehicles in the State of Michigan. I wrote this story for my parents as a thank you for always being there for me and providing me with vehicles to drive and very recently, as in today giving me a 2003 Mercury Sable as an amazing graduation gift thank you!
Written August 8, 2012

~Pure Michigan~

There once was a girl who bought her own first car. If you asked her about the car she would probably tell you it was the best dang car she had ever bought. That was because it was the only car she has ever bought.  

She bought a 1993 Chevy Corsica for a steal of $300. Soon she would find out it wasn’t such a “steal”.  The Corsica had its fair share of bumps and bruises under its hood. The girl never lost hope, she drove that car across state, even when her wise father advised against the trips. But the girl had a full proof plan that nothing bad would happen. See the Corsica had a massive radiator leak and when I say massive I mean the water (yes water, not antifreeze) would instantly drain out as you drove the car. So the girl thought she would out beat the car, she got a bin and placed it in the trunk, she took several 2-liter pop bottles and milk jugs and filled them with water (Several, as in 10-12 at least). She would make her trips around the area refilling her car in parking lots, such as Wal-Mart or anywhere else she saw fit. And when at home before she would go somewhere she would just pull up to the hose at the side of her house and fill her radiator that way. She even made the great 3.5 hour journey across Michigan in her faithful car, of course she would be sure to stop at every rest stop (literally) along the way to refill her radiator with water.

Good ole Corsica drove and drove its little engine, until the second fearfully hot summer.  The girl planned a trip across the great expanse of Michigan. She had nearly reached thirty minutes of her drive when a crazy mishap occurred. A little light on the dash was blinking crazily a frenzied pattern of yellow warning! The girl quickly pulled over and searched her manual for any indication of what her dearest car was warning her of. The answer of sorrow was held in the pages of her manual Corsica was severely overheated. She quickly got out and popped the hood, grabbed a towel from the trunk and a jug of water. She cautiously opened the radiator cap as steam poured out.  Giving the steam a moment to clear she patiently waited, after a minute she attempted to pour water into the radiator. Instantly she heard sizzling and bubbling as the fresh water turned to boiling hot instantly. She knew her dear old car was burnt out. She called her wise father and he said, "turn around, get that car home." She would barely make it ten minutes before having to pull over and let her car cool. It seemed like forever to make that thirty minute journey back home.
Fall rolled in quick, giving Corsica relief from the hard summer’s sorrows with heat. Relief only lasted so long as she learned of a leak under her dash every time it rained.  That fall also held its Michigan challenge of avoiding deer.  One evening driving home on the faithful M-81, Bambi ran out in front of the girl, the poor animal nicked her driver’s side bumper and hit the driver’s side mirror. The girl had broken Bambi’s legs but the deer was still lying in the center of the road alive. The girl was good hearted and called the police to humanely tend to the broken, struggling deer. As she waited what seemed like hours, using her caution lights to alert fellow drivers of the live deer suffering in the center of the road. Another driver came up to the spot and obliterated Bambi right in front of her eyes. Bambi pieces flew in every direction. Fortunately, the officer was right behind Bambi’s killer and was able to save Michigan some money for not having to use his bullet. The girl was sad. Her father fixed her mirror up the next day by cutting out a wooden block the shape of the mirror and bolting it where the mirror was to be, then he took fake mirror from the Auto store and glued it onto the block, so she would not get a fix-it ticket.

As winter approached with freezing temperatures the leak became a new challenge. She had to take her car to the local mechanic so he could drill a hole through the driver’s floorboard to drain the water. Winter was stressful; her floorboard would be iced over most mornings as she tried to get to work at 4 a.m. for her morning work shift.

One evening the girl came home to her wise father telling her to clean all of the things out of her car, for he had sold the car to another fellow and she would now be allotted to drive his very own 1998 Chevy Blazer. The girl was relieved yet sorrowed that her first car belonged to someone else, she saw the car from time to time driving around town with its new owner, until one day she heard the dreadful news that her dearest car was T-Boned and now had went to junkyard heaven.

The girl drove her mother and fathers Chevy Blazer through the rough cold winter relieved with such new fancy gadgets called Electric Start and keyless entry through a remote keychain. She drove the blazer proud to have new things such as 4-wheel drive. One night she even took her parents Blazer to tow her brother and his faithful truck back into town after his battery had failed on his way home from work. “What an accomplishment” she thought, to tow a vehicle into town, something not everyone gets the experience to do. 

The Blazer turned into the miracle save.

Then one evening her mother and father called her all excited they had bought her, her own vehicle as a replacement for the Chevy Corsica she once owned. The girl had gotten home late that night and was excited to see what kind of vehicle her parents had purchased for her. She excitedly walked into the back yard and saw before her a 1989 Dodge Caravan. Her hopes faltered. The van was an older model of what was currently stylish. It was boxy with slider doors and room for eight passengers. Everything was outdated including the spot where what she used to know as a CD player should be. What was this thing called cassettes and how did she download music and burn it onto one?

Her parents knew she was disappointed and that this vehicle was more the style for her father. So she convinced herself that he would be happier with that vehicle and the right thing to do, was to continue driving the Blazer and give her father the chance to enjoy the vehicle for himself, at least before taking it over for herself.  She knew she was spoiled and would get her way to keep driving the fancy Blazer with the 4-wheel drive.  She was a typical child who was broke and spoiled, and gas was just a little too expensive to ride around as much as she wanted, especially driving a Blazer. So when her parents weren’t around she would secretly sneak out to the Dodge Caravan, which she had a key on her key ring for and take the Caravan for rides with all of her friends. Her father even attempted to make the Caravan hip by having a state of the art CD stereo system hooked up in place of that silly cassette thingy, and adding new interior lining. But the young girl was spoiled and would not give up the Blazer.

Having so many vehicles became a burden, especially in the great snowfall of 2010, it snowed and blowed covering all of the wonderful cars in the driveway. Her father was a trooper though and used his snow blowing machine to unbury the vehicles that were unfortunately buried under several feet of snow, what a sight.

Mother and father sold the Dodge Caravan to wonderful family members, not soon after, news was heard of the poor Dodge Caravan having an encounter with several deer at once, Dodge Caravan rests in pieces with Chevy Corsica in junkyard heaven.

A few months had passed and deer season had begun, she watched hard for deer running out on the roads, knowing opening day for deer season spooked the deer into running out into the highways. It was a busy night as she was once again making the long trek down M-81, she had barely made it out of the village when a deer flew through the air, from the passenger side, he skidded across the front end of the vehicle, pulling her across the median. Luckily, no oncoming traffic was coming. The deer vanished running the rest of the way across the road. The girl nervously pulled over to the side of the road she still had headlights, how bad could it be?

She climbed out of her vehicle and made the pain staking walk to the front of her vehicle. Instantly, her stomach dropped. Where once was a beautiful chrome grill and bumper with her favorite Chevy emblem running across was now just black, where four lights once were attached only one survived dangling from a wire. Bambi had destroyed her Chevy Blazer. She called her mother and father and told them what had happened. They rushed out to the scene of the crime to see what Bambi had done to their beloved Chevy Blazer.

After calling in the report because her beloved Blazer was now deemed non-drivable, she went and picked up scattered pieces of her shiny chrome grill. She found several pieces but never again came across her trademark Chevy emblem. 

If you find a deer out in the woods with an imprint of Chevy on its right side, that would be my Bambi, I would like to have a word with her.

The report was grim Chevy Blazer would cost more to fix then the overall worth of the vehicle, so her parents made the decision to deem the Blazer as totaled.

The girl was nearing college finals and very stressed out, so her amazing parents drove the highways looking for a replacement vehicle for their beloved daughter. They found one not far from home. They brought her home a beautiful car, a 2003 Mercury Sable. The girl loved her new planet car. She was now driving in class. She had remote entry, with a working remote; she had keypad entry although the old owners never gave her a code so she cannot use the keypad yet. She had cruise control a feature she could not understand how she ever lived without. And most of all she had low gas mileage, what a prize in these harsh economic times. She had a trust worthy car to travel across the great expanse of Michigan, keeping her mother and father stress free. She was very happy with her Mercury.

Fortunately, for Chevy its long life of over 200,000 miles had not ended. The girls shiny new Mercury Sable's previous owners had left a bad battery in the Mercury. One morning she went out to her new car attempted to start the vehicle and nothing happened but an unfriendly clicking noise. The girl was so nervous her new car was already a broken tragedy. Her father put on his snow boots and went to see if Chevy would still start after a long month of setting in the backyard. When Chevy's engine rolled over with a purr father knew all hope had not been lost. He drove Chevy to the front yard where Mercury sat drained of energy. Her father hooked all the cables up and charged the battery. The fix was not permanent but enough to get the Mercury to install a new battery. 

After Chevy saved the day, father knew all was not lost and let the word out the he would be selling Chevy for parts. The Blazer was sold and the front end restored. Chevy Blazer, is a survivor and drives among us to date, with more than 200,000 miles traveled in its lifetime.

The girl drove her 2003 Mercury Sable for several months making new memories in the car. She had traveled back and forth across Michigan. Being sure to respect the car and get oil changes and re-charge the antifreeze and she even humored her father and let him wash the car every week.  Unfortunately, the girl had to put a stop to the automatic carwashes each week, when her father made her go through one and the radio antenna was pulled out by the machines. The girl was sad, to go without radio for a few days but her father discovered a quick fix and wedged the antenna back into the car.

The girl finished her college degree and was proud of her accomplishment. So was her dearest parents, they decided to give the girl the Mercury Sable as her graduation present. The girl was so grateful and happy to transfer the plates and insurance all to her own name and gain independence. She was very grateful for what her parents had done for her.

Thought to accompany story:
-Is there a logical reasoning behind the fact that the Michigan emblem hung in the Secretary of State has two deer on their sign. Does the DMV honor the fallen deer of the state for placing money into their pocketbooks, when so many people have to pay taxes on new or used vehicles, due to deer auto collisions?