http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/blogs/spived2/ en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:04:26 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/images/insignia/misc/rss.jpg http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/blogs/spived2/ http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/blogs/spived2/1515-2008-comes-end.html Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:01:49 GMT For many, this is been a very tumultuous year. The housing crash and stock market roller coaster ride has caused many to lose their jobs, stop spending, and live more frugal lives. It has affected many people I know and I truly hope they are able to come back strong in the new year. We elected... For many, this is been a very tumultuous year. The housing crash and stock market roller coaster ride has caused many to lose their jobs, stop spending, and live more frugal lives. It has affected many people I know and I truly hope they are able to come back strong in the new year. We elected the first (half) black president, a feat many thought impossible in their lifetimes, and we are nearing the end of the terrible Bush administration that has caused so much grief throughout the world. I did vote for Obama, although my reasons weren't so much that I thought he was the best choice, but that he was better than the other guy, and until we rid ourselves of this bicameral system, that's about the only way our votes are going to make a difference.

I have been lucky this past year. I got a great job working for American Express, (mostly) doing a job I really enjoy. I make a decent salary and it has allowed me some of the luxury's that I have missed out on in my life. I work odd hours, doing my 8-4 during the day and often having to take international support calls at all hours of the night. This can be frustrating, but I still have my job and I have to be very thankful for that.
I have continued going to school, even though at the pace I am proceeding, it may be 5 more years before I have my Bachelors. This doesn't bother me, though. It's not about the end goal but the journey along the way. I enjoy my classes and the people I meet, and I look forward to interacting with many more interesting people in the coming years.
It's been rough trying to get into ASU. I initially applied in the Fall but was unable to take any classes, so now I am attempting to get registered for the spring with mixed results; transcripts not arriving, MMR records now being required, yada yada.... Hopefully everything goes through by the time classes start or this cycle will repeat itself once again in the summer.
I made a goal last New Years to lose all the weight I had gained after two years of relative inactivity post-Army. This may be the first time I have stuck so closely to a resolution. Last I can recall I was around 225, and now I am less than 200 lbs, although I haven't used a scale in a month or so. I made it a personal goal to get my body in good enough shape to run the P.F. Changs half-marathon in January, and I believe I'm ready to do it. I'm up to 16+ miles a week and even that isn't nearly as painful as it was when I first got started. I'm eating better as well, cutting out most sugars and other products that aren't conducive to a healthy diet. It's not nearly as hard as I thought it was going to be; once I started exercising and eating right, I wanted to exercise more and continue to eat better, everything worked out great!

I am very anxious about 2009. My only resolutions will be to continue my more healthy lifestyle and to meet more interesting and intelligent people. Hopefully I keep my job, even with the winds of change echoing throughout my cubicle every day. I hope all my friends are able to bounce back from economic hardships so we can all go have a drink.

Happy New Year! ]]> spived2 http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/blogs/spived2/1515-2008-comes-end.html