Strick’s Ramblings

Greetings readers...

The weather here in Virginia is starting to cool down, as the Summer highway quickly comes to an end.  Fall is now upon us, with a nice cool Atlantic breeze blowing across my patio.  The sweltering summer days are finally over.   Labor Day is a matter of hours away.  The stores are already starting to sell Halloween supplies.  Shortly thereafter Thanksgiving and Christmas supplies will be in the mix as well.  Pretty much the remainder of the year is the last of the sand in an hour glass.

With the change of seasons, comes the York Counties first day of school.  Along with that comes quiet throughout the neighborhoods and throughout the house as well.  A much needed rest for my wife, I'm sure.  My oldest Daughter will start 1st grade, then Matthew will start 4th grade, then John will start 7th grade... Advanced I might add, taking 2 highschool courses.  I'm so proud.

Work... well... I think I should refrain from posting things about work at this time.

Recently I purchased a used metal detector from Craigslist.  It is notEnou a Whites detector, but a Bounty Hunter.  It's a cheaper model, probably around $100, but will do until I get my new Whites XLT or whatever model I decided.  This will happen next month, and I can't wait.

Think I close this entry up now, I'm sitting out on my back patio enjoying the cool breeze; as the sun eases across the horizon and darkness falls upon us... another day will come, and with it comes more challenges.  Approach each challenge wisely!

Fellow Readers... (Whomever that may be...)

Just some updates.  July was a busy month for me.  My little baby had to have surgery, so we were flown Hawaii where Doctors at Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) operated on my little girl.  The surgery went well, and we are very thankful.

It was very nice to visit Hawaii, but I was glad, as always, to get back home.  My Dad was fortunate enough to make it over to be with Audrey and I during the surgery.  This was the first time he had flown since around 1966.  Airports and aircraft have changed dramatically since then, huh?

I'm back to work now, and actually looked forward to coming to work for the first time in a long time.  The weather is raining, as usual this time in the pacific.  August is just around the corner, and school will be starting.

Sabayon Linux 3.5 was released while I was gone.  I'm downloading it now, and will install it when it's done downloading or later on this week.  Probably won't be done downloading until later on this week.  My ISP sucks over here.

As far as my website goes, I plan on redoing it once again.  It needs a new look.  I'm pretty much tired of the look.  And since I have more time now, I plan on hand coding my new site.  As soon as I come up with a color scheme, I'll get busy.

Enough for now... I'll try to post more later and include some photo's I took in Hawaii...

-ME

Greetings readers, as if anyone actually reads this…

I made a C in Geology. Made an A on both my Final and my Capstone. I’m so glad that class is over. Just thought I would share that with you. YAY!!

Another Day down, and that much closer to the baby's surgery. Audrey is scheduled for surgery on the 9^th of July. Audrey and I fly into Hawaii on the 6^th, and our appointments start the next day. Not only do I have the surgery to worry about, but I'm also concerned with the financial aspects as well. I can't really afford to send Cathy, John, Matthew & Jaymie there to be with Audrey. If the duration of stay was 1 week or less I would consider letting the kids stay here in Misawa with friends, but that is out of the question, due to the fact that we will probably be there for atleast one month. Additionally, I'm trying to buy my Dad tickets to fly from Atlanta to Hawaii so he can spend some time with the kids. He hasn't seen them in 2 years. Even though I have not promised the kids that he will be there, some reason they seem to be expecting him to be there. I keep telling them I will try, and attempted to explain to them that this is going to cost a lot of money and we have to be carefull not to spend too much.

This weekend we are planning another offroad trip to the mountains. This time there will be some new people attending. We are meeting up at the BX parking lot at 6:50 am and departing for the mountains at 7:am and meeting up with our Japanese Counterparts at 8:am at redbridge camping area. Can't wait for this, looks like it's going to be a good turnout, so we should have lots of fun.

Another thing to add... It is awesome that I don't have any school work to deal with after work! I'm taking a summer break. Depending on work, probably a fall break. I'm thinking of starting back to shool in late October.

Finals are finally done!!!  I will not be taking classes this summer.  Things are just too hectic around the house, with Audrey having surgery and all.  Now that this class is over, I’ll have time to do some things I have been putting off.  Not that I can list anything now.  But, I’ll have time to do stuff anyway.  Like wax my vehicle… uhh… work on my website… well… after I get back from Hawaii that is. 

My friend David is deploying soon, so this weekend we will be going back out to the mountains for some trail riding.  A couple of our Japanese friends from the Jimny Club will be there.  I wish all the guys from the last trip could show up, that would be awesome!  But, it will be lots of fun anyway. 

As for other updates, this is the last week of school for the kids.  Jaymie’s last day was earlier for SureStart (pre-K).  She has done Awesome and I forsee no problems in Kindergarten.  Work is the same… working long hours with no evidence of accomplishment.  Morale is… wait… what is that?  But, that’s ok.  There is light at the end of the Tunnel in August.

Greetings all...

Once again, it's been a while since I've posted anything.  I've been staying extremely busy.  I'm taking 2 more classes, as I've mentioned before and the Algebra class is whoopin' my buttocks.  I thought I was good in math but guess not that  good.  Alot has happened since my last post.  I’m also working on another website for the LRS Spouse Group.  http://www.35lrsspouse.com  I’ve almost got template done, just need to finish it up and add content, then troubleshoot any errors.

First of all, I recently got rid of my Pajero.  Guy payed me 10,000 yen ($100) and drove it away to a junk yard.  Same week, I found a 1992 Toyota Surf (4Runner) and paid $1500 for it.  It’s an awesome vehicle, but the v6 uses more fuel than my previous 4 cylinder diesel.

Our new Baby Audrey is growing like a weed.  She's over 1 month now and is eating more, pooping more, and sometimes crying more.  She was recently diagnosed with craniosynostosis, which is where (basically) the skull grows back too fast and causes deformity.  Now, luckily Audrey’s condition isn’t too bad, where it affects her brain, but still requires surgery.  I have an appointment in Trippler Army Medical Center in Hawaii in July.  The Government only pays for one person to fly over, which is going to be me, so if my wife goes, we’re going to have to pay for it out of our pocket.  I can’t really afford it, but I’m going to try my best to get this done.  Enough abou that.

Planning an offroad adventure / camping trip this weekend… Just an over nighter in the mountains.  Can’t wait to get out there.  The kids are really looking forward to going, and to be honest, so am I. 

Enough for now.  I’m tired of typing…

In a relentless attempt to make a better life for my Family, I continue my pursuit toward a degree. My next two classes start Monday. I decided to go ahead and get math and science out of the way, so Algebra and Geology are my choices this semester. Last semester I took Business Communication and a rediculous general studies class. I must admit, I'm a bit nervous about this Algebra class. It's been a while since I've taken a math class. I'm sure I'll do ok... I'll have the power of the internet at my hands... so help is just a click away.

Looking back and without realizing it, I haven't posted a single blog entry this year. Of course, I blame it on a combination of school and work. I mean, I have to blame it on something. I will not take the blame myself. Not that I can't call it laziness, I simply refuse to call it laziness. What's the difference anyway.Well, I finished my Business Communication class. Passed it with a C. Better than an F! Things are going well here in Japan. As well as to be expected, at least. My wife is due the 22nd of April, which is rapidly approaching. The snow is still lingering here in Japan. Off and on snow showers will surprise on occasion. Supposed to get a couple inches tonight and tomorrow. Now, being a "Southern" Florida boy, initially I really enjoyed the snow. But now, I'm pretty much tired of it. It wouldn't be so bad if I had a good snow blower. Ok ok ok... I don't even have a snow blower, but I do have an 11 & a 7 yr old that works fairly effeciently.

I think this will be enough for now. I don't want to over do it, that's for sure.