My First Real Job

The first real job I had- you know, the kind that include benefits- it was in Tallahassee, Florida. I was a purchasing specialist for Mainline Information Systems. The company deals in computer hardware, software, the size of which can run companies. Looking back I wouldn’t trade that job for any other at that point in my life. Why? Because I learned a lot, and barely any of it was about computers.

Friends there that I still talk to today. Ping pong matches at lunch. A soundtrack I got to make for a team-building event. Whole conversations only using emoticons. Chic-Fil-A breakfasts on Wednesdays.

Good memories! Darn it, now I’m hungry for a chicken biscuit.

Lawless In America

I recently watched a movie called, “The Purge.” It was at Redbox so I thought, hey why not! The plot is sorta like “The Lottery” where Americans handle population growth in a way they think’s fitting. I had high hopes but buzzzzzzer, it fell flat. Very predictable, especially at the end. If you’re up for a quick synopsis, here goes: Once a year, America is lawless. People kill. People steal. Kid has annoying remote control doll. Loving father and husband dies. Family survives.  The end. The mainline I remember from this movie is after the Polite Leader shot his friend for being too abrasive towards the homeowner who is harboring a fugitive…

Polite Leader: Sorry about that. I don’t condone that kind of behavior. Just keep in mind, Mr. Sandin, he was my friend and you are not. Our equipment is arriving soon and we will get him. Send out he, or that, will be thee.

You’ll know it when you hear it. That is, if you watch the movie, which I advise against.

Good day!
-Out of the Wilderness

Wacky Wednesday: Blow Me One Last Kiss (Then Go Get the AED!)

A long time ago I was trained on how to use an AED (artificial electronic defibrillator). The training was actually really fun, but sadly I don’t remember any of the life saving skills. Only that I had to do mouth-to-mouth rescusitation on a dummy. The wacky part is that it was almost better than my first kiss back in 10th grade.

To Be Yourself

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Just another random Tuesday till I found out the Duck Dynasty family recently finished an “I Am Second” video… awesome! If you haven’t scrolled through the folks that have already recorded one, you might be surprised just like I was. Josh Hamilton. Tommy Bowden. Josh Turner. Jason Castro. Trevor Bayne. Bethany Hamilton. So many more heart-wrenching yet uplifting stories of hope. Pretty cool.

iamsecondrobertsons

Then I came across Christine Petric. She’s Korean so I can’t relate to that part of her story, but my Vietnamese niece can. It’s about growing up around mostly non-Asians. As I listened to Christine’s story, my heart beat faster. I know one day my cute little niece will wonder why she’s “different.” She was adopted in 2006 (for more on that, click here), so she’s about 7 now and last summer, my sister said she started asking questions about her skin color. It’s only a matter of time till a rush of emotions come over her and man, I would do anything to keep it from making her feel bad about herself! I believe with my whole heart that my sister and her husband saved a little girl from a life of hurt, struggle, and missed potential. But how do you make a child understand that yes, they are different, and isn’t it beautiful?! Of course, it’s all about perspective, too. She only notices the difference because she’s in Ohio and not Hanoi. Maybe that’s the topic of another post. But anyway, I know Ava’s going to continue with her curiosity about being different, but I hope she discovers quickly that so many people spend their whole life trying to stand out. Trying to separate themselves from the crowd. But her? She’s already there! God created her to be where she is now, and it’s just awesome. Actually, I can’t wait to find out how different she’s going to be!