So I had meant to post earlier, but time slipped away from us at an alarming rate!
We both had a really good birthday (which were two weeks ago!) On Friday the 28th, my parents came into to town and we had dinner at Tony Roma's (who never sent us our cards for the free meal for our birthdays. Whenever we asked about them, we got the run around from them.... Grrr! Still, really good food. Just a little peeved at them). Jeff and Cait were also there and the four of us went to see the new James Bond movie. It was not that bad, but not quite what I expected. I don't know what I expected, but in any case, I still liked the movie.
Then on my birthday (the Saturday), we went out to the Mexican restaurant with some friends for lunch. Can you believe that we actually have an authentic mexican resturant in Lethbridge? It is run by a Mexican lady, and the food is really good. I had the Mole poblano Chicken, that has a spicy sauce made with Mexican chocolate. Chelsey had a spicy shrimp dish that I don't remember the name of. But it was good shrimp. We also went out shopping to spend our birthday money. Chelsey bought a shirt and I got "Nightmare Before Christmas". We also went for pizza at Two Guys and a Pizza Place, which is really good pizza. If you are ever in Lethbridge, it is worth a try! The following day (Chelsey's bday) we went over to Chelsey's parents and they made us supper and cake. It was a lot of fun. A lot happened that weekend, but it was a blast. For presents, I got her a really nice wool blend jacket, and I got a metalic red dress shirt and a black tie.
The past two weeks have been been good for us as well. Chelsey finished working this past week, but is on call if they need her. She still gets paid at least five days for work during their break. Me, I am enjoying my job, and even took a couple of days off. We are both blessed to have good jobs like this, that pay well and that we enjoy doing.
Christmas is now only 10 days away, and it is coming fast! We wish everyone the best for the season!
Mikey
2008/12/14
2008/11/12
Time keeps on marching...
So wow, it is just about the middle of November. I can't believe how fast time goes, but here we are, almost at another birthday for each of us.
As you know, we moved up to Lethbridge on a feeling, just thinking that it was what we needed to do. As has been said in previous posts, the first couple of months was a little more stressful, as Chelsey was the only one working, I was having trouble finding a job, and all that. We ended up having to borrow a little money from Chelsey's sister so that we could make October Rent. I finally found a job at WalMart, but I really did not like it. Just before I found out I had the WalMart job, I had applied at Virgin Mobile, and ended up taking that job after working a couple of weeks at WalMart. WalMart gave enough money to pay the car insurance, even though I sent it in on the day it was due. (before they got the payment, they had sent a letter saying if I don't pay soon, then the coverage is cancelled... good thing that did not happen!) I have now been at Virgin Mobile for almost a month, and I have been enjoying it a lot. I enjoy talking to people, and also am fairly decent at getting people intersted in going with Virgin instead of Rogers or Telus or Bell. The nice thing about cell phones is that they really sell themselves, so I really don't feel like I am a salesman (or, at least not a high pressure one!). So between the two jobs, we now have enough money (including paying the student loans) and have even started our savings for our planned trip to China next year. It may be that we will delay it a month or two, but we never have been absolute on the timing of it.
The first little bit may have been a struggle, but I am actually glad that we moved up to Lethbridge. We enjoy the ward, and now have a calling on the Ward Activities group. It is nice being closer to family on both sides, and I have gotten to know Chelsey's family better. All in all, it has been a smart move for us. We even have a way for Chelsey to graduate without a lot of cost to us (it is only $30 to take the test), or having to figure out how to take the class.
In other news, we got a futon! Our couch (we miss it as it was really comfy!) was too big to fit through the door to our apartment, so we gave it to Jeff ( however, it is too big for his door as well!). So for the last couple of months, we have been sitting on pillows, a small beanbag chair, the floor and our dinner table chairs. But no more! we have a nice looking futon, that was resonable cost. Happy days! It is so much nicer to sit on a futon then the floor when one is watching a movies!
One more thing: Pleco 2.0 is finally out!!!!! Pleco is a Chinese-English dictionary program that runs off the palm pilot, and has been a great advantage for our studing Chinese. We have been waiting for this update for a while now. It includes a lot of fun things like stroke orders, and a couple of new dictionary, including a Chinese-Chinese dictionary. YAY!
so thats the update for now,
Mikey
As you know, we moved up to Lethbridge on a feeling, just thinking that it was what we needed to do. As has been said in previous posts, the first couple of months was a little more stressful, as Chelsey was the only one working, I was having trouble finding a job, and all that. We ended up having to borrow a little money from Chelsey's sister so that we could make October Rent. I finally found a job at WalMart, but I really did not like it. Just before I found out I had the WalMart job, I had applied at Virgin Mobile, and ended up taking that job after working a couple of weeks at WalMart. WalMart gave enough money to pay the car insurance, even though I sent it in on the day it was due. (before they got the payment, they had sent a letter saying if I don't pay soon, then the coverage is cancelled... good thing that did not happen!) I have now been at Virgin Mobile for almost a month, and I have been enjoying it a lot. I enjoy talking to people, and also am fairly decent at getting people intersted in going with Virgin instead of Rogers or Telus or Bell. The nice thing about cell phones is that they really sell themselves, so I really don't feel like I am a salesman (or, at least not a high pressure one!). So between the two jobs, we now have enough money (including paying the student loans) and have even started our savings for our planned trip to China next year. It may be that we will delay it a month or two, but we never have been absolute on the timing of it.
The first little bit may have been a struggle, but I am actually glad that we moved up to Lethbridge. We enjoy the ward, and now have a calling on the Ward Activities group. It is nice being closer to family on both sides, and I have gotten to know Chelsey's family better. All in all, it has been a smart move for us. We even have a way for Chelsey to graduate without a lot of cost to us (it is only $30 to take the test), or having to figure out how to take the class.
In other news, we got a futon! Our couch (we miss it as it was really comfy!) was too big to fit through the door to our apartment, so we gave it to Jeff ( however, it is too big for his door as well!). So for the last couple of months, we have been sitting on pillows, a small beanbag chair, the floor and our dinner table chairs. But no more! we have a nice looking futon, that was resonable cost. Happy days! It is so much nicer to sit on a futon then the floor when one is watching a movies!
One more thing: Pleco 2.0 is finally out!!!!! Pleco is a Chinese-English dictionary program that runs off the palm pilot, and has been a great advantage for our studing Chinese. We have been waiting for this update for a while now. It includes a lot of fun things like stroke orders, and a couple of new dictionary, including a Chinese-Chinese dictionary. YAY!
so thats the update for now,
Mikey
2008/10/16
New Job
Hey, I got a new Job!
I am now working for Virgin Mobile, in Park Place Mall in Lethbridge. Better hours, better pay, what could be better?
WalMart was an ok Job, but I am glad that I am not working there anymore. A few people seemed to really care about doing a good job, and the rest did not seem to. There were also a few coworkers who did not really like each other, which also contributes to a not so nice work environment. I think that if WalMart would actually pay competitive wages to start (many places in Lethbridge are starting out about $9.6-10/hour on the low end, WalMart offers $8.8, only a little above min. wage), and if they were to actually strive to make it a good work environment (half the managers did not really seem to care either, and there was a lot of miscommunication - one telling me one thing, and then another telling me to do it differently), they would not have the problems of understaffing, and high turnover.
But anyway, at Virgin Mobile, I will be getting a M-F 10-6 shift, make $12/hour, plus commissions. That will help out for us to get to China quicker.
Have fun
I am now working for Virgin Mobile, in Park Place Mall in Lethbridge. Better hours, better pay, what could be better?
WalMart was an ok Job, but I am glad that I am not working there anymore. A few people seemed to really care about doing a good job, and the rest did not seem to. There were also a few coworkers who did not really like each other, which also contributes to a not so nice work environment. I think that if WalMart would actually pay competitive wages to start (many places in Lethbridge are starting out about $9.6-10/hour on the low end, WalMart offers $8.8, only a little above min. wage), and if they were to actually strive to make it a good work environment (half the managers did not really seem to care either, and there was a lot of miscommunication - one telling me one thing, and then another telling me to do it differently), they would not have the problems of understaffing, and high turnover.
But anyway, at Virgin Mobile, I will be getting a M-F 10-6 shift, make $12/hour, plus commissions. That will help out for us to get to China quicker.
Have fun
2008/10/06
the start of a new month
So we made it through September. We only ended up needing to borrow 300 dollars. If I had gotten a job a lot sooner then I did, we would not have needed to borrow any. Right now, I am working at WalMart, in the electronic deptartment. Not really the job I wanted, but hey, it helps create a positive cash flow! The job is a lot busier then I would have first though. I have been working there one week now. There are still a job or two that if offered to me, I would take it rather then working at WalMart, but will have to see on that account. My first paycheck will come on the 17th, the day that my car insurance payment is due... so at least we will have the money to pay for that!
Chelsey is really enjoying her job. With both of us working, we will definitely have enough money. China here we come (in April)
So the Sunday before Conference, we got asked to give a talk. That was the first time in four and a half years that I gave a talk in Church! the last time I gave a talk was when I got home from my mission in Taiwan! Crazy or what?
So we figured out the best way for Chelsey to finish up her class. Because it is a lower level language class, she is going to study it, and then take the test for credits. It costs a lot less, and takes less time. There is a post where it says exactly what is going to be tested, so she knows what to study.
Anyway, have much fun, and let us know what is going on in your lives
mikey
Chelsey is really enjoying her job. With both of us working, we will definitely have enough money. China here we come (in April)
So the Sunday before Conference, we got asked to give a talk. That was the first time in four and a half years that I gave a talk in Church! the last time I gave a talk was when I got home from my mission in Taiwan! Crazy or what?
So we figured out the best way for Chelsey to finish up her class. Because it is a lower level language class, she is going to study it, and then take the test for credits. It costs a lot less, and takes less time. There is a post where it says exactly what is going to be tested, so she knows what to study.
Anyway, have much fun, and let us know what is going on in your lives
mikey
2008/09/19
In Lethbridge
We have been here almost a month now, and things are going ok. I still have not yet found a job, but I have had two interviews, and have another one next week. So there is still hope yet. Chelsey is working at Lethbridge College, as a cashier in food services. It is a part time job, but she is making over 15/hour, which means that it is about the equivalent of making 10/hour and working an 8 hour day.
So get this: one of my good friends - one I've known since I was 12! - moved here a few days before we did. She and her husband are really cool people. Not only are they close, but they live in the same ward as us, so we get to see them oft.
Not much else is going on.
have fun
mikey
So get this: one of my good friends - one I've known since I was 12! - moved here a few days before we did. She and her husband are really cool people. Not only are they close, but they live in the same ward as us, so we get to see them oft.
Not much else is going on.
have fun
mikey
2008/09/02
Settling in
So we made the move to Lethbridge. We packed up on Friday evening, then left Rexburg on Saturday morning. We stayed at my parents place Saturday evening and Sunday, and went into Lethbridge on Monday. However, some of our stuff got a little wet :(, as it was raining on Sunday and Monday. Not much got wet, and nothing really important got wet. So at least that is good news. The other sad news is that our couch did not fit into this basement apartment. So we don't have any couch right now. My brother Jeff bought a house that they are moving into in a month, so we think that we will let them have the couch and take their futon in October.
We spent most of yesterday and today unpacking. Once we got the furniture arranged and our decorations up it is actually looking more like home. There is a little separate kitchen, then a long room which we have 'separated' into a dinning room, living room and a computer area. A small bed room, but things fit OK. I promise that I am going to get some pictures of it on here sometime, just have not yet.
Now we are going to get phones, jobs, and all that fun stuff that needs to be done at the start of a new area. Regardless, we have a change of scenery for the next eight months. So we are excited and happy.
We spent most of yesterday and today unpacking. Once we got the furniture arranged and our decorations up it is actually looking more like home. There is a little separate kitchen, then a long room which we have 'separated' into a dinning room, living room and a computer area. A small bed room, but things fit OK. I promise that I am going to get some pictures of it on here sometime, just have not yet.
Now we are going to get phones, jobs, and all that fun stuff that needs to be done at the start of a new area. Regardless, we have a change of scenery for the next eight months. So we are excited and happy.
2008/08/25
Stresses
Moving can be a big hassle! Sometimes not even the move it self, but everything that is attached to it. Right before we decided to move, we renewed our contract for our apartment. So we then had to get it sold. There were two times when we thought we had it sold, when something came up. The first one was really interested, and the wife wanted it, however they continued looking just a little more and found one that the husband also wanted. This was after the wife said that they would take it, so we continue to look. The next couple, they wanted it, and were in the process of getting their applications in to the manager. Then they decided to stay in Minnesota, and forgot to let us know. We though that everything was going to be taken care of, when we get a call from our manager that she had yet to receive their applications, so we call, and that is when we find out. So we post it up for yet one more time, and we finnally got it sold off.
We also spent a lot of time trying to find a place to live in Lethbridge, and finnaly found a nice little basement apartment.
So even though there have been stress involved in the forefront of moving, we got it taken care of. Now it is just packing everything up and getting to Lethbridge! Once there, unpacking and all that fun stuff, and finding jobs there.
In other news, Chelsey found out that she really only has 1 french class that she has to take to graduate. YAY!
We also spent a lot of time trying to find a place to live in Lethbridge, and finnaly found a nice little basement apartment.
So even though there have been stress involved in the forefront of moving, we got it taken care of. Now it is just packing everything up and getting to Lethbridge! Once there, unpacking and all that fun stuff, and finding jobs there.
In other news, Chelsey found out that she really only has 1 french class that she has to take to graduate. YAY!
2008/08/08
moving
So, as many of you know, we are currently living in Rexburg ID, even if it is just temporarily. Well, it just got a lot more temporary then we had originally thought! We are actually going to be moving up to Lethbridge AB (back home) end of the month, or begining of September. Crazy eh?!
What promted the move? A coulpe different reasons, but nothing specific. Essentially, some things just came up, and we feel the need to move home. So we are doing so, even though we may not know exactly the why, and we hope we figure out all the how as well.
Chelsey is going to finish her degree, she only has 11 credits or so left to graduate. What is going to happen with that is that she will enroll as a continuing ed student at UofL, and find similar classes as to what she needs from BYU-I. After she completes the classes, and it gets approved, then she still graduates from BYU-I. Probably wont walk, but such is how life goes.
This does not change our original goal of going to China next April, it just changes what we are doing in the meantime.
So there is our news for now
mikey
What promted the move? A coulpe different reasons, but nothing specific. Essentially, some things just came up, and we feel the need to move home. So we are doing so, even though we may not know exactly the why, and we hope we figure out all the how as well.
Chelsey is going to finish her degree, she only has 11 credits or so left to graduate. What is going to happen with that is that she will enroll as a continuing ed student at UofL, and find similar classes as to what she needs from BYU-I. After she completes the classes, and it gets approved, then she still graduates from BYU-I. Probably wont walk, but such is how life goes.
This does not change our original goal of going to China next April, it just changes what we are doing in the meantime.
So there is our news for now
mikey
2008/07/20
Adventures in Life
We finally decided that it was time for us to start a blog up... I know a little late compared to some, but hey, we got here, right?
So here is the purpose of our blog - in a nut shell, we both think that life is a grand adventure, full of fun new things (well, at least to us! We can't promise that you will find reading about our lives will always be fun!) As we continue in life, we will write about things we are learning, things we are doing, and whatever may come to mind. If you find it boring, that is going to be considered your own fault! ;)
For now, we are currently in Rexburg Idaho. I recently graduated from BYU-Idaho this past April, and Chelsey has but one more semester to go. I found a job, working at the Qwest call center in Idaho Falls. Chelsey is planing to graduate next April (2009), taking the fall semester off to work.
From there, our current plans include a year or so trip to China so we can take the 汉语水平考试 HSK, or the Standard Chinese proficiency test as administered by the government of China. Think TOEFL test, but only in Chinese. In case you did not know, both of us served missions to Taiwan, so we are both fluent in Mandarin Chinese. It is something that has become important for us, and we have a feeling that it is going to continue to be a large part of our lives.
Anyway, for now, that is all we have to say. Look foward to future posts!
So here is the purpose of our blog - in a nut shell, we both think that life is a grand adventure, full of fun new things (well, at least to us! We can't promise that you will find reading about our lives will always be fun!) As we continue in life, we will write about things we are learning, things we are doing, and whatever may come to mind. If you find it boring, that is going to be considered your own fault! ;)
For now, we are currently in Rexburg Idaho. I recently graduated from BYU-Idaho this past April, and Chelsey has but one more semester to go. I found a job, working at the Qwest call center in Idaho Falls. Chelsey is planing to graduate next April (2009), taking the fall semester off to work.
From there, our current plans include a year or so trip to China so we can take the 汉语水平考试 HSK, or the Standard Chinese proficiency test as administered by the government of China. Think TOEFL test, but only in Chinese. In case you did not know, both of us served missions to Taiwan, so we are both fluent in Mandarin Chinese. It is something that has become important for us, and we have a feeling that it is going to continue to be a large part of our lives.
Anyway, for now, that is all we have to say. Look foward to future posts!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
