I'm learning what it means to be tight again. It's been years since I had to really worry about how I was going to make it to the next paycheck. It's been a while since I stacked bill payments to correspond with my paydays (though I never made payments late). I thought those days were behind me.
I used to live off ramen noodles and PBJ sandwiches. I never ate out unless I shamefully allowed someone else to pay for me (without being able to pay them back). I didn't go anywhere in my car that I didn't have to and didn't buy anything I didn't really need. I soon worked my way up to a reasonable salary and forgot those days of struggling.
I’m learning those survival skills again. Now, I find myself watching every penny like a starving hawk perched above a rabbit hole. I find myself driving a less fuel efficient vehicle because it has gas and I don't get paid for a few more days. I find myself upset that I didn’t get up in time to meet my mom and carpool to save a few dollars. I find myself lusting to eat out for lunch just once, but can't bring myself to spend the $8 in my pocket on anything, but gas or groceries. It’s almost paralyzing.
I know things will improve with time, but for now I must make every sacrifice I can to make sure we do more than just get by. See, it’s not just about me anymore – I’m not alone. That’s a good thing and a bad thing. It’s good that I’m not alone. It’s bad that they have to endure it.
No, we don’t have to live this way. I could try selling the property and using that money to put us in a better financial situation. I could stop putting money into savings altogether and I could forego 401K contributions for a while. We could sell our house and move into a condo/townhouse closer to my work. In the end though, what will that have accomplished? We’ll be no closer to the end goal and these are only short term solutions that do nothing to solve the long term problem. I’ve always believed that a little short term sacrifice towards the long term goal was worth it.
So, I press on – thankful for everything that I do have. I continue to go through the monotony of each day knowing the next will bring me that much closer. When I get discouraged, I try to think about those less fortunate and remember how “good” I really have it. In the end, all our problems are relative – like so many other things in life.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Friday, October 13, 2006
I finally found it!
About 5 years ago I went to Boston on a business trip for some training. This was Microsoft training and they provided us breakfast (and I believe lunch) each day. They had the typical gourmet coffee, but since I'm not a coffee drinker, I was searching for something else and usually ended up with juice. On about the third day one of the trainers told me to check the cabinets because there was a good selection of hot teas there. I looked in the cabinet and sure enough there was a nice little stash.
I was looking for something new to try and I saw a Chinese tea I had never heard of. The name sounded interesting and I thought I'd give it a try. I got a cup and some hot water from the side of the industrial coffee maker. After opening the tea bag, I became a little concerned. The tea smelled down-right awful, but not wanting to be wasteful, I figured I'd give it a taste before giving up on it. Who knows, sometimes things with questionable smell actually taste good.
The smell became even more pungent as the tea steeped. I was getting more and more worried as I waited for it to cool and I could have my first taste. I grabbed some sugar packets, figuring it may need it (based on the smell) but I didn't add them right away (until I knew if I needed them).
The tea finally cooled enough and I took a tentative first sip. It tasted wonderful! It had a rich, bold flavor that didn't need sweetening. I finished the cup with delight, except what was the name of that tea? I had foolishly thrown the bag into the trash, and there was no getting it now (covered in coffee grinds, used spoons, napkins and what-not).
For five years I tried to find that tea unsuccessfully. I couldn't remember the name, but I knew it was Chinese and had a decidedly Chinese sounding name. I tried Oolong and found it to be a good tea, but not as flavorful, nor did it have that pungent odor. I tried Darjeeling tea and it was good as well -- stronger flavor than Oolong -- but no terrible odor. That wasn't it either and the search continued.
A couple weekends ago, I found another tea that sounded promising in name. I picked up the box and read the description of the tea -- even more promising. I tried to smell the box (even though shrink-wrapped) in hopes of getting a whiff of that pungent odor, no matter how faint. I detected a slight pungent odor, even through the shrink-wrap. This was getting better by the minute. I had to buy it and have a cup that night to see if the search was over.
As soon as I opened the shrink-wrap, the pungent contents hit my nose like the fist of a 200lb boxer. This was it -- without a doubt. After the first sip, there was no question I had found it. I had finally found it. After 5 years of on and off searching for it, I had found it.
If you like bold flavored, hot tea, or feel a little adventurous, then I recommend you try a cup of Lapsang Souchong tea. Don't add sweetener and ignore the smell -- it is worth the experience. Twinings sells this type of tea (if you can find it) but I couldn't find many other mainstream tea brands that carry it. Next time you visit me, ask for a cup and I'll happily make us both one. Enjoy!
I was looking for something new to try and I saw a Chinese tea I had never heard of. The name sounded interesting and I thought I'd give it a try. I got a cup and some hot water from the side of the industrial coffee maker. After opening the tea bag, I became a little concerned. The tea smelled down-right awful, but not wanting to be wasteful, I figured I'd give it a taste before giving up on it. Who knows, sometimes things with questionable smell actually taste good.
The smell became even more pungent as the tea steeped. I was getting more and more worried as I waited for it to cool and I could have my first taste. I grabbed some sugar packets, figuring it may need it (based on the smell) but I didn't add them right away (until I knew if I needed them).
The tea finally cooled enough and I took a tentative first sip. It tasted wonderful! It had a rich, bold flavor that didn't need sweetening. I finished the cup with delight, except what was the name of that tea? I had foolishly thrown the bag into the trash, and there was no getting it now (covered in coffee grinds, used spoons, napkins and what-not).
For five years I tried to find that tea unsuccessfully. I couldn't remember the name, but I knew it was Chinese and had a decidedly Chinese sounding name. I tried Oolong and found it to be a good tea, but not as flavorful, nor did it have that pungent odor. I tried Darjeeling tea and it was good as well -- stronger flavor than Oolong -- but no terrible odor. That wasn't it either and the search continued.
A couple weekends ago, I found another tea that sounded promising in name. I picked up the box and read the description of the tea -- even more promising. I tried to smell the box (even though shrink-wrapped) in hopes of getting a whiff of that pungent odor, no matter how faint. I detected a slight pungent odor, even through the shrink-wrap. This was getting better by the minute. I had to buy it and have a cup that night to see if the search was over.
As soon as I opened the shrink-wrap, the pungent contents hit my nose like the fist of a 200lb boxer. This was it -- without a doubt. After the first sip, there was no question I had found it. I had finally found it. After 5 years of on and off searching for it, I had found it.
If you like bold flavored, hot tea, or feel a little adventurous, then I recommend you try a cup of Lapsang Souchong tea. Don't add sweetener and ignore the smell -- it is worth the experience. Twinings sells this type of tea (if you can find it) but I couldn't find many other mainstream tea brands that carry it. Next time you visit me, ask for a cup and I'll happily make us both one. Enjoy!
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
I'm more focused
I've noticed that Calculus seems easier this time around. I think it has to do with several aspects of instruction really, but one I've noticed more recently is that I'm focused on the task at hand. I'm not as easily distracted as when I was 19-21 years old. I have purpose in the class and do not want to waste time by not learning the material.
I also think the level of instruction at the Community College level is better for general education requirements than at typical 4-year institutions. I've gotten, and am getting a better level of instruction then I ever got in Math at ODU. I'm understanding the material without problems and I have about a 99-100 average in the class currently (after two tests).
It's also easier concentrating on one subject at a time. I work full-time, so more than one class is difficult. However, taking a second class with Calculus, while working full-time is just plain overload. Like my study partner -- nice girl -- she's crazy! The girl is taking Calculus, Physics and Organic Chemistry all in the same semester. That's 13 credit hours with only 3 classes. That's insane! But, she's a bright girl and is doing well in all three so far. She also is a full-time student.
We'll see how Calculus II goes next semester. Hopefully it will go as smoothly. At least I have the same instructor -- that will help.
I also think the level of instruction at the Community College level is better for general education requirements than at typical 4-year institutions. I've gotten, and am getting a better level of instruction then I ever got in Math at ODU. I'm understanding the material without problems and I have about a 99-100 average in the class currently (after two tests).
It's also easier concentrating on one subject at a time. I work full-time, so more than one class is difficult. However, taking a second class with Calculus, while working full-time is just plain overload. Like my study partner -- nice girl -- she's crazy! The girl is taking Calculus, Physics and Organic Chemistry all in the same semester. That's 13 credit hours with only 3 classes. That's insane! But, she's a bright girl and is doing well in all three so far. She also is a full-time student.
We'll see how Calculus II goes next semester. Hopefully it will go as smoothly. At least I have the same instructor -- that will help.
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