My phone interview. 2 of 2

Wow. I have never had things get so crazy on me so quickly before.

Today I had that phone interview from the University of Arizona. I was supposed to get the call at 10:00 Arizona time. So, I drove to a good location on the island and waited for the call at 9:00 our time. Oops. After waiting about ten minutes I realized my mistake and went back to work.

When 11:00 rolled around I finally got to the interview. There are three states I might get to work in: Arizona, Alabama, and South Carolina. Chris asked if I wanted to stay in Alabama. I told him I would like to see Arizona. However, I might have squashed my chances of getting out there.

He told me what sites I would be working on if I were to stay in Alabama: Grand Bay and Weeks Bay. Well we have projects going on there, and I said that. Of course, considering that I already know the area and I am already here, surely he would put me here. To top it off, I already know the guy I would be working with out here. So, I can't imagine he would even consider sending me out to Arizona. Maybe that is a good thing, but I have wanted to go out there for a long time.

Chris said I would be living in a bunkhouse doing marsh bird surveys from mid March through late June at the earliest. We would be up before the sun and out for about four hours, then back home for the afternoon. Then we would conduct night surveys. I would have two sites, so each week I would flip flop between the two.

If I go out to Arizona I will be working in Az and California on planned burn sites. They are trying to reintroduce indigenous plant species and draw endangered species back to the areas. I would work on a team of five if I went out there. I prefer to work on teams.

So, after the interview I returned to the lab and sat with Just to talk about the discussion and my options. While we were talking Chris called for a reference. Just said he gave him a wonderful description of me- he is so generous- and Chris was very pleased. Just said we are going to plan as though I have already received the job. So, we made plans for the future. After I am done there- wherever there is- I will return here to work until the end of 2009. This is assuming they do not offer me another position that I might want to take.

So, this weekend I am going home and I am going to bring as much with me as I can. I will find out next week if I got the job. Then, if I did, the craziness begins as I scramble to get all of my stuff packed and moved out.

Maybe I have another job? 1 of 2

Well, it has been a while since I last produced a really good post for this blog. No, don't get too excited. I'm not promising anything.

Monday I applied for a new internship with the University of Arizona. I had been told about this internship some time ago. I had just never seen the listing actually make the headlines. Then an email was forwarded to me with the listing in it. Seems I had missed it being posted and now they were still looking for folks. I had wanted this internship because it is a survey of marsh birds. That is my style! I thought I had two options: Southeast or Northeast. But now I am being told that I can either go to South Carolina, Alabama, or Arizona.

Well, I have always wanted to see Texas and Arizona. I don't know why. That is just something that has been of interest to me. So, you know that I would love to take the position in Arizona. That will take me far away from my family and friends, but as I said it is an internship and will not be long- just about 3 or 4 months.
Hopefully, right after that I will return to Dauphin Island in time for the HOT season (pronounced: sunscreen, beach, and bikinis). I don't know what is in store for me when I get back, or even if there will be a position open for me to return to.
All in all, I am a little nervous about this. I had planned my spring and summer down here at the Island, but given this new turn of events, things might change- and quickly!

This position should be starting in March. March is next week! That barely gives me enough time to eat all of my perishable food! I think the term lasts until June. Not bad.

I have several concerns. First of all, I have been trying to get some of my friends down here for spring break. Now, if I took this position I will be leaving before they come, I think. I do know this much- I have told them I am not going anywhere before March 9th!

My stream of consciousness tends this way: I am going home this weekend. If I am going to Arizona soon, I had better pack a good deal of my things so I can leave them at home- you know, the stuff you don't use, but have piled up? I don't think I will be able to move out in one car load anymore! I have been bringing things down ever time I take a trip home! I need to plan for that.

Secondly, I need to make sure I have a job to come back to- and not leave them high and dry when I leave. I am their only full time intern right now! Who will get the work done?! I also want to make sure that I am not left in the cold. I don't want to wait tables if I run out of time over there and don't have anything in line.

Thirdly, I have to notify everyone that I have been making plans with. I hope that doesn't screw up their worlds.

Fourthly, there are folks here that I will be leaving. Andrea and Michelle, my heart breaks that I would lose you guys as roommates. You have spoiled me. Alvin, I was hoping to get to bike around the island this summer and see you too! It is so much better standing around and chatting when it is warm outside, right? Ryan, just when we got to live close together again, one of us is moving. But you said you will be around at least until September, so I think this may just be a little hiccup in our time together. Bruce, I am glad you are leaving first. It would be a no deal if it weren't that way. I think this is what makes this decision easiest on me. I am perfectly comfortable spending a few months on adventure. It will make the time you are gone pass by faster.

And lastly, Aunt Marsha, I really wanted one of those puppies! I have to get all of my information and find out if it will work out for me to take one with me. You know how much I want to!

I heard back from the man who is hiring. I have an interview tomorrow at 9:00! I really believe I will be offered the position. Here is why: The position was open for some time. However, as per his email, some of the positions fell through. This means that he needs people- and judging by the time line and how quickly he emailed me back, he needs them now. I will post the results of the interview tomorrow.

This being said, I spoke to Josh (my lab manager) about this and he said that he and Just (my boss) needed to talk to me. I joked that I was getting fired and Josh said, "Yes, fired, and rehired." This may mean that they were going to offer me a full time position. Oi, does it get any more sticky? Why do all of these opportunities occur at once? It always happens this way too!

So, now it is a waiting game. I have to ask the right questions tomorrow. I have to inform my lab about what is happening. I need to know if I can return here after this job. There is so much to get right, I hope I don't drop the ball and mess up someone else's plans!

"Whenever you are having a rough day,

feeling lonely,

sad,

blue,

or you think that people do not understand you,

always remember, that were I by your side,

I would be wrapping my strong arms around you,

holding you close against me,

and truly caring for you as best I can,

but since I am not,

Imagine that I am, because,

most likely, at that very moment,

regardless of whenever it might be,

chances are,

I am Imagining the same thing,

and wishing I was."

...................

Only the best love poem ever

I ran up the door, opened the stairs, said my pajamas and put on my prayers - turned off my bed, tumbled into my light, and all because he kissed me good-night!

I retook the GRE yesterday and I got the scores I needed! It is spectacular! I actually got lower on the verbal then I did last time, but I got almost a hundred points higher than I did on the quantitative last time. So now, I have the scores I needed for Auburn to look at me. But I don't have to grades I need.
Yeah, I am having a rough time of it this semester with my courses. GIS and Remote Sensing is the one that is hurting me so badly. I just can't get this stuff. I am seriously considering dropping the course because it is going to bring my grades down.

My poor dog got neutered this weekend, so he is recovering, though he did and is doing well. He is alot more clinging than he was before, sitting in my lap and falling asleep in my arms. I hope this doesn't change him too dramatically, but so far everything seems to be the same.

I'm not good at blogs. I was never good at diaries either. Not that anyone cares anyway.
Well, I am graduating in August if all goes well. That would be great.
I am still reveling in my latest victory. I got two A's and two B's in my hardest semester yet. The joy and amazement of it all absolutely blew me away. I still, as I type this, am ecstatic. I imagine some of you who are reading this are the ones who have a 3.5 at their lowest. But I struggle for every grade I make. And here I am. I worked so hard for those grades.
Well, as I said, I am graduating in August, Lord willing. After that I am trying to get to Auburn in the fall for a masters in Wildlife Sciences.
I have gotten three letters of recommendation, an application, and a GRE done already. I have also talked with one professor to try and get on a research project and get a major professor.
Well, I have run into two dilemmas. First, my GPA is not high enough. I need at least a 3.0. Well, my GPA took a great shot in the arm this semester, but it still isn't 3.0. I have calculated that I need pretty much all A's this semester to get a 3.0. I can do that. I can do that. I can do that. sigh.
My second problem? I did not get the score I needed on the GRE to get in to Auburn. I did very well on the verbal part of the test. Almost 100 points above the required number. But I got 20 points short of the cut off on the Quantitative section. I was so confused looking at some of those equations. Now I am going to retake the GRE. I can't retake it until next month at the soonest.
Oh help. It was a four hour test. It cost me $140 dollars that I don't have. I think it almost killed me too. I don't want to retake it. I have no choice.
Yup, that's my lif right now.

Chlorine Out

This is a recipe I found that really helps to remove chlorine from my hair. As I am usually in a highly chlorinated tank for a few hours each week, my hair gets pretty bad. This recipe also cleans dogs, bud vases, and about anything else you need to get really clean and didn't think you could.
I don't usually leave it on for thirty minutes. Maybe I should.

Chlorine out

1. Mix 2 tablespoons baking soda, 1 cup fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of mild shampoo together until well blended.
2. Wet hair and massage mixture into hair and scalp, making sure hair ends are coated.
3. Cover hair with a plastic bag, shower cap, or towel and leave on for 30 minutes.
4. Rinse hair well and shampoo as usual.

What became of the Trade Towers?

USS New York

It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.

It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, "those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence," recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. "It was a spiritual moment for everybody there."

Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the "hair on my neck stood up." "It had a big meaning to it for all of us," he said. "They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back."

The ship's motto? "Never Forget"

Please keep this going so everyone can see what we are made of in this country!

Dept. of Trans. email reply on gas $

Loren Marino,

The following online document from the Department of Energy (DOE) discusses how gasoline prices are established, why they fluctuate, and why they differ according to region: http://www.eia.doe.gov/bookshelf/brochures/
gasolinepricesprimer/eia1_2005primerM.html

The DOE Energy and Price Trends web site is: http://www.energy.gov/pricestrends/index.htm

For additional information or guidance, your best course of action is to contact the DOE directly.

Contact information for the DOE can be found at: http://www.eia.doe.gov/contactus.html

To report gas price-gouging in your area, use the DOE's e-mail form at http://gaswatch.energy.gov/

You may also wish to contact your elected federal or state representatives.

For contact information, please see:

Elected Federal Representatives: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/legbranch/cis.html

Elected State Representatives: http://www.loc.gov/rr/news/stategov/stategov.html

Sincerely,

Reference Services
National Transportation Library
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Research and Innovative Technology Administration
U. S. Department of Transportation

Ga$-contact your representatives. Here is how.

Gas prices are up and noone is saying much. So, we really need to start talking. We got to above $3.00 today. I have never seen that before.

These are the people you need to contact:

U.S. Congressman
U.S. Senator
Department of Transportation.

These are the websites to find your representatives:

http://www.senate.gov/
http://www.house.gov/
http://www.dot.gov/

This was my letter to my representatives:

Dear Sir,
I am dismayed to have seen today that the gas prices in my city are up above $3.00.

I am writing to request some information about this matter.

What is driving the prices so high?
What have you done to help bring the prices down?
What progress are you seeing in your efforts?

I am a 25 year old college student working steadily to provide for my present and future needs. But I need a champion. We all, as a nation, need to see that our authorities are standing up against these companies.
The news is full of stories of the oil companies making vast profits. What reason, then, would there be to raise the prices? It is disheartening, and discouraging.
Most people I talk to express distress, not anger, with the gas prices alone. We can not cut the cost out of our lives. Many can not even reduce the distances they are driving.

We need relief. Please address this issue for the good of the people you are representing.

Sincerely,
Loren Marino

mold anyone?

I was looking at a kitchen magazine and they had some lovely cheese tags. The picture reminded me of an anecdote from when I was younger.
I was at Bruno's waiting on my mother. She was having lunchmeats cut for us and I was looking at the cheeses as I always did. I liked to squeeze them trying to find out how soft they were. I liked Mozzarella far before I ever tried it simply because it was so soft.
Well, I found a cheese that was moldy. I was embarrassed to think that they were so careless as to let their cheeses go bad like that.
I brought the cheese to a baker and he took it with a knowing, amused, and puzzled look. It was as though he wanted to laugh at me with disdain. I thought he was arrogant not to be grateful I spared them from embarrassment.
I went back to the rack and found another. I returned to the baker and gave that one to him as well.
I did find more, and in irritation I wrote them off as ignorant and left the rest.
I bet the cheese was Blue Cheese, on further reflection.

Do you really 'hate'?

There is a statement a friend made that I was only recently reminded about. He said
"If I really hate someone I would be willing to kill them; and if I love them, I would die for them."
How often do we hear, or worse, say, "I hate (him/her)" What is worse, sometimes we entertain thoughts of disdain and consider ourselves justified, never realizing how wrong it is even though we did not externalize the thoughts.
I recall being upset about someone using foul language because they were angry. Then I realized that sometimes when I am upset I am cruel. There really is no difference. One says it while the other acts it out.
The Bible says in 1 John 3:15
'Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.'

BJU's plea for prayer

This is the email sent out to the parents BJU students.

Dear Parent:

In chapel on Thursday, March 15, I will inform our students that a gay/lesbian/bisexual/ transgender advocacy group called Soulforce Equality Riders intends to visitBob Jones University’s campus April 4. I want to summarize for you what we will be telling the students about the background and goals of this group and about the University’s position and plans for managing the event.

Founded in 1998, Soulforce initially protested religious groups holding policies on the issue of homosexuality. It first targeted educational institutions in 2005, and in 2006 organized a group called Equality Riders which traveled to 19 colleges and universities. Reaction at those schools was mixed; some schools set up forums for dialogue and others refused them access to their campuses. Knowing BJU could be a likely future target, we tracked those visits closely.

This spring, two groups of Equality Riders are targeting 33 colleges. Their stated purposes are to dialogue with administrators, faculty, and students; to make clear that the belief that homosexuality is a sickness and a sin is harmful; and to convince administrators to change policies at their institutions. The group first communicated with BJU last fall and early this year informed us they will visit BJU April 4.

Please be assured that BJU did not invite Soulforce to our campus. The reality is just the opposite. We have repeatedly told them that “given our belief that the teaching of Scripture on this subject is clear and our sense of responsibility to our students and their parents, we could not participate in any discussions or allow any access to our campus or student body.” They have informed us they are coming anyway.

There are a number of reasons we cannot give Soulforce access to our campus and students. First, as Bible-believing Christians, our faith and practice is based on Scripture, which speaks clearly and consistently about God’s boundaries for sexual expression. Second, BJU follows biblical principles for living—not singling out homosexuality in our policies but following the Bible’s teaching on the whole matter of sexuality. Third, granting access would violate a trust between you and the University. We cannot allow a group antithetical to your expectations or to the clear teaching of Scripture to come onto our campus with the expressed purpose of undermining Scripture. Finally, Soulforce’s stated goals make true dialogue impossible. It is clear that their goal is not dialogue, but one-sided arguments aimed at changing our policies.

While our objective is to keep the Equality Riders off campus, we will respond to them in a manner consistent with our stated beliefs. Our approach will be a clear and biblical statement of our position without inflammatory words or tone. As we have opportunity, we will present the Gospel and demonstrate the love of Christ.

Let me assure you that we have adequate plans and resources in place to manage the event and that your young people will be safe and secure. We will provide students logistical instructions the day before the event, and they will know what to do and how to react.

In addition, we will also use this occasion as a teaching opportunity—to make sure our students thoroughly understand what Scripture teaches about homosexuality and a biblical response to it. This generation of students will face this issue for many years to come, and they need to be grounded in the biblical perspective. And we want to help any who may be struggling with the issue in their own personal lives.

Please pray earnestly for the university family as April 4 approaches. We need the Lord’s wisdom and grace.

Sincerely,

Stephen Jones
President

President Bush's kindness

This is the story of President Bush's visit to Enterprise Alabama after a tornado hit a school only a few weeks ago.

Subject: President Bush

This e-mail was written by someone in Enterprise. She is relaying a message told by an ABI officer who attends Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Enterprise. The officer was with President Bush when he visited.

There is a man at Ridgecrest Baptist Church who is an ABI officer. He got up last night and told us about having the honor of being paired with one of the secret service men who were with President Bush Saturday in Enterprise. He said when they started walking through the rubble at the school they came upon four students waiting for the President. They were in an area where on the floor there was a emblem that read EHS Class of 65. When the President approached the students he asked which one of you is the president (I assume president of the student body)? One of the girls kind of raised her hand and said I am then she hung her head and started to cry. President Bush wrapped his arms around her and the other three joined them. Barry, the ABI officer said President Bush started to cry and said "It's tough being the president isn't it." Barry said he talked with them a little longer. He said he was very close to the President but couldn't hear every word that was spoken, but he could tell that the President was quoting scripture. After a while the President started walking again and said he wanted the emblem preserved whatever it took. The Mayor then spoke up and said they would take care of it and President Bush turned to him and said "I was speaking to the President." I bet that the Mayor closed his mouth then!!! and then President Bush said "by the way where are my children"? The four students who were lagging behind came running up to him and walked the rest of the way over to the church with him. The media were sent to a different area Barry said. When President Bush got inside the church to meet with the families of those that had been killed the secret serviceman turned to Barry an d said this is as far as we go. This is his time with them. Barry then asked him if the President was protected and the secret servicemen said yes, he is protected, but not by us. Barry could hardly contain himself as he was telling us this last night. He said he told the secret service man that he wished everyone could witness what he just did then they could see that the most powerful man in the United States was just another human being, a father, a comforter, a friend and had true compassion for these people. However the media does not portrait that, big surprise!

Exitus Acta Probat
"The end proves the deed." ~ Geo. Washington

Arsenic and Old Lace

We watched Arsenic and Old Lace two nights ago. Sorry, Jon, but it just isn't one of my favorites. I slept through most of it this time. I was so exhausted, I couldn't make it. It reminded me of the last time I watched the movie.
I was in the lounge of the ladies dorm on friday night when I got to see it for the first time. Well, at the end, it was ten minutes to lights out and I got up to make the trip across the campus and looked outside. It was dark and still. Yep. Dark, still, and Jonathan had frightened me. And I wasn't going to make that trip all by myself. You remember Jonathan, right? He was Mortimer's spooky brother.
I made quick work of finding alternative accommodations. Rachel Beaton? Can I sleep in your room? So, with a quick call to my trailer leader I was headed to Rachel's spare mattress. Do you remember that, Rae?
I must have been 22 then. Scared. Of a black and white comedy. And I hold my head high.

I don't know what to put here...

I am sitting at the kitchen counter at 11:00 pm. I am supposed to be writing a lab report for Organic Chemistry. So, I figured this was the perfect opportunity to find something else to do.
Yes, lab reports: Just one more way to prove that I don't know what is going on.
The report is on Synthesis of Styrene. It didn't work. We figure the Trimethalchloride was not fully distilled. Guess that would do it. Yeah, that stuff... wow. Fume hoods are necessary when working with TMC. It'll wreck you.
My first lab report wasn't well accepted. I patterned it after the scientific paper in my technical writing class but I guess it wasn't what the TA was looking for. Frankly, I really don't know how else to do it, so it will be the same way this time and I will talk it over with her.
This report was due last week but I was so sick. I couldn't think of breathing in any kinds of fumes. Had some kind of respiratory mess that is sweeping the south and has the CDC on edge. It still isn't gone, but I can function very well again. Besides that, the lab last week was canceled and I was so glad. It is one of the longest labs of the semester and I didn't want to have to make it up. Apparently some dichloromethane was spilled and the Huntsville Fire Dept had to be involved some way. I will find out tomorrow what happened. Always something going on in the Wilson Hall labs!

I've been pretty busy at home. Started my spring cleaning early. I guess when I get into cleaning I just go crazy. Good thing it doesn't happen very often, aye? It all started because I noticed a tabletop was a little dusty.
Right now my room is torn to shreds. I emptied my closet and some drawers because I want to reorganize. I was cleaning my room last week and stepped back and looked at it. Though it was clean it seemed very cluttered. It just didn't LOOK clean. So, whenever that happens I know I have to tear everything up and rearrange.
I also like to get rid of the random stuff that collects in the empty spots of my room. So, in order to do that, everything needs to get pulled out in the open.
So, I've been camping out on the floor for a while because my bed is missing. I recall taking all the sheets off to be washed before it disappeared. I hope to find it soon.
Guess I better get going back to work! Don't expect any pictures with this entry, that would just be too embarrassing!

Snow day!

So we had snow. I am so glad because it has been at least a year since we had some. Well, I can't say that it lasted very long in most areas, but it was pretty while it was here.
For those of you who were pulling for me, no UAH did not close and I did take the test. But it is okay because I figured out free radical stability.
I did slide on my driveway. But besides that, the roads were very clear as you can tell by my pictures. The roadways were just too warm for anything substantial to happen.
About ten years ago we had an ice storm so heavy we were stuck in our house for about five days. The ice on the streets and our driveway was so thick it couldn't be dealt with. We had to go out and chip the entire driveway off because the ice was about an inch thick on it. Infact, everything was covered in ice; our trees and bushes, grill, lawn furniture- it was like a faerie garden.
This year we got a dusting. Maybe we will get more. This can't be it. There is still some snow hanging out in random places. Infact, our snowman's body only just melted.

He giveth snow like wool: He scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.
He casteth forth His ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?
He sendeth out His word, and melteth them: He causeth His wind to blow, and the waters to flow. Psalm 147:16-18

O nata lux de limine,
Jesu redemptor saeculi,
dignare clemens supplicum
laudes preces que sumere.
Qui carne quondam contegi
dignatus es pro perditis.
Nos membra confer effici,
tui beati corporis

O born light of light,
Jesus, redeemer of the world,
mercifully deem worthy and accept
the praises and prayers of your supplicants.
Thou who once deigned to be clothed in flesh
for the sake of the lost ones,
grant us to be made members
or your holy body.

Morten Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna

Donald Trump's flag

What do you think?
Donald Trump is being sued over an American flag he is flying in front of his club. That sounds so unpatriotic on first understanding, but I went and read up on the matter. Seems he has violated zoning regulations by having a pole almost twice as tall as is allowable, and not having a building permit for the structure. Okay, I can swallow that. A righteous citizen is a law abiding citizen.
I don't know if this is a publicity stunt, but I really can not justify his actions.
If something is to be done for a good cause, it needs to be done properly as well or risk damaging the message.
This reminds me as a Christian that my God's name is at stake in my actions as well. If I am going to make a statement for Christ's sake I need to be aware of the situation. In my Geology class my teacher has made mention of the big bang theory and pangaea and a few other evolutionary theories. I have wanted to make debate over these topics but knew that it would be unruly and poorly timed. What, then, would I be accomplishing for Christ? Would others be able to respect my position? Not likely. I would probably be marked as a trouble maker- and then what of my testimony?
Prudence is wise.
What do you think?