2007: Some Same, Some Different

I don't want to jinx it, but 2007 is already off to a great start. Yes, this is the post where I look back at 2006 fondly and with such great interest. Well, not really. 2006 came and went, and I'm just ready for this year.

The Same:

• School. It just never ends. And to think, if everything had gone accordingly, I'd be graduating in May. Incredibly hard to believe that I'd actually be out in the real world. Terrifying. Once again, I've got a full course load this semester, with mind-numbing classes like Control Systems (ME 451), Fluid Mechanics (ME 332), Intro to Composite Materials (MSE 426), and Manufacturing Processes (ME 477). After a fairly average Fall semester, I'm just looking to keep my 3.0 and make it back to Toyota in May.
  

• The Detroit Lions. Unbelievable. Honestly, how do you close out a completely meaningless season with a win against a playoff bound Dallas Cowboys team and screw up your chance at the Number 1 pick? Hand it to the Lions to completely disappoint a city by winning. And son of a bitch, Matt Millen still has his job? If my boss ever tries firing me after 4 years of complete futility, I can't wait to play the Millen card.

The Different:

• Notice I only listed two things under the "Same" heading. I don't expect anything else from 2006 to carry over into 2007, which is both good and bad.

• A new, motivated me. That's right, I'm done with the unhealthy eating, staying up late for no reason at all, wasting time habits I've gotten too used to. Yes, I realize this sounds like every other idiot's New Year's resolutions, but these aren't resolutions. I'm actually going to do them.

• Making the most of everything. I definitely want to do more this year. More exploring, more risk taking, more trips, more aimlessly comforting nights, more photography, more doing the things I want to do, more everything.

I'm done. Happy New Year to you all- don't let anything get in your way in 2007.

Staying Busy

This week has been about as busy as they come. Besides class on Monday, I was nominated to be the Public Relations coordinator for MSU Habitat for Humanity. I'm really excited about the opportunity, it's a great cause and gives me a chance to work with people who care about the community as much as I do. If you're in the Lansing area and want to help out, check out the MSU Habitat homepage.

Tuesday I made the drive down to Ohio for the interview at the Honda Engine Plant in Anna. I think the interview went really well, but I doubt I'll pursue anything with them regardless of what happens. I've got a good thing with Toyota, and summer co-ops are incredibly hard to come by.

I got back to East Lansing just in time for a meeting with Into The Streets, an MSU service organization that focuses on two main events each year. The next big event is scheduled for Martin Luther King Day, which is January 15th. Once again, if you're in the Lansing area and interested, just let me know. It's a great way to give back.

I'm just getting focused on staying as busy as possible and keeping my mind from being idle and straying; nothing good comes of it. The good will come in time, and all I can do is just be patient.

Hello November.

Well October came and went. The Pistons opened up their season tonight with a loss against the Bucks. Did I watch the game, you ask? No, because the games show on some stupid channel that doesn't have a Lansing area affiliate. And because of that, it's very possible that I'll miss out on 25 games that are televised everywhere but here. Fantastic.

I have an interview with Honda next week. Regardless of what happens, it's 98% likely that I won't be working in Ohio anytime soon. I like Kentucky and Toyota too much to pass it up. As much as I'd like to travel and see as much of the country as possible, I'm pretty sure The Buckeye State has nothing to offer. Absolutely nothing.

Hard to believe there's only 6 more weeks left in the semester. I think now is as good a time as any to get my ass in gear and start pushing towards that finish line.

Oh yeah, Tigers lost the World Series to a much more deserving Cardinals team. They just outplayed and out hustled Detroit. At least there's something to look forward to next year. God knows the Lions won't win more than 5 games total in the next 3 years, and I really don't think anyone's paying attention to the Red Wings.

Good Weather = Great Day

Today was a beautiful day. With a beautiful day comes a great mood, and I couldn't be feeling better than I am right now.

I applied to be an Engineering Ambassador for MSU last week, and got an interview scheduled for this Thursday. Hopefully that goes well, because not only would it be a little extra cash on the side, it'd be a good experience.

I got calls from the recruiting departments at Honda and DaimlerChrysler today, which was shocking to say the least. I don't think I'll be pursuing anything with Honda though, as they're looking for students to intern from January to May. I don't want to miss another semester, unless it's a really good offer. DaimlerChrysler, on the other hand, is a very tough internship to obtain, and the fact that they even contacted me is flattering. They're looking for a summer intern in the Detroit area- which is both good and bad. Good because it'd be close to home, and bad, well, bad because it'd be close to home.

Toyota is really my ideal company, and I love Kentucky, but I'm just keeping my options open. I'll probably be going to the Career Gallery tomorrow, just for the sake of getting a bunch of free stuff and throwing the résumé around. And advice to all of you looking for internships and co-ops: Grades aren't everything (take my career 3.1 GPA for example), desire and motivation are just as important, and the hardest thing to do is getting your foot in the door. Once you get that, you're set.