since my internship with the department of Veterans Affairs started. Since then. my life has gone through an unusually positive period. There is so much to mention, but it does show that hard work and patience really does pay off. My job has been nothing less than a dream job that allows me to be exhibit my abilities and interests. The must exciting part was the 4-grade promotion to a permanent position within VA back in September of 2008. Since then, I have become more and more confident of my abilities and my assertiveness level has increased ten-fold.

This would not have been possible without the unending love and support of my family, especially my wife, and my friends and co-workers. I ultimately give thanks to God for guidance and wisdom when the chips were down.

Now, I have another test, which has become routine, but can have life-changing results: my annual PETScan. So far, so good, for over seven years. We are pushing for 8,9,10, 15, 20+ years of freedom from cancer. I hope I can repay this blessing though my good acts for others.

I feel: contemplative

Work was very active, especially with my co-worker FINALLY taking a break. She is so dedicated to her job, but she needed to take a break once. I just hope my work will: A) give her some relief and B) Help her feel I am worth promotion later :).

In other news, I have been slowly making updates to our condo. So far, I have replaced appliances, installed the R/O water filter system, ran some plumbing for our new refrigerator,  moved some electrical wiring, and installed new lighting. Now, it's time to replace the flooring. Hiring a professional resulted in us getting a $3000.00 estimate for the task of putting down 200 sq/ft of wood. Needless to say, the builder in me is ready to do it myself. I just have to convince Samantha of this. The $2500.00 savings I think is well worth it.

Next week is our trip to Florida for a visit to see family, and for me to FINALLY participate in an ACB convention. We will be there Wednesday and Thursday. Hopefully we can meet some of you there, and we hope we can sneak off to Disney as well while there.

It has been a hard two weeks for those in the public eye: Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett, Ed McMahnon, and others. But on top of that: 9 METRO passengers, over 400 airline passengers, and so on and so on. What's the point? Each and every one has a special meaning, and have (based on opinion: good or bad) have contributed to our society. Always take time to remember those who are not present in our world in our form anymore. No matter what you believe in, we will all reach this state of being "gone" so live your life as best as possible. I was supposed to be dead two years ago and well, here I am still.
 

I feel: sympathetic

It has been almost four years since my trip to San Francisco! It was such a wonderful trip. I decided to look back at my journal at my memories, and who could ever forget about the voicepost with:

caitlin45 
rdfreak 
doodgeman 
foghead420
And Caitlin's mom.

As one can see, I was such a great influence on the youth of today. :)

Such great memories, and even better people!

http://enchanterglen.livejournal.com/106350.html

I feel: nostalgic

Coby Curtin, a 10 year old in the final stages of a type of vascular cancer, had her last wish forfilled hours before she succumbed to the disease. Her request? - To see the movie "Up" before she died.

You can read the article HERE

It is a reminder of how I have, in some ways, cheated death with my four bouts of cancer. There is obviously a reason for my existence, and everyday I discover more and more why. I am so blessed and lucky to have the family and friends in my life, who have helped me deal with the rough times, and shared in my enjoyment of the good times. Right now, I have been enjoying some great times, but I know the challenges that make my life interesting will be back again, so I must never take life for granted.

Speaking of cancer, I will be visiting my oncologist in a couple of weeks, along with the all too famous cystoscopy and PET scan. Lets hope again for good results!

Thanks so much again to all of you for being there for me.

I feel: touched

I have made it yet again around the sun.

What a year this has been!!

I just want to say thanks to God, my family and friends for helping to make my 36 year one of the best years of my life.

Thanks to my wife, Sam, and Leslie for taking out to dinner Friday and coming over to our home afterwards.

and now for what everyone else has been doing:

( Questionare )

I feel: happy

It seemed like yesterday when we were in Florida.

Yet, lots have gone on since then. (order is from newest to oldest)

This weekend, we celebrated Samantha's father's birthday (60 years). The event started with a mulch shoveling party. After I was finished, we had a big dinner and opened presents and had chocolate cake (home made) for dessert.

I transferred title for my Ford Explorer to my mom.

The day before, Samantha and mom were rear-ended in a three car pileup. All are OK, if just a little bit sore.

I traveled to Richmond for a tabletop training review.

I received a laptop for work.

Got back in touch with a very good friend from a long time ago: spuffytopia (Glenn, check it out)

Samantha found out she won a discrimination complaint against her former employer!

We bought plane tickets for a trip to the ACB Convention in Orlando, Florida.

Went to Church.

I feel: happy
I'm listening to: The Ozark Mountain Daredevils - If I Only Knew

For those of you who may remember Samantha loves the Mazda Miata, Samantha's dream came true May 30 when we test drove and purchased her dream car. The most interesting part is the fact I bought this car with the frustrating fact in mind that the car is being left at my parent's home and will be used only on visits. Still, it is our dream vehicle and we will enjoy it immensely while in town. In fact, to get the most out of the car the last two days of our trip, we pretty much lived in the car for the weekend. We even named the little red vehicle Chelsea.



On top of the impromptu car purchase, we drove around town to look at prospective houses for purchase for either a second home or hopefully our future permanent home. All we need now is a position with VA in Bay Pines!

I feel: excited

THis week has been very good, especially after the past week with bad news. Here is the summary.

Sold old appliances via CriagsList. (It really does work)
Plumbing work for new refrigerator.
New Vanity Light
Wood flooring samples evaluated
I organized another VA Town Hall meeting, with a new twist:video streaming nationwide.

On top of all this, tomorrow we celebrate Samantha's parent's 40th wedding anniversary with a surprise party at a French Bistro in Old Town Alexandria, followed by a photo shoot on the waterfront.

On the horizon: one week until our vacation to Florida!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel: accomplished

• 08:46 Happy Friday everyone. AWS (alternative work schedule) day off. Awaiting new appliances and Samantha. #
• 09:03 Here's a new one: my delivery has been moved UP from 11:30 - 3:30 to 10:00- 10:30. I never saw a change go that direction before. #

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• 22:00 Very busy day at VA. One of my best days yet. I am so blessed to work with the team of co-workers that I have been put with. #
• 22:00 Refrigerator is fixed with new valve, now where are the buyers? It figures. #
• 22:02 Thunderstorms in Arlington tonight, and very humid. I guess St. Petersburg is visiting me. :) 8 more days till vacation! YAY!!!! #
• 22:03 @SarahVarga I hope not either. Praying for good job soon! #

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