Complete Disbelief

It's been good. Good times, happy times.

Today, I bothered the hell out of the guys at work. I was only going to be there 4 hours and I knew that, but I wanted to get some work done. So when Adam wasn't around, I asked Chris. I got to see what they did to my army men that decided to infiltrate the area. Three little men from both colors left my area this morning to keep a watch on the guys and before the attack. The tan guys set up in Adam's cupboard. The green guys, in the corner of Chris's desk. I had been told if my army men found their way down there, they would have evil things done to them. But that was not the case at last glance. The men in Adam's cube were saving him from the alien riding the space shuttle. And one of the guys in Chris's cube was riding in a white convertible. I just smiled.

The guys did come down and get me for lunch. I am glad I pointed out to Adam I wished they would invite me along from time to time. We went to B.J.'s brew house for lunch. And when you have mainly guys and only a couple of women there conversations get ... well interesting. I had a few good laughs and a few good jokes to go with it. I'm still not use to seeing guys blush (lol). Amber is so cool! I met her today for the first time. But it was fun. I was a little late to meet Betsy afterward.

So, Betsy took me over to NASA today. She took me to all the "highlights" as she called them. I got to see the "play ground" where all the mock ups are for practice. So basically it was a huge building with a mock shuttle and mock space station and mock Orion in it. It was so cool! Its the Astronaut's playground as she put it. Then we walked down to the simulator building. I got to go into one of the simulators. The one that simulates lift offs and touch downs. I got to sit where the astronauts train. She took me into the Astronaut Office as well, no astronauts were training but it was where she use to work. Then, though not sure if I was actually allowed there, we went to Mission Control. Mission Control! All of the 3 rooms. the one was the space station, the next the shuttle one (they were simulating a flight), the last the Apollo one. It was so cool!

We walked back to her car, and I was in total disbelief. I wasn't suppose to actually be able to follow my dreams. My dreams weren't really suppose to come true. But they have begun to come true. they have begun to actually exist and I am really happy with all of it thus far. Its either extreme happiness or complete disbelief. I haven't figured out which one it really is. But the people at work are also starting to open up. I'm not the strange outsider any more! [broad smile]

Never want to say good bye

Had a great lunch. The guys finally decided to start asking if I wanted to join them. So I did. I don't think I can remember the last time I actually saw a grown man blush as much as a couple of them. Of course, they had a few good burns between them during lunch. It was hilarious. But even I was smart enough to stop listening when one conversation got a little bit more "dirty" than I was willing to listen to, I know I would have been red. Had one of the guys apologize because of their conversations. I just laughed and enjoyed it. I had a great time! I will so miss them when I leave. The lady is also amazing! She is the "princess" of the Design group. And was told, she could be queen after one of the guys left. That guy, definitely flipped the other guy off.

It was good. Red faces all around, good laughs. Made it all worth while! The memories.

NASA on Friday for a tour.... then back to work for a bit.

Coming True ....

I'm just not sure reality has really hit me yet! It doesn't really feel like I'm in Texas. It doesn't feel like I'm working on NASA stuff for a contracted company. It doesn't feel like Lockheed Martin is where I'm really at. Maybe its not suppose to ever feel like I'm really here.

The only real difference between here and home (besides the weather) is my attitude change. I'm happier. I love where I'm wondering to every day. I love the guys I work with, they have been so amazing. And I'll miss them when I'm gone or their gone. I'm following my dreams. I'm doing something I've wanted to do for so long. And its been so hard for me to believe.

I guess, I never really expected to be able to follow my dreams. To really do what I wanted to do. But I am. Here I sit, still a bit amazed that I did what I always wanted to do. I'm in a different state, I'm in a different job; and I'm loving so much of it! Its just a slight variation of the original dream, with so many more opportunities.

I'm sure it will hit me eventually; that I'm 1300 miles from home. But since I'm already use to going and doing things alone, its nothing to go to the beach and just have a day by myself. I still haven't made any real good friends. But I think I've made a few good contacts! I mean, the one guy is headed to Colorado. That's a contact, and he's been helping me learn how to do what I'll need to know.

So, I'm living in my own world. I don't rush to work, I easily put in over 8 hours a day. I read a book at lunch. I enjoy having conversations with my colleges about what my future plans might be and if I'd like to work or Lockheed after I graduate. I did answer that with "if they offer, I probably won't pass it up, because if its not here that I want, than I can ask for a transfer and learn new things too". The one guy that interviewed me seemed to like that idea. And suggested trying out the Florida plant or Colorado. Oh, how he has no idea, I would go for it in a heart beat!

Reality, Reality, You so elude me right now! I hope you stay that way! And the time will go way too fast for my liking!

- - - - - - - - - - -

Figured I'd hit up a movie tonight .... Not like I have anyone to go do things with down here.

Kinda wish I could have went with Betsy home ... I would have loved that. But I couldn't afford a ticket and decided I would do my best to be on my own for 3 months. Its not bad ... Its been two weeks, but I'm still not over it yet ... the idea of being here.

Tomorrow, I'm gonna go to Galveston. I'm gonna go down early enough that I can actually see the Gulf. Figured it would be nice.

The bay was pretty gross. I stopped by there yesterday after work.

Dreams ... In a Daze ...

It's still weird to sit there at work and all I hear people taking about is NASA this and NASA that. It's a strange feeling knowing I am kind of working with what I've always dreamed of working with! It's just so strange, still kind of surreal. I was told so many times by so many people that I had high dreams, and they probably wouldn't come true, ever, so I should just accept it and deal with it. But that wasn't quite the case. So, I'm slowly going to make my way into reality as it does exist.
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Adventures?! I think so!

Adventures!

I know the trip to florida has been over for a while now. But I finally got up days 6 and 7 (with a few awesome pictures!) on the adventure blog. I still have 8 and 9 to go ... but they will be short and probably without pictures. AFter I get those two done, I'll publish the posts about Galveston and the Museum ....

Keeping looking for them, I'll try to get them updated soon.

Thanks

Bed now.

How weird it does feel to have so many connections with NASA ....

I haven't seen a National City yet. I have seen a few Banks of Americas. Might end up going with that. I know I've seen or heard of one in the Ohio area.

Anyways, I found out about an Astronaut who was speaking at the University of Houston Clear Lake Campus. So when I got off, that's where I headed. He ended up giving a nice talk on how the planets are changing and how and what they think about it. All in all, my first experience with an Astronaut up kinda close. His name was Tom Jones. He did 4 shuttle missions and used quite a few of his own pictures from space in his presentation. It was pretty sweet, but by about 8:30pm, I was getting so damn tired and had developed a devastating headache.

I stopped and grabbed Tylenol from Target and with only 2 lines open I picked the line closest to my door, since I just didn't care anymore. But I ended up behind a lady who needed two carts for everything she got. And she just looked at me with my one box of Tylenol and waited for the lady to start cashing her out. Sad thing was, before she could even get all of her stuff in her cart, I had already paid, put my change away, and was walking out. Weird how it all works.

Took the dog for a walk. The internet is working but only on a hard line. We have to get a different router, I guess. Fine by me for now. Eventually we'll get it worked out. Not too worried about it right now.

Oh, and I got told today, I need to get my NASA badge. I hadn't even applied for it since I wasn't sure they wanted me to. Turns out they do! I'll get a temporary one next week that will get me on the grounds. I'll be applying and going through the 10 year back ground check before I leave so that maybe the 3 to 6 months will lead to me coming back and a permenant badge waiting for me!

Now I will read and hopefully sleep and maybe I'll wake up with no headache!

1300 miles ..... too far

Comcast is coming tomorrow to hopefully fix the issue.

Anyways, still trying to teach myself the program at work. Its been interesting. I kinda miss home already. I would love to see a certain someone again. I enjoyed our last evenings together. And I guess one thing I'm pretty sure of, is he just wants a friend. Which will be okay, but its hard to make a friend and have feelings for them too. Regardless, I'm 1300 miles away, so nothing will change for now. I'm ready for a weekend.

And I'm thinking I may just catch a movie with Betsy downtown Houston or something instead. Something a bit cheaper. Because I discovered there are no US Banks south of St. Louis, so I'm gonna need to find a new bank when I'm home again. ..................

Not completely what I've expected. And I can't seem to get enough sleep. I'm always tired.

Long time Waiting ....

So, Still haven't gotten the internet to work. I'm borrowing Betsy's Aircard. I can't do this for ever though.

In regards to your question Cameron: Houston has been cold since I got here. Today was the first day it got above 55. Its suppose to be in the mid 70s tomorrow though. I'll believe it when I walk out for lunch time. I so hate the hours I'm suppose to hold ... but then I guess it is more lenient than any job I've ever had.

I haven't seen the Gulf yet. Thought about taking Saturday and going down to Galveston for the day. I hear its only about 30 minutes away. I can do that. I thought it might be fun, but I may not have enough money until after I get my first pay check. So it may wait a week.

My first goal is getting the internet working right! And it seems that might become Betsy's main thoughts too.....

Houston Days .....

Okay, Okay. I wanted to have already updated you, but its hard when the wireless won't accept your computer. I'm working on it. I'm gonna have to call them and figure this shit out. Its really pissing me off. Worked for Betsy but won't work for me .....

And damn did it get cold when I came down here. My toes have been cold all day.

Houston! Here I come!

Had a good night tonight. Didn't get done what I needed to, but I had a couple of beers with a friend and Seth. Played pool with someone who in his words "likes to play games" ... I stopped listening the more he began to remind me of Alex T. I like Alex, but he gets really cocky sometimes when he gets that "I'm better than you because I work with the cops" mood. And well, this guy was just that ....

Enjoyed Seth's company. He got introduced to a new bar that I think he'll return to from time to time. I keep introducing him to my stomping ground and he keeps liking it. But I'm glad. He told me good bye, gave me a hug, and told me to be careful on my way.

Stopped and said bye to an aunt and uncle. Amazing people. I love them so much.... A few members of my family I am better for knowing. I will have to drop them a letter after a couple of weeks.

But only a few hours from now, I will be heading south. And from the look of it, I won't be getting out as early as I wanted. I am waiting on switching a load of laundry over before going to bed. I'll try to be back up by 8, so I can pack. That means less than 5 hrs of sleep. Might be a good thing that mom is going with me now. *Still so hard to believe I'm living out a dream I've had for many years*

Woke up feeling a bit better mooded ....

Happy New Year all!