In case you were unaware I am somewhat of a ballroom dancer.
I have now attended two competitions this past school year. My most recent one was at the University of Michigan representing the MSU Ballroom Dance Team. My personal results for each dance:
With Anderson, Sherri
Place Event
1 Newcomer Waltz
1 Newcomer Tango
ROUND 1 Bronze Foxtrot
5 Bronze (W/T)
5 Bronze Viennese Waltz
1 Newcomer Quickstep
With Kalmbach, Marla
Place Event
6 Newcomer Cha Cha
6 Newcomer Swing
SEMIFINAL Bronze (C/R)
SEMIFINAL Bronze Swing
ROUND 1 Bronze Mambo
With Forgacs, Claire
Place Event
5 Newcomer Cha Cha
SEMIFINAL Newcomer Rumba
4 Newcomer Jive
ROUND 1 Bronze Samba
SEMIFINAL Bronze Jive
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Friday, December 11, 2009
I've made it to the iPhone
Hey, I guess I don't post here very often. But I thought I'd let the world know, a logo I designed for an iPhone app is now up. The app just recently launched and it's crazy to think that something I worked on will be available among ALL the iPhone users.
Here's a link that shows it, I also have made a few changes so the main logo might be updated soon.
GameTrac
I should also mention to check out the MSU Ballroom Dance Club since I designed the whole website and I have also been updating it here and there to include information about the competition team (which I am on). There is also a blog that you can find on there. It should be updated more often and I'm going to make sure of it now.
Well that's all for now.
Here's a link that shows it, I also have made a few changes so the main logo might be updated soon.
GameTrac
I should also mention to check out the MSU Ballroom Dance Club since I designed the whole website and I have also been updating it here and there to include information about the competition team (which I am on). There is also a blog that you can find on there. It should be updated more often and I'm going to make sure of it now.
Well that's all for now.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Home Vacation
I went home to MN for 6 days and I have some pictures of my adventures. Enjoy!
July 2nd, went to The Taste of Minnesota and saw Staind and Chevelle perform. At the end of the concert Aaron Lewis showed up mid-crowd and played a few last songs. Pardon the quality, I had only my cell phone to take pictures. The concert was pretty fun.
July 2nd, went to The Taste of Minnesota and saw Staind and Chevelle perform. At the end of the concert Aaron Lewis showed up mid-crowd and played a few last songs. Pardon the quality, I had only my cell phone to take pictures. The concert was pretty fun.
And a video
On July 3rd I sort of spontaneously decided to check out some guitars and ended up getting one!
Later that day my dad and I went out to the Twins game. It was a long battle.
The Twins were down 7 to 1 and came back to tie the game. If you look closely below you can see that it is a very long game here tied in the 15th inning. The game ended up going 16 full innings and unfortunately the Twins lost. I was so tired for being there 5+ hours but I couldn't just leave the game at a tie!
At home my sis had me take care of her new pup Chloe during the week. She's a lovable lil one who's very nice and playful.
Also during the week, no photos though, I did play some bingo and messed up missing out on a $248 pot (one number too late). I played some roller hockey, hung out with Kyle and Brianna a bit. Played some Wii Fit. Had my sis' annual 4th of July/B-day BBQ party. Removed and repaired siding on the house. Ate a delicious and fancy ribeye steak, with blue crab cakes and lobster bisque to start and creme bruleé to finish.
Now I'm back to work, but summer is halfway over. We shall see what happens next!
Also paid $966 this morning for repairs on my car :(
Now I'm back to work, but summer is halfway over. We shall see what happens next!
Also paid $966 this morning for repairs on my car :(
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Twins vs Cubs
Last Sunday I made a day trip out to Chicago and met up with my buddy Matt. We hung out then went out to the baseball game. Here are a few pictures of the trip. Click the panoramas for a full view.
Wrigley Field
The old fashioned scoreboard
the infield a bit closer
After the game we wandered around. There was a blues fest going on.
and me pretending to play guitar
Sunday, April 12, 2009
For Hire
I've come to find myself in a bit of a bind lately. I'm trapped in a little bit of uncertainty. Pardon my ambiguity here, what I'm trying to say is that I still haven't found a summer internship.
After a handful of callbacks for interviews, I've come up dry each time. I've been trying to figure out exactly what's going wrong and what's keeping me out of reach of any potential job. So far, I've only come up with one thing: I must not interview well.
This conclusion arose when I realized that my resume was getting attention and interviews. This meant I had some good stats to my name. I get the interview, and within some time I am rejected. In the meantime I hear of my colleagues, my friends getting the job as I sit disappointed in myself. I don't want to say they aren't as qualified as I may be, but I don't see what makes them so much better than me. Hell, they even tell me (truth or not) that they don't understand why I can't find a job. I can only imagine that my academic and preceding experience just wasn't enough? It's like they want something more out of me that I don't feel is of the same importance as my actual skills and performance.
Anyway, aside from that, the bind it creates is something of a torturous and familiar path. Mid-April approaches once again, I am without a solid summer internship. Yes I have my current research position, but that isn't supposed to last me more than a couple weeks out of school. With this uncertainty, I have no idea where I am going to be placed this summer. I could potentially stay in EL if I am able to stick around for research, or I could be forced to go back home. Going home doesn't mean I have a job, and if I do find some income.. it will most likely be unrelated to the industry. This means I will be screwed out of the experience that my peers are getting in the industry giving them an upper hand when it comes to full-time positions post-college. When I lack that experience it traps me even more in the future and I could be caught out of college with no job. Given this economic situation, if I can't start out soon I'm screwed. When I'm out of college, well that means another thing: student loans. I have a tremendous and growing amount of student loans to be paid off as soon as I graduate. If I'm cornered, I won't be able to pay them off.
Which raises an additional concern, academic performance! Yes I've always had a significant hold on my academics, but I need to keep them strong for at least this semester. If things slip out of my hands (namely biochem) it could hold me back from necessary scholarships. This means more loans, and less money that I'll have after graduating. So in essence, it all matters. Some people say I'll be fine without an industry job, or I'll be fine if I don't do well in this one class. Maybe they're right, but I would rather not risk it.
Either way, my point of this is to vent a little about how frustrated I am in trying to figure out my near future which logically affects my long-term future oh so directly. Good night.
After a handful of callbacks for interviews, I've come up dry each time. I've been trying to figure out exactly what's going wrong and what's keeping me out of reach of any potential job. So far, I've only come up with one thing: I must not interview well.
This conclusion arose when I realized that my resume was getting attention and interviews. This meant I had some good stats to my name. I get the interview, and within some time I am rejected. In the meantime I hear of my colleagues, my friends getting the job as I sit disappointed in myself. I don't want to say they aren't as qualified as I may be, but I don't see what makes them so much better than me. Hell, they even tell me (truth or not) that they don't understand why I can't find a job. I can only imagine that my academic and preceding experience just wasn't enough? It's like they want something more out of me that I don't feel is of the same importance as my actual skills and performance.
Anyway, aside from that, the bind it creates is something of a torturous and familiar path. Mid-April approaches once again, I am without a solid summer internship. Yes I have my current research position, but that isn't supposed to last me more than a couple weeks out of school. With this uncertainty, I have no idea where I am going to be placed this summer. I could potentially stay in EL if I am able to stick around for research, or I could be forced to go back home. Going home doesn't mean I have a job, and if I do find some income.. it will most likely be unrelated to the industry. This means I will be screwed out of the experience that my peers are getting in the industry giving them an upper hand when it comes to full-time positions post-college. When I lack that experience it traps me even more in the future and I could be caught out of college with no job. Given this economic situation, if I can't start out soon I'm screwed. When I'm out of college, well that means another thing: student loans. I have a tremendous and growing amount of student loans to be paid off as soon as I graduate. If I'm cornered, I won't be able to pay them off.
Which raises an additional concern, academic performance! Yes I've always had a significant hold on my academics, but I need to keep them strong for at least this semester. If things slip out of my hands (namely biochem) it could hold me back from necessary scholarships. This means more loans, and less money that I'll have after graduating. So in essence, it all matters. Some people say I'll be fine without an industry job, or I'll be fine if I don't do well in this one class. Maybe they're right, but I would rather not risk it.
Either way, my point of this is to vent a little about how frustrated I am in trying to figure out my near future which logically affects my long-term future oh so directly. Good night.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Potholes and Tow Trucks Cont'd
In case you were browsing, or haven't heard the full story.
This is a continuation and resolution of my previous post.
Date: 2/28/09
Day: Saturday
Time: Approx. 6:15 P.M.
Place: Back lot of Best Buy in Okemos, MI.
Events leading up: Driving car back to get previously purchased stereo installed.
As you can see in the pictures below, there is an obscenely large "pothole" located in the middle of the road. At the time I had not been aware and did not see the pothole until it was too late. The front of my car bottomed out and a hefty thud shook me. I feared it was damaging but hoped nothing serious. I went inside the shop to query about my 6 P.M. appointment to install my stereo. It turned out the fella was tied up with a previous job and could not make it to my car in time. I rescheduled and then proceeded to depart the grounds. Not even before I made it back to the front of the building did I hear a scraping noise. I immediately stepped out of my car and saw what it was. The bottom protective cover for my engine (made of plastic) was broke off its brackets and dragging. I was a bit irritated until I noticed a liquid dripping from the engine. I was in disbelief until I touched my finger to the forming puddle. It was oil. As soon I realized this I brought my car back to the shop and asked the fella for some assistance. He could not do much but ensured me that I needed a tow. I did not argue, for that much oil leaking from my engine would certainly cause it to cease up. Luckily I had AAA to assist me, for the - I don't know - nth time. I got my car towed to a local shop, but of course being a weekend I had to wait until Monday for inspection.
Moving into Sunday. I had a terrible night's sleep and was upset about the whole ordeal seeing as I had just changed the oil in this car I just received a couple weeks ago from my dad. I was now again without a car until further notice. My roommate Phil and I proceeded back out to Best Buy where I took pictures of the hole and spoke with the management. The manager I spoke to was surprisingly agreeable to my complaint and quickly helped me to fill out a proper form. My reasons for requesting their liability are as follows:
1. Holes so large that they could damage or injure someone should be repaired.
2. If repairs are pending, clear markings of the dangerous area must be made.
3. It was clear that the hole had been noticed due to remnants of fluorescent pink paint (as seen in photos) were seen on edges of the hole as an old attempt to indicate of its enormity.
4. Despite it being known about, it had clearly gotten worse and nothing was done to fix the hole (with possible exception of filling with sand that had already been washed away).
I was happy to note that my justification would not be ignored. I then awaited further notification.
Monday, the estimate. I received a phone call from the auto shop regarding the estimate on my car. It was roughly $470 alone for the parts and labor of repairing the oil pan. Aside from that the plastic cover was scrapped so it became bare. This meant for a replacement part, the recommended Panzer Plate. It is a metal cover that will guarantee durability and protection for the underside of my car. That cost about $580 parts and labor. This estimated my total cost over $1000. I requested this part and told them the situation between Best Buy and myself. They gladly started repair as soon as the parts came in.
Thursday, first contact. I received a phone call in my lab from a representative of Best Buys insurance company. Mike is his name. I first explained to him what the situation was, why I felt they were liable and how I was without a car thus preventing me from getting to work. He quickly ordered me a rental from Enterprise with everything taken care of. I was happy about this. At the time he was hesitant to claim liability because it is my duty to be aware of my surroundings and drive carefully. I agreed, but still felt this was not the ordinary pothole. I later contacted my dad and spoke with him about this (he was already filled in about the damages and situation). We then spoke to our own car insurance as a backup plan. After a number of phone calls I felt a bit more secure an official about this. I also spoke with the repair shop and they estimated to be done with the car on Friday. Later on I called Mike and spoke briefly with him and mentioned the photos I took. He was delighted that I had them and glad to look at them, so I emailed him the photos.
Friday, last chance. I received a call from the repair shop saying the car was completed and ready for pickup. I was happy this was fixed so timely. Unfortunately, after speaking with Mike, it was still pending. He awaited the estimates from the repair shop as the appraiser visited that day. It was still uncertain if the repairs would be covered. I had to leave my car at the shop.
Monday, the answer. I call Mike earlier in the day to ask about how close the file is to being completed. He informed me that he received info from the appraiser, but needed to speak to the shop. I then waited. My phone rings and it's Mike. He let's me know the outcome. They are claiming liability and will send me a check for the sum total amount of the repairs. This total was $1082.76. I was quite thrilled that things finally worked in my favor. Mike turned out to be very understanding and compliant with me. I then continued by returning my rental and picking up my fixed up car. Of course afterward I ate lunch with Kayla at Hobie's.
One of the few setbacks to this (aside from all the phone calls and not having a car), is that the check is not instant. So I was pressed to pay all of the costs out of pocket. Eventually a check will arrive in my name and I will have this money moved back around to even things out.
So my lesson here is... pay more attention to the roads. Yes Best Buy was deemed liable, but I would have preferred to avoid all of this. Though, I guess it was a good experience?
Oh not to mention during this whole week I had work, a major biochem test on Thursday, two big homework assignments due on Friday, and a quiz on Wednesday.
This is a continuation and resolution of my previous post.
Date: 2/28/09
Day: Saturday
Time: Approx. 6:15 P.M.
Place: Back lot of Best Buy in Okemos, MI.
Events leading up: Driving car back to get previously purchased stereo installed.
As you can see in the pictures below, there is an obscenely large "pothole" located in the middle of the road. At the time I had not been aware and did not see the pothole until it was too late. The front of my car bottomed out and a hefty thud shook me. I feared it was damaging but hoped nothing serious. I went inside the shop to query about my 6 P.M. appointment to install my stereo. It turned out the fella was tied up with a previous job and could not make it to my car in time. I rescheduled and then proceeded to depart the grounds. Not even before I made it back to the front of the building did I hear a scraping noise. I immediately stepped out of my car and saw what it was. The bottom protective cover for my engine (made of plastic) was broke off its brackets and dragging. I was a bit irritated until I noticed a liquid dripping from the engine. I was in disbelief until I touched my finger to the forming puddle. It was oil. As soon I realized this I brought my car back to the shop and asked the fella for some assistance. He could not do much but ensured me that I needed a tow. I did not argue, for that much oil leaking from my engine would certainly cause it to cease up. Luckily I had AAA to assist me, for the - I don't know - nth time. I got my car towed to a local shop, but of course being a weekend I had to wait until Monday for inspection.
Moving into Sunday. I had a terrible night's sleep and was upset about the whole ordeal seeing as I had just changed the oil in this car I just received a couple weeks ago from my dad. I was now again without a car until further notice. My roommate Phil and I proceeded back out to Best Buy where I took pictures of the hole and spoke with the management. The manager I spoke to was surprisingly agreeable to my complaint and quickly helped me to fill out a proper form. My reasons for requesting their liability are as follows:
1. Holes so large that they could damage or injure someone should be repaired.
2. If repairs are pending, clear markings of the dangerous area must be made.
3. It was clear that the hole had been noticed due to remnants of fluorescent pink paint (as seen in photos) were seen on edges of the hole as an old attempt to indicate of its enormity.
4. Despite it being known about, it had clearly gotten worse and nothing was done to fix the hole (with possible exception of filling with sand that had already been washed away).
I was happy to note that my justification would not be ignored. I then awaited further notification.
Monday, the estimate. I received a phone call from the auto shop regarding the estimate on my car. It was roughly $470 alone for the parts and labor of repairing the oil pan. Aside from that the plastic cover was scrapped so it became bare. This meant for a replacement part, the recommended Panzer Plate. It is a metal cover that will guarantee durability and protection for the underside of my car. That cost about $580 parts and labor. This estimated my total cost over $1000. I requested this part and told them the situation between Best Buy and myself. They gladly started repair as soon as the parts came in.
Thursday, first contact. I received a phone call in my lab from a representative of Best Buys insurance company. Mike is his name. I first explained to him what the situation was, why I felt they were liable and how I was without a car thus preventing me from getting to work. He quickly ordered me a rental from Enterprise with everything taken care of. I was happy about this. At the time he was hesitant to claim liability because it is my duty to be aware of my surroundings and drive carefully. I agreed, but still felt this was not the ordinary pothole. I later contacted my dad and spoke with him about this (he was already filled in about the damages and situation). We then spoke to our own car insurance as a backup plan. After a number of phone calls I felt a bit more secure an official about this. I also spoke with the repair shop and they estimated to be done with the car on Friday. Later on I called Mike and spoke briefly with him and mentioned the photos I took. He was delighted that I had them and glad to look at them, so I emailed him the photos.
Friday, last chance. I received a call from the repair shop saying the car was completed and ready for pickup. I was happy this was fixed so timely. Unfortunately, after speaking with Mike, it was still pending. He awaited the estimates from the repair shop as the appraiser visited that day. It was still uncertain if the repairs would be covered. I had to leave my car at the shop.
Monday, the answer. I call Mike earlier in the day to ask about how close the file is to being completed. He informed me that he received info from the appraiser, but needed to speak to the shop. I then waited. My phone rings and it's Mike. He let's me know the outcome. They are claiming liability and will send me a check for the sum total amount of the repairs. This total was $1082.76. I was quite thrilled that things finally worked in my favor. Mike turned out to be very understanding and compliant with me. I then continued by returning my rental and picking up my fixed up car. Of course afterward I ate lunch with Kayla at Hobie's.
One of the few setbacks to this (aside from all the phone calls and not having a car), is that the check is not instant. So I was pressed to pay all of the costs out of pocket. Eventually a check will arrive in my name and I will have this money moved back around to even things out.
So my lesson here is... pay more attention to the roads. Yes Best Buy was deemed liable, but I would have preferred to avoid all of this. Though, I guess it was a good experience?
Oh not to mention during this whole week I had work, a major biochem test on Thursday, two big homework assignments due on Friday, and a quiz on Wednesday.
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