Speeding My Way Through The Day

On Monday, January 30th, I woke up at 6:45 to get ready for school. Feeling alright since I went to bed early, I was in for a totally crazy day.

School was great, and class was only 20 minutes, so after I turned in my assignment, I got to leave. Driving home I was listening to, ironically, Double Trouble by Brooke White. That's when I passed a highway patrol car on Taft Highway, and he quickly made a U-turn, and came after me.

I pulled off to the side, rolled down my window, and gave him all my information. (I have to say that he was somewhat nice. I've had family members get really rude cops before, so this guy was decent.) He asked me how fast I was going, and I said around 60MPH. (In a 55 zone). After he filled out my information on the yellow slip, he gave it to me, I signed, and he told me I'm free. Looking at that slip, it said 71 in a 55. I honestly do not think I was going that fast. But that's an argument for another time.

So I head home, call my parents, and get ready for work. I clock in, and it turns out there was a promotion going on so it was a little crazy. People were a little strange yesterday also. A guest comes up to me, says we gave her sweet tea in drive-thru instead of unsweet, so I change it out, hand it to her, she spills it, then yells at me saying to give her a refund. My manager comes over and gives her her $2.03 back, and she leaves. Shortly after that, a guy walks in and says: "I'll have 1 cheeseburger". So I tell him we don't carry cheeseburgers, only chicken sandwiches. He throws his arms in the air and says: "Well! Whatever then!" and walks out. Have I mentioned lately how I hate working with the public?

The craziest part of my day though is when I talked to my brother. It turns out that my best friend/bro Jake got a ticket that morning also, an hour after me! So that night he came over, and we thought this picture was necessary.

So it was a very interesting day that I won't soon forget. Here's hoping my ticket is relatively cheap!

The Last Semester

So I know I just wrote about how I get to graduate after this semester of college, but I figured I'd tell you all what I'm taking, and how I like my classes so far. Thankfully it's a pretty easy semester, with only 4 classes instead of my usual 5 or 6.

Here are my classes:

1. Physical Anthropology
2. California History
3. Introduction to Film Studies
4. Elementary Statistics for the Behavioral and Social Sciences


My review on the Professors so far:



Physical Anthropology- This professor seems to really know what she's talking about. She's been out in the field and has made several discoveries that local universities got to help in. However, she runs the class like we are in 6th grade. No texting, no computers, no talking, no being late. The beginning of class we go over every single vocabulary word, then she starts the lesson for the evening, which takes some time since she gets off topic often, and tries to cram as much as possible in. This class starts at 6:40PM, so I really just want to get in and out. Thankfully I only have this class once a week though.


California History- I've had this professor before, and I really enjoyed him. It's an online class, and it's pretty straightforward. Just read, do discussions, the occasional test, and that's pretty much it. It makes for a basic class, yet you learn in the process.


Film Studies- My first class I have with my bro Jake. It's an online class, which is probably good, since we would Blue Sky the whole time if it were in person. We both are thoroughly enjoying this class, and are anxiously reading the book for enjoyment. It hardly feels like a class, and I can't wait to get further into it, since we have to watch a couple of movies and write about them. Definitely one of my more enjoyable classes.


Statistics- I took this class online last semester, and failed. Math in general is not my thing. My counselor suggested I take it in person for two reasons. 1. To hopefully have a better understanding if someone is actually showing me what to do. And 2. To replace my F.
So I'm giving it another try, with the same professor. So far it's very tolerable, and my professor is great. He's straightforward, shows us examples, gives us a few problems to do in class, checks them off, and we are good to go. I can only hope it stays like this. I really need a good grade in that class!



This last semester seems to be more of a relaxed one, which I'm happy about. I'm just hoping I can get almost straight A's in all my classes, then be done.

How's school going for you?

My 21st Birthday

Well, I turn 21 in about 10 months from now. A lot of people have been asking me what my plans are. No, I'm not going to Vegas. I'm not getting plastered. I'm not going crazy and clubbing all night. I simply want to go to Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel, and have one or two drinks, then spend the evening at the Parks with all my friends and family.

Anyone is invited to join me, but if you want to come just to see me get drunk, stay home. I've never been drunk in my life, and I don't plan to in the future. I am seriously only having one or two drinks and that's it. I really don't care much for alcohol. It's not for me. I don't think it's bad to drink, or a sin. (If your drunk every night with a kid at home, then yes, I do think it's bad. But the casual drinker is fine.) It's just something that I don't really enjoy doing.

In all honesty, after that night, I probably won't even touch another drink unless I'm at a Christmas party or something. I have never understood why you must have a beer or mixed drink in your hand to be cool or fit in. Why do people want to go out and get drunk all the time? I would much rather spend my evening with good company (Friends & Family), watching the shows and riding the rides and making memories, then puking all night and being depressed with no one there. Let's go watch a movie at someone's house, or make a 3AM Wal-Mart run just for fun. There's memories in those things that bring us together.

So, Trader Sam's on November 2nd. Who's in?

Edgeumacashun

I can remember my first day in public school, back in fourth grade. My first teacher's name was Mr. Jallo, who was also a part-time fireman. Three years went by, and I put in a transfer slip to go to a different Jr. High, instead of what was in my district. I was accepted, and had to leave my elementary friends. I met some new incredible people, but those two years flew by just as fast. Now it was high school, and I was back with my old elementary friends.
A lot happened in those four years, but with a blink of an eye, I was walking across the stage and it was over. Time to enroll in college, and time to get serious about my career.


Almost three years has passed, and upon meeting with my counselor this past week, I will be graduating from Jr. College this upcoming May with not one, but two degrees: Social Science and Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Communication. These two years have passed so extremely fast, just like the 12 years before it. But, with good news comes bad news.


Due to two classes not being transferable, I am two classes shy of getting my 60 credits to transfer to a four year. While this technically isn't "bad" news, it does set me back just a little. I have some big plans for this summer, which I won't mention until things become more definite and I know more about. However, now I have to take two classes, electives, this Fall semester.


You might be asking what my major is, and what I want to get a degree in. I'll be honest with you- I don't know. I was thinking about music, but now I don't see how it will help me in the future. I would love to minor in it, I would love to get a degree in it, but it's not my career, unfortunately. The arts don't pay. I have many interests, and right now anything is an option. Business? Chef? Engineering? I'm just keeping my vision broad, and I'm letting God put me where he wants me.


After I'm completely done with my General Education, and I have received all 60 credits to transfer, the plan right now is to take a year off from school and really focus on work, and what I want to major and get a degree in. While I have heard from many people saying that I won't go back, I don't believe it. I have too much will power and motivation for education. It is something I enjoy, and my personal goal is to get my master's.


I can't wait until this semester is over, I'm really excited to graduate from college. I'll be the first in my family to do so. As for now though, I have to get back to reading my physical anthropology text. I have a short essay to write for next week.

Disneyland- January 2012 Trip Report

On January 21st and 22nd I spent two amazing days in Disneyland/DCA with some truly great friends. Having a new camera with me, I was able to take quite a few pictures that actually turned out quality wise. I mainly wanted to focus on the recent changes and construction, but I also included a few fun shots as well. Here is my 2 day experience through pictures:

La Brea Bakery is currently down

Carnation Cafe is currently down

Penny Arcade is down

My next stop was the Jolly Holiday Bakery. I ended up loving this place, and ate here 3 times.

There was some construction going on at the entrance of Adventureland

It looks like they painted this rock. Very tropical looking.

The friends

 Next stop was Indiana Jones Adventure

Walking through the queue, I noticed this new post, along with a new opening in the ceiling.

Some of these posts and wedges throughout the line actually are holding up parts that have begun to fall. Keepin' it authentic, Disney. :)

Wish this would have turned out better.

What happens when you look into the snakes eyes? Hmm?

Time to head around to see New Orleans/Critter Country

Fantasmic! has been down for a refub, and these yellow rails were up the whole time. I'm hearing rumors of some new effects.

Since Fantasmic! was down, the Columbia is also down for maintenance.

See the dynamite? These exact new (to me) barrels are freshly painted, and can be found on the rafts, Thunder, and Pirates. They all look the same. I thought it was interesting that they did that.

Haunted Mansion was down for Holiday uninstall.

I found this hidden mickey in Critter Country, by the Pooh store.

And I found this one on the opposite side from the previous picture on Splash.

The door was open on Tom Sawyer's Pirate Lair, and a trailer could be seen.

Cherry Picker in front of Haunted.

Such a cool little hidden place.

The ropes on Tarzan's Tree House need some serious attention.

 Shall we wonder to Frontierland now? 

See the wire cable on the track? I've always wondered what it was for.

I really dislike this seat. And not because of the accident. It's just a weird, creepy seat.

Oops, the flash went off.

 Tom Sawyer's Pirate Lair

Raft Guide: "Welcome to Tom Sawyer's isla- Wait, I mean Pirates Lai- Wait, I mean Tom Sawyer's Pirate- Well, Whatever it is!" 

I found this set of cords, and it was cracked open. So, I decided to see what was in it. A couple of CAT-5 cables and power cords. These are most likely for the lasers. Disney uses another system that I can't remember the name of.. It's not DMX... It's a newer technology. (Now it's going to bother me until I find the name of it...)

The box that the cords lead to.

Where Mickey pops out.

The cave was flooded.

East India Trading Company

Let's take a look at the Matterhorn. 

There's been a lot of rumors about the Matterhorn. The only thing Disney has confirmed is the new bobsleds. All other rumors of new show elements are nothing more than rumors at this point.

Temporary cover on the side of the Matterhorn and Nemo.

 Lunar New Year Celebration!

 Tomorrowland

The spike on Innoventions is now white. I wonder if they are painting it a different color.

An updated stage...

We got to go VIP, twice.

 Soundsational Parade

After I took this, I noticed how the little girl in the background is dressed the same. Adorable!

Disney California Adventure/ World of Color

Apparently this wall will be here for another 3 or 4 weeks.

Goofy's Sky School is becoming inclosed.

I thought this was funny.

The bubbles that came up from under the water that had projections on them are now gone, since they rarely worked. Now everything is projected on California Screamin', including new lasers and effects.

Fire!

This concludes my photo update for January. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Thanks for reading the Random Post! I hope you can make it to Disneyland soon also. 

Until next time-

-Austen

(Feel free to use my pictures, if desired. Just credit the source: austengoehring.blogspot.com )