Jamie's 3rd Interview

Here is Jamie's 3rd Interview. Michelle was in the studio with her during it! We are having a great time with them down here and will post some pictures of their visit soon.

November Update

Sorry it has been so long since the last update. There hasn't been a ton going on down here but I'll try to give everyone a quick update about the few things that have changed. As many of you know I(Jared) have been working part-time at Best Buy. Surprisingly enough I love working there. It's a lot of fun and I work with some great people. Currently the position is season and will end on January 1st but who know, it might turn into something. Jamie has been busy working a lot lately. She has been running a booth at a number of events over the past month.

One of the big things going on right now is our building's plumbing! Today something happened and basically everyone lost the ability to flush and shower! It has been interesting but should be up and working tomorrow morning. Probably the worst part of it is that the gym we belong to is doing temporary work on their locker rooms so we can't even use those showers! It's been a bit of a bumpy weekend but we are really excited because everyday Thanksgiving gets closer and that's when we get to see Michelle and Justin. Once they get here we'll update the blog after their visit again. So until then, Jamie will keep saving the world one house at a time and I'll keep selling those houses TVs.

College Station, Here I Come!

Hey Ya'll!
So I get to leave for my very first overnight work trip (solo) to College Station. Hopefully I'll have a lot more luck than Jared did...
I have to go solo though because Jared's working at Best Buy now :) Our timing is a little off...
But I'm pretty excited! Get to stay in my own hotel room and it has a pool and everything! Not too excited about this being alone thing, but I'll take a lot of pictures so hopefully it'll feel like I'm not..
I leave today around noon and am planning on getting there around 5! Still have some packing to do though..I hate packing!
Anyway..then I'm headed over to Austin, Texas after the Forum on Friday night to visit one of my good friends from the Rec in Ames-Merissa!! :) Not sure what we're gunna be doing, but I'll definitely be doing some sightseeing and hopefully get to experience some nightlife! :) Yayy! I think Jared wants me to come back on Saturday...but I may have to stay til Sunday..it is AUSTIN!! :)
I'm not excited about this 5 hour drive AT ALL...but can't wait to get this trip started!! :)

Jared's Bday Trip 2009

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Jared's 24th Birthday

Hi everyone. As many of you know my birthday was last month on Sept. 18th and I got the best present I can remember ever getting for a birthday, my parents showed up and surprised me. We had an awesome time while they were down here and below is a huge slideshow showing everything we did during their stay. Most of the stuff we did with them would be stuff you could do too if you come to visit...hint hint.

To begin, Jamie asked if I wanted to go eat at this Chinese restaurant in the airport (weird I know but our neighbors told us it had the best Chinese in San Angelo. However, the absence of crab ragoon immediately eliminated it from our list of Chinese restaurants.) I got there after Jamie and noticed her sitting at a table for five and immediately was suspicious. But after watching the people get off the flight and not seeing my parents I was disappointed. Jamie spent that time lying to me (all too easily) saying that they weren't coming and that it was an accident we were sitting at the table with so many places. I began getting frustrated because the waitress wouldn't come take our order, so finally I raised my hand (Jamie told the waitress we were waiting on more people and not to come back until they arrived, I looked like a fool). Before I knew it my parents were standing right behind me. It was amazing. Jamie had to go back to work but my parents were here from that Thursday to the following Tuesday morning. We had a lot to show them!

I'm going to summarize this in list form so it doesn't get long winded but also so you can understand what you are seeing in the pictures above.

Thursday: KOA Loop, wine tasting at D'vine wine and hung out together around the apartment

Friday: Jamie got off early and we all went to the mall for a bit (even though it was my birthday!) then for sushi at Sho Gun. Jamie got me some books about English Bulldogs, I love them! That night we stayed home, played pounce and I made margaritas for everyone. (These two days were also peppered with the latest season of Grey's Anatomy because my mom and Jamie get what they want)

Saturday: This day is a blur I can't remember what we did... it might have been a lot of Grey's Anatomy. But that night we went out to Woofers and Tweeters, a great Karaoke bar (even though I don't sing... eh hmm Michelle!) and from there we went to Midnight Rodeo, then home for some Pounce.

Sunday: We got up and took them to eat at McAllister's, it's kind of like Panera Bread, but it might be better! Then we went to the Riverwalk, the Lilly pad garden and Fort Concho. After we did all that we went to Inglorious Basterds (we all liked it).

Monday: We went to In Vino Veritas for a wine tasting and when Jamie got off work we went out for sushi at Dragon sushi. We finished the night playing pounce and of course, with Grey's Anatomy again!

Tuesday: I took my parents to the airport. We had a great time with them (but I think it made Jamie a little homesick getting a taste of home and then having it taken away again).

That was my birthday, it was awesome and I was so happy my parents came. Now we are looking forward to getting to see Ron and Joni in October and Justin and Michelle in November.

Jamie's 2nd Interview on TV

Here's Jamie's second interview on TV! She hasn't even been working for 2 months and she's already doing TV interviews like a pro! Click below to watch her.

The River, 911 Memorial, Visitor's Center and Lilly Garden

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Horse Ride

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An Article about Jamie's First Events

Here is an article about Jamie's first event. Yesterday morning we delivered tons of energy efficient bags to local area neighborhoods.

http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2009/sep/09/aiding-others-is-its-own-reward/

Jamie Riding a Horse named Donny

Jamie and I went ridin' horses today. It was fun! Jamie's horse was a little moody and loved to eat (figures) her name was Donny. My horse was relaxed and easy to control (again, figures) his name was Pappy. And when my horse got to close to Jamie's horse's rear, Jamie's horse kicked my horse! I was able to film a video of Jamie riding and if you listen carefully you can hear our guide telling Michael Jackson jokes while wearing a wicked Fu Manchu mustache!

"Death of a car salesman"

As many of you have heard by now, I had a rough first experience as a car salesman. I'm still not sure what the company was thinking but I did get one heck of a story.

At my initial interview Paul was twenty minutes late. The professionalism and courtesy I expect to receive when interviewing with a company was absent. I decided that there may have been more going on that I was unaware of and accepted the offer to work for Lithia’s Autoplex Dealership in San Angelo, Texas.

I had only recently moved here from Iowa one month before beginning my employment at Lithia. My first day consisted of training videos as it does for everyone else employed there, but at no time was I shown around the premises or even introduced to people on my first day. The only person who made an effort to welcome me for more than two seconds was a gentleman named Clyde, who was also new. I was never informed about how to request time off, how I would be paid, what hours I would work or even who I reported to. Part of this was more than likely due to the fact that the man who was supposed to be assisting with my transition quit on my first day.

It was my second day that would cause me to leave the dealership. Again without any questions a professional employer would answer for a new employee I began watching the training video (I want to be clear I understood the meaning for these videos and they had no negative weight on my experience). At 5 o’clock a salesman named Sergio came to me and told me I was done for the day and would be making a delivery. He told me I would be running these documents to College Station (which I though might have been near Angelo State University). But then I was told it would be a quick 3 to 3 and a half hour drive to Bryan, TX (College Station) and I would need to get the documents signed and bring them back the same night. Being new I said okay, and took the documents. I figured I could get back by 11-12 and since Jamie was going to be gone until 9:30 anyway it seemed like a good night to do it. About an hour into my trip I realized there was no possible way I could get there in 3 and a half hour. I called Sergio and his only concern was that I got there in time for the client to be able to sign the papers. The trip is listed on Mapquest as 5 hours and 6 minutes. The Autoplex sent me on a ten hour drive after eight hours of work at 5pm at night with no notice or even an offer to put me into a hotel in case I got tired. I was told the trip shouldn't take long as long as I went fast. Please keep in mind this was my first time driving around Texas since I moved here one month ago and as many of you know I don't have the best sense of direction. There was no concern for my safety throughout the trip. Sergio, the salesman who’s sale it was (I believe he was splitting the sale with another man) did not care enough about the sale to go himself instead he sent a new employee with no understanding of any of the forms. Sergio printed out directions to Bryan, TX from Google maps... but just to Bryan, TX and not to the man's home. Luckily, unlike the rest of the delinquents working at the dealership I have a college degree and had a back up plan in case something like this happened, instead had brought my Garmin. On a side note, I was driving a 2008 GMC through some questionable towns. Every restroom stop was filled with people who looked as though they could be prime suspects on any episode of Law and Order SVU.

When I arrived at the customer, Stephen Blavier’s house, he was a great guy. He was an assistant coach for Brett Favre when he played for Texas Tech. Stephen has a Master’s degree and was a math professor for twenty years. He had asked Sergio about the interest and Sergio had told him "it wasn’t bad". Stephen saw the interest rate at 17.65% and immediately refused because Sergio had misled him. After about an hour of conversation between Sergio and a finance manager, Stephen closed the conversation offering to put me up in a hotel to Sergio. Sergio said no and to send me back. By this time it was about 11pm and I was beginning the second half of a completely unnecessary trip. I had at least 5 hours going back as it would all be at night. I was driving a company car and did my best to drive safe considering the 73 deer I counted standing along the road. When I was driving through Copperas Cove it was about 1:15 in the morning and I was on the phone with my mom when I saw a police officer pull a u-turn. Sure enough he pulled me over. He asked what I was doing out and I told him a long story with all of the details (as I am doing here). He was laughing through the whole story and at the end he asked how I liked San Angelo. Apparently he went to Angelo State University. I told him I had applied for a few jobs there but hadn't received anything yet. So Gary (the cop) gave me his old boss's name at ASU to contact and to tell him "my buddy Gary told me to call". After we were done talking he told me the speed limit was 40 through town and he had clocked me at just over 50 and that I should drive careful the rest of the way. I didn't get a ticket, just a connection. I called his old boss and am working on another position at Angelo State but who knows what will come of that.

Fortunately for the company I made it home safely. It was clear to both the customer and I that the sale was more important than the safety of the employee. I arrived home at 4:30am after a 20 hour and 30 minute second day of work. Sergio told me before I left that they were going to promote him to team leader.

I told them if the kind of dishonesty Sergio used is rewarded with promotions, then Lithia is not a company I will be a part of. In such a competitive industry with such a large turnover rate, I would expect the company to treat their employees with dignity and respect because they may become your top salesperson.

I was dissapointed with my personal experience but in the end if I was completely honest, I am glad I have that endlessly long story.

Jamie on TV!

Jamie was interviewed by the San Angelo news! She does a great job getting information out. Watch it below.

Jamie's Trip to New Orleans

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About the "While our Parents were in San Angelo" Slideshow Below

When we arrived in San Angelo we had to find an apartment. We looked at a bunch before we found the right one. We had a great time with our parents but didn't take nearly enough pictures. Below are a few pictures of us at Texas Roadhouse, eating lunch at Miss Hattie's (a restaurant and bar that used to be a brothel), walking around main street, eating at Chili's, and Dave and Patty playing cards at our pool.

While our Parents were in San Angelo

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About the "On the way to San Angelo" slideshow below

The slide show below shows us getting on the road for our big move to San Angelo. Before we could even make it to Kansas City, one of the axle caps? fell off so it had to be replaced. That was the only real problem on the move down. Pictures 3-7 are of us killing time while the trailer gets fixed. And if you look careful above my head(Jared) in picture 6, you'll see a big jail. Finally Ron and Dave get the trailer fixed and we get back on the road. After driving for a long time we see our first sign to San Angelo. Picture 12 is of my Jeep as we pull into San Angelo. We were happy to get here and couldn't wait to drive around town on the Loop which is an awesome and easy way to get around San Angelo.

On the way to San Angelo

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Saying Goodbye before San Angelo

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Hey Ya'll !!!

Haha..now it's MY turn to write on here..but bare with me..I'm new to the whole blogging thing and a certain someone I live with has zero patience in working with me! :)

My trip to New Orleans was such an amazing experience! I went to lectures for most of the days and we had a lot of sitting and listening going on. But meeting the 35 people in the other affiliates made it a lot of fun. We went out to eat at really good restaurants where I had delicious crabcakes and great Po-Boy sandwiches...I tried really hard to stay away from all that fried food!! I also got to go out during the night to the French Riviera and Bourbon Street(which was WAY ca-razy!). I also got to tour the Lower 9th Ward (where the levees broke). It was definitely an eye opener to see all of the houses that are still in need of improvements and the houses that are completely gone. It's pretty sad to see first hand how terrible it still is down there. However, it's definitely been an experience I'll never forget.
When I got back from orientation Jared and I went swimming and met some new neighbors...they seem really nice! :)

My first day of work was a good one! I got introduced to all of the staff and got another tour of the office and warehouse. I learned about some of the projects I'll be working on too. The first big project I have is due Sept. 11. It has to do with the United We Serve project and my job is to recruit 100 volunteers to help bag and distribute items for energy efficiency. The second big job I have will be for the Fall Prevention Day on Sept. 22. I'm leading the main project and all of the booths that will be set up help homeowners learn how to prevent injuries or falls from in their homes. If anyone is interested in Rebuilding Together, just ask! It's really a great non-profit and I'm not just saying this cuz I work there...ok I might be but it is true! :)
Here's the website if you want to see the program that I'm apart of!
www.rebuildingtogether.org
Anyway....I'll keep everyone updated as much as possible!
Peace and Love from San Angelo!! :)

Jamie

A tour of our apartment

Since I'm sure "ya'll" didn't want to wait until Jamie got back to get to see what our apartment looks like, I recorded a quick video on an extremely out of date digital camera (so I apologize about the quality). So if you click play below you will begin the "tour".

We begin in the living room with the front door to your left. As we scan around behind us you can see the dining table and "bar"(let me dream). We then continue down the hallway with a quick look into the kitchen to our bedroom. Its nice enough but if you notice there is another door to outside on the other side of the TV (that took some getting used to). After I wave hello in the mirror, we take a quick look into the closet and bathroom, then back down the hall to complete the tour. Short and simple.

I hope you enjoyed getting to see our place without the long drive!

The first week in Texas

Jamie and I have been in Texas for a full week now. Our parents helped us move down and we are incredibly thankful for all of the help we received from them and from everyone else during the preparation for the big move. Jamie actually flew to New Orleans today to begin her training with Americorps. But before she left we were able to find a great apartment and get settled in. We arrived here last Sunday, August 2nd and were immediatly surprised by the town we had moved to. Pulling into San Angelo, Texas we saw no longhorns or cowboys with chaps on horses riding down the street (not even a simple tumble weed!). Instead we were greeted by Best Buy, Target, Lowe's, Applebee's, and Texas Roadhouse. San Angelo pretty much has everything des moines has and more. To give you an image, imagine if Des Moines was more compact with only 100,000 people in it and if Iowa State was located in Des Moines but 1/6 its actual size. That is San Angelo, TX. But the best part is, everything is located within two miles of our apartment (which if I haven't mentioned, has two pools). We have already been to two San Angelo Colts Baseball Games (similar to a double A team, and basically San Angelo's Iowa Cubs). We just missed San Angelo's arena football season for their team, San Angelo Stampede. So to sum it up so far we love it. The culture is laid back and fun with tons to do and an awesome river that runs through the town. We can't wait to see everyone at christmas. Keep checking back for new posts and we will be adding pictures when Jamie returns from New Orleans with her camera. Adios!