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| Stratton Ski TripPictures tell a million words... 
We went to Stratton last weekend for the beginning of the ski season. Thanks to global warming, the winter months have been unseasonably mild and I was able to stay injure free until now. 
This was the ski lodge we stayed at. I was the token skier. And Foster was the token black dude - actually one of the only colored guy on the slopes.
Stratton is like the Aspen of the East - it's very populated with tourists. Business charge you a fortune, think of NYC prices.
Bundling up and getting ready to go! It was ridiculously cold on Day 1 - Todd even got frostbites.
Conditions weren't too bad half way up the mountain...
On the other side of the base, it was very windy and ground became icy.
First Black Diamond trail we went on this season & I'm proud I wasn't the one injured  .
The guys recovering from wiping out on jumps. The terrain park was pretty cool - they buried a school bus in snow (brave souls only). I knew better...I stayed away from the park. =)
I saw the Burton Custom (2007) model on sale! 30% off!  Lucky I grabbed the last one - along with Cartel bindings. Token skiier no more!
It's not a party without alcohol ~ 
The local bar - after drinking our stash, we needed beer as chasers.
BLACK BEAR 
 
This whole trip would've been a waste - would've meant nothing if we didn't have fried chicken.
On the the drive back...
Overall, conditions were amazing. We had around 8 inches of fresh snow which was ideal for riding. I'm not that great at snowboarding so I only went on the green trails. Sunday, it was extremely cold and had a lot of ice patches. Wind chill around around -15*F. I started off the day boarding but switched to skiing just after a couple hours because I just about had it from falling on ice. I can't carve if my life depended on it, that's how much I sucked. I was extremely sore and needless to say, I came back with bruises and had to patch up using BenGay - At least I live to tell the story. | | |
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I turned on my computer at work today and my quote of the day pops up... "Go through your phone book, call people and ask them to drive you to the airport. The ones who will drive you are your true friends. The rest aren't bad people; they're just acquaintances."
- Jay Leno
US comedian & television host (1950 - )
Many of us are fortunate to be where we are today. I credit most of my success to the motivations friends have given me throughout the years. Whether it's sitting and studying together, giving me rides and letting me crash at your places, or just mindless Johnny bashing...ah yes, the Quest appreciates is all - and you know exactly who you are.
I recall when I first went to the University of Maryland as a freshman, it was tough. Even though I was already independent at the time, moving into dorms with roommates was something I was totally unprepared for. I was originally assigned to a triple with guys that were noisy and brought over girls that did so much unjust in the room (while I was there). So I decided to leave, and was thankful I was reassigned to the 4th floor of the same building. It was literally a dream come true! Many of these people I talked to became really close friends of mine. It's small things like welcoming someone in to play games, studying together and making sure you wake up in time for class that mean a lot to me. Small things really tell a lot about an individual - their character and development.
It's the people that make the place. I've been asking myself the question...why did I come to New Jersey if I was so happy back at home? I came to realize why God sent me here for the time being. He wanted me to step out of my comfort zone again to explore a place I would never of think of going to. This is a good learning experience I must admit. I've made new friends in the area and learned to adapt to my new environment. Even though nothing feels as good as the comfort at home, a temporary change should be seen as exciting.
Ever since Pfizer Consumer Healthcare got bought by Johnson & Johnson, our company has been going down south. People slandering each other in hopes to keep their jobs. In our department we've been significantly hiring a lot of new people so the ones that stayed with the firm longest may retain their positions. I'm done. I'm through with all the politics, all the commotion. I want out.
I have made my decision. I will return back to Maryland next year (hopefully with a decent paying job). I'm praying that Johnson & Johnson decides to release me so I'll be receiving a nice 13 week severence package. I want to be back home. I want to be with you guys!
If anyone is looking for a place to stay starting next summer, I'll have my own place, 3 bedrooms, 2 of which I'm looking to rent. I'll keep you posted! | | |
| Doggie Story - Per Request
So Meadow and I have been getting along very well. She listens to basic commands like SIT and COME and WAIT. We're still working on NO! and STOP!
Every morning she wakes me up at around 6am for her walk. It's that internal clock she has...I wonder what happens when daylight savings time is over. That'll mess her up. Hehe
Aight...overall she's a very good dog except has one problem. It's kinda serious. She hmmmm, likes to do what male dogs do. Yep, that's it - humping. The trainer said she does it to establish dominance. So if you're too nice, the little devil will try to take advantage of you. But lately something rather strange has happened. She jumped on my roommate's bed one day and well, started humping his pillow. I didn't know humping an inorganic object meant so much to her but I guess Meadow needed to get whatever needed to be done, done. Oh boy, she was going at it alright. Wouldn't stop, we had to put water on her to get to to ease off on the poor man's pillow.
Sad sad day. I'm still trying to discipline her on that aspect. So if any of you have any suggestions as to how I can overcome such a task, drop your two cents! | | |
| Doggie Kennel - $99.99
Bowl - $10.99 each
Food & treates - $46.98
Mat - $30.99
Toys - $27.57
Adoption Fee - $200.00
Life with Meadow - Absolutely Priceless
A lot of my friends asked me why I got a dog. And well, the reason behind it is quite simple. If I am able to spend time and a bit of money to save an animal's life, then that's what I want to do. I want the responsibility. I want to be able to come home and take care of someone I love. Not to mention, I get to take her out three times a day! =D Having a dog around really brings a lot of joy.
Meadow is such an attention "whore." As I'm trying to update this blog, she uses her paw and head to gently position my hand so it's over her back. She won't stop licking doing it or licking me unless I scratch her. =D
Ah...No need for an alarm clock! Meadow wakes up at wee hours in the morning but doesn't wake me up until 6am. Hehe. She jumps on my bed or just licks me from the side.
Meadow! Wake up!
That's all for now! More updates to come!
Want more pictures? Ask me! | | |
| Life's been quite amazing during the past few weeks. Here's a look back at some of the events, enjoy:
College Graduation - Prom (sorta) It was the girls' idea to make us dress up.
From left to right: Pretty boy, Kathy, Debby, Mike, Dennis.
Back left to right: Jeanne, Caroline, J Quest
Dad, Mom...we made it! Me and my boy Jiefei.
My buddy G-rock!
Tommy, Ben and me
Me, Sheldon (Little horse) and Ben
Angela, me, Testudo, Jiefei, Tiff, Drew-By!
I don't know...
That night...24 get together party! Yo, thx for the flowers. =D
Two days after graduation, my folks and I went to Canada for a week's tour in Vancouver and Calgary.
One of the hotels we stayed at. Simply magnificent!
Simply gorgeous
I want to give you the world.
Wine? Anyone? =D
Not all cops are punks and I don't hate all cops - just dirty ones. =)
As promised - uploaded pix of my car - it has 20% tint already. =D
Argh.....Xanga said I uploaded too many pix for the month =/ doH. I guess facebook it is!
So I started work already and needless to say, the first week really sucked. I walked into the office on Monday only to hear J&J bought our company. Crap! What does that mean for me??? Hmmmm...uncertainty. Whatever happens, I'm sure God planned it for the best. If I stay in NJ, I'll have a job here...but if I do get laid off, I'd be able to return to Maryland and get a job there. Win win, I'll just have to wait it out 'till the end of Q4 to find out. | | |
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