Saturday, May 17, 2008
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Noah's First 2 Weeks
Noah is 2 weeks old today.
We've had our ups and downs, but we've gotten through this so far.
Some Highlights:
Day 1 - born at 9lbs 10oz
Day 2 - we get to leave the hospital that night. Noah arrives home for this first time.
Day 3 - Noah's first night at home had us nearly in tears as he kept us up all night crying and wanting to constantly feed. This was a long day as we adjusted to a new baby at home. We also took him back to the hospital to correct a problem with him being "tongue tied". He slept for a few hours that evening, but was otherwise awake and fussy most of the day.
Day 4 - Another all-nighter, but we worked this one in shifts. Why can't he eat, sleep, and poop like a normal infant? He's awake and fussy most of the day. His first Dr. Appt is today. 8lbs 14oz. The Dr was concerned that he had lost so much weight since birth. 5-10% weight loss is normal, and he lost way more than 10%. Amanda's Mom and Kimmie arrive for the week, and we start feeding Noah more. The additional milk seems to do the trick, as he is less fussy, and sleeps more inbetween feedings.
Days 5-10 - Amanda's mom was a great help for us through these days. I don't know how we could have gotten through without her help this week. We actually got some well needed sleep, and the baby is doing much better. We also got the baby out of the house for a few days
for a few errands and a restaurant trip.
Day 9 - I went back to work for a few days and a few hours each day.
Day 11-14 - The rest of Amanda's family and a friend arrive. Becky comes up from Cancun to visit. Now we're taking care of a newborn and entertaining a whole troop of visitors. Where'd the help go? Things have finally quited down now as everyone has gone home except for Becky.
Noah is doing much better though and we manage a trip to the Mall for a whole afternoon.
We've had our ups and downs, but we've gotten through this so far.
Some Highlights:
Day 1 - born at 9lbs 10oz
Day 2 - we get to leave the hospital that night. Noah arrives home for this first time.
Day 3 - Noah's first night at home had us nearly in tears as he kept us up all night crying and wanting to constantly feed. This was a long day as we adjusted to a new baby at home. We also took him back to the hospital to correct a problem with him being "tongue tied". He slept for a few hours that evening, but was otherwise awake and fussy most of the day.
Day 4 - Another all-nighter, but we worked this one in shifts. Why can't he eat, sleep, and poop like a normal infant? He's awake and fussy most of the day. His first Dr. Appt is today. 8lbs 14oz. The Dr was concerned that he had lost so much weight since birth. 5-10% weight loss is normal, and he lost way more than 10%. Amanda's Mom and Kimmie arrive for the week, and we start feeding Noah more. The additional milk seems to do the trick, as he is less fussy, and sleeps more inbetween feedings.
Days 5-10 - Amanda's mom was a great help for us through these days. I don't know how we could have gotten through without her help this week. We actually got some well needed sleep, and the baby is doing much better. We also got the baby out of the house for a few days
for a few errands and a restaurant trip.
Day 9 - I went back to work for a few days and a few hours each day.
Day 11-14 - The rest of Amanda's family and a friend arrive. Becky comes up from Cancun to visit. Now we're taking care of a newborn and entertaining a whole troop of visitors. Where'd the help go? Things have finally quited down now as everyone has gone home except for Becky.
Noah is doing much better though and we manage a trip to the Mall for a whole afternoon.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Update
Well, in short. No baby yet.
We had our our last Dr appointment today and everything looked good except for Peanut being 9 days overdue. We go to the hospital tomorrow so they can run some additional tests to make sure the baby is doing well. If anything is abnormal, they will deliver the baby tomorrow. Otherwise, we are now scheduled to have labor induced at 8am this Sunday if it does not happen naturally before then.
We had our our last Dr appointment today and everything looked good except for Peanut being 9 days overdue. We go to the hospital tomorrow so they can run some additional tests to make sure the baby is doing well. If anything is abnormal, they will deliver the baby tomorrow. Otherwise, we are now scheduled to have labor induced at 8am this Sunday if it does not happen naturally before then.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Max at the Beach
85 degrees in Fullerton in February. No peanut yet. How do you spend the day? At the beach of course.
I'm trying to keep Amanda walking as much as possible to help her pregnancy progress. So we decided to take Max for a walk on the beach this beautiful day. He loves the water even if it is a bit cold.
I'm trying to keep Amanda walking as much as possible to help her pregnancy progress. So we decided to take Max for a walk on the beach this beautiful day. He loves the water even if it is a bit cold.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Super Tuesday
Good News... The props went the way I wanted. 91-93 were voted down, and 94-97 were passed.
Bad news that doesn't affect me... City of LA voters were overwhelmingly duped into passing a phone tax by believing they were voting for a 1% tax reduction. In reality, the current tax was thrown out by the courts, so a yes vote resulted in keeping the tax at 9% instead of 10% (a 1% tax reduction) while a no vote would have resulted in the entire 10% tax being eliminated.
The Ugly News...Where do I start about the presidential primary. My worst nightmare is seeing McCain and Hillary battle it out in November. I can't stand the thought of another Clinton in office, and I serious don't know how McCain can call himself a Republican. Seriously, if it comes down to those two, I quit. Even though Obama would turn this country into a socialist state, I would vote for him before voting for McCain. I just can't trust McCain - his voting record shows the complete opposite from what he is saying right now. Obama truely believes in what he says even though some of what he says is truely frightening. The only thing Huckabee has going for him is his professed Christianity. His economic tax plan is hiddeous. Ron Paul has no chance of winning. That leaves Romney. I thought Romney had a chance of catching up to McCain, and was my choice for the Republican nomination, but yesterday was very disappointing. Romney now has almost no chance...and Huckabee and McCain are secretly talking (neither likes Romney). If McCain were to offer Huckabee the Vice Presidency, it would put the Republicans in a better position to challenge the Democrats. However, so many people like me just can't stand McCain.
The Libertarian party has decided to run Ron Paul on their ticket if he doesn't win the Republican nomination. Maybe I'll vote Libertarian in November if my other choices are between McCain and Hillary. Interestingly enough, Ron Paul ran for president once before on the Libertarian ticket in 1998.
Bad news that doesn't affect me... City of LA voters were overwhelmingly duped into passing a phone tax by believing they were voting for a 1% tax reduction. In reality, the current tax was thrown out by the courts, so a yes vote resulted in keeping the tax at 9% instead of 10% (a 1% tax reduction) while a no vote would have resulted in the entire 10% tax being eliminated.
The Ugly News...Where do I start about the presidential primary. My worst nightmare is seeing McCain and Hillary battle it out in November. I can't stand the thought of another Clinton in office, and I serious don't know how McCain can call himself a Republican. Seriously, if it comes down to those two, I quit. Even though Obama would turn this country into a socialist state, I would vote for him before voting for McCain. I just can't trust McCain - his voting record shows the complete opposite from what he is saying right now. Obama truely believes in what he says even though some of what he says is truely frightening. The only thing Huckabee has going for him is his professed Christianity. His economic tax plan is hiddeous. Ron Paul has no chance of winning. That leaves Romney. I thought Romney had a chance of catching up to McCain, and was my choice for the Republican nomination, but yesterday was very disappointing. Romney now has almost no chance...and Huckabee and McCain are secretly talking (neither likes Romney). If McCain were to offer Huckabee the Vice Presidency, it would put the Republicans in a better position to challenge the Democrats. However, so many people like me just can't stand McCain.
The Libertarian party has decided to run Ron Paul on their ticket if he doesn't win the Republican nomination. Maybe I'll vote Libertarian in November if my other choices are between McCain and Hillary. Interestingly enough, Ron Paul ran for president once before on the Libertarian ticket in 1998.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
CISSP I am
I got the congratulatory email today. I am now a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
Now to help the rest of the guys in my office to pass.
Now to help the rest of the guys in my office to pass.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
rebate or advance?
All the news sources are raving about this $1200 tax rebate we'd be elligible for this year. Is it really a rebate that we can take for free? or are they being sneaky and going to make us pay it back next year?
Anyone remember the last time we were given tax rebate checks? $300 in 2001 as part of another so called stimulus package designed to help end the recession after Y2K. We gleefully spent that $300, and when 2002 rolled around we were all in for a shock. It was not a rebate, it was an advance. It was not advertised before, but we had to pay back that $300 advance on our 2002 taxes. 2002 tax refunds were $300 smaller, or if you owed taxes, you owed $300 extra to pay back the $300 advance we received.
Is this $1200 the same? Is it really an advance on our 2008 taxes that we have to pay back next year? Nobody is sure yet. But then again, no one was sure in 2001 either. I just know I really don't want a $1200 shock in 2009.
Anyone remember the last time we were given tax rebate checks? $300 in 2001 as part of another so called stimulus package designed to help end the recession after Y2K. We gleefully spent that $300, and when 2002 rolled around we were all in for a shock. It was not a rebate, it was an advance. It was not advertised before, but we had to pay back that $300 advance on our 2002 taxes. 2002 tax refunds were $300 smaller, or if you owed taxes, you owed $300 extra to pay back the $300 advance we received.
Is this $1200 the same? Is it really an advance on our 2008 taxes that we have to pay back next year? Nobody is sure yet. But then again, no one was sure in 2001 either. I just know I really don't want a $1200 shock in 2009.
Monday, January 21, 2008
My Take on the CA Ballot Propositions
7 Propositions have made the ballot for the upcoming primary. Here's my take.
Prop 91 - Transportation Funding Initiative - NO
Even the supporters of this measure say to vote no now. A law was recently passed that makes this OBE.
Prop 92 - Community College Funding - NO
Currently CA education funding is divided between K-14 education as needed. This would force the state to allocate specific amounts to Community Colleges leaving the rest to K-12. It also reduces the tuition to $15 a unit. This amounts to huge spending increases for Community College education either at the expense of K-12 or requiring the state to spend more for K-12 with no additional revenue source. In addition the reduced fees could only be increased if the per-capita income in the state increased by more than 7% in a single year (which has only happened once in the last 20 years). Thus the tuition fees are no longer a source of revenue, and they cannot be raised in the future - not even for inflation which would cause an even bigger burden on the state budget.
Prop 93 - Term Limits Modifications - NO
Currently a person can serve a total of 14 years - 2 4-year terms in the state senate, and 3 2-year terms in the assembly. This would reduce the total amount of time a person can serve in the state legislature from 14 years to 12 years, but it would allow a person to spend the entire 12 years in a single house. However, this also allows all current members to serve a total of 12 consecutive years in the house in which they are currently serving, regardless of prior service. The proponents argue that they are reducing term limits, and promoting experience by allowing individuals to serve the entire time in a single house. That is a BIG FAT MISLEADING LIE. This measure was written and sponsored by the current assembly speaker and 46 others who would otherwise be forced out of the state legislature by term limits this year. They don't tell you that this measure really extends the legislative careers of those 47 individuals. Instead they wrap this in the guise of reducing term limits. Don't pass this misleading measure. Lets actually kick out those whose terms are expiring this year and shake up our current liberal legislature with new bodies by voting NO.
Props 94-97 Indian Gaming Amendment - YES
The governor recently re-negotiated 4 Indian gaming compacts. A petition was filed to stop the law ratifing these compacts from going into effect unless these propositions (one for each tribal compact) are passed. The compacts basically increase the number of slot machines each tribe can operate, and force them to contribute a larger share of their revenue to the state general fund. More slot machines plus a larger % being contributed to the state equals much more money to our general fund to ease our budget crisis. The critics are mainly anti-gambling folks and Nevada casinos who don't want to see gaming in CA. They also argue that it's not fair that only 4 tribes are included in these compacts. In actuality, any tribe can re-negotiate their gaming compact, and others have done so in the past. They only target these tribes, however, since they have the largest gaming operations now, and pose the largest threat to Nevada casinos. A YES vote would allow these compacts to be ratified, allow these tribes to expand their current gaming operations, and provide a huge boost of funds to the state general fund.
While this next measure doesn't apply to me (it only applies to LA city residents), I include it here because I can't stand misleading ballot measures, and this measure is extremely misleading (so for full disclosure):
LA City Telephone Tax
The city of LA currently has a 10% telephone tax. That tax was successfully challenged in court because it never had votor approval. This measure will reinstate a 9% telephone tax. The supporters of this measure are promoting it as a tax reduction from 10% to 9%. That is anything but the truth. The 10% tax was deemed illegal, and is going away. Thus this measure is really a 9% tax increase. It also prevents the city from having to pay back everyone for the illegal 10% tax they have been collecting. The only reason they set the tax rate at 9% was so they could bill this as a tax reduction for all the uninformed voters out there. In the end, since this doesn't affect me, I leave it up to the voter to make a decision. I can't stand the tactics used to promote this measure. However, I also understand that no city can survive on a loss of $270 million a year which is what voting no on this measure would mean. Voters should understand that they voting to legalizing a tax (or implementing a new tax if you see it that way) and not voting on a tax reduction.
Prop 91 - Transportation Funding Initiative - NO
Even the supporters of this measure say to vote no now. A law was recently passed that makes this OBE.
Prop 92 - Community College Funding - NO
Currently CA education funding is divided between K-14 education as needed. This would force the state to allocate specific amounts to Community Colleges leaving the rest to K-12. It also reduces the tuition to $15 a unit. This amounts to huge spending increases for Community College education either at the expense of K-12 or requiring the state to spend more for K-12 with no additional revenue source. In addition the reduced fees could only be increased if the per-capita income in the state increased by more than 7% in a single year (which has only happened once in the last 20 years). Thus the tuition fees are no longer a source of revenue, and they cannot be raised in the future - not even for inflation which would cause an even bigger burden on the state budget.
Prop 93 - Term Limits Modifications - NO
Currently a person can serve a total of 14 years - 2 4-year terms in the state senate, and 3 2-year terms in the assembly. This would reduce the total amount of time a person can serve in the state legislature from 14 years to 12 years, but it would allow a person to spend the entire 12 years in a single house. However, this also allows all current members to serve a total of 12 consecutive years in the house in which they are currently serving, regardless of prior service. The proponents argue that they are reducing term limits, and promoting experience by allowing individuals to serve the entire time in a single house. That is a BIG FAT MISLEADING LIE. This measure was written and sponsored by the current assembly speaker and 46 others who would otherwise be forced out of the state legislature by term limits this year. They don't tell you that this measure really extends the legislative careers of those 47 individuals. Instead they wrap this in the guise of reducing term limits. Don't pass this misleading measure. Lets actually kick out those whose terms are expiring this year and shake up our current liberal legislature with new bodies by voting NO.
Props 94-97 Indian Gaming Amendment - YES
The governor recently re-negotiated 4 Indian gaming compacts. A petition was filed to stop the law ratifing these compacts from going into effect unless these propositions (one for each tribal compact) are passed. The compacts basically increase the number of slot machines each tribe can operate, and force them to contribute a larger share of their revenue to the state general fund. More slot machines plus a larger % being contributed to the state equals much more money to our general fund to ease our budget crisis. The critics are mainly anti-gambling folks and Nevada casinos who don't want to see gaming in CA. They also argue that it's not fair that only 4 tribes are included in these compacts. In actuality, any tribe can re-negotiate their gaming compact, and others have done so in the past. They only target these tribes, however, since they have the largest gaming operations now, and pose the largest threat to Nevada casinos. A YES vote would allow these compacts to be ratified, allow these tribes to expand their current gaming operations, and provide a huge boost of funds to the state general fund.
While this next measure doesn't apply to me (it only applies to LA city residents), I include it here because I can't stand misleading ballot measures, and this measure is extremely misleading (so for full disclosure):
LA City Telephone Tax
The city of LA currently has a 10% telephone tax. That tax was successfully challenged in court because it never had votor approval. This measure will reinstate a 9% telephone tax. The supporters of this measure are promoting it as a tax reduction from 10% to 9%. That is anything but the truth. The 10% tax was deemed illegal, and is going away. Thus this measure is really a 9% tax increase. It also prevents the city from having to pay back everyone for the illegal 10% tax they have been collecting. The only reason they set the tax rate at 9% was so they could bill this as a tax reduction for all the uninformed voters out there. In the end, since this doesn't affect me, I leave it up to the voter to make a decision. I can't stand the tactics used to promote this measure. However, I also understand that no city can survive on a loss of $270 million a year which is what voting no on this measure would mean. Voters should understand that they voting to legalizing a tax (or implementing a new tax if you see it that way) and not voting on a tax reduction.
I passed!
I passed the CISSP exam I took in December!
This email was waiting for me this morning:
This email was waiting for me this morning:
Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that you have passed the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®) examination - the first step in becoming certified as a CISSP.
I still need to complete my resume and have my application endorsed by someone already certified in order to get my certificate.Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Avoid Chicago like the plague
I had a quick business trip to Ohio this week. On last trip before the baby is born. If only was that simple.
I started off Monday with a very comfortable flight from LA-Chicago. This was a nice 3-class 777 aircraft, and I was upgraded to business class which made the flight comfortable and enjoyable. The fun started as we were decending to land. Apparantly President Bush was leaving Chicago, and they had to basically shut down the airport while Air Force One took off. That caused us to land about 30 minutes late. No biggie, as I had a 90 minute layover for my flight to Ohio. Looking at the departure board, most flights are now shoing delayed due to the Air Force One isuue. As our new departure time approaches, it starts raining. If you've watched the news recently, even a single drop of rain can wreck havoc on Ohare operations. Our flight was delayed again. Then a thunderstorm hits....another shutdown of Ohare due to lightning. Our airplane still hasn't arrived as our delay keeps getting worse. Finally, they say the airplane we were supposed to travel on was diverted to South Bend, IN due to the weather and cancel our flight. I was fortunately rebooked on another flight that was not much later now due to all the delays. We board, and depart, only to be #26 in line for takeoff with another hour delay. Finally after spending 7 hours in delays in Chicago, the 45 minute flight to Ohio took off and I arrived at my hotel shortly after midnight. Grr..to 8am meetings the next morning.
I might add that the my original flight was on a smaller regional jet, so it left from the commuter F terminal. The commuter terminal was not designed for 7 hour delays. It was designed for short commuter flights. So, it was crowded, cramped, had little available food, and had a broken air conditioner which made for a bad waiting experience.
Now I sit in my hotel room with rain/wind pounding my window wondering how my flight home will go tomorrow. The only evening flight from Ohio to Chicago tonight that some coworkers tried to get on after our meeting ended up being cancelled. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
I started off Monday with a very comfortable flight from LA-Chicago. This was a nice 3-class 777 aircraft, and I was upgraded to business class which made the flight comfortable and enjoyable. The fun started as we were decending to land. Apparantly President Bush was leaving Chicago, and they had to basically shut down the airport while Air Force One took off. That caused us to land about 30 minutes late. No biggie, as I had a 90 minute layover for my flight to Ohio. Looking at the departure board, most flights are now shoing delayed due to the Air Force One isuue. As our new departure time approaches, it starts raining. If you've watched the news recently, even a single drop of rain can wreck havoc on Ohare operations. Our flight was delayed again. Then a thunderstorm hits....another shutdown of Ohare due to lightning. Our airplane still hasn't arrived as our delay keeps getting worse. Finally, they say the airplane we were supposed to travel on was diverted to South Bend, IN due to the weather and cancel our flight. I was fortunately rebooked on another flight that was not much later now due to all the delays. We board, and depart, only to be #26 in line for takeoff with another hour delay. Finally after spending 7 hours in delays in Chicago, the 45 minute flight to Ohio took off and I arrived at my hotel shortly after midnight. Grr..to 8am meetings the next morning.
I might add that the my original flight was on a smaller regional jet, so it left from the commuter F terminal. The commuter terminal was not designed for 7 hour delays. It was designed for short commuter flights. So, it was crowded, cramped, had little available food, and had a broken air conditioner which made for a bad waiting experience.
Now I sit in my hotel room with rain/wind pounding my window wondering how my flight home will go tomorrow. The only evening flight from Ohio to Chicago tonight that some coworkers tried to get on after our meeting ended up being cancelled. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Sick =(
We'll I'm sick. At first we thought it was just the stomach flu, but after talking to other members of my family, could it possibly be food poisoning from Christmas dinner? Out of the 23 people who were at my parents house for Christmas, only 3 managed to not get sick. All the rest of us got sick at about the same time last night. At least I have a wonderful, devoted, wife who is one of the few who didn't get sick and takes good care of me. The good thing is that I'm starting to perk up this afternoon and am feeling much better.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
The CISSP Exam
Well, I but the bullet and took my CISSP exam last weekend. I took it then since I had just finished a review course the week prior and the next exam is not scheduled until the end of January. It was also the first fill in the bubble exam I've taken since my college days. Most of by other certification exams recently have been all computer based. But man was it gruelling. More than 60% of those who take the exam fail.
The exam is 6 hours long to complete 250 multiple choice questions. After the first 50 questions, I was questioning whether I would pass or not. I don't know what happened after that, but I seemed to get in a groove and the rest of the exam seemed to go much better in my opinion. I ended up finishing in 3 1/2 hours and was out of there to rejoin the family for their Christmas party.
I hope I passed. I guess it's now a waiting game. I have to wait 4-6 weeks to find out my score.
The exam is 6 hours long to complete 250 multiple choice questions. After the first 50 questions, I was questioning whether I would pass or not. I don't know what happened after that, but I seemed to get in a groove and the rest of the exam seemed to go much better in my opinion. I ended up finishing in 3 1/2 hours and was out of there to rejoin the family for their Christmas party.
I hope I passed. I guess it's now a waiting game. I have to wait 4-6 weeks to find out my score.
Monday, December 10, 2007
The past 6 months
I realize it has been a while since I posted last. I've started many posts, but never one I wanted to be my first post back into blogging again. Where do we begin? look at all we accomplished? Repainted house, installed sprinklers in backyard, started landscaping backyard, redid baby's room (pictures later) and lots of travel. In fact, I travelled over 50,000 miles this year to make Premier Executive status in the mileage plus program. We'll see what next year brings with the new baby and all.
After Thanksgiving, I took a trip to Colorado Springs and Albuquerque. Travelling is nice in that I can see some of our old friends that have moved around the world. I saw Keri and Calvin in Co. We saw Dave and Cherilyn in Hawaii in October, and I hope to briefly stop in Phoenix soon to see all those who have moved there. Last week, I spent the whole week in a class cramming for my CISSP certification exam (it's a security certification) which I hope to take this weekend.
After Thanksgiving, I took a trip to Colorado Springs and Albuquerque. Travelling is nice in that I can see some of our old friends that have moved around the world. I saw Keri and Calvin in Co. We saw Dave and Cherilyn in Hawaii in October, and I hope to briefly stop in Phoenix soon to see all those who have moved there. Last week, I spent the whole week in a class cramming for my CISSP certification exam (it's a security certification) which I hope to take this weekend.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Monday, September 03, 2007
Hot, Hot, Hot...
I hope everyone hasn't given up waiting for an update. It was an eventful summer, and I have lots to write about. But first, an obligatory weather update. It's hot. I mean, it's way too hot for Fullerton. It feels like Vegas. In fact, it's hotter in Fullerton (107) than Vegas (102) today. My car actually says it's 111 outside instead of 107 - but once its that hot, the extra 4 degrees don't mean much to me. I'd melt if I had to live in this climate for more than a few days. Good thing it is supposed to be much cooler (15-20 degrees) tomorrow.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
A Few Pictures From Graduation
Here are a few pictures from my graduation last weekend. I now hold a Masters in Computer Science / Information Security. Hopefully I'll be able to post a few pictures from our vacation the week after as well. Virginia and DC were absolutely beautiful.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Done
Turned in my last project yesterday and took my last final today. I am done. Next weekend I'll graduate!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
One down one to go
One final down, one more to go. I think I did ok on the first final. It was a mix of multiple choice, short answer and two essays. I nailed the essays and most of the multiple choice. There were a few short answers I had to BS though, but overall I think I'll come out ok. I have an A, A-, and A on my three projects for this class, so depending on what I get on my research paper, I should do well.
Now, I only have one more project to turn in and a final to take in my other class and I am completely done.
Now, I only have one more project to turn in and a final to take in my other class and I am completely done.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)