Successfully navigating the U.S. Post Office

You know, not matter how hard I try to be prepared for this place--I can never leave without spending at least 30 to 45 minutes there. Honestly, the Post Office in America is this death trap of craziness. However, it's the way I get parcels or things sent back to the South Pacific.

As a part of the parcel today, I sent Dickies that cost less than $20 USD at Walmart in America. Back home in New Zealand, you're looking at $120 NZD in a label clothing store for the same item. Huh?! I need to start a black market for this stuff. What do you think?

I guess I shouldn't be complaining about the wait time really. Todays box of goodies included my nephews presents for Christmas 2010--whoops! Ha ha.

Sore pinky finger

That's right. This might be the only time you hear something less positive on the blog and maybe you just want me to man up! Ok, I will...after I tell you why I have a sore finger.

If you've ever played dodgeball (all one word? Spell check is telling me it's meant to be separated), you'll know that sometimes it gets a bit hardcore. Last night I was playing and tried to catch a ball with my pinky finger...the ball won. My right-hand pinky finger went the opposite direction--aka away from the other fingers towards the right.

Ouch.

I didn't even say a bad word.

That is all.

San Antonio Texas Temple

So, the San Antonio Temple is the closest temple to Austin right now. And today was my first visit to the Temple here. I wanted to take a moment on the blog to say, it is really beautiful!

The outside of the temple looks like the design of the other smaller temples in the church--however, on the inside it is amazing. I have never been inside a small temple that looks as good as the San Antonio temple. Stained glass windows, murals on the walls. Just amazing. You should visit.

New Zealand Cheddar and Tomato Sauce

If you didn't see my FB status update the other day, I found NZ cheese at Whole Food Markets (the Austin HQ is freaking awesome, by the way). Anyway, a few weeks back I also got a package from my Mum that included some NZ Tomato Sauce (or "Ketchup" for my American friends).

This morning, these two ingredients came together in my omelet. Yum, I love eggs.

Note: This is not my actual omelet. But the picture is cool.

"Shut de do"

Tonight, at our little institute choir in Austin, we continued to learn the song "Shut de do" (aka "Shut the door"). I really like this song. It's a Jamaican/Caribbean spiritual song that is really cool, actually.

I can't say much for the quality of the recording here--but this will give you an example of the song:

Life goals.

During our LDS institute class this evening ('Institute' is like Sunday School during the week and is typically aimed at young adults aged between 18-30 years old), the teacher discussed writing out goals and having a plan for your life.

He talked about some people who have had successes documenting and performing their life goals. I think that is sort of inspiring. Some of the goals he discussed were very lofty. Example: "Present a paper in Cairo, Egypt." However, many of these goals, when written seriously, had been achieved by their respective goal setters. Good on them.

Hearing about this made me think that I need to do better. I wrote a five year plan about three years ago and it might need an update. Goals are great things. I'll stop blogging and start recording said goals.

New Desk, New Office.

I just wanted you to know that I finished my desk at work. That's right, it's completed. And, if you're ever in Austin, you can surely come visit me and my office! Ha ha.

The desk I put together looks just like this:

But, it's the "Mocha Cherry" color. So, I guess it doesn't really look like this then (But it does).

The Chant of the Islands

Two notable things happened today:

I signed up for the Warrior Dash in East Texas on March 19th. Me and my mission bud, Ryan, are going in the 5pm wave. I think it'll be hilarious and you're probably going to be jealous. Here's why:



I'm pretty sure the spots are going to be (or already are) full. But, if they aren't, you should sign up and come along! Click here to be redirected to the website.

Also...

I spoke to my Mum about her experience in the Cook Islands so far. Due to the cost of calls (and internet), we could only speak really fast for an hour. Ha ha. And, as you would expect from anyone who decided to move to a tropical island, she's loving it! The food, the people, and being able to walk two minutes to go swimming in a tropical lagoon on a beach. Really Mum? Ha ha.

I'm totally planning on heading down there sometime in the next few months. Viva la Rarotonga!

Austin goodness.

Austin is a great city. If you came here, you'd probably enjoy it as much as I do.

Today I walked around downtown with my new friend, Heather. I have to give her credit for agreeing to take this photo of me in the middle of the street with the Texas State Capitol Building in the background.

I think it's a pretty cool shot (minus my face). Also, remember how it's winter in Austin right now? Do I look like I'm enjoying winter? Because I am.

This is my kind of winter weather. God Bless Austin.

Life gets busy.

Since I got back from Albuquerque, I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Honestly.

My new desk arrived in the office and I started to put it all together. It's a riot; I've become quite the desk maker (even though everyone thinks I'm saying "disk" and not "desk"--the joys of having an accent in America). I've also had a lot of things to follow-up on and do before leaving each day from work. I like it, actually.

I would prefer to be very busy all day instead of sitting at work doing nothing. My new job is really challenging that way, and really allows me to use a number of the skills that I developed in school and in life. Don't you think that's awesome?

I've honestly been dealt a very blessed hand in this 'game of life' and I am extremely grateful for it! Everything is pretty awesome right now.

Rudy's BBQ

Now, I'll be the first to admit that Texas BBQ is probably better than any BBQ meal I've ever had in my life. And, if you ever have a chance, I'd say that you have to make a visit to Rudy's.

I've mentioned them before. They serve the meat in pounds on butcher paper and the meat is good! So good.

Except...

The "Extra Moist" Beef Brisket. Do you realize what "Extra Moist" really means? "The Fatty Part" of the Cow. Meaning, where there are all sorts of fat just dripping all over the place.

See this picture (Note: this does not depict the brisket I purchased)? There is really very little beef and quite a lot of fat.

Now, before you call me names about pointing out the fat on meat, I'll have you know that I grew up with a Maori father. Here is a man who still, to this day, will hunt for the fattiest part of the meat. Dad will even eat the fat before the real meat and enjoy the fat the most. I'll admit. I was like that also, as a teenager and then young adult. But, not anymore mate. Not anymore.

I'm sorry Rudy's, I ain't gonna be eatin' your "Extra Moist" Brisket again. It was actually pretty disgusting. My Dad might though. Ha ha. Love you Dad!

Introducing...the "Star Commander"

I know that many of you think I'm not very good at certain things. You may have seen me drop a ball or two. Heck, you may not have ever seen me even pick up a ball! However, I've recently discovered my inner athletic/stealth abilities.

Tonight, after a long day of company training and awards ceremonies (where I didn't get any because I'm new...not that I'm bitter, I'm just stating a fact), a bunch of people from the company (including the President and my boss) played Laser Tag.

As you can probably guess, I attained the highest honor of our group--Star Commander--for getting over 6,000 points in one game. Also, I was the highest scoring player in all three games. Now, I don't mean to brag. But, I've never done that before in my life! So, for the blog post today, I just wanted to blow my own trumpet really. Hope you enjoyed it.

Albuquerque and Go Karts

After leaving Austin in the wee hours of this morning, I arrived in Albuquerque for a work training/leadership conference.

After having lunch at Sadies of New Mexico (very spicy...my nose ran), we went to the Head Office and participated in some top secret training (but seriously, I can't really tell you about it); afterwards, we checked in at our hotel--the Marriott Pyramid.

Then the fun began--that's right, we went Go Karting baby. Ha ha. Here's a little picture that doesn't really do much for the place. But I think you can imagine how awesome it is. Being there took me back to my high school days, because I think that was the last time I was actually in a Go Kart. I didn't do very well, but I certainly had heaps of fun.

Food History Addition...

So, at church today, I was reminded of an event that occurred this past week.

First of all, I want to apologize to Jeff and his fiance Lindsey (pictured to the left) for not including our little visit to Madam Mam's Indian Restaurant and then Tiff's Treats.

I promise, it was a very memorable outing. Especially because I think that the Tiff's Treats Ice cream sandwich is better than the Smart Cookie one. Just saying.

Should I go private with the blog?

I know. What's the point in having a blog if the whole world can't see it? Well, here's my dilemma:

Regardless of whether this is business or personal, imagine you've never met someone before. You begin interacting with that person over email. Pause. What do most of you do? I know you'll never admit it; but, you probably google or facebook them (if you use 'Google' and 'Facebook' as a verb, it's not capitalized). Unless they have a common name that is bound to bring up multiple hits or search results. However, the dilemma is not about Facebook, because I can control my Facebook profile access.

My dilemma is that in the course of my normal business practice, people who I've never met will inherently not trust me. I think it's the nature of most initial sales interactions. Naturally, they'll want to google me to find out more about me. They'll want to know if they can trust me. (Note: At this point some of you are assuming that I flatter myself into thinking people will google me. However, I actually have real statistics that verify this claim. 7.65% of visitors to my blog came from a Google search. Thank you, Google Analytics.)

So, my question is this: will my blog help people (maybe potential customers) trust me or will it hinder in that process? I've been thinking about this for a little while and I go back and forth. I just really want some additional opinions.

A tribute to Senator Bennett.

A friend from my days in the U.S. Senate posted the following video to her blog, and I am reposting it as a tribute to this great Senator! I know I was only in Washington, D.C. for a few months, but my respect for Senator Bennett grew everyday that I spent time with his staff (I only interacted with him a handful of times).

In the times when he was not around, Senator Bennett's staff had nothing but kind words to say. I was amazed to see people, who worked for him the entire 18 years he was in the Senate, almost begin crying talking about why they still support him and love him. He was a great leader and an even better representative of Utah--even if they failed to see that during this last primary election season.

Here is Senator Bennett's Farewell Speech:


Regardless, I think that things like this do not happen without reason. Senator Bennett did an awesome job and it's obviously time for new representation. The U.S. Senate is changing. The Republican Party is changing, and I think that means the American people are changing. New things are ahead and we can only hope that it gets better.

Here is a tribute video made for the Senator:

Legacy Video from Andrea Candrian on Vimeo.

Oh yes.

Today, I discovered the joy that is Austin traffic.

I-35, you were not my friend at all on the way home from work. Not at all.

On the upside, I've not experienced that sort of traffic any other day or time. Although I was told traffic is the worst in Austin, today has been the only exception. I fear, however, that it will not be the last time.

Food

So, I really like food and apparently Austin is the place to be, if that's the case.

I've been to a few different places already, but I hope to build upon my food vocabulary as time goes on here in Texas.

Here are some notable places I've visited so far:

Best Bread Pudding I've had a very long time. Also, I tried Alligator tail here...mmm (tastes like chicken and fish...but more like fish).

Great Texas BBQ experience and good times with Jason in Lubbock. The ribs are awesome and so is the turkey.

Also, afterwards this is Jason and I at the country dancing club. (Note: we just had a lively conversation with two girls--one who wouldn't tell me what she did for a job. She said, "I don't want to tell you because it's a bit scandalous. But I make a lot of money!")

And then I had some great "Tex Mex" from here:

Try the Elvis Presley Combo...it's good.

January

Most people think that January is for resolutions. However, I have to make a few confessions--so here you go!

Until approximately late July 2010, I did not know who or what Rinchem Company, Inc. represented or sold.

When I began studying supply chain classes in the Marriott School, I never intended on actually entering the industry.

I didn't know Semiconductor manufacturers used chemicals to make microchips.

I didn't think that I would really like "Account Management" (Note: Read "Sales").

I actually love Americans and really like America (if I'm granted any sort of residency in the country, that designation might improve).

I didn't really have a desire to move to Texas after I graduated, nor had not heard a lot about Austin before deciding moving here.

I like Texas. A lot.

Until the other day, I had never made a piece of furniture that I used daily.

I really didn't expect to love life this much (without being married, that is).

Feels good.

I now have a room. I purchased a bed, desk, drawers etc from Ikea and they are awesome. Photos will follow (as soon as I'm finally unpacked properly), but until then--you get this!

Thank you, Ikea. Thank you very much.

Mormon Notes: Missionaries

I was a full-time missionary once. I have to say, there is something quite amazing about serving away from family, friends, and home for two years. I wouldn't change that experience for anything. It was awesome.

Provo time.

I have to say that I really love Provo. Because I've spent so much time there, it really feels like my American Home Base. You know what I mean? Upper Hutt, New Zealand is my International Home Base. It was where I was born and raised, where I went to primary school/intermediate/high school, where I had my first kiss etc...ha ha.

And then I came to Provo. What a journey?! I've loved almost every minute here and even loved the people. Warts and all. Here's a photo of a few friends that came to dinner at the Pizza Pie cafe. I'm grateful to them and everyone else that came for being willing to be there with me. They're so great!

(P.S. Sorry we didn't get photos of everyone...)

And now I'm on my way to Austin (via Albuquerque & Lubbock).

Home away from home in Boise, ID

So, this last weekend I stayed in Boise with the Hutcheson Family (plus friends and extended family--it was a full house!). They are so good to me and I'm grateful they would call me a friend. I've stayed there a number of times and we always do something pretty fun. Even if we didn't though, I just love spending time with them!

Example from this summer: Horse riding (I was really bad).

Example from the New Year: Music videos.

Here's what happened: I'm sitting there with the teenagers all talking and laughing. Then I say, "Let's make a music video!" Que confused faces. After a little cajoling, we were all running outside to begin the process. I enlisted the help of a camerawoman ("Aunty Michelle"), and here's what happened:

Don't worry about it. This was my very first attempt (My favorite is the bunny):


And this is my second attempt. I'm actually in this one. Ha ha. Can anyone say "Future Peter Jackson"?

Hello from Boise - Happy 2011 from Green Valley Holdings on Vimeo.


Note: Although I actually like the two songs, they were chosen by the kids. Just saying. Also, I'm aware that the content is blocked for the first one. I mainly embedded them to prove I did the first one and then make you wish you were there. Sorry!

Happy New Year!