A Much Needed Vacation! Universal Studios Orlando

LeeAnn and I decided we needed to take a vacation during my fall break from school, and originally we had other plans but they fell through so we ultimately chose to head south towards Orlando, Florida in 70 Degree weather and stay at the Wyndham Hotel Resort, which is about 6 minutes away from Universal Studios on International Drive. We had bought our tickets to the park in advance online and also we made reservations at the Wyndham Hotel. Wow the trip was amazing. The drive was bad at all. It only took about 10 hours to get their and 9 hours to drive back. We were lucky enough to beat the traffic in Atlanta, GA on our way back. But LeeAnn and I had a blast. This trip gave us some time to spend together before heading back to our busy working schedules. The Weather was great and the timing was perfect because there was hardly a crowd at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks. We didn't have to wait so long in line for all the attraction and we got to do everything that we wanted while we were there for 2 days. If we ever decide to go back we would have to go around this same time of the year.

We Care For Kids Day!

So a little over a week ago LeeAnn and I got to participate in an activity in Nashville carried out by Vanderbilt Children's hospital where she works. I am a little behind yep. So sue me. No not really. Please don't. I have just been busy living my life, with school and work and then this past weekend I finally got to watch all sessions of General Conference unlike the last 2 times because I had been busy with things and even because I was yarkin' my brains out last time. I really enjoyed the talks I got to listen to. They were really motivating and inspiring. Well anyways back to the subject that is relevant to the title of this blog. So several months ago LeeAnn told me she had to participate in some event for her hospital in Nashville where she works. Then she asked me if I could help her with certain things she would be incharge of for her ECMO team booth. Then as time got closer and closer to this date the Activity was gonna be held she suddenly started to remind me of the We Care for Kids Day activity by the hospital. Only this time the closer we got the more demanding her reminders were. Not was I being asked, but she would tell me that I was gonna help her on that weekend. Then of course a day or two before she said I was gonna "Man the Piñata Station". I didn't mind helping out and doing this for her. After all I was just gonna be there holding a paper mache bucket full of candy up while making sure the blind-folded kids hit the piñata and nothing or nobody else. So we get to the hospital and unload to set up the boxes full of items we would use for the station he had to do. So I went and parked the car afterwards but when I got back LeeAnn had already taken care of it all. She put up the signs she had made with mom and she got the face-paint out ready to dooble on the kids' faces. I was lookin and thing of something to do to help and then it came to me....I finished my TacoBell lunch....Well there is truth to that but I did help out more after I finished eating. As soon as the event started kids just crowded around to get their faces painted and I was getting excited cuz I was going to see these kids pound away for a little bit of candy here and there. I jsut had one problem. None of the kids were interested in breaking the paper mache for candy at the time they just wanted face painting, and I couldn't really find the blind folds so I made myself useful in another way. I took pictures of the kids having fun. Unfortunately later on I had to leave early to attend some other errands I had previously committed to. But it was fun, and LeeAnn got to show her Artistic Skillz, so she had fun.
So check out the pictures.

He was having a blast in the play-doh.

This girl wanted something on both sides of her face. So she put her to work.

Rainbow faces....

my gues is a panda-kitten.....

LeeAnn couldn't get her to hold still.

There was a crowd.

two lines for face painting.......

The face paint quickly became style for the arm

LeeAnn and mom worked on these signs...

She may not have wanted her picture taken...

DIY Bookshelf!

LeeAnn and I have books on our carpet, that are stacked against each other. We have been talking for some time about getting a bookshelf for them. Now I have looked at Target and Walmart. So I decided to measure the space LeeAnn and I would use to occupy the area for the Bookshelf we needed. If I can't find one I was thinking of making it with scrap pieces of 2x4's and some plywood.
So I made some plans for it if I can't obtain one from Target or anywhere else for a decent price. LeeAnn and I can't stand to look at these books every day sitting on the floor.

Smarter than the Average Bear

This Semester is pretty hectic. I am trying week after week to stay ontop of the schedule, and make sure my assignments are complete and that I understand all the materials for the tests. So far so good 4 weeks into the semester. I have been Ace-ing just about everything in all my classes. Now my Intermediate Algebra class is a different story. The professor for that class used to work with Rocket Scientists in Florida at Cape Canaveral. So, Why is he teaching basic Algebra in college? I don't know the answer to that question myself, but I sure wasn't too happy to listen to his lectures after the first night of class. He does a lot of the work in his head and doesn't write it out at all, when trying to explain how to solve an equation. I know Algebra isn't complicated, so it does not make sense to me that it should be taught in a sophistocated way. Well I just decided to take notes from my homework instead of taking notes from my professor's lectures. I stayed up studying for several nights and figured it out practically on my own.
So Last week when it came time for Test # 1 in Algebra I was ready to take it. But the professor wanted to review before the test and I did not want to hear him explain the problems first because that would just confuse me. Well, I got the test and started right on it. Man it gave me a head ache. I was frustrated because I didn't think the instructions were clear enough, but I did the best I could.
Last night, before I got my test back, I told everyone I probably bombed my test, then he handed it to me. I got a B on my test. What the Heck! I couldn't believe it. But hey not bad for the first test I have taken in Algebra in 5 years. So I just gotta keep studying so I can get an A+ on my next 4 tests including the Algebra Final Exam.

Whats up with the Titans Already?

Yep I am not to pleased with the way the Tennessee Titans' season has started so far. I will say I am happy with the offensive performance. The Defense however seems not so smash mouth anymore. They are good at stopping the run but they can't intercept many passes and they allow the opposing offense too many chances to progress downfield. Whats up with that?

Surely things will turn around but I will probably be the last one to know how things turn out for The Titans this year. At least some past Titans players are nominated as candidates for the Hall of Fame class of 2010.

The Nieces are growing.

While LeeAnn and I are not planning on starting a family yet, we enjoy getting to see our nieces. Last Weekend we saw Julia (our niece) and her parents, Chris and Lindsey Baker. She was walking and talking and being real fun for all of us at The Hassler Home. It funny to hear her talking and I guess as her Uncle I am being dubbed by my Spanish name,Tio Mikey, I was given, I don't even remember how... anyways. The age she is at right now, LeeAnn and I think is really cute. Julia loves her Poppi ( Terry Hassler) and her Grammy ( Vinnie Hassler) a lot. Now I could probably, and again this isn't a "guarantee" but I could probably be a good Dad. But I know I definitely can not afford to pay for a child of mine and LeeAnn's yet. LeeAnn and I can barely support ourselves as it is now. I guess when certain companies and businesses learn you have money they want a piece of it so they give you your bill and surprise you everynow and then with one bill that is just off the wall crazy that your head is spinning and you call them to make sure the numbers are right!
So Chris and Lindsey are in Cookeville, Tennessee with Julia and their dog Hershey( I hope I spelled that right), and LeeAnn and I are in Nashville so its a drive but we have managed to visit them whether we've gone to their house or seen them at Terry and Vinnie's home.
There are two other nieces LeeAnn and I visit and one of them just had her Birthday Party on Saturday. She turned one. It was funny becuase Maddie who turned one, had her birthday. Everyone was singing Happy Birthday, and Taylor couldn't stand that we were singing Happy Birthday to her sister instead of her, so she cried and cried. It was kinda funny. But what made it seem really funny was I remember a family video that my parents have of Maddie and Taylor's Mother( my sister) Keaven Neely when she was little and when everyone at the house was singing Happy Birthday to I don't remember who Keaven started crying her eyes out and pouting. Taylor is definitely her mother's daughter. I just thought that was a funny memory of my sister when we were kids. Maddie is a really cute kid. She has a pretty smile and is at a fun age now. She had her 1st B-DAY on Saturday. Taylor is real fun too. She just get shy sometimes and then she gets where she is wanting all kinds of attention. The Nieces are fun but LeeAnn especially loves buying them outfits to wear. She has good taste by the way according to some people.

Loads of Laundry, Homework, and Terry Hassler's Birthday

This weekend has been just as busy as during the week. Between working at the UPS STORE (....By the way I was thinking of including a blog on some of the wierdest stuff I have had to pack and ship in the 8 months I have worked here.) and LeeAnn working 3 to 4, 12 hour shifts a week. Going to school at Volstate fulltime, and still having time enough to spend with my wife and our families. I am having to play catch up in school with my homework, but things are looking good and on the upside. I was thinking about how much I appreciate the experiences I have had good and bad this past year, while a song came on the radio by the Zack Brown Band, There is a phrase in this particular song called Toes, that is spanish and it is...Adios and Vaya Con Dios. I just have this feeling like things are gonna work out and I got nothing to worry 'bout. Of course I gotta be responsable in various areas of my life but as long as I let everything happen the way its intended, and I do my part, things will continue to fall into place. I probably have put too much emphasis on making sure everything that occurs in my life is picture perfect, but I had everything planned in my life before I came back from Chile back December of 2007. Things havent happened exactly as I have planned since returning home from my mission, but I don't regret the way they have turned out. I have learned valuable lessons and I have been blessed with many opportunities of which I have taken advantage of. Meeting LeeAnn AND Marrying her is the best thing that has happened to me since returning from my 2 year mission in Chile. Because of her I have gained a greater appreciation for education. These days if you want to put food on the table and survive financially it seems a bachelors degree is a minimal requirement. I am going to get a BA in Land Development and obtain my Contractors license, as I have mentioned plenty of times. I am stoked. But I will never let go of my lifetime hobby and love for music, and drumming. I enjoy playing, its what helps me to show more personality when I play the drums. Musically its how I socialize. Lastly LeeAnn and I went to her parents on Sunday and celebrated her dad's Birthday. Happy Birthday Terry!