Today is my wife's 21st birthday. Happy Birthday to her. This will be the second birthday I will actually be spending with her. Very special. My only complaint is where her birthday falls. Unfortunately, I'm poor and my financial aid doesn't come in till a little later. So, I'm stuck here feeling a little guilty that I cannot afford anything my wife deserves for her birthday. She's okay with it, but I'm not. I'm trying to figure out the best way to make her birthday special. And I will. I have my plans. And, when I do get some money she will be getting something special.
This will also be the last birthday she will have before the baby comes. Kind of big. Not saying that the baby is a bad thing, but things are going to be different when the baby comes. Our marriage will change and soon it won't just be two of us but we'll be a family. Big things.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
That's it, no more class.
until Fall begins. Summer has finally ended for me. The past two weeks have been harder on me than entirety of summer had been. I'm just glad it's more or less over.
Well, first things first, I've moved out of my place at Knight's Circle. Now that we are out of there, I can safely say a lot of things I had wanted to say. First, I've been living there illegally with my wife. Knight's Circle is an apartment complex just for students and charges rent on a room to room kinda deal. So, a 4 room apartment goes for $545 a month for each room. I was there for year before I got married. I couldn't get rid of the lease so we stayed there. And that place sucked! Maintenance came in almost every week because of remodeling, which blew because they came at inopportune times. The fire alarms were tested regularly and went off early in the morning while I tried to sleep. Overall, the management of the place was terrible. I pity people who have to stay there because it's the best that can be done. Sure, it is a good deal but there has to be something out there that's better. But, I moved out of there last week with my wife to a house ran by a nice fellow. Steve - my friend - stays here as well. Like 180, this house is far better than anything Knight's Circle offered. Nice and quiet with no loud neighbors.
But now, I have to worry about a few more things. My parents can no longer afford to put me through college. So, as I keep trying to find a job, I have to take out loans to pay for things like rent and the like. It's not the time for my wife to visit the doctor more often and that's a little taxing. It's getting a little harder balancing everything. Though, it is easier now that we're content in our new living arrangement.
I'm just glad classes are over for the time being. I had a grand total of 40 pages to write in the past two weeks for just two classes. That, regular class, moving, and taking my wife to the doctor every so often felt like I was spreading myself just a little too thin. But, that's over and I made it through.
Well, first things first, I've moved out of my place at Knight's Circle. Now that we are out of there, I can safely say a lot of things I had wanted to say. First, I've been living there illegally with my wife. Knight's Circle is an apartment complex just for students and charges rent on a room to room kinda deal. So, a 4 room apartment goes for $545 a month for each room. I was there for year before I got married. I couldn't get rid of the lease so we stayed there. And that place sucked! Maintenance came in almost every week because of remodeling, which blew because they came at inopportune times. The fire alarms were tested regularly and went off early in the morning while I tried to sleep. Overall, the management of the place was terrible. I pity people who have to stay there because it's the best that can be done. Sure, it is a good deal but there has to be something out there that's better. But, I moved out of there last week with my wife to a house ran by a nice fellow. Steve - my friend - stays here as well. Like 180, this house is far better than anything Knight's Circle offered. Nice and quiet with no loud neighbors.
But now, I have to worry about a few more things. My parents can no longer afford to put me through college. So, as I keep trying to find a job, I have to take out loans to pay for things like rent and the like. It's not the time for my wife to visit the doctor more often and that's a little taxing. It's getting a little harder balancing everything. Though, it is easier now that we're content in our new living arrangement.
I'm just glad classes are over for the time being. I had a grand total of 40 pages to write in the past two weeks for just two classes. That, regular class, moving, and taking my wife to the doctor every so often felt like I was spreading myself just a little too thin. But, that's over and I made it through.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Life Works in Mysterious Ways
Yesterday was my anniversary with my wife. We had a great time last night. Dinner, golf, and a movie. Doesn't seem like much but we had a great time and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Today, we decided to go spend a little on ourselves, like getting us some anniversary gifts of sorts. While we were out, I had a stroke of misfortune. My car's battery has been giving me a little bit of mouth but today, it finally died on me in front of CoolStuffGames. I was a little worried, thinking that no one in the store would have jumper cables to help us out. I was about to freak out thinking of a way to get back home. I had a dead car, first time it ever happened to me, and I have a pregnant wife. Luckily, some kind sumartian did help us out because he did have cables in his trunk.
I'm going to get a pair of those cables tomorrow along with a new battery.
I think Sam and I were extremely lucky that the car stalled 10 minutes from home. The universe works in mysterious ways. The more I think about it, it had been raining the past few days but on the day of our anniversary, it stopped. A little muggy, but over all fine. And my car held up even though I was all the way on the other side of Orlando. Only today, when I was so close from home, did my car give out on me. Lucky indeed.
Sure, I have to shell out for a new battery, but it's not the end of the world. And thank goodness that it happened when it did. I can't imagine trying to ask for a jump at Downtown Disney.
Alas, I have been busy with my summer classes and haven't been able to blog much for a bit. But, hopefully I can rectify that once my classes are over. They are wrapping up and I'm on the home stretch.
Today, we decided to go spend a little on ourselves, like getting us some anniversary gifts of sorts. While we were out, I had a stroke of misfortune. My car's battery has been giving me a little bit of mouth but today, it finally died on me in front of CoolStuffGames. I was a little worried, thinking that no one in the store would have jumper cables to help us out. I was about to freak out thinking of a way to get back home. I had a dead car, first time it ever happened to me, and I have a pregnant wife. Luckily, some kind sumartian did help us out because he did have cables in his trunk.
I'm going to get a pair of those cables tomorrow along with a new battery.
I think Sam and I were extremely lucky that the car stalled 10 minutes from home. The universe works in mysterious ways. The more I think about it, it had been raining the past few days but on the day of our anniversary, it stopped. A little muggy, but over all fine. And my car held up even though I was all the way on the other side of Orlando. Only today, when I was so close from home, did my car give out on me. Lucky indeed.
Sure, I have to shell out for a new battery, but it's not the end of the world. And thank goodness that it happened when it did. I can't imagine trying to ask for a jump at Downtown Disney.
Alas, I have been busy with my summer classes and haven't been able to blog much for a bit. But, hopefully I can rectify that once my classes are over. They are wrapping up and I'm on the home stretch.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
A post about nothing
I haven't written anything in the past few days because there has been nothing to write about. I've been busy handeeling all my Summer schoolwork such as writing two three-page papers that are due Monday. Actually, there is another three-page paper due on Wednesday as well. So, I have three papers totaling up to a minimum of nine pages. Not a lot, but it's just a lot to handle at the moment. Next week is also the release of the 2012 Core Set for Magic: The Gathering. I'm excited for that. On top of that is Sam's doctor's appointment. I just have a lot of stuff planned on top of school. Summer is killer.
Yesterday, though, Sam and I went out to see if we could find a bed for when we move out of current apartment. Since this one was fully-furnished, I don't own any of the important furniture. So, since we have to move out we got to find a bed or else we're on an air mattress. I don't know about anyone else, but I personally hate air mattresses. Sure, they get the job done but they can wreak havoc on my back. And, I already hardly get a good night's rest now. My arm is always in an uncomfortable position. I digress, Sam and I were looking for a place that sells mattresses, preferably with the box spring. We looked into Wal*Mart and they had nothing. Sam's Club sold them for a minimum of $300 without the box spring. And then, we checked out this one place called Furniture Deals. Deals my ass, they sold top of the line mattresses that started out at $400. No luck there so we moved on. I had spotted a small store one day after we went shopping at Sam's Club a few days prior and I headed there. Along the way, there was another small mattress store. Both of the placed offered us a mattress and box spring for $170.
It took us about a two hours to end up with a mattress at a preferred cost. My issue is, beds are important. Why sell these expensive ones when regular people can't afford them. And, how does Wal*Mart not sell them? Sure, not everyone needs a mattress often like they need shampoo, but they sell desks and what not. It's a freaking bed, people will need to buy one especially in a college area like where I live. It just seems a little inane is all.
Anyways, after we found a bed, we headed off to Paladin Tech & Games. A comic and game store. There, Sam found Candyland. I never played Candyland but we picked it up cause Sam wanted it. We got home and played a few games. Luck based it may be, but the game loved giving Sam all the character cards so she sped in front of me. I only won the first game we played. I'll admit, playing it was fun. I didn't think it would be, but I it was enjoyable. Guess in between looking for a bed and writing two papers, kicking back and playing a children's game was just a welcomed activity.
I guess I lied. There was a lot of stuff that happened.
Yesterday, though, Sam and I went out to see if we could find a bed for when we move out of current apartment. Since this one was fully-furnished, I don't own any of the important furniture. So, since we have to move out we got to find a bed or else we're on an air mattress. I don't know about anyone else, but I personally hate air mattresses. Sure, they get the job done but they can wreak havoc on my back. And, I already hardly get a good night's rest now. My arm is always in an uncomfortable position. I digress, Sam and I were looking for a place that sells mattresses, preferably with the box spring. We looked into Wal*Mart and they had nothing. Sam's Club sold them for a minimum of $300 without the box spring. And then, we checked out this one place called Furniture Deals. Deals my ass, they sold top of the line mattresses that started out at $400. No luck there so we moved on. I had spotted a small store one day after we went shopping at Sam's Club a few days prior and I headed there. Along the way, there was another small mattress store. Both of the placed offered us a mattress and box spring for $170.
It took us about a two hours to end up with a mattress at a preferred cost. My issue is, beds are important. Why sell these expensive ones when regular people can't afford them. And, how does Wal*Mart not sell them? Sure, not everyone needs a mattress often like they need shampoo, but they sell desks and what not. It's a freaking bed, people will need to buy one especially in a college area like where I live. It just seems a little inane is all.
Anyways, after we found a bed, we headed off to Paladin Tech & Games. A comic and game store. There, Sam found Candyland. I never played Candyland but we picked it up cause Sam wanted it. We got home and played a few games. Luck based it may be, but the game loved giving Sam all the character cards so she sped in front of me. I only won the first game we played. I'll admit, playing it was fun. I didn't think it would be, but I it was enjoyable. Guess in between looking for a bed and writing two papers, kicking back and playing a children's game was just a welcomed activity.
I guess I lied. There was a lot of stuff that happened.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
:lightbulb:
I think I'm a rare breed.
I'm not trying to be egotistical or anything but, I think I am. I was in class - popular culture in literature - and we were discussing a film we had watched the previous class. The class differs from semester to semester and the semester I'm in handles war in popular culture. The literature comes in toward the end of the semester as I don't see the printouts we read literature about warfare. They're more about the war movie genre and the American culture.
I digress. We were talking about Sands of Iwo Jima and the scene where the character Conway finds out he is a father. At this point, my professor stops the discussion and asks the class if there are any fathers in there. I have one on the way so, I raise my hand along with this older gentleman. He looked about 45, I looked about my early 20's. Of course, I was singled out by my professor and he asked me whether I was raising my hand because I know of a father or something to that extend. I proclaim, "No, I'm am - will become a father. I just came from the WIC office to this class." At that point, he was surprised and told me to keep some thoughts about the scene as we moved on.
It's hard for me to believe that many people my age are not parents. Let me clarify, I don't think 1 out of 2 men are fathers but, in my high school it wasn't that obscure to see a pregnant girl. But, it is rare for someone like me to be a father. Why? There's no doubt there's a lot of teenage moms but dads? You hear about a guy taking off when he finds out he has a kid on the way. Then there's the one's who do stay with the mom and what do they do? Work to support their kid, right? I'm not. I'm in college learning and helping the mother of my child meet her appointments. I don't know the real reason it's a surprise but it is. I am 22, married, in college, and with a baby on the way. I'd clinch it if I had a job. I'm slowly working on it.
I know a job is important and, I have been trying to find one. I need the money for my baby. But, I can't seem to land one. But, that will not keep me from trying again and again. Although, there will be days like today. I woke up at 7:30 in the morning to take Samantha to the WIC office. Straight from there is class from 10 to 12. I have two hours before my next class where I spend those hours reading what I had to for that next class before I go in at 2. Then, I get out at 4 and head back home. Not only was I not done when I got home, I had to go and get groceries. I finished up at 8 today. I know, I have it easier than most people but, that does not change the fact I am tired from everything I've done today.
I'm going to assume that I will get better at this. Meaning I'll get more stamina for everything. Ah well, another day in my life.
I'm not trying to be egotistical or anything but, I think I am. I was in class - popular culture in literature - and we were discussing a film we had watched the previous class. The class differs from semester to semester and the semester I'm in handles war in popular culture. The literature comes in toward the end of the semester as I don't see the printouts we read literature about warfare. They're more about the war movie genre and the American culture.
I digress. We were talking about Sands of Iwo Jima and the scene where the character Conway finds out he is a father. At this point, my professor stops the discussion and asks the class if there are any fathers in there. I have one on the way so, I raise my hand along with this older gentleman. He looked about 45, I looked about my early 20's. Of course, I was singled out by my professor and he asked me whether I was raising my hand because I know of a father or something to that extend. I proclaim, "No, I'm am - will become a father. I just came from the WIC office to this class." At that point, he was surprised and told me to keep some thoughts about the scene as we moved on.
It's hard for me to believe that many people my age are not parents. Let me clarify, I don't think 1 out of 2 men are fathers but, in my high school it wasn't that obscure to see a pregnant girl. But, it is rare for someone like me to be a father. Why? There's no doubt there's a lot of teenage moms but dads? You hear about a guy taking off when he finds out he has a kid on the way. Then there's the one's who do stay with the mom and what do they do? Work to support their kid, right? I'm not. I'm in college learning and helping the mother of my child meet her appointments. I don't know the real reason it's a surprise but it is. I am 22, married, in college, and with a baby on the way. I'd clinch it if I had a job. I'm slowly working on it.
I know a job is important and, I have been trying to find one. I need the money for my baby. But, I can't seem to land one. But, that will not keep me from trying again and again. Although, there will be days like today. I woke up at 7:30 in the morning to take Samantha to the WIC office. Straight from there is class from 10 to 12. I have two hours before my next class where I spend those hours reading what I had to for that next class before I go in at 2. Then, I get out at 4 and head back home. Not only was I not done when I got home, I had to go and get groceries. I finished up at 8 today. I know, I have it easier than most people but, that does not change the fact I am tired from everything I've done today.
I'm going to assume that I will get better at this. Meaning I'll get more stamina for everything. Ah well, another day in my life.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Happy Fourth of July
So, seeing as me and the wife had a little extra spending money this month, we bought a nice, juicy rack of ribs that we are currently slow cooking in the oven. Later one we will take them and a portion of baked beans to our friends house and do some celebration. Hopefully, while over there we'll get to watch Rocky IV. Good is a subjective term, and I think it's a good film.
I've always liked the fourth of July. Like most people, I'm not very patriotic throughout the year. Well, most people I know, anyways. But, when July 4 comes around, I like celebrating it. When I was a kid, my dad bought me fireworks and we used to light them and watch the other people's fireworks. It was great and all. But, I can't have that now and I gotta figure out my own way of celebrating. I think some good old American cooking and watching the most blatantly patriotic of all the Rocky films is a good way of doing so. Maybe if I can find it, there's always Independence Day to watch.
I've managed to also see Transformers: Dark of the Moon the past Friday. Kinda long, kinda slow but I think Michael Bay finally managed to do a decent Transformers film. Decent, not exceptional. Again, I have a problem with the focus on Shia LeBouf, aka Sam in the film and his issues with romance, money, and status as the movie started. I don't care. Sam never seemed like a character I could care about, especially with baby face Shia playing him. Yeah, he might have been everykid in America but he distances himself from us greatly in the third film. I also dislike Michael Bay's talent of creating these new characters only for them to die off anyways. And even then, I don't care. I didn't get to know them nor did I have enough time to get to like them. Then, half way through, Bay kills off someone I did like and care about. That was effective. I don't mind if he makes cannon fodder but, I don't like when I'm forced annoying characters only for them to die. I'm supposed to root for the good guys, not Megatron.
I've also had it with the "stand still while stuff is exploding around me" scenes. It makes the character look like an idiot.
Overall, the film did its job. Throw big robots together and make them fight. But, that's all people really want. Even those who don't watch robots fight, having people interject slows the movie quite a bit. The army guys coming in to help, that's fine. Seeing Sam try to find a job, no that's stupid. And after T2, I had low expectations and was expecting a complete train wreck. I'm glad to say it wasn't that bad.
I'm now sitting on my bed while I watch my wife play Legend of Mana on the PS3. I haven't seen her so engrossed in a video game... ever. She loves Zelda and especially Ocarina of Time and I've seen her beat it in three days. But, this game takes the cake. She has been playing the game feverishly since we bought it on Saturday. I'm glad that she is so into a game. I'm the one usually blowing money on Magic and video games, so to see her ignore me for something virtual is like seeing it on the other foot. Except I'm okay with it. Not saying she isn't, it's just that I feel bad I usually use all of our spending cash.
Oh well, today should be a good day. Happy Fourth everyone!
I've always liked the fourth of July. Like most people, I'm not very patriotic throughout the year. Well, most people I know, anyways. But, when July 4 comes around, I like celebrating it. When I was a kid, my dad bought me fireworks and we used to light them and watch the other people's fireworks. It was great and all. But, I can't have that now and I gotta figure out my own way of celebrating. I think some good old American cooking and watching the most blatantly patriotic of all the Rocky films is a good way of doing so. Maybe if I can find it, there's always Independence Day to watch.
I've managed to also see Transformers: Dark of the Moon the past Friday. Kinda long, kinda slow but I think Michael Bay finally managed to do a decent Transformers film. Decent, not exceptional. Again, I have a problem with the focus on Shia LeBouf, aka Sam in the film and his issues with romance, money, and status as the movie started. I don't care. Sam never seemed like a character I could care about, especially with baby face Shia playing him. Yeah, he might have been everykid in America but he distances himself from us greatly in the third film. I also dislike Michael Bay's talent of creating these new characters only for them to die off anyways. And even then, I don't care. I didn't get to know them nor did I have enough time to get to like them. Then, half way through, Bay kills off someone I did like and care about. That was effective. I don't mind if he makes cannon fodder but, I don't like when I'm forced annoying characters only for them to die. I'm supposed to root for the good guys, not Megatron.
I've also had it with the "stand still while stuff is exploding around me" scenes. It makes the character look like an idiot.
Overall, the film did its job. Throw big robots together and make them fight. But, that's all people really want. Even those who don't watch robots fight, having people interject slows the movie quite a bit. The army guys coming in to help, that's fine. Seeing Sam try to find a job, no that's stupid. And after T2, I had low expectations and was expecting a complete train wreck. I'm glad to say it wasn't that bad.
I'm now sitting on my bed while I watch my wife play Legend of Mana on the PS3. I haven't seen her so engrossed in a video game... ever. She loves Zelda and especially Ocarina of Time and I've seen her beat it in three days. But, this game takes the cake. She has been playing the game feverishly since we bought it on Saturday. I'm glad that she is so into a game. I'm the one usually blowing money on Magic and video games, so to see her ignore me for something virtual is like seeing it on the other foot. Except I'm okay with it. Not saying she isn't, it's just that I feel bad I usually use all of our spending cash.
Oh well, today should be a good day. Happy Fourth everyone!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Gimme a head with hair
One of the things that I realized while in college is that one saves a bit when one doesn't cut their hair. My current wife had said that she liked men with long hair. We weren't dating at the time and I wanted to fix that. One of y answers: let my hair grow out so she may want it and therefore want me. Well, this happened about four or five months before I started going to college. And it has since been three years since that happened. My hair is just touching my shoulders, almost as if it scared to grow lowers, but it's incredibly curly. Either way, I've saved about sixty dollars a year from not getting a haircut. My wife loves it and every so often, I get people asking about my hair. In a way, it looks like Slash's hair from Guns N' Roses. But, it makes me easily identifiable and became one of my defining traits.
Although, if I think hard about it, I probably spent that sixty dollars a year in grabbing shampoo, conditioner, and hair ties. So, it balances out I guess. Either way, some days I like it others I don't. It had definitely now become an issue now that it falls between my eyes. Pulling it back is a requirement.
I wish there was a way to keep my hair while trying to find a job. Either I cut it off or I don't find a job. Decisions, decisions. As much as I like having hair on my head, I shed like a dog. So there's hair everywhere in my apartment and sometimes it shows up in the worst places.
Ah well, I can complain or just end it all and cut it off. I don't much want to do that. Yet....
Although, if I think hard about it, I probably spent that sixty dollars a year in grabbing shampoo, conditioner, and hair ties. So, it balances out I guess. Either way, some days I like it others I don't. It had definitely now become an issue now that it falls between my eyes. Pulling it back is a requirement.
I wish there was a way to keep my hair while trying to find a job. Either I cut it off or I don't find a job. Decisions, decisions. As much as I like having hair on my head, I shed like a dog. So there's hair everywhere in my apartment and sometimes it shows up in the worst places.
Ah well, I can complain or just end it all and cut it off. I don't much want to do that. Yet....
Monday, June 27, 2011
Cut the ribbon!
I wish I had a set of giant scissors and that the blog had a red ribbon to cut, but you get the idea, right? Either way, I decided to try and keep an updated blog. Who am I? I'm Christopher Ortiz and I'm a 22-year-old student attending UCF. I'm happily married to my wife, Samantha, and we currently have a baby on the way. So, the blog might be the start of the day to day ramblings of me trying to handle college life, married life, and becoming/being a parent. Maybe one day my son (we got an ultrasound and it looks like we are getting a boy the first time around) will read this. Maybe he'll realize something.
That's not the reason I'm starting this blog. I'm starting it for myself to see if I can write about anything. And anything can mean anything. From having a baby on the way to say if I think "Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon" is any good. Or how I think a particular Magic: The Gathering card might be really awesome only for it to suck in standard and prove how casual I am. I dunno. This is just the introduction after all so I'm mainly just filling this up with my current thoughts from today.
By the way, today marks the first day of Summer B classes. Having a month off doing nothing and getting back into school with three classes from ten in the morning to four in the afternoon is tough. Sleep schedule is off so I barely slept the night before so I was nearly falling asleep the night before. I hope to get back into the groove of things. I pretty much have to learn how to cope. It's going to be how I'm going to be able to survive school and raising a family.
Ah well, it is late and I should be going to bed. Until tomorrow!
That's not the reason I'm starting this blog. I'm starting it for myself to see if I can write about anything. And anything can mean anything. From having a baby on the way to say if I think "Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon" is any good. Or how I think a particular Magic: The Gathering card might be really awesome only for it to suck in standard and prove how casual I am. I dunno. This is just the introduction after all so I'm mainly just filling this up with my current thoughts from today.
By the way, today marks the first day of Summer B classes. Having a month off doing nothing and getting back into school with three classes from ten in the morning to four in the afternoon is tough. Sleep schedule is off so I barely slept the night before so I was nearly falling asleep the night before. I hope to get back into the groove of things. I pretty much have to learn how to cope. It's going to be how I'm going to be able to survive school and raising a family.
Ah well, it is late and I should be going to bed. Until tomorrow!
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