The Gum Tree for 2005 March

The Gum Tree for 2005 March
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(8) Thu Mar 03 16:29:20 MST notes :

Almost done researching my term paper on Affirmative Action. Now I am ready to write. My only problem is, how will I fit so much information in such a small space (ten pages). They don't make term papers like they used to. I have not had to write more than 12 pages ever in college. I guess we are just trying to chug these undergrads through college to the workplace where they get more of the same without ever enjoying the flowers. That must be why the national parks are in disrepair.

(5) Mon Mar 07 16:32:35 MST too tireing:

Well, we finally broke down and bought a new car and traded in our truck. We feel kinda guilty about it in a way, and there is a little buyers remorse, but I guess there is always some remorse after any big purchase. It was a good time for us to do it. Louise's parents are coming to Utah for Graduation and there is no way we are going to be able to do all that they want to do for their last whirlwind tour in America (i.e. St. George, Colorodo/Canyonlands, Las Vegas perhaps). Last time they came, they had to rent a car for a couple of weeks in order for the four of us to fit.

Our insurance expires this month as well, and it is time for a renewal. We also did get a good deal (as good as it gets at a dealer). it was midway between the kelly blue book private party price and the Retail Sales Price, and they extended the warrenty and gave us tinting. Louise isn't as eager to negotiate as I was, however, and she felt kinda bad when we really were squeezing the last dime out of them.

Now I am realizing how much other people were dependant on our truck as well. I am sorry to disappoint them, but we need places to put future carseats and luggage that will actually fit inside the car as opposed to out in the weather.

Overall, we are happy. Except for that bloodsucking financing guy who was trying to sell us all kinds of stuff that we didn't need.

(1) Thu Mar 10 09:42:50 MST I don't need a holiday.:

I just got an email that said that the 28th of April is national say hi to Joe day. I never realized that my fellow namesakes were so concerned about being recognized.

(7) Mon Mar 14 12:33:36 MST Thanks for the gathering.:

Last night we went over to John and Suzie's to have a little get-together. It was very nice. It is always good to talk in reality as opposed to virtual reality of the web, and it is good seeing other cousins who we haven't seen recently.

In other news, I have contacted an attorney because of something that was placed in our contract for buying a car. I hate getting mean and litigious, but I told the finance guy not to add anything above what I had agreed upon with the salesman. He added a $300.00 charge for some rebate program that I would be eligible for if my car is stolen and never recover. I had talked to the dealership many times and they have been dragging their feet. I was totally unaware that it was added to the contract, and I want to talk with a consumer rights specialist to see what I can do to put some pressure on in order to get some action out of this dealership to just remove this little worthless financial product. It has been a week and they haven't done anything about it yet. And that is what I call ridiculous.

In other news, I took a practice MCAT last Saturday, and got a 28. The average for people who are accepted to med school so I am on track to getting over a 30. Just 7 more practice tests and then the real one is coming up. The rest of my life hangs in the balance, and even though I am starting to get ulcers, I am excited about continuing my education into a field that I will really enjoy.

Wed Mar 16 12:15:14 MST Altruistic Consequences:

One of the drawbacks of working in a volunteer clinic is the fact that you are exposed to a lot of illnesses that are contagious. I had a headache and a sore throat yesterday, and I think that it is because of the strep throat cases that came in last Thursday. I did swabs on about 4 or 5 people to test for strep, and a couple came out very positive.

Today, I am feeling a little bit better, however, but I still had to sleep in till about 8:00 when I really wanted to go running this morning. It is so nice going out in the dark morning to run while watching the sun come over the mountains.

Louise and I have also been chatting about how we will go about the next year accomplishing our plans of Louisiana, and afterwards. She also told me that she didn’t want to have me join the military unless the only school that I could get into was a $25,000 or more tuition/year school. We will see. I would like to be in the military for the mere experience and service, but she is right that the experience and service may not be worth making half what we could in the private sector. I think she wants more trips back home in the long run.

We are also excited to see Mum and Dad come into town in 3 weeks (from Australia)!!! There will be much festivities come April with graduation and family from all sides in town. I think that Mom and Ben will also like taking some time with the Nicholson side of the family. I think that Louise's Dad wants to make sure that Ben is good enough for my Mom. :p

This is probably going to be the last time for the both of the Nicholson parents coming to town, but since Louise’s Mom is adventurous and loves to travel, I am sure that she will be in town when some of our kids are born as well as other notable events.

In short, there is always going to be some little sickness or problem, but we are very excited for the future as well as our daily progress. That is the story of my life.

Wed Mar 23 17:06:21 MST Going before the judgement seat::

Yes, I had my Medical school committee interviews today. I was interviewed by Dr. Bloxham and one of my peers. I was quite nervous in the Bloxham interview (I know that everybody tells me not to be nervous, but I just don’t want to mess up). I also didn’t get much sleep last night. I kept on waking up in the middle of the night to check to make sure that I wasn’t sleeping in. That would not have gone over well with Dr. Bloxham.

It was a good interview, however, and I left feeling that I was a good candidate. Dr. Bloxham said that I should have no trouble getting into medical school. I won’t believe it till I see it though. We are still checking on working in Japan for six months as well. The interviewer will talk with us in April.

Also, only one week until Auzzie Mum & Dad come into town. It seems that our in-laws up in Sandy bought a house, and Mum and Dad will be helping with the move for the first couple of weeks that they will be in the States.

(2) Wed Mar 23 17:06:23 MST Going before the judgement seat::

(2) Fri Mar 25 16:15:25 MST family history:

Louise spoke to her parents yesterday for about 2 hours. They are soooo excited to get into town next week. They are already packing. Louise wanted to know some family history about her dad and her grandfather for a school project. I found out an interesting detail of John Nicholson’s life. When he was a teenager, his parents were maid and butler for the Dutch Ambassador. Every week they would have a half-day to go and do what they wanted to do. The same day, the Dutch ambassador would always get very ill.

Louise’s dad smelled a rat, and went to check out the barley water that was being served to the ambassador. He took the evidence to a chemist who could test it and found out that somebody was putting harpic, a cleaning agent, in the old man’s barley water.

Come to find out that the wife of the Ambassador was German, and she was trying to knock off her husband for some reason. Louise’s dad described her a some quiet white-haired old woman, and it just so happens that he exposed a small scandal that was happening.

So we have a Shirlock Holmes in the family.

Sat Mar 26 11:39:30 MST Lorin's Medaly:

Here's another sampling of Lorin's Guitar playing. It was taped live at the guitar music festival, or something like that.

By the way, we are also taking orders for signed copies of Lorin's CD. They will come with the parents this week.

http://abc.net.au/newengland/countrymusic/jukebox.htm

Have a listen and enjoy!

Tue Mar 29 10:53:44 MST Spring in the air.:

Louise has had a bit of a sick spell these last two days. I think that she caught what I had last week. This morning I got up at around 6:10 before the alarm clock, and went out for a nice morning run. Louise lain in bed until just before I returned. She had the voice of somebody who smoked for 20 years, and I notice that her accent becomes pronounced because she has to speak more forcefully.

I just love those days when I get up and feel rested. I think that this will be a lovely spring.

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