Not much happened this week, hence no posts. Sorry.
That's not to say we have not been busy or are just boring people. Actually, this has been the busiest week of the year so far - for me. I had my biggest vendor at work in for 3 days. While we got a lot discussed, I was not able to do anything else. Needless to say, Friday was catchup from the rest of the week. I'm excited about some of the things my work will be doing in the future...too bad I won't be there to participate. I'm actually a little sad at that. Then I remember how much I have been mentally drained and I get excited about Australia again.
We opened a bank account in Australia the other day. All over the phone, and it was 2AM in Australia. Very interesting compared to USA banking. We can make as many deposits we want, but we cannot make any withdrawals until we go into the bank and present our passports and identification. I realy interested to see how much banking Down Under differes from here in the States. At least they do not have to struggle with the USA Patriot Act!
I have everything sent into the MBA program I am applying to. I had hoped to hear something by now, but they had half of my documents in 1 place, and the other half in another. I called a couple of times this week and I think they now have it all straightened out. Hopefully.
Clarice is at work cleaning out 1 of her 2 offices (her old office from before the project). You hear that? TWO offices! I don't even have a cubicle. Some people have all the luck.
Lastly for you subscribers: I'm playing with a widget that will allow us to post quick updates without having to log on to a full broswer session. Just something fast from the desktop. I think I have it working, but I will be testing it. You may get a notification about a post that is nothing but gibberish (i.e. "dfkjhsdflk"). Just disregard. Hopefully you get your notice about this post. That feature is reportedly working well so sign up if you have not already!
Jon
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Just over 40 days until Clarice leaves!
First post since adding the subscriber feature. Let me know if it works. Leave a comment if you got your notification.
I'm not too sure about the "Latest Headlines" thing. Sounds like a good idea, but only if we post a lot. We'll leave it up until we are "feet dry" in Australia and see how things go.
Clarice had Good Friday off and her mom came over to help her clean and organize the house. We now have a hallway full of boxes to get up into the attic, Clarice's closest is almost bare compared to what it was before, and Karen went through our kitchen pitching things we were never going to eat or were expired. Expired in 2005?!?! That must have fallen off the daisy wheel where we couldn't get too it! Gross...
Yesterday was pretty dull for me at work. A lot of people think the bank is closed on Easter Sunday so the call center was slow, my entire group was at a project management seminar that I was not invited to (why pay for Jon if he is leaving?), and some people took the day off. I had ESPN radio on to listen to the NCAA Tournament and caught up on reports. Productive and less stressful. I could go for a few more days like that.
I gave Exam 2 in American Government on Wednesday. I hope they did well. I have not started grading anything yet, but will start here in a little bit. I cancelled class on Wednesday, but my dream is to get the exams graded and in their mailboxes this week so they do not have to stress about the grades for two weeks. Aren't I nice?
Last night Clarice and I took her grandmothers to see "Christ's Passion" put on by a local group of players at the Oakwood. Scott Mason, a friend from church, was Simon of Cyrene and a focal point for the telling of the story. It was very well acted, but the sound was not very good. They room did not have great acoustics (sp?) and the mikes were borrowed. Worst was the music for the songs. The music was way too loud and the singers were hard to hear with the poor mikes. But they did a great job, all things considered, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. Clarice told Karen we were going, so she and Jay tagged along. We sat with Cindy, Scott's wife, who had not seen the show yet. Fun evening, esp. coming home to another 2 hours of basketball! I have a picture of Scott and Cindy, with Scott still in full costume, but it is on Clarice's camera. When I get a moment, I'll post it here.
Well, were are both still VERY excited to begin our adventure. The anticipation continues to build, and every time some asks, "Are you getting excited or scared?" I answer, "Well, DUH! Get me out of here!" The Lord is teaching us patience, and we still have a lot of stuff to get finalized, but we are moving right along. We came up with a "To Do" list (Clarice typed it up with checkboxes and everything) and we are knocking things out. A couple are waiting on Todd so he better get his act together! I better send him an email and remind him.
Have a Happy Easter and remember...it has nothing to do with a bunny and colored eggs!
Jon
I'm not too sure about the "Latest Headlines" thing. Sounds like a good idea, but only if we post a lot. We'll leave it up until we are "feet dry" in Australia and see how things go.
Clarice had Good Friday off and her mom came over to help her clean and organize the house. We now have a hallway full of boxes to get up into the attic, Clarice's closest is almost bare compared to what it was before, and Karen went through our kitchen pitching things we were never going to eat or were expired. Expired in 2005?!?! That must have fallen off the daisy wheel where we couldn't get too it! Gross...
Yesterday was pretty dull for me at work. A lot of people think the bank is closed on Easter Sunday so the call center was slow, my entire group was at a project management seminar that I was not invited to (why pay for Jon if he is leaving?), and some people took the day off. I had ESPN radio on to listen to the NCAA Tournament and caught up on reports. Productive and less stressful. I could go for a few more days like that.
I gave Exam 2 in American Government on Wednesday. I hope they did well. I have not started grading anything yet, but will start here in a little bit. I cancelled class on Wednesday, but my dream is to get the exams graded and in their mailboxes this week so they do not have to stress about the grades for two weeks. Aren't I nice?
Last night Clarice and I took her grandmothers to see "Christ's Passion" put on by a local group of players at the Oakwood. Scott Mason, a friend from church, was Simon of Cyrene and a focal point for the telling of the story. It was very well acted, but the sound was not very good. They room did not have great acoustics (sp?) and the mikes were borrowed. Worst was the music for the songs. The music was way too loud and the singers were hard to hear with the poor mikes. But they did a great job, all things considered, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. Clarice told Karen we were going, so she and Jay tagged along. We sat with Cindy, Scott's wife, who had not seen the show yet. Fun evening, esp. coming home to another 2 hours of basketball! I have a picture of Scott and Cindy, with Scott still in full costume, but it is on Clarice's camera. When I get a moment, I'll post it here.
Well, were are both still VERY excited to begin our adventure. The anticipation continues to build, and every time some asks, "Are you getting excited or scared?" I answer, "Well, DUH! Get me out of here!" The Lord is teaching us patience, and we still have a lot of stuff to get finalized, but we are moving right along. We came up with a "To Do" list (Clarice typed it up with checkboxes and everything) and we are knocking things out. A couple are waiting on Todd so he better get his act together! I better send him an email and remind him.
Have a Happy Easter and remember...it has nothing to do with a bunny and colored eggs!
Jon
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
New Blog Features!
On the right you may notice "The Latest Headlines..." It will show the last 4-5 post titles in case you might have missed something.
Below that is a way to subscribe to this blog. Type in your email address and, when we post something new, an email will come to you automatically letting you know there is juicy news!
Finally, Clarice and I are all set up on Skype. This is a free service that allows you to call other Skype users over the internet if you have a microphone on your computer. Better yet, if you have a webcam, you can see us as well! If you have Skype, send me an email and I will give you our contact info. If you want to learn more, got to their website. Our Aussie friends have been using it all year to keep in touch back home. Even when we get Down Under, anything Skype-to-Skype is FREE!
As for all things Jon...I'm sitting in Phil 109 at Grace giving the second American Government exam. I really think the students will do well. I was talking with some of them before class and they really look like they were prepared. Let's hope so!
More coming soon!
Jon
Below that is a way to subscribe to this blog. Type in your email address and, when we post something new, an email will come to you automatically letting you know there is juicy news!
Finally, Clarice and I are all set up on Skype. This is a free service that allows you to call other Skype users over the internet if you have a microphone on your computer. Better yet, if you have a webcam, you can see us as well! If you have Skype, send me an email and I will give you our contact info. If you want to learn more, got to their website. Our Aussie friends have been using it all year to keep in touch back home. Even when we get Down Under, anything Skype-to-Skype is FREE!
As for all things Jon...I'm sitting in Phil 109 at Grace giving the second American Government exam. I really think the students will do well. I was talking with some of them before class and they really look like they were prepared. Let's hope so!
More coming soon!
Jon
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Time is passing slowly...
I took the GMAT yesterday to complete my application for the MBA program. It was harder in some areas, I thought, but generally not too terrible. I think I did pretty well on the written essays, but I won't know my official scores for a few weeks. I should hear from the program about the time I am leaving.
Clarice is still plugging away on her project. I'm still plugging away at work. We are both getting to the point where we just want to go already. We still have a number of things to do before we go, but things are getting marked off the list. The house is taken care of, Visas have been applied for, the grad school application is complete, passport we have had for a while, we have the suitcases... I think we are being taught patience. Well, I know I am.
We have Souper Sunday tonight, something we always look forward to. Clarice wishes she could stay home and work (she's been on the laptop all day), but I know she would much prefer taking a break and eating with friends. She has Friday off for Good Friday so she and Karen are going to pack up everything we are not taking with us and getting it all set for storage. There are even rumors of a dedicated time to go through her closet yet again. We have both taken several bags of clothes to Goodwill (in fact, I have to take a bag on the way to Grace tonight), but we will probably decide to get rid of some more stuff. That is one nice extra benefit to this adventure: We have been forced to go through all of our stuff and clean out the clutter!
Let me leave you with this photo of Everett playing in the snow while we shoveled during last week's "Blizzard of 2008"...
Monday, March 10, 2008
What's this? You're moving to AUSTRALIA???
It come to mind that some of you may not know what in the world the Nist Clan is doing. (Can I really call us a "clan" if it is just the two of us?)
For over a year Clarice and I have each been working on major projects for our employers. I have been the lead PM (Project Manager) on the design and implementation of a new piece of software, and we will finish the last stage of implemetation just before Clarice and I leave. Clarice has been a Team Lead and major player on a global software blueprint for her company as well, and her project is just getting ready to begin the implementation phase. The first implemenation is in Sydney, Australia for their Asia-Pacific region, and they have asked Clarice to be a co-PM for the project! How exciting!
We've known of the possibility for several months, even floated the idea between ourselves out of wishful thinking. As things have progressed, it became more and more apparent that this was the direction God has been leading us. The timing could not be any better. We have no children, my project at work is coming to a close, the school year is finishing so I can complete the Government class I teach at Grace College and our work with the college students at church won't be affected this year. So.....we're off!
What will Jon be doing? Huh...good question. No, I won't be surfing and being a beach bum! I have several opportunities. I might get a job, I have already applied to the Ball State University online MBA program, I could even help backfill some positions at Zimmer in their IT area. Lots of choices.
We're both really excited and it is getting to the point where we just want to go and get started!
Jon
For over a year Clarice and I have each been working on major projects for our employers. I have been the lead PM (Project Manager) on the design and implementation of a new piece of software, and we will finish the last stage of implemetation just before Clarice and I leave. Clarice has been a Team Lead and major player on a global software blueprint for her company as well, and her project is just getting ready to begin the implementation phase. The first implemenation is in Sydney, Australia for their Asia-Pacific region, and they have asked Clarice to be a co-PM for the project! How exciting!
We've known of the possibility for several months, even floated the idea between ourselves out of wishful thinking. As things have progressed, it became more and more apparent that this was the direction God has been leading us. The timing could not be any better. We have no children, my project at work is coming to a close, the school year is finishing so I can complete the Government class I teach at Grace College and our work with the college students at church won't be affected this year. So.....we're off!
What will Jon be doing? Huh...good question. No, I won't be surfing and being a beach bum! I have several opportunities. I might get a job, I have already applied to the Ball State University online MBA program, I could even help backfill some positions at Zimmer in their IT area. Lots of choices.
We're both really excited and it is getting to the point where we just want to go and get started!
Jon
Saturday, March 8, 2008
The "Blizzard of '08"
One of the things we wanted to take care of before we left was to get our wills finished. Since Todd was already working on the lease for our house, he was nice enough to tackle that task as well.
I'm writing this from his kitchen. I've been cooped up here all day by a big snowstorm that has dropped about a foot of snow and closed many counties in this part of Ohio. Marliese got home very early this morning from work and got stuck i the driveway, so Todd and I shoveled the car out, moved my truck, and got her car into the garage. We also took Everett out to play in the snow for a while. At first he was cautious, but in the end he did not want to come in. We are supposed to head home tomorrow, and we both have to work Monday, so let's hope the roads open up.
Jon
I'm writing this from his kitchen. I've been cooped up here all day by a big snowstorm that has dropped about a foot of snow and closed many counties in this part of Ohio. Marliese got home very early this morning from work and got stuck i the driveway, so Todd and I shoveled the car out, moved my truck, and got her car into the garage. We also took Everett out to play in the snow for a while. At first he was cautious, but in the end he did not want to come in. We are supposed to head home tomorrow, and we both have to work Monday, so let's hope the roads open up.
Jon
Friday, March 7, 2008
Getting things prepped...
It's been a busy last couple of months, and I cannot compile it all into 1 post. Especially since I have not even given out the site yet. Mostly I just want to get my thougths down for the final compilation of this site into book form after we get back.
We have a place to live! http://www.worldapart.com.au/view/id/6/King-Street-Narrabeen
It appears very modern and not in our current style...but who cares! It's a short jaunt from the beach! And it includes surfing lessons! Like I'm ever getting my fat butt into a wetsuit and wobbling on water.
The biggest news is that I quit my job! Last day is May 2 as of now. Funny thing. I've spent the last 1.5 years working with our main vendor on a software implementation. Well, their sister company is installing the software in Sydney and they might offer me a job! How strange and coincidental is that? I had a phone interview, and I don't expect anything to happen quickly, but the idea is out there.
I also have everything in to Ball State University to begin my MBA online from Sydney. I just have to take the GMAT and that is scheduled for March 15th.
Lots to do!
Jon
We have a place to live! http://www.worldapart.com.au/view/id/6/King-Street-Narrabeen
It appears very modern and not in our current style...but who cares! It's a short jaunt from the beach! And it includes surfing lessons! Like I'm ever getting my fat butt into a wetsuit and wobbling on water.
The biggest news is that I quit my job! Last day is May 2 as of now. Funny thing. I've spent the last 1.5 years working with our main vendor on a software implementation. Well, their sister company is installing the software in Sydney and they might offer me a job! How strange and coincidental is that? I had a phone interview, and I don't expect anything to happen quickly, but the idea is out there.
I also have everything in to Ball State University to begin my MBA online from Sydney. I just have to take the GMAT and that is scheduled for March 15th.
Lots to do!
Jon
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Welcome!
Well, I'm finally getting this started. When we decided to take this 1 year leap, we decided we wanted:
1) to make sure we had an easy way to let family and friends at home know what we were up to
2) to keep a diary/journal/log of all our adventures
This website will meet those 2 objectives. Starting today we will try and post things that have been going on, pictures and videos, general thoughts about life in Aussie-land, and other various and sundry details. Have fun keeping up with us!
1) to make sure we had an easy way to let family and friends at home know what we were up to
2) to keep a diary/journal/log of all our adventures
This website will meet those 2 objectives. Starting today we will try and post things that have been going on, pictures and videos, general thoughts about life in Aussie-land, and other various and sundry details. Have fun keeping up with us!
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