Cannot Believe I am Beginning a Blog...

Never in my entire 23 years of life on Earth did I anticipate I would be starting a BLOG. Yes, a BLOG! One of those lame and worthless ramblings only loser internet obsessed people find themselves creating... a blog! But seeing as my life is pretty worthwhile to me, I figured I'd start rambling my nonsense from day to day. Perhaps even some of you other internet-obsessed losers out there will find yourselves intrigued to read about it. Or maybe you'll just be so incredibly bored in your class and find yourself reading it. [That is what happens to me... I find myself bored in my graduate classes, unethused by most, and tend to read other peoples' blogs.] Or maybe you just like stalking people, and thus you will read it as well. Whatever the reason may be, I'm glad you've stumbled upon my nonsense. Enjoy!

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So to start, I figure I'll just throw out some quick updates on my life for those of you who might not be aware of anything to do with who I am or what I am about.

This past August (2010) I received my Bachelors of Electrical Computer Engineering from the University of Louisville in Louisville, KY. I endured four long, difficult, mind-exhausting years at the Speed School of Engineering... wondering all the while what in the hell was I thinking by choosing Engineering as my degree. I think my initial reasons when I started college were that I enjoyed and was good at math and science. I was also very logical in my thoughts. (Most of the time!) And as the four years progressed, I learned that I did indeed loathe high level math, science, and logic! Go figure, eh? But I guess that is what happens when things are dumped on you nonstop. My motivations to stay an engineer, however, include money (obviously), enjoyment for interesting new technologies... and that is about it. I am currently working on Masters of Electrical Computer Engineering (also from UofL) and will be graduating this May with my ME degree. May 14th to be exact. Who wants to start a countdown?

This year in Louisville, my lovely best friend Cara has moved in with Annie and myself. She is getting her masters at UofL as well :) We have a bigger apartment to accomodate and its a fabulous time! We even have an awesome houseguest aka additional room mate named Nigel. He is a badass. Plain and simple.



Cara and Myself at 21C Lounge in Louisville



Cara and Nigel... BFFs

For the past 3 years I have spent some time working as a co-op for GE - Aviation in Cincinnati, OH. I have been working in the software side of commerical aircraft engines. Luckily for me, I have nailed down a permanent full-time position to start this May once I graduate with my masters. For the time being, I am working remotely part-time for them as well. GE is a good company to work for, they have their hands in everything! I'm not sure software for commerical aircraft engines is where I will want to be for my entire life as an engineer, but it is definitely a good start. I enjoy the people I work with tremendously and have formed many awesome connections and friendships through working at GE. (aka Clyde, Christina, Derek, etc!)

On January 17th, I celebrated my two year anniversary with my completely amazing boyfriend Alex. We met in December of 2008 when I went to West Palm Beach, FL to visit one of my best friends, Lindsea. Lindsea and Alex were friends so of course we were introduced. Never in my right mind did I expect to continue any sort of relationship with this kid once I left WPB... but as we all should know very well, life is full of surprises! 2008 was an extremely painful year for me (and my family as well) as most people know. My brother Joey was killed in a motorcycle/semi accident early that spring. March 4th to be exact. I had taken this trip to WPB in December to be able to enjoy myself on the beach, spend time with my best friend, and to clear my head. Clear my head of the stress and pains of the year, and hopefully allow myself some room to heal and grow in the new year. I truly believe, from the deepest part of my soul, that my brother lead me to Alex that week while I was in Florida. I think Joey knew I needed someone who could show me the love and care that I needed to not only heal from the wounds of his loss, but to also allow myself to see that it was time for me to finally truly be happy. I can honestly say that I am beyond thankful to have met Alex, to have loved Alex, and to have been loved back by him in a way that makes my heart flutter each and every day. (Yes, I know, cut the sap!) Needless to say, we are still going strong 2 years later, Alex has just moved to Kentucky, (living with my cousin Katie!) and I cannot wait to see what is in store for us this next year!

Alex and Myself  at the bowling alley in Buffalo

Katie dunking Alex last summer :)

Another fun and refreshing fact for some of you to know about me is that I have recently in the past year taken up photography! I am by no means the best of the best... yet. But I will indeed get there. I love photography. I think it is extremely important to capture memories. Not only of family and friends, but of scenes that I pass by while on a walk, or interesting still life, etc. I have taken a few weddings and have 4 booked for 2011 so far. It is pretty exciting! I have also done a few family portrait sets, some infants and toddlers, etc. The photos I enjoy capturing the most though, are of random landscapes/nature scenes and of people who have no idea I'm taking their pictures! :) Go figure! If anyone is interested in seeing some of my photography, feel free to ask! I also have a website up that you can look at as well. I need to update some of the photos on it, but you'll get the picture! No pun intended!

http://www.momentsbyjm.com/ <--- Enjoy! :)

Alex graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University this December and so my family and I traveled to Buffalo, NY to celebrate with the Miosi clan. They're a pretty good bunch! Our families seemed to get along really very well, and that is great news for me because it is really important to me that the important aspects of my life can coexist without any issues arising :) Annie and Sammy are both 20, but are a year apart school wise. I feel like as different as they are, they are both very similar too. They both are studying Psychology at college and are both great listeners and advice givers. :) Pretty awesome situation Alex and I are in to have such great sisters around. Both my dad and Alex's dad, Norm, are republicans, drink beer, and like sports, so we all know they get along! And my mom and Sandy get along pretty well too! So, aside from the fact that Joey wasn't around, it proved to be a really good family visit. We went to Niagara Falls and did some of the touristy things in Buffalo. Hoping to see many more visits from both the Miosi's to KY and my family to NY in the near future! :)

At Alex's graduation in West Palm Beach in December

Sammy and Annie at the Falls over Christmas

My families in Niagara Falls, Canada

Love

So now that you have a brief recap... I'll go on to discuss the nonsense of my day! I'm sure you all are just super enthused...

So I had a few classes today (Machine Learning, Nanotechnology, and Microelectronic Fabrication) and none of them were anything worth talking about. It is still the beginning of the semester so topics are very shallow and of course, not super intriguing.

I have decided that I definitely want to be more 'fit'. I'm by no means overweight in any sense, but I never work out. I am too cheap to buy a gym membership ($37/mo at Urban Active right now, btw... ridiculous!) So since I am too cheap to get a membership somewhere, and honestly, I don't have the kind of time to make it to the gym in all reality between class, homework, and working part-time for GE, I have decided to do Zumba (at home). I purchased the Zumba DVDs today and the Zumba Fitness Wii game. I think that it is going to be a fun little workout for me to do everyday. Today was just the first initial beginner set of classes, but I'm sure it'll get more rigorous and intense. I did break a little sweat today though, so that is good to know!

Okay, so this is my first post. Hopefully they will prove to be more witty, enthused, and perhaps even enlightening as this blog grows and progresses. Any input/comments are welcome, but negative Nancy's can just take their little mouse icon and click the red X in the top corner... as I am by no means forcing them to read this.

And I'm out.