April 8, 2024: Solar Eclipse

One thing about Texas weather, it a crazy. One day you are in the 90s and in a few hours you drop right down to the 50s. It can be clear skies and in 15 minutes, it cloudy. On April 8, 2024 mother nature wasn’t cooperating to loosen it grip on the the sky for a one in a life time chance to see the solar eclipse.

Unlike the eclipse that happened in October 2023 where I didn’t need to leave the house. This time along with a family member, we went to Kerrville, TX. Hoping the sky condition would improve. We arrived in Kerriville just about noon and the sun had broken free and the the clouds were retreating. It look like we now had a clear view of the solar eclipse. It wasn’t until a few minutes that the eclipse began, the clouds began to roll in again. These were those dark thick clouds, basically taking our clear view away. It convinced several people to leave the area, but we stuck around. There were small break in the clouds to see the eclipse and to see when totality occur. That was the best part and I feel some people don’ t understand that. That it different then what we experience every day when the sunset and it get dark. This is in the middle of the day where the sun it high in the sky and then it become dark. Then after four minute in totality the light of day return. It a cool experience and a once in a life time experience.

Tried to capture a photo using my binocular with solar filter.

2024 Sketchbook

Book: Big Chicas Don’t Cry

Big Chicas Don’t Cry by Annette Chavez Macias. If you are hispanic/latino you will definitely relate to this book. Am sure if are non-latino you will be able to relate to this book to. Four cousin who are close to each lose their bond as family. One cousin whose parent divorce, move away. As adult, each is living a different life and dealing with the struggle of career, relationship, and family. Their bond and love for one family member is strong. It is this connection that the cousin re-discover the tight bond for each other and that family is important. Family is what help you get through those tough moments in life.

Daily Prompt: Playtime

Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?

Well, depends on what your definition of “playtime” as an adult. Playtime can be different for every adult. Playtime for me is just enjoy the simple things like being outside with my dog. During the summer it may be giving my dog a bath outside. Am sure my dog would say, “getting a bath is not playtime!!”. Playtime for me can also be taking a walk downtown or going to the gym, but other time it doesn’t involve being physically active. I also enjoy drawing and watercoloring.

Daily Prompt: Biggest Challenges

What are your biggest challenges?

My biggest challenges is finding a stable full-time position. 2023 wasn’t to bad as far as employment. I was working, made progress in my financial goals, but for 2024 would like to find a job that is stable. If I can accomplish that ASAP, then my other challenges should take care of themselves such as financial independence, paying off my student loans, and saving/retirement.

My 2nd Toned Tan Sketchbook

October 14, 2023: Ring of Fire

There are once in a life time events that happen that are worth experiencing. The solar eclipse is one of those events. Not everyone get to see them, unless you travel to the path location of the solar eclipse. What make this solar eclipse special, well to me, is it just one of two solar eclipse that will be crossing path in my location(home). In April 2024 there will be another solar eclipse and its path is across the state of Texas again.

For this solar eclipse, October 14, I want to try if I could get some photo using my binocular and my phone camera. I had an attachment that allows you to place your phone near the eye piece of the binocular so you can take a photo. Of course I didn’t do this without first attaching a solar filter to the front of my binoculars. The photo aren’t great, probably because I need to adjust the attachment for my photo or change the setting on my phone camera.

Ring of Fire

taken after the view of the ring of fire. I did adjust my phone setting on this shot.

Student Loans repayment

Next month repayment will restart for student loans. If you have a student loan(s) you are aware of this. This month, September 1, interest began accruing on student loans. I, myself have student loans with two different lenders. I know a lot of people were disappointment that student loans forgiveness didn’t come through. If you are one of those I hope this is a lesson learned that you shouldn’t be waiting on the government to settle your debt. I understand the financial difficulties having to repay these loans and seeing the interest adding up.

Covid brought a opportunity for people to make head way in reducing their debt. It pause repayment and interest. The are some who took advantage of this and their are other who didn’t. Now with repayment weeks away, people are worried. If you are one of those individuals, it not the end of the world. You need to make adjustment to you financially situation and lifestyle. Live below your means. Cut out unnecessary spending, like eating out. Take a lunch to work instead of going to chick-fil-A. Cancel those subscription to hulu, amazon prime etc.

I have two student loans with different lenders. During covid I was paying one down, giving $200 every pay check and reduce the interest on other by giving $20 dollars or so. I didn’t spend like crazy or eat out. I took a lunch to work and save some money. Two day before interest started to accrue, I paid off one of my student loans with one of the loan lender. I used money I save up every pay check in a high yield saving account. All just by living below my mean. Now am starting to repay my other loans. Giving something every pay check and putting a little in my saving account. The more consistent you are in making your payment, giving something to you loans, you will see your balance come down.

It been awhile..

It feels like it been years since I typed a post, but it only been about five months. Since my last post, I had resigned from my job because of transportation issues. Long story short I was a contract worker and I had to report on-site to a military base. Since I don’t have a car, my ride wouldn’t be able to get on base to drop me off. I was told this wouldn’t be an issue from the person who hired me. From the main gate to the building I need to be at, it about a 20 minute walk in hot and humid weather. So it was back to job hunting. It wasn’t until late June I got a call from a job temp agency who happened to have my resume on file. They had some positions to fill for clients. The job agency presented me to the client, but they decided to go with another person. A week later they had another client, who needed someone for three weeks. The job agency was able to get me the position without having to interview for the position. Yeah, three weeks is nothing, but it was something to start with. Three week came and the client decided to extended my stay to finish the task they need to be done. It was extended for a month, but then decided to extended again for two more weeks. Who know what will happen after the two weeks, maybe they keep me on full-time.

Awhile I’ve been working at this job for about two months, it has me thinking a lot and reflecting. Is a 9 to 5 job right for me? I love interacting with co-workers and people, but can I do this long term. Waking up, going to work and just doing the same thing over and over. Not to mention only having two or three hours to myself when I get home before I need go to sleep and then repeat. Maybe I been watching to much youtube about people leaving their 9-5 job and starting there own business because of the similar reasons.

Jobs and being car less

Last year I wrote a post, Welcome to my world:car about me being car less. I have never owned a car and I would like to further discuss what I have experience not having one. Here in the United States it a must to own a car so you can get to and from work. Of course there are some state where that not the case like New York. Not owning a car, I have learned that people, society have these sterotypes for us car less individuals.

I like to first say that I would love to have a car. Having that freedom to move around and to go place. Places that not your public transportation can take you nor your urber driver or taxi. I can’t just take a bus or call urber, take me to the lake. The main reason why I don’t own a car is I can’t afford it. The math with my income and other bills, the number don’t add up. As they say numbers don’t lie

I consider myself a introvert. I don’t drink nor smoke which probably make me less popular to hang out with. Not having a car adds to that cause most people or friend wouldn’t want to travel to the other side of town to pick me up or take me home if it late at night. They don’t have to say it, it just obvious. Am not sure about you, but not having a car, you aren’t on people top 5 list to call to go out on a Friday or Saturday night.

Now take that a step further and tell a future employer that you don’t have a car and you take public transportation. Your name will probably be put at the very bottom of their call list. In my opinion employers see that as a red flag. That you will be the employee who will be late for work, a no show, unreliable. Am begin to see the pattern. I remember applying at Macy’s for the holiday. I was talking with the manager about the hours I could work and mention I can’t stay late. The latest I can stay is 1030pm , maybe 11pm, because I don’t have a car and I would be taking the bus. Their response was something like that stores like them wouldn’t get things done nor profit, if they hired people like me. Who don’t own a car, relay on public transportation.

In my current job, now former job, which last week was my last day, during my interview I informed them that I don’t have a car. Is that okay? I will be getting drop off and picked up. Is there any problem with this? Will there be any problem for my ride to enter the job site just to drop me off and picked me up. The job site is a military base. The person who interview me, “that no problem.” I stress to them, “are you sure” He said,”it isn’t a problem.” So for that past 5 months there was a few set back for the job since it is a contract position. Not on my part, but the government side. During this time, I stress this with the people who are leading this contract, is this going to be a issue? Do you have any information or someone I can ask about my ride being able to enter the job site(the base), to drop me off and picked me up. Nothing, not even maybe. So two week ago, I get a email that I been place with someone in the government who I will assist(work for). Again, no one given me answer. So I contact the person I will be working for since I now have their number. I find out a few hours later, I shouldn’t have done that. Another administrative assistant call me saying what I did about ask about get drop off etc raised some red flags. The red flags that they see I don’t have a car, I will probably be unreliable, late to work. Fast forward 24 hours later I found out well my ride won’t be able to enter the job site to drop me off/pick me up. I will have to walk from the entrance gate to the the building am working at, which is about a 20 minute walk carrying a labtop.

So I had to make a decision, what am I going to do. We are heading to the summer months and around this time we usually get our spring time rain. Do I just do the 20 minute walk to get to work and 20 minute walk back to meet my ride right outside the gate? I decided to quite. I can see this being an issue and I hate to be fired from being late. Especially if it raining and having to carry a company labtop. I really don’t mind walking, but then am not a fast walker. So it back to looking for work.