Back to square one!

Weather
Well good day to all. It has been a good while since an update in this old blog. Well, the weather has been crappy here. The last time I posted about it, it was bipolar, but now it has remained steady and sadly over 100 degrees. We did get a "cold front" over night from Monday night into Tuesday morning, but they tend not to last around here. It might stay like this for another month or 3, but we shall see.

Fredericksburg, Texas
So for our 4th of July, my husband and I took a trip to Fredericksburg, Texas. It was only a 2 1/2 hour drive from our home and we decided to stay a couple of nights over there and explore the city and the surrounding areas. We got there on time for the parade, have breakfast, drive around and then storms came to ruin the evening. With that being said and done, we thought that there wasn't going to be any fireworks happening anywhere, ate dinner at a Mexican restaurant and then we decided to stay in our hotel room and watch tv while keeping ourselves company. The next day was still a bit cloudy, but no small rain or clouds was going to stop us. We explored Enchanted Rock and then downtown Fredericksburg, with all their small shops on their strips and had our leftover food from the Mexican restaurant we went to the day before. Our last day, Friday, we left our hotel and continued to explore all around other areas. I have heard and read about Stonehenge 2 in Ingram, Texas and it was about a 30 minute to 1 hour drive from where we were staying. I thought it would be in a big open field with its own parking and well not near a busy road or highway. Oddly enough the area worked where it was at, but there shouldn't be any baseball field or any sports field next to it or at least no fence near it for better picture taking. Then we had more time in our hands and tried to find other tourist spots and one was recommended to us by google called The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden, a mouthful isn't it? This attraction is in Kerr, Texas and throughout our trip there were pictures taken for sure.

We did have some mishaps during our trip, like Eric falling in Enchanted Rock, our camera stand to record our drive didn't work, the hotel blaming us for selecting the room we did, construction going on in the hotel and the rainy weather. We got all of them fixed in one way or another or just didn't bother with it and we still had a great time in our mini vacation. For sure next year, we will decide to go to Niagara Falls again and spend a good long time there and more pictures. We do have other trips planned for the rest of the year and already have one planned for the next year, so we're hoping to have many small road trips at least one weekend every month. We shall see if that can be pulled off and what photos I can take!

Photography
Speaking of my photography, I have been improving it in other possible ways. I might enter into having a "side gig" of product photography and already have been practicing. I think this genre of photography will best suit me since there's no one to hassle with, settings are basic for the camera and you don't need to second guess yourself on the settings or lighting. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't turn down an opportunity for someone to book me for a session, that is still offered and available especially a genre that I have never done.. like Newborn or Real Estate photography. For now I will focus the best that I can with Product Photography and there aren't many of people doing this genre in my area, so if someone notices my work and website, then I don't mind. I almost had a session with someone I didn't know at all, but they backed out due to "money problems". With any session, I have a discussion with the potential client in asking them if there's a theme, a location in mind and so on and once that is all covered or when they ask, I tell them my fee. You're lucky if we set this up a week or more prior, gives you time to prepare for it or gather the money if need to, but when you seal the deal and money is not an issue then, then it's set. Do not come to me once I sent you an email reminder of this session and say you don't have the funds for it and yet you still want the session. I'm sorry, I might be practicing in this field, but I need something in return than experience. If I am going out of my way to make this happen for you and I'm talking about traveling wise, distance, then I need at least the money we agreed upon for gas. Other than that, I am glad you came to me to help me out and yourself out in having a session with me. I appreciate your time and business!

I almost had the chance to change my path or career twice recently. In both occasions, I did not accept the offer. A lot of cons instead of pros were given to me and the only 2 pros were the monetary amounts that were offered with the positions, but it will be  a set back for the both of us in many different ways. We travel a lot and like travelling, so the offers given weren't going to be paid, ever, and  I couldn't settle for contract. I need something that is stress free, worry free, and that will benefit me in the end. It may look like I took a step back or back to square one, but this chance is giving me time to reflect and actually study for something or a career that will benefit me in more ways than one. So we shall see what I read up on to move forward and get a better job or so. Until next time!

A long summer..

Weather
Its been so jumpy with this topic. From 80s to 70s and even waking up and getting out of your home in 50s weather, its unpredictable. This coming week, its been forecast-ed to be only in the 80s, one day close to the 90s. At any rate, its never set in stone around here, literally.

Tv shows:
Orphan Black

 

I saw a preview of this show in a commercial, I believe. It interested me right off the bat, but I totally lost track of when and what channel it was air in. I recently found it On Demand on Xfinity/Comcast and decided to watch it. Let's just say, I got my whole family hooked on it and they're not that easy to do that with. Its sci-fi mixed with mystery and drama genres (and some sexual scenes) and well, I like those 'cause heck at times it reminded me of The X-Files, but less alien-like cases and moments. It gradually grew with interest and tension, so it was a big plus for me. I definitely know it will be back next year, so I can't wait for the new episodes to show up. There's only 10 episodes in this first season and it aired in BBC America. Those British people do know how make shows don't they lol? Preview for it is here: Trailer. 

Under the Dome

Have been somewhat on and off track with this show. I know at least that I can also see it On Demand and catch up with it, but so far it is getting better and better. Everyone so far has of course secrets and knew that main event was going to happen, but who's part of it and who can relate to it? On CBS Monday nights, check your local listings.

Sleepy Hollow

This one looks interesting to watch. Too bad there isn't a Johnny Depp playing Ichabod Crane in it, but hopefully it has the same feel and such as that movie, acting too. It'll air on FOX this fall, I'm not sure if they have said exact month and what nights. 

More jobs elsewhere...

Even though I have one already and enjoyed it for the first 2 months, but it has been dragging me now into the crappy zone. I like the hours, the environment, but sadly.. not the people who call in. Some are tolerable to manage, while others are demanding and not understanding. Even if you go to the bottom of the jar to pick up the last crumbs or pieces to help them out, they lash out and never appreciate it. All I see it as is if you call us, our organization, it's cause you need help right? Don't think you're a beggar and/or if you do or use too much of our help, don't yell at us for not helping you out and either not getting enough or not being a quicker response. Either you need the help, then get it, but don't waste our time and breath telling you our services if you don't want it!! That's my 2 cents of rant there on that.

Seeing how this job is going and some changes arising, in which I don't like at all, then I'm venturing out of state in finding jobs. I've tried tons of other times to get jobs around here and only got this bite? The only job I got now? Seems not promising around here. Since someone has come into my life again and by my prayers answered in that department, it's why I'm mainly seeing options out of state now. I think my welcome around here has been over done and well over used to the point of seeing myself as a bother or in the way. I think it's best for me to move on and out, actually start my life and think for me for once and my happiness. I got no one, as in friends, holding me back here, only one employer catching my bait that is my resume out, and well someone actually wanting me in their life and not giving up now and wanting to support me.. all that is well, a miracle and blessing, an opportunity basically. As much as I adore my nephew as my own child, I will miss him and hoping I don't officially leave till after his 1st birthday. I must stay for that and hopefully he won't forget me.. I hate that thought coming into my mind, but I think right now is my chance and opportunity to start my life and well pay debts I'm due to pay around here with others. I can do that while away, with a better paying job and that is my goal. We'll see how things go in this, but a vacay is set and a goal in the very very near future.. literally!

Mexico

San Luis Potosi, SLP, Mexico

Well, I was away for a week (June 26 - July 3rd), as I stated I would be in my last blog entry. I haven't been to my mom's origin/place of birth for over 5+ years. Along with that, I haven't seen my uncle for that long as well. He lives there with the aid of a caregiver, a really nice caregiver, who comes over daily and takes care of him til its time for her to go home to her family. I'm also glad a friend of his is living there with him, so he can take of him when his caregiver isn't around. Alas, I did cry when I saw my uncle and hugged him as well...it felt that long since I have seen him. So, where should I begin?

My mom seemed pretty excited for me to have come with her. She always wanted me to know certain places there and usually told me stories with them of her when she was a little girl. The first place we went to was Walmart lol (yes, they do have Walmarts there too!) and it seems I can never escape one of my old jobs lol. No, Walmart was not part of her childhood stories lol!

It also surprised me that there was a Hello Kitty store inside a Walmart aaaand sushi!! Took that sushi pic as proof to my boyfriend....and to torment him as well lol! It shocked me I got lots of comments about the Hello Kitty store/picture I took....I never cared for the darn girly character; I went with Pochaco all the time!



I believe the next day, my mom and I went to visit 2 different churches around the downtown area. I'm sorry that I cannot recall their names, but I can tell you that they were huge and quite beautiful and of course I took pictures of every adventure we went to, including churches.

First church.

2nd church.

The later, I believe that day, we visited an ice cream shop and a candy shop courtesy of a good friend of my moms with a car lol. I believe we also went to a grocery store to get some supplies for the next day. The next day came and we headed out quite early to catch a bus to go to another town over to see another church. At least I can say, those buses were very decent, comfortable and had bathrooms, unlike the ones in the towns lol. Once we got there, we went straight to the church to keep up with the bus schedule and not miss it, though we stopped by another church on our way back!

1st church.

2nd church.

 We got home safe and sound and I'm not quite sure if we went anywhere else that same day, but if we did we didn't take long in it. There were certain days my mom didn't feel well so we didn't go anywhere or that far. We did visit my moms extended family, I guess you can call it, meaning her aunt and her aunts children and grandchildren(?). During the weekend, I knew one day we didn't go anywhere since my mom wasn't feeling well, but on the other I believe, we did go to awesome park. Like I told my mom, they should have rides here in the U.S. parks for the kids.

The Morlaes Park.

My moms friend, Gloria, on a ride.

We also went to an HEB there after the park and it excited me so....my nerdyness coming out there lol! We went to the mall there and I felt like home, but it seemed soo much nicer than the ones around here or the U.S. mainly...very clean and expensive like. Don't get me wrong, it did have expensive stores and some I never heard of....guess the name of the mall "Luxury Fashion Mall: Plaza San Luis".

They also have recognizable stores and restaurants in it like Chili's, Haagen Das, Guess, Kfc and just to name a few. I was surprised they had a sushi restaurant in the mall that I decided to get some sushi while I was there and boy was it very yummeh lol!!

Chicken flavored :).

Well that was my trip I went missing...erm...on vacation to Mexico. After that, mom was hospitalized. She is doing much better now and I hope it stays this way for a good long while. After all of that as well, I had interviews and begin searching more for jobs again. One "interview" was for flight attendant, but got axed and the other I'm not quite sure in, but I hope I hear back from them. Got some rather unexpected news and now on a serious mission to get things settled and well fixed asap. *sighs* Life never seems to end with worries or issues. I as well wish I never had access to certain things, they make me upset and worry.