Post Something Here

As is the norm when I find my way back here, I want to blog, but I'm semi-unsure what an appropriate topic would be. More specifically, a topic that I have any knowledge and insight on that would be worthwhile to share. I suppose I could share the latest happenings in my life. By squatting my name in a domain, I don't have a lot of reasonable expectation for privacy already, and have added to that fact by posting a brief life history.

In the time between my last post and today, quite a bit has happened. My dad passed away at the beginning of April, which was easily the most difficult day/week/month of my life. I doubt I'm over the shock even yet, but it is easier to handle the loss now than it was a month and a half ago. It's just weird coming home expecting him to be there watching TV or something and him not. Mom and I have been trying to completely change our lives in the meantime and take over the tasks he had been doing.

Also since that last post, I finished up college and graduated. I have my diploma. It's official. That was one of the happiest days of my life. Walking up, shaking hands with the TTU President, and knowing that I'm finished with undergraduate college was a major reliever of stress.

At this point, it's welcome to the real world for Chris. I've started working full time and have already experienced "Real Work" in terms of what a full time engineer does. Tomorrow morning, a new intern starts and I get to train her (yes 'her') in all the stuff that I used to do as I transition on to customer tasks. That's going to be a strange experience, but not as strange as me not (necessarily) going back to school in the fall.

I'm a real man now. Well, more of a man. I am no longer in school. No longer dependent on parents. No longer expecting an education in a classroom environment. Now I have to take care of my own bills and expenses.

The real world sucks.

Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit. I've already been taking care of a lot of my own expenses and have grown more independent. I've worked for several years in the "real world" and have a general idea what to expect. The real world does suck, but it's not as bad as some college graduates who, all of a sudden, are on their own and have no idea how to fend for themselves. Their parents paid for their college education throughout the past 4/5 years, and they haven't really had to pay for anything. Now the money's run dry and the need for food is still prevalent.

This is why I feel like I was blessed for being forced to pay for my own stuff. My parents helped out only when I absolutely could not take care of it myself. They went into more debt for me after I couldn't pay the bills. Because of that, I feel more independent than others. I feel obligated to pay back a lot of what my parents did for me, now that I have a good paying job.

I full heartedly believe it is important to pay for everything you can and not to rely on others, especially parents. In the off-chance that your reliance runs out from overuse, what are you then going to do? Whereas if you've been taking care of yourself thus far, if you must fall back on someone, it'll be easier for them to help you.

Something to think about.