So much to do, so little time.

The saying of "so much to do, so little time" is so true in my life right now. So things have started to heat up here in Tulsa . . . figuratively and realistically!! Training has gotten a lot more involved and a lot harder. Plus it is getting hotter and there has been a lot of weird weather. The other night I had my first ever all-nighter. I ended up being up for around 38 hours total!! Surprisingly, I was pretty coherent for most of the day, especially during the big presentation that I had. Our group ended up having the best presentation/grade was made the ordeal a lot better!! When I finally got home from work though I crashed like a rock. Below is pictures of the some of guys the day of the presentation. My favorite is of Ryan cuddled up with his computer!! People were so tired that during my group's presentation someone started snoring. I guess it was not completely their fault because we were the last group to go!

With things getting harder, I am starting to get frustrated more too which is not good. Maybe it was just that kind of day, which I hope is the case. A lot of the assignments that are given to us have been very unorganized and not very specific on what the instructors are looking from it. Plus, I guess I am a little frustrated in the lack of life I have. I mean I like and enjoy my job but I guess I am a little tired and homesick. I never thought I would get homesick, but I would like to hang out with my family and friends and especially give my mom a hug . . . I can feel it now :) Thankfully, I have been able to go to church and a young professionals sunday school class on sundays. It has been a lot of fun getting to know them and hang out with them at lunch after church. It has helped me feel like a normal person, though it does make me realize the lack of life I do have!!

The past two weeks we have been "down the hill" meaning that we were doing hands on practice and learning to operate the CT Unit and pump. I have been on the pump unit for a lot of time now. The first picture below is my view on the pump. Its a lot of fun opening and closing all the valves! It nice finally being out of the classroom and get to use what we have been learning though it is harder and more work. The second picture is the CT pad where we get to learn how to operate and practice doing different jobs. I will post more pictures of the pad later on.

Please pray that I will have patience and not get stressed or frustrated in the next couple of days and weeks. I know things are going to get better but right now I can not see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know I am just going through a phase but it would nice to feel normal!

He has risen indeed!

So I have survived the first 3 weeks of school so far!! It really does feel like I am in college again with homework, projects and exams but it is different. Its better though because I am getting paid to study!! However, there is more pressure too because if I fail 2 tests I get kicked out of school and most likely the company!!

Also I just wanted to say that God is great!! Though my job is exciting, interesting, and bizarre at the same time, one bad thing is the lack of fellowship that I have had so far. I know that God has used every moment to glorify himself and help me grow closer to him but it would be nice having someone that I know has the same beliefs to talk with. I trust that He will provide and send people my way but it is still hard. This job is very grueling and mentally exhausting. It had been over 4 months since I had gone to church which I did not think would be that hard but I have realized that it was a source of comfort in my life. Since I can remember I went to church . . . though it was not every week, I could go whenever I wanted. Well, I finally got to go to church and it happened to be on Easter!! I love how God uses different people and things to comfort and show you His strength and presence. Thankfully, the Schrum's have really good friends that live in Tulsa so they invited me to go to church with them and have Easter lunch with their family and friends. It was soooo nice having a holiday in a family setting. Yes, it was not my family but I had a home cooked meal with a really nice and loving family! Since then they have picked me up each week, and I have gotten to hang out with my Sunday school class of young professionals. It is sooo nice being around people with the same morals and beliefs though it might be only for a short time.

I am also thankfully for the people that are in my class. They know exactly what I have been going through because they are in the same situation I am. They have shown me that my location is not necessarily the worst place to be because I at least have some people that I get along with really well. We seem to always be laughing together and each other, which I have not done in a long time. Every Saturday night we go eat together after our exam and laugh soooo much. The Italian guy, Paolo, is out of control. Every picture I have of him he is making a crazy face, and the stuff he says is so random!! And the stereotyping of Italians always talking with their hands is sooo true!! Below is just one of the pictures of Paolo!!

Below are just some pictures during hydraulics training!

The place that I live for 9 hours a day. I can't wait in 2 weeks to be going "Down the Hill" to learn how to run the Coiled Tubing Unit and Pump.

Looking at some schematics and tracing the hydraulic lines to the pumps and motors of the power pack.

More pictures of the gang. The 1st one is on the Coiled Tubing Unit and the other is inside the maintenance workshop. Everyone lookin good in their PPE!!

Please keep praying for Reynosa. Though I am not there right now, my friends and coworkers still have to be there. The situation has gotten worse again, and it might stay that way for a while until the military gets things under control.