Hello all....Like the title to the blog? I thought it fit pretty well, as you never know where Im going to be I guess....I never thought I would start a blog, but I thought this was as an appropriate time as any. And even more appropriate because I am currently using airborne wifi 36,000 feet in the air on an Alaska Air flight traveling to TX for my job. Its funny how as a little kid, I was always so enthralled by airplanes and now they are such a big part of my life. I am the farthest away from anything I know now that I have moved to Seattle and feel like this will help me connect with with everything and everyone I left for this six month opportunity to work with Boeing on the 787 Dreamliner Aircraft.
For the past five years I have been traveling all over the east coast for my company, Rolls-Royce, as a flight test engineer for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. I am proud to have been a part of that program for so long, as it shaped me and taught me many things as a young professional. I would never trade the adventures and events that I have experienced and sometimes endured ;-). After living in 4 different states, having 9 different addresses in the past 5 years, being part of the initial development team for the T56-A-427A engines on the E-2D, then part of the flight test team, and finally then a production engineering rep, I have decided to take an opportunity with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Flight Test Team out here in Seattle, Washington....Exciting and scary all at the same time.
Falling back in time for a bit, there was one day in the past five years that was the single best day that I can remember. It was October 18th 2008. I met a truly amazing girl named Bethany. Some of you may know her ;-) We have been through it all in the past two years....good, bad, happy, sad, boring, exciting, and everything inbetween. It has been AWESOME!! Never have I been excited by a single person like I am with her. We have learned so much from each other and it feels so good to have someone as wonderful as her in my life. As you can imagine, that has been the toughest part of moving away from St Augustine, Florida. I have never had as many emotions as I did when I was leaving last Wednesday. And to be honest, it has been a really rough couple of days without her. I found myself so used to doing everything together and having a team mate and a best friend everyday. Someone I could depend on, trust, laugh with, cry with, curl up with, and just be with....For the next six months, I wont have that. I guess I didnt realize all of the ramifications this decision had in store for me. I have been so used to making snap decisions and taking opportunities on a whim, that I didnt stop to smell the roses and realize what I would be doing this time. With that, said, I love Seattle! I was so excited the first night I got there, but without Bethany, the better half of me is seriously missing. My smiles arent as big, my laughs arent as loud, and the hop in my step has faded. I know those things wont return until I am with Bethany again. Im not trying to be a bummer right now, I actually feel good, because for once, I have met someone who I unconditionally love and respect. If anything, this move has showed me that this is the girl I am supposed to be with the rest of my life purely for the fact that I feel like part of me is missing without her. Never have I felt like that before in any previous relationships. Its only been a couple of days, and it feels like months. Call me weak, or scared, or whatever you want to....I dont care. I love this girl and am missing my very best friend right now.
I got to Seattle on the perfect weekend! I flew into the city last Friday to a perfectly setting sun gleaming off of the mountains. It was beautiful. Getting to the city was pretty easy thanks to Mapquest, and before I knew it I was in front of my apartment on 1st Ave in downtown Seattle. My place is great! Im on the 13th floor and have a view of Elliot Harbor with the ferries coming in and out of port and a partial view of the city where I can see Quest and Safeco fields. Its an amazing view. The apartment has 2 pools, a jetted lap pool, saunas, jacuzzis, basketball court, and even a library!! Its awesome! I am three blocks from Pike Place Market...you know, where they throw the fish!!! I have walked to the original Starbucks in the Market every morning so far to get my morning fix of caffiene and tried a French bakery over the weekend that Bethany suggested to get a delicious croissant!!! They even have Christmas trees for sale in the market!!! I spent some time Friday night with Bethanys mom Lorinda which was nice, and then went and did some Christmas shopping with Ken (Bethanys dad) on Saturday! Sunday was great...I went tailgating with Ken and Brent (Bethanys brother) before the Seahawks game which was awesome!! I cant wait to go to the game against the St. Loius Rams on Dec 2nd with Bethany while she is here for Christmas!!!
My first day of work here on Monday was just like any other first day of work. Confusing! I spent my day setting up my computer, getting my phone, filling out paperwork for my badges, and getting ready for my trip to TX today. I will be in Waco, TX till Christmas time working with the Flying Test Bed team. Rolls-Royce owns a Boeing 747-200 in which we put one of our Dreamliner engines on and test while were up in the air. It should be really fun and really interesting!
Well, I think I wrote enough here today. Were still a couple hundred miles away from landing in TX and Im going to try to get some sleep up here in my home away from home...away from home. Ill try to keep you posted daily on the mischief and mayhem I find my self partaking in and share some of my thoughts with you all. Take care, fly safe...ill see you in TX!
Hello all...
nd of the trip though, there were a couple of people I really enjoyed hanging out with andwe managed to have some fun.
nd of the trip though, there were a couple of people I really enjoyed hanging out with andwe managed to have some fun.
on the ground. I got to also be in the cockpit for takeoff and landing and let me tell you, there is nothing like it at all in this world. I dont even know how to describe it to someone who hasnt done it. It felt like we were trying to land a ten story building on a runway. It was one of those experiences I will never forget for as long as I live.
on the ground. I got to also be in the cockpit for takeoff and landing and let me tell you, there is nothing like it at all in this world. I dont even know how to describe it to someone who hasnt done it. It felt like we were trying to land a ten story building on a runway. It was one of those experiences I will never forget for as long as I live.
