Class

Looking Forward

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:01:49 +0400

I’m back on the rig after a week off… Just staying strong until my (approved) vacation in mid-August.

56 days…

I can’t explain how much I miss my family, friends, and the best place in the world, California!!!

seriously

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 10:16:05 +0400

I’ve been so frustrated about my vacation not being officially approved online that I started checking the online reporting system… I’ve had 5 days off since February 16th.

Can't Win

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 22:12:01 +0400

I hate these kind of complaining posts, but I’ve been quite frustrated/down lately.

Without going into too much detail, I just feel like I can’t win… I feel trapped and I don’t even know if I have my vacation to look forward to anymore. I miss my friends and family so much, and I think I’m going a little crazy on the rig lately.

and i'm feeeeeelin' good

Thu, 30 May 2013 16:53:36 +0400

walked by the company man’s office today- bumping house music… I decided to listen to some music today (I haven’t properly listened to music in ages). Put my iPad on shuffle, here are some of the songs I listened to fully:

Daft Punk, Adagio For TRON
Death Cab, I Will Follow You Into The Dark
Jessie J, Price Tag
The Blow, Hey Boy
Empire of the Sun, Walking On A Dream
Justin Bieber, Take You
Foster the People, Waste
The Shins, Phantom Limb
David Guetta feat. Flo Rida & Nicki Minaj, Where Them Girls At
The Grouch, The Bay To LA
Lissy Trullie, Ready For The Floor
Amy Winehouse, Back to Black
Weezer, Undone (The Sweater Song)
Britney Spears, Piece of Me
MGMT, The Youth
Stantigold, Fame

I’m mess when it comes to anything new, which I’m slightly worried about- I’d like to be more “up to date”, but it’s just not possible… I really enjoy the music I have, so it’s not a huge deal.

My vacation starts in 73 days. I’ve realized that I’ve lost almost 10lbs since my birthday (not saying much considering all the over-indulging I did around my birthday). I’m hoping to lose another 10 before vacation- should be an achievable/reasonable goal.

It never fails, whenever I’m being healthier, I feel so much better (even if I’m a little cranky about eating less and even if I’ve been on a rig for about 45 of the last 50 days).

4 days off

Fri, 24 May 2013 22:36:17 +0400

I’m back on the rig after 4 days off in the city… I was at the doctors for 2 of those days, and spent the other 2 throwing money away… I can’t believe I spent so much in such a short amount of time. I really need to start saving for this vacation- it’s all I’ve been looking forward to lately. 83 more days.

I’m getting quite burnt out- but I know this vacation will be a second wind.

Another thing I have been thinking about is the support I have from my friends and family… more specifically, my dad. I have been very… unpleasant lately- complaining a lot. My dad has been very supportive. Just knowing that any decisions that I make, he has my back… it feels really good.

That’s all I’d like to update for now.

goals

Thu, 09 May 2013 15:14:32 +0400

I thought I would get some exercise in during this month on the rig… nope. Went to the gym a whopping TWO times. My dad was even giving me a hard time about this- I gotta get it together (especially before my vacation in 3 months)!

I’m supposed to be leaving the rig on Saturday morning, I’ll probably be off for around 5 days, then back offshore.

I think for the most part, fundamentally, I like my job… there are just certain aspects that I’m not a fan of (I think this is normal). Anyway, I wasn’t expecting this kind of schedule as a field engineer, but there’s no way it will be like this forever. Right now I’m getting 4 days off per month, and the rest of the time I’ll be on the rig. I have to say this is kind of by choice, because the longer I’m on the rig, the more quickly I’ll overcome the “trainee” status… but I do miss sleeping in a big bed, my friends, going out for dinner or whatever else I want to do, shopping…

My dad is going to retire soon- is it weird that I’m jealous? Okay, not jealous… I mean, I don’t want to retire. Maybe after a month on a rig I just need a few days off, heh. Is it weird that I don’t have any goals right now? I have no idea what I see myself doing in 5 years- I’m just working to make/spend/save money… I guess that’s okay for a while? haha

Anyway- I’ll be relieved when I get off this rig- but I’m hoping 5 days is enough time to get me through another 30 (or 80)… Just gotta make it to August.

Loyola Marymount Univeristy

Fri, 03 May 2013 10:39:11 +0400

I graduated a year ago… A WHOLE YEAR!!! I can’t imagine my life without the four years I spent at Loyola Marymount University, the amazing friends I made, and the incredible times I had. I looked through some photos the other day (was kind of a mess)… Graduation parties/BBQs, the AMAZING CE professors, Cabo Cantina, spring break in Cabo, Vegas, the bluff, geology field trip, pre-gaming in apartments on campus, The Shack, Civil Engineering, Freshman year, walking to house parties, the beach, bonfires, pulling all-nighters studying for finals or doing MATLAB homework, all of my jobs (TA, RA, SCF) and all of the staffs I was a part of, ASCE, EWB, St. Patrick’s Day “parties” in class, living in Los Angeles, senior year, taking over the Loft, yoga, the mechanical ‘rivalry’, engineering 100…

I don’t really know what else to say about all of this… college was awesome

bigbags: Absence makes the heart grow fonder. But it sure makes...

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 16:09:34 +0400

bigbags:

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. But it sure makes the rest of you lonely.

nevver:

Peanuts

Looking forward to August

bleh

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:29:28 +0400

My tummy’s been hurting (a lot the past few days).

I miss college and I wish I remembered/retained more of what I learned (weird).

I just got paid today, but I can’t spend any of it because (1) I’m still on a rig and (2) I’m saving for an EPIC vacation in August

Vacation Plans:

6 night Mediterranean cruise (Italy, Greece, Turkey)
3 nights in Spain with some AWESOME cousins
California… My favorite place in the world

One of the things I’m really looking forward to is shopping at Target (I don’t care how stupid that sounds).

I read the first 3 Harry Potter books in like 4 days… I have to slow down. I want to read Hunger Games again. I really need to find some new books to read (preferably something exactly like the Hunger Games or Harry Potter.

Vacation... so far away

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 11:00:22 +0400

I put in a vacation request… For the end of August. Soooooo that’s 4 months away.

It’s like 100 degrees here… IN APRIL. We’ll see if I can make it til then.

I’m planning on spending some time with family, 2 days in LA, and a nice vacation. I have to make it…

So there have been a couple cement jobs since my last post- the first one didn’t go so well, but the second one was alright. We have a more critical job coming up (probably late tonight) so I definitely won’t be pumping.

A schedule is being put together for for the next 6 months… that will be nice- to have even just a rough schedule.

The greatest scene in all animated movie history.

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:50:37 +0400

The greatest scene in all animated movie history.

Journ(ey)al: Shampoo Has Arrived

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 13:30:14 +0400

There’s a job coming up in 2 1/2 days- I’m looking forward to it. I heard that there’s two weeks between this job and the next one though- wondering if I’ll be here chillin’ during that time (I hope I can get back to the city for at least a couple days- probably not gonna happen though).

I think I just got organized with paperwork stuff for work… Gonna check out the unit a little more today. I might start asking for some info to do some rough calculations for the upcoming job (then just refine/edit once everything is finalized).

I ran about 2.5 miles yesterday… Not straight though- I’m so out of shape… I had to stop a few times to walk (for about 1/2 mile)… so 3 miles total in like 35 minutes. Hopefully this will improve while I’m here. I’m never going to lose weight with this ice cream machine on the rig, but maybe I can get in good enough shape so that I continue exercising when I get back (then I won’t have a delicious ice cream machine staring me down at every meal).

Also, I have my own shampoo as of this morning!!! It’s a good day.

Day 1

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:48:12 +0400

So this blog is kind of a life saver… Or a “hair-saver”. A friend of mine read my last post and is sending me shampoo! I’m so thankful to have such great people in my life…

Anyway, Day 1 on the rig:

The operator I’m working with has been with this company for 38 years…. This blows my mind- almost DOUBLE my entire life. He’s a nice guy, I wish I could have worked with him a bit before my course… I wish I had more field exposure in general before my first school. He was really good about asking me specific maintenance questions (that I’m required to know), and I felt good when I was able to answer him.

I think I’m going to be doing pressure tests on my own- that’s what we went over today. I felt okay with it. I think this operator will be leaving in a few days and a supervisor will be coming soon. I’m not sure how long it will take for me to become stand-alone, but in order to get my first promotion, a supervisor needs watch/approve my “break out” job.

I’m a little worried about this hitch on the rig… I think it will be good for me though. I haven’t been doing the paperwork I was doing last time- I think I’ll try to get on top of that tomorrow. >_<

I should start hitting the gym soon too… tomorrow? (heh)

I'm back... on the rig

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:57:31 +0400

April 11, 2013
I’m offshore again!

Hopefully this will be an opportunity to lose some weight and start exercising again… And of course progress in my job (learn, practice, etc).

So much has happened between my new years update and now. I completed my first cementing course, made some new friends, had some crazy nights, and just barely survived til now. Some things have gotten better, some have gotten worse- I probably won’t go into too much detail because… I don’t want to?

Things I can think of off the top of my head:

1st cementing school: it was tough- I got through it thanks to some great people. I think it started out rough because I was super sick the first week and I almost failed the week 1 exam (luckily I just barely passed)- I got really stressed out after that though, and I can’t really say I enjoyed it how I should have. I met some AWESOME people who I can’t wait to meet up with again sometime in the future.

It was a 6-week course and the internet at the training facility was not very great, so I couldn’t skype with my family (I didn’t like that at all).

My instructor was very… intense? She was tough, but I think I learned quite a bit in such a short time.

Dubai: I spent 2 days in Dubai, got to see Tiesto, do some shopping, and hit up a fantastic brunch with some fantastic people.

I miss my dad, and California, and some of the freedoms of the USA… but I guess I’m not “over” this country yet.

I brought my iPad to the rig this time… so I think I’ll re-read the Harry Potter series (so excited for that). It still blows my mind that iPad are allowed, but I had to leave my iPhone at the helipad.

Speaking of helicopters- I love flying in a helicopter to get to the rig… The water is GORGEOUS!

Anyway, not much else for now… I’ll be attending all of the meetings (7:15, 11:30, 18:00. Hopefully this time I won’t get insulted in front of everyone like last time… I think I’m a little less affected by other people since the last time I was here. I also feel a little more confident (maybe?).

That’s about it for now… I don’t have internet in my room- which I’m not a big fan of. Oh well.

Once again, I have no idea how long I’ll be here- I’m just going to assume 30 days. If more- that sucks. If less- sweet!

Also- this genius brought two conditioners to the rig and no shampoo, sooo I just spent like 15 minutes washing my hair with bar soap. I’m not sure who to ask to get shampoo for me, but I guess I should ask soon or I’ll be too embarrassed to ask later (people will wonder how long I’ve gone without washing my hair!)
…Or I’ll just keep washing my hair with bar soap.

#tiesto #epic #dubai #party #zeeintheuae #uae (at DWTC Arena -...

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:38:02 +0400

#tiesto #epic #dubai #party #zeeintheuae #uae (at DWTC Arena - Dubai international Convention Center)

#beach #fun #abudhabi #uae #zeeintheuae #beauty #love #epic...

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:40:56 +0400

#beach #fun #abudhabi #uae #zeeintheuae #beauty #love #epic #obsessed

My sunglasses were quite popular at the Kanye concert last night...

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 09:51:06 +0400

My sunglasses were quite popular at the Kanye concert last night #kanyewest #yeezy #sunglasses #abudhabi #uae #zeeintheuae #concert #epic #fun #kanye

Kanye West… EPIC!

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 09:31:44 +0400

Kanye West… EPIC!

Walking to work on a Friday morning in Abu Dhabi…...

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:44:24 +0400

Walking to work on a Friday morning in Abu Dhabi… Excellent -_-
#abudhabi #uae #zeeintheuae #workinggirlproblems #nofilter

Lovely day in Dubai with Stacia and @al_rahhal #dubai...

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 19:15:53 +0400

Lovely day in Dubai with Stacia and @al_rahhal #dubai #zeeintheuae #uae (at The Dubai Fountain | نافورة دبي)