I'm a winner

I check this give away blog almost everyday. They're based out of Utah, but that doesn't stop me from entering for the drawings :) I finally came out victorious and won a great scrapbooking package. There isn't a whole lot for guys, sorry. But here's an idea for you guys out there: craigslist that junk! Or use it to woo ladies (if you're in need of a lady).

Triangle Chokes

I was talking to a friend this weekend who was interested in my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) training but had no idea what it was. I posted a picture of an arm bar submission yesterday and while reading through my blog list today I found this picture. The guy on the bottom is attempting a submission via triangle choke. Basically you use your legs and their arm to cut off air and blood flow. Awesome, I know. I just learned this submission about a week ago and have already used it a few times. It could become my favorite move.

Good laughs & good fights.

Ross Pearson pulls off an arm bar submission. Yep, I know how to do this too.

This is Ross Pearson, the newest member of the UFC. I've been rooting for him as he fought his way through this last season of "The Ultimate Fighter" and was glad to see him pull out the win over Andre Winner.

I've been missing my family a whole lot and realized I haven't been home since March, so I decided to visit over the weekend. I headed out to Long Beach and dropped in on the McWatters family for a bit. It was nice to see them and their hilarious kids, I'm glad they live much closer now. The drive from Long Beach to LA was horrible but I made it to Fillmore in time for dinner and satisfied my craving for Margaret's Cocina. Saturday we had a BBQ and what was supposed to be a "graduation party" turned out to an awkward interaction with friends and family. It wasn't bad, just, well, awkward. It did remind me of how much I love my brothers though, they crack me up. Later that night Robbie, JD, Brianna (Rob's fiance), and I watched the TUF finale and some really good fights. I was excited to see more jiu jitsu mixed in with the boxing, making for more technical fighting. I slept in on Sunday, paid a visit to my dad and then went to Comedy Sportz. It felt a little weird being there without my other friends in the audience, like I was a creepy groupie or something. Luckily Andrew befriended me and I didn't feel like a dork during the break all alone. Here's a funny conversation we had after the show, it went something like this:

Trent: You guys decide where we're going. I'm gonna change [He leaves].
Me: Do you have anywhere in particular you want to go?
Andrew: Somewhere I don't have to pay for parking [he talks about parking a bit more]. I had Wahoos today for the first time. Ever been there?
Me: No, I hear they have good tacos.
Andrew: I had a burrito. I wasn't impressed.
Me: I have Mexican food in my trunk, we can just eat there.
Andrew: [looks at me and smiles] Wait, are you serious? Or is that some type of stereotype because you're Mexican?
Me: No, I really have Mexican food in my trunk.
Andrew: Oh, because I thought you were messing around with me. Why do you have Mexican food in your trunk?

We ended up at The Waffle and I had a $7 root beer float. Not impressed...again. I got into San Diego at about 1 am and fell right to sleep. I'm not too tired today but my boss comes back from vacation tomorrow and I know by the end of the week I'll be exhausted.

Friday Morning Conversation

I've been doing skills testing all week on candidates for the Coordinator position. Some have been late, completely odd, and unprofessional, but some have been nice and capable. Today’s candidate, while trying to sound encouraging and chipper, completely rubbed me the wrong way. Here’s how our conversation went:

Her: So, how many people did you call for this job?
Me: A group. I have to admit I was a little surprised by the number of people still looking for a job since applying in March.
Her: Yeah, but the market is starting to pick up. This last month has finally started moving for me.
Me: That’s great to hear. I was starting to get a bit worried since I’m leaving here in August.
Her: Oh, would I be filling your position?
Me: Yeah. I was a student employee but they hired me on as a temp for the summer.
Her: That’s great. Will you go back to being a state student in the fall?
Me: No, I just graduated. I’m looking for jobs now too so it’s nice to hear you’re getting interviews.
Her: Well, congratulations. I’m sure you’ll have a much easier time. People like to hire new graduates because they come out eager and fresh. They like helping people start their careers.
Me: Yeah, well, I was a graduate student here. I just finished my masters so I’m pretty sure I know what I want to do and what they should give me to do it.
Her: Oh. You aren’t new then [fake smile].
Me: Well, here are your tests. You have an hour and a half.
Me [in my head]: Thanks for thinking I look young. By the way, you’re a total brat.

Mid-Week Update

I’ve been sitting in the office for the last week, bored out of my mind. We’re doing skills testing on the candidates for the position I’m currently in and I’m glad they decided to do these tests because some of these applicants either lied or really think they have skills they don’t. Maybe I’m too critical and a perfectionist, but I would never show up 30 minutes late and not follow instructions when trying to get a job. One of the applicants asked me yesterday why I didn’t want the job. I didn’t want to tell her it was because I’m bored every day, am tired of answering phones and pushing papers across my desk. Not that this type of work isn’t necessary, I just don’t want to be the one to do it anymore. I just told her I was training to become a cage fighter.

I need to decide if I’m competing in Vegas next month. Last tournament I just “jumped into the fire” as my coach put it. But this time she’s asking me to kick up the training and I’m thinking, “I already train 5 days a week!” I don’t know if my body can handle anymore, the lupus is starting to flare. I definitely want to compete because 1. It’s taking place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center where UFC 100 will also take place, 2. UFC 100 is that weekend and Vegas will be busy, 3. I’ll probably have to stop training in August when my contract with the gym is up and I’m unemployed. I don’t want to go because I don’t really have the money and I already have concert tickets to see Ray LaMontagne and Jenny Lewis at the Hollywood Bowl that weekend.

I’m headed to Fillmore this weekend for a graduation party my Granny is hosting for me. I secretly just want my family members to give me money but I won’t hold my breath for that. I’m hoping to get out of the office early on Friday so I can make a stop in Long Beach to see the new McW pad.

Job update: still sucky

The job hunt stinks. I’ve broadened my search circle to include everything between San Diego and Santa Barbara but I really don’t want to go outside of that circle. I keep thinking about school next year (fall 10) and how I am considering a program in Oregon, but I don’t know if I could be that far from my family. A friend suggested international counseling and while it sounds like an adventure, I’m wondering if I’m really just ready to plant roots somewhere. Thinking about moving makes me tired and having to make new friends sounds difficult. Today I’m just wishing I knew what was coming and when it was going to happen.

The Sleepless Hangover Weekend

Inappropriate and hilarious. Just the way I like it.

I had a great weekend.  It was tiring and not extra ordinary but so refreshing at the same time.  I headed to Long Beach on Friday to catch the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) World Championships at CSULB.  A teammate was competing in the juvenile division and we were all pretty sure she would win.  She's only 17 and now the BJJ Female Juvenile Lightweight World Champion.  I couldn't think of a young lady more deserving either.  Liz is one of the sweetest high school girls I've ever met and she trains so hard.  She has 8 brothers and sisters and the entire family (excluding mom) trains in BJJ.  They're definitely a huge part of what makes my gym so great.  She's already a stick figure and cut 12 pounds for this competition so we celebrated by digging into chocolate cake right after her fight.  It was funny to watch people looking at her as she walked around with an entire cake and fork in her hands.  

After watching a few additional fights I cruised over to First Baptist Lakewood where my friend Trent is the Middle School Pastor.  They were having a grad night all nighter and I willingly volunteered to stay up for over 26 hours.  I haven't been around middle school ministry for a few years now.  Actually, I haven't been around a whole lot of ministry in a few years.  Since leaving RP I haven't been too plugged in at any church and only recently decided to make Rock Church my church here in SD.  It was tiring and there were little tiffs after 4 am when kids were exhausted, but it was refreshing to be around.  I got to talk with one 8th grader who heard the Gospel and decided she wanted salvation.  It was a great reminder of my purpose, my gifts, and what I really love doing.  

After a few hours of sleep I had the chance to hang in Long Beach and just enjoy being with my friend.  I admit, moving to Long Beach seems like such a great alternative for me right now.  I haven't been to the movies is a long time, I can't even remember what I last saw in the theater.  I had the chance to see The Hangover and all I really knew was that Robbie really wants to see it.  I knew it would probably be inappropriate if Robbie was that eager to see it, but I figured it would also be funny.  It didn't disappoint either.  With only a few uncomfortable shots, I laughed through the movie and would see it again with the right group of people.  

My sleep schedule is way off now but it was all worth it.  I valued every moment in the LBC.  

I've been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for a few months now and have even been to Vegas to compete in a tournament.  I'm considering another fight in July but it's a really big deal because it's tied to UFC 100.  It would be pretty cool to fight in that atmosphere but honestly, I get so nervous even going to the dojo to train.  I don't know what it is but I get butterflies in my stomach and a shortness of breath.  I thought that's what happened when you fell in love.  Maybe I've found my love :)  Kidding.  But I have come to love my teammates and my gym family.  They've been an encouragement and huge support to me in the last few months.  Plus, I get to train with the best female grappler in the world.  How about that!?  I didn't just join a gym, I stumbled into training with the best.  Just watch the beginning of this video to hear how bad ass my coach is.  

P.S. I'm not gonna lie, there are perks to belonging to the #1 womens team 3 years in a row (even though I've been a member for a few months).  This guy at the fight shop asked me where I trained and when I told him he struck up a conversation about worlds and I got 5% off my purchase.  It also helps because he was cute :)