So, now that this version has come out, there have been a few things that have annoyed me. It is still a great and very responsive browser, but since IE 7 came out, it is tempting to d/l it and run it exclusively. There are still some webpages though that do not work with IE 7 and Firefox which is still a little dosconcerning (i.e. Focus Air HR Webpage).

Lifehacker posted a nice little list of configuration tweaks that I must give a shout out to because of how useful they have been. Check it out at: http://www.lifehacker.com/software/firefox-2/geek-to-live-top-firefox-2-config-tweaks-209941.php

Something Indescribable

As the title says: Something Indescribable as landed in the office. These are the Jeppesen updates that we have for the next few days. Focus Air has 8 Kits each consisting of two bags thus two sets of plates. It's going to be TREMENDOUS!!! Am I going to get overtime? I don't know, but this is ridiculous! If anyone wants to kick it Jepp style, just hit me up. I'll be sitting in the Luxembourg office sleeping on the floor from time to time. =(

time for each "set" = 3.5 hours

turning a new leaf

The colors of autumn popped out of nowhere over the past week with some trees bearing their branches after only 2 days of color change! It's beautiful out here especially the ride from the Hilton to work. Leaves falling as you drive through the tunnel of trees just gives you the sense of a movie like autumn-winter season. It really is breath-taking.

I've been getting a lot better lately with all the positive thoughts and mental motivation lately. Going out and just trying to keep a constant smile really does a body good. It was a rough time in life for me, but its all part of growing up I guess. I have said before that knowing when you are going to be coming home gives you a different sense of being prepared rather that not knowing at all. My leaves are a changin' ~sorta...

Tonight / It might get cold eh?

Tonight was good, the cycle is once again on an upswing and I'm loving every minute of it! I still have yet to know a definite on whether or not I'm going to be staying in Luxembourg, but so far its all good.

As stated by the Underground Weather Forecasters, I'm in for a treat this coming week especially on Thursday!!! So it begins...can anyone send me some Long Johns SOON!!!! Oh yeah, I'll be needing a Focus Air Beanie too!

5-Day Forecast for Luxembourg: EXTREMELY COLD!!!

the possibilities...

As much as I would like to come home, the possibilities out here are plentiful. I mean, the sense of managing an international station of a cargo airline is awesome. Even though things are said to change and get better, I still will have to wait to actually see the fruits of that tree.

As I have come to find out, home means more than anything to me. The possibility of having a family and being home with them just means too much to me. I always find myself talking about the future in this business to see whether or not it is conducive to family life, and it just really isn't. What am I suppose to do? I find myself at a very huge crossroad.

a good lesson is learned

These last few days (or weeks) I can't really tell because time just goes by at light speed has really brought me on a spiritual, growth, psychological, emotional, all over the place roller coaster. From debating my purpose here in Luxembourg to where I want to be in general; all these questions just really started to bog me down. I've noticed myself not dealing with things again. I'm still working but the details of my own life are getting left behind.

On my way to Amsterdam yesterday, I got to drive and just do a lot of thinking. Being with all the crew members and even meeting some cool people at Aero Ground just made me feel better all around. Things were looking up. It was a mess in trying to do my job because of security clearance issues, but I still was able to complete my mission (change out those Jepp bags). I got a room at the Novotel and enjoyed the night hanging out.

Today, I had the oppurtunity to drive with one of our assistant chief pilots back to Luxembourg. We took a rather scenic route back to Luxembourg through Bastogne which provided some good time for conversations. The gist of it though came at the end when I just started to speak about what was going through my head. "Don't let false obligations get in the way of oppurtunities." I needed to quote that because it just made sense. I'm missing my family and that is definitely a reasonable obligation, but the purpose of me being here is to grow and learn. That is an obligation that I owe myself perhaps. I don't know how to reason it out, but its slowly beginning to feel right. I know that I've all the time later on to "hang out" but as long as I'm learning and am able to take something back with me, then its all good. I have to handle my workload and budget what I'm suppose to do and not over work myself because that's where things go a little crazy. I have to give my mind a rest really.

I'm glad that I'm finally coming to my senses. It's taken a lot out of me, but as long as I'm able to *tune* Always think of the bright side of your life *end tune* then my head will remain straight. Thanks for everything guys!

Thanks mom and adelle too. Calling it homesick just gave it a definition but talking about always helps. Sorry for venting Manoj. Things are looking up! Hopefully...

General Patton's Grave and Bastogne

I promise that I will find some time to write out a little more as soon as I get a time to relax. I'm dead tired now but until then, I've uped more pix. (note: the other gentleman is a Captain / FO for Focus Air that actually wanted to come with me on the drive back to Amsterdam so it actually wasn't that boring. Thanks Mike!

http://www.elijahnicolas.com/cphoto/thumbnails.php?album=13

Check out these new pix. I have so much to write, but its just been crazy here:

Monday: 10 hours of work
Tuesday: 14.5 hours at work
Wednesday: Drive back to Amsterdam and switch out Jepps
Thursday: Drive back, if Wednesday was successful, to Lux
Friday: more Jepps! It's just crazy!