My Blog Has a New Home - Arnman.com

So that follow-up to my last post. Well...yes it does exist, but not here. In effort to support more file types and to essentially streamline my blogging process I have moved my blog to www.arnman.com. With this move I can now host music I make, video I produce, pictures I want to share, and blog posts easily and all I have to do is email the blog site. Pretty cool really. So this blog with its past entries now live on arnman.com. =)

What's Been Going on Till Now (Part 1)

I think my hope into keeping this thing updated on a regular basis was at best wishful thinking. I mean its not impossible, but my attention has been pulled into many directions and secondly I unfortunately got lazy about it. Though I am trying to gently correct this problem, the main reason for this is my lack of Internet access for the first couple of weeks and for the fact I really didn’t start living in Minnesota until the beginning of May.

So here is what’s been going on since my move.

After the movers so awesomely coerced my belongings up the three flights of stairs, one mover told me that “this was the one of the easiest moves today,” and thanked me for using boxes. I found this amusing since the movers in Sacramento had a totally different perspective. After the movers in Sacramento moved me out of my second story apartment, one fellow joked that hopefully I didn’t have a third story apartment to move into. In my mind I was like yeaahhhh….third story….rightttt. I was puzzled about “using boxes” comment, but I was told that a lot people just launch things into the truck without packing

and are usually on floors higher than the 3^rd floor.

Luckily I was moved in right before Good Friday and was now able to focus on the Easter. I was really glad that my family could be there. We all attended Mass at the beautiful Basilica of St. Mary in downtown Minneapolis. As we arrived the bells started to ring and continued ringing for a good 20 minutes. The bells rung proudly, echoing into downtown Minneapolis announcing that the Lord has risen! It was awe-inspiring. The Mass at the Basilica was one of the most moving masses I have ever attended. The music was enveloping, and the importance of the day resonated into the hearts of everyone who was present that day. My father, usually one who doesn’t express his feelings much, commented on the Mass and how he felt moved by it. I felt that was a great indicator. Finally on the following Monday morning my family flew back to California. It was weird to know, I would be staying behind in a new state, which required a three-hour flight home, instead of my one-hour jaunt from Sacramento. A large part of me wanted to go back with them, but I had to embrace this brand new adventure.

Now, what about the rest of April? If you asked anyone in California, they would probably say I never left. The funny thing about that is I probably did more in California those two weeks back than I ever had done in any month. Since my move was earlier than I had wanted, I needed to go back to California to tie up some loose ends. On April 9^th I flew back to California, only living in Minnesota for about a week. During this week in California I made the most of my time, be spending time with family, with great friends, and making sure all logistical matters were taken care of. I also was working out of my old office in Davis doing some final shipping of materials to my new office in Minnesota. Most notable events during that week was going to a Muse concert with my brother at Oracle Arena, spending Picinic Day with friends I will miss dearly, the going away party my bro Eddie threw for me, and hanging out with a great bunch of guys. I have to admit that week made California hard to leave.

I returned to Minnesota on Sunday April 18^th, for another week back at work. Again, this was not enough time to completely settle in. I did get my cubicle in order and got up to speed with projects. Working at corporate has been great, and it’s a different energy, but I do miss the people back at the Davis office. They were a great bunch of people and a pleasure to work with. Having to leave back for California again didn’t help with the unpacking process, that’s for sure!

April 23^rd I flew back to California, first to see my family and help my brother celebrate his birthday in style. It was a most awesome time. I was then off to San Jose for the main reason for coming back to California. I was assigned to help work at the Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose. There I helped with a mini-class sessions for wireless technologies as well as working the show both on convention floor. It was quite an experience and really cool to see the innovative technologies that all these companies had to offer. It felt really good to get in the mix of things. After the show, I met with some friends and my brother to dine at The Sundance Steak House in Palo Alto. We all were in glorious steak heaven, and were left speechless after our dinner. It was amazing, and definitely a must go. I might have to make special trips to visit this one of kind restaurant. On Friday I decided to head to Davis to make a visit, but made a quick change in plans and headed home. My Mom was surprised to see me and was really happy I came home, and then I went to see my Dad at work before making my way to Davis.

On Saturday I was fortunate enough to join some friends to take a hike at the Calveras Big Trees. I remember coming to this area when I was in grade school back in Modesto. It was good to be back to see one of California’s greatest treasures. Before my move there was so many opportunities to enjoy the great California outdoors, but I wasn’t able to go. I felt this was a fitting outing before heading back to Minnesota. I forgot how majestic the redwoods are, and it was great to be there again. Afterwards, I was able to have dinner with one of my closest friends, which was most excellent. Sunday I was back to San Jose to fly out back to Minnesota. In retrospect, I should have scheduled a flight from Sacramento which would have been a whole lot easier, but as usual I was not thinking and only took into account that I was working in San Jose, but I did get to see a good part of Northern California.

Now you can see why it would seem that haven’t let California. In truth, leaving California finally at the end of April was bittersweet. Once arriving in Minnesota, and getting home, it finally started to sink in and I started to have a better appreciation of what I had out in California, and Lord knows that I will be missing people dearly. I started to wonder what is in store for me here in Minnesota? What will be my future? Most importantly, will I be ok? I know I will be ok, but I am finding happiness for me lies in numerous things, and so my quest now aims at looking for these things =).

There is so much more to tell, but I think this is good for now. I will definitely post more, up when I get a chance, probably later today or tomorrow, or sometime soon. I’ll be better at this, most likely updating on monthly basis, after the next few updates. For now…Adios!

Minnesotan Trail - Day Four - Home on the Horizon

Finally I have arrived at my destination. Into the welcoming arms of the Minnesotan countryside I rest my weary head. After a very eventful and fun excursion across several states, I finally arrived to my new home. The air was crisp, the weather was nice, and on April 1^st I start the next chapter of this new adventure.

Apartment Photo from my Winter Trip

Yes…I know… this update is rather late, but I didn’t have Internet at the time, and I was super tired. So I am posting this update today, while I am in rainy California. Yes I have returned to California after a week in Minnesota, and no I haven’t grown tired and moved back. I have returned to tie up some loose ends and take care of a few things. So April is going to be a month of ups and downs, and lots of travel. By May, I can settle more in my new home.

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Before I continue, I just want to recap my journey on the Minnesotan Trail. Starting on the 4^th and final leg of the journey, spirits are running high and excitement is steadily increasing. In a couple of hours the long journey will be completed. Wasting no time, we started early leaving Council Bluffs, Iowa and headed towards Des Moines and then took a left on N 35W towards Minneapolis. The final leg proved to be the easiest and most enjoyable, since the roads were flat, and the wind died down. The scenery started to change as we approach Burnsville, then into Bloomington, MN. Once in Bloomington, we finally were able to unload the car, and unhitch Trailey fron Hauley. It was good to not haul the car, for the truck was more nimble and quick and was able to turn on a silver dollar. We then decided to hit up Ikea and pick up a couch so one to maximize the use of the truck, secondly to maximize the use of the movers. Finally at 8pm Central Standard Time I was finally moved into my new apt, which concludes the Minnesotan Trail. Luckily now one came down with dysentery, a broken leg, or dead oxen. Though there were times where fording a river and hunting became viable options.

Dropping off my car at the Uhaul Center

Lame photo of me carrying stuff from my car

Off to the Mega Ikea

Thanks for following me on this exciting journey to Minnesota. From here on in I will try my best to occasionally update this blog with my adventures and misadventures here. I am really looking forward to experiencing new things and growing a community that is somewhat familiar to the community and awesome friends I have made while in California. Maybe in couple months I may be using “you betcha” and “dontcha know” rather often. Only time will tell. Until then let the adventure begin!

Minnesotan Trail - Day Three - Snow, Run for Omaha, and the Show Down

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Sitting in a hotel room in Council Bluffs, Iowa, I try to recollect what has occurred today on this move to Minnesota. More and more I realize that I just want to complete this trip....hahaha. So yes it is an adventure, and yes it is fun, but the welcome wears off when you can't really stop and look at things, and the only thing that matters is meeting a deadline.

This morning started off with a light dusting of snow covering Hauley and my car. The ground was covered with snow, but the roadways seems to be clear. Though the front desk attendant warned about ice on the roadways so that put a slight damper on today's run for Omaha. Today was that day to make up for lost time due to mountains, wind storms, tumble weeds, salt and sand storms, and everything else mother nature wanted to whip up. It behooved us to make the run for Omaha. Nothing like the roar of a Triton V-10, guzzing gas and hauling ass down I-80, with the auto hauler, desperately keeping up in wake of our agressive advancement. We gave up sharing the highway, and just muscled our way to ultimate glory. Though in our fevered attempt we overshot Omaha and ended up in Council Bluffs, Iowa, giving us more room than we had anticipated. By tomorrow I should be in Minnesota, ready to move into my new diggs, and by Monday start my new adventure in Minnesota.


Here are some pics I found cool, interesting, and amusing.

Minnesotan Trail - Day Two - The Climb and the Tumbleweed Migration

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So my original idea to post videos may have been too ambitious. Bandwidth at the hotels is making it difficult to load the videos in a timely manner. So I will wait till I get to Minnesota to post clips of this mad adventure. For now pictures will have to do.

Today’s update is going to be short cause I am exhausted and I need to get some rest for the endurance drive tomorrow.

So far so good! Day two comes to a close after 11 hours of intense Uhaul driving. As a note, I would say for a road trip it would be an excellent drive with a group of people. In terms of moving, I recommend using PODS to move stuff. It would make for a much more pleasant trip. You will get to avoid the Utah Salt flats of death and the Tumbleweed migration. We finally stopped in a town of Rawlins, Wyoming, to rest our weary heads. Tomorrow the adventure continues.

Here are some pics from the drive today.

Minnesotan Trail - The Journey Begins

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Overcast with 90% chance of awesome, day one of the Minnesotan Trail begins with an early morning. Ma and Pa as usual are up early, and I wake up just due to my sheer love of the morning, or more like the bare floor encouraged me to greet the morning with reluctant joy. Today is the day where I head off to Minnesota to start a new adventure, and yes cause my job is now there.

Our hearty movers greet us with morning gusto and start hauling my stuff into the Hauley the loveable Uhaul truck. I have to say the movers did an excellent job packing the truck, better than any previous moving experience I ever had. One could say the experience was moving. Ok…well then. After the truck was packed, the auto haul was hitched and my car was launched onto it with no time to waste. Once all was said and done it was time to leave my apt and to head east ascending the Sierras and waving goodbye to the Sacramento Valley.

The move is epic, but the speed at which the move is happening at is not epic at all. Yet there is something to appreciate about traveling at 55 MPH. For one the car and the trailer don’t fly off the road, but also it provides some time to look around and appreciate the surroundings such as in Truckee. At like 80 or 90 MPH, there is something lost, but at 55 MPH there are things that you are glad to have seen. That is until you get into Nevada and get to Fallon, Winnemucca, and Battle Mountain which by the is a cool name and is also the “Gateway to the Nevada Outback.” I am fully aware that I may not be giving these places a fair shake, but I wouldn’t mind driving 80 or 90 through these parts. So now we are encamped in Elkos, Nevada, shaking off the sand, and getting a good nights rest for a one of the endurance legs of the journey. Right now I am hoping the check engine light continues to remain meaningless as instructed by Uhaul Roadside assistance. Hauley is poised to conquer the Minnesotan trail. Also, I really don’t want to pull out the oxen and hitch a wagon. I will most likely post videos at a later time. I just don't have the bandwidth.

Moving Reflection with a hint of Travel, and a Dash of Minnesotan Trail

While I had different intentions for this blog, I found it fitting to post my move on this blog, and probably all my adventures and shenanigans that will ensue. Either it seems a slowing down moment or a life changing moment will cause one to see life in a different perspective. We never really think of being where we are now, but as we look back we find it just to be the right place at the right time. It has been nearly a year since I moved to my soon to be old apartment, and thinking to myself, this is it, I will live here as long as it takes. I even signed a 17-month lease to prove to myself that this is where I will be for quite some time. Well surprise surprise, I am again about to move, but this time it’s pretty big. Back in September 2009 in the midst of economic tidal wave, my fellow coworkers were soon realizing their jobs had a shelf life. Fear is a funny motivator, yet it in some ways it brings a certain perspective, that at a time when saying no to an opportunity is not affordable option. So I am moving to Minnesota. Yes the northern state where the catch phrases “dontcha know” or “you betcha” is quite common.

I am excited of this new adventure. What better way to start than to hitch up a Uhaul and truck it on the Minnesotan trail. So at 9-10 am on March 29^th I will begin my journey. Now depending on how frequent I get Internet access or how much bandwidth I get, this will determine my ability to update this blog. My true goal is to document the next couple of days with video blogs to give a true Arman perspective of the Minnesotan Trail. Along with my parents who have graciously agreed to accompany me on trip, my brother will be meeting us in Minneapolis to greet us with open arms. I’ve thought about hiring some child actors to play Little Timmy or Little Sarah, in which one would end up with a broken leg, and other coming down with dysentery, but I think this trip could do without. Though if we come across a river, we are fording it, most likely there will be a bridge, but I want it to be known the choice was made. So anyways keep checking this blog regularly for updates and keep us in your prayers as we travel the MINNESOTAN TRAIL…….