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FrodoSCSP03
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Name: Matthew
Country: United States
State: Pennsylvania
Metro: Pittsburgh
Gender: Male
Interests: Reading, watching movies, listening to music, hanging out with friends, practically all things involving the outdoors, traveling
Expertise: God and the Bible (not an expert, just a diehard fan!)
Most any sport, but especially football, w/ emphasis on Ohio State (obviously).
Music and Movies
Occupation: Other
Industry: Medical
Message: message me
AIM:  FrodoSCSP03
AIM:  SweetCheeksKeen
Yahoo:  mjkeeney210
Member Since:
11/17/2004
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| I had 2 job interviews earlier this week. Both in or around dahntahn (downtown) Pittsburgh. One was for what is probably the largest health orginzation within Western Pennsylvania. The other was with a competing health insurance company. Both jobs offered better pay than i am receiving currently, and at least as good as or better than benefits. Now why would i be interviewing for a new job if i already have a great job with folks that i really like? Well, i got to thinking (and praying) about it, and it just seemed like this was the prima time to search the job market and see what is out there. I discussed it with my manager one day (whom i was asking to be a reference), and he said that there isn't anything wrong with seeing what's out there every once in a while. If there's something better, then go for it. Heck, we went to breakfast with Emily and Mitch the other weekend since they were in town, and Mitch was telling me that he worked for a guy who OWNED the company, who would go in for interviews just for kicks. Anyways, I felt much better about the second interview than i did the first one. The ironic thing was that as of the day of the interviews, i really thought i wanted the job with the first company rather than the second one. But, i guess that's what job interviews will do for you sometimes. I'm supposed to hear back about one of them by the end of next week. If i do get that one, we'll be looking at a change in strategy as far as where we want to find houses. We've been looking NW of the city, that would change to due North of the city instead (and we still might look there if nothing happens, b/c it's like 30 minutes away from here and the taxes are still lower than in Allegheny County. A lot of people have been praying about this. If it's meant to be, then it will be. Carrie's birthday was Monday. We had like 4 days of celebrations. Friday she got a card from her grandma. Saturday we went out with Emily and Mitch, and they gave her a present. Sunday we went to church with her folks, then had her birthday celebration afterwards. Monday she got more cards from my parents and grandma. We were going to go out Monday night to celebrate, but with the interviews the next day, we decided to put that off until Tuesday night. She got enough money to get new shoes, which she needed because her pair she was replacing were hurting her feet. I got her a book that she wanted. I know that's not much, but she said she didn't want anything from me but to go out to dinner. I hope next year i can go all out for her birthday. Well, that's all for now. I've got to start to get ready for work. TGIF! PS...there are less than 100 days until the Buckeyes play scUM! Go Bucks! | | |
| Carrie and i went to the wave pool the other day because it was 90+ degrees with 90% humidity (being that it's July in Pittsburgh), and we do not have our air conditioner in the window yet. We were there for like 4 hours or so, and i got burnt to a crisp...literally. I am red on my chest, shoulders, back, stomach, and tops of my feet. I put sunscreen on twice when we were at the pool, but i guess that wasn't enough. I actually had to stay home from work because of it yesterday. Carrie (God Bless her!), has been putting aloe on me non-stop. However, i'm feeling much better compared to yesterday, so no worries...lots of pain, but no worries.
My parents are coming out here tomorrow. Let's just say, i've had a helluva time trying to get my car registared with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and i need to have Dad here to sign some forms that should straighten this out. If I would've known it was going to be this crazy, i might have considered NOT switching registration. Oh well, such is life. At least i'll get to see my folks again (cross your fingers that they're actually civil to one another again).
Well, i don't really have much else to say. | | |
| Recently, i have been doing some soul searching regarding my faith. I'm not considering leaving my faith, but i do have a lot of questions about personal views vs. those of the church. As you may (or may not) know, i do not have a favorable view of church denominations. I was raised in a non-denominational church, but as i have come to regularly attend an EPC church via my in-laws, i have thought about whether i need to reconsider my stance on the subject. I mean, honestly, does it really matter? There are some things about the EPC that i do like. For one, it does place great emphasis on missions and proclaiming the name of Jesus throughout the world. I appreciate that. It seems like every time Carrie and I attend church with her family, the announcements involve something to do with a new missions trip coming up shortly. I also like that they want people to come as they are, warts and all. Now, those things being said, i do have a problem with their policy on infant baptism. The church seems to think that this is a sign of commitment to God on behalf of the child. I disagree. I feel that baptism is meant to be a personal decision that no one else can make for you. I think you can have parents commit themselves to raising their child as a Christian, but that doesn't mean the kid has to necessarily become one. You can only lead the horse to water, you can't make it drink. I guess my biggest arguement against any denomination is that, to me, it seems counter-intuitive to what Christianity is all about: freedom from sin, and to live by grace. I fear that denominations tend to make people into lock-step Christians, who feel trapped to go with the tide, whether they believe it right or not. I think in order for Christ to really reign in someone's life, they have to know they can experience life...which means the freedom to fall, and experience the grace of God. Anyways, these are a few of my most recent thoughts on the subject. And with that, i need to go to bed. Good night. | | |
| Thoughts on The Virginia Tech Tragedy: So, i'm going to guess that what i have to say regarding the events of a week ago probably will be offensive to some, but i doubt that it will get me fired...and i've got nothing to loose and no reason to remain silent. Was i shocked? Yes...but only for a few moments. Simply put, i was numb. It's sad, and i feel sorry for all the victims and their families, but doesn't anyone else feel like we've seen this scene played out for us about 50x before? And does anyone think we're never going to see this happen again? So, that was what was going through my mind when the imbeciles in the mainstream media did exactly what the killer wanted: they played his "manifesto" on their websites and evening news top story, and gave this maniac his wish...to express his hatred towards "the rich snobs". That pissed me off. And since then, that's where i've stood.
On a more personal note, tragedy (of sorts) befell my family 2 Fridays past, as the first house i ever new as "home" burned to the ground. No joke...i'm coming home from work, and i get this call from one of my best friends growing up saying "The house you grew up in just burned to the ground." My parents confirmed the news with my grandma, and they snapped some shots on their digital camera when they got home from my cousin's wedding in Texas. It's sad because i do have a lot of memories from living there, but this is just one of those things that happens. No one was hurt fortunately, so i really shouldn't be all that upset over it. We've got pictures from our days there...so at least we'll never totally forget it.
Speaking of houses...Carrie and i went to an open house on Sunday. We were impressed with pretty much everything this house had to offer. We're still a long way from actually signing our lives away in a mortgage agreement, but it was nice to see what we've been looking at online, in person and to be able to ask someone questions. I still think it's a realistic goal to be in our own house by the end of this year, however, i also don't want to rush into anything and get stuck with something i'll regret later. I know Carrie wants to go look at a few other houses soon, so we can narrow down our search some more.
I went golfing for the first time last Friday. Well, it was actually just a par-3 course, but it was good to get out there nonetheless. I actually par'd the first hole, but things went down from there. We're planning on going out again tomorrow, as long as weather permits it. It's storming outside as we speak. Carrie is actually okay with me going golfing once a week...so long as I promise to bring home dinner. Not too bad of a deal, if you ask me.
Ok, it's getting pretty bad out now, so i'm going to get off of here. Good night. | | |
| So, i don't know if it's b/c Carrie and i have been watching that "Miami Ink" show, or if it's due to regret for not doing it sooner, but there's something inside me that really wants to get a tattoo. Actually, 2 tattoos...and i know precisely what i want: both are going to be on my shoulders - on one, i would get a Celtic cross b/c i come from Irish ancestory and i've always thought Celtic crosses were cool looking. On the other shoulder, i would get the picture called "Forgiven". It has Jesus praying over and holding up a guy who is limp from sin and a wooden hammer in one hand. Our old neighbor had a copy of it, as did my friend Travis in college...it is one of the best depictions of Jesus' grace and mercy. I'm not planning on getting one anytime in the near future (or foreseeable future for that matter), but those two things are things that represent who i am both through my blood family as well as the blood of Christ.
Recently it dawned on me that even with the financial situation i find us (Carrie and myself) in, we can actually afford to buy a house. It helps that Pittsburgh is like the second-to-lowest or lowest city in the nation cost of living wise, but still, just the reality that we can be living in our own house by the end of the year (if we wanted to...it takes a long time to close on a house) brings a smile to my face. Of course, when that happens i probably won't be smiling whilest i pay the mortgage each month, but hey...at least it will be MY HOUSE! As of right now, we have a list of like 10 or so houses we thought were nice (based on initial internet searches). This could obviously change as we go to see them in person, but that will come with time.
As for now, i've got to get going. I need to do my devotions, pack a lunch and get ready for work. It's Friday, so you know what means...jeans at work! Now isn't that worth working for Monday - Thursday? Honestly? | | |
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