I know that Marshall and I are on the right path in our lives right now. Here's why.
On Monday night (4/30) we were invited to the Foundry Educational Foundation's (FEF) spring meeting banquet. During the day they took a tour of Texas State University where Marshall is a student in their industrial technology program and has experience with the foundry course offered there. He and some other students and faculty gave the FEF a tour earlier in the day, then there was the banquet in the evening at the Embassy Suites.
Marshall introduces me to his professors, then we are told that dinner is about to begin and to sit at the tables, which hold 8 people each. We're towards the back of the room, and we sit at the table in the back right corner. On my right is a man from NY who is on the FEF, and Marshall is on my left. On his left was a guy named Ed from Spokane Industries in Washington state. Mr. Clay, the man awarding Marshall the FEF internship scholarship was also at his table with his wife, who surprisingly has family in my hometown. Another colorful and amazing character was Bob Smillee (Smiley), who we chatted with for nearly 30 minutes after the conference ended (another story).
After the President of the FEF does his introductions and speech, we eat our dinner salads. During that time one of Marshall's professors comes to him and asks if he's met the representative from Denison Industries, the company that we're hoping Marshall will get to work for this summer. Apparently it was the gentleman sitting right behind Marshall, who at the time of the conversation was out of his seat. Moments later he returns, and according to Marshall, Marty tells him, "So, I hear you're coming to work with us this summer." Marshall: "We haven't heard a response back from Denison, but I definitely want to." "Here's my contact information, and we'll work it all out." !!!!! Marshall has the contact information for someone at Denison and can ask questions about details for his internship!!!! Oh, this made me so happy!
Side note, things that Denison and Marshall will have to negotiate are: terms of employment, salary, living accommodations, working hours, length of the internship, and also getting the first week of July off for us to go on vacation.
If meeting someone from Denison wasn't enough, Ed, the gentleman on Marshall's left, works at a foundry in Spokane, Washington, which is only 20 miles from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. I want to move to CDA so much, and now we have a contact at a foundry that Marshall *could possibly work for!!! Needless to say I was one excited wife as we were driving home. Not only are the odds in Marshall's favor for having a spectacular internship at Denison for the entire summer, but we could move to CDA and Marshall be employed in his field. *dreamy sigh
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Could It Be?
Could it really be happening?! Our summer plans are S...L...O...W...L...Y becoming more clear.
Marshall interviewed for an internship scholarship through the American Foundry Society on the 13th, and found out later that day he will be one of the recipients--hurray! The three-person panel that interviewed him are responsible for matching potential interns, such as Marshall, to foundries that are asking for them. The AFS group has three foundries to work with--two iron facilities in Dallas and one aluminum in Denison, Texas. They are going to make a strong recommendation to Denison to pick up Marshall. All emotion aside, he will be a great fit for this company and they have a fantastic reputation--Marshall is thrilled. Nothing is set in stone, but we hope the negotiation of his summer internship will begin soon. Traditionally the interns are on-site for 3-5 weeks. Marshall is available for 8-10, so the panel is going to see if Denison can work with this extension. The drawback is that Denison is further away than the Dallas foundries. If he's gone for only 4-5 weeks, we may meet up once in Dallas for a weekend, then I will see him when he's all through and back in Austin. If he will be there all summer, I'm hoping he can negotiate the first week of July off so we can take our vacation to Utah/Wyoming. We've been through a six month deployment and my 5 weeks in Peru before, so we'll be fine; it just won't be pleasant.
Marshall interviewed for an internship scholarship through the American Foundry Society on the 13th, and found out later that day he will be one of the recipients--hurray! The three-person panel that interviewed him are responsible for matching potential interns, such as Marshall, to foundries that are asking for them. The AFS group has three foundries to work with--two iron facilities in Dallas and one aluminum in Denison, Texas. They are going to make a strong recommendation to Denison to pick up Marshall. All emotion aside, he will be a great fit for this company and they have a fantastic reputation--Marshall is thrilled. Nothing is set in stone, but we hope the negotiation of his summer internship will begin soon. Traditionally the interns are on-site for 3-5 weeks. Marshall is available for 8-10, so the panel is going to see if Denison can work with this extension. The drawback is that Denison is further away than the Dallas foundries. If he's gone for only 4-5 weeks, we may meet up once in Dallas for a weekend, then I will see him when he's all through and back in Austin. If he will be there all summer, I'm hoping he can negotiate the first week of July off so we can take our vacation to Utah/Wyoming. We've been through a six month deployment and my 5 weeks in Peru before, so we'll be fine; it just won't be pleasant.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Foundation in Foundry
Marshall went to a conference in Houston last night, and the topic was about how the oil and gas industry's new method of fracking is affecting the foundry industry. As a refresher, Marshall is majoring in Industrial Technology--Manufacturing Technology at Texas State University, and will graduate in May 2014. Last semester he took a foundry course and fell in love with it. He's less interested in bring the guy who pours the molten metal into sand molds, and more ambitious in becoming an engineer in the foundry industry. Back on track now, the speaker basically spoke about how fracking works and that is requires a lot of sand. The oil companies are buying and using more than all the sand that the foundry industry around the entire world uses in a given year. With the demand for sand on the rise, so are the costs, which are also affecting foundries. Very interesting for business leaders, and informative for people like my husband who want to know more about the industry.
The real reason Marshall went was to rub elbows with the owners, managers and other representatives of foundry companies here in Texas. He met up with this Lufkin contact Ray, who gave him a tour of their foundry facility back in December. Ray was with two other Lufkin reps, one of whom Marshall said looked to be in upper management. Marshall asked him what would his chances be of gaining employment with Lufkin after college and going to an overseas location (such as Canada or Argentina). Apparently the guy's response was "pretty good," because most Americans don't want to move out of the country, and the people that they do want to go overseas would fill management positions. This is good news for us because we'd consider going to Canada or Argentina. They have a Romania facility...um, not so much.
Marshall so was told some anecdotes about how people in upper management in the foundry business are literally dying off. It's becoming more and more common for someone in their late 20s or 30s being a general manager or chief of operations of a foundry. Wow! I don't think Marshall could handle the stress of such a position, but he'd be an excellent engineer or engineering manager, which would be a huge asset to the GM. What does this all boil down to for us? First, it seems that the people Marshall has spoken with at these types of conferences are all very patient. They are completely fine with keeping in touch with him and getting together again when he graduates (2.5 years away). This is amazing in my eyes. In addition to this, we are both feeling more confident that Marshall could go into contract with a company probably the fall of 2013 and start working for them after graduating the following May.
I know my husband will be very successful at whatever he puts his heart into, and I believe the foundry industry is at a point where they would snatch him up in a heartbeat. Hopefully he'll enjoy it and become a leader, creating new processes, even inventing new tools (Marshall loves to invent things) that would be applicable to foundry work. I'm very content right now with this door we may choose to enter one day.
The real reason Marshall went was to rub elbows with the owners, managers and other representatives of foundry companies here in Texas. He met up with this Lufkin contact Ray, who gave him a tour of their foundry facility back in December. Ray was with two other Lufkin reps, one of whom Marshall said looked to be in upper management. Marshall asked him what would his chances be of gaining employment with Lufkin after college and going to an overseas location (such as Canada or Argentina). Apparently the guy's response was "pretty good," because most Americans don't want to move out of the country, and the people that they do want to go overseas would fill management positions. This is good news for us because we'd consider going to Canada or Argentina. They have a Romania facility...um, not so much.
Marshall so was told some anecdotes about how people in upper management in the foundry business are literally dying off. It's becoming more and more common for someone in their late 20s or 30s being a general manager or chief of operations of a foundry. Wow! I don't think Marshall could handle the stress of such a position, but he'd be an excellent engineer or engineering manager, which would be a huge asset to the GM. What does this all boil down to for us? First, it seems that the people Marshall has spoken with at these types of conferences are all very patient. They are completely fine with keeping in touch with him and getting together again when he graduates (2.5 years away). This is amazing in my eyes. In addition to this, we are both feeling more confident that Marshall could go into contract with a company probably the fall of 2013 and start working for them after graduating the following May.
I know my husband will be very successful at whatever he puts his heart into, and I believe the foundry industry is at a point where they would snatch him up in a heartbeat. Hopefully he'll enjoy it and become a leader, creating new processes, even inventing new tools (Marshall loves to invent things) that would be applicable to foundry work. I'm very content right now with this door we may choose to enter one day.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Early May
On Saturday I reached my 10% goal, which is 10% of my starting weight with Weight Watchers. I was so relieved, but I've been working really hard at trying to make it. My reward is a horseback riding lesson (now I have to save up the money to actually do it)!
On Sunday, Marshall and I participated in Austin's 5K Bun Run (#95 on 101/1001). We just walked it; I had no intention of trying to run, lol. We were part of my Weight Watcher's group (which had the most team members by the way!). I need to find out if my WW group is also doing a 5K somewhere for WW's Walk-It Challenge May 22nd. I would do that one as well.
This week Marshall is studying for three finals on Thursday. His last one will be the following Monday, then he will be done with school until late August. He's decided that returning to ACC, the local community college, would work out just as well as him continuing at TSU. ACC has the same classes; he can drive to campus; and he wouldn't have a $40 bus pass each week. I like the idea of him getting home at a decent hour as well. :) This past semester he didn't get home until 10:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
I have Memorial day off of work, but I won't be taking any vacation until mid-August when we go to Oregon for a long weekend. Work will keep me plenty busy I'm sure. I just have to remember that we're going to have lots of fun at the end of the summer with our trips.
Marshall's parents have started their multi-month bike trip to Alaska. We probably won't see them until July at the earliest. They are going to have a great time. We'll be hearing stories for months to come. :)
At the end of the month, my only nephew turns 1! I can't believe it. Marshall's mom's side of the family is about to welcome another grandbaby this year. He should be born within the next 2 weeks. I will have a new little cousin born in October on my Thiele side. Babies, babies--it's not to think about them. Marshall and I have decided that if we've achieved our list of goals by the time I turn 26, we'll start get the ball rolling on the kiddos. Big smiley face.
On Sunday, Marshall and I participated in Austin's 5K Bun Run (#95 on 101/1001). We just walked it; I had no intention of trying to run, lol. We were part of my Weight Watcher's group (which had the most team members by the way!). I need to find out if my WW group is also doing a 5K somewhere for WW's Walk-It Challenge May 22nd. I would do that one as well.
This week Marshall is studying for three finals on Thursday. His last one will be the following Monday, then he will be done with school until late August. He's decided that returning to ACC, the local community college, would work out just as well as him continuing at TSU. ACC has the same classes; he can drive to campus; and he wouldn't have a $40 bus pass each week. I like the idea of him getting home at a decent hour as well. :) This past semester he didn't get home until 10:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
I have Memorial day off of work, but I won't be taking any vacation until mid-August when we go to Oregon for a long weekend. Work will keep me plenty busy I'm sure. I just have to remember that we're going to have lots of fun at the end of the summer with our trips.
Marshall's parents have started their multi-month bike trip to Alaska. We probably won't see them until July at the earliest. They are going to have a great time. We'll be hearing stories for months to come. :)
At the end of the month, my only nephew turns 1! I can't believe it. Marshall's mom's side of the family is about to welcome another grandbaby this year. He should be born within the next 2 weeks. I will have a new little cousin born in October on my Thiele side. Babies, babies--it's not to think about them. Marshall and I have decided that if we've achieved our list of goals by the time I turn 26, we'll start get the ball rolling on the kiddos. Big smiley face.
Monday, April 18, 2011
No Cap & Gown
Marshall has decided that getting a college degree is not in his best interest. I know, I gasped too. He is dissatisfied with how his science classes are taught and structured. He also realized that he does not like the concept of a degree plan. Marshall has decided that getting a degree is beneficial for someone who wants to get a job working for somone else. That is not my husband. He has already started up his own small business, and desires to be self-employed making inventions. The solution? Lessen the school work load by taking classes that Marshall can't learn from a book, and invest more time in the projects he's committed to for his business. He has three more semesters--fall, spring, fall 2012--before his GI Bill (and stipend) are all used up. He's interested in taking mostly communication courses, which will greatly benefit him. Going to college will still be his "job;" however, he will not have enough credit, or the specific courses, to earn a degree. I'm very excited that Marshall may be getting done with school earlier than we originally planned. As long as we live in Texas, he will always get free tuition (military thing), so if down the road he does need a degree, he can go back and get it. I support my husband in whatever endeavor he believes will make him successful and our family prosper. This is one of them.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Sleep Speed and Family
I woke from a dream and started sneezing. I went to bed an hour early because I needed to get up at 5:30 instead of 6:15 to take my neighbor to the airport. When I woke up and saw that it was 3:40am, I thought, "Sweet, another 2 hours to go," but for some reason my body is up. Not my eyes mind you; they still feel a bit droopy.
I'm up so I might as well blog. The most recent activity in the Reeske household is that Marshall signed up for a speed reading course at TSU. It is for three hours on Wednesday nights for four weeks. Marshall came home yesterday after his first class and was stoked. He was very impressed with this comprehension level score of 85% and by the end of class, he clocked himself at reading 838 words per minute. This all started last week when he went to a free intro seminar for the course and was quite intrigued. He wanted to do this all on his own, and he's really excited.
Over the past couple of weeks I've been working on painting our porch, which includes the ceiling, door, door frame and trim. It's looking great. I finished up the blue trim last night, so today after work I am going to remove the tape, which has been protecting the areas I don't want painted. I really wanted the porch completed before Marshall's dad Jeff arrives on Saturday to spend part of the weekend with us.
I talked to Bermuda, Marshall's grandmother, on the phone last night as I was cooking dinner and waiting for Marshall to return from school. I wanted to know what she thought about her grandson Jacob and his wife being pregnant with their third child due in May. She hadn't heard about it yet, so it was news to her. I told her she'll have to poke at him and ask, "So, when are you going to give me another great-grandchild?" just to see what he says. I found out in his wife's blog.
Bermuda also shared with me that Marshall's cousin Lindsay, who is studying nursing at BYU-Idaho, is engaged and has a wedding date of 12-21-10. Apparently her fiance is a fantastic fellow, especially in Lindsay's brother Shawn's eyes. They are getting married at the Logan Temple then doing a very small reception nearby. Bermuda was excited because she will be able to attend this wedding, where she couldn't come to ours due to the distance.
Our new customer service rep Emily starts today. I'm excited, and I hope I get to train her, which I probably will. This makes two of us now besides the office manager. More importantly, my chances of getting the day after Thanksgiving off just shot up significantly. Once approved, we'll be spending a 4 day weekend in Cypress with Marshall's parents, whom we haven't seen since the wedding in July.
I'm up so I might as well blog. The most recent activity in the Reeske household is that Marshall signed up for a speed reading course at TSU. It is for three hours on Wednesday nights for four weeks. Marshall came home yesterday after his first class and was stoked. He was very impressed with this comprehension level score of 85% and by the end of class, he clocked himself at reading 838 words per minute. This all started last week when he went to a free intro seminar for the course and was quite intrigued. He wanted to do this all on his own, and he's really excited.
Over the past couple of weeks I've been working on painting our porch, which includes the ceiling, door, door frame and trim. It's looking great. I finished up the blue trim last night, so today after work I am going to remove the tape, which has been protecting the areas I don't want painted. I really wanted the porch completed before Marshall's dad Jeff arrives on Saturday to spend part of the weekend with us.
I talked to Bermuda, Marshall's grandmother, on the phone last night as I was cooking dinner and waiting for Marshall to return from school. I wanted to know what she thought about her grandson Jacob and his wife being pregnant with their third child due in May. She hadn't heard about it yet, so it was news to her. I told her she'll have to poke at him and ask, "So, when are you going to give me another great-grandchild?" just to see what he says. I found out in his wife's blog.
Bermuda also shared with me that Marshall's cousin Lindsay, who is studying nursing at BYU-Idaho, is engaged and has a wedding date of 12-21-10. Apparently her fiance is a fantastic fellow, especially in Lindsay's brother Shawn's eyes. They are getting married at the Logan Temple then doing a very small reception nearby. Bermuda was excited because she will be able to attend this wedding, where she couldn't come to ours due to the distance.
Our new customer service rep Emily starts today. I'm excited, and I hope I get to train her, which I probably will. This makes two of us now besides the office manager. More importantly, my chances of getting the day after Thanksgiving off just shot up significantly. Once approved, we'll be spending a 4 day weekend in Cypress with Marshall's parents, whom we haven't seen since the wedding in July.
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