Scooter Savings Update...

Here is an estimated breakdown of the scooter savings so far:

Scooter:
2404 kilometers = 1494 miles.

1494 miles / 80 mpg = 18.675 gallons

18.675 gallons x $3.80 (estimated average) a gallon = $70.96 total gas expense


Truck Equivalent:
1494 miles / 22 mpg = 67.91 gallons

67.91 gallons x $3.80 a gallon = 258.09 total gas expense


Cost Difference:

$55/month (monthly payment) x 3 months = $165

$165 + $70.96 = $235.96 (total scooter cost)

So, as of right now, riding the scooter has saved me $23 dollars, over 3 months. So, imagine after I get it paid off! It will save me about $700 a year in fuel expense! That is worth having, if you ask me! So, the scooter was a good investment.

Mound Tour, Small piece of Ohio History

Marshall told me about the mounds of Ohio that Indians originally used for living. He asked if I would like go to and, being a history buff, I said sure!

I am not going to put all of the information on my blog, I am just gonna link each mound to Marshalls blog and you can view the information there!

It was a fun time! It was very interesting to see the mounds and it was a beautiful day. It was worth the time!



Mound Tour, Day 4 (The only day I was able to go)

Tarleton Cross Mound - Interesting mound itself, although not that impressive to look at.

Mound City Group - This one was the best group of mounds, by far!

Adena Mansion and Gardens - This is the spot where the Great Seal of the State of Ohio gets the insignia. I don't understand why they put the emphasis on the seal, instead of the state. Shouldn't it be the Seal of the Great State of Ohio?? Food for thought!

Hopewell Mound Group - This took us on a LONG walk around the mounds, only to find out that after about 2 miles, that the mounds were no longer there, just the imprints of where they used to be. It was a good day for a walk though!

Siep Mound Earthworks - This Mound was HUGE! There are pics to show the size of this mound. I looked so small in comparison.

Story Mound - A mound, literally, in the middle of Chillocothe.

Great Seal State Park - Once again, the Great Seal... hrm?!? We think there is misinformation on the plaqard. I am looking into it!

So, overall, it was a great trip. It was a beautiful day and I got to see parts of Ohio that I had not seen yet. Take a look at the pics! Leave some comments!

Trip to Niagara Falls

Jeremy and I both had the weekend off, so after some searching online for some good deals on hotels, we decided to go to Niagara Falls.



Truth be told, we both had never been to Canada and we didn't know what to expect. Its not that far of a drive. It only took us 5 hours to get there. Considering we had to drive thru the border and stop at 2 toll roads, the drive was not bad at all.

We get to the hotel. Jeremy decided to stay in a nice hotel for a change instead of the Motel 6 type places we normally stay. So, we splurged and stayed in The Embassy Suites, on the 34th floor, overlooking the Canadian and American Falls. It was a beautiful view from the room.

Pics are posted below to browse thru.


On Friday, we ate at "The Keg" restaurant that was in the hotel. It was a good dinner. I had tiger shrimp with rice pilaf. It was very yummy.

On Saturday, we did the toursity stuff. We went onto the "Maid of the Mist" and actually went INTO the Canadian Falls. We got a view of the American Falls as well, but the Canadian Falls are the real attraction.

After we did that, we went on a walk to look at the "whirlpool." The further along we got, the more we realized that 5km is quite a ways to walk! We were told that we could go down to the whirlpool by going up the road to the Totem Pole Park and walk down to the Whirlpool itself. It was supposed to be a 40 minute walk, there and back. Well, after going down the 6 flights of stairs and walking for about 20 minutes, we were no where close and the trail was POORLY designed, so we turned back.

Overall, it was a great trip, but in the end, its just water falling over the edge of a cliff, LOTS of water! It was beautiful, but next time, we are going straight to Toronto!

Friends: Why they are here.

Most of the time, I don't think that people look at their friends with the same kind of love and admiration that I think I do. I love my friends just as much as I love my family. In a lot of instances, my friends are my family.

When I left Arkansas, I left a lot of friends behind and I miss them terribly. I find myself just sitting at my desk, wondering what they are doing and how they are doing. Dax, Tiger, Veronica, Danielle, Brett, Tara, Casey, Warren, Chris, Brett, Gary, and so on.

I have gained a lot of new friends here in Columbus. I have found a few that I really feel that I have come to know and they are going to be some of my best friends. I have found a few that the more I get to know, the more I want to know better. They are just good people. I meet new people every day and its a great part about being in a new city. I only hope over time, these people still remain my friends.

One good thing is that my best friend Karrie lives here now. She is the greatest and I love her. My other best friend Josh is here and thankfully he keeps me sane. Whether it be by medicated alcohol or listening to me on a hard day, I know they are my best friends. Marshall is getting close... not quite there yet!

I just felt like blogging a tribute to my friends. I have been on an emotional roller coaster today and wanted to do it while I was thinking about it.

The Hardest Part of My Job...

I am in HIV Prevention. I am going to come into contact with people who have HIV. I am going to come into contact with people who do not. I am going to come into contact with those who believe that they cannot get it as well as those who believe it is inevitable for infection to occur. I can handle all of that. I do both testing and counseling and for the most part, I can handle that too...

The hardest part of my job is telling someone who is just starting their life, that they are infected with HIV. I had a twenty year old guy come in today and I had to give him the unfortunate news that he was infected. I don't know why the younger guys give me the most grief, but I have given results to older guys and it doesn't affect me as much.

I know HIV is not the "death" sentence that it once was, but it still ensures the people who are infected hardships that we cannot imagine, as people who are not infected. People's lives change in almost every aspect due to that one thing I have to tell them during the testing period. It is such a humbling experience. It puts reality into perspective when compared.

I don't feel sorry for people infected with HIV, but at the same time, I do. It is a double edge sword that I have to deal with. Bad decisions lead to mistakes and that, unfortunately, is what it is... a mistake. Due to that mistake, people who are infected are treated so badly...

I love my job and the work that I do, but having to do that is the hardest part of my job.