I have been challenged to blog by a fellow blogger...when she blogs, I have to also. She hasn't yet, but I felt like writing so I win. :)
It has been a long time since my last post...more than 4 months actually. Hard to believe that I have almost been at my 'new' job for 5 months now. Time really flies.
Not much new has happened in the five months. I'm definitely starting to get used to the idea of being in Bismarck and not being so set on figuring out a way to get back to Fargo. Bismarck is growing on me. It's a quiet, older town...there is less to do... but when I really want excitement I can always head back to Fargo. Most of my friends are now graduated and have started to scatter. It's amazing to think that it has been 5 years since I walked into NDSU, and now I have a degree and a 'real' job. It's been exciting watching us all grow up and seeing where life leads each one of us.
Update on high points of the past 5 months? Nothing really exciting sadly. Ran my first half marathon in May in Fargo. I set my goal high, hoping to finish in 1 hour and 40 minutes; and even though it rained the first 5 miles and then got really humid for the remainder of the race I was able to run the race in 1:41:20. It felt great to accomplish it, but what was even more humbling was watching the rest of the racers finish. There were people of all shapes and sizes. Much applause goes out to those who might be laughed at for trying it. The dedication was amazing. I've already signed up for several more races this year, likely to include at least one more half marathon. I don't think I will ever feel the full...but we will see.
Well I've written quite a bit tonight already so I will continue my update at a later date. . . hate to write everything in one post. . . especially with this bet going. Have a good night world.
"...Let us run with perseverance, the race that is set before us..." Hebrews 12:1 (printed on the back of the finishers medal at the Fargo Marathon)
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
About Me
I just got back from a five mile run and felt motivated to write in my blog (finally)! Since this blog was created to keep in touch with friends everyone who reads this should know me, but for those of you who don't, I'm Charles and I just moved away from my peeps in Fargo to take a job with the state of North Dakota in Bismarck.
What I do:
My title in the position I was hired for is Plant Protection Specialist, sounds important. So what do I do? Well I'm slowly learning that, but the main dealings of my job are with the state Nursery Program and Export Certification. Within the nursery program, there are growers and dealers. Dealers just sell nursery products (woody plants; trees & shrubs) whereas growers are actually growing it. The growers all need to be inspected once per growing season to ensure the consumer is getting a good product. Dealers are also inspected to ensure that they are marketing product suitable for our state and is also being taken care of.
Export Certification is a complicated matter that may take me a very long time to master. Anything that leaves the state to go to another country must be issued a phyto (short for phytosanitary certificate) ensuring the importer that the product is of highest standard. So we have to get together all the paperwork and issue these; which sometimes involves doing inspection of the product to be exported.
Today we can officially say that we are moved in to our new location by the BSC campus. The space in the capitol was just too small for us. It been a very interesting and stressful move but hopefully we can all get organized even though some of the desk and file cabinets won't be in for 3-4 weeks yet.
As for outside of work, I found a 2-bedroom apt that you all have to come visit me to see and will probably be wanting a roommate at some point since it is expensive to live in Bismarck....not as much apartment competition as in Fargo. I'm happy with it and its only about a 5 minute drive to work. I seem to be figuring out my way around this town.
For those of you I haven't told yet, I am officially registered to run the half marathon in this year's Fargo Marathon on May 22...not sure if I can do it but my 5 miles tonight have made that thought a little easier.
Well, I better stop writing and save something for next time...maybe I'll blog about my American Idol predictions...so far, I've been exactly right!!
Laterz
What I do:
My title in the position I was hired for is Plant Protection Specialist, sounds important. So what do I do? Well I'm slowly learning that, but the main dealings of my job are with the state Nursery Program and Export Certification. Within the nursery program, there are growers and dealers. Dealers just sell nursery products (woody plants; trees & shrubs) whereas growers are actually growing it. The growers all need to be inspected once per growing season to ensure the consumer is getting a good product. Dealers are also inspected to ensure that they are marketing product suitable for our state and is also being taken care of.
Export Certification is a complicated matter that may take me a very long time to master. Anything that leaves the state to go to another country must be issued a phyto (short for phytosanitary certificate) ensuring the importer that the product is of highest standard. So we have to get together all the paperwork and issue these; which sometimes involves doing inspection of the product to be exported.
Today we can officially say that we are moved in to our new location by the BSC campus. The space in the capitol was just too small for us. It been a very interesting and stressful move but hopefully we can all get organized even though some of the desk and file cabinets won't be in for 3-4 weeks yet.
As for outside of work, I found a 2-bedroom apt that you all have to come visit me to see and will probably be wanting a roommate at some point since it is expensive to live in Bismarck....not as much apartment competition as in Fargo. I'm happy with it and its only about a 5 minute drive to work. I seem to be figuring out my way around this town.
For those of you I haven't told yet, I am officially registered to run the half marathon in this year's Fargo Marathon on May 22...not sure if I can do it but my 5 miles tonight have made that thought a little easier.
Well, I better stop writing and save something for next time...maybe I'll blog about my American Idol predictions...so far, I've been exactly right!!
Laterz
Friday, February 19, 2010
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