Since 2009 is coming to a close, I thought I’d reflect on what I achieved throughout the year.
1. I bought my first home in April of 2009. This is a big achievement for me. It’s a 3 bedroom, 1 den, 2 1/2 bath house. I have a huge front yard on a corner lot. The backyard isn’t so small either. This was a foreclosed home, and it was on the market for a few months with no offers. I think I was the only offer on the house. The house didn’t need much work done to it. I had to have the upstairs bathroom floor and tub replaced due to water damage, but that was it. I still need to finish replacing the power receptacles in 2 bedrooms, the den, and the bathrooms.
I’m also working on plans to build an addition on top of the garage for a bonus room/home theatre. That will probably include moving the upstairs bathroom, the furnace closet, and possibly the stairs. A friend of mine is going to work on a couple different plans for it. I’m already saving up for the work. I’m guessing it might cost upwards of $30-50k. It seems like a lot of money, but it will definitely add value to the house.
2. On May 1st, I hit my 2 year mark at Chevron, becoming a Operator Trainee 3. I love working at the refinery, and am happy I landed such a great career. In May I’ll become a full Operator. I started working at Chevron Richmond Refinery in May 2007. The business unit I work at is RLOP (Richmond Lube Oil Plant). We have 4 outside jobs, which includes 6 different plants. I already have 3 outside jobs under my belt.
I’m not sure what my career goals at the refinery are yet, but I’ve got at least 30 years to go. I’ve got plenty of time to think of that.
I’m also on the fire brigade at the refinery. I only train a couple times a year, and I get to help out when there’s an emergency. We don’t have many fires or spills anymore, which is a good thing. I’m content with the training and the occasional helping hand to the department.
3. I’ve been working on my 26 gallon planted aquarium since about March or so. I started it with too few plants, so the tank didn’t really take off all that well. I recently ordered a bunch of new plants, so the tank is now heavily planted. I’m still battling a few different types of algae, but hope to rid myself of it soon. Right now I have 7 neon tetras, 4 blue mystery snails, 3 Chinese algae eaters, and a bunch of plants. I plan on getting 3 more neon tetras, 4 nerite snails, and 5 or 6 otocinclus. I also use dry fertilizers for the plants. I have a whole regiment for it.
After I set up my 20 gallon shrimp tank early next year, I’d love to get a 100 gallon tank. I figure the more tanks I have, the happier I’ll be.
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