Job Interview

So this last monday I had a job interview at Loma Linda and to be honest it went great!!! I never had an interview besides working at The Grove where I could fully disclose my faith. It was great interview process where I interviewed with 3 different people back to back to back for about 2 hours. It was a long process but an interesting and fun process...

The nurse manager for the unit of 8100 and 8200 (Neuro-surgical/Trauma and Step Down) said that I had the personality for 8100 and that is a good thing being that it is probably the hardest unit to be on next to the ER at Loma Linda...just up my ally!!!

I will find out if I made the cut next week. In the mean time I have been spreading out my applications from San Diego to Portland, Or. I just want a job to compliment all of this crap I have in my head now that I can't seem to get rid of ;-) Now that I have time to blog you will get updates on this prospective job!!
Peace

Ummm...Hello...Anyone There???

I now have time to blog again!! My first update...I am a graduate of California Baptist University's School of Nursing!!
Let that soak in for those who really know the struggle I have been through. God is SOOOoooo good!

Please Welcome To The Blog Family...

...one of my favorite graduates from The Overflow Emma Pidgeon. This is a girl that knows who she is and is willing to find out more about herself in a real way. Please go to her blog and welcome her to the real internet...give her some love yo!!!

Go To Emma's Blog

Big Props To Mo Val Police!!!

So...I went to bed early this evening around 10:00pm only to be woken up by our upstairs neighbors at around 12;30am. A little background about our upstairs neighbors: They are typical bros not living typical lives. They have a typical bachelor pad...kind of. Not many bachelor pads have a 124 inch projection screen with a projector in their little apartment for playing the Wii and Playstation 3 (One day they were playing Guitar Hero: My Name Is Jonas over and over again to get a perfect score...on 5.1 dolby digital surround sound...coming through the walls). Anyways...they were nice guys...a little too nice.

Very respectful and they tried to be mindful of the fact that Audrey needs to sleep and that we appreciate quiet. But always a bit to respectful. They had people over all the time...at weird hours...but the thing that tipped me off...was the vacuuming at 2 am or 4:30am. They vacuumed around the clock...now...i'm not a smart man but they stopped fooling holly and I when we heard the random vacuuming consistently. We said to ourselves, each other, and some friends of ours...DRUG DEALERS!!! Living in downtown Riverside our first 2 years of marriage gave us some street smarts...being that we lived across from a Meth Lab. Yeah that eventually blew up!

It turns out that at 12:30am this morning, the Mo Val Police thought the same thing. All 3 guys are now in state prison. It is a sad thing to because one of the guys...the main guy, has a beautiful little girl that just turned 4. In fact, they made banana splits the other day for her birthday.

Just when I was trying to get to know them...well now we wait for new neighbors.

Tickle Your Ears...Amendment...

The credit for discovering Pandora.com goes to my lovely wife Holly...it is all about her...give her the credit...not me...just her...she discovered it like Al Gore discovered the internet...HOLLY BETH RODRIGUEZ. Please let her know how much she has changed your life ;-) Love ya babe...te he

Tickle Your Ears...

I am sure there are ton of people in blog land that have heard of Pandora but if you have not, go to Pandora. It is awesome. What you do is create "radio stations" of music that sounds like your favorite artist. Pandora will then play music of that genre. If you like what they are playing then you give the song a "thumbs up" and it will add music like that to the algorithm. It is pretty darn good at finding music you like. Try it...you will thank me later!

What a J E R K!!!

You have GOT to see this Olympic video. I could not believe this coach.

Ok let me set the stage for you; The American pole vaulter has only been pole vaulting for 4 years. She won the silver. The chances of her winning the gold were slim because she was going against the best pole vaulter of all time in Yelena Isinbayeva. Yelena has broken the 24 world records in pole vaulting throughout her career. Every time there was a record to break she would break it. This olympics was none different. So for the American, to win silver and only pole vaulting for 4 years is tremendous...now watch...this coach should have his junk cut off...YEAH I SAID IT!! Junk!

Click Here

Another Great

The voice of the TV Show "Shaft" has just passed away at the young age of 65 in Memphis. Isaac Hayes was one bad mother...watch your mouth!!! His voice was smooth as dark chocolate (like 80% Cacao) and he was a smooth dark chocolate of a man. He was also the voice of Chef from South Park...his songs that he sang on that show were classic and so meaningful like "Lay You Down By The Fire." Good stuff...

And Now Your Starting Lineup...

So when I was going through OB/Peds 2 semesters ago, it was a healthy sign that parents had expectations for their children. This meant that the parents were involved in their children. So my healthy expectation of Audrey Lane is to be the first 2nd baseman for the New York Yankees. That position is perfect. She won't have to throw far and I am going to teach her how to hit like Ichiro because he slaps and runs at the ball at the same time...much like in softball. Let's go Yankees...buh buh ba ba buh

Thoughts on my vacation

***Sorry but this post might be long***

I purposefully did not post about my vacation immediately for two reasons: 1. Beca

use I wanted my friends to post about it first and 2. Because I wanted to soak all that happened. All of the conversations, the laughter, the j

oy, What God was doing in my friends lives; I wanted to let it soak in. So my friends here is my trip to Santa Cruz and Salinas.

The trip started with one questions, What was Audrey going to be like tr

aveling? Answer: AMAZING!!! She was a champ. She kept a better schedule in the car than she does at home. What a blessing for me and my sanity.

Our first part of the

 leg was to see Trav and Annette in Santa "hippie" Cruz. As soon as we got there we went to the beach and Trav and I played some wicked games of Volleyball. Loved it. I sucked but I still had some good times. Met some of Trav's friends and just had a great time getting sand in places where I don't want sand. Annette said in a 

post about us going up to visit that it just

 felt normal to be with them, like tim

e has not passed. Like we can just pick up where we left off...i whole heartedly agree. I also got to have some coffee with the Travrista. He taught me how to order St. Arbucks like a man. Good coffee and great conversation we

re had by all. I love the Osborne family soooo much. I feel like we have some much more in common now that we don't have the Overflow as a common denominator. Trying to figure out what God has for us both, the Rodrigos and Osbornes, has brought us closer than I could have imagined. 

And yes Davey loved Audrey and Trav and I are working out the bride price for Audrey's heart. If I can get that out of the way before she reaches 6th grade, my life will be complete. Oh and I KILLED Annette at speed. It was great. The kids were all chanting my name and singing my praises as if taunting Annette. Awesome! It is always sad to leave family. But if all goes well,

 Annette and Trav, puerto rico is in sight!!!

The next leg 

of the trip was to visit more family: The Risingers. I miss my little bro Micah and the people who are like a mom and dad to me, Bill and Patti. It did my heart so much to see where Patti is being an effective Christ follower at Starbucks and to see how Micah has grown both literally and figuratively. Seriously Micah got taller. And then to see Bill's heart for Salina

s...ah...he has so much joy in the fact that God has him right where He wants him, both in the study of the scriptures and turning that into the hands and feet of God. They are another part of the family that you can just pick right up were you leave off. More coffee and more great

 conversations. 

Between Trav and Bill, I got my fill of theological conversation for at least the next 3 months. It was rejuvenating. 

On the way home I got pulled over by the CHP in the grapevine. However, because the Lord, Jesus Christ has blessed me with the gift of NEVER getting a ticket, I did not get a ticket and Holly got to witness that gift first hand. I wasn't even going fast, just the speed of traffic. I just happened to be the last car in the speed of traffic. 

It was sad to leave but we know we will be back to see or family. 

This is what I am reading...

I love N.T. Wright. He is our modern C.S. Lewis with amazing theology all wrapped into one. The man is a poet when he writes and talks and he is freaking brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Anyways I just started reading it and he poses two great questions about Heaven and Hope: "What is the ultimate Christian hope? Second, what hope is there for change, rescue, transformation, new possibilities within the world in the present?" (Wright, 2008, p. 5).

Great question because if one holds true to turn and burn, I have punched my ticket attitude of heaven, then there isn't much hope for those behind and the cosmos we leave...

"But if the Christian hope is for God's new creation, for 'new heavens and new earth,' and if that hope has already come to life in Jesus of Nazareth, then there is every reason to join the two questions together" (Wright, 2008, p. 5).

My mind is blown already...love it!!! Rabbi Bill Risinger stretched me to read stuff that baffles and stretches the mind. This is a book that is going to do that. Pick it up folks, I dare you.

I have been redeemed!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am here to tell you that Apple has cleansed me of the devil and has given me a purpose for reliving my computer life. I have an iMac. I purchased  the 24" 2.4 Ghz duo with 2Gb of memory iMac...MOVE...YOUR WELCOME. In reality, my PC laptop crapped out on me once and that is all it takes for me to make up my mind. HP said they fixed it but my computer has too many files on it to trust it with so I felt it time to make the ultimate switch. I talked to Uber Mac Geniuses, Ian and Jonny Ri, and they helped to baptize me in the river Apple. So all those out there with macs...let's iChat or something...Dan, I'm waiting!!!

HARD!!!

You know what makes it hard to blog...life!!! I have had so much of it for the last 6 weeks. I want to post all of these pictures of Audrey but I don't find the time. why you ask...well. School is winding down so it gets harder which in turn means more work for me to do. I am also creating a class for 3 different semesters in our Nursing program. it will be a review group, class, thingie that does not go directly through CBU. It is taking more work than I thought but it will be worth it...i don't want to kill anyone when I am practicing (by the way...why do we use the term practicing when we are talking about someones life).
Second, and the biggest...AUDREY. I love her so much. She has taught me so much about God and our relation with and to and for Him and mostly about others. She requires so much work and devotion but I love to give it to her.
Third, and the hardest...Holly. I love her, and I know she loves me, but it has been really hard to just be with her and love on her like I used to. As much as I love Audrey, I love Holly more, and I miss my best friend. I'm sure as time goes on we will get better and more consistent as parents but for now...I miss my Mero Chini O (that is Nepalie for Sugar Lips)

Here is a list of what I have been doing though...

1. Hanging with Damien & Jenn O'Farrel and Mark & Erin Phillips. Some good ole friends with like minds about the kingdom of God. They have become family and aunts and uncles to Audrey
   
2. Going to Seminars about Every Thing Must Change. Brian McClaren wrote this book and he held a tour about the book. Holly, Audrey, and I got to go to San Diego for Saturdays seminar. it was good to just be around like minded people that see Christianity for more than just punching a ticket to heaven (the ticket idea might not get one far).
3. Working out again. I took 3 weeks off when Audrey came. It was the best thing for my body. Sometimes you can build bad workout habits and you need a break. When you go back you pretty much have to start over (somewhat) and you get to correct the old habits...find some Christian meaning in that, it's there, I know it is.
4. Reading. I haven't been reading to much, but what I have is changing my life. Our Rabbi Risinger has read, or is reading the same volume set that I have picked up from N.T, Wright. This is not an easy read. I am also reading some books from Brad Young called The Parables and Paul: The Jewish Theologian. Not easy as well...I tend to like dry, hard, intelligent reads. Inspirational reads bore me...I don't know why? Maybe I don't need inspiration, I'm amped enough as it is
5. I am playing music. I have been leading music for First Baptist Church in Riverside for the last 1 1/2 months. They had a need and I filled it. I committed for 4 months and then I will re-evaluate after that. I know that I am not interested in being the "worship guy" but it has been great to teach this small family what I have learned about what "worship" is and IS NOT!!! The teaching has been subversive. It makes me feel like a double agent...he he

So my friends...that is what has been going on in my life...in a nut shell...oh yeah I forgot to mention. Awhile back I told everyone that I made a bet with a one Joshua W. Solorio as to when Audrey would enter into this world. I called him stupid for making the bet with me thinking that Audrey was for sure coming early. Well, she did not. So:

Josh, I humbly apologize, publicly stating that you were right...and I was wrong. I know that this is not the first time, and I am sure this won't be the last time. I am sorry for calling you stupid. I regret any undue harm this might have caused you and your family. Sorry.

SPRING BREAK!!! An Amendment...

The list provided is not in any particular order ;)

SPRING BREAK!!!

So I am on spring break and it couldn't have come at a better time. I'm tired. I'm tired of thinking, or not sleeping because I am studying or taking care of my lovely, beautiful daughter, or I'm tired of being tired.
So what am I going to do you ask...good question.

1. Get new brake pads for the hog
2. mow and feed my lawn
3. sleep
4. read all of my outstanding books. I have been reading a book from Brad Young about The Parables. Great, great insight to Jewish thought about where Jesus was coming from while speaking in parables.
5. Spend some lovely time with my wife and child. Maybe teach Audrey to read and write; or throw a baseball; or just how to be PuertoRican
6. Spontaneity...we will just see!!!

10 days of bliss is just what the doctor ordered.

My Life Has Changed!!!

***Warning: This Is A Long Post***

To all my fans...SORRY for the absolute lack of posts. I suck. I triple dog suck. I have been wanting to post but like RevRock I haven't really wanted to post lately. But due to some life situations I feel it a must to inform and educate you all as to why my life has changed...I AM A FREAKN RICAN DAD!!!

Many of you have seen my initial post that Audrey Lane Rodriguez (Audrigo...thanks for the nickname Mr. TheEpic) was born on Monday, February 25, 2008 at 12:06pm and I haven't been the same since.

Holly was in labor for 32 hours straight with some nice strong contractions. She started her contractions 4:00am on Sunday and they just got stronger as time went on. We went in to Kaiser at around 9:oopm and the contractions just got stronger. Mind you Holly hasn't really slept because even at 4am, her contractions were waking her up every 15mins. She finally got an Epidural and that helped her so much.

Now Audrey was 6.1 lbs and 19 inches long. Even without that information I think the staff knew, and I kind of new that Audrey was probably coming into this world via C-Section. However, that did not stop the staff from being the best staff ever, allowing Holly to give it her all. They exhausted every avenue in trying to have a vaginal delivery. They were so accommodating and understanding. Holly was determined and focused and I am so proud of her for it. After 3 hours of pushing, the staff, Holly, and I came to the decision of a C-Section; 20 mins later Audrey was born. It was completly surreal to hear the cry of God's creation for the first time.

Because Audrey was stuck for 3 hours, she came out with some good looking Caput (Cone Head). So weird...so very weird, that is all I could think. As a student nurse I was pulled in so many directions because I knew the procedure inside and out so I was paying attention to that as well as the Nurse Anesthetist (that is what I want to be) and looking at my baby girl. My senses were on complete overload. It was great!

Even now as I remember everything that went on, I don't have words to describe it all.

We stayed in the hospital for 2 days (standard for a C-Section). That sucked because I had to sleep on a convertible arm chair meant for people who are 5-5. Not only that but we didn't get a room by ourselves. For some reason, everybody in Riverside decided to get a Sinus Infection (this turned into Pneumonia for most people) so they took over the overflow section that was meant for Postpartum patients. But it didn't matter because most of our time was spent learning about Breast Feeding from the Lactation Nurse, or just waiting for Holly to pass gas (passing gas is the official get out of jail card in a hospital).

Holly, of course, recovered at a ridiculous pace. The doctor and nurses were amazed. When they asked if she wanted pain meds she said she didn't need it, she wasn't in pain; mouths dropped. When she started walking around the unit just 6 hours after her surgery, mouths dropped. Pretty much she did a two day recovery in 3/4 of a day.

Going home was another weird feeling. I was going home with a child...my child...forever...?!?

The last two weeks have been such a learning process without sleep. But I wouldn't change it for the world. Audrey has already grown so much, it's ridiculous. She has started to smile and we talk every morning as to what we are going to do today. I usually tell her I'm going to school. She just looks at me.

So what do I get out of this besides a beautiful daughter...more lessons on life and love and a bit more of God's personality. I have prayed every day that God would reveal more of his idea of love, his church, and any other lesson He can teach me. So far he hasn't disappointed.

Well this concludes a seriously long post. I need to blog more I know. It keeps my posts down to a manageable size I know.

More about what is going on at ThePuertoRicanSlant to come...stay tuned!!! Here are some more pictures of the miracle...

3 Generations First Bath She hates being changed...then loves it!













Seriously though...I did not teach her to do this. We were taking pictures last night and this happened...the funniest thing ever!!!

The Little Rodrigo Poll

All of you who thought Audrey would be born 2 weeks before her date was wrong. Sorry. We STILL have no baby. But on Thursday Holly had contractions for one hour straight at 5 mins apart...then they subsided...freak monkey! As I type she has been having contractions since 11:06 AM at 5mins apart...we will see...

There are 3 people left in the running for winner of my little poll; 2 for 1 week away and 1 for 3-4 days away. Who are you...reveal yourselves.

On a side note...I have a $20 bet with one Joshua W. Solorio as to when Audrey will be born. He is stupid and gave me up until her actual due date.

On another little side note...the Osbornes have finally given into greatness and are now Yankees fans. Thank you for raising your kids in the sight of the Lord.

Bad Cat Amps

So since Oct. 31, 2007 my amp has been on the fritz. I bought new tubes but it didn't help. What was happening was that I was overloading the amp with too much power! I didn't want to go all the way to the Disneyland area where I took my amp last time but I didn't know of anywhere else. A friend of mine (Stephan Summers) at CBU took his amp to Bad Cat. If you don't know anything about amps understand that Bad Cat, Divided By 13, and possible Top Hat, are the absolute best in amplification. I called Bad Cat thinking that it would cost too much for my simple Fender to get fixed but the man on the phone, James, was happy to help.
James is the owner/creator/master builder of Bad Cat amps. Today I spent 2 and a half hours with the guy that makes ridiculously sounding amps. It was great. We talked about all things geek. He also took the time to teach me about amps and electrical stuff that i never new existed about the subject. The thing that impressed me about James is that he does not play guitar. So I asked him, if he doesn't play guitar, why make amps...he said he just has a sound that he likes and wants to make that sound. The is brilliant and genuinely nice. His warehouse was filled with all kinds of bad cat amps. He gave me a tour which of course I geeked out on. So many different types of amps it blew my mind.
I know what I want for my graduation present...a Bad Cat...or a Divided By 13; I haven't fully decided.

What's The Latest

Ok so here is the latest as to what is going on in my life. Sorry for the extreme lack of blogs. I really have a ton to blog about but no drive to blog about it lately:

- No FREAKN baby yet...grrr. Seriously, how much more does the baby need to bake in the oven...seriously!
- Lakers on doing great so that makes me happy
- School is amazing. I would never have thought that I would like Mental Health but I do. I could never work mental health but 1 in 4 people in our culture have a mental health issue, so...I need to know how to handle their health issues. I know some of you are like, "No way can it be 1 in 4," but it can. Do not think too drastic when it comes to mental health. Don't stereotype it Hallucinations and Delusions. Anxiety is the #1 Mental Health issue. Makes sense since we live in a ridiculously fast society (I know you get sick of hearing that, but until it changes...it is wicked fast). My teacher this semester is from Scotland (yes he sounds like the father from So I Married An Axe Murder. If you don't know that movie...wow). He is a great guy, super smart, and since he has two doctorates, one in Nursing and one in Forensic Psychology, you get the feeling like everything you do lets him into your personality. It feels like he knows me but I haven't told him anything about my life.
My clinicals are as Patton State Hospital. You have to have committed a felony in order to stay a Patton; that means bad stuff. Even though they have done really, really bad stuff all I can keep thinking about is that they were created in God's image and just like them, I to can cause God heart ache. So they are no different than me.

So that is the latest in my life. I promise I will try to blog more. I think I have just been paralyzed by the amount of stuff going on and I just don't know where to start. It isn't the big stuff, just the everyday normal stuff that I seem to be paying attention to more these days.

Why I Will Always Have A Paying Job As A Nurse

More babies — 4,268,326 — were born in 1961 than during any other year in U.S. history. This was the peak of the post-WWII "baby boom.

I also read that this year the first Baby Boomers will turn 65. They all need care and I'm going to give it to them. That is a ton of people.