kyle and esmy sittin' in a tree...

36 hours out...

2008-09-11T12:35:00.003-05:00

This should be exciting!

what month is it?

2008-03-05T07:19:00.002-06:00

Look next to "WLFI." Yes, that's the local tv station where we're at. COME ON! It's March 5! 5 inches of snow in March? Seriously.

God sure has a sense of humor--sending us to a place that gets over twice as much snow as they average in our first winter.

indiana likes ethanol, i don't

2008-02-14T12:14:00.003-06:00

As you may or may not know, I have begun research into alternative solar cell materials for ultra-high efficiency concentrator cells (a lot of words, I know, just read as "Kyle likey the sun"). With this research, I have begun keeping track more of what's going in the alternative energies arena, and what's making the news regarding our global energy situation both now and in the future.

Well, I just thought I'd post up a link to a blog article that gives a stark look at the realties of ethanol production. The government says it's going to save the world, but as you might have guessed, politicians aren't scientists. Suffice it to say the following:

1) the net power generated from producing ethanol may be 0, or close to it, meaning the power put in to make the stuff is the nearly the same as what you get out
2) ethanol is made from an edible food (the article makes a reference to a full tank of ethanol could have provided enough grain to sustain a person for a year)
3) I like progress in any area of renewable energy, but my definition of progress is moving forward, not backward

Here's the article:
http://i-r-squared.blogspot.com/2008/02/unintended-consequences.html

Enjoy!

PS. don't tell my neighbors I don't like ethanol, they may flog me with corn husks

seriously, this is colder

2008-01-20T07:39:00.000-06:00

So my last post got all freaked out about our low of 2 degrees, but this is all new point to freakout about -- not only is it 0 degrees (feels like -15), but it's SUNNY outside. Coming from Texas, I thought the point of the sun was to WARM the earth!! Something is seriously wrong here!

[yes, I do realize that the earth is tilted and that during the winter the northern hemisphere is further away from the sun, but I'm ignoring that point for the sake of freakingout]

seriously, this is cold

2008-01-02T05:19:00.000-06:00

Yes, that is 2 degrees F, with a wind chill of -15!! Beat that Houston!

i'm workin here

2007-12-25T16:17:00.000-06:00

So one of my goals over Christmas break was to find an easy way to publish some of our pictures for all of you to see, and lo it has been completed! Though I am as weary of Google as the next guy, given that they're lined up for global domination and all, the fact is that they make really great software that is easier than any I've used, and it's all free (which may be the best part). For photos (and even videos) they have a program called Picasa, which allows for easy indexing, searching, editing, cropping, emailing, publishing, buying prints, and a lot more. With a google online account you get 1 GB of free space to put up photo galleries, and that's just what I've done.

To check out what's up you can either go to:
www.picasaweb.google.com/coupleofragamuffins
or
www.acoupleofragamuffins.com/photosvideos.html

With these galleries you're free to download and buy hi-res prints from any online printer you like (I recommend Shutterfly).

Happy Christmas and a merry New Year to all!

i can finally actually dream of a white christmas

2007-12-18T10:23:00.000-06:00

This past weekend we got a boatload of snow dumped on us, and by boatload I mean about 11". Once again, we were mesmerized, flabergasted, intrigued, and curious all at once. But nonetheless, it's just about what you might expect -- really cold, flaky, light (but heavy when you're shoveling it), and cumbersome to drive in.

Here's some pictures of our winter wonderland:

yes, that's us, and yes, our boots are covered in snow

if you take a look at the bottom of the window you can see our cats doing their best to play mind tricks on the curious squirrel (click on the picture to see a bigger version)

yes, I had to shovel all that snow from behind our car

that would be Esmeralda's foot in the foot of snow

snow-licious

Esmeralda's first snow angel (I did one too)

it might be a little difficult pedaling these around

a before shot of our entryway

an after shot (yes, I shoveled it myself, thank you)

a skit that says so much

2007-12-15T13:36:00.000-06:00

This song may be a little dated (I remember it from high school), but the lyrics, along with this skit are powerful.

Check it out:

"Everything" by Lifehouse

when the weather outside is frightful

2007-12-05T07:52:00.000-06:00

Yes, see that Honda CR-V there, the one with the spare tire mounted on back? Yep, that's our car....covered in SNOW!! Sorry to those of you who don't really know Esmeralda and I, but this is a first for us, being from Texas and all.

Luckily, Esmeralda and I both take the bus to get where we have to go, so I wasn't out there at dawn to clear it off (thank you small town).

And, so, I know that we've pretty much NEVER updated this blog, especially after having moved 1000 miles across the country, but what can I say? I guess things have just been a bit busy, what with graduate school and settling in here and all. Really though, we're doing very well, surviving the cold, and nearly done with this semester.

But for now, I leave with a picture of my beautiful wife, trying not to freeze.

what can i say? my nephew is cuter than yours

2007-06-22T05:27:00.001-05:00

Well, he does have the family genes!

guide for mentors

2007-06-14T10:34:00.001-05:00

A very insightful read for anyone in the research community:

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v447/n7146/full/447791a.html

(rather long though, so set aside some time)

hybrid, anyone?

2007-04-22T16:28:00.000-05:00

Interested in a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid? View details here.

moving cars

2007-04-22T16:16:00.000-05:00

Say hello to our new car, a lovely 2000 Honda CR-V SE. Sleek, nice interior space, good mileage for the year, hardly a scratch on the exterior or interior (black leather), and a great deal (paid off my Xterra that we traded in, and paid a fair price for the vehicle)!

Though it may not have been our first choice (a 2007 CR-V would be really nice) it is definitely one that fits our tight soon-to-be-student budget, and should work well for the time we need it (but considering Hondas can last up to and past 300,000 miles, we may be able to use it for quite a while).

We're selling Esmeralda's Civic Hybrid ourselves, and we'll post up a link to an ad I made soon.

and away we go

2007-04-18T07:51:00.000-05:00

So, does this university campus aerial shot look familiar? Here's a hint -- it's not in Texas, they actually get snow here!

For all of you who don't know your university campuses very well, this is the great Purdue University, home of the Boilermakers, and soon to be home of Esmeralda and myself! That's right, our decision is made on grad school and we'll be making our pilgrimage to W. Lafayette, Indiana in mid-August. Though we are a bit bewildered at having to move 1000 miles away from the place we've called home for most our lives (Esmeralda was in FL for a couple of years), we're certain that God has led us in this new direction. Having been at Wilcrest Baptist Church for 10+ years myself, I knew it was only a matter of time before God called us out to be missionaries (not missionaries in the sense of a job, but in the sense of being God's children in this world) in a place we do not know.

While there, I will be working towards a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, hopefully doing some research here in developing new semiconductor devices or microwave circuits -- I'm a little unsure of the exact research I want to do, but I'll let you know once I figure that out! I've also tossed around the idea of pursuing a PhD while I'm there, but I won't need to decide that until after the first semester or two.

In the meantime, we're working on finding Esmeralda a job up there and selling as much stuff as we can, since we might be staying the family housing, which is just a tad bit smaller than what we have now (or should I say about 200 sq ft smaller). Also, if you're interested in buying a 2003 Nissan Xterra (5-speed manual) or 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, let me know, since ours are for sale (we need only 1 car when we go, and something cheaper than what we have now, but not with a manual transmission)!

free music Monday

2007-03-19T08:04:00.000-05:00

City of Refuge...
Clear...
Get it now..

FOR FREE!

aiding Africa

2007-03-19T07:34:00.000-05:00

In roaming through the few blogs that I read last week, I came across an article that discusses the truths behind all the major media campaigns for financial aid for Africa.

Though I am no expert in what the needs of Africa really are, I do think this writer brings up some good points. First, the whole idea that the major campaigns seek to make the sacrifice on us the individual to be as little as possible (a clear contradiction to what we're called to as Christians). Second, marketers even sulk to using consumerism to drive some of the fund raising (so, we buy more crap in order to feel good about feeding starving kids in Africa). And third, money is not the solution for all of Africa's problems (imagine that)! Yes, it seems that the billions of dollars of foreign aid over the last 40 years has done little to bring about real change. Not because the African people couldn't use the money, but rather that those in power chose to take most of the money themselves, leaving the uneducated, needy lower class to fend for themselves.

So, guess who is really doing the most effective work in Africa? Christian Missionaries! Imagine that -- the one group that the government and media would most like to shut off from the mainstream is the one group who is making a significant difference.

The sad part is that the major funders, like Bill Gates, Bono, and, most recently, Warren Buffet, will probably never give a dime of their money to any Christian relief group like World Vision.

Sorry if I sound a bit pessimistic. I'm not saying that Bono, Gates and others cut off their funding, but they may want to be a little more careful with knowing where that money is going.

[update 4/18/07]
after reading over this post again, I realize I sound really harsh towards the mega-fund raising going on for Africa -- and I know it's easy for me to rant and rave about what is not going right, and ignore all that is going right. True, even if only 1/10th of what gets raised is ending up where it is needed, then of course it is worth it. I only hope that each of us can be diligent in two areas: 1) not relying on some big hyped gimmick sort of event to make us aware of the world's plight, and 2) that we do give freely to those organizations that are making a big impact, like World Vision and Compassion International.

Charlie the Unicorn

2007-03-05T08:29:00.000-06:00

So, some of you may think this is a bit stupid.............but, I personally found it pretty hilarious!

You can thank Shaun Groves for sharing this with me!

Work, school, and Lewis

2007-03-02T07:53:00.000-06:00

You know, when I first started this blog for Esmeralda and I, I really thought I was going to have so much to say, to tell the world all about what I think....

then realities of working, planning for grad school, and establishing a "married" routine came full force, and so I've been otherwise occupied. My oldest brother, Ryan, could surely attest to the difficulties in keeping blogs going (he's started and stopped about three, I think).

So, though I'm fairly certain that there are only a couple of people out there who will actually ever see this blog again, I figured I'd go ahead and keep it up just to post an occasional rant or two!

Good news though -- I've been accepted to 2 of the 6 grad schools I applied to. I should hear from the rest in the next couple of weeks. I visited one last weekend, and am planning another visit at the end of March to another. This whole process has been rather arduous, and both Esmeralda and I will be quite happy once the decision is made and we're on our way! (of course then will be the time for me to prove whether or not I'm really worthy to be a grad student!)

Work......not much has changed there.

My birthday was a week ago and I managed to received a collection of books that should keep me busy for some time. From the collective works of John Calvin, to the 7 Habit of Highly Effective Living by Stephen Covey (which strangely I first heard about from my 9th grade Health teacher), to Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis -- I've got a myriad of readings.

I'm starting now with Mere Christianity and A Year with C.S. Lewis (a daily reading of various works of his). After having been turned off by Lewis some years ago, simply by what I thought to be "difficult language", I am now rather intrigued by his writings (what a difference several years makes). Although I've only read the Preface to Mere Christianity, I am rather turned on to the logic that Lewis exhibits. I mean, he spends the entire Preface simply laying out the "rules" that he went by in writing this book (such as writing on the basis of Christianity, without any attention given to specific denominational disagreements).

If anyone is actually out there reading this, feel free to drop a comment to let me know what's going on with you!

pictures galore

2007-01-22T09:21:00.000-06:00

Finally, one more step in the long wedding-cleanup process is complete! We've put our wedding pictures online for all to see through Shutterfly.com, though you will need our super secret password to get in. Just send me an email, and I will give it to you (assuming that I actually know you).

You will find some there from the rehearsal, the ceremony, as well as the reception (including many cuts of our amazing first dance -- my wife is sooo good!).

I'll leave this entry with other note -- that as of last Friday I completed all my graduate applications (six in all)! Applications are submitted online, and the extra materials are in the mail, so now we just wait and see.

Yipee!

-Kyle

and we breathe a sigh of relief

2006-12-05T09:30:00.000-06:00

Well, there you have it, folks, a look back at our awesome wedding on November 11! Sorry it's been a while for me to write back in, but there was much to do in the final days leading up to the wedding, then we were gone for a couple of weeks on the lovely honeymoon, and now we're trying to get settled in together in our one-bedroom apartment, and that's not to mention the work I've been franticly doing to get my grad school apps together! Busy times, but very exciting times nonetheless. For those of you who made it out to the wedding, we do appreciate your coming out and hope you had as much fun (or close to it) as we did! We thought it was pretty sweet and we felt blessed by the hand of God, which no doubt was working to get all the details to line up. We also want to especially thank the wonderful attendants, musicians, pastor, coordinators, parents, siblings, dance instructor, and all others who helped in last minute details (like putting together the programs).

-kyle

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head

2006-10-16T10:01:00.000-05:00

Houston weather is so fickle. Constantly changing -- not just from day to day, but from hour to hour! It's lightly raining; then it's sunny; then there's a major thunderstorm that knocks off the power; then it's cold (meaning below 70 degrees F); and then, back to normal - at a balmy 85 degrees! Anyway, just thought I'd comment on that given the constant on again / off again rain showers we have for about a solid week now.

So, good news -- Esmeralda and I are STILL getting married!! Yipee!! That's right, we're down to only 26 days remaining, and I'm pretty sure we're both set on seeing this thing called marraige through (for those who may not really know us, that's a bit of a joke). Yes, yes, less than a month -- and still much to do! Let's see, we have to print and put together the wedding programs, take our engagement and bridal pictures, frame those pictures, attend a shower this Saturday, finish up material for our "surprise", keep on dancing, practice music for the ceremony, meet with DJ, and finalize reception details -- among other things relating to work, grad schools, and general mental health!

BUT -- it's good nonetheless, and I'm sure at the end of it all, we'll say it was all well worth it.

I just hope the make up artist can do some good things for the bags under our eyes!

55 days...what? guess it's time to get started

2006-09-17T17:17:00.000-05:00

So, it is only 55 short days until our wedding. So, what have we been doing lately? Oh, just about everything, and then some. You see, in addition to reaching crunch time for finalizing ceremony and reception details, comtemplating where to take pictures, coming up with cash for final vendor payments, finalizing guest lists, assembling invitations, taking dance lessons, and starting work on our 'ceremony surprise' - we've had a couple of significant changes going on in our lives.

First off, Esmeralda just started a new accounting job last Monday, which is going to be great experience in the 'real world' of accounting, but entails a step up in the number of hours she'll be working (which, as I hear, really goes hand in hand with the 'real world accounting'). I think her excitment for getting into something new (and something that really makes use of that degree she has) is coupled with a slight fear of not having enough time to get things done for the wedding - and naturally so!

Secondly, I have been frantically studying for the GRE, with plans of applying to engineering grad schools by the end of this year (for Fall 2007 enrollment). With the studying comes researching programs, narrowing down schools, making contact with professors, trying to find what I'd like to focus my studies on, etc. etc. All this has been a bit overwhelming at times, but we're confident that God will open the doors necessary to get us wherever we need to be.

Yes, much to do, much to do. But that's fine, we're tough, we're survivors - and plus, we do have the creator of the universe on our side. I think that sort of trumps all!

the website of all websites

2006-09-07T01:50:00.000-05:00

Well, I've finally managed to get the full website up (www.acoupleofragamuffins.com). Sorry I couldn't get more up to start with, but I do plan to make updates over the coming months and year - for now wedding and life planning have taken precedent.

Let me know what you think!

less than 3 months and counting

2006-08-15T14:43:00.000-05:00

So, as many of you may know, and as I mentioned in the previous post, Esmeralda and I are getting married on November 11. Yes, just shy of three months away! Wow, what can I say?! Our lives are about to change in a really dramatic, exciting, fun, and fulfilling kind of way. Are we looking forward to it? Hands down - yes! I know for me, it's not only great knowing that I have someone to share the rest of my life experiences with - someone who can now be a constant witness to what God does in my life - but it's also great that I no longer have to "be on the lookout" for that special girl, I've now found what I was looking for! The great search is over. As my pastor pointed out to us once, guys tend to view events as individual targets, goals, or hurdles - whereas women tend to have a more big-picture sort of perspective. So - I know I do run the risk of viewing getting married as just one more target I reached, thereby moving on to the next thing, and neglecting my beautiful, sweet, amazing wife - BUT, since I've conciously recognized that fact, I don't plan to look at it that way.

Anyway, I sort of got onto a tangent with that, and now I feel a bit naked having begun to lay out some inner thoughts, but that's OK, perhaps it will help some engaged guy you know or something.

Lots of details left to go, lots of dancing to be learned, and lots of changes to prepare for.

Until next time...

dawn of a new era

2006-08-07T19:09:00.000-05:00

Greetings everyone! This is indeed the dawning of a new era, for myself, and my soon to be wife, Esmeralda. In addition to throwing up a website of our own, we thought we'd add our names to the scores of other bloggers on the "internet," a fast-growing fad. I didn't really expected the whole 'world wide web' thing to work out, but it seems to be doing pretty good, so I figured we would make ourselves a part of it as well.

Happy reading, and commenting.

Oh yeah, we get married November 11, so get ready! It will be delicious.