at 12/13/09 12:52AM
What can I say? The people I met in India were WONDERFUL! I am looking forward to being home, but leaving my new friends gives me sorrow. They have said they will never forget me and I can say I will never forget them. We worked closely together for over a week bringing the message of water and energy conservation but beyond that, they shared their culture and heritage with me.
There were many other to be sure, but working with Ranjini, Matheen, Subhash, and Gillian from IAPMO/GreenPlumbers India, made a lasting impression on my heart. They overlooked my timidity at being in their country, a country I knew so little about, yet took great interest in my well being, both mentally and physically.
I did not feel like a stranger for long and the only way I knew I was in a country half a world from my home, was the traffic, which unless you have experienced it would not be able to imagine, and the rich variety of foods some so hot it took my breath away. My wish while here was to try the foods I have heard so much about but much of which went untried after a few shocking encounters.
I may write more about my travels later but I hope what I have shared will give you some impression of my time here. Until next time.....
at 09/14/09 6:25PM
GreenPlumbersUSA has made fantastic process in helping Plumbers understand their role in the water energy relationship and conservation related to both. We are recognized in the industry at the same level as organizations with 100 or more years in existence. We are in the right place with the right message and everyone in the trade seems to knows it.
Unfortunately those same people in the trade; plumbers, distributors, and manufacturers are all caught in the same squeeze of just trying to survive in this financial climate. Much of the funding from outside sources has not been renewed.
We continue to adapt so we can survive and look for additional options to deliver the GP message. The mechanical and personal changes are not onerous and reap tremendous benefits. The program in Australia has some states using 50% of the water they used in 2001. There is no reason we can't do the same in the US. We waste more water per day than many, in underdeveloped country use in a week.
So why the rant after almost 2 years...... 4 employees....good people had to be let go so we could adapt to the new reality of the financial crisis. There are so many opportunities just on the cusp, but we couldn't wait any longer.
I'm not scared, I've been told my job is secure but we're pretty much down to the bare minimum to stay operational. I'm ready for things to turn around just like I'm past ready for summer in Sacramento to be over.
I could probably go on but that's enough for now....
Doug
at 11/25/08 12:08PM
Two days before Thanksgiving.....where did the year go?
We moved TWICE, our son Matt graduated from college and our daughter Amanda got married to Jeremy.
I've taught classes in Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia (2), North Carolina (2), South Carolina, Colorado (2), Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon (2), Washington, Nevada, Illinois and many in California. I missed a lot of weekends and even wore out a suitcase!
Next year is shaping up along the same lines including a trip to Hawaii and if everything goes right my honey will be going with me.
I continue to stay busy with two week classes scheduled for December and January in between preparing classes for online delivery. I am thankful for my job which I enjoy a lot although there is some anxiety from time to time. Lot's of challenges to keep my juices flowing. It is rarely boring.
And for those who know the story "just remember what dogs do to wheels"
Happy Holidays to all and keep the antacids close by.
Love to my family.
at 10/09/08 5:26PM
I don't know if I have a favorite season but Fall must be in the top 3 or 4.
We got the news a couple of weeks ago that the owner of the house we are renting is going to let it go into foreclosure and we have to move. Just what we wanted to hear after shlepping the last of our belongings to the house not two months ago.
Actually it's not so bad. While the current house is okay there are some features we don't care for so we found one that we feel is more suited to our lifestyle but at $175 more per month.....fortunately Mrs. Guru says we can afford it. I think she just want the bigger kitchen! We begin our move November 5th.
My mom and dad are coming to visit on the 27th for a couple of days. I'm really looking forward to seeing them and showing them where I now work.
All in all things are going well. The kids are safe, my wife and I are still in love and God created the heavens and the earth.
Go see the movie Fireproof. The acting is fair but the message is something all of us need to be reminded of.
at 08/10/08 11:59PM
On August 1st 2008 our daughter, Amanda Kathleen Kirk became Amanda Kathleen Wilcox. It was a wonderful, beautiful ceremony.
Props go to her mother, my wife of 32 years Charlotte. She had lots of help: Kathy Hill, The Dillingers, Dave and Karen Kostas, Mark and Robin Wade, Lisa Brown, and perhaps others I'm not aware of. Thank you all for helping out. Helping us make a wonderful memory.
I'll be leaving tomorrow to begin a round of classes starting in Palo Alto, Atlanta, and next Monday 8/18 in Charlotte, NC. That evening I fly to San Diego to pack the last load of stuff from our house in Santee and bring it to Sacramento.
I have lots of mixed feelings about it. This move has not ended up the way we hoped with Amanda and Jeremy living in our home down there. Jeremy is still in search of employment and our son Matt is now living with friends in Carlsbad.
It has been a little tough on all of us to say goodbye to the way things were and move on to whatever life holds next for us. That is why this post is entitled 'A new day". I think I've learned a couple of things. Be patient, be flexible, expect the unexpected but don't dread it. Changes require emotional strength and growth is the result.
Matt and Amanda you have no idea how much I love and miss you. I love you both even when you were not so loveable. When you have kids of your own it will make more sense. It's hard to let go but you both know what is right and are on your way to great things. I pray you've learned as much from me as I have from you.
Put the Lord first in your lives. Trust him that everything will work out the way it should.
Charlotte are you ready to be husband and wife again? I never knew 6 weeks could be so long and lonely. Thank goodness it's almost over.
sarahpet
the sissy
captmdkirk
Hope you and Charlotte are doing well and enjoying life in Sacramento....we lived there briefly for 1-1/2 years back when Chris was born, but enjoyed it tremendously.