DMV in California

So I went to the DMV today, fearing the worst. To anyone outside of Cal, the stories of day long visits and mean attendants and other horrors. Well not all of its true. As soon as I got into Cal and found out my work schedule I did the smart thing and made a appointment at the DMV. The soonest I could get in was today, the 30th of July. Part of this is that the DMV is closed most fridays this month due to budget shortages and only have fridays but whatever.

Upon arriving at 1:30 for my appointment I had a relatively great experience. I stood in line for only five minutes, because of my appointment. Got a number and was called up before my paperwork was even done.

However, after completing everything the nightmare did kick in. I'm used to only paying 50 bucks to register your car no matter what...thats the way it is in Washington. However in Cal you pay a percentage of what the cars worth. On top of that I was charge 100 bucks in fines for being two days past my 20 day limit to register, despite my explanation that this was the earliest appointment available and the only days I could have come down and waited were the days they were closed (fridays)

So 500 bucks latter (new license included) I'm now a legal resident of Cal and can drive and vote. Sigh...Cal isn't perfect after all.

Santa Clara University

For anyone who doesn't know I started my new job at Santa Clara University on July 8th 2009. I drove down with my father in a big moving van from Seattle. The trip took two days and was actually very fun. I got to talk and spend time with my father and listen to all sorts of music on the way. Side note, if anyone owns a zune (I know not as cool as a Ipod, but it holds way more music), their car kit works amazing, it searches radio wave and picks the best one to broadcast on...I've had a few and this one worked the best.




This is a picture of Mnt Shasta at 5AM in the morning, its right on the Oregon, California Boarder.

My job title at SCU is Resident Director. It’s a similar job to what I had a Washington State University. I manage a 2 residence halls that make up the Unity Residential Learning Community. I work with a live in Faculty Director and a Resident Minster. I supervise a staff of one Assistant Resident Director, and six Community Facilitators. I also handle all conduct that occurs in the hall among many other things.

The Unity RLC is focused on diversity which is exciting for me. I think that when the students show up in September it’s really going to be exciting. I must admit, I don't think I would have left Washington State or even WSU given my own choice...but I was pulled outside my comfort zone and I am actually really liking it. This is really what I needed and I didn't even realize it. It’s a completely different university in a very different state and culture. The staff and faculty are passionate and all around good people. I love WSU, but its refreshing, something I had almost forgotten having lived and worked at WSU for almost 9 years.

My 2nd day on the job here I was already giving presentations to orientation students...but that’s ok. Its fun to hit the ground running and exciting to know that they hired me because they thought I wouldn't have trouble operating without a to of training right off the bat. I'm slowly learning the culture of the campus here and its fun...I haven't done that since 2000.

It’s hot here, but not bad. Always breeze and if you travel to the coast it’s much like the Northwest. More to post soon, but to summarize my first few weeks here...amazing. I've started to make friends with people I really admire and who are interested in doing their best. There isn't a sense of competition here, we're really here to help each other...I may have fallen into the best job I could have hoped for.


Here is a pic of on of my halls I am in charge of, McLaughlin. The other is Walsh, right next to each other and they are identical.

I miss all my friends and family, but I think I was meant to be here...its comforting to know that. More to come soon