Ecclesiastes 4:5

"The fool folds his hands and ruins himself"

I want to start off this post with this piece of scripture. As most of you know, this summer has been a blessing in disguise. This opportunity came my way for a reason, to be an intern at ODOT. If I chose not to embrace this once in a lifetime opportunity, I would be throwing it away. I believe God speaks to people in many different ways. Some people take the opportunities that are offered before them, sometimes some people don't.  I guess it depends on the season you are in.

Nearing the last month of my internship, I have learned a lot. Each person I have dealt with has been really influential in my growth this summer. A lot of responsibility has been thrown on my shoulders which isn't a bad thing. In today's economy, having your foot in the door of a company isn't such a bad idea. If the Lord opened up this door, it will take a lot to shut it. Hopefully I'll know what to do if that situation does arise sometime.

As most projects are in the closing phase at the office I am stationed at, my project is the only active busy one to say the least. The contract ends at the end of November. The next big project facing this area is an interchange at exit 24 on I-5. It is called the Fern Valley Interchange. Engineers have been talking about this project with so much excitement, it actually kind of worried me. So I did some research. PLEASE click on the link below

http://cms.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION3/docs/ProposedFVInterchangeStagingJuly2013.pdf

If you scroll to the last page, that is what you call a diverging diamond interchange! One thing that stands out is that when you go over the bridge you are driving on the other side of the road! CRAZY! Sorry but this excites me. I have the change maybe next year to be a part of this project. There is only one other diverging diamond interchange in the US and that is it! This is the future of driving everyone.

It is opportunities like this that get me excited about my field. I could take opportunities like the one I was blessed with this summer and chose not to use it. I believe that would be a waste. God speaks to you in many different ways no matter what the season! This summer has been an eye opener for sure. I can honestly say I know I am in the right field of study and I am passionate about it! It will be sad having it come to an end in one month. But at the same time I am looking forward to the next year of my life. It will possibly be my last year in Corvallis and I want to make the most of it before it is time to move on. Oh the excitement :) Can't wait! God Bless you all and thanks for following my journey!

My Journey So Far

This summer has gone by so fast! It is the first of August and I don't even know what to do with myself. One thing I can say for sure is that I am completely blessed beyond belief and I have no reason to ever complain again! This post will be all over the place but I hope you all can follow it :)

The job has been great! I am impressing my mentor more and more everyday and that has been my goal since day one. I am also learning a lot as well. It is a change getting paid to watch people work. Still not used to it. I guess I never will. The project has just completed Phase One which looks beautiful! It is so cool to see a project come together that you are a part of. This has been a dream of mine for the longest time and it is finally coming true.

My mentor couldn't be a nicer guy. I have been blessed to have him as my mentor. I look at how this summer is going and God could have chose a different path for me. He chose not to. David my mentor has already told me that I have done more than he has asked for and is thankful. David's brother is the project manager and he hired me back in May. So if I am good with David, I am good with his brother. David has already made comments as if I already have a job with them and with two positions opening up next summer that I get one of them. It is so encouraging to know I am liked and that my hard work is paying off!

A funny story this week that happened was Tim the project manager thought that I already graduated. It kind of connected all the puzzle pieces together once he told me that. Back in May when I interview he started the interview with telling me about their graduate program. This is great for people who have already graduated! He must have looked at my transcript and thought that since I have 190 credits that I was done with school which isn't the case. But because of all of this mess, I will most likely be getting a big pay raise which is also a blessing so I can't complain.

One of the hardest things I am having to face is the next year of my life. I am excited to graduate but the thought of joining the work force scares me a little bit. Not only that but where am I going to be! It is hard because I visited Portland last weekend and I have a lot of good friends in that area. Seeing them just made me miss them more! I love being home with my family in Southern Oregon, but most of my friends are in the Willamette Valley. The thought of me having my own place next year at this point and working full time is mind boggling! Though most of the signs point to me having a position here in Southern Oregon with ODOT, a part of me wants to be in the Willamette Valley close to friends. The one thing that gives me peace with thinking about this whole situation is that God is in control and I completely trust His decision. I want to be obedient to His will in my life and that is worth the world to me! I am so blessed to have what I do. This is just me looking out for what I think is best but in the end it is what God ultimately wants!

So this time next year Southern Oregon is most likely what I will be calling home for at least two years. Whatever happens after that is up to the Lord. This summer has been such an experience with all it's ups and downs with whatever the problems may be. All I know is that things are working out and before I know it I will be back in Corvallis finishing my last year of school! :) So exciting!! Anyways I want to thank all of you who are joining me on this journey by keeping up on whatever kind of blog you want to call this. I hope to be back soon, thanks for all the support. God Bless!

Pictures on the job

This is a Type 4A inlet being installed. They are 

what you would call a gutter on the sidewalk

Sidewalk after it has been poured

This is a baby retaining wall

This is a cast in place manhole for the storm sewer pipe

Just a funny picture of the job site next to us

Another funny picture