Peanut Butta Jelly Time

Alright, folks.

So, since last time (I swear I'm going to write in this stinking thing more than just once every blue moon) I wrote, I told you all I might have found a job and blah, blah, blah. All good stuff. Well, lets go from that point and move forward....

Nevada game: Probably the 2nd best game I have ever attended. It was awesome. Come from behind victory and amazing 4th down play.

2nd Best play I've ever seen. First one...Involves Crabtree, and a certain burnt orange color.

After that, Wes and I bargained with my parents to let us go back to Lubbock for the A&M/Tech game...last one, ever.

Although we lost, it was awesome to be apart of the last Texas A&M and Texas Tech game. Sad to see them go, but know they'll be back sooner rather than later. SEC you later, A&M!


Wesley and her folks came down and we went to Canton, which is the world largest flea market in the nation. Literally, anything and everything you could possibly want is there, you just have to find it, which is half the fun/horror. BUT, the food is spectacular, and that's why I go.

AND as of last week, I am EMPLOYED! I start on Nov. 1st.

I interviewed for a Teller position with PlainsCapital Corp. in North Dallas, and got the job offered to me last week. I am going to be a teller for a minimum of 6 months, then I can move anywhere within PlainsCapital.

Since my primary goal since I was 7 was to be a loan officer, then after my 6 months I will go into the Credit Analyst program, and be there for a minimum of 1 year, and then shuffled out to be a Loan officer at a branch or somewhere. I can honestly be a Loan Officer within a year and a half, or if I chose another route, I could be a branch manager in 2. Either way I choose, it will be an amazing road. I'm so excited to be apart of this amazing company. They are so involved in employee growth, and with my degree and knowledge of the banking environment, I should not only prosper, but succeed exponentially every day I come to work, which is the point of working, correctly?

Also, last weekend, I witnessed the most amazing upset in history. My Texas Tech Red Raiders went into Norman, Oklahoma to play #3 OU on ABC...which looked like a very ugly scene for a murder that should have happened.

What happened was the exact opposite.

I, for one, never saw this coming at all. I actually had my Southern Comfort waiting for me, and it looked like the rain delay was going to give me enough time to be well slicked for what should have happened.

After a 1 hour rain delay, the Red Raiders came in on a mission and they executed it to the finest point. But, I really should have expected it. The Red Raiders are that one team that you can NEVER over-look.

Needless to say, I am so proud to be a Red Raider, they pulled off the upset of the century, and ended OU's 39 game, 6 year home winning streak. It was completely awesome to see all the Trailer Park U fans flood OUT of that horrendous stadium, in that "Has-done-nothing-for-the-creation-of-the-USA" state.

Now for some pictures, that are totally awesome.

What makes this victory so sweet is that during the rain delay, OU hogged the Indoor facility, while our team was made to hang out in a cramp visitor locker room and eat PB&J sandwiches to keep the energy flowing.

Sad, sad sportsmanship by OU, and I'm so glad we made them shove it right up their.....

So for now on, my battle cry will not be "Raider Power!", It will be belting out lyrics of
"PEANUT BUTTA JELLY TIME!!!"

Anyways, I'm so ready for next weekend (but really, I always am!) when we play Iowa State, who beat us last year easily. So, I'm hoping for a sell out to really show these guys that were behind them, and not just when they play A&M, UT or OU.

Oh, and did I mention all these events happening in my life dont mean a thing except that I have the absolute best girlfriend a guy could ask for? Wesley is absolutely the greatest thing that's ever happened to me, and she continues to stay (which baffles me).

I cant wait till the day I can have her and my dog, GG in my life everyday.

I'm one blessed son of a gun, huh?

Well, guys, I think that's it. I'm going to try and update this on Monday before my first day. Look forward to it!

G'night and Wreck'em!

Unemployment Day: 41

So, today was a much better day.

Jeremiah 29:11, Faith is rewarded.

Around 6:48 p.m I got a email from Chase Bank, they recieved my resume, and...get this..

Actually Interested.

It's for a Position with them which I have been trying to get for, literally, weeks now. It's a retail banking position with a lot of focus on sales. I believe I could excel at this position, now I only have to convince them that I can.

With this news, came more. I got a contact with Frost Bank, and he called back today asking if I had recieved any good information from Frost. I replied that I hadn't and it looks like he will work at it and see what he can do for me.

Great news day, which helps the spirits. Especially when all you see is "Jobless Claims" and other things that make you a bit discouraged. Just a little light at the end of the tunnel.

Other than that, I'm headed to good ol' Raiderland this weekend.

I. Love. This. Place.

Actually, I'll be there for two weekends in a row. I'm going to get Wesley prepared to move, as well as a few cool things.
This weekend I'm going to a Nolan Ryan PR thing, which is going to be pretty neat. Nolan is my favorite athlete, after this picture...

How's if feel, Junior?

...how could you not like him?

The next weekend I'm going to move Wesley closer to me in East Texas! Ahhhh, so glad I get to be closer to her. It's a feeling that, now, I can officially start the next (and best) chapter of my life.

Oh, and did I mention I get to attend my first Red Raider football game of the season?!

Really hope to see a lot of this next weekend.

My Red Raiders play University of Nevada at 6 p.m. Let's hope my boy Seth Doege and company can pull out a win.

I'm really excited for things that are comin'. This a complete 180 from my last post, but like my wise girlfriend always said,
"You just never know when thing can change in your favor."

Let's get ready, and Wreck'em!

Unemployment: Day 40

If I could sum up my job search...I'd say it's going as efficient as me keeping up with this blog..
Terrible.

As the title suggests, I am on day 40 of my job/career/post-graduation dream/somebody, please pay me to do something...search.

Honestly, at this point. I am beginning to doubt most of everything I've ever done. And more than that, doubting ever being envious of anyone who graduated early into "the real world". Also, regretting making fun of those people who said "It's rough, you don't even know."

Oh, how right they were, and how unbelievably stupid I was.

At this point, I have given up on my dream of ever working at a Bank. I just don't see the point in trying to spending so much time trying to go after  something that is just never going to work out in my favor. I have never truly given up on something, but I'm pretty sure if there was anything I should give up on, it's me ever working at a bank. It's just not gonna hap'n.

I guess I should give evidence as to why I am giving up, huh?

First, I have a "uncle" (long time family friend) works at a Ag and farm Credit company, who said he could help me, maybe even talk to his boss about how to get started and where to go. I called him several times when I was preparing to graduate, and if it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't have chosen the degree plan I did (Yeah, seriously, thanks for that). But as I moved back home, when I called and tried to get into contact with him, my efforts came up empty.

He had helped someone else, who I can say was deserving of the opportunity, but not me. At first I began to think it was nothing, then as my calls were never returned, and emails never answered, I figured it wasn't going to happen.

Contact number 1...dead

Now, Contact 2 has actually helped me tremendously. He has been more help than I think could possibly imagine. With contacts with people who I would never have met in millions of years, even a VP of a bank in Dallas.
Still, even with all his help, I have come up short. Either my attributes are not desirable, or I am on a very lengthy run of bad luck.

After Contact 2 got me in contact with Contact 3, I thought , "Okay, lucky number 3. This should be it."

Either Contact 3 is a prankster, or he is ignoring me. I'll go with the last one.

Now, after 3 contacts, I shouldn't give up, right? Well, you haven't been told about the countless of emails and online applications filled out, with the same answers to questions and same qualifications as the job requires, maybe even more, sent and not replied to.

Wait, they have been replied to..
"Dear TYLER LUCAS, (key to an impersonal and automated email that says you suck)
Thank you for your interest is SUCH AND SUCH POSITION AT SUCH AND SUCH PLACE. After reviewing your qualifications (for about 5 minutes) we regret to inform you that you have not been chosen to interview for this position.
Thank you for your interest in SUCH AND SUCH BANK (You'll never work here) and we wish you the best of luck in your job search (See ya, Sucker)"

The problem with these emails, is that I don't even read some of them, I just know what they look like in the title, and know what they say and instantly delete them. There is only so much rejection you can deal with.

Funny thing is, at first, It did what it was supposed to. Motivate me. I've always had a good motor on me and dealt with rejection and played well with the cards I have been given. Like, "oh yeah? I guess we'll see about. I'm a bank executive in the making, and I cant wait to be in the position to buy you guys out."----Something along these lines was said in my mind.

But now, It's more of the feeling of disappointment, regret, and every other de-motivated emotion you can think of.
It's a "It's all about who ya know" situation, and I get that. But what separates us from every other country in this world is that you are promised only a few things in this life, but you have been promised them.

This "It's all about who you know" business is killing that. It's already taken victim my dream since I was 10.
I would like to cite good stories where dreams were fulfilled in the face of difficulty, but I cant. Because before I even can believe these, I think "Well, I wonder who they knew that got them that job."

I probably wouldn't be this bitter, but I believe I know exactly where it stems from.

Last week, I gave up my pride. Let go of all fear and applied for a simple teller position. After being a teller for a good, solid 2 years, I know my way around deposit slips and withdrawal slips, I'll move up eventually with my education.
Let me stress, I have teller experience. Not only cash handling experience but I have DONE THIS EXACT JOB before.
I received a rejection letter. Citing why, for the first time in any of these emails, was the reason:

"Over-qualified"

Wait, so you're saying you don't want to hire me, because I EXCEED your demands for a certain job? So, I cant even get a part time job now? The feeling after reading that statement, I will never forget.
Over-qualified. yet, they don't tell an all star in baseball he is "Too good" for his sport.

if that doesn't make you shake your head, make you realize how lucky you are to have whatever job you may have, then I don't know what will.

I don't know what I will do, now. Though, I can say with absolute confidence I have the best girlfriend and family support group you could possibly imagine. They couldn't be prouder (even if I don't have a job) to be around the first Lucas to graduate college.

I will have to scrap a dream and something I went through so much hell for 4 years to get closer to.Something Texas Tech and all my professors stamped for approval of qualification for. Something I have wanted to do since I was 10 years old.

Gotta believe and love that good ol' American Dream, right?

The next chapter. And a new list (all my unemployed friends raise yo' hands!)

Anyway, Sorry it's been awhile...actually, a long time. No, I'm not dead. I'm just unemployed.
Let's get'cha caught up...

I didn't think it would happen, and after 2 months of studying, homework and more school than I could bare...

I Graduated!




My rock, my life, and my love. I'm so blessed to have this girl.



I did something no one in my family has ever done. I know my grandmother would be so proud of me. August 6th, 2011 I graduated with a degree from my dream school, and it feels good to be on top of the mountain for once.I think I can consider myself a living, breathing example that you can do anything, no matter how many times you're told "No.". Like a modern day Rudy.

It's been a weird experience, but I have managed. I moved back with my folks in Sulphur Springs. It's been nice to relax and get to catch up with them after being 7 hours away for 3 years.

My parents are so proud, and so supportive in this time of my life. Like I said, I'm currently unemployed. I'm currently looking for a early career job in the Banking Industry in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. (I've wanted to be a banker since I was 8) Needless to say, looking for work has consumed my day-to-day life. But it usually ends up being me, my laptop, in a recliner with the TV on.



My day-to-day.

 I know people say "Life's tough, get a helmet." And "Life isn't as easy as you think.." But no one, and I mean NO ONE, told me post-graduate life was going to be this tough. Everyone always told me, "Just get the degree, everything comes after that." or "Just make sure you get that college degree!"
When, in fact, I have been applying for jobs for at least upwards to 60 jobs.

Not one call back, not one email back, except those who say
"After careful review we have decided to go with a candidate with MORE EXPERIENCE."

What I get out of this is, even though I worked so hard, and spent thousands upon thousands of dollars for a piece of paper that says I'm qualified for this job, you want more experience? Because, ya know, a degree from an accredited university, is simply, not enough.

It. Is. Frustrating.

Since I am unemployed, I have culminated a list of things I like to call...

"Things a Unemployed, 23 year-old male College Graduate should know."

1. The laptop gets really hot underneath, and it gets uncomfortable for a certain body part.

-Also, with my time well wasted, I read an article on the Internet that said it could be "Very damaging" to those certain body parts. My advice: Look for work with caution.

2. Go outside.

-Yes, Do it. Just go outside. Do something. Especially if you're lucky enough to be unemployed in, quite possibly the best time of the year (fall), go enjoy it!

3. There is only so much stress you can have.

-Find a stress reliever. Working out, running, volunteering, whatever. Just stay away from the alcohol, you don't need to turn that into a every day stress reliever when you're trying to find work.

4. Designate a few hours a day to job searching, not 24.

-Don't look at the same job boards all day long.

"But what if they post one, I want to be there to see it."

No, no you don't. Relax. If you job search for 2 hours in the morning, and 2 hours in the afternoon, you will catch it, don't worry. Looking all day, every day will just get more frustrating.

5. Time management, it's not only for employed people.

-Yes, most of my points are about how to manage your time (and really, who wants to read about how I know exactly how long to cook a oven-pizza, know exactly how long the washer needs to run to remove a stain, and how many brush strokes it takes to sweep the living room floor clean?) but it's true. Just because you have nothing to do every day, doesn't mean you cant do something every day. Remember, every day is a blessing, and there is a blessing in every day.

6. Remember, tomorrow is a new day.

-Faith, is always rewarded. Jeremiah 29:11

That's it for now, guys. I cant say it was good, but it didn't cost ya nothin'.

Later.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
-Jeremiah 29:11

Well, I survived! I am officially be 4 classes away from graduating. It feels absolutely amazing to say that.

I'm beginning the Job search. Too soon? No, I want to have the peace of mind when I do graduate, that i have some monetary funds coming in from somewhere other than my father's pocket. (Those of you who dont know, I dont have a job, but that doesnt mean daddy pays for everything, I have funded my education for 4 years now by myself with some support from my parents). this, in itself, is hard. Your led to believe that some company is just going to pick you out like an Apple on a tree and go "Yeah, this one looks good." But that is far from the truth. In a world where graduates are a dime a dozen, you have to set yourself apart, and I think that, my friends, is where I shall excel. Not to brag, but I'm a pretty good story.

Ya know that feeling where your sleeping and cant sleep because you absolutely convinced your exactly where your supposed to be and you have that feeling where for the first time in your life, you might just be proud of...Yourself?

Yeah, that was my last night. I couldn't sleep. 5 years ago if you told me I was going to be the first in my family to graduate from a school. Not only that, one I always wanted to go to, with a DEGREE? I would laugh in your face as I tried to stay awake on the night shift at Brookshire's.

For one,I didnt have the best grades. I'm smart, dont get me wrong, but I focused on working. I was good at what I did and my bosses loved me. I didnt enjoy it, but I was good at it. For someone who just graduated high school to be good at something was, needless to say, a damn good feeling. I cant explain to you the thrill of one of your bosses absolutely loving you. It's a great feeling.

For Two, I always thought I would go to college, but not graduate for some reason. Like, going to college was good enough. But in the end, I found it really wasnt hard at all. I believe I may be the "less country" one in my college (College of Agriculture), but I can tell you my knowledge of demand and supply, and ability to never quit levels the playing field.

I dont look good on paper for companies. I didnt make "Great" grades, but that doesnt mean I dont know anything, or less, than anyone else. But if they are comparing me to another person, then I can only pray they put me in a board room for an interview. Let my communication skills shine, and my ability to make anyone and everyone laugh show. But not be shallow, let my knowledge, and my work ethic be seen first hard. I'm determined, sort of niave, and very hard-headed. I dont like to fail, so without a shadow of a doubt, my work will be nothing less then spot-on perfect. My track record for "Never letting NO and Cant" stop me from achieving what I already have should speak for itself.

 Well, current events now. This weekend Wesley and I are going to help her parents pack and get ready to move to Funkytown (Ft. Worth). I'm looking forward to it, because they need help and its time spent well with people I love (Ya know, Since Saturday is the "Last Day of The World" and all)

The Sox have a winning record...finally. Faith has paid it's dues. Told y'all so.

And The fishing trip is only a few weeks away. But before that we have this weekend, and Rangers game the next weekend. Then it's back to summer school. Bummer.

Also, we have killed Osama Bin Laden. I think I speak for all Americans when I say God Bless our troops.

Well, guys, That'll be all for today. I have jobs to search for.

Lucas Out.

To be Continued (After finals, of course)

Damn, Already Finals time? Where'd the time go?

Well, First of all, I only have 3 finals this semester, which is awesome. Not only that, I had 2 of them on the same day. It was hard for only one day of the week, where I crammed as much words in my head, as well as drank as much caffeine into my body as I could to stay awake for 15 hour straight. But this give me about 4 days to relax before I have to do it all over again.

Wanna know why people say "college is a place where learning does not exist only experimentation"?

Because of Finals week. We spend so much of the semester just scraping by, that by the time finals come around all we do is crap knowledge into our heads, that are immediately extracted as soon as we pop open a cold beer afterwards, never to be remembered again. It's a senseless panic that comes over any and every student preparing.

"Did I study enough? I should've studied two nights ago!" things like this would never be said if our professors actually paced us to learn as we went along in the class, rather than just stuffing things to get an exam in.

Enough about that, it's summer time. Which I'm not really reeling in like I should. I have yet to enjoy sitting outside soaking up the sun with a cold Lone Star in my hand in a lawn chair. No, I may not have a job, but I have so much school, that at this point, being 23, it's not as easy for me to enjoy simple things anymore.

And that is painful for me to say.
I'm only 23, but feel 33. (That is what 4 years of finals will do to you)

But, I'm only 23. Shouldn't I be full of energy? Full of uncertainty of what lies next, by which I mean things like "What am I going to do tonight?" "What Bar has the better specials tonight?" "What is everyone else doing/going?" and "If God didnt want us to drink beer all day why would they make 24 packs of beer?" (my personal favorite)

No, instead I'm worrying all day, every day. Worrying about what I am about to accomplish, become, or go. Rather than what am I going to do when the sun goes down.
I have a great life, a great girlfriend, and amazing friends who make my life awesome (roommates, that's you).

So, I have to ask myself, "Why am I not enjoying them and appreciating them like I should?"

I would answer but I have a test tomorrow which is 55% of my grade....

Lucas Out.

Still

So, it was just Easter, and Wesley and I actually got up to go to church. As most of you know, I'm no church go-er. I have not gone since the day my grandmother Juannett passed away. It meant a great deal to me that I went with her since I was 5, that I not go until I had children. But, things change, and people have a way of making you feel safe when your most vulnerable. That's exactly what Wesley Polk did for me. She made me strong when there is no way I could have gone on my own, and then comforted me the entire service. That meant a lot because it meant she knew how hard it was for me, even if it has been 10 years.

About the church, well, it was a baptist church. Where as I'm used to Church of Christ and real formal, this church was very different. But, the pastor was great, and the people were so friendly, it made the whole over-whelming ordeal so much easier. Mark my words, I'm really looking forward to going back Next Sunday.

In Pastor brad's message, he talked about the story of Job, and how even when the Lord took away all he had blessed him with, Job still believed in Jesus and God's plan. The key word was STILL. That even through some tragic times, we should STILL praise the Lord because of his eternal love for us. No matter what we do in this body, we are totally forgiven, as long as we believe.

As long as we Believe. That's all.

I believe in a lot of things, and some of those things people wouldn't agree with me on (Come on, major league baseball, I cannot stand the DH rule!) But one thing is for certain, no one has had to threaten me, or make me, or even deceive me in to believing that Christ lived, and still lives. He rose from the dead, we know this is true. He was crucified, and abused just for us. And yes, he will come back one day. And I know he knows I have not been perfect, nor has anyone. He knows I have not been to church in a decade at least. He knows my strengths, my weaknesses, and above all, my sins. But he still loves me the same. STILL loves me the same.
That was a beautiful and powerful message. It hit hard and it brought a few tears with it. I began to swell up with emotion. Things I forgot came back. The way the smell of the pews mixed with my grandmother's perfume, the way she interacted with all the other wonderful ladies there, some of which looked after me while she was gone. The way she combed my hair, and even parted it the wrong way like I liked it. And last, but not least. The very last words she ever spoke to me, and maybe to anyone.

"No matter where you are, grandson, I will always be proud of who you are."

Words that sometimes leave the part of my brain that remembers to bring them up to comfort me when I have failed or believe I have done wrong. But they never totally leave. Not words that powerful. Words that powerful change people, make people cry when they think about them, and make the things one is worried about seem stupid.

I dont think there is a shadow of a doubt that my grandmother is proud of me. I have laid awake so many nights wondering if she is, or if she even has time to think about me as much as I think about her. Then, those words come back, "No matter where you are, son, I will always be proud of who you are."

And I relax, knowing she must have known I would be there, restless, thinking about it, and that's why she said it.