Have you ever watched an ad on TV that ended up affecting you more than an ad really should?  Nevermind what it was advertising.  The approach the ad took still left a lasting impression on you, whether you wish to acknowledge it or not.

Lately, this AT&T ad has been playing on TV a lot, and each time I can’t help but find myself watching the entire thing whenever it does:

Admittingly, the storyline definitely plays with my inner romantic.  Even though it might be a little cliche, I can’t help but enjoy the meet cute situation that marks the beginning of a sweet chain of events for the guy.  I have a feeling a part of me sorta wants to be that guy.

Another recent commercial that touched me was this Google one:

After watching that, it really made me think about what my parents had to go through when they immigrated to the United States.  I’m sure a lot of people can relate to this touching video as well.  It definitely causes one to appreciate the sacrifices a parent makes for their child.  It’s really admirable, and I hope I can be just as great and responsible to my future children.

Here’s just one last commercial I want to mention.  It’s by Liberty Mutual and it came out a few years back.  I still remember it very well:

Alright, so realistically the world doesn’t work as perfectly as the ad portrays, but the message is very empowering.  Paying it forward is an honorable idea, and if it makes just one person’s day a little brighter then it’s absolutely worth it to do.  Positivity is underrated at times, at least in my opinion. 

Perhaps I’m being too sentimental with all this, but damn it the concepts of these ads really do find ways to move me.

Oh, and the music doesn’t help either.

The nerves of my employer!  Not only do they force me to drive down to Virginia Beach to work for only a couple hours, they make me stay down there too!  They wouldn’t even let me pay for my hotel room, gas, and food!  I even suggested a cheap place for me to stay, but nope, they made me stay at a resort right next to the beach instead.  Sigh.  To add insult to injury, they told me I should bring a friend on this trip so he can share my sad fate.  Woe is me.  No other man have felt greater misfortunes.

…Of course, I’m totally kidding about how much this sucks.  I am very pleased with how my new job is going so far!  I’ve never had a job that gave so many nice perks, so I’m definitely enjoying and appreciating it all right now.  I guess I made the right decision with choosing this position.

I officially started my first day this past Monday and I’m already pretty busy.  I’m currently traveling all around Virginia to meet up with contacts for the next couple of weeks.  Soon, I will also have to start preparing to teach tennis as a secondary job.  Eventually, I need to find a place to live in Northern VA so I can establish my home office.  Now you know my excuse if you don’t see me around here as often (although honestly, I’ll probably find time one way or another).

Slightly off topic, but thanks for some of your responses to my last post.  I was surprise how many people liked it and actually saw it, given that I made sure to post it late Friday night to avoid too much attention.  It contained a lot of strong feelings I’ve been keeping inside for a while now, so it was nice to let it all out.  She’s a great girl, but unfortunately another guy got to her first.  Their relationship seems just fine, so I’m not going to mess with it.  I’ll hopefully find someone else in the near future that’s just as wonderful and (more importantly) actually available haha.  Ah, one happiness at a time I suppose.  At least on the job front things are working out.

I’ll just end this post with one last picture of me with quietmeteorshowers and b1ancacaca, two lovely Xangans who found some time to meet up with me at a yummy sushi buffet at VA Beach:

At this point, I think I’ve lost count of how many Xangans I’ve met now.  I’m really looking forward to the NY meet!

Alright, time for me to catch up with things around here.

And oh it feels so good!

It was around spring 2008 the first time I applied to this well known tennis organization.  I was just about to graduate college with ample experience and contacts within the place.  From everything my contacts were saying, it seemed like I was a shoe-in to get the position.  Unfortunately, I ended up making it to the final two candidates only to lose out in the end to someone who was a bit older and more experienced than I was.

I was devastated, to say the least.  This was the first time in a while where I felt I completely failed at something I thought I would definitely succeed in.  This was a dream organization to work for and to come so close just to falter at the finish line really crushed me.

Still, I didn’t want to give up just yet.  Over the course of the following two years, I applied no less than four more times for various positions within the organization.  Each time, I made it to the final rounds only to lose out in repeated fashion.  It was starting to be a running joke, except I wasn’t laughing.

I was THIS close to waving the white flag.  I thought this must have been a sign that it just wasn’t meant to be.  I have lost.

Less than a month ago, I received word from my contact that a position opened up and I was the only one she recommended to fill it in.  After all the heartache that came from applying for this organization, could this really be it?  Will this be the one, or will I get my ego bruised one last time before I totally throw in the towel?

Two days ago, I received my answer:  I got the job.

I got the job.

I GOT THE JOB!

My perseverance actually paid off in the end!  I finally got my shot at working in my dream job.  I’m looking forward to the new change of pace and scenery that will come from this experience.  The next step is finding a place to live in northern Virginia (anyone want to house/live with me?  I’m being serious.)  Ahh, I can’t wait to get this show started.  Wish me luck!

I’m considerably happier with my life right now .  After the past few humbling years, I truly needed this big win.

What happens when you find a mysterious box that can transform you into a little blue pig?  Apparently, this:

I swear, our videos just get more and more ridiculous.