Feeling of Accomplishment d(','d)

Lately, I've been feeling a sense of urgency to get ahead in life.  I have been saving my money instead of spending it on fun.  I have committed to the gym again, and have been dedicated for three weeks straight now.  I just ordered all of the parts for my Audi that I have been wanting to order for awhile now.  Yesterday, my best friend and I washed his car, washed and waxed my car and washed my girlfriends car (even though the rain ruined the shine >.>).  After the wash, I put brand new floor mats in to finish the clean look.  The nice weather brings out my motivation.  I love being able to walk out the front door without having to bundle up, go for a run, comfortably, when I feel like it and drive a clean car with the windows down and the sunroof kicked back.  So, c'mon spring, I'm ready!

Top Five Favorite Cars

These choices are made based on being realistic.  As soon as I graduate with my engineering degree, I will probably purchase one of the listed vehicles.  Just haven't decided yet.

1) C6 Z06 (2006- present)

My #1 choice right now is the C6 Z06 Corvette.  This American Muscle legend always turns heads no matter where you go.  In 2006, this car came with a 7.0L V8 that produces 505 horse power without any kind of forced induction.  It's also relatively light and highly aerodynamic, which contributes to its mid-20's for gas mileage.  The unique styling, which is most apparent on the rear, is European styling.

2) Subaru Impreza WRX STI (2004-2007)

The Subaru has a special place in my heart because I've proudly owned one.  I had a 2003 WRX and it was a BLAST!  My #2 choice comes equipped with a 2.5L H4 turbocharged engine.  The unique design of the boxer engine (unique to Porsche and Subaru) gives this 4-cylinder a sound that separates it from the rest, while also lowering the car's center of gravity.  The functional hood scoop allows fresh cool air to pour on the intercooler that supplies the turbocharger.  The Rally Blue in the picture above is a three layer paint that appears to change colors in different light; you can see two of the shades from front to back above, and the other is almost purple and reveals itself at night under certain lights.  Subarus are also All-Wheel Drive providing a safe drive in any weather, is fun in the snow, and puts all the power to the ground.

3) 03-04 Cobra "Terminator"

This car was given the code name "Terminator" by the SVT crew at Ford.  It comes factory with an Eaton supercharged 390bhp V-8 and a very durable T-56 transmission.  The above picture is a 2003 Torch Red 10th Anniversary Edition.  The Cobra yields the quickest and cheapest route for massive horse power, with only leaving you with the question of how to get that power to the ground (as traction becomes a problem).  Out of the list, this car probably sounds the best to my ears with the combination of the unique Cobra rumble and the screaming supercharger.

4) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

I've always loved All-Wheel Drive cars.  After all, I had a Subaru WRX and currently drive an Audi A4.  A buddy of mine drove one of these for awhile and I had the pleasure of performing all of the maintenance.  It's powered by a 2.0L inline 4-cylinder with a turbocharged forced induction.  The handling is impressive and the turbo hits hard when approaching the power band.  They are highly modifiable and can be VERY powerful and still be street legal.  Due to the technology of computers today, with the flip of a switch, the car is also capable of getting about 30 miles to the gallon.

5) Nissan 370Z

The 370Z is the newest of the top five.  This car, only rivaled by the vette, wins the sex appeal award of the top five.  The model I would be interested in is the one shown in the picture above: NISMO 370Z.  The NISMO edition comes equipped with a 355hp engine and a 6-speed SynchroRev Match transmission that "blips" the throttle when shifting to the correct revolution speed for a smoother ride.  This transmission is the world's first of its kind.  The only reason the Z ranks number 5, is because it is naturally aspirated, meaning no supercharger or turbocharger.  Lacking forced induction, makes additional horsepower expensive and hard to come by.  And unlike the C6 Z06 sitting in the pole position above with a mouth-watering 505 horsepower, the 370Z has a modest 355hp.

Make it Positive

"Never think of revising as fixing something that is wrong.  That starts you off in a negative frame of mind.  Rather think of it as an opportunity to improve something you already love."    

 -Marion Dan Bauer

I particularly enjoy this quote because it represents the foundation on how I've become to think about everything.  There is almost always a positive way of viewing anything.  Looking at the glass half full, as opposed to half empty, is a technique that can become a lifestyle and can alleviate a lot of stress on daily routines.  After practicing this lifestyle for awhile, I feel like I'm surrounded by a positive aura everywhere I go, and it results in more smiles around me and a lightened load of stress.  When you think about it, something is only as bad as you make it seem in your own mind.  So, if you alter that framework, phenomenal results can happen.

Marion Dane Bauer

Here's a little info about our author and she's from Illinois!

http://www.holidayhouse.com/spotlight_on.php?AUTHOR_ID2=Bauer

Hmmm...Where Am I From?

I am from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia... well, originally.  Mascoutah, Illinois deserves my "from" rights.  Though,
From Germany and Native America is where my blood trail leads.

I am from a place of morals and ethics.  From a place where fun has no limit as long as respect is maintained.

From the country outskirts of town, where we run barefoot across acres of land.  Where "we" is my brother, sister and I.
I am from pickle eating, blackberry picking and homemade breakfast making.

I am from hunting and fishing and guns and boating; also, from the age of technology, computers and video gaming.
I am from imported cars and electronics.  From going "Green" and economy.
From a family tree of mechanical inclination and logic and hard working people.
I am from and raised a Christian, although Sundays were for relaxing, 9 times of 10.
God granted me ability to succeed, so I'll always persevere.
That's a little about where I'm from, where to next? An engineer.

SNOW DAYS!!

So, right when the weather just starts to warm up a little (i.e. Saturday), a crazy winter weather mix comes crashing through the midwest.... Although, I do have to admit, I enjoy the snow and it sparks a few memories.   When I was younger, my brothers and I would get the four wheelers out and create the first tracks through the freshly laid powder.  We attach plastic sleds to the back of the ATV, and we would alternate who drove and who manned the sled.  The greatest challenge arose with snow "surfing," which, as the name implies, entails standing up on the sled while maintaining balance through all bumps and obstacles.
Though I didn't have access to a four wheeler this snow day, I do have an all wheel drive car that provided some form of satisfaction and definitely proved its worth: Audi A4 AWD Turbocharged d('.'d).  While others had much trouble driving cautiously with front wheel drive cars or kept their rear wheel drive in the garage, I'm able to drive with the 4WD trucks and have a little fun in the slippery weather with the insurance of four wheels determined to maintain traction.
Obviously, I didn't drive all day in the snow, though.  I spent the remainder of the duration playing video games, doing homework, and watching movies with my girlfriend.  Two of which include a Denzel flick, Remember the Titans, and Blindside, a movie of epic proportions.  What did you do on your snow day off?

Little bit about myself...

Hello everyone!! My name is Josh Rasch (last name is pronounced like first name, just with an "R"). I am 24 years young and my hometown is Mascoutah, IL. With the exception of a few military moves for school and training, I have lived here my entire life. I am a VERY busy individual with school, work and my military career. Including summers, this is my fifth semester at SWIC and I'm almost finished with my Associates of Science and Associates in Engineering Science degree; just one more semester! As an engineering major, I enjoy math and science more than the average person, I would say. After hurdling Special Relativity/Quantum intro physics and Calculus III last semester, I am currently enrolled in Electricity/Magnetism/Thermal physics and Differential Equations.....and I enjoy it <---crazy?... just maybe.

When I'm not in school, I am serving or bartending at Lonestar Steakhouse. When I returned from military training, I planned on a job working with technology, in which lies my forte. However, my all too wonderful girlfriend (Brooke), who knows me just as well as I know myself, suggested I serve in light of my people skills, personality and outgoing attitude. Serving has worked out very well for me =)

As I mentioned above, I am currently enlisted in the military. Specifically, the Air National Guard branch of the Air Force. Basic training and tech. school were a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I never will forget. Many of my organizational and leadership skills developed at an accelerated pace throughout the course of training and thus, joining still stands as one of the best decisions I've ever made. My career field is 2A553A, which translates to Communications/Navigation Avionics. I pretty well work on anything electronic in the flight deck of our aircrafts, the KC-135's (highly technical, yet very cool). I was just promoted to SrA (Senior Airman) last month!

When I DO find free time, I enjoy the outdoors; hunting, camping and boating. I listen to all kinds of music, but the variety revolves around alternative/classic rock. I'm currently learning to play guitar on my Fender Stratocaster. And, spending time with my girl keeps me sane in the midst of all life's madness.