A Little Update

I'll keep this brief, but when a friend of ours recently asked if she could link to our blog from hers, I realized how long it had been since we posted here. In case you are unaware, here is what is happening:

• In December 2006, Mandy and I relocated from Manassas, VA, to Rocky Mount, NC, a city of 60,000 about 50 minutes east of Raleigh. I accepted a position with the City of Rocky Mount to serve as Budget & Evaluation Manager, a significant promotion from my duties with the City of Manassas. I have been with the City of Rocky Mount since, working on improving their strategic financial decision making practices, improving our measurement and evaluation of performance, and advising on the financial impact of public policy.
• One of the reasons for our move to Rocky Mount was to buy a home. We closed on our first house in June 2007 and moved in on a Saturday a month later. It is a wonderful home that has served our family well for the last year and a half. Speaking of family...
• A week before closing on the house, Mandy learned that she was pregnant with our first child. On February 1, 2008, we welcomed to the world Rebekah Leora Lewin Hunter. She is the greatest blessing either or us could ever ask for, together or individually. We are grateful to have her in our lives.

Our days are now rather busy raising Becky, keeping up the home, taking care of business, and finding social and service opportunities in Rocky Mount.

Anyway, just a short note. Much more has happened, and we will do our best to post more updates in the future, especially with Becky's first birthday fast approaching.

Everything, Including Dolphins

A couple of weeks ago, we decided to spend the Labor Day weekend in the Tidewater (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News, and other cities) area.  For a while last week, it was looking like Tropical Storm/Hurricane Ernesto would force a change in plans.  Thursday night, neither of us were optimistic, but we decided to hold off on making a decision until the absolute last minute (Friday at Noon, so we could cancel the hotel without a penalty).

 

Even Friday morning, the weather forecasts were not looking too good.  However, we decided that worst case scenario, we would enjoy a few museums and the indoor pool at the hotel.  We made it through the rain, wind, and down trees Friday night and set out to find some relaxation.  Speaking of trees, the Virginia DOT needs to think about their clearing policies and realize that when they move trees out of the way, they do not need to leave them less than an inch from lanes of traffic.

 

The Omni we stayed at in Newport News was great.  It started off a little shaky, as they did not have the room type we requested.  They did compensate with free breakfast the next day.  Eventually, we got the room type we wanted, and they even discounted the rate we were quoted, so it was an overall positive experience.  The pool was a little cool for being indoors, but the whirlpool was perfect.

 

Saturday morning arrived with a little rain.  We decided to go to Virginia Beach first, thinking we would spend half a day there and then go to Norfolk.  We first hit the boardwalk and enjoyed the morning quiet.  The storm had passed, so the weather was pleasant, though a little dreary.  The highlight was getting to see dolphins in the distance break the surface from time to time.  If Mandy can see dolphins when she visits the coast, it is worth the trip.

 

We ended up spending the day in Virginia Beach, with the weather clearing up and sunning up by mid afternoon.  We visited the Edgar Cayce Center (which Mandy can discuss in more detail) and the Virginia Aquarium (nice, but not worth the money unless you buy a discount ticket), then had dinner along the boardwalk.  The meal wasn't great, but the location was nice.  Our worst experience of the trip occurred after dinner, when we found that our car, which we left with the valet, was still sitting where I had parked it WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION.  For some reason, the valet did not understand why I did not give him a tip.  While I do not want to criticize the food at Angelo's by the Sea, I recommend you do not use their valet service.

 

Sunday found ourselves enjoying the fine cuisine of Waffle House, then going to the Nauticus facility in Norfolk.  The best two parts of the center, the Naval Museum and the Battleship U.S.S. Wisconsin, are free.  The part we paid for, the maritime center, was not as great, except that we got to see sharks, stingrays, and a few other sea creatures.  We didn't mind it, however, as the rest of the visit justified the tickets.

 

Our trip concluded with a pass through of Williamsburg on the way home.  It was too late in the day to take the tour of Colonial Williamsburg, but we still stopped by the Visitors Center and had supper at a very good local restaurant ( The Yorkshire).  From there, it was a quiet, peaceful, calm weather trip back to Manassas.

 

Another highlight of the trip was crossing the Chesapeake Bay near Norfolk at dusk Saturday night.  The sunset and its accompanying mixture of colors were picturesque and elegant.  Overall, the trip was worth it, as it enabled us to visit another part of Virginia, spend some time near the ocean, relax, and enjoy the last remnants of summer in proper fashion.

 

How much does your wife love you?

To be honest, Mandy and I spend a lot of time together.  More than most couples (especially around here, given that neither or us have to commute).  The fact we work together late afternoons-early evenings as tutors allows us to enjoy each other's company, make some money, and most importantly, develop (or in Mandy's case, perfect) our child-rearing skills.  I also get to see, time after time, how much my wife really loves me.

 

Yesterday, I had to decided whether to work with one of my regular kids or go to another activity.  Mandy knew what I wanted to do, and offered to take on the assignment.  The child is difficult, but I believed that we got through to him in his last session.  I went to my activity and came home thinking everything turned out fine.  I was wrong.

 

Mandy not only dealt with the child, who needed further indoctrination into the importance of hard work when it comes to learning, but she also had to deal with their parent, who did not understand or appreciate our methods.  This should have been my responsibility, as I not only tutor the kid most of the time, but also instigated the measures the parent complained about.  Mandy supported my decisions and backed them up to both the parent and child.  She also helped the parent understand their importance of what we were doing, enabling them to find support for our actions before leaving at the end of the session.

 

What Mandy did is important on two fronts.  First, she offered to help me out so I could do something that was personally enriching.  She has done it before, and I appreciate every opportunity with all my heart.  More significantly, she not only took flack on my behalf, but crafted an effective response the we believe resolved the matter (we will see next session).  Had I been there (those who know me would agree with this), I would have either shown great frustration with the child and parent or utilized some applicable but unsympathetic reference like "improvise, adapt, overcome" from Heartbreak Ridge.  In other words, it was meant for her to be there in my place, and given the traditional power of woman's intuition, she likely knew in her mind what was going to happen.  Whether she realized it in advance or not, she was actually saving me from an embarrassing situation.

 

The title of this posting is not meant to make you question your relationship with your spouse.  I know that most of you have a mate who does something similar for your on a regular basis.  I just wanted to share and express my appreciation and let everyone know what a great person my wife is.  Mandy, thank you, and I love you.

Three Children, Six Degrees (and Counting)

For the first time this fall in 24 years, a Hunter child will not be in school.  My youngest sister graduated Saturday with her Bachelor's from Virginia Commonwealth, a tremendous accomplishment.  It means a great deal for her, myself, and my other sister to graduate college.  Specifically, this honor means we have made proper use of the gifts of ability and family support granted us by God.  Unfortunately, having family support nowadays is a sign of privilege to many people.  All three of us are lucky, but it seems to me that more people, rather than less, should have the same benefits we do.  Despite our family's struggles in recent years, we have stuck together and supported one another in our continuing endeavors.

 

The new graduate does have some struggles ahead and she pursues a career in the performing arts, but she is on the right track.  Congratulations again, sis.  We are all very proud of you.

 

Respecting Life

This has been a very difficult week-and-a-half, and I finally have the chance to talk about it.  First off, a friend and Fraternity Brother, Jodi Price, along with her husband Jeremy, were killed on Sunday, April 2nd, as a result of a tornado that hit their home in West Tennessee.  I attended the funeral last Thursday, where more than 300 people paid their respects.  Around 20 Brothers, mostly from Jodi's Chapter at UT-Martin, were present.  The primary feelings for the week were shock and dismay, especially given the fact that this involved the loss of two young people who had entire lives ahead of them.  Funerals are always difficult situations, especially when those being remembered are younger than you.

 

If you would like to make a contribution in their name, please let me know.  Something is being organized by some of Jodi's Chapter Brothers involving a donation to UT-Martin's scholarship fund, I believe.

 

The trip to Tennessee provided me the opportunity to see my parents and grandparents, who are all doing well.  Unfortunately, Nashville and surrounding counties experienced severe weather last Friday, culminating in several tornadoes that killed 12 people and cause significant property damage throughout.  Luckily, none of my family or acquaintances were harmed.

 

Trying to think of a meaningful observation, I am reminded of the struggle we all have with faith.  Honestly, I do not question the decision of God to take my friend and her husband, nor create harm for so many others.  Free will leads to the choices that create the circumstances that result in our fate.  The Lord provides guidance and love, but from time to time, we intersect those reminders of his power that are far from pleasant.  Those points of intersection are the result of the lives we choose to that point.  I know Jodi and Jeremy are in heaven now, as are all of those who perished in the storms this past week.  A minister at the funeral made mention of the better world awaiting them there, and we must take solace that this is the truth, and that they will enjoy their eternity.

 

Naturally, events like this allow us to gain perspective on life and its fragility and importance.  While praying that I and my family are never faced with the hardships encountered by others this past week, I also pray that if we meet this struggle, we are provided the strength and faith to persevere, even in the afterlife.  This is probably what is best to concentrate on, for it is needed most.  Adversity will face us, and it already has in some form.  The key is to not allow it to degrade one's faith, or negatively impact the future.

It's March 31st, and That Means...

...yes, birthday number twenty-nine for yours truly. I will end the celebration there.

In fact, it stated rather low, but it is getting much better. I got to enjoy the wonderful world of worker's compensation care due to a shoulder injury I suffered at work yesterday. As a friend alluded to in an email, hurting yourself stacking boxes is a rather unexciting and undesirable way to get hurt. Nevertheless, I am better now, and the injury is minor (nothing some muscle relaxers and a little heat won't fix).

Mandy and I will go out to dinner tonight, perhaps a movie. Last night was our fifth year anniversary of our first date, a dinner-movie combination while I visited her in Ohio. That pair of activities is stock in trade for us, even today.

We hope to make it to the Cherry Blossom Festival tomorrow or Sunday, as it will be perhaps the last time we can go. Both phone interviews this week went well, and I have a sit-down in Florida in a couple of weeks. This is an especially good opportunity, so long as I can acclimate to the surroundings (you know, warm weather, flat terrain, etc.).

There is also the Final Four. Mandy and I are done with the brackets, as is perhaps 99.9% of the country. George Mason is receiving a lot of support here locally, but it really doesn't interest me as it is all bandwagon fanfare that will not last beyond the weekend. The good news is that GMU is getting some positive publicity in the media, which it deserves for being a pretty good academic institution. Several graduates have written lovingly about this institution, such as this example from the Wall Street Journal. Of course, they failed to mention the best thing about GMU, economist and conservative icon Dr. Walter Williams.

As always, much to do and not a lot of time to get it done. So begins year number thirty.

Bad Idea, Clooney and the Gang

I don't know how Mandy will feel about this when she sees it, but I have a good idea.  It appears as if they are going to make another sequel to the Ocean's 11 franchise.  While the original remake of the 60's classic was very good, perhaps one of the best comedy capers in history, the follow-up was in many ways a dud.  It almost looked as if the actors were having more fund being around each other than focusing on the movie itself (which could also be said about the Sinatra/Rat Pack original).  Their justification for another foray is probably the same as it is for most sequels: money.  Hopefully, they will pay attention to the camera this time around.