HuskerSoldier's Xanga

Big Changes

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:58:52 GMT

Wow has it been awhile. I think I've fallen off the planet when it comes to writing anything when it comes to my thoughts lately. But actually, some very exciting things have been happening in my life and I have some big changes on the way fairly soon.

Back in late February or early March, Kelly and I decided that we wanted to move back home. It seemed like trips back home just weren't enough. We were always running around and could never just settle down. So we prayed about the situation and since then, God has blessed us far beyond anything we deserve. Kelly got a job back at the school she used to teach at in Grand Island. She'll be teaching fifth grade, which is the same class she taught her first year of teaching when they were second graders. Then during our trip home over Easter, we made plans to visit the bank about a loan and maybe look at a few homes with a realtor. We ended out getting a home in Grand Island that weekend and are very excited about settling down.

One piece of the puzzle that was still up in the air was where I would go. Opportunities in meteorology are few and far between in central Nebraska. So I decided I was going to head back to school to finish my teaching degree. So I applied to UNK to get a second bachelors degree. I was hesitant and a little scared about it, because I know I could do it, but not my passion in life. About a month ago, I put in my letter of resignation to my boss, so they could get somebody hired to replace me early. In the process, she asked me if I wanted her to send an e-mail to the news director in Hastings who she knew. So I said sure. Sure enough, a day later he wrote back saying he had an opening he was going to post that afternoon. So I sent a tape along with my resume and cover letter. A few days later, after a conversation, he offered me the job. I didn't even have to interview. So I'll be working weekends in June as the weekend meteorologist. It's a step down from where I am now, but we are excited to be back home and I'm doing what I really enjoy.

I truly know that this was straight from God, because it couldn't have worked out any better. So we'll be moving at the end of May and maybe we can finally settle down for a long period of time.

The Finer Things In Life

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:55:44 GMT

So many things happen in the passing of a year. One year ago, I never thought I would be in Sioux Falls, South Dakota working as a tv weatherman. One year ago, I never thought I would have been able to take care of myself so well, while also taking care of my wife. One year ago, I never thought I would miss family and friends back home so much.

Here's what's been going on with me. So I've been in Sioux Falls a little over 8 months and have a job that I halfway enjoy. I get to present the weather to viewers all over the Sioux Empire the way I always wanted to. A few months ago, I got promoted and so now I present it 5 days a week instead of just on weekends. Of course, there are the downs that come with any job. I'm still stuck doing stuff outside of weather at work, which I really don't enjoy a whole lot, but I just do it to get through it. I'm stuck with a station that doesn't spend a whole lot of money on it's employees or it's resources, the latter of which bothers me a lot. You can't complain about lack of viewers when you don't invest in the employees or the resources. Finally, they are looking into getting a new studio, so that is a start. But all in all, I can't complain too much about that side of things. I'm doing something I've wanted to do since I was young.

But many thoughts have come into my head over the past few months that have made me second guess my career choice; mainly family and friends. Most importantly, that includes my fantastic wife who has been right there beside me through this all and sacrificed so much. Over Christmas, we traveled back home the weekend before and spent time with family. It was such a great time, and it has been harder each time we go home. About a month from now, it will only get tougher as we travel home two more times. 8 days ago, Ryan and Jamie came up to visit, and that just added to how hard it has been. We had such a great time with them in a friendship that we have really lacked since moving to Sioux Falls. Don't get me wrong, we have some good friends here, but it's not quite the same as our tight bond with Ryan and Jamie.

So back to my career choice and what this all has to do with that. Well, working in television is difficult due to the lack of positions and the competition. Not to mention the timing of it all. I've had the opportunity to work in Lincoln at 10/11, but I'm under contract until May here. So, in this business, it's pretty hard to be close to home. In addition to that, the work schedule is tough. I'm all about the 8-5 workday, now more than ever. That opportunity would never come to me in television. It's either weekends 2pm-11pm, weekdays 2pm-11pm, or what I'm doing now (weekdays 2am-whenever). So with that, I'm stuck with odd sleeping hours, normally two 4 hour naps. After nearly 3 months, I've discovered how unhealthy that is. It also affects my time with Kelly, just as my schedule did when I worked weekends. In television, there is no normal schedule.

So this has got me thinking, do I really want to continue this for the next 30+ years. Kelly and I have discussed moving home at the end of my contract to be closer to family and friends. That would mean me giving up my career. And in that thought, I don't really think I would miss it that much. It would be hard giving up something I really enjoy, but I've decided that family and friends are way more important than personal enjoyment. But on the good side of things, family and friends do give me some personal enjoyment anyway. So I think I would be gaining more than I would be losing.

Well, I have a little bit of time to think about it. Not too mention, a wonderful wife to talk about these things with.

Change of Season

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 17:11:44 GMT

I can safely say, it's been an awful long time since I've written in here. Since I last wrote, I have been married for 3 months. I've been working for four months. And Nebraska already has it's third game of the year tonight. Married life has had it's great moments and it's struggles. We've adjusted to living together. It took awhile, with living in Sioux Falls and whatnot, but it's getting easier. As for work, it's had it's struggles too. It has been hard working with outdated equipment, but unfortunately, they don't have the money to upgrade. Working weekends has been hard because Kelly and I rarely have time off at the same time. So we are never able to make it home together. We will be going home the first weekend of October for a wedding since I took that weekend off. It also stinks because I can't go to Husker games. Speaking of games, they play #1 USC tonight. That should be a great game.

Anyway, I thought it would be good to update this so everyone. Unfortunately, I need to go back to work this afternoon, so I must end this here. Good Day!

One Week

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 00:13:41 GMT

So one week from now, I'll be a married man. I am so excited.

Adjustments

Wed, 23 May 2007 22:06:25 GMT

Obviously, I've had many changes over the past month or two and there will be more to come. I'm not saying that any of them are bad, in fact I looked forward to them or am still looking forward to them. I think my latest adjustment has been the toughest to deal with. I always imagined getting a job in Nebraska so I could be close to home. In reality, I'm not too far away from home (only 4 hours). But it has been pretty lonely here in Sioux Falls. I haven't met too many people up here outside of the people at work. They are great, don't get me wrong, but they aren't the type of people that can be you close personal friends. Now that I'm out of college, I've lost that opportunity to find those close friends that you find in college. So it has been a little lonely up here. I'm looking forward to when Kelly and I get married just to have that close personal relationship that I've been missing up here. I'm sure she will feel the same about leaving all that she knows too. After all, she won't know anyone outside of me when she does move up here. I know that this is where the Lord has led us to be, I just don't know what he has in store for out new life in Sioux Falls.

I had my first weekend on the air last weekend. Talk about a reality check. Up until that point, I had only practiced in front of the green screen. There's a lot of acting involved and it's all ad-libbing on my part. I've never been one to be quick on my feet when it comes to speaking. I've put my foot in my mouth so many times in my life and so coming up with something to say on the spot has been very tough. The first weekend was a success, simply because there were no huge errors. I've just gotta stick with it. After all this is what I want to do and I had a lot of fun doing it.

Life In The Fast Lane

Tue, 08 May 2007 19:28:05 GMT

Since the last post, a lot has happened. I've finally graduated college after only 7 years thanks to the inspiration of Chris Farley in "Tommy Boy". Now, I've moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and am beginning my life here. I'm sitting in a coffee shop to use their internet since none of my neighbors have wireless access at the apartment complex. Yesterday, my parents, Kelly, and her mom came up with me and helped us move in. Unfortunately, they had to take Kelly back with them since she still has 3 weeks of school and another 3 weeks before we get married. That is the part of this move that has been really hard so far. I feel very foreign here right now. I have been trying to keep as busy as possible, just so the time will go by faster and so I don't think about being lonely here. I've spent a little bit of time at KDLT, which is just a 1 minute walk from my apartment. I'm just trying to get to know people as well as learn some things I will need to know when I start. I will be starting next Monday.

The weather has been crazy for the last 5 days, that is for sure. First an extremely large EF5 hits Greensberg, KS on Friday as part of a small tornado outbreak. Then Saturday comes complete with many more tornadoes as well as a lot of flooding. That has been the big story here in South Dakota. Today, the big story here has been the cold-air funnel clouds that have been sporadically spotted in the area. I wish I could see a few for photogenic observation.

My spiritual life has been given a boost over the last few days. I've really been trying to keep prayer a regular thing in my life as well as bible reading. With the busy life of school, I seemed to get overwhelmed with life and throw that part of my life by the wayside. But with all the changes, prayer and study have come back into my life more regularly. I hope I can continue to do that and keep the Lord #1.

Meteorologist Travis Klanecky

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:12:58 GMT

Well, it's official. I was offered the job today and took it immediately. I will be working for KDLT in Sioux Falls, SD.

Time For A Change

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 02:49:35 GMT

Time is a flyin' by and life has been crazy. Not that much has changed all semester, because it has certainly been an extremely busy semester. It's now down to two weeks left at UNL. Not a lot left to do though. This week (dead week) I have two meteorology assignments and a 10 page paper due. So much for a dead week. Next week, I have 3 finals, with 2 of them being fairly easy. So my time here is slowly winding down. Now, it's where do I go from here. I've been in the middle of the job search, and my biggest prospect is in Sioux Falls, SD. I had an interview 9 days ago and things look promising. I'll be calling them tomorrow to see how things are coming along. I just got a message from the chief meteorologist there and he is behind me on it.

Kelly and I have really discussed whether or not to do this and if it would be the right choice. We've decided that if I am offered the position, we will take it and move to SD. She has been so supportive throughout this entire process. She has stood right by my side and been such a trooper. This will be a major adjustment for the both of us if we take this job. That is especially true for her because she would have to get a new teaching position in the Sioux Falls area for next year. But before I discuss this too much, I need to make sure I have the job first. More to come later...

This past weekend was full of excitement. Kelly had a wedding shower in St. Paul with mostly my family. You know the wedding is getting close when showers are starting. She has another one next weekend in Lincoln. Also, last night we got together with some old high school friends, Brian and Kaleena Smith. I graduated with Brian, and Kelly graduated with Kaleena. We haven't really spent much time with them since high school, so it was nice to jump back in time, but also to bring everything to the present between us and them. They are a strong Christian couple and it would be great to spend more time with them.

God is great. He has blessed me well beyond what I deserve. Tonight, in our last Financial Peace University course, we learned about the great misunderstanding of how the things that are given to us, are actually God's and he has just trusted them to us. Take our money for instance. It's all his. If a friend gave you money that was his to trust you with, would you waste it on junk or would you do what they would want us to do with it. God wants us to give and be smart about our finances. I have learned, while going through this class, how to be much smarter with money and not to let it control me. I still have a long ways to go in that situation, but it has improved a lot this semester.

Well, it's late and time for bed. I have a busy week this week and it starts with work early tomorrow morning. Changes are approaching. I can't wait.

Time Gets Ever Closer

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 02:04:12 GMT

Well, I figured after a month it's time to put up a word or two. Busy, busy, busy. I've discovered over the last couple of weeks that I can't multitask at all. It has been a great difficulty to have to focus on school and in addition focus on what I'm going to do after school. This has by far been my busiest semester ever, and I'm fighting to survive. Less than 5 weeks until graduation and then I'm out to the real world. Not that I'm not prepare. I'm actually very eager to get there. I can't believe that it is almost finally here. In just over 15 days, my army career will come to an end. What a trip that has been. But I'll write more about that when it comes. And only two and a half months until Kelly and I tie the knot. So as you can see there are many things ahead in the near future.

Today, I told Kelly that I was extremely proud of her and how she turned out. I could not have found anybody better suited for me in my life and I couldn't be happier. Along the way we have learned about how tough relationships can be. But the last 9 years of knowing her and all the time we have been a couple have brough amazing memories that far outweigh any hard times. I know that we have a firm foundation that will keep us strong for years to come.

Well, that's the quick update. It's time to get to work before I get to bed. Another busy week ahead. God Bless!

SNOW DAY!!!

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 21:51:56 GMT

I am the type of person that likes his sleep. So this morning I was woken up at 6am. I could have been mad, but I was woken up for the best news ever. SNOW DAY!!! No school and being lazy all day. Actually Matt and I spent a few hours cleaning the hours hardcore. It was kinda nice to have a break from school. I still have some homework that I need to work on for tomorrow though. Everything got pushed back a little bit, but I still have to turn them in.

So obviously, I haven't written much in here for well over a month now, so what has changed with me? Well, I'm gonna be a married man in 3 1/2 months. That's very exciting. I can't believe I'm already almost halfway through this semester. Only two months left until graduation. I've been working on the job search. I've sent out three resume tapes, resumes, and cover letters so far. I sent one to Mason City, Iowa, one to Sioux Falls, SD, and one to Zanesville, OH. Personally, I would love to stay in Nebraska, but if there are no job openings, then I would like to at least be in a state close to home. Only 1 1/2 months left in the army. I have my last drill weekend this upcoming weekend. That's exciting. I can't believe that it has been almost 8 years. That's a long time.

Things have been extremely busy in school, so that is part of why I haven't written much. This has been the hardest semester of my life. Nothing like going out with a bang. In the past few weeks, I've spent more time in the word and relying on God. Why else would God give me tough times. He just wants me to put my life in His hands and not try to do everything without Him.

Hooray for a SNOW DAY!!!