Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Introduction - A not so normal, normal life


My name is Lance Ramos. I grew up in Tulsa, OK and have lived there all of my life. However, I’m looking to move somewhere warmer upon graduation. I’ve fallen in love with the state of California primarily due to the fantastic weather, proximity to water, mountains, and national parks. I major in Health and Exercise Science (yes, I can help you workout). I plan to attend Physical Therapy school in the Summer and become a PT! I am also a McNair scholar; this entails doing research and presenting it at research conferences. I’ve had several great experiences through the McNair scholars program. For example, I had the chance to speak to the Associate Program Scientist for NASA about their exercise methods on the International Space Station. Additionally, I am a ‘Big’ for Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Oklahoma -- a very fulfilling experience. I have a girlfriend of five years who is also an OU student. We both hope to become health care professionals. I enjoy playing racquetball, soccer, and most anything outdoors (i.e. fishing, hiking, swimming, cycling). Growing up, soccer was always a major part of my life -- I played for as many as 4 teams at one time.

 
 
Sooners at Griffith Park!

                               (Image information: personal photo taken in Los Angeles, CA;
photo taken July, 2014)
 
 

Unfortunately, I took a class over the winter break; as such, I read and wrote for approximately 4-7 hours each day. On the bright side, I’ll be graduating in May. As a matter of fact, I will be the first in my family to graduate from a four-year university. I enjoy reading when I have free time. Sadly, college has dampered reading aspirations with all of the mandatory reading imposed on us by professors. I typically don’t watch television -- as I mention earlier, I’d prefer to be outside. I love listening to music; some of the genres I listen to are: Christian contemporary, classical, rock, country, nortenas (Spanish country), and bachata (Spanish dance music).


27 comments:

  1. Hey Lance! I am from near Tulsa! Always nice to meet someone from the area! I definitely can understand wanting to move to California! The weather is amazing there! That is awesome you got to speak at a NASA event! I can't imagine how awesome an opportunity that was! I am sorry to hear you had to take a class over the break! That is never a fun thing to do, but at least you will graduate this spring! I am a avid reader also! It really does stink that school doesn't allow much time for personal reading!

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  2. Hey Lance, your introduction is really fascinating. All your athletic abilities are inspiring and something I hope to achieve myself. I wouldn't mind some workout tips either, since every time I begin exercising, I lose motivation and stop after a few days. I do agree with you about not having enough reading time, but hopefully the books that we have to read for this class will be more of a "fun" read as opposed to something that feels "imposed." Also, you being part of BBBS was a nice surprise. I rarely ever meet people who are in that program so I'm glad to know that you're a Big. Lastly, I wish you an early happy graduation, congrats on almost being done with your four years of college and being the first in your family!

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  3. Lance,

    Always interesting to see how many people know what they want to do with their life and it seems like you know exactly what you want. Good luck on being a PT! Also, that is awesome that you will be the first in your family to graduate from a four-year university that is a big accomplishment. Your point about how professors assign way too much reading and completely destroy your ambition to read a lot of books or at all is completely true. It is amazing how I have almost decided to not read at all anymore. Anyway good luck in the class and hopefully we enjoy the readings in this class!

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  4. I am such a fan of California too, Lance - although I have been to LA just a couple of times. I was more a Bay area person, and I've lived in San Francisco, Oakland, Daly City and Berkeley ... and they were ALL great. And how cool that you are part of the McNair program. I've always been a fan of that program, and then I learned more about Ronald McNair, and I became an even bigger fan. Have you seen this AMAZING video from StoryCorps, Eyes on the Stars...? Oh, it just makes me cry: Eyes on the Stars. You can be really proud of being part of McNair Scholars program and helping to keep his dream alive, and I hope you will enjoy this class! :-)

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  5. Hey Lance!
    I agree with you about moving somewhere warmer! I am from Texas. I am not used to all the snow/ice that we get here! I think it is really cool that you want to become a PT! I am pre-pharmacy and hoping to attend pharmacy school after this year! I also graduate in May and can not wait! Good luck with your semester and your future plans!

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  6. Hi Lance! I recently went to California last semester and it was absolutely beautiful so I can totally understand why you would be looking to move out there. It really is a nice place. It is so exciting that you are graduating! You must be really proud of yourself. I grew up with the Wichita Wildlife Refuge in my back yard, and also enjoy being outside hiking, and wandering through the side of the mountain. It’s a really beautiful place to visit if you haven’t. I really wish you well as you finish up your last semester!

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  7. Hi Lance! Oh I would love to live in California too. Honestly, I would love to live in any place that has an active outdoor lifestyle. I know what you mean about college dampening reading aspirations. But that's one thing I really like about this class is that we get to read cool literature that isn't super time consuming. Good luck with your last semester of college!

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  8. Hi, Lance! I've never been to California, but I would really like to go sometime. I've only ever heard great things! The scholars program you do sounds super cool! Especially speaking to the NASA scientist, I bet that was awesome. I also enjoy outdoor activities. I really got into hiking last summer. There are so many great trails not far outside of Denver, and my brother and I were trying a different one almost every weekend. Hope you're having a good last semester!

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  9. Hey there! California, huh? I’m a fan, too. My oldest brother lives out there and I’ve visited him a few times. He got transferred out there with the Marines and never did come back to Oklahoma—not that I blame him! It definitely makes sense that you would want to go out there, considering what an active lifestyle you lead. It is SO much harder for me to stay active during the bitter Oklahoma winters. I would much rather do something fun and active outdoors than just go to a gym.
    I totally know what you mean about college ruining reading! I was such a book worm in high school, now I cannot even remember the last time I read a book recreationally. =/

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  10. Hi Lance! Congratulations on being so close to graduation! It's great that you are going to be the first person in your family to graduate from a four-year school. When I lived in Colorado, my family and I would do a lot of outdoor activities, particularly hiking and camping trips. There are some beautiful places in California! What area would you consider living in if you moved there? I also love reading but don't get to do it much during the school year. What are your favorite genres of books? Good luck on the rest of your semester!

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  11. Lance,

    It is nice to meet you. I love that you love all things outdoors! I share that same love, however I don’t get outside as much as I would like to. I hate excuses, but I have to blame all the school work from engineering. I have always loved lifting and have even thought about becoming a personal trainer instead of engineering (sometimes when school gets really challenging it’s nice to imagine what other options I might have for a career).

    I think it’s so cool that you are a Big! I had my interview to be a Big in January, so I hope I can get matched sometime soon. I am also nerding out pretty hard core that you got to talk to speak to someone about exercising methods on the ISS. It’s pretty neat some of the stuff they have figured out how to use (lots of resistance as I am sure you already know).

    To answer your question to my post, I claim being a senior (and I am by hours), but I will take an extra year to get through my bachelors in ChemE. It can be rough. My dream for post-graduation are to work for NASA. I have a friend who is currently working for them and he has inspired me to apply for their internship program (that is one of the few ways to get into NASA). For this summer, I am working with Honeywell in Chicago (or maybe India!). I worked with them last summer and also really love the company.

    Good luck with the rest of your semester and hopefully your travels to California.

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  12. Hello! So good to hear that you're from Tulsa! I've lived there for most of my life as well, and am also planning to move post-grad. California does sound quite amazing! I'm graduating in May as well, and I'm a bit anxious about it. It's great that your such an active person - physically, as well as in the community. Big brothers and big sisters is a great program.

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  13. Lance,

    I could not agree with you more about college dampening your ability to read in your free time. Sometimes I feel as though I am doing so much reading for class that I never want to touch a book again! That is so awesome that you are the first in your family to graduate from a four year university!! Congratulations! I know that they must be so incredibly proud of you. Good luck with your endeavors in California!

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  14. Lance,

    I also want to move to California when I graduate! I don't know if it will actually happen, but I love the beach. In fact, I am headed there this weekend! I'm also graduating in May, and I'm very excited. I'm a European History major so I also have a ton of reading and writing each week. Honestly, I'm kind of excited to be done with school. Good luck with everything!

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  15. Hi Lance! That is awesome that you would like to move to California after you graduate! That’s where I am from! It is pretty awesome having the ability to go surfing at the beach and skiing in the mountains in the same day! I really like your picture! I love Griffith Park – the views from the trail are amazing! Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! That is super exciting after four years of hard work at OU!

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  16. Hello Lance!

    Thanks for telling us a little bit about yourself. Sounds like you have some indredible aspirations. Congratulations on being a McNair scholar - I had not heard about that before! Was it very nerve racking speaking at a NASA conference? I'm not very good at public speaking, so that would have been terrifying for me. My older brother and sister found their way to California, even though we are from Boston. They love it there (except for how expensive the cost of living is). I'm sure you will make your way there and make a happy home! Does your girlfriend also hope to move to California after graduation?

    As far as reading books, I was the same way you were! In fact, up until 8th grade, I probably read a few books a week minimum. But high school and college made it hard for me to enjoy it with all the other work and reading I had to do. But since my class load has lessened (I am only taking this class this semester), I have read 4 books! It's a great feeling to enjoy reading again. You'll get it back!

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  17. Hi Lance! Moving to a warm and sunny place sounds wonderful right now, especially with all of the snow we've had this weekend. If I could ever convince my hubby to move it would probably be to Florida. It would be way too difficult for me to find work as a Registered Nurse in California. Fortunately though, I was hired for my dream job at OUMC before I graduated from nursing school last December, so I will put up with the cold for a few more years.

    I have always enjoyed reading. It is one of the reasons that I chose to take this course. Before college, there was never a time that I wasn't reading a novel of some sort.

    Good luck with your studies this semester and congratulations on being the first one in your family to graduate from a university!

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  18. Hello Lance, Nice to meet you. Congrats on your family accomplishment regarding graduating from a four year college. That is a great think! Looks like you have done some pretty good things in your life and I hope you have a great future.

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  19. Hey Lance! Nice to meet you. Moving to Cali sounds like a great plan! Luckily the weather is not too warm there. I currently live in India and it's starting to get really hot every day. Unfortunately, it will be in the 100 degree weather by the end of March. I'm really jealous you got to talk to people from NASA! As a child my dream job was being an astronaut. Then I found out how difficult it was! Best of luck on the rest of the semester, and enjoy your last semester at OU!

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  20. Hello Lance!

    Sounds like you live a very full life and know exactly what you want. That's great! Physical therapy is a wonderful profession, and I've thought about pursuing that at some point as well so that I can become a hippo therapy specialist.

    It's so cool that you are a McNair scholar, though I'm sorry to say I had not heard of it before now. Sounds like a great program with plenty of opportunities for excellence!

    I feel the same way about reading right now… I so look forward to reading what I really want to again and not just what I have to for classes! It is a real drain.

    Congratulations on being the first in your family to graduate from a university! That is AWESOME! :) Good luck to you on your future endeavors!

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  21. Hey Lance, nice to meet you! Moving to California would definitely be nice, it’s such a cool place. I’ve been there twice and both times I really enjoyed my time there! I think it’s cool how you got to talk to NASA about their exercise methods because that’s something I never would've thought about. Good luck with your last semester at OU!

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  22. Hey Lance! You seem like a pretty cool guy. I also absolutely love being outdoors and exercising, but I certainly have plenty of time to watch Netflix or TV at night! I really enjoy hiking and running, especially when it's warm/hot out so I definitely understand your desire to move once you graduate! California is an incredible state and there is so much opportunity for adventure and be active. Good luck with your future endeavors!

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  23. Hi Lance, I have also lived in Oklahoma all of my life. Oklahoma just feels like home and it always have. I have visited California and California is a beautiful place to visit. I have thought about volunteering for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Oklahoma because I have heard such great things about it. It sounds like such a great organization that’s awesome that you are a part of it. Good luck with everything with the rest of the semester

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  24. Hello Lance! I am from Oklahoma also. One of my friend just got into PT school and it sounds like a pretty good job to have! California is nice! I have never heard of a Californian hating California. Winter intercessions can take over your life. I also took Emotional Intelligence last winter :( Good luck in everything that you do and have fun in PT school!

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  25. Hey Lance! PT school sounds nice. I know a lot of people who are doing it and they enjoy doing PT. That is pretty cool that you got to speak in an associate's program for NASA. That is quite something right there. California is a great state and so much to do there. You will really like it. Pretty cool that you play so many sports! Staying active is key to a healthy life. I am also graduating as well in May. Whoo hoo go seniors!

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  26. Hi Lance! That is awesome that you are a Health and Exercise Science major too. Actually, I have a friend in the class, and he is in that college as well. We love to workout and learn about the body as I am sure you do too! I am also from Tulsa, Ok. I lived there my whole life until I came to OU. It was a tough transition for me. Good luck with graduation and PT school. Sounds like it is going to be a blast. I hope you are able to make it to California and actually be able to afford to live. That is such a great place to live but very expensive.

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  27. Hi Lance.
    I am also a Health and Exercise Science major. I played soccer growing up as well and I know how busy it can be playing on multiple teams. I think three is the most teams I have ever played on at any one time and that was plenty for me. Good luck with what is left of the semester!

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