So yeah I’m on my flight home from Thanksgiving at my Aunt Iris and Uncle Bill’s house… don’t think I have much time up in the air so this may be a two-parter entry (is “parter” a word??) But yeah once again just an awesome time again hanging out with my aunt and uncle – got brushed up on my Godfather knowledge, saw some good sports (Portland Pilate domination?), got some much needed homework done, and had pretty much non-stop delicious eating. Jay and Kelsee were also back in VA, so it wasn’t the insanely random run-in of last year, but it was still great getting to see my old SPU friends and have dinner at this Irish pub and then end the night with some ice cream from this awesome mom and pop store. I think my favorite part of the trip though, was on Saturday when Aunt Iris and Uncle Bill took me to Thomas Jefferson’s house at Monticello. It was something that I’ve actually wanted to see for the last year or so, and didn’t ever think about going while in VA, so when Aunty Iris brought that up as an option I was very excited. The house is incredibly unique with Roman columns in the front, a French dome on the top, and these strange slanted windows that makes the house look like a one story home even though it is actually two (plus basement). It was really cool that it wasn’t just all re-enactments of what he probably owned (aka Paul Revere’s not so awesome house), but there was tons of original art, books, and furniture that Jefferson actually owned.

So yeah, this weekend was great, but last weekend was also super jammed packed and fun. Big Mike came into town on Friday, which ended up being perfect since my birthday was that day. That night we actually were having our bible study group joint birthday party for all the November birthdays (there were actually 5 of us!) and so we went to Joshua tree to celebrate. It was not my typical scene, but it was still pretty fun… even danced a little bit (which is quite the phobia for me). Saturday was great – went downtown and then ended the day with a Thanksgiving dinner with our church. One of Big Mike’s goals was to have turkey while in Boston, so he was pretty happy. After went back and played games at our house, which I really enjoyed because I feel like people got to get to know Big Mike better, and he seemed to really like everyone too.

The grand finale of the whole trip was on Sunday though, when we made the train ride out to Foxboro for my very first Patriots game!!! I wrote about this a while back, but basically this has been a life goal of mine for a while, and I couldn’t have asked for a better game to go to – great close seats next to rowdy Patriots fans (felt bad for the guy next to me wearing a Mark Sanchez jersey), a Tom Brady to Randy Moss TD, and a great defensive performance, as we shut down those evil JETS. Walking into Gillett stadium felt like I was going to Mecca or something… like it was beautiful. I tried my best to soak it all in, and the day was just perfect. Maybe this just shows how I will always be a kid on the inside… but as cool as Monticello was – I think Patriots game at Foxboro was one of the most memorable and incredible places I have ever been.

Wow, finished the entry before the end of the flight! So yeah think I’ll get to hang out with some Boston buddies tonight and then it’s non-stop homework for the rest of the weekend. This next week is my final take-over week (this break was super recharging though), so home stretch is coming up. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Current Music: Owl City - Early Birdie

Whew so this is the first pencil/paper to computer entry I think I’ve ever done.  I had some time before CG so I thought it would be good to read or get some work done with that time.  However, as I was walking to the restaurant where I was going to do all that I realized I brought my backpack – but somehow I didn’t think to actually pack into that backpack any of the things I would need to do the reading or work I wanted to do.  Little worried that this is all happening at age 24. 

So had one of the best three-day stretches a few days ago (definitely Top Ten worthy).  On Thursday we had a guys night and went to Shabu zen for Hot Pot.  Unlike the last Hot Pot experience where I didn’t really know how to cook the meat properly (leaving me by the end of the night in a fetal position of pain in Liz’s living room) I cooked it right and the food was incredible.  Jayo, Jigga, Dan, T, Jason, and I all went out, and it was fun talking life, sports, and old Sega Genesis game moments.   On a side note I told the story of the time Brent and I played Moral Kombat for the first time ever at the arcade near Jesuit H.S. (RIP classic arcade/golf course).  At the time I remember it being the most awesome (if not overly gory) game ever.  That night I was still on the high from my first Sub Zero/Johnny Cage experience when mom came home and said, “I just learned from one of my students about this awful game called Mortal Kombat… I don’t want you or Brent to ever play that game.”  Oh man what timing huh.  But no worries mom - if I was in your shoes there is no way I would have let an 8 year old kid play that game either… so good call.

Let’s see so Thurs was great (maybe favorite meal with Boston friends?), but Friday was equally awesome.  Jenn Chu is a Brown graduate and through her school she was able to get special tickets for 5 of us to see the newly directed film by John Krasinski (aka Jim Halpert from the office).  The best part though, was that Jim came out and introduced his movie, and then after the movie talked and did a Q and A for a good 20 minutes or so.  It was so great because he really is EXACTLY like Jim from the show.  From his jokes and mannerisms to the cool unbuttoned shirt with loose tie, it was like hanging out with my old Office friend.  Ended the night with dinner at a Tibet style restaurant, which was a first for me. 

Ok… ran out of time - will finish it the next day….

Cool so Saturday started off with a LBFE visit with Marie, which was fun.  Saw pictures of her life growing up… good stuff.  Jigga, T, Jenn, Flora, Lennox, Sunny, and myself went to this reservoir area and hiked around the forest.  We ended up more playing around – perfecting our rock skipping, cartwheel high-5ing, and heel jump tapping.  We got some games of sardines and balancing challenges in too.  Ended with some sushi (man I think I spent a lot of money on food this week… woops), and then this Korean Monster movie (a Quentin Tarantino favorite I guess).   Super fun and random day… I think those types of days are my favorite.

On a side note – Blazers killin right now!  GO going for 14 and 6 in the second half alone (we won’t focus on what happened in the first half….).   But man pretty encouraging stuff with the team responding to Nate’s new more up-tempo offense (And oh yes - I have seen this with my own eyes after the greatest birthday gift ever between my roommate Jayo and I – where we are now proud owners of every single NBA game for the rest of the year ☺).  Anyways, guess that’s it…. Hope everyone who had the day off for Veterans Day is having a good one. 

Current Music: New Weezer album - Old school Weezer style mixed w/ new (Weezer raps??)

Ok so maybe it's lame that I'm writing journal entries over other people's lives but I thought this story was so funny I had to put it on here.  Someone from work was talking about how her friends went to South Bend to watch the Notre Dame vs BC Football game.  Her friends had on these shirts that said "Rudy Sucks!"... which is pretty hilarious on its own I thought.  But then on the way to the game they stopped at a restaurant and who did they run into... none other then the actual Rudy!  How weird would that be to see your name on a strangers shirt randomly ripping on you!  Oh man I think I kept thinking about that one and laughing for a good ten minutes or so.

Pulling the Panera Bread lunch run again.  Maybe it’s kind of strange considering it’s a national chain… but I feel like this is one of my favorite spots of Boston.  I brought the computer along because I really have a lot of homework and I probably should start working on that, but I’ve been wanting to write for so long and there just never seems to be enough time – so I guess I just need to go for it now and then figure out the “important” stuff later ☺  Maybe that’s a terrible way of thinking, but keep feel like I miss stuff that I want to write down and be able to look back on. 

Anyways, saw a cool moment at the restaurant just now.  This young couple came in and they had their little baby dressed in this monkey costume (It is Halloween… otherwise the scene would probably be more weird then anything).  I’m not really a big people-watcher person (always afraid that I’ll come across as creepy), but I was watching them for a little bit.  Anyways, before they ate they just bowed their head and prayed a prayer together as a family.  I didn’t eavesdrop or anything… but I just was watching and thinking what an incredible scene.  How amazing would that be one day to have that type of blessing you know… a family that is enjoying life and is stopping to put God right in the middle of it all.  I honestly don’t usually think thoughts like that, but just finished reading the new Donald Miller book a Million Miles in a Thousand Years and it got me thinking.  The story is all about life and leading a good story, not necessarily a comfortable one, but a memorable one (very thought provoking but also entertaining and told in the classic Blue Like Jazz style).  It was good reading this during a time when I am just trying to figure out so much of what I want to/what God wants to do with my life.  Had my first talk with mom and dad a few weeks back about life and plans for next year.  It was a talk that I wanted to have for a while but didn’t know how to bring up or if I should.  But like always my parents were super supportive and it was incredibly relieving to know that they would pray for God’s will and that they were ok with whatever that would be (thanks so much guys).  Since that conversation life has gone in an interesting direction.  I feel that for this year specifically it is suppose to be a year of service and challenge.  I think it is a different challenge then year one of Boston, but still a challenge of doing things out of my comfort zone, stepping up and willing to lead things, and working through the things God wants to change in me.  I had that feeling last Sunday that it was the start of something new – I became a member of City Life church (first time I’ve ever committed to a church really).  Earlier that week Stephanie from Children’s ministry handed over more responsibilities of the special education ministry which is exciting – maybe it will be the same with just one student, but I think it would be really cool if God brought more families with special needs to our church.   Then our small group (which has been probably the best part of Boston) has split into two separate groups – which is kind of nerve-racking since things will definitely change, but also feels right, and opens the door for new people and new change to occur within the two groups.  So all that to say is I guess I feel like God is bringing about new things to Boston, but I just don’t know how long those things I’m suppose to be apart of. 

So yeah guess that’s been my thoughts for the last few weeks.  A little different of a journal entry I guess.  Let’s see to catch up on the fun stuff of Boston.  Had my friend Kathleen come to Boston with her friend Denise and that was fun.  Did some fun time downtown and ate some really good food.  Last weekend had our first Little Brothers friend of the Elderly get together which was awesome.  Met some nice Russian ladies, who are actually Holocaust survivors!  I seriously was just thinking a couple weeks ago – I wish I cared more in 8th grade when a Holocaust survivor came to our school and that I listened harder and asked her questions… but then out of nowhere this opportunity just kind of came together… crazy huh!  But yeah also got some good college football in, and then ended the weekend with some tennis.   Yesterday was a really good day too.  Had a couple of rough days at work earlier in the week and was starting to get down on myself– but Friday was Halloween celebration day and it was just a great day at school from start to finish.  After work the two CGs came together for a Haunted Corn Maze trip.  Even though our group got kicked out, the maze was really fun (while it lasted….) and we ended with a Smokehouse BBQ run (maybe best ribs in Boston?  But seriously nothing tops Busters).  So yeah guess that pretty much catches up life for the last two weeks.  Cool well got the journal writing out of my system… time for me to hit the books.  Not sure if tonight will turn into a social Halloween night or a Blazers/Oregon Ducks Halloween night…. Maybe it’s kind of bad but the latter is sounding pretty dang good right now ☺  Anyways, hope you guys have a good rest of the weekend!

Current Music: Mika - Blue Eyes

Wow first time I’ve ever done the journal entry on the T before.  For a 9:15 in the morning Sunday T ride it is really packed right now… not sure maybe there is some big Boston event that I don’t know about?  Anyways, I’ve been meaning to write for a while and I actually need my computer for a Sunday school lesson for the boy I work with, so worked out good.

But yeah, I think the big news of the last week is the word that Big Mike is coming in November. It will be really good to see and hang out with my old 3rd Central Emerson friend.  What’s also even more amazing about this whole thing is that we have been talking about going to a Pats game together ever since I found out I was going to Boston, so after I found out he was coming I looked online and I bought my first Patriot tickets ever (I guess my first NFL tickets really).  I’m super stoked about the game - not only because it is going to be an epic mid-November at freezing Foxboro battle against the hated JETS, but also because it will be the first time I’ve ever been able to check off something from the list of things I won’t to do in my life list (which the idea was unfortunately stolen from me from that Morgan Freeman Bucket List movie… but I guess to be fair, I took the idea from a guy from camp too).  I’ve got other stuff like coach a basketball team, visit 6 out of 7 continents (sorry Antarctica), and learn piano one day… but seeing a Pats game live in New England is really high up my list.  So yeah, can’t wait to see Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and most of all Bill Bilechek and his famous cut off sleeve sweatshirt live and in person with Big Mike.

School and work have been going good this last week.  Still making some of my “new guy” mistakes at work… but overall I am feeling much more comfortable and confident in what I am doing.  The school class load has been pretty intense, but I feel like I’m doing a pretty good job of chipping away at it.  Still got a ways to go though, and have some big things I have to get done by Tuesday.   Holy cow it is really crowded in the T now… it feels like that one NYC subway trip after the Yankees game back in 6th grade.

I guess my final thought of the journal entry is kind of tied in with school and stuff.  I’m not fully sure how to say my thoughts sometime, so I think I’ll just start writing and maybe some thoughts will come out.  But I guess this weekend I had this realization that I’m feeling older and older.  In some ways that is good.  Growing up and becoming more responsible and stuff, but it other ways it has kind of been a bummer.  I think one of the main reasons I feel like that is how I just have this almost obsession with getting enough sleep.  It feels like a no win situation because I feel like I’m missing out on stuff and life because I’m always the first one to say I’m going to bed, or I don’t do certain events because I’m thinking man we are probably going to be getting home really late from that.  But at the same time when I don’t give myself enough time to get a full night sleep I feel like a zombie the next day and don’t feel like I do my best at work or am really spacey around people.  So it’s kind of this stressful cycle of should I go to bed and miss out, or should I be tired the next day.   I know this probably sounds like a stupid small thing (maybe even a little whiny on my part… my bad for that), but it really is something that I think about all the time, and wish there was an easy answer for.  Maybe the key is I need to stop thinking about it some much?... who knows.

Anyways, I would feel ridiculous ending the entry on that note so let’s see what else to say… oh yesterday was a Chinese Fall holiday, so I went out to dinner with two of my friends from the BC Special Ed program to celebrate.  I guess this day is the equivalent to their Thanksgiving, so we went food crazy!!  I honestly don’t think I’ve eaten that much food since Thanksgiving with Aunty Iris and Uncle Bill.  Couldn’t even touch breakfast and still feeling pretty full still right now.  Whew… but that was some good food!  Oh and props to dad and the Dodgers, it took a while but they finally clinched that NL West spot.  Time for them to heat up for the playoffs.  I’ll be pulling hard for your guys though dad. 

Current Music: David Crowder Band - All Creatures #2

Today is the first rainy Saturday of the school year.  I’m actually kind of happy for the nothing really to do rain day.   For some reason I’ve just found it really hard to get good sleep since I’ve started the new job in Boston and I’m starting to feel it a bit, so I think the chill/go to bed early day will help a lot.  Yesterday I even started looking at start times for schools in the Beaverton School District online, and as bad as it sounds, I don’t know if I could work at a highschool for the only reason that their start times are so insanely early.  On the flip side - that 9:05 Conestoga start time is sounding pretty good :)

So yeah couple of things from the past week wanted to get down onto the journal.  Last weekend I went with a couple of friends from church, who were Michigan alums, to a sports bar devoted entirely to Michigan fans.   It was actually one of the coolest sports experiences I’ve ever seen.  I’ve always been a bigger fan of professional sports over college, but after seeing the crazy passion of the entire place for one team, I think I understand more why people say college is way better.  I was definitely an outsider, being the one person not wearing Michigan blue and gold, but it was still pretty sweet to hear the chants, the pounding cowbell, and the rowdy energy of the Ann Arbor faithful there.  Had an embarrassing moment there too.  One of the people we met up with in the group I kept looking over at – one of those I feel like I’ve met you but I’m not quite sure kind of moments.  Eventually I just went up and was like have we met before?  She told me that we actually had met before, and that in fact, this was the fourth time we had been introduced.  She reminded me that we actually had the EXACT same conversation the time before (which I remembered after she said that).  Yeah, pretty bad… the memory is fading fast at 24.

This week was also the start of work at the Campus School.   I have to say that the people working at this school are possibly the nicest people I have ever met in my whole life.  I keep saying that the people working there are like saints – and it’s kind of true - they are so nice and positive and they treat the kids with so much care and respect.  But yeah the first two days of work went pretty well, but at the same time I just felt kind of lost.  I knew coming in that I had so much to learn – not only protocol, safety, and instructional stuff related to working with kids with severe disabilities.  But maybe even more so – just how to relate and enjoy the company of students whose communication and cognitive levels were much lower then I was use to.  I think a big part of why I look up to my co-workers so much is that they just get it.  They don’t need to have a student respond to their questions or even necessarily understand what they are saying to appreciate the relationship.  They don’t look at the student and see them for what they can’t do, but they stay focused on what they are able to.  I guess I feel kind of guilty because I am definitely not at that point yet.  So yeah, these first two days been thinking about that a lot.  This Friday though was the best day of the week.   I felt like for the first time that week I  connected with some of the students.  One student I was with I was able to talk to by him answering yes and no questions with a communication system they developed.  It was funny because he was totally messing with me – I would ask him a question that I knew the answer to already, and then he would purposefully responded incorrectly.  But the thing is he knew he knew he was answering incorrectly and joking around because when I called him on it, he just started laughing.  So yeah this went on for a while, and it was fun.  I guess that’s my main goal for this year… that I would learn how to fully appreciate, joke around, and relate to students no matter what their ability level is.  It would be cool to read this entry at the end of the year, and be at that point

Guess I’ll end the entry with a quick story from last night.  I was out with some friends from church last night, and I ended up sitting next to this girl that I met once before.  I asked her if she remembered my name and she paused and was like Br (pause)… ent.  And I told her – pretty close, that actually my brother’s name.  I then made a comment about the Smith brothers, and she was like that’s funny, I knew a Brent Smith from college.  I thought that was kind of a strange coincidence…. so I asked her what school she went to.  When she said UC Irvine I couldn’t believe it!  Good small world moment - randomly meeting one of Brent’s IV buddies on the other side of the country :)

Current Music: Shiny Toy Guns - We Are Pilots

 Shoot so I want to write a little more for this first blog back in Boston, but I have a 10 minute limit because I am at BC (no internet at home) and I have to return this cable box before the store closes.  So yeah apologize for the higher then normal spelling errors that will be coming up.  

But yeah the last couple of days back have been pretty intense.  Last night was the big move in day and I've honestly never seen anything like it.  It honestly feels like 75% of people in Boston are moving that night.  There are UHaul trucks every five cars, stuff (some of it pretty nice) just laying on the street everywhere, and wall to wall traffic with stressed out drivers on every block.  Basically the situation we were in though was 2 of the 3 of us were homeless yesterday, so we needed to move into our new place.  We also couldn't start moving until 7 because of the UHaul pick up schedule, so we had one UHaul truck for three people, with stuff scattered in five different building, and we were shooting to have it all done in five hours... man sounds kind of intense just writing about it!  But yeah it was really cool though because we didn't really recruit people, but amazingly five friends from church actually ended up calling us and asking if we needed help.  Most of them even ended up staying up until 1 am on a work night... seriously just feeling very blessed/humbled by how amazing and giving everyone from church is.  But yeah, with the help and some quick moving we are actually all moved in and are happy residents of 6 Lorraine Terrace #1 Allston, MA 02134... that's for you mom and grandma :)  

But yeah first night back was kind of surreal being back.  It was really rainy and I kind of missed home (sounds kind of strange since I was just there), but I feel more into the swing of things again and have enjoyed seeing the east coast holmies again.  Tomorrow is the first day of training for the new Campus School job... excited and nervous for that one.  Woops I went over my ten minute rule... better get going.  If I'm slow to responding to emails I might be internet-less for a while.  

Current Music: Owl City's Ocean Eyes CD

Man I guess the phrase slow and steady wins the race doesn’t apply to my journal writing.  I honestly keep thinking I want to write about so and so that just happened, but I keep forgetting to, and then I end up with one of those overly long entries trying to catch up.  But yeah I’m sitting here at the Starbucks on Scholls – I’ve got my coffee and I’ve got some good music so I’m ready to write! 

So since I covered basically all of July last entry I guess this will be the August version.  Some of the stuff that we did in Boston I definitely want to talk about – like the Beach Boys in the Park (with surprise guest Uncle Jessie from Full House!) and the golf/arcade basketball/Emmett day at Kimbell Farms – but I figure both of those will be Top Ten of 2009 events so I’ll write a more detailed description in December.  Does anyone else think I’m strange for doing these lists??  Maybe they are a bit odd… but looking back and remembering the favorite events of the year is still one of my favorite things to do.

Anyways, I think I’ll fast forward a little and go to time in Oregon.   It’s kind of funny because overall I would say I’m a pretty relaxed low-stress person, but before coming to Oregon I was seriously freaking out.  Like having bad dreams kind of nervous.  Basically I was looking at the short 13 days I had for West Coast time and I didn’t know how I was going to fit in all the things I needed to – family time, time with friends in Oregon, a Seattle friend reunion, and the San Francisco trip.  So yeah, that concern actually ended up pretty consistently being my response to the question in Bible study – does anyone have anything they want prayer for?  But with three days left for my time back home I am looking back pretty amazed at how God answered that prayer request and how memorable, enjoyable, and relaxing this time has been.

I guess I’ll start off with the first day back on Sunday.  After church grandma and I went to Red Robbins (French Onion Soup!) and hung out together.  I then picked up Rona who I found out a few days earlier had planned a surprise Beaverton trip (I kind of ruined that one…) and we got to hang out.  My favorite part was playing this reminiscing who, what, where game that we made up.  After dinner with the fam, Rona and I met up with Danny, and then we all went over to the newly weds Mallory and Mitch’s house.  It was great catching up and it seems like they are really enjoying married life together.  Danny, Rona, and I then went out to Southeast Portland where we went to this very Portlandy coffee shop (sorry I used Portland as an adjective).  It was cool though because the table we sat at had this super slow motor, so the table would rotate very slowly without your knowledge (think smaller version of the Space Needle restaurant).  So basically you would be talking and ten minutes later you would reach down for your coffee and it was no longer where you last left it… hilarious idea!

The next day Kalani came in and we went to the batting cages, The Ram, and took many pictures with his stuff monkey George around town.  That night Nathan, Erin, Jennie, and Jyl came down for some BBQ, Super Nintendo, Family Business at Southridge, some Smashing Pumpkin’s 1979-esque time at Wallgreens, and a really memorable time of talking and catching up over the last year at Hiteon.  The next morning we went downtown and went to Powell’s where we played the great book exchange game and then ended with some Quelf in the park.   I feel like those two days with the SPU friends were how I remember the best times of college being.

The next day I met up with Brock in the morning and we went to Hellvatia Tavern where I had one of the best hamburgers ever!  We then got together with Aj and Heather at Cheesecake factory.  Danny then met up with us, and he Heather, Aj, and I had a good-bye meal at the Lebanese restaurant for Heather who is leaving to go to Australia in a couple of weeks. 
 
Thursday was the beginning of the big San Fran road trip to see Cheung.  The drive down ended up being like 12 hours, but it didn’t feel that long.  I think the Off the Waffle pit stop (honestly the best waffles I’ve ever had) and just getting to hang out with Aj and Danny made the time fly by.  When we reached SF it was awesome being reunited as the four holmies, and it was great meeting Cheung’s new friends and seeing his insanely cool workplace.  That Friday night I drove down to spend the night with Brent and Melissa.  Melissa’s sister, Janice, came over and we had a big bro vs sis game of taboo which ended up with the boys taking the game 50 to 49…. seriously epic.  It was great seeing Brent and Melissa’s new place and having some good laughs. 

Cheung had to work the next day, so Aj, Danny, and I got to hang out with Cheung’s girlfriend Marie (who we all give two big thumbs up to) around downtown San Fran.   We drove Lombard Street, saw China town and Coit Tower, and took an eventful ride on a trolley car (eventful due to it breaking down, the missed empty pick-up, and the hilarious Danny stare down with the ticket seller).   That night was my favorite time of the trip because we met up with more of Cheung’s friends and went to Derek’s new movie that he worked on G-Force.  Riding in the car with his buddies as they talked about life working at Pixar was so cool!!!  But the best part of the night was the end when we actually saw Derek’s name in the credit sequence, and they even used one of his animations from the movie during the credit sequence.  Cheung is seriously the man. 

Aj went home on Sunday, but Danny, Derek, Marie, and I got to explore SF some more - seeing the best view of the city (sweet levitation looking pictures of Cheung), Fisherman’s Warf, Japan Town, Dim Sum, and some good Mitchell’s ice cream to end the night.  So yeah guess that pretty much wraps up the SF trip… sorry if I went a little overboard on the details… but yeah such a good time with the old movie making crew.

Oh yeah before finishing up the entry I’ve got to rewind before Oregon time to tell one of my favorite stories of the summer.  For the final day of camp in Boston they had a talent show.   To give some background - the camp is a typical summer camp for all kids; campers with special needs are included but have one on one aides to help support the child.  It was really cool because all the kids with special needs participated in their camp group’s song and dance (all of them really did an incredible job!).  The performance that stood out to me most though, was by a girl in our group who had cognitive disabilities.  She is a great girl but she did have the ability to get on the nerve of some people and it just seemed like she would get really down on herself.   Anyways, she really liked the song by the Ting Tings and she choreographed a dance to that song with three counselors acting as background dancers.   I was a little nervous at first how it would go and how it would be perceived – but I couldn’t have been more impressed.  The solo performance was awesome… and by the end the whole auditorium was clapping for her in unison, and it seemed like everyone legitimately liked her routine.  It was just such a great moment because it’s like here is this girl who often feels bad and probably doesn’t get a whole lot of “wins” in life – but the spotlight was on her for that performance, and she definitely won that day. 

Anyways, excited for these last three days in Oregon – going to make a flashback to middle school days with a workout at The Hoop, a beach trip tomorrow with mom and dad, some talk story time with grandma, nine holes of golf with dad to end Oregon time, and then back off to Boston.  Has to be one of the best vacations ever :)

Current Music: Say Hi to Your Mom - Sweet Sweet Heartkiller

So after another one-month blog vacation… I think I’m going to try to write an all about July one.  I’m actually kind of bummed that I have slacked so bad in writing because I think this has been one of my favorite months.  I’m a little tired right now so I'm a little worried that my summary won't makes sense… but I’ll try my best :)

Anyways, the month started off with a trip home for a few days before Brent’s wedding.  It was really  eventful with a good talk story time with grandma right off the bat.  We went to our classic Red Robin’s meeting spot (French Onion soup of course) and then hung out at Harthstone afterwards.  That night I was able to meet up with Megan and meet her boyfriend Ben for the first time.  I’ve heard many good stories about him from both Megan and my grandma (who knows Ben from her morning starbucks runs), so it was really great getting to know him a little bit.   One of the best memories of the time in Oregon was getting to hang out with Brock and Paco during the week (definitely will be on the top ten 2009 list).  I think what made it so incredible is that it reminded me so much of high school times.  Riding around in Brock’s car listening to good music (The Clash’s London Calling cd), eating Vietnamese food, b-balling it up at Conestoga, hot tubing and BBQ at Brock’s new place, and just chilling and talking about life.  It was a total flashback to junior/senior year of high school… and maybe one of the last times the three of us will be able to that again for a while.  Paco just left to go to the Philippians on Tuesday to go to helicopter flight school, so I’m not sure when he will be back state side.   But yeah it’s been a while since I’ve gotten to see him, so I am very thankful for that memory of getting to hang out with the three of us again.

So on Thursday mom, dad, grandma, Danny (who was filming the wedding), and myself flew out to San Francisco for Brent’s big day on Saturday.  I was feeling a little sick, but it was still a great time seeing Brent and catching up with so many family members and friends.  On Friday we had the rehearsal followed by some amazing Thai food with the Smith/Wong family (on a random side note - I’m really embarrassed that I just now figured out how to spell the word Thai… I’m almost positive you can look back at old blogs and see it spelled Ti or maybe Tie… uggg that’s pretty bad).   After dinner we had the bachelor party that I had been planning and everything was all set…  getting dropped off by mom and dad at a dueling piano bar in SF, and then them taking the cars back without Brent’s knowledge so that a limo could pick us up.  In the limo we were going to share Brent stories, cruise around downtown, and get back by a decent time.  So the mom and dad drop off and the dueling piano part went well (Brent was dressed up in this ridiculous costume put together by Ted and Ryan, but he was a really good sport… even going to the front of the stage to request Bohemian Rhapsody).  It was the limo pick-up part where things turned south.  I even told mom earlier “I’ve got a bad feeling about this limo company” after several confusing calls and check-ups.  But basically the driver was 30 minutes late and when he did arrive he came to pick us up in this standard sized car that fit four!  Since there were six of us we were kind of in trouble.  After some intense (and very impressive) Ryan negotiating with the driver, we ended up settling on Brent going in the front, four of us jammed in a back built for three, and Ted laying across our lap for the 30 minute ride home.  I’m actually laughing out loud right now picturing the scene and remembering the ride home (even the “limo” driver was laughing at the situations and the jokes that were being made).  But yeah I guess in the end it all added to making the night more memorable, and I was really happy that we got to end the night back at the hotel lobby with a quite corner where we all swapped funny/good stories about Brent.

Alright so the day of the actual wedding is here.  Brent is calm… he is cool… he actually seems less nervous then me.  I feel kind of weird talking about the actual wedding in detail, but I guess I’ll just say that it was probably one of the most memorable days ever for me.  A week after being back in Boston I thought back about the day and I couldn’t help but get really happy/thankful for everything.  Mainly I guess just because Brent is such a great guy, and seeing what an equally amazing person he married.  I remember in high school I use to have this feeling that nice guys finish last… but yeah this day it was like the nice guy finished WAY first.  God is very good.

So yeah I guess that takes it to the last two and a half weeks in Boston.  These last weeks have really been pretty awesome.  Work at the camp started, and it has been very different then I what I thought it was going to be like coming in… but I really enjoy my role there and have loved getting to know and play basketball, nuke’em, and football with these new kids.   There have also been some really fun hang out times with the friends from Boston too - including Kung Fu Panda in the park (this outdoor half-shell shaped movie theater right next to the Charles River), 4 on 4 wiffle ball in the Boston Commons (with people walking by and cheer us on), hacky sacking in the park, Liz’s birthday at this delicious Japanese restaurant, UFC 100 and Poker night at Jason’s place, and the beginning of more community service/outreach projects.  So yeah, just a great first summer in Boston so far.

Anyways guess that’s the month of July so far in a nutshell.  I guess what would make this month complete is a L.A. miracle, and a Roy Halladay signing without having to give up Kershaw or Billingsley.   I know that would definitely make dad’s day so I’ll be cheering hard for that one.

Current Music: Santigold - Lights Out

I feel like Monday and Tuesday have been big wrapping things up kind of days.  The main one was the last day of school for the kids today.  Up until today I really haven’t felt like it was the end of the year… but today it definitely hit me.  I don’t think I couldn’t have asked for a better ending for the four kids that I got to mainly work with during this year.  Just a really nice relaxed day where I got to hang out with them and say good-bye (I don’t think I’ll probably see any of them again with me moving schools next year).   But walking back after school I just had this very full-hearted feeling I guess.  Like I’m just so happy of the way these four kids have grown academically, socially, and maybe most importantly behaviorally.  I think Ms. Nolan and Mrs. Vinnes were so good with the way they supported these kids and gave them the tools to find success.  I don’t know if I’ll ever get to have an experience like this again, working with this age group in this setting (who knows maybe I’m totally wrong), but what a memorable year, where I was able to learn a ton and see kids find success. 

The last two days I was also able to finish up a couple of books that I have been reading simultaneously.  The first book, The Alchemist, is a story that has some interesting religious themes that I really enjoyed at first… but by the end I was not so sold on it.  The other book was CS Lewis’s the Screwtape Letters.  The book was a page-turner, and like other Lewis books, gets you thinking about things in a whole new light.   So yeah would definitely give two big thumbs-up for Screwtape.

I guess this next one would fall more under starting things up instead of wrapping things up… but yesterday Jon, T, and I were able to lock down a place for next year.  All three of us go to the same small group Bible Study, and I’m really excited to live with both these guys.  When signing the paperwork for the new pad we were given a pleasant surprise that over the weekend the price had dropped almost $100 a month!... so yeah, pretty incredible. Oh and I have to also add that Jon has not only a PS3 (with blue ray built in) but also a sweet 50 inch high def tv to play it on.  Oh man, good thing I got the bulk of my BC classes done this year :)

After coming home from school today I also wrapped up the final page of a prayer journal that I started about a year and a half ago.  It seemed like a very appropriate time to finish the last page with school ending, going home to Oregon in a few days, and a new chapter of summer in Boston right around the corner.  But yeah, it has been cool reading through old prayers and seeing how faithful God has been this year.  It really has been quite a year, definitely out of my comfort zone for big parts of it, but I really don’t think I could have asked for a better one.    

Anywho, guess that’s it for my “wrapping up” journal entry.  My parents are getting tan and living the good life in Hawaii right now… somehow my dad was even able to convince mom to go on a helicopter ride over the island (way to go dad!).  So yeah, hope you guys have a great rest of the time there.  Grandma, super excited for our talk-story Red Robbins run coming up on Friday.  And Brent (who I’m pretty sure is not reading this blog) can’t wait to see you San Francisco in a little over a week… you big almost-married-guy you!   Oh yeah, almost forgot the most important thing…. Draft Night two days away and counting!! Will Pritchard pull another magical move and do another one of his classic KP deals (could Rubio possibly be coming to town)?  I don’t know if the Blazers really NEED to do anything, but it certainly has been fun reading about all the things they possibly could do.  Either way, excited to see how the whole thing unfolds on Thursaday. 

Current Music: Kings of Leon - Use Somebody