Hungry...

As this week winds down to its close, I laugh to myself because I kind of slacked off in general. I didn’t even resume working out till Wednesday which was 2 days since the last session on Sunday. Bad bad bad bad bad!

But I’d have to say that several good things happened this week. I now have my Alberta’s Driver’s Licence after working through some hurdles to get all the associated paperwork done, my latest grad program class has an outstanding grade, and I finally replaced defective eyewear that I’m been using for a year. I’ll debut them in a week or so. So things are looking positive and I am truly grateful, humbled, and feel blessed.

There are still obstacles ahead and I have 20 more credits before I get that Master’s Degree so the fight isn’t over yet. But for now I know I can rest head off to Edmonton with my Dad and chill for at least one more day.

Its back to the grind on Sunday and I look forward to it.

The Grades Be In!

After a few days of nervous waiting, I finally got my final grade from my latest grad degree class and I have to say I’m thrilled with it!! I am particularly happy with my performance over last two weeks. It was a hard class, the first class that I truly felt was a real graduate level course and I’m glad I rocked it! God is definitely good and carries me through my struggles.

Mom and I just got back from eyewear shopping; yes I’m finally replacing my old worn and busted frames with a new set (courtesy of the parental units for my birthday). My prescription has not changed much over the past 5 years so that’s a good thing. I originally picked out a pair of Porsche Titanium frames that have a really cutting edge shape and design to them, but they were a bit pricy so I relented. I figure I’m back in school and I can splurge on that stuff when I’m doing and working again. So I settled on some nice Ray-Ban rimless frames which also allowed me to pick up a pair of Ray-Ban semi-aviator style sunglasses as well for a reasonable price. No need to be pretentious at this stage in the game but no need to be out of style neither!

In a weird, universes colliding, and Twilight Zone twist, my new optician’s name is Christina. (All of you who know my eyewear history know that my Toronto optician’s name is Christine!) Christina was really nice and friendly but I have to say that I miss Christine [thats her with the mic, she sings] a whole lot. It’s nice when your service providers are also your good friends. And to be honest Christine… is a lot more fun and gorgeous! When I get back to the T dot, I’ll be sure to get those Porsche frames from her.

Anyway my arms, chest, and stomach are still tingling a bit from yesterday’s successful workout. I’m always adjusting to try new things to stress my muscles in a new way. I’m still not sure how far I can push myself and without any one to spot me I’d rather err on the side of caution. There is also the matter of proper technique and training my mind to constantly focus on quality over quantity. But we’re getting there and December is fast approaching!

Well that’s it for now. The new eyewear should be in within the next week or so and I’m looking forward to having frames I don’t constantly have to tape up to keep on my face! (Aint that totally geeky?!)

Oh... aren't Aprilia's the hottest bikes next to Ducati's... Check out all that carbo fibre! Hawwt!

Morning Beasties...

Not sure about what to write for this entry. Didn’t really do anything significant yesterday because there is a lull between this class and the next one… I actually slept for most of the day because I stayed up the night before in order to get my final class work done.

I should probably put together an entry on the upcoming Tour De France. I’ll be rooting for Cadel Evans since Alberto Contador and Levi Leipheimer have been excluded from the race. I think it’ll be an interesting race with fresh faces since Operation Puerto has cleaned out all and suspected doping riders. I’ll also definitely be checking out the new bike technology i.e. electric shifting systems.
But that can wait for tomorrow.

I need to do a serious workout today since I slacked off for the past 2 days. I can already fill my body loosening and I don’t like that. I feel like I’ve made some great progress over the last 4 week cycle. You can certainly see the difference in my bicep and tricep areas. But much more needs to be done especially around my problematic middle. Plus I miss the endorphin rush or afterglow! (Hah! Like sex but different! TMI! )

I’ve been having fun with Photoshop over the past few days. I’m happy that I am able to reach into my creative side again. It’s awesome because I’m working with some good images off my cell phone series of shots. I feel like I’ve improved with each new shot I take on that little guy.

I’m also looking to raise funds for a Nikon D300 because I feel my imaging needs would benefit from a full fledged digital SLR. Over this break I’ll be exploring my options to legitimate money making (as if I had the guts to make it otherwise and not feel the moral repercussions!)

Anyway better go get my weights on! Remember kids, "there is no charge for AWESOMENESS!"

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One lives, One dies...

Wow 33. I was so busy yesterday finishing up a class that I did not get a chance to reflect on the passing of another year of life. I finally took a moment around 1 a.m. this morning(when my fate was sealed and I could no longer turn in any homework for my class).

My mom likes to point out that my Dad had all three of his kids by the time he turned 33. This boggles my mind. It also means that we were living in Surinam at the time and I can recall my Dad being a person who had already done so much in his life. At that point he had already been a missionary to two countries and had learned 2 lauguages other then his mother tongue. And here I feel like I'm just now getting my life back on track.

Jesus’ ministry was over at the age of 33 when he was crucified on the cross. The entire Christian faith is based on a 3 year period in his life on earth. This makes it unique amongst the different spiritual walks out there. What he taught and how he lived during that brief period made a undeniable dent in human history.

My Dad is now approaching his mid 60s. I would hazard a guess that even he could not have predicted where his life would take him. To reflect on his life would certainly take time and many lessons could be gained by his walk and example. It was certainly not the proverbial “bed of roses” but a study in the need for constant growth and shaping. And he still embraces the day and attacks it. I have learned a lot from that attitude.

A life that was not even half over at 33 and a life that was over by that same age. Somewhat of a distinct contrast. However, much can be gained from the comparison. Time really isn't an issue in this realm. All that matters seems to depend on how you use it.

I walk my own path. Even though I sometimes look back and wish that I had made wiser decisions with the choices that were presented to me, those very decisions have shaped me and taught me lessons few others will have the opportunity to learn. I believe lessons are taught for a reason. You need these skills for heavier tasks that lay down the road.

Despite the upheavals that happened in the past year of my life, I press on. This time I hope with greater clarity and a spirit to embrace come what may.

[God]fathers Day....

So the parental units are down in the living room doing a Godfather marathon (yes, parts I, II, and III back to back). I’m content to be up here in my study hearing them both hurl comments at the screen. No matter how parental they get, I think the following offers some insight into how fun they were as youngins.

Embellish liberally with a Filipino accent…

Mom: Hah! It was an abortion Michael… So…what are you going to do! Lagut ka Kay! Nako dat is abuse!

Dad: You know I just make him an offer he can’t refuse…hah hah hah!

Mom: Antonio Andolini… Aray why does he have to do with a knife… I don’t want to see that!

Dad: Shhhh… Neh… Be like the movie. You know. They only speak with their eyes… One look you know!

Mom: Patay na si Fredo sigi… Imagine what the mom wud say if she was still alive… Sure Michael is hugging him… But he is lying…

Mom asked me what I wanted for birthday and I said “meat”. Well since consolidation of celebrations is a trait of this family, she said my Dad and I could go to KFC and pick up a family chicken dinner today. We did.

We ended up with a 10 piece wing dinner complete with fries, coleslaw, macaroni salad, and potato salad as well. While being completely veggie has done my body some amazing good over the past 4 months, I must fess up to the fact that I miss devouring the bird! (This is where chickens start singing slave songs... Mama dun carried her burden to the grave aww...lawwd!)

This is a running week so it’ll burn off in the next few days I’m sure… heh heh heh ahem...

I’m glad I got to relax for the morning even though I have some major homework to turn in by midnight tomorrow (Anybody want to complete my ARP article reviews?) We did a whirlwind tour of the Edson, Peers, and Whitecourt churches yesterday and I must confess that I wasn’t too excited about our 5 am start. I was indeed, cranky.

That all changed when we were greeted by Brayden at the Edson church at 9 am. This little dude was a bottle of sunshine in his overalls, sunglasses, and disarming smile. He offered a handshake, “happy Sabbath”, and innocent giggle that sent my inner gremlins off like the bugs in a Raid commercial.

Anyway I best get started with those reviews! Happy birthday to all the Junelings of the Gemini brother/sister-hood!

My WBFM Church Family...

While everyone is always welcome to read my blog. This one is especially intended for my Word Became Flesh Church Family (WBFM) based in Brampton, Ontario.

I have been thinking about all of you lately for many reasons. The cliché is that “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” I am not sure if that is truly the case with me. But I do know that my absence is giving me daily clarity and insight into many things including the value of my church family. That is all you guys. You still are very much my church family.

I know that this is a time of transition for many of you. Change isn’t easy in any realm of existence especially when it has to do with the realization of new truths. I guess it is like what happens when the light is turned on in your bedroom before daybreak. Even though light is better than darkness, in that moment, you feel the shock and instinctively hide under the covers. We all do it. There is no shame in it.

I just want to encourage you to lift those covers and allow your eyes to adjust to the light because there is so much still to see. The learning process is often difficult and it is easy to think you need to make this journey all by yourself. This feeling is compounded by the thought that you are alone in your journey.

It is true that most of the climbing is done with your own two feet. There are many obstacles that you alone must conquer. The butterfly must escape from the cocoon under its own power in order to have the strength to fly. But herein lies the beauty of it all, if you overcome, you will fly.

Through it all however, do not forget your adopted family. Even though they may not always understand what you are going through, and may sometimes not even be aware that you are struggling, they do love you. I have learned that it is just as important to recognize love in the form that it is individually given, as it is to receive love.

You are all intended for great things. Your piece is integral to the completion of a beautiful story. You are more valuable than even you realize. But in order to fulfill that potential means you will go through the pains of shaping and also the fear of risking that step into the unknown.


And should you choose to take that step. Should you choose to lift the covers and allow your eyes to adjust to the light. Trust that the hand that will never leave you nor forsake you, will be there to pick you up and guide you through to your future.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29: 11

The Gift of The Moment.

I can hear the birds singing as I awoke this morning. I love the quietness of my parent’s house at this hour because this allows me to realize how noisy my mind can be and I can truly focus on bringing it to stillness by prayer or simple reflection.

Some have asked how I’ve handled the transition from being caught up in the hustle and bustle of life in the big city, to relative isolation in a tiny town on the edge of the great Canadian prairie and the beginning of the mighty Rockies. I can attest to the fact that it hasn’t been easy, but it is changing me in very positive ways.

A number of things are happening. I’m hearing myself again after focusing so much on the outside and being distracted by it. I think I’m hearing God again and possibly what he wants from after a long period of trying to shape things into what I wanted them to be. I am continually touched as I learn more about the life of his son.

As I look over the last few blog entries, especially within the past 2 months, I smile because they are honest. I have questioned the validity of religion, revealed my passions, confessed my likes and dislikes, and even done some healing through disclosure. A time of purging and rebuilding from the ground up is upon me. The process is far from over.

But what I am seeing is that I am reconnecting with the man I always wanted to be and simply allowed fear to erode away. This is a man who wishes to approach each day and each challenge with clarity of mind, strength of spirit, and a compassionate heart. I am humbled even as I “write” these words because I know much is yet to be done. I dedicate this time of my life to this cause.

I leave you with two of the wisest quotes I have heard recently:

“Your mind is like a pool of water. As you thrash around you only continue to disturb and distort things. But if you simply stay still, things will become clear.”

“The past is history. The future is a mystery. Only this moment is a gift. That is why it is called the present.”


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