Vote

Today is the Florida Republican Primary election.  And today, I exercised my right to vote.

I'm thankful and proud to be an American!!

Opposition In All Things

Compared to the weekend, my Monday was somewhat of a struggle.  I'll spare you the details, but sometime toward the end of the day, I was not feeling the peace that I felt over the weekend.  And don't worry.  In the grand scheme of things, the setback wasn't life changing...it was just a thorn in my side.

What would life be without an occasional bump or two? It keeps you in check.

A natural human tendency is to avoid all types of events that provide tension, resistance, anguish, and struggle, in our lives.  We'd rather choose the easier path and not deal with it, whether if it is a choice we made that caused us to be in the situation, or by some other external influence beyond our control.  

But we do need these experiences in our lives to appreciate the good times, and also to grow...especially to grow.

Think about the first presentation you gave in school, the first date you went on, the difficult class you took in college, the scrapes and bruises you acquired when you learned how to ride a bike, the first sale you made.  To some varying degree, these situations are uncomfortable.  But at the same time, there is something in us that rises to the occasion, that digs deep inside to bring out the best in us, to persevere past set-backs, to keep pressing forward.

And then when we complete our task, and there is a sense of accomplishment.  And for that moment, there is joy.

Thank about some roadblocks that stand in the way of your goals, struggles with relationships (from family to friends to co-workers), a death of a loved one.  Sometimes, we don't have a choice whether or not to participate in these experiences, but we draw hope, we pray, we move forward.  Sometimes we're able to make amends, overcome the obstacle, or find peace in the situation.  Perhaps, we're still in the midst of it.

I am thankful for the struggles, because of the growth from it, and because I can choose to find comfort from God, that I can overcome and appreciate the good times.  

Peace

That's about how I want to describe today.  In my whirlwind life of demands, deadlines, stresses, and setbacks, peace is a welcome respite, of which I am thankful for.  I'm sure a lot of you can relate with your lives as well.  I'm there with you.

Today was a full day of service, from Stake Conference in the morning, home teaching in the afternoon, and a special musical devotional in Gainesville, FL with Marvin Goldstein, a famous Latter-day Saint pianist and entertainer.  I've played some of his beautiful arrangements of hymns for church service before and it was a real treat to hear him (for the first time) play his own arrangements, even a medley of "Fiddler On The Roof".  He is, or was, a Jew and talked a little bit on his upbringing and the Jewish culture.    

Brother Goldstein also shared some touching stories, one of which was his own conversion, in which he related how it took the Savior (a Jew himself) to testify through the Holy Ghost, that Jesus Christ was indeed the Redeemer of the world.  One of the key things Brother Goldstein spoke about, was that you can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, if you genuinely desire and seek it.  He also spoke about how music can make you feel the Spirit, that no matter where you are, when hymns or other good wholesome music is played, the Spirit will be there.  That was just additional confirmation of something that I already know to be true.  

I thought that I would be burned out at the end of the day (or churched out, as I usually call it), but tonight, I am just full of the peace and comfort that only the Holy Spirit can give me.  It is just pouring into my heart so much that I can not contain it.   And the peace and love that I feel from the Savior and Heavenly Father is just over flowing.

I am grateful for the peace and love that I feel right now.  It is a nice way to end the weekend leading into the dreaded Monday. 

Holy Spirit

Today was a busy day, with the afternoon and evening devoted to Stake Conference.  The instructions in the evening were mostly about reading and pondering the scriptures, and I was just full of the Holy Spirit that testified to me the importance of such practice in our daily lives.  

When you feel the Holy Spirit, it's not sufficient that you can just sit back and think "ahhh, I heard truth".  It is a call to take action, to put it into motion.  I haven't been the best at reading my scriptures every day, but when I do it generally does make the day feel complete, not necessarily better, just complete.  Steven Covey's principle "Sharpening your saw".  Taking time to develop physically, Spiritually, and mentally.  Reading scriptures is an aspect of sharpening our Spiritual saw.

I am grateful for the Holy Spirit, in how it guides us in our daily lives, to testify of truth, and to confirm our actions as we serve God.  

Words With Friends

Scrabble on Facebook.   I was never a big fan of the game.  I would play the real board version probably once every other year.  

So why is the online version so appealing?  These are some of the reasons I've determined for my own self:

1. No tiles or boards to set up
2. You don't have to set time aside to play the entire game at once.  
3. You can choose to set time aside to play the next iteration of all the games at once.
4. There are a lot of online solvers to help you pick your words.  I use Scrabble Word Finder.
5. I've caught up with a lot of friends that I would have not otherwise communicated with if it weren't for this game.
6. And on the flip side, you can play a friendly game without talking to each other.  

I've learned a few strategies along the way that alluded me when I played the board version, especially defensive strategies.  If you can't quite reach the triple-word tile, then you block your opponent from getting to it.  Play shorter words for the same reason.  Play a word one tile short so you can go back and finish the word while spelling another word.  

I'm impressed with some of my opponents prowess to fit mini words along side another word which efficiently generates more points with fewer tiles, while spelling four words.  Impressive.

So today I am thankful for this electronic version for a classic board game.  

Politics and...

You either love it or hate it.

You party of preference is among the following: Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Independent, or some other affiliation.

You can be very involved and especially emotional about it, or indifferent.

Regardless, I am thankful that I am in a country where you can express your opinions about political leaders and issues freely, without concern for censorship and punishment from the government.

Try that in North Korea.

2012 is a US Presidential election year.  I can't think of an election year that's been as hyped as this year.  Will Obama win another election, or will one of the eventual Republican nominees get the most electoral vote?

I had an interesting political conversation with my good friend Coleen the past two days.  And as a disclosure, we're both Republicans, and we're both Mormons.  And no, Mitt Romney was not an automatic vote for either of us.  She chided "Don't let it be Gingrich!!!"  She was referring to the Florida Primary election next week.  And she's yelling this all the way from Utah (texting rather).   

I'm still undecided.  I am a Herman Cain fan so I might just still vote for him.

Now, this is where the conversation becomes very interesting.

Coleen's oldest daughter had to write an opinion paper for school.  The question is "Which is more important for a leader to posses?  Faith and character, or knowledge? And why?"  And more specifically, Faith in Jesus Christ.

Now we're talking about Politics...and Religion.  

What do you say?  This can either be a rhetorical question, or you can leave comments to this blog.  I just ask that you keep it clean and friendly.

Waterburger

In between appointments, I was able to slip in some time to see my friends, who were having dinner at TGIFridays.  They had just ordered their meals, but since I wasn't staying for long, I just ordered dessert.

While we were eating our meals, my friend Rebecca was gracious enough to share half of her hamburger with me.  As I grabbed the half burger, a series of events occurred in a way that exemplifies Murphy's Laws.  I don't think you can script this any better than how it happened.

The insides of the burger began to slip from the bun...the meat, lettuce, onions, etc.

Watching helplessly as the innards made their way to the table...and by pure luck...there was a glass of water to break the fall.

An instant waterburger.  We were all so dumbfounded by this incredulous occurrance, that the entire group opened into gut busting laughter.  I almost passed out...twice.

I was left with just the bun halves in my hand, and without giving any second thought, I graciously ate them so as to salvage some benefit for my friend's kind gesture.

Thanks for the laughter today.

True Love

I love it when two people meet, and almost instantly, it seems like they've know each other for a long time.  The relationship grows rather quickly, and marriage is imminent.

I hope that I don't jinx my friend, but it looks like his relationship could head in that direction.  

These types of relationships are gems to me, because they are unique, and fairy tale like.  Now would I say that this is the purest form of finding True Love?

That would be an emphatic "not necessarily".  

There are countless iterations of how successful relationships develop, from friends that finally start dating, relationships that simmer for a long time (sometimes years) before a marriage commitment is made, and on-again off-again relationships that finally gain traction.

But I still am infatuated by the ones that find their "soul mate".

With that being said, thanks for all of you who have been great examples of finding true and enduring love, in your own way.

Long Days

Mondays are long work days for me, from morning to about 8pm.  I can't imagine doing this every day.  I don't know how people can work 60-80 hours a week, but if you live your profession, or need to do it out of necessity, you just do it.

Only once did I work 80 hours in one week.  I was working for a defense contractor as a software engineer in Northern California.  We were preparing to show our capabilities to some interested parties from Washington DC.  The work week included one all nighter, and a partial nighter, sleeping in a meeting room when I wasn't needed.

There is something therapeutic about work, compared to being idle for long periods of time.  The day tends to go faster.  You don't think as much about your needs and/or issues.  Productivity adds a sense of self worth and value.  And when the day is over, whether it's a good day or bad, it just feels good to put in a full day of work.

Remember when we were in grade school, we looked forward to the last day of school because of Summer break.  For the first few weeks of break, it was a lot of fun not having to work.  Played all day.  No set schedule.  But heading into August, we were ready to get back to school, ready to learn again, ready to have structure in our life....or was I the only one that thought that way?  ;-)

That's our internal nature, instilled by God, that we were created to work, that we do not generally feel comfortable being idle for long.  Even in the scriptures we are counseled to not be idle.

I'm glad that I have a job, and that I have that opportunity to work.

Choir Practice

Another good Spiritual day today, albeit a little laid back.  I didn't have as many church meetings today, but I did have choir practice.

My church is having Stake Conference next week.  A Stake consists of multiple Wards (or congregations) and twice a year, the wards get together for a stake conference weekend of leadership training, and two  church services, one on Saturday evening for just the adults, the other on Sunday morning for the entire family.

I am in the Stake Choir that sings at the services.  I love our choir director, Artis Hudnall.  He's a dynamic character, full of energy and passion.  He even broke his baton today trying to make an emphatic statement.  The first thing that went through my mind was "When is his birthday?  I'll be sure to get him a new baton as a gift".

For the latter part of the rehearsal, we worked on a beautiful arrangement of "I Stand All Amazed".  Artis put us through the ringer, going over parts of the piece over, and over, and over again, until we were satisfied with the results.  I could tell that as we were going through the repetitions, we were getting more comfortable with the piece, and that we started to focus more on the emotions of the piece instead of the technical mechanics.

Towards the end of rehearsal, Artis went to the back of the chapel, and painted the picture to us that he was going to be sick for the church service, and that we were not going to have anyone direct this piece.  And then, as if he was challenging us (although I could already tell the outcome), he wanted to perform this piece to him.

We put our collective game faces on, and with only the piano accompanist and each other to keep the piece together, we poured our hearts out to our director, in one of the most beautiful vocal renditions ever.  The entrances and cut-offs were precise.  The dynamics transitioned flawlessly.  Even the little artistic liberty to speed up and slow down were perfectly in line.  And the a capella section was just heavenly.  Artis just sat back there with a smile on his face, and afterwards, gave his heartfelt approval.

I've been in a lot of performances, and so I am familiar with being "in the zone", where the entire group gels as one.  But this time it was especially emotional to me, which doesn't usually happen.

Thanks, Artis, for such moving rehearsal, and it was just rehearsal.  I am looking forward to performing this hymn on Saturday.

Computer Support

My uncle called me a couple of days ago stating that he was having problems with his laptop again.  A software window kept popping up and he couldn't get rid of it.  I didn't have time to look at his laptop until this morning. Apparently Microsoft's Live OneCare software was trying to update, but wasn't getting a connection to the mothership.  After some further research, I found out that Microsoft discontinued the sale of the software a couple of years ago, so I'm assuming that the maintenance of it stopped recently, hence no response from the mothership (Microsoft).

I tried to uninstall it, but it wouldn't work, so I found something online to download that would clean it out, but then it stated during the cleaning process that I had to have administrator privileges.  I went back to Google to find out how to activate the "Administrator" user.

I was finally able to remove the software.  It was rather easy.

Back in August last year, my uncle had an offending virus on his laptop, displaying an advertisement (rather annoyingly), asking him to order some anti-virus tool to remove it.  It's a ploy for the company to get people to buy stuff they don't need, but putting a virus on their computer to remove.

That one took some leg work to find the solution.  Once again Google helped me.

My uncle (and my dad, too...numerous times) know who to go to when they have computer problems...me.  And inevitable, while I am fixing their computer, each would then ask a similar question "Did you go to school for this?"

"No", I reply, "I just know how to identify the problem, and know where to find the solution."

Either way, they're thankful that they have an inexpensive resource for their computer problems (my aunt and uncle fed me breakfast for my visit this morning).

"But I thought your blog was about you giving thanks."

You spoke too soon, grasshopper.

There's is something therapeutic, and Spiritual, about giving a "service of value" to someone who could have not otherwise accomplish for themselves, of which I give thanks.  

I love that feeling of alleviating someone else's burden, and in this case, it was "my computer hacking skills" that helped my uncle (reference to my blog about Napoleon Dynamite).  I'm thankful that I do have that special knowledge that allowed me to provide that service.

With that being said, you don't necessarily need a special skill to serve one another.  Heavenly Father blesses those that help one another.  In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin summarizes service in the following verse:

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." - Mosiah 2:17

Accountability

Today I am thankful for the people who were at the location that they were suppose to be at the appointed time, and also for the ones that sent me a message letting me know in advance that they were not going to be there.

This is just a small part of being accountable, but it does speak loudly, even if it was just being in attendance.

I'm not perfect, but it is something I strive for and expect out of myself.

I can go deeper into this topic, because I have a lot of strong feelings about accountability, and why I think our society is on a downward trend because of the lack of accountability in our adults that is trickling down to their children. I'll just leave it at that, because today, I am going to focus on those that were accountable.

Google

At the University of Florida, I took a course called "Computers In Modern Society".  Towards the end of the course, we watched "Sneakers", a movie that showed how technology, such as encryption (or the breaking of), can be used for good or evil.  

In the movie, one character quotes a very profound statement:

"There's a war out there, old friend. A world war. And it's not about who's got the most bullets. It's about who controls the information. What we see and hear, how we work, what we think... it's all about the information!"

This movie came out in 1992.  I watched it in 1995, just when the internet was in its public infancy.  As an aside, the development of the internet started in the 1960's...and no, Al Gore was not involved in the invention.  It just started to be used publicly in the 1990's. 

Although, we're not necessarily at war with the control of the information (funny I say that in light of recent anti-SOPA, PIPA protests), I am amazed at how much information is available at our fingertips.  Moreover, Google created sophisticated algorithms to harness and index all of this information that is in the internet.  

Need to know how long to boil an egg?  Google it...or maybe ask you mom.  

Not sure where Auburndale, FL is?  Google Map It.

Need to learn how to change the transmission fluid in your car?  Once again, Google it. 

Need to look someone up.  Google stalk them :-)  

Speaking of Google stalking...I remember the first time I did that.  It was in 2003.  And her name was Kenna Friddle.  I met her at a church function in Orlando, and I was just curious to see if I could find any information on her in the internet.  Doing a Google search on her name, I found out that she was in a Black Belt magazine for winning a forms competition when she was in grade school.  It's still in the internet and you can see it here.  

The funny thing is that it seemed so taboo back then because it was new.  Now, it's commonplace.  But I digress.

In grade school I remembered doing research papers by going to the library, looking up books in the card catalog, and writing notes on note cards.   Years later, when I was working at Harris Corporation in Melbourne, FL, the department secretary was helping her son look up information on the internet for his research paper, and they were allowed to internet listings for references.  

There's even a bibliography format for an internet listing.

I can't imagine life without the internet now...and it's not necessarily about information.  It's also the convenience of making purchases and transactions.  The first flight that I booked online was to Oregon with American Airlines. The first online bank I had was with ING.


And of course, it allows common folk like you and me to blog.

I'm grateful for the internet, and Google.  

Under The Weather

Another long day, so this will be short.  I've been feeling under the weather since Monday (it's Wednesday now) and it's slowly getting worse.  I don't think I'm sporting a fever, even a slight one, and I hope that it doesn't come to that in order to get better.  I've been popping vitamins like there's no tomorrow...well, not really, but I've taking a lot more than usual.  Even a teacher at an elementary school gave me a packet of Emergen-C this morning.  Never tried it before.  It's yucky...bleh, but she warned me.

Coughing was another symptom that started today.  I hope that it stays at that...

Isn't it interesting how you perceive life when you start getting sick?  The normal part of me wants to just relax, rest a little, take it easy.  But another part of me takes this as a challenge, to press forward, to continue to be productive.  I've seen so many people work through illnesses (full blown illnesses), and generally that's not good, but there's something I admire about pressing forward...especially when things "need" to get done.  Motherhood comes to mind..  I think of so many moms that work through their illness, because children depend on them.  There is no break.

Kinda puts me to shame sometimes....so with my "under the weather" illness, I just need to suck it up.

And naturally, when you're not 100% healthy, you more fully appreciate the times that you are, and right now I am thankful for those times.
 
So I'm going to down some more vitamins, drink plenty of fluids, and hope that I can stave off this illness that's trying to emerge.

Zzzzzz....

I'm tired. Worked a full day today, and I had rehearsal in the evening.  Tomorrow is another busy day.

I need my sleep. I'm glad that I can sleep.  And I should be in bed before midnight tonight, which is uncommon for me because I'm a night owl, even if I have to wake up early the next day.

I know people who have chronic insomnia.  I even had my bout for a couple of months back in 2005-2006.  No fun living off of 1-2 hours of sleep a night.

So I'm thankful for sleep, and that I can sleep.

I always wondered why God made us so that we need sleep.  Besides giving our bodies the needed rest to re-energize, and fix or rebuild for the next day, the awake/sleep cycle allows us to end a day, and begin a new one, a natural way to segment our time, to start all over.

So goodnight...see you in the morning.

Plants vs Zombies

Eric (my best friend) and his two sons, Enriquo and Dawson, have been living with me for several years now.  A few months ago, the kids started playing this game on the computer called Plants vs Zombies.  The game looked very "childlike", much like the other games they play, so I didn't pay attention to it.

One night, they left the game up on Eric's computer, and out of curiosity, he started playing it.  Before long, he became addicted to the game. "Hey, Bob" says Eric...BTW, Bobby was my nickname growing up..."You need to try this game out.  I like it better than Angry Birds."

I usually don't take much stock as to Eric's validity of how good a game is, because when he likes a game or sport or activity (hmmmm...."Call of Duty", golf, poker, and yes, fishing), he borderlines addiction in all of them, except for fishing, where I can confirm that it is an addiction.

But I did give the game a try...and I like it better than Angry Birds...and I'm addicted to it.  It is a great strategy puzzle game, hidden behind a child-like theme that plants have to protect the house from the incoming zombies.

Thanks for the recommended game, Eric.  

And for those of you who are already playing this game, there's a puzzle feature called "Vasebreaker Endless" and "I,Zombie Endless".  My current streaks in those puzzles are 20 and 13 waves, respectively.  Who can beat that?

Spirit Filled Day

Sunday was a busy day for me (This blog is a day late).

Our regular church service and Sunday school classes were from 9am-12pm.  And after visiting some friends briefly at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, I headed back to church for a series of meetings, potluck dinner, and devotional, from 3pm-8pm.  Eight hours...

And then on top of that, I was asked to accept a new calling in the church.  For those of you that don't know, the Mormon church does not have a paid ministry.  It is up to us to voluntarily run the congregation  (wards as we call them).   A calling can be as simple as being a door greeter, or as "complex" and demanding as the Bishop (the Spiritual leader) of the ward.

I thought I was going to be worn out from a lot of "doing", but this day was by far one of the most Spiritually uplifting Sundays, as well as productive.

Some of the key things I learned today, and plan to "take action" in my life (that the whole purpose, right?):

• When God commands you to do something, you have to "go and do" with faith, even when the solution does not seem evident, or if the task seems improbable.  1 Nephi 4:6
• Remember that the mighty change happens first in the heart (humbling one's self and trusting in God).
• The scriptures will lead you to the answers.  The answer may not necessarily come from the words of the scriptures, but by reading them, your heart and mind will be in the right state to receive the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.
• There's no such thing as a boring talk (or sermon).  It goes again with being in the right mindset, to be ready to receive the gifts of knowledge and promptings.  You choose that.  That's why when a group of people listen to the same speaker, each individual takes something different from the content of the message.

I'm grateful for the lessons that God gave me today.  I'm also grateful for the people that I associated with, my friends that lifted me up Spiritually today.    

Good Friends

I know a lot of people, but it is the deep relationships of a few good friends that really bring joy to your life.  Today, I had an opportunity to visit with some friends from church that I haven't seen in a month or so.  It's always good clean fun.   Well, clean can be subjective, but relative to the rest of the world, we were pretty clean.

If you ever have a chance to play Apple's to Apples's, it's a very fun and funny game.

Thanks for bringing joy to my life today.  

Pizza

I knew at some point I would be thankful for food sometime this year.  Today's recurring food theme is none other than my favorite Italian cuisine....pizza.

For lunch I met with some friends for pizza at the Pizza Palace, my second time there.  Great New York style pizza.  I highly recommend it if you're in the Jacksonville area.

Later that evening on my way home, I stopped by another friend's house to hang out.  They had one slice of pizza left that had my name all written on it.

Some more friends stopped by the same house...and what did they bring?  Yup.  More pizza.

I would like to thank the people of Italy for such a wonderful dish.

Simple Beauty

Today was a very challenging day, but instead of focusing on that, I wanted to share something simple that I noticed (not for the first time, though)...the beauty of nature that God created around us.

While I was walking to the high school that I had attended, I really noticed how blue the sky was, and the green of the grass and shrubbery, even in our funky Florida weather that can't make up her mind.  And among the buildings that man has created (btw, I'm not a tree hugger), there's nothing quite as beautiful as the natural surroundings that God has created.  

And that just put a smile on my face, just as God intended it to do.  Thank you.  :-)

Baby Sitting

Tonight I had a chance to babysit one of my best friend's son, Enriquo, who is 10 years old.  It's a pretty normal occurrence, so I'm OK with the task.  Now that he is older, the job is pretty cushy, meaning that he just entertains himself, and as long as he doesn't kill himself, I should be fine.

I think the first time I ever babysat someone on my own was my niece, Calimarie, when she was five years old (2006).  It was pretty interesting.  The only thing I remembered doing was fixing her some pop-tarts, and by fixing, I mean, cutting the edges off for her.  My brother told me that she doesn't like the edges.  Part of me thought "If she doesn't like the edges....make her take it off herself", but she was five, and that was my brother's instructions.   However, she didn't finish eating her pop-tarts and while she thought I wasn't watching, she proceeded to throw a good portion of them away.

Kids have an uncanny sense that they are being caught, or rather, they look around to see if they are getting away with whatever they're not suppose to do.   In this case, as she looked up from the trash can in the middle of the crime, she saw that I was just a few feet away, staring at her, with a smirk on my face.  You should have seen the look on her face...that horrified look only a cute five year old can give.  She started to plead, "Please don't tell Daddy that I was a bad girl!!!"  Cute, huh?

OK...enough reminiscing.

Tonight, Enriquo and I got Chinese food, and then watched two episodes of "Flash Point".  Somewhere in there I made him walk the dog...and then later in the evening, I showed him that the dog is defly afraid of our trash bins.  Have you ever seen a dog put on the brakes and slide through the yard?

Like I said, a very cushy job.

And I'm glad that I have these moments to be of some influence in a child's life.

I actually had a teaching moment with Enriquo, but I'll spare the details.  It was just neat to have that moment of instruction...and then quickly transform from the parent type back to a friend, asking him about his day and joking around about stuff.  And that's the part that is missing in my life.

I've watched a lot of my friends start families, and go through the growing pains of parenthood. Some of their children are teenagers now.

I do not and can not comprehend the love of a parent for a child, but I hear it's unlike anything in this mortal life.   Through this experience of parenthood, we understand more fully God's love for us, His patience, His forgiveness, His urgings to do the right things, in hopes that we choose to be more like Him.  That's because we follow those same principles and patterns when we raise our own children...or at least that's what I hear. ;-)

An another note, someone once told me (one of my church leaders when I was living in Northern California) that a man remains Spiritually stagnant, until he becomes a father, or more specifically, a father in Zion.  Can someone confirm that for me?

Parenthood is something I look forward to some day, whether they are my own children, or if they are part of a family I marry into.

But for now, I'll take those little babysitting moments anytime.

Rehearsal

Today was our first rehearsal in the new year for the First Coast Wind Ensemble.  I enjoy this time away from the rigors of "normal" life, by doing something that I really love.  We're preparing for our next series of concerts which will be in February.  The first rehearsal is mostly reading down the new music.  I actually performed one of the pieces in high school and college, Linconshire Posy (that's Posy with a long "o" sound, not Possy, as in my homies), so that brought back a lot of memories.  It is one of my favorite pieces.

After more than 26 years of participating in various music groups, I am still amazed that a group of people can work together as one, to produce beautiful music.  The musicians in this volunteer group come from different walks of life, different professions, and different musical training, but the universal language of music, written music, is all the same, and with the swing of the director's baton, we translate these notes on the page into something that is artistically and emotionally alive, putting our own little part into this instrumental harmony that  truly transcends our own individual selves.

It all doesn't happen at once though...we still need to practice (read like Allen Iverson) together.

I was in the "Pride of the Sunshine" marching band when I attended the University of Florida.  The band is BIG (300+ on the field), compared to the high school band that I came from (roughly 80).  In the high school band, I  knew everyone.  In college, I didn't.  During marching band practice at Florida, I would sometimes look across from where I was standing, to the other side of the field, and notice the people that I don't know.  And yet, here we are, coming together as one, putting a show together, step by step, note by note.

Still amazes me to this day.

I'm thankful that I can participate in these music ensembles.  I am also grateful for people who appreciate the music we perform.

A Second Chance, Revisited

It's just been over a week since I've started my daily blog of thanksgiving, and it has already resulted in somewhat of a miracle for one of my friends.

Remember the post that I wrote about my grade school/high school friend Charlie Gatz? (Entitled "A Second Chance")

Charlie and I haven't been in contact for awhile, even though we are Facebook friends.  Well, I received an unexpected email from him today, with the subject "You're Not Going to Believe This".

After reading his email, I was just floored, happy, speechless, humbled...every positive emotion I can think of.

With his permission, I present to you his edited email with some minor commentary:

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To: Vladimir Paje
From: Charlie Gatz
Date:  1/09/2012
Subject: You're Not Going to Believe This

Vlad (aka Bob),

The best way to describe this e-mail to you, Vlad, is to say that it's a 'witnessing' from me to you.  I think you'll understand that.  Here goes:

I just got an e-mail today from my fiancee - in Australia. ...  In it, she told me about something she wasn't sure she should have done.  Unable to sleep, she Googled my name, which brought up your recent blog about me.   ...

Well, your blog gave her the encouragement she needed to get through what is to be our last stretch of being separated before we get married.  She had been burying what she has been feeling lately- and she sent me an e-mail before the one mentioning your blog that we need to make time to talk with each other more often.  She said that your blog inspired her to be thankful for what she has now rather than what she is missing.

So, in this regard, I have to give you thanks, Vlad.  You've given someone very special to me strength to get through a very trying time - half way across the world, yet closely tied to your past.  It amazes me that she (my fiancee, all the way in Australia) was able to read a blog by a good high school friend (which she doesn't realize).  

You are forever forgiven for dating Kathy Woodard knowing I wanted to date her so very badly.  LoL
[Kathy was a mutual band friend of ours in Jr and Sr. high school, and was my first girlfriend.  And for the record, she liked me first ;-) Sorry, Charlie :-P]

Additional stuff:  [This part talks about how Charlie met his fiancee, a neat story in of itself] 

I met my fiancee in a chat room in 2005 while going through my divorce.  We started to get to know each other and shortly after spending many hours together online, decided *gasp!* to try the long distance relationship thing.  We lasted about six months ( a very special six months though) but couldn't keep it going so we went our separate ways.  

Fast forward 5 years.  No contact, no e-mails, I've been dating someone I wasn't really happy with but unsure what direction to take my life.  I left the person to make a new life for myself and during this time of change, kept thinking about her.  Mainly, how I thought she was the one that "got away".  

So, for about two weeks - I searched for her.  I had no mailing address, no e-mail address or phone number with which to try and get a hold of her.  While putzing around on an old MSN Messenger account we used to talk through, I was poking around her profile and found an e-mail address I hadn't recognized.  I was pretty discouraged by this time and had come to the conclusion that I probably wouldn't be able to get a hold of her.  I sent an e-mail just pouring my heart out and sent it. 

Two days later, she e-mailed me back!  

We kept e-mailing, updating each other on what's been going on in our lives in the past 5 years.  I asked if she had settled down and found happiness to which she replied she hadn't.  Every night since finding her, I prayed saying "Thank you" to God for having me find her again.   Never have I prayed so much in my life: not even when I was dating Cathy Tyre! [Another mutual band friend]

Though we couldn't figure out 'how' we were going to be together (she's from another country and we've never met!) - things started to work out.  First, she made plans to visit with me this past December.  O M G, Vlad, you want to talk about nervous?!!! I've known this woman for 6 years, told her my deepest darkest secrets and was suddenly going to meet her in person! 

On December 3rd, I picked her up from Orlando International and met her for the first time.  We got along great!  We confirmed what we already knew- that we were so compatible, that I drove her to Key West on a full moon weekend, took her to the highest building and proposed to her.  She said,"YES!"  

Now, we are trying to get a K1 Visa so that she can enter the country to marry me. The biggest hurdle which was to prove we had actually met, was now behind us and now we want to spend the rest of our lives together.  

Her going back home and trying to go back to what we had been doing for a year's time is the hardest part of this whole experience.  We just have to get through this last part and then we're going to be able to be with each other indefinitely.  

Nevertheless, she has been pretty discouraged.  . . that is, until she read your blog about me.  

So, again, thanks Vlad : )   I owe you much for that blog! 

Sincerely and appreciatively,

~Charlie

P.S. I did read the blog (She linked it in an e-mail she sent to me).  I don't remember you doing that in the cafeteria.  I wouldn't put it past you though LoL.  It was a very nice blog :)

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Sunday School

For 2012, I've decided that I would devote my Sunday posts to Spiritual things.

For those of you who don't know, I'm a Mormon, which is a nickname for people who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.   You may have seen those "I'm a Mormon" ads on TV or internet.  You can read my "I'm a Mormon" profile here.  

The nickname comes from another set of scriptures that we read in conjunction to the Bible, called The Book of Mormon.  I'm really excited that this year's Sunday School curriculum is devoted to this book.  Last year, we studied the New Testament, and the year before, it was the Old Testament.  

As the Sunday School teacher was going through the overview of the Book of Mormon, and how it is a keystone to our religion,  I traveled back in time, some 20+ years ago, when I didn't believe in God.  That was during my high school years.  I grew up as a Catholic, like most Filipinos, but then I stopped believing in Him.

I started dating someone at the time that was a Mormon, but I didn't want anything to do with religion, because I didn't believe God existed.  But during the later part of my high school years and my first year in college, I began questioning the meaning of life, and if there really was something more out there. 

Ultimately, it was the Book of Mormon, through reading and prayer, that brought me back to God.  I had a personal relationship with God again.  I also knew who to turn to as my Savior, and that is His Son Jesus Christ.  I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I can return to my Heavenly Father again, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon, for it has helped me come to Christ, and daily reading ensures that I keep living a more Christ-centered life.  

The Book of Mormon is a historical record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas (600 B.C. to 400 A.D.) It is holy scripture comparable to the Bible and contains Christ’s everlasting gospel. Its central message is to convince all “that Jesus is the Christ, the eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.”  Click here for more information.

Family Time

Today was one of the few times that I had a chance to do something together with my parents.  Using a makeshift grill, they decided to grill some chicken...a lot of chicken.  And some fish too.  And some squid on a stick.

But back to the chicken.  It was really neat standing around the grill, each with a utensil in hand to turn and move the chicken around.   Just a nice time together.  

Here's a picture of my mom basting some squid on a stick...yum :-)

I'm thankful for the time I had to spend with my parents today.

Make A Run For The Border

I had Taco Bell for a late dinner tonight.  As I was staring back into the kitchen area, I noticed how a lot of things have changed since I worked at Taco Bell, my high school job.  It was back in the 80's.  I remembered my stating salary was $3.41 per hour.  Crazy huh?

While I was working at Taco Bell, they slowly transition to the crappy food that it is now.  I'm not sure why I still eat there, with La Nopalera around the corner where I can get authentic Mexican food for a cheap price.  Before, we use to make almost everything in the store: ground the beef, fried the tortilla shells, grilled the steak and chicken, pressure cook the beans, etc.  But now all of it is pre-made at some factory and shipped to the stores.

With that being said, it was still fun times working with good friends, and a good way to break into the labor force, learning how to work for a paycheck.  Of all the positions that I worked there, my favorite was cashier, because I enjoyed talking to people.  I didn't understand it at the time, but later in life, I realized that that was a huge indicator of what type of jobs I would enjoy.

I highly suggest any teenagers reading this blog to work at some fast food place or restaurant just for the experience.

I am grateful for my experience at Taco Bell.

Honesty With Your Fellow Man

I had to take my car to the shop today...twice.  One for a planned maintenance, the other was unexpected.

For the planned maintenance, the tires were balanced and rotated, and I also had an alignment done.  Total cost $0.  As usual, they tried to upsell services that I didn't need or were overpriced.  It's part of some (dare I say most) automotive repair shop's business model.

Shortly thereafter, my AC stopped working.  Because I didn't trust the first shop (thinking they might have been the ones to sabatoge my AC because I refused their extra services), I went to another shop to have them look at it.  To check the AC compression was free, but the compressor wasn't even turning on, so they checked the electrical for $40.  It was a blown fuse, and something I could have checked myself.  They even used the spare fuse that was in the fuse box.

But which store did I feel treated me more honestly, and will start getting my repeat business?  The latter.  I felt bad for thinking the first shop tampered with my car, but precedence has made me wary of their honesty.

Tires Plus is the first shop.  Pep-Boys was the second shop.

Thank you, Darrell, of Pep-Boys Orange Park, FL, for being an honest and genuine service representative. 

The Gift Of Choice

I've pondered this topic for most of my grown life, especially for the past six years.  The ability to choose (sometimes called free agency or free will) is one of the greatest gifts that God has given us.  Choice has consequences.  Most people think that the word consequence has a negative connotation, but according to one definition, consequence means "the effect, result, or outcome of something".  Initially, I thought that this topic of choice was going to be one post entry this year, but I've come to realize that it will probably be multiple postings.

I watched part of the Orange Bowl tonight, West Virginia vs Clemson.  Before the game, ESPN did a bit on Dabo Swinney, the head coach of the Clemson Tigers.  He had a difficult upbringing, his father dealing with alcoholism, the family splitting up, with Dabo living with his mother, barely making ends meet.  He eventually went to college, and get this, invited his mom to come live with him.  And for three years they lived in an apartment together, and slept on the same bed.  (Thinking about my college experience, I couldn't fathom thinking of the same scenario.)  ESPN toured Dabo's current home, now that he is a successful coach.  The home was a far cry from the humble beginnings of his childhood.   They showed the bedroom suite that Dabo used growing up.  Dabo's son now uses this suite, which includes the same bed that Dabo and his mom slept in when he was in college.

During his younger years, Dabo said that he chose to be positive, because there was no use choosing to be miserable.  That part stuck out to me, because it is a mantra that I strive to live every day.

I'm glad that I can choose my attitude, and that I can choose to be positive.

I love hearing stories like Dabo Swinney, and countless others, especially in my personal associations, because they reaffirm my beliefs.

Life is not over...and trails and tribulations are a part of it, some that are brief, and some that are still ongoing, but regardless of things that are out of our control, we can still choose to be positive and happy.

Deep Freeze

My brother called me tonight to remind me to drip the faucets and drain the outside water pump because of the deep freeze that is coming through Florida tonight.  This morning, the temperature had already dropped to the 30's, but tonight was going to be much worse.

Already in shorts for the evening, I changed into some jeans and put a jacket on.  I left the warm comforts of my house, and stumbled in the dark around to the side, flashlight in one hand, wrench in the other, and a cell phone in my pocket.

I didn't know which plug to unscrew so I called my dad and he walked me through to find the correct plug.  

I am thankful for the technology that makes our lives easier, and more comfortable.  

I did some research online to determine when the items listed above were developed or made popular:

• Jeans - 1873
• Wrench - 1800's
• Cell phones - 1990's
• Flashlight - 1899
• Central heat - 1700's
• Water well pumps (electric) - couldn't determine the origination, but I guess it was sometime after electricity production was developed.

Although technology is great, I have some concern that the same advancement of living is causing us to be "soft".  I'm sure that's why camping, fishing, and doing other things outdoors is so fun, because you are much closer to nature, braving the elements that God has created.

Don't get me wrong.  God designed us to discover, learn and create these things.  We just need to put aside technology every once in awhile to remind us what it's like to live without it. 

A Second Chance

I've since realized that a great part of our lives deal with relationships, whether it would be with your family, friends, business, church, etc, and so it's very important to cultivate them, grow them, love them in whatever capacity is appropriate.  And as a part of being human, we've made mistakes in those relationships that require forgiveness on our part, and hopefully with humility, we would be given a second chance.  And likewise, we would hope to forgive those who have wronged us, even though some circumstances would be difficult.

I am thankful for those who have given me a second chance. 

Of all the of numerous examples that would sufficiently portray this, I go back to the 7th grade for a little example that still has a profound meaning to me this day.  It would have gone unnoticed, like a lot of things we do growing up, but I still remember "this" one.

During lunch period one day, I noticed some guy looking at me in the lunch room.  His name is Charlie Gatz.  Being a smart-alec, and not so sure why I felt threatened by him, I shot to him (as to challenge him)  "Don't look at me!"  He continued to stare me down..."Don't look at me!"  It was the battle of wits now, but he finally relented and looked away.  I had won.  How rude, right?  Once again, I still don't know why I decided to treat him that way.  And to be honest with you, I didn't really think much about it afterwards.

Earlier that year, one of our good neighbors moved away.  They lived at the end of the cul de sac.  I only remember our friend by his first name, Buddy.  I believe he was a year younger than me, a short black kid with a lot of energy.  He was part of the neighborhood group that would play street football, and baseball with a tennis ball and a whiffle bat.  The front of his house plot formed the first base line.  It was a sad day watching them drive off.

A little while later in the year a new family moved into that home.  The father was in the US Navy, the mother was of Korean descent. And they have two sons, Charlie and Andy Gatz.  What?!  Yes, that Charlie Gatz.  Now that he was part of the neighborhood, he somehow became "cool" with me.  I don't remember speaking to him until that first day at the bus stop that took us to the 7th grade center we attended (Eugene J. Butler).  I hopped on the bus first and after taking a seat towards the back, I invited Charlie to sit with me.  I knew he was in the band because he carried his instrument to and from school.  I found out that he played saxophone.  We really got to know each other that day and I felt that we were going to be good friends.

"But, Vlad, if you were already learning how to play the trumpet, why didn't you know who he was?  Weren't you in the band too?"

So let's fill in the gap from the previous post (The Accidental Trumpet Player) and now.  In Jacksonville, the band programs started in six grade.  In the six grade center, we had only one assigned school teacher, just like in elementary school.  One day a week, for an hour or so, the students in band would leave their regular classroom to go to band class.  It was fun for the first few times as we were learning how to play our instruments...but to get straight to the point...it was becoming apparent that I was sucking at it, really bad.  It didn't help that I had a teacher from hell, not the band teacher, my regular teacher (do you all remember Mrs. Buck?...it was an unfortunate name for her).  She gave me a hard time about leaving her class for band...and then because of her guilt trip, she gave me a hard time for not going to band practice.  At least I learned how to deal with difficult people from her experience, but I digress.  Ultimately, my desires to learn how to play the trumpet were no longer there, and in less than a year, I quit band altogether.

This is where looking back in life, I realized how important relationships are, and that we should seek to build them, because we need each other, whether we know it at the time or not.

Knowing that Charlie was in the band, that piqued my interest in picking up my trumpet again, outside of school.  I asked him to bring music home for the trumpet, and we would start playing the pieces in my garage.

I still sucked at it, but having a personal friend that was in the band just gave me encouragement to keep pressing forward.  We had another neighborhood friend in the band that played the flute.  He was already attending the junior high school.  We were the garage band trio.  After 7th grade ended, Charlie and I were invited to attend summer band at that junior high school (Jefferson Davis), and then because that program ended abruptly after a week, we were invited to attend the high school summer band program.  I learned how to march as well as improve in my trumpet playing skills.  I met another trumpet player there that is now one of my best friends to this day.  I progressed so well that summer, that I made it to the top band program at the junior high school when Fall came around.  And to top it off, during that Fall season, I was privileged to march with the high school band, even though I was only in 8th grade at the junior high school.  It was the same high school that hosted the band competition I attended just three years earlier.

All because Charlie Gatz moved into my neighborhood, for which I am thankful.

Remember how I had forgotten that I was rude to Charlie in the cafeteria?  Well, he didn't.  Sometime during our friendship, he reminded me of that incident.  He also told me how surprised he was that I was friendly to him at the bus stop.  He thought we were forever enemies, since I was the bully.  But he gave me a chance to be his friend, and he didn't judge me based on that incident alone.

Thanks, Charlie.  You were the friend that I needed at that time of my life.  And thanks for giving me a second chance, because I think you gave me a lot more than that.

The Accidental Trumpet Player

For those of you that know me, music makes up a lot of my life.  It all started when my mom "forced" me to take piano lessons at the ripe old age of five.  We were living in the Philippines at the time (my dad was stationed in Subic Bay) and so I had the neat opportunity to be taught by the same lady that taught my mom when she was a little.

I remembered that first day when this elderly lady came to the house.  I was still a little defiant at the notion that I had to take piano lessons.  While they were at the dining table catching up on old times, I hopped onto the piano bench and started playing the piano like a pro, or so I thought.  After playing a few licks, I would run up to them and say "See, I already know I how to play the piano" and then run back to the piano to play more of my well thought-out musical phrases.  Needless to say, I was stuck taking piano lessons.  And that decision started the musical tapestry that has and still is being weaved in my life.

I am thankful that my mom gave me the opportunity to learn a musical instrument at an early age.  

So where does the accidental trumpet player come in?  Let's fast forward to 5th grade, in Jacksonville, FL.  One Saturday November afternoon , my mom took my brother and me to lunch at the Burger King adjacent to the local high school near our neighborhood (Nathan B. Forrest High School).  There was an unusual hustle and bustle at the restaurant, with a lot of teenagers and parents coming in from next door.  

"There must be a football game" we decided, after which my brother and I begged my mom to go watch the football game.  My mom was curious as well.  She didn't think twice about our request.  Before we knew it, we were settled into one of the concrete rows in the football stadium.

A marching band was about to enter the field.   "Great!!  It must be halftime.  Once they are done, then we'll be able to watch the football game."  After their performance, another marching band came on to perform.  "OK...this must be the opposing team's band.  This should finish halftime.  I can't wait to see the football game."

And then another marching band came on the field..."What is going on?"

And then another marching band...

And still another one came on after that one.  

We were slowly assimilating the event that was going on before us.  If you haven't guessed it by now, what we thought was a football game, ended up being a marching band competition that the high school was hosting.  

I am glad that collectively, my family did not know that high school football generally isn't played on a Saturday. ;-)

I don't remember being disappointed that no football was to be played.  I do remember being fascinated by the pageantry of the marching band presentation.  As I was looking at the different formations, instruments, color guard, I remembered fixating myself on those silver trumpets.  I've never seen one before.  I thought they were all those brass color.  I noticed that the trumpet player usually played a solo as well during their performance.  They were usually louder than the other instruments.  And I loved how some of them can hit those high notes that just penetrated the air.

As the competition continued throughout the rest of the afternoon, I finally told my mom that I wanted to learn how to play the trumpet.  

And that's how I became the accidental trumpet player.