Whenver I can't think of something to post, I like to ask you (my loyal readers) questions. Tonight's question: if you could be anywhere in the world, where would you be. My answer is honestly Seattle. I've been away so much lately (and I will be away again soon) that it is so good to be back. I got to watch a beautiful sunset over the Olympic Mountains from my bedroom window. Tomorrow I get to go to the zoo with Brittany and enjoy a picnic out by the water. What a life. What about you? Where would you be right now if you could be anywhere in the world?
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Where In the World??
Whenver I can't think of something to post, I like to ask you (my loyal readers) questions. Tonight's question: if you could be anywhere in the world, where would you be. My answer is honestly Seattle. I've been away so much lately (and I will be away again soon) that it is so good to be back. I got to watch a beautiful sunset over the Olympic Mountains from my bedroom window. Tomorrow I get to go to the zoo with Brittany and enjoy a picnic out by the water. What a life. What about you? Where would you be right now if you could be anywhere in the world?
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Oh How I Love Food...
One thing that seems to unite peoples of all cultures, tribes, and tongues is a love of food. I found it in Israel, I found it in Egypt, I found it in Arkansas, and I certainly know its alive and well here in Seattle. One of my favorite places to eat is called Macrina Bakery and Cafe. There is one located in Belltown, but the one I go to is located on Queen Anne. They bake everything from scratch and offer breads, pastries, sandwiches, soups, and coffee. Brittany introduced it to me, and I will introduce it to you. Go there and try it. My favorite thing is the fresh fruit coffee cake.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Graduation Photos
I never shared photos of graduation. Here's a few. The first is with my immediate family (missing my middle brother Brian) and the second is with friends at a party aferward.
Pictures of the Wedding...
Not only was it fun to just hang out around Little Rock, it was also amazing to be in the wedding of my best friend David Kroll and his wife, Margaret. They get a lot of crap for marrying so young. But even at age 22, I can tell you they are ready. I am excited for them. Here are some pictures. The first is of David and Margaret dancing at the Little Rock Country Club.
This is a picture with me, David, Margaret, and my mom and dad. 
This is a picture with all of us who came out from Seattle. 
This is a picture of my mentor (who's a professor in the School of Theology at SPU, Dr. Ed Smyth). 
This is a picture with me, David, Margaret, and my mom and dad. 
This is a picture with all of us who came out from Seattle. 
This is a picture of my mentor (who's a professor in the School of Theology at SPU, Dr. Ed Smyth). 
Okay...I Admit...I Was Wrong
I just arrived back a short time ago from Little Rock, Arkansas. First, I must apologize. Like a lying politician, I promised to post while I was there, but failed to deliver. For that, I am sorry. But now on to the good stuff. Little Rock is not only beautifully green, it also has some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. The stories of southern hospitality are true. Need directions? Just ask? Still hungry? More food is on its way. One of the best places to eat is called the Waffle House. Three eggs, toast, hashbrowns, and a biscuit is three dollars. Not only that, they have amazing employees who go out of their way to serve you. 
I also very much enjoyed spending time at the President Clinton Presidential Library. While the stories are true (it does look like a double-wide trailer from Kitsap County), it is beautiful inside and full of great information, photos, and replicas of rooms in the White House as well as the Oval Office. We got a personal tour by one of President Clinton's close friends. He told interesting stories of when both President Bush 41, President Clinton, and President Bush 43 toured the facility together. It was cool to learn about their friendships (especially between the first Bush and Clinton) and to see how different administrations work together behind the scenes. 
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Arkansas...yeeeehhhaaw!
After the bumpiest flight of my life, I arrived to Little Rock this evening. Ive already been proven wrong on Arkansas. Its incredibly beautiful (lots of green grass and trees) and the homes are awesome, with many dating back to the 1920's. Today we went to dinner with David and Margaret's family. So good. Goodnight!
Pictures I Love
I often feel like I live in two worlds. One is my Gig Harbor world, the other is my Seattle world. You see, I am blessed by having two amazing friend groups. My relationships are based on more than just hobbies or sports, their based on Jesus. It's something I can't quite describe, but its interesting how faith binds a group (or groups of people together). Here are photos from both my worlds. I hope you enjoy them and get a better idea of who I am "behind the scenes."
This is graduation from SPU just a couple of weeks ago.
This is my group of friends from high school. I'm still very close with a majority of people here. I love them.
This is graduation from SPU just a couple of weeks ago.
This is my group of friends from high school. I'm still very close with a majority of people here. I love them.
I'm On My Way...
I'm on the next Continental 737-800 out of Sea-Tac Airport and on my way to Little Rock, Arkansas. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Books I'm Reading
I'm reading three interesting books right now (at least to me...and hey...that's all that matters). One is called "Making of a Man of God." It's a book based on the life of King David and his role as King of Israel. Second, I'm reading Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville. I read many portions of this for my political science classes, but never all the way through. Finally, I'm reading Fast Food Nation. It's about the fast food industry and basically how its destroying America. I'm actually only about 40 pages in, so I'm not sure if that's what the book is about, but it seems to be so far.
Pyramids of Giza
I havent quite figured out a good way to show you my photos of Israel/Egypt. Apparently, Facebook does not work. Anyone have ideas (rather than just uploading them all onto the blog?). In the meantime, here is my favorite picture of the pyramids.
Arkansas Confession...
Call me a terrible person, call me judgemental, but I have a preconcieved notion that Arkansas is a rural, dumpy, hick state. Now of course, I've never been and people tell me its actually quite nice. But I just cant seem to overcome the picture in my head: shotguns, missing teeth, Walmart, and cheap beer. I hope (and am fully expecting) to be proven wrong when I arrive tomorrow. I'm heading there along my my mom and dad for my best friend's wedding. David (who was my roommate of three years in college) is marrying his beautiful fiancee Margaret (also a close friend). I am SO excited for them and am actually quite excited they're getting married/living in Arkansas. But there's just something about the state. Maybe its an overdose of Bill Clinton/Mike Huckabee, but I just cringe when thinking of it. I hope to chronicle my time there (it should be easier to post than it is in say: southern Egypt) over the coming days. I will be flying from Seattle to Houston and then Houston to Little Rock. One thing I am excited for: spending time with David, Margaret, my family, and friends. Oh and here's a picture of the happy couple. 
The Power of a Boeing!
Check this out. The thrust of a 747-200 actually pushes people into the water. Crazy.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Media Hype or Valid Story?
For the first time this summer, I have literally spent the last 24 hours doing NOTHING! I have watched more CNN and CSI in the last day then I have in the last year. Today's big story is the not-so-emergency landing of Senator Barack Obama's plane. Being an avid supporter and critic of the news media, it got me thinking: is his unscheduled landing really a big story? I definitley believe it's worth covering, but not as the first (or second, or third) story in a broadcast. NBC Nightly News had a reporter on the story tonight as did many of the other networks. What do you think?http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/07/obama.plane/?iref=mpstoryview
Friday, July 4, 2008
Happy 4th of July...
America is certainly not perfect, but traveling internationally makes me thankful to live here. Freedom of the press and freedom of religion are two of the reasons that come to mind as I type this. I love the 4th of July. It's a time to celebrate our independence and a time to be with family and friends. This morning I'm down in Gig Harbor where I'll be going to breakfast at one of my best friend's parent’s house. I've literally known them my entire life and they are some of the most hospitable people I've ever met. I have some friends down here from Seattle so it will be fun to hang out there as a large group. Then we'll all head back to my parents house where we'll have a BBQ in the afternoon (every type of meat, fruit, vegetable, chip, drink, and dessert you could imagine). Then we'll all head out on the boat to listen to music, hang out, and watch the fireworks on Tacoma's Commencement Bay. It's going to be a great day. I invite you to respond with what your thankful for today when it comes to America and our independence.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Time To Brag...
We were lucky and blessed to be able to fly to Israel and from Egypt on Delta's Business Elite (their equivalant of first class when traveling internationally). Not only does that mean SIX feet (count 'em six!) of leg room, but it also means a personal television, five-course meals, hot towels, unlimited chocolate chip cookies etc. Here are some photos..(p.s. this first one is a "snack" between meals).
Videos of Egypt
This is a video of a marketplace in Egypt. These are VERY common. Shopkeepers stand/sit outside their shop...often smoking hookah, asking you to "come in my friend." This was more of a tourist-type one, but you get the point.
Besides the car (which is mostly used by those in Cairo), it seems the donkey, camel, and horse are the most popular forms of travel. Here in lower Egypt, that is certainly the case. Here is a video of us taking a horse carriage to a temple in Edfu.
Want to know what traditional music sounds like in Egypt? Here is video of a local "band." This music is traditional to the Middle East but particularly to southern Egypt. This is in the town of Aswan.
Most of Egypt is comprised of big, dry, and boring deserts. But they call the Nile River, the river of life for a reason. Look how green it is. You can also hear our tour guide in the background. He's classic. If you look closely, you can also see several towers of the local mosques in Luxor.
Besides the car (which is mostly used by those in Cairo), it seems the donkey, camel, and horse are the most popular forms of travel. Here in lower Egypt, that is certainly the case. Here is a video of us taking a horse carriage to a temple in Edfu.
Want to know what traditional music sounds like in Egypt? Here is video of a local "band." This music is traditional to the Middle East but particularly to southern Egypt. This is in the town of Aswan.
Most of Egypt is comprised of big, dry, and boring deserts. But they call the Nile River, the river of life for a reason. Look how green it is. You can also hear our tour guide in the background. He's classic. If you look closely, you can also see several towers of the local mosques in Luxor.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Break the Silence
That's what I'm about to do. It's been quiet around my blog the past week and a half. That's because there is very little internet access in Egypt and I had little time anyway. But after my epic trip to Egypt/Israel and then to a wedding in California, I am back home in Western Washington. Over the coming days, I will post more photos than you've ever wanted to see as well as videos from around the region. So my apologies for not posting, and I promise I will make it up to you soon.
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