White New Years?

So I kind of skipped out on a white Christmas and opted for a white New Years. Art and I went up to Ryan's house for the weekend. It was a great time. Sunday the girls came up and we went to the mountains for New Year's Eve. We played in the snow and had a lot of fun. Later we got some pizza and played a wide vareity of games at his house. By the way, I didn't win any of the games. It was just a good time of hanging out. It was quite relaxing going up there. Sorry, but I didn't really feel like elaborating too much.

Team Taste

Tonight was our Christmas party for work. It was a pretty fun time. It was at the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport. We went to an arcade and played some games. The climax of the night was the skee ball tournament we had. I was so pissed at myself when I got eliminated in the first round. I got another chance when there was a second tournament using your left hand, but I got second. In case you were wondering, second doesn't cut it. Of all people, Kyle Yocum won. Pissed me off... but not really. We then went to dinner at Abbondanza, which is a little bistro in Newport. A lot of funny conversations. We did a little white elephant gift exchange too. I'm glad I went.

Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal

So yesterday was Christmas. It was a good day. This past semester I've started to critically think more, and I have a few thoughts on Christmas. It just seems we are taking Jesus out of the equation more and more. I'm not just talking about non-believers. I'm talking about Christians too, including me. We get so caught up in the busyness of the season and forget what its all really about. At the same time we are wasting money on too much stuff. I understand we like to get things that will tell people we love and care for them, but spending hundreds of dollars on someone is ridiculous. We need to learn to become better stewards of our money. This year I tried to buy gifts that did not only benefit the recipient but also someone else. I got my dad a pair of TOMS shoes, which matches every pair bought and gives a pair to a child in need in Argentina. I bought a (product) red GAP shirt, which sends some of the profit made on the shirt to the Global Fund. I don't know. I just think we have a lot to work on during this season to focus more on what it is about. Most of the pictures are at my aunt's house and the Mexican kids are my cousins.

2006 Global Summit on AIDS and the Church

Well, last thursday and friday, I had the privilege of attending the Global Summit on AIDS and the Church at Saddleback. It was a great experience. I hope I have the opportunity next year. It was very cool to see so many people that are important in the AIDS and relief field. The highlight was, without question, being able to see Sen. Sam Brownback and Sen. Barak Obama. Both men have a heart for God and the AIDS pandemic. It was also interesting to see because both of these men are potential presidential candidates in 2008. If that happens, it is going to be one heck of an election year. Sorry about the Sam Brownback Picture. I don't know how to make it upright, like its supposed to be.

New York: Day 3

Today my dad and I got up and took the subway up to Yankee stadium to take a tour of the stadium. It was really cool being there. There is so much history there. After that we took the subway to the United Nations. We walked around some more and met up with my sister and mom. We headed to Central Park and took a carriage ride through it. Later tonight we ate dinner and then went to see The Christmas Spectacular at the Radio City Music Hall. It was pretty good. Well, I'll see everyone tomorrow... maybe.

New York: Day 2

Today we took a tour of mostly downtown Manhattan. We got to see many famous buildings, the site of the World Trade Center, Wall Street, and took a ferry by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

New York: Day 1

Well today we arrived in New York. It has been a really long day so far. New York is a crazy place. For so long I have only seen it in TV shows and movies, but now it has become a real place. Earlier today we got to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which went right by our hotel. After that, and a long nap, my dad and I went exploring for a few hours. These are some of my favorite pictures from the day and they are all unedited.