December 24-26th, I was in Long Beach, CA. My hometown, my stomping ground, hood, dwelling... I was HOME. It was short-lived and everything felt so nostalgic. I couldn't believe that I was with my brothers again. It just felt so awesome being with my best friends - the two people I know I can always count on.
A stop at In N Out then Coffee Bean, and it was off to my grandma's. She looked so happy to see us all together again. After some small talk, and some of Ryne's fish stories.. (fish as in women).. My grandma was in tears of laughter and said "I wish your grandpa were here to see you guys all together and grown up, he would be so proud." It was quiet. I tried not to cry. I wanted to say something, but I couldn't think of anything appropriate.
Out of the whole trip, the moment that really stuck out to me (although seeing family was a great joy!) were when I was by myself tending to the rose garden and pouring soil.. I remember my grandpa, who I grew up with, worked hard to keep that garden up. I struggled lifting the 70 pound bags of dirt/fertilizer thinking "how did this old man do it at his age?" That got me thinking about him more and more
Yesterday it would have been three years since his death. The bags of dirt that were conveniently packaged seemed to not be so heavy and troublesome, thinking of my grandfather and his daily struggles on the farm, and later the navy ship. He joined the navy to go to America so his family didn't have to struggle and work the manual labor that he did. I bet he didn't imagine his grandchild to be fat, lazy, and unappreciative. I'm so blessed and spoiled, here I am complaining about the cubicle and air conditioning in my office.
My brothers and I visited his grave a few hours before we left for the airport. Tears fell as I stared at the inscription "Beloved husband, father, and grandfather... And we are forever grateful," I was thanking God that although my grandfather's body lay below, his spirit dwells with my Savior. I thank God that he allowed such a man in my life to teach me by example. He was a man of few words, but the love he has shared spoke volumes. Three years later, I feel the void in my heart.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Day 465 In Iowa... Let's Start a Bucket List!
Not like I'm counting or anything.. And through that year and three plus months I've gone through a house, an apartment (more like dorm), a car crash (RIP Corolla), about 3 blizzards, my first Chargers game, my first official girlfriend in 8 years, my first official breakup in 8 years (3 weeks later), 3 bosses, 2 supervisors, one life changing culture shocking experience from the midwest, and made some of the best friends I could ever imagine.
As great a place as I think I'm in right now, I, for some reason, cannot grasp that I could very well be here for a long long time. God's been showing me things about myself that has allowed me to grow spiritually, He has humbled me beyond what I thought could be done, and He's given me an appreciation for the life I live (and I will write soon on what those things are).
There's something in the corner of my mind that cannot comprehend that California is not my State of residence. Every other (early) morning I wake up, stare at the glowing stars on my ceiling and say "Whoa. I moved from Long Beach, CA to Ankeny, IA. Un. Real." I know right? Every time someone hears that, I hear "Um and you did that because...?"
Oh come on, Iowans.. There's fun things to do other than corn shucking.... Right? Well my parents and older brother are PROBABLY coming to visit with my baby bro graduating and all (Lord willing) this May, and I should PROBABLY do some homework on my state and see what there is to do here, so through my online research, I've compiled some things I want to do before I leave Iowa/this Earth.
1. Iowa State Fair
I hear it's one of the best in the US. And I've had an opportunity to go... And I bought a plane ticket from August 10-24 to Long Beach, so 2012 is probably out of the question but I NEED to go to one. I hear all the hullabaloo about these fairs, rides, deep fried novelties, and blah blah blah. I just need to witness howlame great these fairs are in person.. Plus Colbie Caillait and Maroon 5 were all performing here in the recent years and I MISSED EM!
2. Corn Maze
Well the one pictured here is Arnold's Park, IA. I just want to go into a corn maze. I hate close quarters and I'm kind of claustrophobic (spelled that correctly without spell check *back pat*), but I was inspired by a Rob Dyrdek, "... Next time you have a dream, go try to live it and see if you suck at it," and yes my allergies and fears will be tested but at least I get to cross something off a list!
3. Miniature Golf
Well I don't know where one is here. I've seen ads for a couple courses, but they've shut down. And I've seen some lame courses, but dang it, MINI GOLF IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO EVER, AND I WILL FIND A LEGITIMATE COURSE.
4. Out of State Festivities - Like going to the Mall of America, going to Oklahoma Joe's which I hear is the best BBQ ever, and maybe visit Chicago for some of their scenery like the bean, eat a deep dish pizza... Wrigley Field...
These are just a few of the things on top of my head, and I really really wanna do something adventurous starting in 2012 when weather permits. Who's in?
As great a place as I think I'm in right now, I, for some reason, cannot grasp that I could very well be here for a long long time. God's been showing me things about myself that has allowed me to grow spiritually, He has humbled me beyond what I thought could be done, and He's given me an appreciation for the life I live (and I will write soon on what those things are).
There's something in the corner of my mind that cannot comprehend that California is not my State of residence. Every other (early) morning I wake up, stare at the glowing stars on my ceiling and say "Whoa. I moved from Long Beach, CA to Ankeny, IA. Un. Real." I know right? Every time someone hears that, I hear "Um and you did that because...?"
Oh come on, Iowans.. There's fun things to do other than corn shucking.... Right? Well my parents and older brother are PROBABLY coming to visit with my baby bro graduating and all (Lord willing) this May, and I should PROBABLY do some homework on my state and see what there is to do here, so through my online research, I've compiled some things I want to do before I leave Iowa/this Earth.
1. Iowa State Fair
I hear it's one of the best in the US. And I've had an opportunity to go... And I bought a plane ticket from August 10-24 to Long Beach, so 2012 is probably out of the question but I NEED to go to one. I hear all the hullabaloo about these fairs, rides, deep fried novelties, and blah blah blah. I just need to witness how
2. Corn Maze
Well the one pictured here is Arnold's Park, IA. I just want to go into a corn maze. I hate close quarters and I'm kind of claustrophobic (spelled that correctly without spell check *back pat*), but I was inspired by a Rob Dyrdek, "... Next time you have a dream, go try to live it and see if you suck at it," and yes my allergies and fears will be tested but at least I get to cross something off a list!
3. Miniature Golf
Well I don't know where one is here. I've seen ads for a couple courses, but they've shut down. And I've seen some lame courses, but dang it, MINI GOLF IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO EVER, AND I WILL FIND A LEGITIMATE COURSE.
4. Out of State Festivities - Like going to the Mall of America, going to Oklahoma Joe's which I hear is the best BBQ ever, and maybe visit Chicago for some of their scenery like the bean, eat a deep dish pizza... Wrigley Field...
These are just a few of the things on top of my head, and I really really wanna do something adventurous starting in 2012 when weather permits. Who's in?
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Occupy A Life
I remember, throughout all of school we were drilled in our minds "You need to go to college, so you can get a good job and make a lot of money" That was backed up statistics of false hope such as "Someone with a college degree is X times more likely than to get a job over someone without one," and threatened with horrible alternate outcomes like "If you don't go to college, then you'll be flipping burgers for the rest of your life!"
We grew up. We were spoon fed warm-feeling ideologies of "Follow your heart to see what kind of degree you want, and you'll be successful!" We weren't given the backup statistics of those majors and the likeliness of landing a job. We also weren't warned that our economy was going to suck really bad by the time we graduated. We were given false ideas that physical labor was the worst thing that can happen to you, "flipping burgers." Etc.. And our liberal upbringings routed us towards such useless concentrations such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, and women's studies.
How did those majors become popular? Oh that's right the education system forced us to take those classes so that teachers that taught them could have jobs. And those teachers, in turn filled our minds with useless information, and even convinced us to major in that field because accounting, computer science, and all those other cubicle jobs were SO repetitive. I mean I'd rather work in a cubicle than beg the failing school system daily to let you teach there... and then come home to a lonely cardboard box, right occupy wall street?
I wonder what his major was.
Pretty much my generation was taught to get good grades, get a good job, and get a lot of money. Along the way, we have this beautiful thing called the internet, which (if you're reading this you PROBABLY know) is an invention that allows you to think you're smart. Type in any words in a search engine and BOOM! AN answer. A statistic. Then you sound smart. And you didn't even have to buy a Snapple and read a cap!
Now I'll just stop right there.... In no way am I trying to say I'm better off than other people, nor am I a good living example of what to do to be economy proof. I was a mediocre student who didn't apply himself and did not aim high. I chose my major (Accounting) because it was the first thing listed on the schedule of classes at LBCC, and I had a federal/parental paid education through my undergrad education. I was a B student and my job right now doesn't have THAT much to do with my major.
The economy is terrible. People are jobless. People are scared. Government has to bail them out to save jobs and to salvage consumer confidence. What are the occupy people trying to prove? I'm sure if you camped out at a place that was hiring, they'd eventually tap out and give you a job. I'm sorry you still have to live with your parents and eat ramen every day. Occupy - Go home. Take a shower. Revamp your resume and look for those opportunities. Your tuition isn't going to pay itself.
We grew up. We were spoon fed warm-feeling ideologies of "Follow your heart to see what kind of degree you want, and you'll be successful!" We weren't given the backup statistics of those majors and the likeliness of landing a job. We also weren't warned that our economy was going to suck really bad by the time we graduated. We were given false ideas that physical labor was the worst thing that can happen to you, "flipping burgers." Etc.. And our liberal upbringings routed us towards such useless concentrations such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, and women's studies.
How did those majors become popular? Oh that's right the education system forced us to take those classes so that teachers that taught them could have jobs. And those teachers, in turn filled our minds with useless information, and even convinced us to major in that field because accounting, computer science, and all those other cubicle jobs were SO repetitive. I mean I'd rather work in a cubicle than beg the failing school system daily to let you teach there... and then come home to a lonely cardboard box, right occupy wall street?
I wonder what his major was.
Pretty much my generation was taught to get good grades, get a good job, and get a lot of money. Along the way, we have this beautiful thing called the internet, which (if you're reading this you PROBABLY know) is an invention that allows you to think you're smart. Type in any words in a search engine and BOOM! AN answer. A statistic. Then you sound smart. And you didn't even have to buy a Snapple and read a cap!
Now I'll just stop right there.... In no way am I trying to say I'm better off than other people, nor am I a good living example of what to do to be economy proof. I was a mediocre student who didn't apply himself and did not aim high. I chose my major (Accounting) because it was the first thing listed on the schedule of classes at LBCC, and I had a federal/parental paid education through my undergrad education. I was a B student and my job right now doesn't have THAT much to do with my major.
The economy is terrible. People are jobless. People are scared. Government has to bail them out to save jobs and to salvage consumer confidence. What are the occupy people trying to prove? I'm sure if you camped out at a place that was hiring, they'd eventually tap out and give you a job. I'm sorry you still have to live with your parents and eat ramen every day. Occupy - Go home. Take a shower. Revamp your resume and look for those opportunities. Your tuition isn't going to pay itself.
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