Hey There!

Just thought I'd post and say that I'm still alive, and doing well. I've been working the morning and evening shifts at work, so I've been pretty busy with that and trying to maintain a healthy amount of sleep without screwing up my sleep schedule too much.

I've also been trying to get some much procrastinated reading in with some of my new aquired time during the day. The titles I'm trying to get through currently are:

The Compleat Gentleman: Modern Man's Guide to Chivalry by Brad Miner

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

I also plan on trying to get some works of C.S. Lewis' in before too long, as well as some P.G. Whodehouse.

In other news, the date for the home-school picnic has been set. It will be held on Sat. July 30th, which is all of the details I have handy at the moment. I will make an entire post about it when I have all of the details in my grubby little hands! Until next time, God Bless!

YEEEEEHHHAAAAAA!!!!!

Much has happened since my previous update, and not the least of which was my quitting my "day" job. Which is my way of explaining why I haven't updated since my last update. You see, this particuliar job had the habit of leaving one with nothing to do in-between helping customers (which could sometimes be up to 45 mins.), which meant being able to surf on the internet, and keep this blog updated. This is the first time I've been on the net since Thursday. Thats four whole days! Wholly Smack!

The first thing that took place was the STMHE graduation, which was followed by a formal dance for those of the youger generation. I regret that I didn't make it to the graduation ceremony, as I had to work. I did however make it to the dance, which required some speed limit "tweaking", and a quick change in the smallish restrooms at the church. It t'was an amazing night full of swing, waltz, polka, and some dancing of which I could not adequately describe with anything but the word odd. The greatest suprise of the night was when Mr. Russell, and Hannah took to the floor at the first swing number and proceeded to tear it up. I seriously had no idea that he could dance like that, but I hope that I can be as good one day! Another mentionable event of the night, was when we all did the chicken dance. And when I say all, I mean like thirty to forty teenagers.I had never actually done the chicken dance, which was quite amusing and very tiring. I would also like to take this time to thank each and every one of the girls that I danced with that night, for being so patient with me as I struggled through trying to remember dance steps, an occasional lack of rythym and the second left foot that showed up every now and then. You made my night extremely enjoyable, and I appreciate that!

Also, the Ride4US bike ride was this Sat., which went well all things considered. Brendan, Nick, Brian, Anreas, John, Joseph, Alex and I had decided about three months ago that we would attempt the longest ride they had, the 100 MILE! Well mistake numero uno on our part was a severe lack of training for it, which being the young headstong guys we were, we brushed off as unnecessary. We all congregated at the Harkins' the night before, and after doing the filming for the next YFL video, we proceede to only get two and a half hours of sleep. Mistake #2! Begrudgingly, we got up as the alarm reminded us that it was 4:30 in the morning. After a hearty breakfast, we made the trip up to Tacoma, got registered, and started out on the ride. The first five miles was a circuit around the park that acted as HQ for the ride, and we enthusiastically pounded that out in ten minutes flat. We stopped at the ferry terminal and got some refreshment whilst we waited for next run which would take us across. It was at this point that the ladies manning the rest stop informed us that as soon as we got off the ferry there was a mild hill. No big deal we thought. We got off of the ferry only to realize that that mild hill stretched on for ten miles! Egads!

After we completed the Vashon Island leg (about 40 mi. total riding at that point) three of our number were having leg cramps that prevented them from being able to pedal their bikes any further. After the ferry ride back across, they headed back to HQ, while the rest of us decided to continue on. We made it through this leg in just enough time to get back to HQ as they were starting to take things down, and so we did not get to complete the entire 100 mi., but we did put in a good 80, which is quite a feat if I do say so myself!

We then proceeded to make our way back to Lynwood, where we pulled into an Alfy's pizza to fill our collective guts. After ordering five pizzas, we called up Marie who came and joined us. After that it was a quick trip back to the Harkins' home to pick up the rest of our junk, and then we headed on home.

All in all it was a very fulfilling weekend and I am very much looking foward to the Angelorum auction coming up this Saturday. Until we mee again in cyberspace, actual reality, or otherwise, God bless!

Here he is once again

Last night, I and about thirty other YFL members attended the 4th annual Pro-life Washington banquet. We had been graciously invited by Matt and Georgine Ulrich to attend, and someone even paid for our tables. How cool is that! It started with a standard dinner after which Msgr. Reilly, the founder of The Helpers of God's Precious Infants, got up and gave a talk to everyone. It was beautifully moving and motivational, and I think just the thing that we needed to get us all fired up for a summer full of prolife activities.

In other news, I will also be quitting one of my jobs, so as to be able to focus more time on my flying. And pro-life activities, and hanging out with friends, and...everything in general.

Also, I would like to ask for prayers as pursue going to yet another school this fall. As some of you may know, the last school I tried to go to didn't quite work out, which is alright, for I know it was God's will. So far, though, I'm feeling really good about this new school, as I found out about it less than 24 hrs. after learning I wouldn't be going to this other school. But, anyway, prayers would be much appreciated.

I had better sign this out now, as I am at the library and my time limit is slowly making its way to saying that I need to get off. I will leave you with yet another quote from a Relient K song:

When the burden seems too much to bear,
Remember,
The end will justify
The pain it took to get us there!

"I'm pressing on! All my distress..

...Is going, going, gone! Pressing on! Pressing on!" ~ From Relient K's song entitled, Ironically enough, "Pressing On!"

This weekend past was indeed wonderful with its various going-ons. It was indeed so full of fantastic things, that it is hard to believe that all of it could have happened in one weekend. The highland games in Ferndale went pretty much as expected, with the weather being pleasantly warm and overcast. It was the first time that I had ever been to these particuliar games, but I must say that I like the location alot better than the ones that are held in Mount Vernon. Much of the time was spent walking around with my good friend John, who so graciously let me catch a ride with his family, which I would have otherwise had to make alone, which is no fun at all. Epsecially if you happen to come from a large family, where there is always someone to talk to. We watched some of the young girls do their step dancing, but found that the Scottish country dancers were more fun. All of the usual booths were there, and so we spent a good amount of time perusing all of the various wares, but especially those of the cutlery persuasion and the like. Despite tradition, though, I did not purchase a sword, dagger, dirk, knife, scimitar, or anything that remotely resembled on of the aforemetioned. Instead I bought a T-shirt with the Guinness label on it, written in Irish Gaelic, and a small metal flask.

After returning from our adventures in Ferndale, John and I decided to go and see "Cinderella Man". It was a great movie, and one I would highly suggest that anyone and everyone I know go and see. Seriously.

Cow also came and visited us this weekend in the great metropolis of Arlington. A good rollicking time was had by all, as we watched "The Village", went for a walk and got the jibblies, went to church, moved pianos, went and saw "Cinderella Man"(my second time that weekend), and did the filming for the YFL news video with Perkins on Mon.! All in that order too! We also managed to squeeze in an interview with the gregarious Hanka via phone with Alex being her voice, and Cow impersonating Stiny, while we were driving in my truck. Much to suprise and delight we also stopped for a brief respite at the Russell's house where we sang "America the Beautiful" in our(Cow, Alex, and I) strong masculine voices while sitting in their driveway!

And...



...I think that that about covers everything that I did over the weekend! Until the next post, God Bless!!!

And now we go to...

Me, for brief update as to my going-ons and so forth, because one of my many faithful commenters suggested that I do so.

This weekend I will be joining the Kennedy clan for an excursion into the northernmost territories known as Ferndale. The first Highland Games and Scottish Faire of the year will be held there on Sat., chock full of stuff to fascinate, astound, and just generally promote a rollicking good time. There will be the Scottish step dancers, all of the booths touting their various wares such as jewelry, assorted items of cutlery, and various other items pertaining to Scottish heritage. And this all the while the air is being permeated with the sound of bagpipes droning and drummers beating out military tatoos on their snare drums.

I would also like to ask for prayers right now, as I look into going to another school. Please pray that if it is God's will, everything will fall in line fairly quickly!

And now, I should get back to looking busy! More updates as events warrant:)