Time

I am finding I want to spend more and more time alone. I work. I gym. I work. I drive. I attend activities. I sleep. I work. I run errands. I work. I gym and take classes. I drive. I sleep. My down time is spent driving, or sitting in front of my laptop watching/sleeping to various movies. I should be spending time cleaning my apartment, or preparing meals. I admit it...I am lazy. I don't want to clean. I don't want to prepare meals. I feel like I do those things at work and I don't want to repeat them at home. Especially, as I come home alone. I'm tired. This entry has a lot of "I" and "I'm" in it and I don't care! It may not be my most upbeat and positive entry or moment, but this is what it is at present.

ej

I learned something today...

Muslim women wear a "hijab" on their heads which means "veil," and the long dresses they wear are called "jibab" which means "long dress." =) Thanks, Amani! I always learn so much from you when we chat.

ej

San Francisco (Photo Entry)

All Izz Well

We watched "3 Idiots" this weekend and it was awesome! Definitely getting it when it comes out on video! LOL! I nearly fell out of my seat laughing! I went with six other people, so it was a treat to share it with others. You have to see this movie! It will crack you up!

ej

Paa

Went to watch "Paa" last night. I even took two people with me. It's rare I can get people willing to read subtitles. =) It was a great movie!

I have been working a ton lately and in need of a break. Thought I was going to get one this weekend, but ended up having to work NY's day (7am-3pm) shift. It was pretty chill, but it meant going to bed early the night before.

I worked a double shift on Christmas Eve/Day (3pm-830am) and I must admit, those kids were great. Some of them said it was their best Christmas ever. It was so moving to see these kids light up. They have such diverse and sad backgrounds. One Resident, was crying and in depression mode when I came on shift. Christmas was never an easy time for her. By the end of the night, she was engaging with the other kids and happy as can be. We did a craft project, sang christmas carols, and went to dinner. We even allowed them to open up one present (pajamas) and the kids were so excited they all ran to their rooms and put them on!

Later in the evening, just before lights out, a neighbor came to the door and said "Santa is running late, but he'll be here in an hour." I had already talked to this person a week or so ahead of time and knew they would be coming by. The kids heard those words come from the door and became excited. They all wanted to stay until "Santa" came. Let me remind you, these kids range in age from 13-18. When the neighbors...ahem...Santa returned, there was candy, 4 different flavors of hot cocoa mix, fuzzy warm socks, lip gloss, nail polish, fancy shampoos, lotions, and a lovely card! The kids were so excited! They couldn't believe that someone would do something like that for them. It was great to see.

I make it a goal to be able share with them my "light," or the "light of Christ" with them. To be a positive example to them and show them the good things in life. However, on Christmas Eve...they showed me that light. I was very moved, and touched by the whole experience. I was very emotional that night after they were all in bed, and as I left the next morning, started to feel overwelmed with emotion. I dropped off one of the kids at the light rail, and as I drove away the tears began to fall. It was amazing to see their faces, the light in their eyes, and to hear the words of gratitude come from their mouths. Moving.

ej

Life is Flying "Bye"

Life is moving by so quickly! I wonder sometimes how I fill my days? It's Tuesday, and I feel like I am always busy, but yet, not sure where all my time goes! I certainly know where all my money goes!

I have been grocery shopping in two weeks! I have been living off of Sweet Tomatoes salads to go, and whatever munchies I can get at the Group Home, or off the roach coach at GDI. LOL! Not the healthiest of meals sometimes!

Having fun though! Monday FHE usually, Swim class on Tuesdays, Volleyball on Wednesdays, so I never have a dull moment. Thursdays are always booked with something, and Fridays the same. This week: Triple Date Friday! Yay! It's gonna be awesome!

ej

London Dreams

I am in absolute love with my apartment location! I just hope that when my lease is up, I won't have to move again. *keeping my fingers crossed* I went to Naz8 to watch "London Dreams" on Friday and it was great! Salman Khan was fantastic! I also really enjoyed Ajay Devgan's performance. Overall, it was a way fun film!

It was great to be able to see a film like this on the big screen and so close to home! I guess I could take the BART to San Francisco, but half a block down the street is so much more convenient. =) This week, who knows what I will see! I just know that it will be awesome!

ej

Week Full of Disoveries!!! I'm no Magellan, though!

I am a huge fan of foreign films. I just enjoy them and I don't always know how to find more of them. Not everyone is into foreign films...in fact, very few people I know watch them. My friend from Sweden and his wife are foreign film fans. So, between them and my own netflix experiences we enjoy email conversations, movie exchanges, and dinner conversations about them. Conversations that we can't enjoy with just anyone! So, normally, I watch them alone, and I am perfectly fine with that.

I have recently made some wonderful discoveries and I am nearly going through the roof with excitement. Rasputin's, has a fine selection of used and new Foreign films. They are inexpensive, and pretty well organized. This makes me very happy indeed. Very near my apartment there is a Cinema that plays foreign films. I have yet to go the the Cinema, but that fact that I have made this very recent discovery is so wonderfully exciting! But wait! It gets better! In the same plaza, is a wonderful used book store! Again, another of my favorite things! I am always on the lookout for a fun, charming used bookstore! I plan to attend the cinema tonight and watch the ever so handsome Salman Khan in a Hindi musical "London Dreams!"

Cool bonus points about my apartment's location:

*A member of my ward lives right across the hall from me (he's my HTer)

*I live near The Hub which translates to "I love Trader Joe's!!!" and of course Target, where I buy Silk Choc Soy for the best price in town, as well as the household items I cannot purchase at TJ's!

*I live kitty corner to a community center, where I can take fun classes for a very nominal fee

*I am also kitty corner to a local park, where the Tennis courts are lit until ten o'clock every night, there are three practice/hitting walls, and a great field for many sports! And, the basketball courts are lit as well!

*I am within walking distance of Hooters (I hear they have good wings, though I have never eaten there), BART station, and Big 5

*I am a hop, skip, and a jump...or less, away from a shopping plaza where I can enjoy Foreign Film Cinema, Sweet Tomatoes, Panera, 24 HR Fitness, Used Book shop, and many other things that just give me more choices.

ej

Full Day, no Full Week

I attended my first TDM yesterday for work and it was long and...well, it was long. I also was able to get off work an hour early and thought I had the night to myself. I forgot that I was dancing with my friend David, but I was happy to do it! Oh, and not only did I get off work early, but my boss let me fill up my tank on company money! Oh yeah!!! My tank is not small, since my car is not small, so it was great!

I chatted with my neighbors for a bit after work and enjoyed their company a great deal, and was able to shower before dancing! David and I danced the Rumba, Cha Cha, of course the Waltz, East Coast Swing, Tango, and I started learning the Lindy Hop. It was awesome! I haven't danced in so long! I look forward to doing it again!

ej

Canoe Team Practice

I have been practicing with a canoe team in San Jose out of Lake Cunningham and it has been awesome! I am not sure if I will compete this upcoming season, but I sure hope that things work out that way! It's been a blast so far and Carrie is planning on coming out in a few weeks. She actually came today, but took pictures instead. Here are a few pics!

Quick not very exciting update...despite the fact that a lot has happened

Wow! It has been awhile since my last post, so here it what is going on…

I am loving my apartment, and still unpacking boxes from time to time. Things are coming along. By the time my lease is up in March, I should be all unpacked! One could hope, at any rate. I have a calling in my ward as the Chorister, and that has been cool. I get so nervous to be up in front of the congregation every Sunday leading the music, but I’m sure that will lessen as time goes on. I finally have my bread machine up and running! It was up in the closet while I got the kitchen together, but now the wonderful smell of fresh bread baking fills my apartment.

I have become a great fan of a television show. My friend let me borrow Season 1 of “How I Met Your Mother,” and I have not been able to stop being excited about it. I am now finished Season 2, and look forward to Season 3 with great anticipation! I am genuinely excited about this show. Shocker, I know! I dislike spending time in front of the tele when there is so much to be done otherwise. This show, for me, is an exception. I only wish I had all four seasons to watch at any time I wished! LOL!
I have started working out with a Canoe/Outrigger team in San Jose. We practice at Lake Cunningham and it has been awesome. I have always wanted to do Crew or Rowing, but it is super expensive. This is a slightly different, but much more cost effective way to pursue that dream, LOL! To work out in the off-season, it doesn’t cost a dime, but the gas to get there. This week, Carrie will be joining me to give it a go! So exciting! If I decide to compete, and make the Open team, I will let everyone know! I am a Novice, but if I can prove myself, the coach said he would put me to compete in the Open, since they really don’t have enough for a Novice team anyhow. That would be sweet!

Getting Settled

I have been in my new apartment for a week and loving it! It is still partially buried in partially filled, and completely filled boxes, but that’s okay! My room is mostly together, the kitchen is pretty much together, and the living room…well, the living room is what it is. My patio is the keeper of empty boxes, taunting me and constantly reminding me that I need to break them all down and take them to the recycling bin. To be honest, I haven’t technically been that far yet! (Thanks, Josh, for taking out all those other boxes and trash out the other day)!

I have started attending Highland YSA and it’s been swell! I have been working really hard to stay focused on my goals, and also balance it out with plenty of good times, and meeting new people. I am not great at meeting new people, and have been working hard not to go into shy mode. I smile, I laugh, all at the appropriate times, for the most part, and I have even been playing board games! Board games are not my favorite thing in the world, but I am doing my best to have a good attitude about it all!

I am ready to start hitting the gym again! I have a few options though. I can drive down nice and early to San Jose and hit the gym before work. Or, I can work out at the location near my house and drive down to San Jose afterwards. The only thing I worry about is traffic. The later I leave for SJ, the higher the risk for mucho tráfico! I will have to get it all sorted! This also means my bed time needs to be strict and regular again – 2030 hours every night! I’ve done it before, and I will do it again! I am so much happier when I am physically active and in good shape.

I have been running about lately playing football with the kids, and I think we are playing soccer next week, but it is not quite the same. I need more than that to reach my goals. I have been talking to Sin a lot lately. She is running 17 miles now on her long run days, in preparation for her marathon. I am not sure I want to train for a marathon again; I just don’t have the time with commuting and such, but perhaps a half-marathon. Mary and her husband have been training for half-marathon and it sounds really doable. Even Carrie and Greg are making a go at running! I would like to get back into my college condition. I would say high school condition, but that would be too big of a stretch right now! Perhaps after I reach my college condition, I can make a goal of my high school condition! LOL!

A few of my new friends are interested in learning to play Rugby, so I am excited to go out to Stanford and start playing! I haven't had the courage to go it alone, so it will be nice to have some backup! I have been dying to play! I have only played a handful of times and half the time we were running drills or just playing "catch." Hopefully, we get out there on a rainy day! Nothing more fun than a game in the mud!!!

ej

My Fremont Poem to Amy Lou Freebush

Oh, Fremont! The city of Trees
Riding, Hiking, up to Mission Peak
The air is cooler by five degrees
Is mild weather not what one seeks?

I will commute down to San Jose
Working two jobs until who knows when
Hoping for a raise to ease my way
I work for peanuts until then


It's all about perspective for all to end well
A tale of chaos and insanities left to tell
I may have my moments as I move along
But, my faith in happy endings keeps me strong

ej

To: Amy
It isn't my best work, but it was all the inspiration I had for today. =)

I am moving...

Yes, I am moving again. This time to Fremont, CA!!! I am so stoked! I have been "living" in Fremont for a few weeks, but I will become an official resident, with an official address on Monday! I am so grateful for Carrie and her Uncle for letting me crash at their place the past few weeks, and for those that were so willing to let me stay with them as well.

My new place is small, but so perfect! I will post pics up as soon as I get a bit more sorted.

ej

Feeling frustrated

Feeling frustrated...

I put a deposit down for an apartment last Friday, and still haven't heard if I have been approved yet! I got a check from one of my employers, and the check came back as insufficient funds! Argh! Now, I have to go and put a ton of money into my account, so my checks don't bounce!!! Ahhhhh!!!!!!!! Not the happiest moment of the year, but I am not too bummed! I have the cash, so I am gonna put it in the bank! I can do this!!!

ej

Gearing up for Labor Day Weekend

Well, I am gearing up for house-sitting this weekend! Carrie and I will be having a grand weekend enjoying the house with air conditioning if we want it, and enjoying quiet time! I am supposed to go up to The City on Saturday to meet up with some friends from good ol' Central High School! It should be a great reunion! They are all my tennis friends from back in the day! I am so excited!

ej

Long Fun Weekend

Well, as always, I am having fun! Even though I am tired a lot, I am doing a lot! I have been working really hard to get a proper amount of sleep, and to get a proper amount of exercise in every week. I have also been working on the food I eat. I am not a terrible eater, but I have been trying to eat more regularly (I struggle with this, because of my wicked busy schedule), and to maintain good eating habits. Even if you eat well, if you don't eat consistently it is not good for your metabolism. So...I make the effort.

This will be my last week teaching Adrian and Desiree! =( They start soccer on the same night I am teaching them tennis. They have been really great, and their parents are very pleased with their progress. This makes me happy, especially, because they plan to start again in November. I look forward to teaching them again.

I attended the YSA Conference this past weekend in Oakland. My favorite speakers were Steve Young, Richard and Nan Hunter (dear friends of mine), and the one guy who's name I can't remember, but he was the guy that is a doctor of mental health. He shared quite a few gems from his line of work and was very entertaining.

I was impressed with how down to earth Steve Young is. He shared a story about how he was changing his daughter's diaper in the men's room, and since they don't have changing tables in the men's room, he perfected an athletic technique for changing diapers. He sits against the wall, using his legs as a changing table. LOL! He said that a man walked in once and gave him a bewildered look, and as Steve exited the men's room, baby in tow, the man had waited and asked "Are you Steve Young?" LOL! Hahaha!!! He said that sometimes, he wishes he could just say, "No." But told the man he was, and that now he would always have an image of Steve Young changing a diaper. It was terribly funny, especially to hear him tell this story and how his voice kept cracking when he got excited. He was such a normal, down to earth guy and was surprisingly refreshing to hear a speaker like that.

This conference was awesome! We were encouraged to use our cell phones to participate in the conference. There were over 2000 YSA in attendance, and just over 1600 in the main auditorium. We were able to participate in polls, answer and ask questions to the speaker, all through the use of our cell phones. Even during meals, and during the dance, you were able to text requests to the DJ or to others on the dance floor, and they would be displayed on the screen. So great! So great!!!

I stayed up in Fremont all weekend with the girls, and Uncle Dean! Haha! Go Uncle Dean! Uncle Dean is Carrie's uncle, but we call him Uncle Dean. He's way chill and a killer card player. I look forward to hanging out in Fremont again! If anyone knows Brad's last name, hook a sista up!!!

ej

Ashland Flashback

I was sitting here at work listening to Elton John's, "Skyline Pigeon."

Fly away, Skyline Pigeon fly
Towards the dreams you left so very far
behind
Just let me wake up in the morning
To the smell of new mown
hay
To laugh and cry, to live and die
In the brightness of my day

It made me think about my trip to Ashland a few weekends ago. I remember we were sitting in the restaurant, and my Uncle Roger and I started talking about Mary Poppins. I told him that I remembered him buying me Mary Poppins as a kid for my birthday, and we started in on Mary Poppins trivia. He and I taught my Aunt Carolyn and...I forget who else, our mad skills on MP trivia! It was awesome to find out that MP was also one of my Uncle's favorite movies. It definitely is my favorite movie of all time! It's absolutely magical!

ej

Weekend in Ashland, Oregon

Weekend

I am recovering from an amazing weekend with my family! I am still awaiting pictures from my aunts and uncles, but I still have plenty to share. We all came together to celebrate my grandfather’s 80th birthday! The weekend was amazing from start to finish, and I haven’t had so much fun in a long time. It was also nice to not have to work graveyard shifts all weekend! I am still smiling, and it’s Wednesday.

We all arrived at the hotel around the same time on Friday evening and I got to meet my Uncle Jim (for the first time), and my cousin Jimmy (for the first time, he’s 13), as well as my dad’s Fiancé. I immediately fell in love with Jimmy. He is an amazing kid! And, since there was some confusion on where I was to sleep, I stowed my luggage in my Aunt Carolyn’s room and put on my girl clothes for dinner (I was wearing my baggy t-shirt and shorts for comfortable traveling).

When we were all freshened up, we all caravaned over to a farmhouse just down the way from the hotel. It was so great to all be together, and to watch Jani (my grandpa’s wife) come, somewhat tumbling out of the doorway, doubled over in laughter and excitement, as we all approached the house. My grandfather was still unaware that we were all gathered to celebrate his birthday. As we marched into the house to the house that was filled with the sound of the “Gypsy Kings” and filed into the living room, it was so much fun to watch my grandfather’s face, as each person was met with the same reaction…”surprise and delight.”

After we had all said our “hellos” and hugs were shared, the house took on the loud hum of 17 adults and children engaged in conversation. Even though I was dressed for dinner, I couldn’t help but join my cousins in a game of catch, both baseball and football. My feet were muddy, and I got nice and sweaty, and I did my best to be as graceful as possible. Hehehe!!! My aunt Miriam was out there playing catch with us, and did a fine job!!! She has a great glove hand, and her throwing arm wasn’t too bad either!!! It was just awesome to see her out there! Thank goodness for boy cousins, because catch is one of my all-time favorite pastimes! I worked up quite an appetite!

We all went to dinner and it was great! I sat at the end of the table with all the cousins and had a blast. They are all so cute, and so bright! Must be a Freeman thing. =) The cutest part of the dinner, was Kamryn. She’s the solitary great-grandchild. She was my dinner buddy, and it warmed my heart every time she smiled, or patted me on the shoulder. Of course, I sang and played with her, fought the urge to bite her chubby cheeks, all those good things.

We spent Saturday at the farmhouse hanging out playing lots of catch, three flies up, eating, playing more catch, listening to music, eating, searching for baseballs in swampy fields filled with land mines left by the grazing cows, and riding horses! Yeah, I rode a horse! It was amazing to ride a horse you have no idea!

Truth be told…I was almost in tears with fear right as I was preparing to mount my steed. For the first few trips around the arena, Uncle Jim led the horse. When it was his turn to ride one of the horses, Leslie, the horse lady, told my Uncle Fred (who was gonna do the leading now), that I could do it on my own. I had a mini panic attack!!! Me? Ride a horse? By myself??? Holy cow! She must be on crack! Well, I did it. I did not want to appear soft, and I secretly really wanted to. I rode that there horse around the arena, around the barrels, and around the pole thingies that were like Slalom skiing but different. In fact, towards the end, I knocked one down. =) It was awesome!!!

Few awesome moments of note: Surprising my grandpa when we all walked in, Aunt Miriam playing catch with all of us, my Aunt Julie getting out there and doing her thing playing catch too, horseback riding (it was totally rad), watching all my cousins, uncles, and my dad play three flags up while the ladies sat in the shade drinking their wine, and a few of us nursing a bottled water on the front porch, late night swimming with the cousins and uncles, sitting on the back porch waiting for the coals to turn white and listening to Uncle Roger’s stories from high school about humiliation and redemption! I wish I had a video camera for that one! So funny! And of course, last but not least, the very long toast to Grandpa, where each generation, in order of birthright, shared their favorite memory, thoughts, or gratitude for Grandpa. It was very touching, and every time my grandpa shared an insight, or though in response to someone, he made me feel normal. =)

ej

p.s.

I also bought a bat for only $15!!! And the coolest bball shorts ever! No sales tax rocks my tube socks!!!

It's been awhile

Well, the days have been flying by so quickly, and several times I have tried to type up a blog. Each effort has beent thwarted by Time. I start a post, but don't save it as a draft. So, here is to turning over a new leaf, and here's to a "quick" update on me.

I am probably working my last weekend of graveyard shifts. I got a promotion and raise, officially as of 05 July 2009. I am now Assistant Facility Manager for the teen group home. My roles vary widely, and I will quite possibly be the "run between houses" guy [gal]. I have the opportunity to work with the higher risk youth as their Case Manager, perform Intakes for all new residents, as well as any retro intakes for current residents, and I am also the person responsible for all the recreational activities. I have enjoyed the new responsibilities, and all the many things I have learned.

My friends and I have just attended a third New Kids on the Block concert. It was fantastic! Each show has been very different, and equally entertaining. We were upgraded again, and had amazing seats! It was so much fun, you really have no idea. I love Jordan! Hahaha! What I would give to be able to play some basketball with those guys! LOL! For some reason, that is what I would want to do if I had a chance to hang out with them. Weird, but yeah. I love shootin' the rock!

I started teaching privates (tennis) and that is going well. I have a seven year old, and a ten year old. Their parents are totally great! They do not try and intefere with the teaching, but are active and interested in their children. It's been a joy to work with them so far! I have been dying for a match, so I need to hit up some people soon to play. Good thing I will have more time on my hands soon!

ej