Day 31 - January Ends

January came and went.  Wow.  I guess I fell asleep before I got to post this.  On to February and Starry Night tech support.

Day 30 - Manic Monday

Remember that song?  It was kind of like that today.  Busy busy busy.  Long day at work, prayer time at church, and dinner.  I love being with my family.

This month is almost over.  11 more months to go on this little experiment.  I must be honest.  I'm not really missing TV much at all.  I don't have a lot of time for it anyway.  My life is too busy.  I've almost got 3 complete books read aside from my chapters and chapters that I'm doing weekly for school.  I'm glad that I'm able to do so. 

I think I'm going to rest for a bit.  See you all later.

Mac

Day 29 - Lunch, Decisions, and SRC

We had Goat today and although I enjoyed it, it didn't take me back to my childhood.  Just wasn't the same.  It did take Jared to a new place though.  He couldn't get enough of it.  Kept asking for more.  Glad he enjoyed the Goat.  I guess I will have to buy more so I can practice cooking it.  I need to ask my dad how they seasoned it back in the day. 

Read through some assignments as well as a few other things today and I feel a bit overwhelmed.  I began looking for a new school to finish my degree in.  ASU is running out of online classes that pertain to me so either I'm going to have change majors (again! UG) or change colleges or BOTH!  This whole scenario doesn't make me happy.  While I'm working a full time job I can't complete my education unless I do it online.  English isn't really an online centered curriculum as it pertains to teaching.  There will have to be some student teaching and right now I don't have the daytime hours to do so.  I love to write but that isn't necessarily transferring into something that I can get a degree for.  I need God's guidance, that's for sure. 

I really enjoyed playing at SRC this morning with a full rhythm section including Jackson.  I was glad to see Ricky and Alex playing there too.  I got a compliment from Pastor's mom today that made me smile.  She told me in Spanish she thought that my playing was really beautiful today.  She kind of corrected herself because she said it was nice all the time but "bien bonita" today.  LOL.  I really love her.  She's one of the greatest examples I've known in my life.  It was a great day at Church.

Day 28 - Hunting with the Boys

Woke up really early today and really I wish I could have slept in but my body is set to wake up (or get up as is usually the case) by a certain time in the morning.  Today was no different. I decided that I really wanted to throw some meat on the grill but we didn't have anything in the house so the boys and I decided to go hunting for the ever elusive Capra aegagrus hircus. This animal has been known to attack humans in the past and I can personally vouch for that assessment. Although they are becoming more and more difficult to find it is not impossible.  My dad and my grandma used to slaughter these on a regular basis with Ninja like precision and stealth.  They never knew what hit them and before they had a chance to get away they were strung up on a tree, disemboweled, skinned, drained of blood, and washed.  I was hoping my boys and I would have success although Jonah seemed a bit put off by having to kill an animal himself and drain its blood out.  Jared kinda yelled out too when I explained to him.  He screamed, "NO!" It was a quick no but I was determined to teach these boys a lesson.  Sometime you just gotta do what you gotta do.  We drove for a while and we got to our destination and it wasn't long before we were upon the animal.  Jared ran off to go relieve himself and Jonah stood off to the side in disbelief. Well, let me tell you, when Joe the meat counter guy at La Azteca heard me asking for Goat he went right to the back and pulled out a leg and some ribs.  I looked them both over and I decided on the ribs.  These days, you can't find a goat purveyor out in the streets like the old days when everything was still on the hoof and so my boys were spared the goriness that is usually involved in the slaughter of a ...juicy, mouth watering, mesquite grilled Goat.  Jared still doesn't accept the fact that meat comes from animals.  I guess they can keep their childish notions for a bit longer since our "hunt" was successful.  After the goat defrosts it will be grilled over some mesquite and enjoyed thoroughly.  Brings back memories of when I was a kid.  I can still remember all the children surrounding my Dad's truck playing with "Blackie" the goat.  I knew something they didn't: Blackie would soon meet his demise.  So after Grandma called the little ones inside to eat their lunch, Grandma, Dad, I along with a few of the older boy cousins went out to the back.  We listened to the bleating of Blackie as he hung upside down.  The kids made him a pet but I knew what a meal we were about to have so I had no qualms about it.  After my Dad dispatched Blackie and he was dressed he was put over the mesquite coals and roasted for a few hours.  As he roasted the kids came back out and looked in the back of Dad's truck to discover their new pet was now gone.  "Where did Blackie go," I heard some question as they looked all around.  A couple of hours later it was time for dinner and everyone had gotten their plates and were in the middle of their meal when I asked this question to all the kids in bad English:  "Don't BLACKIE TASTE GOOD?"  They just looked at me like "WHAT?"  Someone said, "Huh?  Blackie?  What do u mean?"  "I mean that goat, Blackie you were playing with today is the same goat you are eating right now!  HA HA HA HA!"  I was a little mean to my younger cousins, I guess.  I think I got in trouble.  Some of them started to cry when they heard me yell that.  One of the best days of my life and sadly not something I could recreate with my own family!  LOL.

Day 27 - Guy Time, I Smile

I made it to Friday!  Exhausted but so so happy.  I took the boys out for some guy time tonight. They needed haircuts but *NEWSFLASH* they ALMOST didn't get them because the place I wanted to take them was closed up tight.  So I took them along with me to pay a bill, check on a part for the car and then ice cream at Marble Slab.  These boys have some crazy ideas about what to put in their ice cream too.  Jonah got Bubble Gum ice cream with Gummi Bears and Chocolate Chips not that crazy right?  Well it gets better:  Jared got Cotton Candy ice cream with Gummi Bears, Marshmallows, M&Ms, Chocolate Sprinkles,  and Rainbow Sprinkles. Well I guess that's not that bad but Gummi Bears?  Ewwww.  I ordered a Sweet Cream cone. NICE!  As we drove away from MS I noticed Pro Cuts was still open so I hightailed it over there and two stylists were open and they took the boys right away.  Jared got his head shaved and Jonah got a little trim.  What was really nice was that the ladies said, "Your boy (talking about Jared) seems like a good boy.  They both seem like good boys!"  Wow,  what more could a dad ask for?  I told them, "They are good boys."  We talked about Autism a little bit and how the doctors told us Jared would never speak and I remembered God's grace and mercy because as most of you that know us and know Jared know that HE TALKS!  He talks a whole bunch of a lot to be honest!  We wouldn't have it any other way! Jaredisms abound on a daily basis. 

As I sat there in the driver's seat of my vehicle on the way home I contemplated my life.  I picked up a few chili dogs and corn dogs for the familia and I came home smiling.  I pulled out my computer to get ready to write after we had our little snack and I put a song on called I Smile by Russ Lee.  This song makes me think of my kids a whole lot. When I was a teen I never thought I'd be a dad or have kids or be married or be half as blessed as I am but you know what?  I SMILE!  This song reminds me of the day my daughter was born and the blessing that God gave me in her being my first child.  I get choked up thinking about it.  I don't deserve the life God has given me.  I deserve much worse but by his grace I am redeemed and I have my family. I have a wife who loves me and I have three wonderfully unique children who make my life an adventure every day.  You know the song really sums up my life.  Here are the lyrics right after a few more lines.  Read them and ask yourself this:  Am I a person who can dream big enough to see what God has for me?  Am I a person who could have a whole different life if I let God take over and lead me?  Has my life been nothing but pain and confusion?  God can change everything and make it so much better than you'll imagine. I Smile:

Lost and all alone
Looking for a reason for being
In this crazy world
Trying to go on
Looking for the answers
To the questions
And there You were

From the moment You appeared
Everything became so clear
I'm so glad that You're here, Lord

I smile when I think about
The way You've turned my life around
I smile when I think about
The happiness in You I've found
I'm so amazed at what Your love has done
And when I think the best is yet to come
I smile!
I smile!

Wandering the dark
Lost in the confusion
I thought I was losing my mind for sure
I searched with all my heart
Looking for direction
Something to believe in
And there You were
And You were reaching down to me
You were everything I needed
I'm so glad You found me, Lord

'Cause You've turned all my gray skies
To the brightest blue, yes, You did
And my life feels like sunshine
And it's because of You
All because of You.. I smile

Give yourself a chance to smile!  God truly makes a difference! God can turn all the garbage into newness and joy.

Much Love,

Mac

Day 26 - New Computer, Fajita Frenzy

So, I got a new computer today.  What a lucky guy, right?  How does he get all this money to get a new computer?  Well you just don't know do ya?  Don't get upset and jealous, ok? SO my new WORK computer at my job replaced the old one.  Technically, it belongs to the company but as long as I sit at that desk it is mine.  It is a nice computer with a flat panel LCD monitor.  It is weird because it has all these backgrounds on it that are very odd. One looked like Hello Kitty so I opened it and it wasn't.  The computer gurus who put it in don't have my phone hooked up yet so I'm flying with no communications except chat and email.  The new flat screen is really good on the eyes too.  My eye strain was way down too. 

We had a food day at work which is otherwise known as GOODY DAY and it went over very well.  It was the first one I coordinated and my boss was so happy with it she knighted me.  "By the power vested in me, I hereby knight you in the name of the King of BLAH BLAH BLAH and bestow upon you all the duties, obligations, rights and privileges that the job demands along with all the hassles, headaches and clean up duties."  Well I stayed up late last night grilling some fajitas over Mesquite.  I was up til about 1 in the morning (YES! In the rain.)  As I posted last night I made some salsa to go with it.  Everything went over very well with both teams that participated.  I blushed today as I heard people gush over my fajitas and my salsas.  A couple of folks think I need to have a restaurant but when I tried to sign them up as the 1st investors they lost interest. One lady took a bite and said:  "Build IT and THEY WILL COME!!!"  Another looked at me in disbelief and almost begged me to start my own place.  It was almost like Nacho Libre asking Esqueleto:  "Why have you not yet been baptized?!?!"  LOL.  "Mac, WHY haven't you opened up a little place.  You could make so much money. or or or WHY don't you just go sell at the bars on Friday night.  These fajitas are better than restaurants."  Now that my head is done swelling, I have to say it is nice to get compliments for something I really love to do.  I feel like I'm in the right place when I cook.  Cooking is so therapeutic to me.  I smelled like Mesquite smoke today at work but I felt like a million high stack of Susan B. Anthony dollars.  Golden.

Just picked up a few groceries and now it's time for bed.

Night all.  So ready for the weekend.

Day 25 HOT

Day 25 just finished.  I just got through making some Habanero and Roasted Garlic Salsa,  and some Habanero Pico De Gallo to go with the fajitas tomorrow.  I tasted it and wow it was good.  At any rate, it was a great day for the most part.  It was busy at work and our percentages went way down so that's a good thing.  Didn't really get to read or study much today because I was so busy.  Tomorrow I have lab.  Time for some fun again.  Gotta find some time to sleep too. I really couldn't be more blessed to have had all this rain the last couple of days.  Hopefully there won't be any burn bans this year and I can keep up all the grilling and BBQing.

So tired.  See ya my friends.

Day 24 - Seeing Stars

My Starry Night software is still having problems.  Program keeps shutting down.  Tech Support isn't really helping.  After a long day this sure isn't how I needed to spend my evening. Now that I've vented. "SIGH"

Had to make up some time today at work.  It was my highest stats day ever.  Reviewed over 200 accounts.  Quota is 40 for the day.  I usually do about 80-100 so I more than doubled it.  It could be a blessing and a curse at the same time.  We'll see.

Pray for me.  I want to be a good example at work.  I am struggling with a personality issue.  I say a little prayer when I deal with a certain person at work who is very crass and mean.  She says such rude and racist things about people and it really upset me when she said something mean about one of my former classmates from junior high and high school.  I want to be nice and uplifting and so I have made it a  point to avoid this person as much as possible.  I've sat in the break room with her and nothing but rottenness and evil comes out of her.  She's really hurting our team dynamic and like I said I say a prayer when I know I have to deal with her. She's human just like I am but I truly struggle with our work relationship.  God help me to be as compassionate as possible.  It saddens me to feel this way. 

Day 23 -You be illin'!

You Be Illin' is an old song and would have been an appropriate phrase considering that Jonah and Kandra were both sick today.  Kandra has had a cough and tons of sinus pressure and Jonah's ear was hurting at school today so I had to go and pick him up.  He slept two hours after he got home and although I hate to see my children sick I was glad I could get some major reading in today.

I read three chapters in Politics of China, and one and a half chapters in The Political Economy of Latin America.  For some reason, I'm finding the Chinese book so interesting.  I don't know if it is writing style or what but so far I have actually enjoyed it.  So far it has been mostly historical and there have been power struggles, murders, wars, and all manner of intriguing happenings.  Particularly interesting has been the isolationist philosophy that the early Chinese had.  They believed that they had everything they needed and they didn't desire trade with other nations.  They had no desire to upset the balance of the land by putting in railroads or telegraph lines. They were content being isolated and not really depending on Western nations for anything.  Trade was pretty much thrust upon them by the West.  It is very ironic that after their desire to be isolated and having no inclination towards trade whatsoever that they now make just about anything that anyone in the world could possibly need.   The next chapter is going to be about Mao Zedong and the introduction of Communism to China.

Missed work today because of the sickness in this house so I have to make up some time this week at work.  That will be fun, right?!?! 

I really need to work on my lab stuff.  Starry Night is a program I downloaded to my computer so that I wouldn't have to go to the computer lab at school which is usually pretty packed.  Starry Night always reminds me of that song "Vincent". Of course the song says, "Starry, starry night" in it and I think of Josh Groban or Don McLean singing those interesting lyrics.

Enjoy the song and have a good night.

Day 22 - Smooth Sunday

Today was a day that went incredibly smooth. Aside from the fact that my daughter was sick today everything went pretty much according to plan.  Every Sunday morning at Solid Rock Church we have prayer and worship practice at 8:30 am and I believe we actually made it on time today.  I had a big lecture with the fam last week explaining that if something is important to us we must be on time and that working for God and within the Church is the most important thing besides our personal relationships with God and each other.  I have to say my wife really stepped up in a big way.  I'm so proud of her for getting things ready and being on time this morning so that I could make it to praise practice on time.  Thanks Honey!  I love you so much. :-)

Praise practice was a lot of fun and I could truly sense God's presence even as we worked through songs.  I can never say enough how much I'm impressed with my Pastor's knowledge of music and how he's able to pinpoint things so accurately so as to avoid any issues that may come up with wrong chord progressions or clashing notes within phrases.  Our vocalists are top notch and the harmonies they present knock my socks off every time (no, not literally.  That would be so inappropriate in church. . .Unless we were having a foot washing service. LOL).  Glad to have the chance to play with Osi and Alex too and when the complete rhythm section is there it really clicks. I'm so thankful to God for his love and his constant movement in the worship team's lives.  I know that playing with these gentleman and ladies has made me improve as a player and as a worshiper.

Discussion in Sunday School was thought provoking too as the book of 3 John was examined a bit.  We studied good and bad examples of leaders within the Church and what to avoid as far as that is concerned.  The question of what a good leader is came up and I basically stated that good leader is a person that leads by example. Within the Church itself, if a leader wants soul winners, he has to be a soul winner.  If a leader wants prayer warriors, he or she needs to be a prayer warrior.  If he wants people to be compassionate he must be compassionate.  It's not just doing it but living the example.  Paul states in a few places to imitate him.  1 Corinthians 11:1 says, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." If we make Christ our first standard I think becoming a leader worthy of having a following is sure to follow.  We were asked to mention a person who exemplifies this in our life.  I explained, "This may sound cliche, but my Pastor. . ."  I personally have seen and felt Christlike compassion and love, along with patience and support throughout my time at Solid Rock.  I was overcome with emotion as I told the class how my Pastor exhibited Christ's love to me on many occasions and that although I am human and have numerous faults and have sinned and made stupid mistakes in my life he didn't judge me but instead showed love to me, prayed for me when I did wrong, and stayed close to me.  Someday, when he stands before God I know that he will be commended for his mirroring of Christ to his congregation.  Is my Pastor perfect?  No, and I'm sure he'd be the first to say it, but when it comes to being a shepherd he fits the bill and he exhibits an honest interest and concern for his flock. I'm truly blessed.

Spent this afternoon reading business communications information today and I realized that the majority of the material that I have read so far I have lived.  Resumes? I've done tons of 'em. Emails? Megatons of those at work, at school, and in my personal life.  Interview skills? Uh yeah.  There have only been 3 jobs total in my entire life that I didn't get after an interview.  One was at Burger King, and it was my first interview ever.  The guy asked me if I thought I could do the job and I said, "Well, I guess so." I was young and naive and that interview taught me that enthusiasm about a job no matter how menial, is important.  Another job, that I didn't get was on a phone interview with Enterprise Rent-A-Car.  I feel much more comfortable with answering questions in person as it is much easier to gauge responses via body language and facial expression.  The last job I didn't get was a job I was certain I had in the bag and unfortunately there was one other person whose school schedule was better than mine so they got the job and I didn't.  On the other hand, I have gotten bigger jobs after just getting my foot in the door for an interview because I was able to upsell myself.  This happened when I applied at a local retail store as a loader.  Once I spoke with them, they decided I would be a better fit in a sales position working directly with customers instead of just doing the physical labor.  Being able to present yourself in a fashion that highlights your communication and personal interaction skills is almost always a way to get yourself into a better job and a little more money.  I know now that when someone asks me if I think I can do the job I say:  "Of course I can do that job, and I also have other skills that will benefit this business as well." 

Well, time to read some more about China's political system.  60 pages are calling my name.

Day 21 - My Approximate Timeline

Saturday Morning approximately 1 am - Started reading Axiom by Bill Hybels

6:30 am read Exodus Chapters 10-12, Matthew 16

6:50-7:20 am read more of Axiom

7:30 am finished reading Chapter 2 of Modern Latin America by Skidmore, Smith, and Greene and read more of Axiom.

7:45 am ate a slice of cold pizza for breakfast.  Ah, the joys of being a college student!

8:00-10:00 am read Chapter 13 of Modern Latin America by Skidmore, Smith, and Greene and read more of Axiom.

10:15 - 10:30 am downloaded and installed Starry Night software for Astronomy class

10:45 am  dropped off my wife's phone at WCW.  Picked up my phone.  Then drove to the library.

11:00 -11:45 am read through business communications PowerPoint slides and Blackboard assignments

12:30 pm - Lunch with Jared's Teachers, Shanna Payne and Leah Bryant at Texas Roadhouse (it was planned for a few weeks) Tons of fun!

2:00:2:30 pm picked up a few items at Sam's Club for the house. Looked at the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.  Oh God keep me from temptation.  I really want one.  I REALLY REALLY want one.  "sigh"

2:40 pm picked up some Mesquite and Charcoal so that I can make some Fajitas this week!  YEAH!

3:00-3:45 pm finished chapter 1 of Politics of China while Jonah laid next to me on the recliner and read his AR books. 

4:00 pm attempted to put some training wheels on Jonah's bike.  They weren't the right type so they didn't fit. Sadness

5:00 - 6:30 pm broiled some pork steaks, made some fresh rice pilaf, and home made carrots for dinner. Taught Jonah the proper way to chop carrots: "Tip of the blade on the cutting board, Mijo.  Thumb and index finger gripping the back of the blade with 3 fingers holding the handle. Push and chop, push and chop, push and chop but MOVE YOUR FINGERS BACK BOY!  Gimme the knife back."

7:00 - 9:15 read blogs in Blackboard and wrote a discussion thread on the Development of The Latin American Economy Through Politics and formulated 2 responses for two other people's posts. Listened to Jonah play a few notes on the saxophone again tonight.  He's so determined.

9:30 started writing this blog and also attempted to reinstall and sign in to my bible app.

10:30 finished my blog.

Day 20 - Warrior, Saxy Replacement, and Books To Delight

TGIF!  Wow, what a way to start my weekend today after a long and busy week at school and work.  Tons of things still to do this weekend but I took a little time and enjoyed it with the men from SRC.  After 20 days it was nice to use my loophole to watch a movie and enjoy some male bonding time with the fellas.  We watched a movie called Warrior.

This movie didn't disappoint!  Dealing with real life themes such as alcoholism, death, abandonment, and family struggles it was thought provoking as well as entertaining.  The fight scenes were really cool too.  Of course I got my fighters mixed up as I don't really watch MMA much.  The undefeated fighter in the movie named Koba was actually Kurt Angle not Randy Couture.  At any rate, it was an excellent movie and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We also enjoyed some pizza while we watched.  A great time was had by all.

I started something last night that I know I won't regret.  I began training my replacement.  Last night my son Jonah picked up a saxophone for the first time in his life to play it.  I got it all ready for him, showed him how to place his embouchure correctly, placed his hands correctly and then he pushed some air through and made a sound.  The first note he played was a G.  He learned G, A, B, C, and D.  He was able to play 5 notes.  He was a little shaky but how many kids do you know that are in 3rd grade that can even get a sound out of an instrument?  Not many that I know of.  The smile on his face was priceless.  He is going to be a natural I think but he needs his hands to grow just a little bit more so he can hold it correctly with as little discomfort as possible.  I told him to keep practicing his recorder at school and that I will continue to train him on the saxophone.  Hopefully, soon we can play some duets together.  When I can't do him any good anymore I'll turn him over to his mama (the real sax player) to show him the high falootin' stuff!  I miss hearing her play.  She was one of the best classical saxophonists I had ever heard.  So, I think Jonah will be in good hands.

Tomorrow will be a very busy day.  Got a lot of reading and homework to get done and I just got a couple of books in the mail.  Ordered Axiom by Bill Hybels and Ameritopia by Mark Levin. I'm looking forward to both books. 

Well time to give my wife some hugs guys!  ;-)

Mac