ThePuertoRicanSlant

Days 1, 2, 3 @ Loma Linda

2009-07-31T22:59:00.000-07:00

So my days at Loma Linda are AWESOME!!! I haven't taken care of any patients yet but I have had so much opportunity for experience it isn't funny! I have been able to just float around the unit and help other nurses with their patients. It has allowed me to see how the unit runs AND it allows me to meet and greet the other nurses on the unit. That is the fun part. The day shift on this unit (Trauma/Surgical/Neurosurgical) is CRAZY...so much is going on from doctors rounding to doctors rounding with their little fledgling doctors gleaning all they can from their superiors, to other doctors making their rounds. It's nuts :-/

Next week I am doing all of my General Orientation like how Loma Linda works, Nursing orientation, and computer charting. Then after that I will be doing my preceptorship with an old friend of mine and former College Pastor's Wife D'Ann Park!!! that is going to be fun!!

I will tell you more crazy stories as they come in...
oh and Holly and Audrey are doing great...and baby number two is doing just fine as well...
Peace

Loma Linda Here I Come!!!

2009-05-28T13:01:00.000-07:00

I GOT THE JOB!!! AAAAAHHHHHHH...

AAAHHHHHHHH...

wow...I'm still pumped, and I got the call yesterday!! God is so good. Just when I think that I can't thank God enough for how He has guided me to this very moment, I keep thanking God for how He has guided me to this very moment. 4 years of being obedient and hoping that I have been hearing God's voice in all of this has been rewarded.

It isn't the job that makes it all worth it, it is just being rewarded for obedience that makes it all worth it. There are so many things in life that God calls us to be obedient towards, and listen, and do, and we might not ever see the results of being obedient. But this isn't one of those instances!!

I start in the second week in July and I have training that I have to pass. If I pass then after 90 days they promote me to a Nurse B/C II (whatever that means). I still need to pass my boards, which I know is kind of backwards; job first, boards second...but whatever I've got a job. Especially in this economy and the way hospitals have put hiring freezes nationwide...

so there you have it. Thanks for praying!

Some Grad Pictures

2009-05-21T15:04:00.000-07:00

Here are a few grad pictures to hold you over till more come your way!!!
Theses were taken by a Press Enterprise photographer...

Job Interview

2009-05-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

So this last monday I had a job interview at Loma Linda and to be honest it went great!!! I never had an interview besides working at The Grove where I could fully disclose my faith. It was great interview process where I interviewed with 3 different people back to back to back for about 2 hours. It was a long process but an interesting and fun process...

The nurse manager for the unit of 8100 and 8200 (Neuro-surgical/Trauma and Step Down) said that I had the personality for 8100 and that is a good thing being that it is probably the hardest unit to be on next to the ER at Loma Linda...just up my ally!!!

I will find out if I made the cut next week. In the mean time I have been spreading out my applications from San Diego to Portland, Or. I just want a job to compliment all of this crap I have in my head now that I can't seem to get rid of ;-) Now that I have time to blog you will get updates on this prospective job!!
Peace

Ummm...Hello...Anyone There???

2009-05-15T20:35:00.000-07:00

I now have time to blog again!! My first update...I am a graduate of California Baptist University's School of Nursing!!
Let that soak in for those who really know the struggle I have been through. God is SOOOoooo good!

E = MC2

2008-12-15T22:31:00.001-08:00

Time is sooo relative. For me...right now...life is moving at the speed of ridiculousness. Audrey is getting so big and old and talking up a storm. She can give High 5's and point at objects and she can tell us she is tired and wants to take a nap. My second to last semester in school is rapidly coming to an end (thank God). I will have only one more semester and then I will be a real murse (man + nurse).

I feel like I use my time wisely but sometimes I just can't remember how wise I was. I'm sure time will slow down, in fact I know time will slow down eventually; it always does. Until then, my puerto rican self will just enjoy the ride. Bad or good, it only helps to enjoy and worship the One who gave the ride to me...

Econ 101

2008-11-17T21:17:00.000-08:00

So get a blog feed from Brian McCLearn and he got an email from a friend of his explaining different global economies work...very funny and educational at the same time...take a gander!!

I'm Still Alive...

2008-11-13T21:21:00.001-08:00

Yes it's true...

I have been:
Studying, Studying, Studying...Nursing School has kicked into full gear and I am barely keeping my head above water. Critical Care, most likely what I am going to go into, has been a great challenge to me in that I have basically had to teach myself out of the book because our teaching has been atrocious.

I have been learning a ton in my reading the scriptures and different books. I am still reading books by NT Wright, Brad Young, Rob Bell, Francis Chan to name a few. The next book I am going to read is a book by Phyllis Tickler about church history. I have read an excerpt and it is AMAZING...just to let you know...our church history SUCKS!!!

I have been praying and dealing with what God might be calling me to in the next season of my life. it is safe to say that it is not leading people through music. That season of my life lasted for 8 years of my life and it was fantastic but it is not me any longer. I mean I can lead people every once in a while but not as the main guy, all the time. I feel like God has given me a desire and passion to teach. I have been eating up theological books and historical content driven books that pertain to the 1st century. It's not like me...

Now I know what you're thinking, "Mike...you are training to be a nurse!" I will tell you, "You are right...I am." But ever since I started this journey of prerequisites for nursing years ago, I have also felt that nursing can be my "tent making" much like Paul. I think that pastors or "laymen" should have a skill that is tangible to the world that allows you an in so to speak. I have worked for a church for 8 years, loved it, but it is a bubble. I have seen more humanity and people in need (not just physically, 70% of people have Anxiety disorder diagnosed or not) through my school than I have seen while working for a church. Not to say that those things are not at church, because they are. However, I need to be clear in what I am saying; What I am saying is that there is more hurt outside than inside the church; there are just more people outside than inside the church period.

Well those are just some of my thoughts about the next season of life I will be entering into. I know that it is coming because I can't get my thoughts off of it...May 2, 2009 is graduation day and a lot of change will be coming my way whether I am ready or not

Voting Priorities

2008-10-25T17:16:00.000-07:00

I'm really trying not to add too many "2 cents" into the political blogesphere but I thought this was a great article from Jim Wallis. If you have time read it. Is it me or has this election been so amped with how to vote by the christian community? If you have some more time on your hands (like 45mins) then listen to Rob Bell's new sermon from Mars Hill Bible Church on iTunes. It is a great sermon on tribes...I know it sounds weird but very thought provoking.

What Does This Mean??

2008-10-23T09:38:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been gone for a while...I have been studying so much crap that my brain no longer hurts but cannot feel much of anything. However, I have been keeping up with all of you on your particular blogs and they are all great stuff. Keep it up.

anyways, I love Google News. I have it on my iGoogle page to give me the latest and greatest in news. Well this article caught my eye and I don't normally do this, but I think you should read this article...I have no idea what it could mean but at least someone is admitting something. It's about the financial crisis and Allen Greenspan.

Click here for the article "Greenspan Concedes He `Found a Flaw' in His Free-Market Ideology"

2008-10-04T17:35:00.000-07:00

Ok...so here it is...our consumers market has spoken at Hollister...Surf City belongs to Hunnington Beach. Any one who says other wise is sorely mistaken and must be prayed for! this picture is from a web cam off of surf.com that is being displayed in Holister.

Pastor Jim Wallis

2008-09-29T15:21:00.000-07:00

This is Pastor Jim Wallis. I don't know much about Pastor Wallis so I went to wikipedia and copied some info for you to figure out who he is along with me me.

The Reverend Jim Wallis is an evangelical Christian writer and political activist, best known as the founder and editor of Sojourners Magazine and of the Washington, D.C.-based Christian community of the same name. Wallis actively eschews political labels, but his advocacy tends to focus on issues of peace and social justice.

Now that is out of the way I want you all to go to this link to view this wonderful perspective on our economy from Pastor Wallis' perspective...click here

Read This Letter...

2008-09-24T19:44:00.000-07:00

This is a letter from our Southern Hemisphere bothers and sisters in Christ to the Church in the United States...click here to read the letter

Random Fixings

2008-09-22T23:03:00.000-07:00

- Why is Heros such an amazing show? I still hate Dr. Suresh...horrible actor and his character sucks! I seriously can't stand how over zealous of a doc the show has made him. I really think it's the over zealousness that makes the actor a bad actor. They actor for Dr. Suresh can't seem to be over-zealous without it feeling like stage acting...I get mad every time he comes on. I hope what he injected himself with kills him off the show!
- Audrey is doing just great now. Thanks for the prayers...if you weren't praying, then I will pray that God makes you a better christian...just kidding!
- On the flip side of health...I am having ridiculous headaches because my wisdom teeth are finally giving me issues. Called Doc Mohn and I am going to have surgery soon.
- I have ICU clinical rotations this semester at Kaiser...I'm going to love it.
- Last but never least...Sunday night I, along with millions of other people said good bye to an old friend. Yankee Stadium had it's last game. Yankees won 7-3. Being that Audrey was still a bit contagious with Roseola, we stayed home and I watch ESPN coverage of the day from 10am till around 9pm of nothing but Yankee history. What an amazing day!!! I can't wait to watch a game in the New Yankee Stadium. I will do that as soon as I own a house, then re-Fi on the house so I can buy 2 tickets in the nose bleeds...geezz have you seen the price tag on the tickets for this stadium. Who does George think he is...The Boss!!

Fever!!!

2008-09-17T16:17:00.000-07:00

My little Audrey has a fever ;-( She got some shots yesterday at Loma Linda and because her body was fighting the fake bacteria and viruses she spiked a little temp. It toped out at about 100.something (I don't remember) and now it is down to 99.0

She didn't sleep at all last night (neither did we) but she has been so much more cuddly. The fever knocked out some of her ridiculous energy. Cuddle Audrey is fun and cute and cuddly. Not that she is not all of those things when she is not febrile (fever).
Here are some pics of Audrey I don't think I have posted...

Ok...I Have Processed What I Think

2008-09-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

So my first reaction to the documentary is WOW...is this for real...I had NOOoooo idea that it was this serious. Then I got mad at our media for not keeping us informed to the extent of this type of Islam. Then I felt sad and upset at how this could have gone this far; teaching and educating kids in this destructive worldview. After feeling these emotions I immediately started asking question after question.

How do I reconcile with a worldview such as this? How do I show love that will break through and connect to someone of this reality? How does one educate the public in a way that does not breed hatred and fear but awareness and non-hatred (I couldn't think of another word)?

I wish you could see the rest of the video. The documentaries' argument stated that this is not just happening in the US but in other parts of the world. It isn't just against Christianity but against Buddhism, Hindus, Jews, and Atheist.

Now I was struggling with, "well...what action is necessary to take," almost retaliatory but not. Then today I read Brian McLearn's blog and he talked about why he is voting for Obama vs. McCain (I high recommend that you read this blog. It is a great perspective that I haven't heard articulated before). The article landed squarely on the ministry we all have to each other, whether Christian or not...Reconciliation. We as simple human beings all have a need for each other, known or not. We are connected via God's grace for allowing us the ability to live...we and all the cosmos are His domain, are his Kingdom, are His creation and get the privilege of being the keepers of this domain. We GET the PRIVILEGE of loving each other!! So then my final question I asked myself was, "Does my love stop, to save my life?" I mean, in order to preserve my life from the apparent danger presented by this particular reality, do I stop loving in the name of Jesus the Christ?

You know...I can't help but think about Jesus asking Peter to love His sheep. If you love Me you will love My sheep. Peter LOVED "sheep" until he hung on a cross, upside down, in the face of a worldview that could not conquer what could not be conquered...The overwhelming, subversive, awkward, unrelenting, LOVE of Jesus Christ!!

This Is What I Learned Today

2008-09-11T22:10:00.000-07:00

I am going to love my Transcultural Health class. Think of it as an Anthropology class on steroids with a health slant. Today we were talking about worldviews and how they effect you and how they effect me. My worldview is different then your worldview. NT Wright would say that your story and the stories that shaped your stories have helped to shape your worldview. I agree. Most of reality, or one could say that all reality is are stories strewn together to form a reality. This is philosophy that I won't get into (but I love. SIDENOTE: I have come to love philosophy as of late).

Well today, at 8:00am, our teacher decided to show us a documentary called Obsession. I will tell you what I thought in my next post when I have had time to process my thoughts...I have placed an eleven minute clip for you to watch. the full movie is one and a half hours long or something like that.

***DISCLAIMER***
Some of this might be disturbing for some people and as for comments on this video, please keep it respectful and intelligent but I would love to see what you have to say!!!

Copy Cats...

2008-09-10T18:49:00.001-07:00

Look who jacked the title of my last blog post...Check It!!

Sex, Drugs, and Oil

2008-09-10T15:21:00.000-07:00

Well it took almost 5.3 Million dollars to put all three together but they did it. Congress that is...read this interesting and not so surprising story about what sex, drugs, and oil have in common. All the conspiry theorists need now is more fuel for their fodder about our government...although it's easy to see why "they" have conspires...read the story

I'm Going To Need Therapy

2008-09-08T21:56:00.000-07:00

Loving the Yankees is going to give me gray hair before my time for the next few rebuilding years...

Please Welcome To The Blog Family...

2008-09-05T17:25:00.001-07:00

...one of my favorite graduates from The Overflow Emma Pidgeon. This is a girl that knows who she is and is willing to find out more about herself in a real way. Please go to her blog and welcome her to the real internet...give her some love yo!!!

Go To Emma's Blog

Big Props To Mo Val Police!!!

2008-09-05T00:43:00.001-07:00

So...I went to bed early this evening around 10:00pm only to be woken up by our upstairs neighbors at around 12;30am. A little background about our upstairs neighbors: They are typical bros not living typical lives. They have a typical bachelor pad...kind of. Not many bachelor pads have a 124 inch projection screen with a projector in their little apartment for playing the Wii and Playstation 3 (One day they were playing Guitar Hero: My Name Is Jonas over and over again to get a perfect score...on 5.1 dolby digital surround sound...coming through the walls). Anyways...they were nice guys...a little too nice.

Very respectful and they tried to be mindful of the fact that Audrey needs to sleep and that we appreciate quiet. But always a bit to respectful. They had people over all the time...at weird hours...but the thing that tipped me off...was the vacuuming at 2 am or 4:30am. They vacuumed around the clock...now...i'm not a smart man but they stopped fooling holly and I when we heard the random vacuuming consistently. We said to ourselves, each other, and some friends of ours...DRUG DEALERS!!! Living in downtown Riverside our first 2 years of marriage gave us some street smarts...being that we lived across from a Meth Lab. Yeah that eventually blew up!

It turns out that at 12:30am this morning, the Mo Val Police thought the same thing. All 3 guys are now in state prison. It is a sad thing to because one of the guys...the main guy, has a beautiful little girl that just turned 4. In fact, they made banana splits the other day for her birthday.

Just when I was trying to get to know them...well now we wait for new neighbors.

Didn't Think I'd Learn From a Baby

2008-09-04T21:38:00.000-07:00

That's right folks...Audrey has taught me something. Through trial by fire she has taught me something my own mother could never...the art of being organized. These last four months I have been Mr. Mom, and they have been some of the most rewarding 4 months of my life. It is the most amazing thing to not understand how Marriage works and it is just as amazing to witness something you have created, with a little miracle from God, grow up right before your eyes. Not to diminish all of the other life lessons I have learned about being a father (those post will come later), to me, leaning to be organized was something I knew I might need to work on, but I didn't think I would ever be good at it. Being that I was organizationally challenged, I had to learn to be organized in a hurry with a little crying child that wants food...NOW!!! Now it has seeped into my school life for the first time...which will seep into my nursing career which is where I need it the most...so i don't kill anyone!! I figure that might be important. You know...to be organized

Thanks Audrey!

School's For Fools...

2008-09-03T21:18:00.001-07:00

I don't live by that at all...that is just homage to my friend Josh.

My friends, after a long 4 months of summer vacation, after a long 5 years of being shaped and molded by God into making this rash decision to not become a pastor and become a nurse, I am now staring at the finish line. I can see my goal in sight. Starting tomorrow (or today, whenever you are reading this) I will be in my last year of my BSN program at California Baptist University. You have no idea how overwhelmed I am by the perspective of my graduating.

To me this ranks up there with the whole, "will I ever get married" thinking. I was on one road in my life to be a licensed pastor, going to school at CBU for a Christian Theology degree with complete financial help from my home church The Grove. Then God changed my heart and pointed me towards nursing. I never thought I would get to where I am at right now because of money, time, and not being able to get into a college...the odds were against me.

I had no money to go to college...God provided in so many ways. One major way was through the O'Neils and my wife. I made the time. Here is the kicker...most nursing prospectives apply to multiple colleges and university to hopefully get in...CBU was the only place I applied...I put all of my eggs in one basket praying that if this is what God wants me to do then I will do it but He would have to get me in to CBU. Here I am 4 years later at the end of this journey...God is amazing!

To all of those people that have prayed for me and understood why I was doing this instead of becoming a licensed pastor; and to all of those same people who have supported me through prayer and encouragement; to the O'Neils for taking care of a new couple with no money to chase after what God has set in motion; to my wife that has stood by me and drudged through the unbelievable amount of hours I put into studying and not spending time with her; to those who don't quite understand how I could leave the gift that God has given me and turn to what God has called me to be...this year is for you!!!

Be The Manure

2008-09-01T21:42:00.000-07:00

As a person that has been used to leading people I can really, truly appreciate this cartoon from my favorite cartoonist on faith issues, ASBO. I can think of so many times that I have gotten in the way as a leader when I should have removed myself from the lesson or teaching point. But now that I have been removed from tangible leadership for sometime now, it really has allowed me time to reflect on leadership and possibly grasp at new perspectives on what true leadership can look like. It would be interesting to compare and contrast the western-business model of leadership versus and eastern-biblical model of leadership.

Tell me what you think of this cartoon...

Can Someone Explain This To Me!

2008-08-31T16:18:00.000-07:00

What you are viewing is a picture of a video game called Guitar Praise. It is based off of Guitar Hero. It's the same game with Christian songs...

Why...oh why do christians insist on copying and trying to make things that are "Secular" and make them "Christian." I've said it once and I will say it again; the word Christian works better as a noun not an adjective.

Aargh...I seriously have no energy to write something really witty right now about this...this sucked all of the energy out of me...

I Think He's Serious...

2008-08-30T20:06:00.000-07:00

This is the Mayor or New Orleans addressing his people about Gustav. Take a look...
Click Here

I think prayer is in order for these people...again!

Tell Me How You Really Feel

2008-08-29T10:26:00.001-07:00

So my wonderful, beautiful wife Holly Rodrigo gets these random emails from a source to remain anonymous that are the upmost cheesiest of christian emails. She doesn't even know how she got on the mailing list of this particular source. So she forwards me this particular email infuriated by the tone and underlying agenda that was presented by the un-named source. I kinda got mad as well as I continued to read. What do you all think about this? Below is the email that was sent to holly:

This is the ticket! : ) <------this is the unnamed source

:America needs a President like this <-----as is this

Prime Minister John Howard - Australia <------this is where the beginning of the forwarded transcript begins

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out ofAustralia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.

Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote: 'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians'.

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'. 'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,
'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We idn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, American citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths.

If you agree, please SEND THIS ON.

Tickle Your Ears...Amendment...

2008-08-26T16:09:00.000-07:00

The credit for discovering Pandora.com goes to my lovely wife Holly...it is all about her...give her the credit...not me...just her...she discovered it like Al Gore discovered the internet...HOLLY BETH RODRIGUEZ. Please let her know how much she has changed your life ;-) Love ya babe...te he

Tickle Your Ears...

2008-08-26T15:07:00.000-07:00

I am sure there are ton of people in blog land that have heard of Pandora but if you have not, go to Pandora. It is awesome. What you do is create "radio stations" of music that sounds like your favorite artist. Pandora will then play music of that genre. If you like what they are playing then you give the song a "thumbs up" and it will add music like that to the algorithm. It is pretty darn good at finding music you like. Try it...you will thank me later!

So What Am I Going To Do...(Random Fixings)

2008-08-25T23:29:00.000-07:00

...Now that the Olympics are over. Seriously, these where the best Olympics I have ever seen. So much drama which lived up to the hype surrounding almost every event. I will miss the games not because they are games and sports but for the corny reason that it truly does bring the world together, even if it is over sports. There is something so fulfilling when the world coexists. I pray that it will happen more often. Imagine if the world coexisted from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and unto the ends of the earth...i miss the Olympics :-(

...I just watched 21 and I can now count cards. I googled the Basic Strategy chart and have memorized most of it. I can also count a "shoe" of cards 6 decks deep; no seriously. It really is just simple math. The special features of 21 teach you how to do it. If you can do simple math and maintain your concentration you can count also. The concentration is the hard part. I am practicing with 4 decks right now...well not right now I am blogging!

...Why are Hot Tamales soooo good...

...Audrey has been ridiculously moody lately. I wonder if her top 4 teeth are coming in?

...I start school on September 4th and I can't wait. I have been ready to start back up since July. I created a review class for nursing students over the summer that got my Vice Deans attention. He wants me to publish my findings about the review class in a medical journal, which I am going to. He is going to help me do it. Dr. Sharp has really poured into me and I need that mentorship. It helps get me through...

What a J E R K!!!

2008-08-21T21:43:00.000-07:00

You have GOT to see this Olympic video. I could not believe this coach.

Ok let me set the stage for you; The American pole vaulter has only been pole vaulting for 4 years. She won the silver. The chances of her winning the gold were slim because she was going against the best pole vaulter of all time in Yelena Isinbayeva. Yelena has broken the 24 world records in pole vaulting throughout her career. Every time there was a record to break she would break it. This olympics was none different. So for the American, to win silver and only pole vaulting for 4 years is tremendous...now watch...this coach should have his junk cut off...YEAH I SAID IT!! Junk!

Click Here

Why I Watch!!

2008-08-19T21:40:00.000-07:00

There are many reasons why I am watching the Olympics. I just love sports; the weird ones that only come around every 4 years. Or maybe it is to see the US medal count rise higher and higher only to find myself feeling bad that we send 700+ athletes to the games and 80% of the countries that attend the Olympics have NEVER won a medal. Maybe I love to watch the underdog, the country with 3 or 4 athletes possibly get a medal like in Kayak this year. Cant forget the Dream Team or Redeem Team as it is called this year. This year I have fallen in love with Skeet, Trap, and Fencing. Fast twitch, don't blink or you will lose sports. Of course I am so glad to have seen and witnessed Michael (great name) Phelps become the greatest Olympian of all time...what the heck. But for me, the moment that I feel has eclipsed all the previously mentioned moments is the one that you all have to watch for yourselves. I don't cry much in movies or touching moments but for some reason this one almost had me.

The celebration, the moment, the medal ceremony...wow...to me this is what the Olympics are all about!

Please click this link and watch and cry!!!

Reminiscent

2008-08-10T18:04:00.000-07:00

Now I normally don't do this, and I try not to talk about it too much but...I love reminiscing about The Overflow and the staff that was. Everything was a blessing from God from the well oiled machine it was, to my relationship I had with Trav and the freedom I had in leading the students in musical worship...what an amazing time in my life as a pastor/leader. I bring this up because E Lo found this wonderful clip of the 4 M's of camp: No Missing, No Moaning, No Messing, and No Meandering...this is The Overflow Staff at its top-tip creative shape...watch and enjoy my friends (say these last 5 words with the voice of the Dos XX guy that says "Stay thirsty my friends)

Click Here

Another Great

2008-08-10T16:59:00.000-07:00

The voice of the TV Show "Shaft" has just passed away at the young age of 65 in Memphis. Isaac Hayes was one bad mother...watch your mouth!!! His voice was smooth as dark chocolate (like 80% Cacao) and he was a smooth dark chocolate of a man. He was also the voice of Chef from South Park...his songs that he sang on that show were classic and so meaningful like "Lay You Down By The Fire." Good stuff...

2008-08-08T20:34:00.001-07:00

So this is where I am right now. Enjoying the Yankees, peanuts, a bloddy nose, and some oxygen...it can't get better than this...except for 1st base line, behind the dugout tickets

Random Fixings

2008-08-08T12:42:00.000-07:00

- Since when did I come to love soccer so. If you don't like soccer then you must force yourself to sit down with the nuances of the sport. That's what I did and it works. I now LOVE soccer. It is a beautiful sport

- Going to the Yankee game tonight (Angels game). I'm actually nervous because I am going with The Point who are a bunch of Angels fans...and not that there is a rivalry between the Yankees and Angels (cause there isn't, it's between the Red Sox and Yanks) but I will be surrounded by people who I will hate for the time being, and, it doesn't help that the Yanks are not doing great this year...we must win

- I started my free trial of Netflix the other day. I signed up for the 1 DVD/unlimited for $7.95...that is a great deal. My movie cue is looking pretty full. I doubt I will get to 4 movies during this time trial. But now I have more movies to watch while I watch Audrey

What Else Can I Get Cancer From???

2008-08-03T21:27:00.000-07:00

So seriously...is there any wonder why we get cancers that did not use to exist like 50 years ago from the crap we put into everything to give the product a longer shelf life or to cut costs or to make food faster at fast food joints. Read this article. It isn't that long but just absolutely amazing at the stuff we put into our bodies!!

Random Fixings

2008-08-02T17:59:00.000-07:00

To make my blogs more interesting to me I am making a segment to my blog called Random Fixings. It's like all the fixings you would have at Thanksgiving but Random...and none of the fixings you would get at Thanksgiving. Besides my blogs about God from time to time, you will get to see what goes on in my head...and it IS random!!

- Audrey has her first tooth (Aug. 1st). I'm so exited for that little bit of enameled laced bone. Not excited about the new sleeping pattern that Audrey has picked up. She used to sleep through the night and wake once at 5am after going to sleep at 9-10pm. Now she wakes at 1am, 3am, 5am, then it is random...from 8-9am...what the heck...maybe it is the teething. Another theory is her weight/height to age ratio. The chunkier the little bugger, the more they sleep.

- I went to a my final wedding of the summer today in Rancho Santa Margarita. I have never felt so brown and poor in my life. The only hispanic I saw was the kid giving me my double whopper through the drive-thru window. Not only that but it took $10 round trip on the 241 Toll Road to go to this wedding. It is if the design of the Toll Road is trying to keep certain people out. Oh, Oh...certain exits make you pay a toll just to get off.

- Where DID bros come from in the Inland Empire? If I were an Anthropologist and I was trying to get my masters and I had to do a Thesis on a certain people group, I would choose Bros. I think I would start from the origin of the Bro (everyone likes an origin story) and work my way to the present. You would have to do a whole segment on the Lifted Truck and the Bro Ho! And then you would have to get the controlled idea from somewhere like Ohio. Somewhere where there aren't any Bros to introduce them to the Bro lifestyle and see what they think of Bros. I just think it is fascinating that the Bro is mostly Inland Empire based and no where else...thank the Lord!!! Are there other subcultures in the United States that we on the west coast are not aware of???

It's What The People Want!

2008-08-01T21:50:00.001-07:00

So Audrey has had this knack for giving what the people want when they talk to her in that weird voice when one talks to babies. You know, that hi pitch nonsense that seems to over take even the most eloquent orator. So what Audrey does is assess the situation then gives a smile (like an Elvis side smile) because that is what this person that looks and sounds funny wants. She is appeasing her audience. I think it's funny because it does appease her audience but I know she is just giving what the people want...acknowledgment for the hoops this person ran through to get that smile. I know my child can read people because she reads us as parents as well. Take this video clip for example; which is hilarious. She is minding her business, destroying and dominating a catalog that we gave her to dominate. Then she sees that we are capturing her destruction...you'll see what I mean...

Self Preservation

2008-07-31T13:45:00.000-07:00

Why are christians SOOO worried about self preserving "the faith"!!! There has barely been a sunday service that hasn't gone by, with any of the churches I have been with, were the conversation comes up about how we as christians need to stick to our guns (so to speak) and that the world is going to get worse before it gets better (very Gnostic/Platonic thinking and not Jewish thinking). The world has always seem to get worse before it has gotten better. Think back to when Maritn Luther wrote his 95 Theses, I am sure that to some extent that Martin Luther thought that the world was getting worse. That the faith at that time was being challenged (he did a ton of the challenging), and that those who professed the true faith should stick together.

I bring this up because I have been reading Isaiah again...I love this book (it's long though ;-). The first few chapters have nothing to do with the world and everything to do with those that claim allegiance to God. Now God does say to turn back to him and as Is 1:16-17 says, "Wash yourselves and be clean! Let me no longer see your evil deeds. Give up your wicked ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows." Now this can be taken literally or figuratively. Literally: obvious; figuratively: those that are below lower class, those are who we are supposed to defend and stand up for.

Now you are asking, "what does this have to do with Self Preservation?" Preservation comes from an old french/latin word: praeservatio which means to keep. So when you add self to the word, you could read it as to keep myself, or ourself. This is SO easy to do. But Isaiah over and over again is concerned with Self Preservation and why the nations of Israel and Judah are concerned with ways other than what the kingdom of God should be truly worried about.

You know Peter was worried that his world was going to go to crap. He was going to lose his life. To me, if someone told me that I was going to lose my life, I would concede to the fact that my world was going to go to crap. John (whom Jesus loved) was going to live a nice long life. Peter of coursed perturbed by the fact that HE was going to die spoke up, but Jesus let him know that it wasn't for him to care about. Peter's preservation was nothing in comparison to following Christ.

So I say to you and myself...be mindful of a self preserving mindset and continue to ask yourself as I ask myself; what concerns God is not me and me alone but all he has created. The entire Cosmos that God has spoken into existence and is sustaining is my business.

And Now Your Starting Lineup...

2008-07-31T13:37:00.000-07:00

So when I was going through OB/Peds 2 semesters ago, it was a healthy sign that parents had expectations for their children. This meant that the parents were involved in their children. So my healthy expectation of Audrey Lane is to be the first 2nd baseman for the New York Yankees. That position is perfect. She won't have to throw far and I am going to teach her how to hit like Ichiro because he slaps and runs at the ball at the same time...much like in softball. Let's go Yankees...buh buh ba ba buh

Weddings

2008-07-30T07:52:00.001-07:00

Can i say that I officially dislike weddings a great deal!! I have been to 4 weddings in 4 weekends and I still have one more coming this Saturday...that is 5 weddings in a row. Now I love the people getting married, let us not forget that I love the people...but the event, the getting ready, the buying of the present, the "should we get babysitting or bring Audrey"; At least I am not in the weddings. I have played in 3 of the 5 weddings, which to me is way better than being in the wedding. Ok technically I am in the weddings but you get what I mean. I think more than anything I am just burnt out on weddings. I think Holly and I are going to be a bit more selective on the weddings we attend. The Bride and Groom won't remember if we were there or not anyway and we don't have the money to keep buying presents. Ok...got that off my chest.

Am I alone on this...???

Back From The Dead!!!

2008-07-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

That's right...I'm blogging. I'm giving you a post to satisfy your urge for my Puerto Rican Slant on things...just kidding. I figured I should blog something since I have one.

Today Jess Mac came over with the girls to go swimming in my new pool at my new home. That's right...I moved from Orange Crest to Canyon Crest...5 mins away. Holly and I live in the Canyon Creek apartments. Anyways it was just me and Audrey...holly wasn't even home. Jess didn't have to come over but she did and that meant a lot to

me. Why you ask???

Ok so I have been Mr. Mom for the last two mont

hs. it has been such a blessing and privilege to do so. Whenever I tell guys or gals for that matter, they all say, "oh you are so lucky as a dad!!" I guess I am, I am just doing what we as parents have to do. Now what I am about to say my make some people mad but to me it is reality...being a parent is not that hard! Babies, kids, adults, the cosmos...it all has some sort of rhythm. If you find the rhythm then it becomes predictable and simplified. There is to say that bit of unpredictability but again if you are in tune with the rhythm then it is easy to sense the unpredictable and roll with the punches. What is not hard as a stay-at-home parent is the lack of Adult interaction. God created to need people and even though my little Audrey is a person, I can only repeat certain words so many times before I crack. I put on DVDs just so I can have some adult interaction; which I don't really watch...it is just for the adult sentences coming from my iMac. Especially for me (Super Extravert), I need

people. So you see...for Jess to come over, without her good friend, my wife Holly there and just hang wit

h Mr. Mom meant a whole lot. For all of those stay at home mommies out there I can empathize and fully understand that it isn't the kids but the lack of common adult interaction that can drive you nuts...

So there is that...and some pictures of Audrey!!

Bo Diddley

2008-06-02T13:57:00.000-07:00

To all of my Musical and Non-Musical friends (I leave it to you to distinguish) a great pioneer in Rhythm & Blues has passed away at age 79.

If you would like to read a great article about the man go here

Here is a a great video of what kind a music he produced for us all...enjoy

Thoughts on my vacation

2008-05-20T22:53:00.000-07:00

***Sorry but this post might be long***

I purposefully did not post about my vacation immediately for two reasons: 1. Beca

use I wanted my friends to post about it first and 2. Because I wanted to soak all that happened. All of the conversations, the laughter, the j

oy, What God was doing in my friends lives; I wanted to let it soak in. So my friends here is my trip to Santa Cruz and Salinas.

The trip started with one questions, What was Audrey going to be like tr

aveling? Answer: AMAZING!!! She was a champ. She kept a better schedule in the car than she does at home. What a blessing for me and my sanity.

Our first part of the

leg was to see Trav and Annette in Santa "hippie" Cruz. As soon as we got there we went to the beach and Trav and I played some wicked games of Volleyball. Loved it. I sucked but I still had some good times. Met some of Trav's friends and just had a great time getting sand in places where I don't want sand. Annette said in a

post about us going up to visit that it just

felt normal to be with them, like tim

e has not passed. Like we can just pick up where we left off...i whole heartedly agree. I also got to have some coffee with the Travrista. He taught me how to order St. Arbucks like a man. Good coffee and great conversation we

re had by all. I love the Osborne family soooo much. I feel like we have some much more in common now that we don't have the Overflow as a common denominator. Trying to figure out what God has for us both, the Rodrigos and Osbornes, has brought us closer than I could have imagined.

And yes Davey loved Audrey and Trav and I are working out the bride price for Audrey's heart. If I can get that out of the way before she reaches 6th grade, my life will be complete. Oh and I KILLED Annette at speed. It was great. The kids were all chanting my name and singing my praises as if taunting Annette. Awesome! It is always sad to leave family. But if all goes well,

Annette and Trav, puerto rico is in sight!!!

The next leg

of the trip was to visit more family: The Risingers. I miss my little bro Micah and the people who are like a mom and dad to me, Bill and Patti. It did my heart so much to see where Patti is being an effective Christ follower at Starbucks and to see how Micah has grown both literally and figuratively. Seriously Micah got taller. And then to see Bill's heart for Salina

s...ah...he has so much joy in the fact that God has him right where He wants him, both in the study of the scriptures and turning that into the hands and feet of God. They are another part of the family that you can just pick right up were you leave off. More coffee and more great

conversations.

Between Trav and Bill, I got my fill of theological conversation for at least the next 3 months. It was rejuvenating.

On the way home I got pulled over by the CHP in the grapevine. However, because the Lord, Jesus Christ has blessed me with the gift of NEVER getting a ticket, I did not get a ticket and Holly got to witness that gift first hand. I wasn't even going fast, just the speed of traffic. I just happened to be the last car in the speed of traffic.

It was sad to leave but we know we will be back to see or family.

Thy Kingdom Come

2008-05-13T22:19:00.000-07:00

So I was surfing the web, hanging out with my iMac, catching up since I have been gone visiting with family (more on that to come) and I came across an article in the google news portion of my igoogle page which then led me to Space.com. I have never been to space.com but I will go back. As I was looking at new pictures from the Hubble Telescope, space.com had a gallery that was dedicated to "When Galaxies Collide". I didn't know that galaxies had collisions, let alone with each other. But they do.

Then I thought, as I was looking at the magnificence of God though the colliding galaxy pictures, what kind of beauty can we create when we collide heaven with earth. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven...what beauty, what spectacular wonder can we create when we allow the holy spirit to use us to bring heaven to earth. The Power of God meets The Faith & Work of His People. What kind of explosions will that look like if that happened on a daily basis?

P.S.

2008-05-06T12:55:00.001-07:00

It is also mine and Holly's 3 year anniversary. I love the mystery of our future within our relationship. if you were to ask us what 3 years of marriage would look like for us it would be completely different than what it is now...I wouldn't change now for anything. I love you Holly Beth Rodrigo. My gift to you is me getting picked for jury duty!!!

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Day 2

2008-05-06T12:48:00.000-07:00

That's right, im on day two of jury duty. Now one might ask how on gets 2 days of jury duty. The answer is that you have to be picked on a jury. I FREAKN GOT PICKED!! It wouldn't have been that bad but Holly and I are going on Vaca to see Trav and Annette this Friday, guess how long the trial is going to last...till this friday. This is a picture of me waiting in the Jurors Lounge during lunch. I will say this, it is interesting and under different circumstances I would be down to do this thing! Grrr...

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Suck...

2008-05-05T10:25:00.001-07:00

This is what I look like when I have been selected to see whether I will be selected to a jury. Yes that's right, I have jury duty. Luckily I have brought 3 books to read. Grrrrr...

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This is what I am reading...

2008-04-28T22:01:00.000-07:00

I love N.T. Wright. He is our modern C.S. Lewis with amazing theology all wrapped into one. The man is a poet when he writes and talks and he is freaking brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Anyways I just started reading it and he poses two great questions about Heaven and Hope: "What is the ultimate Christian hope? Second, what hope is there for change, rescue, transformation, new possibilities within the world in the present?" (Wright, 2008, p. 5).

Great question because if one holds true to turn and burn, I have punched my ticket attitude of heaven, then there isn't much hope for those behind and the cosmos we leave...

"But if the Christian hope is for God's new creation, for 'new heavens and new earth,' and if that hope has already come to life in Jesus of Nazareth, then there is every reason to join the two questions together" (Wright, 2008, p. 5).

My mind is blown already...love it!!! Rabbi Bill Risinger stretched me to read stuff that baffles and stretches the mind. This is a book that is going to do that. Pick it up folks, I dare you.

Another Anthropological Lesson

2008-04-28T11:22:00.000-07:00

I am studying for my final in Anthro today and unlike my nursing classes, I half-heartedly pay attention in this class. It is interesting but my class is from 2-4:30...of Anthro...you get my drift. Anyways this is from my book...soooo interesting:

About Hunger

1. Ironically while many millions of people in some parts of the world are starving, many millions of others are overeating - quite literally eating themselves to death. In fact, the number of overfed people now exceeds those who are underfed. According to the World Watch Institute in Washington, D.C., more than 1.1 billion people world wide are now overweight. And 300 million of these are obese (but still malnourished in that their diets lack certain nutrients).

In light of the food shortage, I would venture to say that this could be part of it. Interesting though, right?

1: Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge 12 edition by William A. Haviland et al.

My Roommates...no...My Family

2008-04-28T10:26:00.001-07:00

I love my roommates. Not many of you know that Holly and I have roommates. This was something we decided to do over one year ago in December of 2006. When Holly and I got married, we lived in a wonderful apartment downtown, which we loved so much. Downtown is a great place to live (I think). Yeah there are crack houses, but you actually have neighbors...can't say that about the Burbs. Well one day we decided that what if we lived with people and what if those people that we chose to live with see what our marriage and life was like, intentionally living it out, as a family of non-blood related people. And what if these "family members" began to understand that this is what Christ was talking about, all being in the family of Christ. Not just saying, "hey brother" at church, but actually having unguarded relationship with people...no place to hide. We also thought...what if this style of living helped to blow peoples perceptions of individual living; living inside an American Bubble.

Well, we did, and we have, ever since December of 2006. When we told some of our friends, or when other people got wind of what we were going to do, they freaked. It made no sense. As a married couple we should have a house on our own. To be honest, it was received in a very counter cultural thing. When I told my friends Trav and Annette, they were pumped for us and very encouraging. One of the few that, I feel, understand what communal living is all about.

So without further ado, let me introduce you to my fam

ily...

Bryce Hubbard:

I call Bryce, Beezy, I don't know why but I do. He loves to camp, climb, boulder, and play the Wii. He is also a drummer so we have that in common. He loves following Christ and he loves his fiance Rikki (they will be living with us when they get married). Bryce is a hard gruffed guy because of

him being a EMT. Being an EMT has allowed him to see the, "various degrees of stupidity within our human race" as he would put it. But, even though Bryce might not specialize in the gift of grace giving, he is very intuitive and wise for his age. He can see things a certain way most people don't. I am using this picture because Bryce doesn't watch a lot of TV, but when he does this is where he sits...like a little boy...his fiance thinks it's cute.

Sara Goodwin: My Little Sis

Oh Sara...what can I say about her. Well for one she is very smart. She doesn't think so but she is very, very smart. Sara and I are in the same nursing program, in the same semester. I met her in Anatomy & Physiology and became good friends. Holly thinks that she acts like her little sister Hailey. I would have to agree. Sara loves to shop. She also loves retail therapy. She is very caring and super considerate. Always considering others before herself, oh and she is super clean. The first time we did our chores back in 2006, she had to vacuum. Well, you know how when you vacuum there are lines from vacuuming and you can see where the vacuum turns to go to the next path...well there were nothing but straight lines on the carpet, no turn marks...Sara IS a perfectionist. She is also Audrey Lane's Auntie. Sara was with us from start to finish when Holly went into labor. She loves her niece and she is more than willing to watch Audrey when we have to do stuff, or when holly and I want to go get coffee. Audrey loves Sara very much as well. She smiles whenever Sara comes close or holds her. But more than that she truly is my little sister.

There is so much I could say about Bryce and Sara, but living with them I have learned that they are introverts and they would appreciate having their life details released to the world...ha ha ha. I will say this. Choosing to live outside our bubble has been one of the best things to happen to Holly and I. We love our family. It has allowed us to see Christ in a new light. Everyone has family, but not everyone has family.

Seriously...is this necessary

2008-04-24T20:08:00.000-07:00

where else would you see this but the IE. this is brotastic to the tenth power...

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Food, Food, and More Food!

2008-04-24T11:48:00.000-07:00

I got this email from my wife, Holly, who got this email from Jim McGillicuty, which had a link of different pictures from Time Magazine of what other people (families) around the world are eating on a weeks groceries. Very telling of a lot of things.

Now I KNOW why americans are so fat in general
Now I KNOW why italians live for so freakn long
World hunger does indeed exist (duh)
I wish my eating habits were broader. there is some good looking food in these pictures.

Check this out and let me know what you are thinking. Here is the link

Peace out sucka foos...Oh and Go Lakers!!!

Summer Time

2008-04-22T22:38:00.000-07:00

Is almost here for all who go to CBU...can't wait. here is what's happening:

going to see the osbornes and risingers
going to like 8 million weddings this summer
My brother is coming in June
celebrating my first fathers day (I've always been a Big Papi though)
I'm creating a nursing class for 3 different nursing groups during the summer...doing that for 12 weeks
taking care of the wee one (pics on the way)
working out like crazy, finally, school takes away my fun
getting dark, not by choice...I know you hate me. I hate myself too ;)
i'm going to work on my tshirt business. I don't know what it will look like which is why I'm working on it
sleep, r & r

What are you going to be doing over the summer?

I Can See The Light!!!

2008-04-15T22:35:00.000-07:00

You know...the one at the end of the tunnel...that one!!! I have 1 1/2 weeks left till this semester is over. Then It is 4 months of watching Audrey grow. So much Fun!!!

iMac Update:

I love it. I really didn't know why I even bothered with PC. It is the most intuitive computer program ever. It just makes sense. I love that I don't need virus software, I love tha it is wicked fast, I love that it is simplistic in design. Just good stuff...

Which brings me to my next point change. I would like to share with you something I learned in my Anthropology class. If something was just better for your health and productivity would you change your way of doing stuff to accomplish better health and productivity?

The keyboards that we use are called QWERTY for the 6 letters on the top left row of the keyboard. We have been using this style since 1874. In 1932 an Education professor August Dvorak did research on the keyboard set QWERTY and made an amazing discover. He discovered that there is actually a better way to type. So he set up his own key pad:

Now this seems weird being that this is all we know but in fact, this keyboard is much more healthier for your wrist, especially reducing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. You can learn to type in 1/3 the time it would take with the QWERTY and once you learned it, tests have shown the average person will increase their accuracy by 68% and their speed by a whopping 74%. So why do we still go by the old way. If a new way is better for us why would we bother with the old way? Hmm...

Blow Out of The Century

2008-04-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

First off, I know...every parent thinks their kid had the blow out of the century and I would like to take the time and enter in my bid for the Blow Out Of The Century...Holy cow!!!

Ok, so Audrey's poop is like the consistency of Organic Creamy Peanut Butter. If you don't know what that is like here is a description. The oils in Jif and Skippy don't separate until like 2 years down the road but Organic Peanut Butter is constantly separated. You have to mix the peanut with the oils...that is what it looks like! Not only that but every once in a while we supplement her breast milk with formula so it looks a tad bit seedy...Seedy Organic Creamy Peanut Butter.

Well she just blew up her diaper and it flowed to the points of least resistance. Unbelievable, all I could do was laugh, because I was holding her and it just kept coming. And because I was holding her, I held her at arms distance. Which for me is pretty far away. What an experience!!! I can't wait till she is dating at age 25; I will have so much amo.

I have been redeemed!!!

2008-04-11T23:27:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am here to tell you that Apple has cleansed me of the devil and has given me a purpose for reliving my computer life. I have an iMac. I purchased the 24" 2.4 Ghz duo with 2Gb of memory iMac...MOVE...YOUR WELCOME. In reality, my PC laptop crapped out on me once and that is all it takes for me to make up my mind. HP said they fixed it but my computer has too many files on it to trust it with so I felt it time to make the ultimate switch. I talked to Uber Mac Geniuses, Ian and Jonny Ri, and they helped to baptize me in the river Apple. So all those out there with macs...let's iChat or something...Dan, I'm waiting!!!

HARD!!!

2008-04-04T23:17:00.001-07:00

You know what makes it hard to blog...life!!! I have had so much of it for the last 6 weeks. I want to post all of these pictures of Audrey but I don't find the time. why you ask...well. School is winding down so it gets harder which in turn means more work for me to do. I am also creating a class for 3 different semesters in our Nursing program. it will be a review group, class, thingie that does not go directly through CBU. It is taking more work than I thought but it will be worth it...i don't want to kill anyone when I am practicing (by the way...why do we use the term practicing when we are talking about someones life).
Second, and the biggest...AUDREY. I love her so much. She has taught me so much about God and our relation with and to and for Him and mostly about others. She requires so much work and devotion but I love to give it to her.
Third, and the hardest...Holly. I love her, and I know she loves me, but it has been really hard to just be with her and love on her like I used to. As much as I love Audrey, I love Holly more, and I miss my best friend. I'm sure as time goes on we will get better and more consistent as parents but for now...I miss my Mero Chini O (that is Nepalie for Sugar Lips)

Here is a list of what I have been doing though...

Hanging with Damien & Jenn O'Farrel and Mark & Erin Phillips. Some good ole friends with like minds about the kingdom of God. They have become family and aunts and uncles to Audrey
Going to Seminars about Every Thing Must Change. Brian McClaren wrote this book and he held a tour about the book. Holly, Audrey, and I got to go to San Diego for Saturdays seminar. it was good to just be around like minded people that see Christianity for more than just punching a ticket to heaven (the ticket idea might not get one far).
Working out again. I took 3 weeks off when Audrey came. It was the best thing for my body. Sometimes you can build bad workout habits and you need a break. When you go back you pretty much have to start over (somewhat) and you get to correct the old habits...find some Christian meaning in that, it's there, I know it is.
Reading. I haven't been reading to much, but what I have is changing my life. Our Rabbi Risinger has read, or is reading the same volume set that I have picked up from N.T, Wright. This is not an easy read. I am also reading some books from Brad Young called The Parables and Paul: The Jewish Theologian. Not easy as well...I tend to like dry, hard, intelligent reads. Inspirational reads bore me...I don't know why? Maybe I don't need inspiration, I'm amped enough as it is
I am playing music. I have been leading music for First Baptist Church in Riverside for the last 1 1/2 months. They had a need and I filled it. I committed for 4 months and then I will re-evaluate after that. I know that I am not interested in being the "worship guy" but it has been great to teach this small family what I have learned about what "worship" is and IS NOT!!! The teaching has been subversive. It makes me feel like a double agent...he he

So my friends...that is what has been going on in my life...in a nut shell...oh yeah I forgot to mention. Awhile back I told everyone that I made a bet with a one Joshua W. Solorio as to when Audrey would enter into this world. I called him stupid for making the bet with me thinking that Audrey was for sure coming early. Well, she did not. So:

Josh, I humbly apologize, publicly stating that you were right...and I was wrong. I know that this is not the first time, and I am sure this won't be the last time. I am sorry for calling you stupid. I regret any undue harm this might have caused you and your family. Sorry.

SPRING BREAK!!! An Amendment...

2008-03-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

The list provided is not in any particular order ;)

SPRING BREAK!!!

2008-03-13T17:26:00.001-07:00

So I am on spring break and it couldn't have come at a better time. I'm tired. I'm tired of thinking, or not sleeping because I am studying or taking care of my lovely, beautiful daughter, or I'm tired of being tired.
So what am I going to do you ask...good question.

1. Get new brake pads for the hog
2. mow and feed my lawn
3. sleep
4. read all of my outstanding books. I have been reading a book from Brad Young about The Parables. Great, great insight to Jewish thought about where Jesus was coming from while speaking in parables.
5. Spend some lovely time with my wife and child. Maybe teach Audrey to read and write; or throw a baseball; or just how to be PuertoRican
6. Spontaneity...we will just see!!!

10 days of bliss is just what the doctor ordered.

My Life Has Changed!!!

2008-03-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

***Warning: This Is A Long Post***

To all my fans...SORRY for the absolute lack of posts. I suck. I triple dog suck. I have been wanting to post but like RevRock I haven't really wanted to post lately. But due to some life situations I feel it a must to inform and educate you all as to why my life has changed...I AM A FREAKN RICAN DAD!!!

Many of you have seen my initial post that Audrey Lane Rodriguez (Audrigo...thanks for the nickname Mr. TheEpic) was born on Monday, February 25, 2008 at 12:06pm and I haven't been the same since.

Holly was in labor for 32 hours straight with some nice strong contractions. She started her contractions 4:00am on Sunday and they just got stronger as time went on. We went in to Kaiser at around 9:oopm and the contractions just got stronger. Mind you Holly hasn't really slept because even at 4am, her contractions were waking her up every 15mins. She finally got an Epidural and that helped her so much.

Now Audrey was 6.1 lbs and 19 inches long. Even without that information I think the staff knew, and I kind of new that Audrey was probably coming into this world via C-Section. However, that did not stop the staff from being the best staff ever, allowing Holly to give it her all. They exhausted every avenue in trying to have a vaginal delivery. They were so accommodating and understanding. Holly was determined and focused and I am so proud of her for it. After 3 hours of pushing, the staff, Holly, and I came to the decision of a C-Section; 20 mins later Audrey was born. It was completly surreal to hear the cry of God's creation for the first time.

Because Audrey was stuck for 3 hours, she came out with some good looking Caput (Cone Head). So weird...so very weird, that is all I could think. As a student nurse I was pulled in so many directions because I knew the procedure inside and out so I was paying attention to that as well as the Nurse Anesthetist (that is what I want to be) and looking at my baby girl. My senses were on complete overload. It was great!

Even now as I remember everything that went on, I don't have words to describe it all.

We stayed in the hospital for 2 days (standard for a C-Section). That sucked because I had to sleep on a convertible arm chair meant for people who are 5-5. Not only that but we didn't get a room by ourselves. For some reason, everybody in Riverside decided to get a Sinus Infection (this turned into Pneumonia for most people) so they took over the overflow section that was meant for Postpartum patients. But it didn't matter because most of our time was spent learning about Breast Feeding from the Lactation Nurse, or just waiting for Holly to pass gas (passing gas is the official get out of jail card in a hospital).

Holly, of course, recovered at a ridiculous pace. The doctor and nurses were amazed. When they asked if she wanted pain meds she said she didn't need it, she wasn't in pain; mouths dropped. When she started walking around the unit just 6 hours after her surgery, mouths dropped. Pretty much she did a two day recovery in 3/4 of a day.

Going home was another weird feeling. I was going home with a child...my child...forever...?!?

The last two weeks have been such a learning process without sleep. But I wouldn't change it for the world. Audrey has already grown so much, it's ridiculous. She has started to smile and we talk every morning as to what we are going to do today. I usually tell her I'm going to school. She just looks at me.

So what do I get out of this besides a beautiful daughter...more lessons on life and love and a bit more of God's personality. I have prayed every day that God would reveal more of his idea of love, his church, and any other lesson He can teach me. So far he hasn't disappointed.

Well this concludes a seriously long post. I need to blog more I know. It keeps my posts down to a manageable size I know.

More about what is going on at ThePuertoRicanSlant to come...stay tuned!!! Here are some more pictures of the miracle...

3 Generations First Bath She hates being changed...then loves it!

Seriously though...I did not teach her to do this. We were taking pictures last night and this happened...the funniest thing ever!!!

Introducing - Audrey Lane Rodriguez

2008-02-26T16:04:00.000-08:00

Born February 25th, 2008 at 12:06pm. She weighed 6.1 lbs and is 19 1/2 inches. Sorry I haven't blogged about this but I haven't really slept in a while. Holly is doing great! We are still at Kaiser and we will go home tomorrow because she is doing so great. I don't have any words as to how I feel but I will talk about that later...she is so beautiful

Jackie Moon

2008-02-19T16:43:00.000-08:00

I love Will Ferrel. Love him! The first time I saw his new movie I immediately thought of Trav Osborne and his Life 2007 character. What I love more about this character are the commercials he is doing. So far I have just seen some Bud Light ads and Old Spice ads. The Old Spice ads are absolutely brilliant...well both companies have brilliant commercials.
I want to share the love of Jackie Moon and the Old Spice commercials.
Have fun my fellow bloggers...I really do think they jacked the idea from Trav for Jackie Moon!! ;)

Knight Rider

2008-02-18T09:17:00.000-08:00

Last night was the WORLD PREMIER of Knight Rider. Umm...it was fun. If anything it takes me back to my childhood. I loved Knight Rider when i was a kid. LOVED IT!!! The Hoff was awesome and Kit was a dream come true; a fast car that talks and can shoot people out of roof if he didn't like you...that is classic.
This new Knight Rider is fun. It isn't great but it is fun. The car is better (I am partial to Mustangs not T-Birds) but that is about it. The acting is horrible (what are you gonna do...it's freakn' Knight Rider) and the plot is going to be interesting to see. Yes I said plot. All 1 hour shows have their plot for that episode but apparently there is going to be more to this show. The Hoff showed up at the end of the 2 hour premier...enough said (Michael Knight...a fugitive of the law). The new character is name Mike. Oh and I don't think this show has any producers except Ford Motor Companies; can you say advertising. Every car in the show was a Ford and if the car wasn't a Ford (heaven forbid) than the camera angles made sure you had no idea what kind of car it was. Oh well. Maybe I like this show because there aren't a ton of main characters with the name Mike or Michael...hmmm...
Well you don't need to waste your time but I am going to because, well, it's freakn' Knight Rider. What kid doesn't want a car that is ridiculously amazing.

The Little Rodrigo Poll

2008-02-16T12:19:00.000-08:00

All of you who thought Audrey would be born 2 weeks before her date was wrong. Sorry. We STILL have no baby. But on Thursday Holly had contractions for one hour straight at 5 mins apart...then they subsided...freak monkey! As I type she has been having contractions since 11:06 AM at 5mins apart...we will see...

There are 3 people left in the running for winner of my little poll; 2 for 1 week away and 1 for 3-4 days away. Who are you...reveal yourselves.

On a side note...I have a $20 bet with one Joshua W. Solorio as to when Audrey will be born. He is stupid and gave me up until her actual due date.

On another little side note...the Osbornes have finally given into greatness and are now Yankees fans. Thank you for raising your kids in the sight of the Lord.

Oversized Jelly Beans

2008-02-16T10:57:00.000-08:00

what is the world coming to. im at win co. and we always go down the barrel aisle. well there is a barrel filled with jelly's one inch long and 3/4 diameter...so good...

Bad Cat Amps

2008-02-15T17:13:00.000-08:00

So since Oct. 31, 2007 my amp has been on the fritz. I bought new tubes but it didn't help. What was happening was that I was overloading the amp with too much power! I didn't want to go all the way to the Disneyland area where I took my amp last time but I didn't know of anywhere else. A friend of mine (Stephan Summers) at CBU took his amp to Bad Cat. If you don't know anything about amps understand that Bad Cat, Divided By 13, and possible Top Hat, are the absolute best in amplification. I called Bad Cat thinking that it would cost too much for my simple Fender to get fixed but the man on the phone, James, was happy to help.
James is the owner/creator/master builder of Bad Cat amps. Today I spent 2 and a half hours with the guy that makes ridiculously sounding amps. It was great. We talked about all things geek. He also took the time to teach me about amps and electrical stuff that i never new existed about the subject. The thing that impressed me about James is that he does not play guitar. So I asked him, if he doesn't play guitar, why make amps...he said he just has a sound that he likes and wants to make that sound. The is brilliant and genuinely nice. His warehouse was filled with all kinds of bad cat amps. He gave me a tour which of course I geeked out on. So many different types of amps it blew my mind.
I know what I want for my graduation present...a Bad Cat...or a Divided By 13; I haven't fully decided.

My Sister and Barak Obama

2008-02-12T07:01:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone...this is my attempt to blogging more. I have a great one for you (it might mean more for me). This is the story (blog) about my sister-in-law Heidi. She lives in Warshington (Washington) and she is famous. How famous you ask? Well go to her blog and read her story about Barak Obama.

What's The Latest

2008-02-11T08:44:00.000-08:00

Ok so here is the latest as to what is going on in my life. Sorry for the extreme lack of blogs. I really have a ton to blog about but no drive to blog about it lately:

- No FREAKN baby yet...grrr. Seriously, how much more does the baby need to bake in the oven...seriously!
- Lakers on doing great so that makes me happy
- School is amazing. I would never have thought that I would like Mental Health but I do. I could never work mental health but 1 in 4 people in our culture have a mental health issue, so...I need to know how to handle their health issues. I know some of you are like, "No way can it be 1 in 4," but it can. Do not think too drastic when it comes to mental health. Don't stereotype it Hallucinations and Delusions. Anxiety is the #1 Mental Health issue. Makes sense since we live in a ridiculously fast society (I know you get sick of hearing that, but until it changes...it is wicked fast). My teacher this semester is from Scotland (yes he sounds like the father from So I Married An Axe Murder. If you don't know that movie...wow). He is a great guy, super smart, and since he has two doctorates, one in Nursing and one in Forensic Psychology, you get the feeling like everything you do lets him into your personality. It feels like he knows me but I haven't told him anything about my life.
My clinicals are as Patton State Hospital. You have to have committed a felony in order to stay a Patton; that means bad stuff. Even though they have done really, really bad stuff all I can keep thinking about is that they were created in God's image and just like them, I to can cause God heart ache. So they are no different than me.

So that is the latest in my life. I promise I will try to blog more. I think I have just been paralyzed by the amount of stuff going on and I just don't know where to start. It isn't the big stuff, just the everyday normal stuff that I seem to be paying attention to more these days.

Superbowl

2008-02-03T19:24:00.000-08:00

Well unfortunately I will not be able to witness history but...I am so glad that New York beat Boston!! I hate Boston (hate is strong I know).

U2 3D

2008-01-27T09:15:00.000-08:00

There comes a time in ones life where something happens that can change the course of history. Marriage, Having a Baby, Graduating with a RN/BSN, and seeing U2 in concert. What would make it better is seeing U2 in IMAX 3D...oh wait... I did. I just saw U2 3D and it was like seeing a concert without having to pay $80. It was absolutely amazing how they, the producers of the movie, didn't overwhelm you with 3d technology but gave it just enough to actually want to see if you could reach out and touch The Edge. This wasn't your typical Captain Eo. There was a set list of 14 songs, all done in South America where stadiums seemed like they had trampolines built into the floor (My People). Even the IMAX theater couldn't help to clap after every song as if they were there. The producers of the film, National Geographic and 3ality, some how captured all, and I mean all of the energy at each concert (I say each concert because the movie was a compilation of South American shows they seamlessly put together). What made the night even better was to see Holly enjoy the show as much as I did. She had never seen U2 in any concert format but she was singing along with everyone in the movie and the theater. Holly also loved how Bono tailored the concert to our South American brothas and sistas adding Spanish lines to Beautiful Day instead of talking about China. Of course it wouldn't have come off it wasn't for Bono. For U2 fans, it is known that Bono will deliver a great performance, but, to see it in 3D, 60 Feet tall; it's a whole new realm of energy. Bono should win an Oscar...j/k...no really though...j/k...no really.

My advice to you is see it before it is gone no matter how far away an IMAX is. Get a whole bunch of people together and make a road trip out of it.

My only problem with the movie is they didn't do City of Blinding Lights but they made up with Miss Sarajevo. Go and enjoy my friends.

Changed and Saved,
Mike

I Am Bored...

2008-01-23T09:23:00.000-08:00

I am in class right now and some guy from the Library of CBU is talking to us about stuff I already know...(sigh)...however, I love this semester because it is going to be easy and with baby Audrey Lane Rodriguez coming (ARod) it helps with scheduling and hanging out with the little bugger. Oh man I can't wait. Seriously it is anytime now. Holly has been contracting for the last week and a half. Nothing consistent except for her contracting. I'll just keep waiting

Why I Will Always Have A Paying Job As A Nurse

2008-01-15T21:12:00.000-08:00

More babies — 4,268,326 — were born in 1961 than during any other year in U.S. history. This was the peak of the post-WWII "baby boom.

I also read that this year the first Baby Boomers will turn 65. They all need care and I'm going to give it to them. That is a ton of people.

Funny Story...

2008-01-15T21:02:00.000-08:00

I know that what you are about to read is something you would read in an email from your relative that just learned about email and is sending forwards as if it is going out of style, BUT....this is freakn' funny. You have to picture everything as you read.

Rob is a commercial saturation diver for Global Divers in Louisiana .he
performs underwater repairs on offshore drilling rigs. Below is an
E-mail he sent to his sister. She then sent it to radio station 103.2 on
the FM dial in Ft. Wayne , Indiana , which was sponsoring a worst job
experience contest. Needless to say, she won.

Before I can tell you what happened to me, I first must bore you with a
few technicalities of my job. As you know, my office lies at the bottom
of the sea. I wear a suit to the office. It's a wet suit. This time of
year the water is quite cool. So what we do to keep warm is this: We have a diesel powered industrial water heater.
This $20,000 piece of equipment sucks the water out of the sea. It heats it to a delightful temperature.
It then pumps it down to the diver through a garden hose, which is taped
to the air hose. Now this sounds like a darn good plan, and I've used it
several times with no complaints. What I do, when I get to the bottom
and start working, is take the hose and stuff it down the back of my wet
suit. This floods my whole suit with warm water. It's like working in a
Jacuzzi.

Everything was going well until all of a sudden, my butt started to
itch.
So, of course, I scratched it. This only made things worse. Within a few
seconds my butt started to burn. I pulled the hose out from my back, but
the damage was done. In agony I realized what had happened. The hot
water machine had sucked up a jellyfish and pumped it into my suit. Now,
since I don't have any hair on my back, the jellyfish couldn't stick to
it However, the crack of my butt was not as fortunate. When I scratched
what I thought was an itch, I was actually grinding the jellyfish into
the crack of my butt.

I informed the dive supervisor of my dilemma over the communicator. His
instructions were unclear due to the fact that he, along with five other
divers, were all laughing hysterically.

Needless to say I aborted the dive. I was instructed to make three
agonizing in-water decompression stops totaling thirty-five minutes
before I could reach the surface to begin my chamber dry decompression.

When I arrived at the surface, I was wearing nothing but my brass
helmet.

As I climbed out of the water, the medic, with tears of laughter
running down his face, handed me a tube of cream and told me to rub it
on my butt as soon as I got in the chamber. The cream put the fire out,
but I couldn't poop for two days because my butt was swollen shut.

Toxicity

2008-01-11T09:53:00.000-08:00

Well my wife has done it now...she has slowly and painfully but shirley (he he) changed me over to the dark side. She has made me concerned with the products I'm using...aaaaahhhhhh! No really, it is a great thing. I have never been one to use a ton of man made stuff on my body except for soap and shampoo and toothpaste and contact solution and shave gel and mouth wash and acne stuff and...well you get the point. If you have a brain and can critically think straight; does it really make sense to put man made stuff on your person? Does it? Out of the thousands upon thousands of ingredients that are used everyday for our care products do you actually think they check every single reaction and co-reaction of these products. No, they don't have the money or man power to check them. But this website that a friend of mine found is a great site to see which products you are using are safe, moderate, or dangerous.

There are two ratings that the website gives. One tells you how dangerous the product is. The second tells you what percentage of the ingredients used in the product have been tested for carcinogenic effects. If you click on this link you can get an idea of a product that I use in my hair: Garnier Fructis Hair Stuff. It is real eye opener and to me, it just makes sense to switch to something that is healthier.

Skin Deep is the name of the Website

Another Voting Poll

2008-01-10T12:31:00.000-08:00

Here is yet another useless poll for you to have fun with. Try to guess when Sydney/Maya/Claira will be born. If you are right...well...you will get a big pat on the back from me...that is worth more than gold!
Happy Voting!!!

I forgot to mention. Feb. 22 is the actual Ultrasound date from our first Ultrasound. They say this is the most accurate. However, If Holly and I go off of our calculations that I learned from my Nursing Schooling, it puts the due date around Feb. 3-6 (it's a rough guestamate)...hope that throws a wrench into your guess.

Let's Talk About It...

2008-01-10T12:08:00.000-08:00

Here is yet another comic from a blog that I subscribe to. This one, like the last blog about this artist drew my attention. I must profess that I am not a student of church history (All though I would love to be. Rabbi Bill tells me I will be very disappointed). Here are some of the questions that come to mind and maybe we could start a discussion about my questions or some that might be conjured up by this comic.

Who was apart of the canonization of the Bible?
Why do we have the books that we do?
Why are the books that we (Christians) have considered infallible?
Why do we as Christians consider the Bible and not the Apocrypha as practicing Catholics do?
Why is this even a discussion to include the Gospel of Thomas? What TRUTHS does this book have to offer?

Other questions about myself and this subject...

Does this scare me to think that other Gospels got it right also?
What is the real reason that this has caught my attention?

What do you all think? Does this provoke anything in you that just doesn't seem to make sense?
Let me know what you think...

Trash Talk

2008-01-09T15:53:00.000-08:00

I love to trash talk! I love it because when I win (which is most of the time) I get to rub it in...a lot...no no you don't get it... A LOT!!! But every now in a blue moon I don't win or one of my teams doesn't win a championship that they should or what have you. That has been the story of my 2007 and the beginning of my 2008 year.

Here are the teams that I love:
Lakers - Can't buy a championship lately. Especially with cry baby Kobe
New York Yankees - CAN buy a championship caliber team yet can't produce one for the life of them, but they will continue to buy and buy...
Ohio State Buckeyes - Ready for this... 2007 BCS Championship LOST; 2007 Final Four Championship LOST (to the same college for football); 2007 NCAA D1 Mens Soccer Championship LOST; 2008 BCS Championship LOST (to another SEC Team)

So...as you can see, I haven't been able to trash talk very much and I have been receiving a TON of it. But this is what I have on the horizon:

My New England Patriots - Going to go undefeated
Yankees in 08
Oh and me and the boys did happen to dominate the girls this year in the New Years Eve Gauntlet...we are now 4-0 (that means we have won 4 years in a row. In your collective faces!!!)

More than my teams and trash talk, I love when people trash talk back to me that don't normally trash talk. That lets me know that they are comfortable with me and I think it's funny. It's funny because those that don't normally trash talk are the wives of my friends and they stumble over how to do it. I think it's cute and endearing.

Till next time folks...

Sidewalk Advertisement

2007-12-31T16:35:00.000-08:00

Holly and I went to Victoria Gardens here in So Cal just to look around and because we just love going to Victoria Gardens. We don't know why we do but we do...we really can't afford much from VG. Well we got of the 15 fwy and as we were getting ready to turn right we saw a woman holding a sign/advertisement on the corner. Now I didn't think much of it being that I see them all the time spinning their signs trying to guide people to were the sale is or the housing tract is. As I looked closer at this woman performing her job this holiday season I saw something that made me completly sad, depressed, mad; amongst other emotions. While mom was working, her son was at her feet playing with his toys...

All I could think of was this...is her situation so dire that she has no support to watch her son and was she is such a compromising situation where she had to take this job to provide for her son? Now let's get this straight; I am not sympathizing or pitying her one bit merely trying to comprehend what situation would move a person to this extreme.

I don't know...I don't really have anything deep to say about what I just saw but it needed to be said. You needed to be aware...

Some YouTube Fun!!!

2007-12-31T12:25:00.000-08:00

Here are some fun youtube videos that I found this past vacation up in the PNW (pronounced P-N-DUB). Thanks to my little sis telling me about the bear. miss you Hales! Well have fun with this and Happy New Year to you all.

Bear vs. Trampoline

Wedding Dance

Southwest Commercial

Philinthecircle (an amazing...AMAZING artist)

I'm back in So Cal

2007-12-30T15:40:00.000-08:00

It is true and sad at the same time. I am so blessed to have gone up to the PNW (Pacific North West) and spend some great time with my family. I love them all so much and miss them already. However...I am super excited for what God has for us in 2008. Obviously, if you didn't know, we are going to have a baby girl (Sydney Claire), and from a ministry stand point I just have a feeling that God is preparing Holly and I for something, I just can't put my finger on it. I know that sounds vague but that is the little voice I have been hearing ever since I went on vacation in the PNW. Except the little voice was loud and constant.

In my last post I asked people how long their Christmas was as far as opening presents goes. My Christmas lasted 5 mins, it was great. All we did with my PNW family were stocking stuffers. Anything you can fit in a stocking was the present. I got a lot of candy, some gift certificates, some parabin free deodorant and face wash, more candy, and a whoopie cushin! What we decided to do was try to help some families from the flood areas in Washington. Needless to say we weren't able to because our contact never got a hold of us but we were willing and at the ready. Not only that but I feel we didn't perpetuate the unnecessary gift giving of STUFF we don't really need. Please, if you have not seen the video, check out the Story About Stuff at Micah Risinger's Blog site. One of the other differences I tried to make was making a gift for Holly from the heart. So I did, she loved it and it was fun to make. As a soon to be father I have been evaluating how I want to celebrate Christmas. Why is Christmas important? Is Christmas important? Why do we need to give gifts? Why do we need to give so many gifts? Is it more important to give gifts? By buying a gift(s) am I just contributing to STUFF and the way STUFF makes us feel or does it have meaning and a purpose? This could go on and on...here is another question I have now that I getting closer to being a father; Do I tell others to slow down or cease their giving to my daughter? Does she really deserved all this STUFF? Is the excessive gift giving to my daughter (I emphasize the word excessive because I completely understand the need for certain things that it takes to raise a child) actually for my daughter or how it makes the giver feel? Then I must ask the question, why does the giver need to feel this way? What does the giver gain from feeling these emotions that aren't really about the receiver but the giver? STUFF...what a sticky slope.

Moderation is an obvious answer but could that possibly be a bit of a compromise. Moderation sounds like a rationalization. What are you all doing about this? Is this something you think about?

Feliz Navidad!

2007-12-25T17:13:00.000-08:00

Hello my peoples in Blogger World! I have been spending my Christmases in Portland for the last 3 years. Never has it snowed to deliver that white Christmas. This year however I finally got my wish. After opening up the presents we were pleasantly surprised by snow coming down. It didn't stick but it was so much fun...and freakn' cold. My nice and nephew loved it so much; not as much as I did though. I turned into 5 year old boy at the sight of falling white flakes to the earth. I did take pictures but I won't be able to put any up right now...they will come shortly.

Here is a question I have for you all...

How long do you spend with your family opening presents?

Male Nurse Action Hero...

2007-12-20T11:16:00.000-08:00

To all my peoples, i am in the Pacific North West enjoying my family and the PNW lifestyle (420). Well i was in Powells, the biggest book store this side of the mississippi, and while i was walking around i ran into this... I'm an action hero! Yeah boy! I will keep you all posted on my trip of the PNW from Da Phone.

I Am Just A Student...

2007-12-13T10:27:00.000-08:00

Last night, December 12, 2007, was my last and final evening with theOVERFLOW youth group at The Grove Community Church. I had so many different emotions I could not even begin to explain what I felt like. But here are some of the feelings I did recognize: Joy, Happiness, Expectation, Satisfaction, Scared, Sadness, Hope for the future, theOVERFLOW, and many more (I think I am still processing). The evening was great. theOVERFLOW made a video that showed all of my summer camp characters, most of which were not that funny. They also had students come on stage and let me know what they thought of me...it was amazing! You never know exactly how people feel about you and till they tell you. It sounds ridiculous I know but it so encouraging and encouragement is what people in paid ministry need to hear. We want to know that what we are doing works and helps change lives...according to the students of theOVERFLOW...I changed lives. That feels really good to say.

I also got to play music with and for theOVERFLOW one last time which of course made my night. My voice is still not 100% due to an injury I received while playing football but I am glad that I couldn't sing. It allowed me to listen to the students sing at the top of their lungs and just enjoy the music. I've said it once and I'll say it again...High School students sing with abandonment. They don't care who is around them or what has affected their week. You could make the argument that they don't have to raise a family (stress) or maintain a "real" job (stress) but when you boil it down, they know how to relieve their relative stress because stress is all relative. Adults can learn so much from their passion and willingness to worship their God in an undignified manner; letting lose and not holding back.

One of the best items that theOVERFLOW gave me was a picture book full of letters written by the students. Each one was very personal with little memories of things that I had forgotten about.

There is no doubt that God has exciting things ahead for Holly and I but it is the weirdest most surreal feeling, NOT being on staff at The Grove. Lord thank you so much for allowing your servant to be apart of what you are doing at theOVERFLOW.

What Would Jesus Buy?

2007-12-11T22:14:00.001-08:00

I can't wait to see this movie. However, this is an interview of the infamous movie What Would Jesus Buy?, which, according to Trav, is worth seeing. The interview was done at Imago Dei in Portland, Oregon (Holly and I have been there and it is a great community doing miracles in the name of Jesus). Rick the pastor for Imago is interviewing the producer of the movie and it truly captures his heart in making this movie. Take a gander and let it marinate a bit on this one...

Spreading Christmas Cheer!!!

2007-12-07T22:13:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love this time of year. I love the music, the food, memories that are made, time off of school, going to Oregon to visit family and actually have a real winter...I love it all. I also love the funny things that are Christmas like egg nog (which I love), A Christmas Story, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation; you know...the classics. The internet has made some advancements on making Christmas that much more cheerful...
You are looking to Elf Yourself this year, please do so at this website www.elfyourself.com.

Here are a couple of examples of fun if you elf yourself. It is a lot of fun...seriously! The first one is of me and some of my boys. The second one is of Holly (my wife), Sara (our roommate), Curtis (Sara's boyfriend), and myself.

Just make sure to have the sound up...

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1233907342

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1233743044

God Grew Tired Of Us

2007-12-07T19:48:00.000-08:00

I really want to see this movie. The whole premise is close to those conversations we all have...you know the ones where what if someone from the middle ages stepped into the future, in 2007, and tried to live? How hard would it be? Well, this story is about bringing some men from Africa; from the war torn parts of Africa to the United States. It is a documentary from National Geographic and is narrated by Nicole Kidman. I don't think this movie will end up in the theaters but I am sure it will go to DVD. It is a movie like this that helps to bring balance to my life. You can never have too many examples of what balance should look like in the life of a Christian.

Not only that but any movie trailer that ends with a U2 song is an Oscar winning movie in my book!!!

The Story Of Stuff

2007-12-06T11:04:00.000-08:00

This is very important that all should watch and learn. This has been going around quickly amongst my blog buddies and I want to make sure that if you read my blog, you will know about this short film. Go to this blog (Audience of One) and watch the videos. They blew me away at all of the stuff I have bought into and now need to change for my little rodrigo (Sydney Claire. that is not her name but that is what I want to name her). It even gave some great history as to how we as a society have bought into the same mentality.

I strongly encourage you to educate yourself using these videos. While you stop by at Micah's blog give him some love for posting these remarkable videos. It they do not change you than I say to you...You have a heart of Black and you're not cool!

On a spiritual note:

The video on consumerism is a great tell tale sign of yourself, of myself. This section of video will show how one truly looks inside and what one will go through to make sure that person feels accepted, complete, and whole. No one wants to be told they don't need this or that. It really falls in line with my blog Green = Contentment

Ultra Sound

2007-12-05T11:40:00.000-08:00

Well here is the latest Ultrasound (US) that Holly has had done on little baby rodrigo. Everything is great. Holly's low-lying placenta has migrated away from her cervix (which is a good thing) and the baby is incredibly active. She was kicking the US transponder every time the tech would place it on Holly's belly. She was also doing flips and rolling around having fun...I guess. Let me explain what you are looking at from left to right. To the left-middle of the picture there is a spot that looks hollow...that is the heart. Going to the right you have the chest and then it curves down into black...that is the neck. Then you have the chin and lips and nose...this is a picture of her profile. If you look right around her lips you can see bubbles. She was swallowing the amniotic fluid and spitting it back out to make bubbles. My girl is talented! Doing flips, making bubbles...what's next...curing cancer from the womb??? Anyways...I posted 2 pictures for you to look at. One is without lines for you to gaze in amazement at the miracle of birth and the other is like a cheat sheet just in case you have no idea how to look at an US and my explanation sucks...we still have no name.

Holly Rodrigo :: Part 1 of many

2007-11-28T23:31:00.000-08:00

I love my wife. She is everything I need and then there are extras that I am still finding out. But with all of the new extras, I forget about some of the other things about Holly. Believe it or not I forget that she is short and little. I have my moments when the planets align and I am blown away at how small she is. There are also times I forget my Holly does not like small confined spaces. She has only had two panic attacks (both on planes) but she almost...Almost blew up on the Finding Nemo ride at Dland. Here is a picture of the makings of a blow up...I know this is bad but I just started laughing, but at the same time, rubbing her back in comfort and trying my hardest to distract her from the claustrophobia. It happened so fast all I could do was laugh. Sorry I'm a jerk...a brown Puerto Rican jerk.
Like I said before...Holly is short. There is 1 feet and 2 and a half inches between us. But there are people, who aren't midgets, that are shorter than Holly...that is just crazy to me. So what do I do...I take a picture of the anomaly.

Baby Rodrigo...

2007-11-27T21:04:00.000-08:00

So I just heard the heart beat of my lovely Baby Rodrigo with my stethoscope. I felt for the baby, pushed and prodded on Holly's belly, found baby's back and placed the stethoscope on her back and listened... woo woo woo woo woo woo woo woo woo woo woo woo woo
It is really, really quiet but it is there and fast. I can't wait to meet her!!! She doesn't really like me pushing in on her space to hear her heart though. She pushes back and it sounds really loud through the stethoscope; not really pleasant.

Milk...Does It Really Do The Body Good?

2007-11-26T22:19:00.000-08:00

In my Google Reader I have a feed to this cartoon artist that makes these weird, interesting, cliche, not so cliche cartoons. I came across this cartoon and obviously it caught my attention. Not many "Christian Artists" would venture this far off main stream...but it happened, and it worked,and it caught my attention like it is catching yours as you read, mmmha ha ha!!

Well I know what I think about this picture...what conjures up in your soul when you gander at this piece of art? By the way this is supposed to be about the church.

Thinking About It

2007-11-26T22:11:00.000-08:00

I was really perplexed as to why I am not that sad that Dan & Alyssa are leaving. I was befuddled by my mood when I knew Bill & Patty were going to be gone as well. Then it hit me by joe... distance between me and my family has never really bothered me. I am a product of a divorced family that is separated by 2000+ miles. I live in So. Cal closer to my mom's family and dad's family lives in Ohio. I get to see them every once in a while but we start right where we left off; except we get older. I guess for me, it isn't new to have my family in different parts of the country. I actually like it. Ahh don't you love it when something bothers you and then you figure it out...it adds a sense of closure to it all doesn't it.?.

Rev Rock :: AKA :: Dan Lance

2007-11-26T14:34:00.000-08:00

I can speak in front of people. I can perform in front of people. I can preach in front of people. Today, at lunch I had many chances to tell my good friend Rev Rock what I love about him and what he means to me. Maybe I choked at the opportunity, maybe I didn't feel eloquent at the time. I do know that I don't regret not saying anything; here is why? I just feel like I will see Dan again someday and it will feel like the same. There are few friends I can say that about. The kind that you can start right where you left off. I think Dan is one of those friends; so I didn't need to make a speech about how much I am going to miss him. If anything, Holly and I have a new vacation spot. Now we have 3; Trav & Annette, Bill & Patty, and now Dan & Alyssa.

Now to make a speech about what Mr. Rock has done for me in front of 30+ people, to me, is not appropriate. But...to post, for all of bloggdom to read...now that's classic!!!

I lead musical worship. I would consider myself a good singer. I would consider myself a good guitar player. I have never had problem leading people through a song whether it was the band I was leading or a group of people singing with me. I was choir president for my high school so I would lead whole choral arrangements whenever the choir director was gone. So needless to say I have no problem with leading music and having people follow me in song. When I started leading music at The Grove I thought that it was an easy job because I can do all that I have mentioned but looking back, I was not enabling people to usher themselves into the presence of God through a common language like music.

Enter Dan Lance from, to me, Redding California. He took over the College group at VCC and brought a certain style of freedom in leading people through musical worship. I didn't like it. To me, whenever he led, his style was distracting. I didn't get why he would move away from the mic and just sing at the top of his lungs to the ceiling. It is unconventional and not conducive to leading people in musical worship. But the more he led in this way the more I understood that he was leading himself in musical worship and not just the audience. Once I understood this my ability to sing, play, and lead all came together for the glory of One. What I am saying is that because of Dan Lance, my style of leading people in music has freed me to be the music leader I am today. When I lead I do care about if people are going to get it but in the end, by the last song in the set, I am only concerned about what I am giving to God. Sure I have made my own style but the foundation I have is because of Dan Lance. The foundation I speak of is just being myself. Backing away from the mic to scream at the top of my lungs is me giving myself and acting undignified.

Dan thank you so much for showing me the truth about being caught between a song and a scream...

AIDS and The Magic Bullet

2007-11-21T10:22:00.000-08:00

The disease process of HIV/AIDS, as most of us know, has no known cure. For many in our world today, you could say that this information could cause a bit of anxiety to know that death is imminent. Death is imminent for everyone but what if you could place a time limit on your life; say 2-10 years until life ends. Many pharmaceutical companies are searching for the Magic Bullet through millions of dollars of research and development to find THE cure for AIDS. One such company thought they had a vaccine but through doing research about the vaccine they have found that this particular vaccine actually makes you more susceptible to the virus.

I don't believe that there will be a vaccine but there is a cheaper Magic Bullet that could help prevent AIDS...Education, Teaching.
If you have time I invite you to read this article. AIDS Article

Questions to Think About:
1. Do you know anyone with HIV/AIDS?
2. Have you been tested for HIV? (I am going to get tested even though I know I don't have HIV/AIDS. My thinking is being proactive in doing away with the stigma of being tested)
3. Do you think everyone should be tested?
4. Do you think you should be tested?
5. Is there a stigma with testing for HIV/AIDS?
6. How much do you really know about HIV/AIDS?

Just In Case...

2007-11-20T20:02:00.000-08:00

Lakers 134 Pacers with a big fat LOSE

Education part II

2007-11-20T19:41:00.001-08:00

So in our Abnormal Psych class we have been giving presentations about different Abnormal Psych stuff and one of the presentations was on Narcolepsy. At the end of the presentation was a video that made my day. It so funny and sad, but mostly funny. I hope you enjoy...

Competition

2007-11-20T19:06:00.000-08:00

So many of you know that I LOVE competition. Love it! I also love trash talking and smack talking. If you don't know the difference here it is...smack talking happens during the moment. I love seeing the agony of defeat on peoples faces when they lose, like when I told Annie the Oz that her team won camp competitions. She jumped for joy with elation only to hear me say, "oops, I made a mistake you didn't win." You could imagine her dismay. Or the many times my boys and I dominate at The New Years Eve Partay. I even compete, even though she doesn't realize it, with my pregnant wife Holly. Fun times! I just love competition. That is all this blog is about. Oh...and to share one of my favorite clips from Scrubs of all times...enjoy