Saturday, September 6, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
The past & the future
Wow...it's been four years in Boston and one year in the South End. What a great year it's been! Praise God. First, here's my upcoming schedule:
9/15-16: Teaching a defense contractor in Denver
9/22-26: Teaching a Canadian military supplier in Montreal. Oui oui!
10/2-6: Teaching the public in Albuquerque. Coincidentally, the same week as the Albuquerque balloon festival. Woo-hoo!
10/27-30: Teaching the public in DC. My first time teaching our hardest course, and my fourth time in the DC area this year.
11/3-7: Teaching the public at our headquarters in Natick.
12/1-5: Teaching the public in Los Angeles. With luck, I'll be able to see another Price is Right taping!
12/8-12: Teaching the public in DC again. My 5th time in the DC area this year.
Now as for the past year, when I moved in to the South End (check out the link--my first attempt at a custom Google map!), it was a risk. I'm paying 50% more rent than I was living out in Allston. This is due both to the neighborhood (the South End is one of the most up & coming places in Boston) and the upgrade from a studio to a one bedroom. Thus, to justify the increase, I had set a goal with God & myself: that it would be a place for others to come and be comfortable. In particular, here have been some specific goals I had set:
1. That I would keep the place relatively clean.
2. That I would have others over to share common interests.
3. That I would have a place that people would want to come back to.
4. That I would have a place men could stay overnight who wanted to/needed to.
Other goals in the past year included:
5. Getting more involved at church
6. Running a 5k.
So how has it gone? Well, there have been some disappointments:
1. The 5k never happened, nor did it come close. The best I did during any training was one consecutive mile running. I just don't like running. I wish I experienced the "runner's high" that others talk about, but nothing of the sort ever happened.
2. I've gotten somewhat more involved in church, but I'm still nowhere near where I'd like to be. In particular, the weekend community group that I had been part of dissolved, and I haven't plugged into another one due to my travel schedule.
More importantly, though, a lot has gone well:
1. I have kept this place relatively clean; clean enough that when I have friends over, it takes no more than 30 minutes to get it in a state for people to come.
2. Praise God for meetup.com! I've gotten involved in a couple of groups there; the key ones have been a Settlers of Catan group and a Killer Bunnies meetup (thank you Rusty!). My niche here in Boston really has been all about the gaming. Anyway, I've hosted both those meetups at my place several times, to the point where the regulars now know exactly where to go when they need to get utensils or napkins.
3. I had my first real test at having someone over when a great, goldy friend and college roommate, Matt Patton, came and stayed at my place for two nights a couple of weeks ago. We had a great time. He seemed quite comfortable on the futon and the day we had together went really well. I actually had the Settlers of Catan meetup group above over that night and made Swedish Meatballs and garlic bread for everyone...good stuff.
So I've renewed the lease for another year (no rent increase!) and am working on my goals for this next year. One of them will be to get to know my neighbors better this year. Other things I'm learning right now:
1. That once I have feelings for a woman, they can be rekindled even if I think you're over the person. You can see my post from last year detailing a crush I had on a non-Christian. Well, I had been mostly avoiding talking to her to protect myself, but last week ran into to her and chatted for a while. Yup, the feelings rushed back. They seem to be gone for the time being, but I know I need to be careful about doing that again.
2. To focus on the future, not the past. I'm reading Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure by D. Martin Lloyd-Jones, and this is one of the key points he makes. It's easy for me to think about the way things were in Illinois and wonder why they aren't the same in Boston, but I can't think that way. I'm learning to be joyful for what God has given me here (a lot of which became clear when Matt was here and we talked about how I've been doing.)
Later!
9/15-16: Teaching a defense contractor in Denver
9/22-26: Teaching a Canadian military supplier in Montreal. Oui oui!
10/2-6: Teaching the public in Albuquerque. Coincidentally, the same week as the Albuquerque balloon festival. Woo-hoo!
10/27-30: Teaching the public in DC. My first time teaching our hardest course, and my fourth time in the DC area this year.
11/3-7: Teaching the public at our headquarters in Natick.
12/1-5: Teaching the public in Los Angeles. With luck, I'll be able to see another Price is Right taping!
12/8-12: Teaching the public in DC again. My 5th time in the DC area this year.
Now as for the past year, when I moved in to the South End (check out the link--my first attempt at a custom Google map!), it was a risk. I'm paying 50% more rent than I was living out in Allston. This is due both to the neighborhood (the South End is one of the most up & coming places in Boston) and the upgrade from a studio to a one bedroom. Thus, to justify the increase, I had set a goal with God & myself: that it would be a place for others to come and be comfortable. In particular, here have been some specific goals I had set:
1. That I would keep the place relatively clean.
2. That I would have others over to share common interests.
3. That I would have a place that people would want to come back to.
4. That I would have a place men could stay overnight who wanted to/needed to.
Other goals in the past year included:
5. Getting more involved at church
6. Running a 5k.
So how has it gone? Well, there have been some disappointments:
1. The 5k never happened, nor did it come close. The best I did during any training was one consecutive mile running. I just don't like running. I wish I experienced the "runner's high" that others talk about, but nothing of the sort ever happened.
2. I've gotten somewhat more involved in church, but I'm still nowhere near where I'd like to be. In particular, the weekend community group that I had been part of dissolved, and I haven't plugged into another one due to my travel schedule.
More importantly, though, a lot has gone well:
1. I have kept this place relatively clean; clean enough that when I have friends over, it takes no more than 30 minutes to get it in a state for people to come.
2. Praise God for meetup.com! I've gotten involved in a couple of groups there; the key ones have been a Settlers of Catan group and a Killer Bunnies meetup (thank you Rusty!). My niche here in Boston really has been all about the gaming. Anyway, I've hosted both those meetups at my place several times, to the point where the regulars now know exactly where to go when they need to get utensils or napkins.
3. I had my first real test at having someone over when a great, goldy friend and college roommate, Matt Patton, came and stayed at my place for two nights a couple of weeks ago. We had a great time. He seemed quite comfortable on the futon and the day we had together went really well. I actually had the Settlers of Catan meetup group above over that night and made Swedish Meatballs and garlic bread for everyone...good stuff.
So I've renewed the lease for another year (no rent increase!) and am working on my goals for this next year. One of them will be to get to know my neighbors better this year. Other things I'm learning right now:
1. That once I have feelings for a woman, they can be rekindled even if I think you're over the person. You can see my post from last year detailing a crush I had on a non-Christian. Well, I had been mostly avoiding talking to her to protect myself, but last week ran into to her and chatted for a while. Yup, the feelings rushed back. They seem to be gone for the time being, but I know I need to be careful about doing that again.
2. To focus on the future, not the past. I'm reading Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure by D. Martin Lloyd-Jones, and this is one of the key points he makes. It's easy for me to think about the way things were in Illinois and wonder why they aren't the same in Boston, but I can't think that way. I'm learning to be joyful for what God has given me here (a lot of which became clear when Matt was here and we talked about how I've been doing.)
Later!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
JFK's having a bad day
JFK (the airport) is having a really bad day...apparently thunderstorms came in right when all the international flights arrived, and they've been diverted all over the place. By my count, Boston--almost 200 miles away--has gotten 14 of these flights, from all sorts of destinations, including Rochester (NY), San Fran, L.A., London, and even Seoul, South Korea (I wish I could've seen the Korean Air airplane at Logan!) Other airports that got flights appear to include Pittsburgh, Hartford, DC (Dulles), Providence, and Atlantic City, NJ (which doesn't even have commercial service!)
Man, I'm glad I don't have to use that airport!
Man, I'm glad I don't have to use that airport!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Weddings
Greetings from Albuquerque! I just attended my 10th wedding since 2002:
1. Matt & Trina Patton (Sept. 2002)--the first of my friends to get married. They now have four kids.
2. Thang & Katie Tran (June 2003)--Reception was a 5 minute walk from my apartment.
3. Andrew & Allison Sommers (August 2004)--Andrew had been my roommate for 2 years.
4. John & Vieylana Kim (August 2004)--drove through a hurricane to get there.
5. Peter & Erin Krol (Sept. 2004)--drove through another hurricane to get there.
6. Jeff & Jenni Marner (Oct. 2005)--reception was at an Amish kitchen in Illinois. Yummmmm :-).
7. Gina & David Patten (July 2006)--spent an extra day in Chicago. Awesome.
8. Tom & Beth Gentry (March 2007)--Richmond, IN, and I barely knew anyone. But it was good to catch up with Tom & Val.
9. Jonathan & Becky Evenden (Nov. 2007)--the surprise of the century :-).
10. Greg & Valerie Mackey (June 2008)--Set a record for fewest people I knew at one of these weddings, two. Greg was one.
Wow--10 weddings, not counting the one I couldn't make when I was in Sweden and several other friends who have gotten married as well. I do admit I'd like it to be my turn soon, but we'll see what the Lord has planned. As of now, the next wedding I'm attending is my sister's wedding, next May.
Oh, you're wondering who the other person was at Greg's wedding that I knew? Nancy Parks, a former teacher & colleague at Parkland Community College in Champaign, IL! I knew she had moved here to Albuquerque, but I had no idea she knew Greg, so I was quite surprised when I saw her appear at the church. I finally got to meet her husband as well. They also kept the whole thing short...the ceremony started at 4, and the reception ended at 7:15. No dancing. I didn't complain :-).
Alright...off to figure out how to spend my free day here tomorrow!
1. Matt & Trina Patton (Sept. 2002)--the first of my friends to get married. They now have four kids.
2. Thang & Katie Tran (June 2003)--Reception was a 5 minute walk from my apartment.
3. Andrew & Allison Sommers (August 2004)--Andrew had been my roommate for 2 years.
4. John & Vieylana Kim (August 2004)--drove through a hurricane to get there.
5. Peter & Erin Krol (Sept. 2004)--drove through another hurricane to get there.
6. Jeff & Jenni Marner (Oct. 2005)--reception was at an Amish kitchen in Illinois. Yummmmm :-).
7. Gina & David Patten (July 2006)--spent an extra day in Chicago. Awesome.
8. Tom & Beth Gentry (March 2007)--Richmond, IN, and I barely knew anyone. But it was good to catch up with Tom & Val.
9. Jonathan & Becky Evenden (Nov. 2007)--the surprise of the century :-).
10. Greg & Valerie Mackey (June 2008)--Set a record for fewest people I knew at one of these weddings, two. Greg was one.
Wow--10 weddings, not counting the one I couldn't make when I was in Sweden and several other friends who have gotten married as well. I do admit I'd like it to be my turn soon, but we'll see what the Lord has planned. As of now, the next wedding I'm attending is my sister's wedding, next May.
Oh, you're wondering who the other person was at Greg's wedding that I knew? Nancy Parks, a former teacher & colleague at Parkland Community College in Champaign, IL! I knew she had moved here to Albuquerque, but I had no idea she knew Greg, so I was quite surprised when I saw her appear at the church. I finally got to meet her husband as well. They also kept the whole thing short...the ceremony started at 4, and the reception ended at 7:15. No dancing. I didn't complain :-).
Alright...off to figure out how to spend my free day here tomorrow!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Upcoming schedule
It's been a while, so here's my upcoming schedule...
June 6-9: In Albuquerque, NM at a friend's wedding. Congrats Greg!
June 19-20: Teaching Stateflow at a NASA contractor, Houston, TX. I'm staying an extra day to take the Johnson Space Center tour (I took the Kennedy Space Center tour in Florida last year.)
July 1-3: Teaching MATLAB & Signal Processing at Northrop Grumman in Rolling Meadows, IL. I taught there last year and had a lot of fun. To my Chicago-land friends, will you be around?
July 21-25: Teaching the Signal Processing courses in Toronto. Yay!
August 8: My 30th birthday! I don't know what I'll be doing, but it sure will NOT be training! :-)
August 18-22 & 25-29: Training somewhere (or much more likely, two different somewheres.) Don't know where yet.
Later!
June 6-9: In Albuquerque, NM at a friend's wedding. Congrats Greg!
June 19-20: Teaching Stateflow at a NASA contractor, Houston, TX. I'm staying an extra day to take the Johnson Space Center tour (I took the Kennedy Space Center tour in Florida last year.)
July 1-3: Teaching MATLAB & Signal Processing at Northrop Grumman in Rolling Meadows, IL. I taught there last year and had a lot of fun. To my Chicago-land friends, will you be around?
July 21-25: Teaching the Signal Processing courses in Toronto. Yay!
August 8: My 30th birthday! I don't know what I'll be doing, but it sure will NOT be training! :-)
August 18-22 & 25-29: Training somewhere (or much more likely, two different somewheres.) Don't know where yet.
Later!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
The long way around
Check out this flight path from Charlotte to Boston.
That's the long way around. According to my calculations, a flight that's normally 727 miles took 1192 due to storms in the northeast.
That's the long way around. According to my calculations, a flight that's normally 727 miles took 1192 due to storms in the northeast.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
"One More Time"--Disciple
"Another night I sit alone
Another night my heart is so heavy
I can’t believe that it’s beating on it’s own
I know You tell me to be glad when trials come to me but instead
I always question if You love me at all
But I know You know me Jesus
I know You listen to my cry
I need You to come inside
And I will praise and give You thanks
For You have lifted me to carry me one more time
I will praise and give You thanks
For You have lifted me to make me see my life is in Your hands
Seems like the ones I love the most when I am needing their affection
They’re never there and I’m left all alone
I know You tell me to be glad when trials come to me but instead
I always question if You love me at all
But I know You know me Jesus
I know You hear this prodigal’s cry
Father run to me tonight"
--Disciple, "One More Time" (from their Back Again album, 2003.)
Amen.
Another night my heart is so heavy
I can’t believe that it’s beating on it’s own
I know You tell me to be glad when trials come to me but instead
I always question if You love me at all
But I know You know me Jesus
I know You listen to my cry
I need You to come inside
And I will praise and give You thanks
For You have lifted me to carry me one more time
I will praise and give You thanks
For You have lifted me to make me see my life is in Your hands
Seems like the ones I love the most when I am needing their affection
They’re never there and I’m left all alone
I know You tell me to be glad when trials come to me but instead
I always question if You love me at all
But I know You know me Jesus
I know You hear this prodigal’s cry
Father run to me tonight"
--Disciple, "One More Time" (from their Back Again album, 2003.)
Amen.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Another version of "Ravine"
For those who don't know, this blog is named after the Ace of Base song Ravine, as I've felt for a while that I've been dwelling in a ravine since moving to Boston. You can read more about it in the very first post of this blog. In the meantime, here's a version of the song performed live in Chilé posted to Youtube just a couple of days ago:
Friday, March 21, 2008
How many attempts did this take?!
For those who used to play Super Mario Brothers on the Nintendo, you should appreciate this:
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Excuses, excuses
Did you ever know you needed to do something? You know, really wanted and needed to do it? But then, when you went to do it, you just froze. Totally froze. Knees buckled, excuses made, and a golden opportunity just slips away like it's nothing. Nothing...just like it would come along again. Not wanting to be kicked out of your comfort zone. Geez...I had the words ready, I had the implentation ready, and then...nothing. I just left. Sigh. Help me God! How can I be so afraid of something I've wanted for how many years now? Do I really want it, or is it just the idea that somehow gives me a warm-fuzzy?
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