CPA Trek to D.C.

Call me naive but after taking my trip to D.C. I am optimistic about our country. My MAcc program took us to Washington D.C. for the week to visit several regulatory bodies. Wow, what a week! We stayed at the Harrington Hotel, just a block from the IRS, Justice Department, FBI, and the Mall in general. Fantastic location…less than stellar hotel--we weren’t even able to bring our computers for fear or getting them stolen. I would totally stay there as a guy but I would never take a family there.

We first visited the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC). In the very room where the five Commissioners meet, we met and spoke with several members of the organization. My favorite speaker was Jason Flemmons who is in the Enforcement Function (Forensics) with the SEC; basically, he catches the fraudsters and brings them to justice. I was very encouraged by the sophistication of the forensic accountants at the Capital.

Then we had a (literally) once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sit in the boardroom for the Board of Governors in the Federal Reserve. This is the room that Ben Bernanke and the rest of the Board meet and dictate the monetary policy for our country, directly or indirectly affecting the entire world. This room is arguably the most powerful room (in a secular sense) on earth. We had a former professor at William & Mary, who works at the Fed, present to us in the room. Right before the presentation, I actually saw Bernanke walk by in the hallway. Many people don’t like him right now. That must be why there is so much security getting into the building—it took us over an hour to get through the doors and we were the only people visiting. Being in that room was an experience I’ll never forget as a business geek. Wow! Since we couldn't take any pictures inside, below is a photo of it with no other than the Bernanke himself.

One of the takeaways from my visit to the Fed was the realization that we are in the most capable hands when it comes to monetary policy. The lowly employee, Seth Carpenter, who presented to us is one of over 200 PHD economists who work there. Carpenter is a Princeton-bred genius who knows what he is talking about. Hearing him speak and enjoying his grasp on the economy was enriching and faith-building. Again, he is just “one of the guys” at the Fed. My point is, I feel that the Board of Governors are doing the best they know how to fix our economy. I truly feel that way. I didn’t before this trip. I may not agree with this “monetary easing”, but neither I nor 99 percent of the people who bicker about the economy really can offer any better solution to the problem.

On the other hand, many informed individuals acknowledge that no one person or group of people are to blame for the Great Recession we are trying to climb out of. The root of the economic uppercut was lack of self regulation on all levels. It wasn’t just the Congress' pressure on banks to ease up on loan applicants, it wasn’t just the greedy financial markets or those who selfishly insured them. It was everyone combined. I could go on about this in a whole separate post, but I’ll spare you the bore this time.

The next day we got to meet with leaders from the Government Accountancy Office (GAO). I know that sounds like something you’d read about to cure insomnia but hearing them was so fascinating! These are the auditors for the Federal government. They make sure D.C. is running an honest ship. Jeanette Franzel, Managing Director of Financial Management and Assurance, was very impressive. She boosted my confidence in the future economics of our country by her competence and vision. With bailouts in many industries (auto, banking) and overhauls in others (healthcare and education), many especially including me are worried the direction our country is going. Is there any check on our government? Are this major transactions honest? Well, for four years, the GAO didn’t give the IRS or the SEC an unqualified opinion, and the Department of Defense isn’t even auditable. But, she explained that each audited agency in the government has now received an unqualified opinion. She regularly meets with agencies to hold them accountable for budgets. Her insights, determination, and clear independence bring me great confidence in our future. And she brought to light the fact that the government is not only taking its stake out of the banking and auto industry (and soon AIG), it has made a multi-billion dollar return on our tax dollars. Well, they did something right J

We aren't a perfect country but there is great hope in the future of our nation. We need to pray for and actively seek out good, honest leaders. We need to be self regulated and encourage others to do the same. Can we forget God's sweet assurance in his repeated words: "inasmuch as ye keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land." Has He ever broken His promises?

A Taste of Williamsburg!

One Saturday, I decided to take a drive down the Colonial Parkway. This road has quickly become my designated "ponder road". It is one of those roads that help you really relax, clear your mind, and reconnect with the beauties of reality. The road up Provo Canyon is my equivalent in Utah and Foothill Road in Ventura is my favorite in California. Look at how beautiful our country is:

God truly is the Great Artist. How can you see this world and not have your faith strengthened?

Back In The Field

My time as a missionary in New England was paramount in my life. Serving my Savior every moment, representing Him, was the most special, invigorating, and humbling experience of my life. I literally gave my mission all of my heart. Oh, what a special time in my life! Now I also absolutely loved my time at Brigham Young University. I wouldn’t change my time there for the world.

Even so, I am amazed to find that I’m growing in ways never thought possible by being back in the mission field. A year ago I would have laughed at anyone who told me I would be in Williamsburg, Virginia right now. But around Thanksgiving 2009, I felt like I should apply to the College of William & Mary, not even knowing which state the school resides in. To my continual amazement, I find a reason almost daily of why I am supposed to be here.

One major blessing of being here is the opportunities for missionary work. We’ve had a baptism in our little branch of 30 or 40 every few weeks. It’s amazing! I want to share the story of just one of them.

Walter Finley is one of the sweetest young men I know. He has a condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a chronic illness that continuously reduces his muscle power, lending him helpless without his electronic wheelchair. As illustrated in the picture below, he never ceases to smile. He comes from a rough home background, he has limitations in his future options, and he will never live a normal life on this earth. Yet, he smiles. He smiles every time I see him. What a powerful lesson.

The first night I met Walter, I was at a branch dance. A member of our congregation had brought Walter. I was so intrigued by his beaming smile juxtaposed to his virtually-immobile body. I gave him a quick tour of our building, something I used to absolutely love to do as a full-time missionary. The Spirit was so strong as we looked at and talked about various pictures on the walls. He gave me some great insights as we viewed the paintings.

While inside the dance, I watched as sweet young women would in turn walk up to Walter during the beginning of each slow song, rest their hand on his shoulder, grab his left hand to hold it up and dance with him. Watching that does something to you. It almost brings me to tears just thinking about it.

In the following weeks, Walter quickly felt like he was a part of something. He felt loved. He felt his true self worth. Most importantly, he felt the Spirit as he read from the Book of Mormon, attended church, and prayed. To our delight, he chose to be baptized!

It took three of us to baptize Walter. I'll never forget the experience of watching him come up out of the water! I am so blessed to know Walter.

Last Sunday he was able to pass the sacrament. Barely able to lift up his hand to grasp the tray, Walter reverently guided his chair through his assignment and performed his duty with great dignity. I was deeply touched by this special moment. I believe Walter has a special knowledge of what the sacrament means. He has great faith! We can all learn much from our brother Walter Finley.

Back In The "Swing" of Things

When I was about 13, my older brother Jaron taught me about the basics of swing dancing. I would watch in amazement as he lifted, twirled, spun, and whirled a young woman while miraculously earning a smile on her face. I decided that I wanted to become good at dancing someday. I don’t pretend that ballroom dancing has been my greatest passion in life but it has been one of my favorite hobbies when time permits.

This year at school I joined the ballroom dance club and have absolutely loved getting back into the “swing” of things. It’s a great break from the studies for me. I’ve been able to meet some of the kindest, driven, down-to-earth folks through the club.

This last month we had our first competition. It was held at the University of Maryland, just above D.C. I had a partner for Standard and for Rhythm. I was very humbled at the competition : ) Waltz, Cha Cha, and Swing (all of which I’ve known and performed for years) didn’t yield callbacks. Haha. But, somehow we got fourth place in both Rumba and Mambo and got callbacks in Quickstep, all of which I had just learned this year. Lesson: performance is often best when you have an I-have-nothing-to-lose attitude and just do your best.

What a fun time!

Fall Road Trip

I was standing among the very walls where the voices of the Founders rang over 200 years ago. This is the very place the signers of the Declaration of Independence and those of the Constitution tapped heaven to create the best union of history. You really can learn a lot about what happened in a historical event by feeling the spirit that accompanies the location of the event. I'm so grateful to have felt that spirit from it's home, strengthening my resolve to do all I can to ensure that spirit never dies in our country. It's the spirit of liberty and agency, which is the Spirit of Christ.

Independence Hall was the first stop on our Fall Break road trip up the east coast. Jeff Taylor, my friend, and I were both looking at grad schools and enjoying the historical sights along the way. It was so awesome! We started in D.C. early Monday morning and then headed to Philadelphia. Of course we did Independence Hall (as discussed above), and saw the Liberty Bell and Franklin's grave. We then checked out University of Pennsylvania and were very impressed with the collegiate feeling there. The buildings are beautiful! Jeff looked into the PhD program at the famous Wharton School of Business there while I took a look at the law school. And of course we couldn't leave the city without eating Philly cheese stakes. Man, that was a good sandwich! We enjoyed the city.

Next, we were on our way to New Haven, CT. We got there late afternoon, with a little daylight left. Yale is so incredible. It has an enchanting ambiance on the campus. They have a bell tower like at BYU (rather, BYU has one like at Yale, haha), and I caught them playing the timeless "Tale As Old As Time" from Beauty And The Beast. It was very nostalgic.

I got to go visit the law school there which must be the most extravagant law building in the country. It has a Gothic architecture with a heaven-reaching tower, vaulted ceilings, and very ornate wooden crown molding in the halls. The small-town feeling of Yale was a nice refreshment from the high-strung Philly scene.

After Yale, we headed yet further up the coast to Boston, where we stayed with a friend. The next morning we went to Cambridge and visited Harvard. It really is a beautiful campus, complete with an Ivy-League makeover. I only stopped by the famous business school to drop off Jeff, but I got to have some time at the law school. Quite the place! It'a fun to just dream and ponder at all of these schools.

Next we went to MIT, took a peak at the Boston Harbor (see below), and then headed to the Freedom Trail. I think Boston is one of my favorite big cities. I love the parks, the cleanliness, the history, the education, and even the weather (well compared to Maine, it's not too bad). It's probably mostly because it reminds me of my mission.

The Freedom Trail starts in Boston Commons (where the city's first settlers began) and then moves through Park Street Church (first place "My Country 'tis of Thee" was sung), then continues on to the resting place of several Founders: Samuel Adams (the instigator of the Boston Tea Party and leader of the Sons of Liberty), James Otis (who coined "taxation without representation is tyranny", and who died from lightening bolt), Paul Revere, and the famous signer and first Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, John Hancock. It is such a treat to learn about their lives from the tour guides. Following the graveyard, we went to the grammar school of Benjamin Franklin, saw the spot of the Boston Massacre, and then finish up with Faneuil Hall. Everyone in this country needs to do the Freedom Trail. It is awesome!

Well, after Boston, we headed back to Virginia, eating our year's-worth of fast-food along the way including several Wendy's Frosties and Wawa subs. Good times! In all, it was just a fantastic trip. I am so happy and grateful to be able to have these opportunities!

Shenandoah National Park

The trees blanket the soft sloping hills all around; it's as if hundreds of Paul Bunyan's children are hiding under fluffy blankets in every direction. The snap of cool air kisses the foliage bringing sweet blushes of reds, oranges, and yellows. Sunbeams pierce the few openings in the forest while illuminating the remaining green leaves in the trees. It's Fall in Virginia! No wonder Virginia is for lovers ;)

I had the chance to go up to Shenandoah National Park a week ago. My friends camped out but I couldn't because school was a little too intense that weekend. But I got to go on a great hike that led to a lovely waterfall (see below). The green moss looks electric against the shimmering black slate in the water's trail. It is beautiful! It reminds me a lot of a place in Utah called Provo Falls.

On our way up to the park, we passed Charlottesville (home of UVA) and Monticello (which is still on the to-do list!). Man, I really like this place. I'm so grateful to experience the beauty of another part of the world, even though it's only for a few months.

8/28 Restoring Honor Rally

The words, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America" meant more to me that day than just about ever. Standing, hand over heart, I got to pledge my allegiance to this country with half a million others. Where else can you do that with that many people? It was a powerful punch of pathos for all present. To sum up my impressions on the entire event, one word comes to mind: Hope.

I stayed the night the night before the Restoring Honor Rally near D.C. with a couple of my best friends. We woke up early Saturday morning and took the metro into D.C. One of the most impressionable elements of the whole experience was the travel time inside the train. I was surrounded by hundreds, thousands of good people. Everywhere I looked was the epitome of kindness, courtesy, respectability. If I could earn a dollar for each smile I saw, I'd be rich. Men were gentlemen, women were ladylike. I heard "pardon me", "after you", "would you like my seat", and "thank you" so many times. Clean language, clean dress, clean people! I felt like I could trust anyone around me, even with a child. It was very impressive and reassuring. Seeing this mix of people was a testimony to me that this event was a good thing. Look at the fruits. And, seeing this mix of people reminded me that there are many good people in this country and in the world.

Well, the metro dropped us off right outside George Washington University. Even though the bottlenecking of the station exit produced horrific heat and congestion, I never heard an angry expletive escape anyone. Good people.

My friends and I walked to the Mall where we joined around 500,000 supporters of restoring honor to our country. The massive crowds, though, didn't produce a feeling like an overgrown concert or anything rowdy at all. Plus, there were no demonstrations against the rally, only a couple of low-budget signs mocking Glenn Beck and venerating MLK. Ironically, the majority of those who spoke were African American, including Martin Luther King Jr.'s own neice, Dr. Alveda King.

Glenn Beck's simple call for our nation to return to Faith, Hope, and Charity was so powerful. But in order to appeal to so many, the rally included several interest groups that diluted that beautifully simple message. Nonetheless, I really think the rally was a great thing for our country. I think it gave courage to those seeking good in our country. I think it gave clout to the movement for a moral, small-yet-dignified American government. I'm so glad I was able to be a small part of the rally.

America has great hope!

Ragnar Relay

It's the peak of the afternoon sun, 90+ degrees, in beautiful-hilly Maryland, and it's my turn. Troy is coming in strong and he hands off the team wrist band. I steadily gallop away on a nice downhill slope, feeling great! Then, the 1,000 foot climb in under three miles faces me. After barely making it up alive, my team cheers me on. I never felt so much like Jason Bourne before in my life.

At about 2 a.m. it's my turn again. This time, the sun is gone. There is even a little breeze. The coolness invigorates me. We are now in farming country of lower Maryland. The moon is so bright you could get a moon burn. Endless wheat fields and slumbering livestock are exposed in the white glow. It's so peaceful. I am so distracted from all of it that the reality of running in the middle of the night does not sink in.

About twelve hours later, it's my last leg! I'm tired but excited! I start running through a familiar park in Kensington, Maryland. Melting and pretty tired, I turn a bend to see the LDS D.C. Temple and wow!

What a special experience for me. I can't describe it very well except that it touched me. I really feel it was a tender mercy that I got the one stretch of the 200 mile relay race to see the Temple. Wow! It was just one of those special times. I had been to this temple a few times before but it was just really awesome and it motivated me so much. Here is a picture I took on my leg:

So, I'll cut to the chase and let everyone know about what I am talking about. Some new friends over here invited me on this relay race (called the Ragnar Relay) from Cumberland, Maryland to Washington D.C. It's about 200 miles and there are 12 runners per team. Your team runs non-stop starting Friday morning and finishes during the afternoon or evening on Saturday. Each runner gets three legs of 3-11 miles each. So everyone runs a total of about 17 miles. It's a hairy beast and I wasn't really prepared for it but the blessings of youth were on my side :) It was an incredible experience. I think a smaller version would be so much fun to do as a family. It's quite the bonding experience to say the least.

We rented these giant vans and the girls wrote all over them. It's a costume event so teams wore things like tutus, kilts, wings, etc. People there went all out. We were villains and superheros and had on gaudy patches with our respective villain/hero. Who was I, you ask? They gave me Captain America!

Like most, I've always loved the outdoors, seeing new places (especially beautiful places), and trying to be active so this was such a great experience for me. Besides the smelly vans, lack of sleep, and insects, it was amazing! To give you a little taste of how beautiful it was, look at this picture I took on one of my legs:

To top it off, we ended the race right on the National Harbor. I took this just before our anchor runner came in. It was a beautiful evening:

Jamestown

I drove on a beautiful pebble-paved road that softly slices through the relentless foliage of Virginia. The sun burst through the leaves as it glided slowly toward the west horizon. Any sunlight remaining illuminated the smooth meadows, exposing the families of deer as they ate the grass. Geese flew in formation while gliding reverently across the James River. This is where it all began for our country (well, Roanoke was actually before but those settlers all vanished so we don't know the full story of that venture). Wow!

Though it was conceived for the sole purpose of profit, and although it failed once, and although its redeeming venture involved the source of the first lung cancer in America, this place represents the fibers of ingenuity and adventure deeply woven in our nation.

I went back with some friends and we sailed a ship (well, kind of), visited a fabulous museum full of interactive exhibits of 17th-century Britain, the Powhatan people, Christopher Newport (the main Captain on the voyage to Jamestown), the voyage of Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery, the Virginia Company Charter, and of course John Rolfe, John Smith, and Pocahontas. It was so much fun!

Next, we went into the three ship replicas. One of the most interesting things I learned here was that the ship wheel wasn't even conceived until around 1700. So all those big ships were steered by a long beam that was attached to the shaft for the rudder. I never knew.

They had several cannons on these ships. I learned that they didn't just use the conventional cannon ball, but they used ammo with a chain connecting two pieces and even ones with wooden cases full of shrapnel. Paul and I couldn't subdue our inner little-boy so we played around with these big guns:

Man, they really had small men back then :)

We also used oyster shells to help carve a canoe like the Powhatan people did. Here's the finished product:

The Lincoln Memorial

As my eyes glided up his statue, I felt a piercing sense of respect and honor for this simple politician from Illinois.

I turned to my left and let the simple eloquence of the Gettysburg Address brush me. To the right was inscribed Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address. This speech was humbly offered on March 4, 1865, as the Union's victory was virtually certain. The words are beautiful, full of hope and forgiveness. But the raw material of the speech is nothing but smoke alone. It is the context of this invocation that merits its notability.

Lincoln, having been stripped of any signs of health or youth, having severally maiming his marriage, and having watched the bloodiest war of U.S. history unfold before him against his deepest pleas, had every earthly right as President to wave the swift and heavy arm of justice upon the South. He never wanted a war. He never even wanted to force the emancipation of slavery. But in a solemn effort to save the God-given union, he fought. He fought not for his own freedom but for the freedom and union of others. Stop and think about that. He was heavily pressured by Radical Republicans, peers, to bring punitive action to the South. Yet, we see His speech. His speech, in which he rhetorically knelt down and humbly forgave the South, welcomes back all to the United States of America. Think of that! What a man. What a leader. What a man of God. Quiet mercy in the cacophony of justice.

After this stunning act of love--just five weeks later--this special man was shot in the skull in cold blood resulting in a long, agonizing death.

Here is a man who strove for unity in a divided country. Here is a man who honored the rule of law and who defended the Constitution even when it meant honoring his vehement enemy of slavery. Here is a life bathed in sacrifice for his country, for others, for everything but himself.

I couldn't help but cry as a flood of gratitude for this man washed over me, chocking me with emotion. This monument will always be a special place for me.

I Love History

So I consider myself the luckiest man alive. I'm going back Back East for school. I lived all around New England for two years as a missionary, seeing more of that area of our beautiful nation than anyone could hope for. But now I have 9 more months on this side of the country, but in Williamsburg, VA.

After taking my challenging AP U.S. History class with Mrs. Dowler in high school I developed a veracious appetite for our country's history. Teaching hundreds of students about our American Heritage during my undergraduate experience at BYU made me appropriately sold to the prospect of attending the College of William & Mary for graduate school.

For the next several months, I'm going to document my adventures on this blog. My goal is to tempt anyone who reads this to come out and touch the wealth of history here that is yours and that is mine.

His Last Week

I do not attempt to understand the complexities and entirety of the great ordeal the Savior Jesus Christ underwent during the sunset of his life. But, after studying the Savior's last week for some time now, and because I have the blessing of visiting Jerusalem in a month, I decided to share what I know to be true.

As prophesied by Isaiah and Zechariah (Isaiah 62:11; Zech. 9:9) the Savior road into Jerusalem for the last time on Sunday (Matthew 21:1-11). He also walked to the outskirts of the Holy City and wept over it (Luke 19:41-44).

The next day, Monday, the Savior cursed the leaved yet barren fig tree--a very powerful metaphor. After this object lesson, the Lord cleared the temple for the second and last time, only escalating the Jewish leadership's vehement distaste for the Savior. (Matt 21)

Tuesday, the Lord predicted the destruction of the temple and taught several parables concerning questions on authority. Also during this day, Judas arranged the betrayal of the Lord for 30 pieces of silver. Some say this would be worth roughly $4,000 today.

On the Thursday of the week, the Lord took his disciples into an upper room. There, Jesus washed the feet of the Twelve (John 13: 3-10) pronouncing them clean. He also had kept the Passover meal as it was the first day of the feast of unleavened bread. Following, He instituted the sacrament (Matt. 26:1), and gave a discourse on the Comforter (John 16:7-16)

Then to the Garden of Gethsemane He went where the agony to balance every emotional, mental, physical pressure, pain, fear, or discomfort of each soul that ever has, or will live would be solemnly laid upon the Savior (Luke 22:42-46). This condition caused "the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore and to suffer both body and spirit." (D&C 19:18)

Upon the completion of this portion of the Atonement, having suffered all of it alone while his dearest apostles failed to comfort him because they fell asleep, a set of guards came for him. This action, spurred by one of his very apostles, marked the beginning of the end.

The Lord was brought before Annas who then sent him to Caiaphas, Annas' son in law (John 18:13, 24). By the time he was transferred to Pilate, Peter, the one who held the priesthood keys of the kingdom, as prophesied, denied his discipleship and association with the Savior thrice (John 18:25-26, Matthew 26:69-74). Jesus Christ had now been up the entire night. As Pilate found no fault with the Savior He was sent to Herod. After receiving no answers to his questions, Herod sent the Savior back to his late fancied associate Pilate (Luke 23:4-12).

After offering the release of a prisoner, as customary during the Passover season, Barabbas (ironically meaning "son of the father") an imprisoned murderer, was freed. The Jewish crowd pressured Pilate into crucifying the already flogged, beaten, spat-upon and mocked Lord with diabolical chants: "and they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified" (Luke 23:23).

So to Calvary or Golgotha (both meaning "skull") he went, the very last walk he would make in his mortal state. Too fatigued from the sheer weight of everything, he couldn't carry the cross himself. So "they compel[led] one Simon a Cyrenan, who passed by, coming out the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross" ( Mark 15:21)

For three hours (from about 9:00 a.m. to noon) he hung there in agony. People offered him wine mingled with myrrh to ease the pain, but he declined (Mark 15:23). Then for three more hours (noon to 3:00 p.m.) he hang in the darkness (Mark 15:33). Then at the ninth hour, or 3:00 p.m., He underwent the same cataclysmic, soul-wrenching experience of being alone, without support of His Father. As if all this weren't enough, the guards gave him vinegar to spite his piercing thirst.

As a sermon appropriately delivered from his elevated placement, He uttered His last words of, "It is finished" (John 19:30).

I have a knowledge of these events and am so grateful for the life, example, and Atonement of the Lord. My hope is that we may always remember these things and live accordingly.

Life Is Short

"Dan, uhh...this is Dad," my dad began his phone message as he usually did. But this time, his voice sounded a little more sober than usual. He continued, "John and Mike rolled the truck on their way back to Utah. They are OK but I thought you should know." Immediately I called my little brother, hoping the second part of my father's message was, indeed, true.

He was OK. I then left the party I was at and headed down to Cedar City to pick up him and Mike. After three hours of anticipation on the road, I pulled up to a hole-in-the-wall Mexican food hut where my shaken-up brother and his friend were found.

I gave John a huge hug, then he looked down at himself and said, "Man, I ruined my jacket." That is so John. He then told me what had happened:

"We were driving 80 mph on a clear road and then came up to an overpass. Apparently, the top of the overpass was full of black ice. We slid to the right and hit the right barrier and flipped. Then we slid upside down for about 300 feet. After we stopped, I turned to Mike while hanging upside down and made sure he was OK. Mike then saw two white lights coming towards us. He closed his eyes and the oncoming car hit us. After we stopped moving I dropped out of my seat and kicked my door open. Miraculously, we made it out alive."

I could have lost my brother two days ago. So often we see through the lens of denial: "That never happens to me." Well, it almost did to me. I think we can cherish our loved ones more than we do. You never know when those we love are gone.

Edwin Mccain

So Edwin Mccain is one of my favorite artists out there. I think he has genuine lyrics and a classy, refreshing style. He's well known for his timeless "I'll Be" and "I Could Not Ask For More". But my favorite song is not found anywhere in the MP3 world. I've tried to download "Shooting Stars" to no avail. Even Amazon and iTunes has failed me. But there is a great website called BeeMP3.com that enables you to at least listen to it. So to all my faithful followers (basically just Kyrsten), enjoy this audio feast:

	Edwin McCain - Shooting Stars .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Scuba

So I just started a scuba class. Among my many lessons learned, here are my choicest:

1. If you are a nose breather, don't scuba dive.
2. There are small jelly fish at the bottom of the pool. Oh wait, those aren't jelly fish.
3. It is very disturbing to have a floating hairball run into you.
4. There are few things more disturbing than seeing nasal "stuff" gliding in front of you.
5. But there is absolutely nothing more disturbing than accidentally turning your view toward the water aerobics area of the pool.
6. Never ever open your mouth while in a swimming pool; the water may look clean but trust me, you have no idea!
7. Don't relieve your waters in the pool. No really! You can't hide it in scuba class.

Some of my artwork

Being put in the lower-level reading group in first grade was easy to discover as I quickly noticed that almost every kid in my cohort was either extremely "slow" or speaking Spanish as his/her first language. Needless to say, I didn't feel very good about myself. But my second-grade teacher, Mrs. Bradbury, complimented me on my artwork and made me feel like I had a talent. Not only did that self confidence boost dramatically ratchet up my academic trajectory, but it also spurred a lifelong hobby of artwork. I'll never forget the lesson that wonderful woman taught me during such formative years. Well, the intricacies and communication of the human face have always intrigued me so I've tried to capture some of that in my work. Here are a few of my pieces:

Beautiful Innocence

Little Emma

Good Times

Grandma Harp

Grandpa Harp

Attempt at Still-life

LA Temple

He Knows the Way

Pondering

Intensity

Pete

Pretzel Boy

Acquainted with Grief

Submissiveness

Sunset

Strange Man

De Vinci Sketch

My Bodyguard

John Chillin'

Palestinian Shepherd