Long Time, No Post

Remember when I used to post all the time? Like every day, practically?

Yeah ... that was fun, but it took a lot of time.

Life has gotten a little crazy recently, so my posting has slowed down.

But I'd just like to take a moment to say God is good. He's always good, but I'm particularly aware of his goodness tonight.

That's all. I'm out.

The Evil Eye

Hopefully this will make you smile on this Friday.

I'm Practically Famous

So I'm going to this music festival in July up in Denver.

I'm very excited.

Check out some of the bands who are playing:

[My main man] John Mayer, Colbie Caillat, Ingrid Michaelson, Brett Dennen, OneRepublic, Dave Matthews Band and more.

But here's some fun news! One of my co-workers has a son in the band Rose Hill Drive. They are playing that day too. I haven't heard of them before but I'm excited to check them out.

Here's one of their music videos ...



Rock on, friends.

Love

To love at all is to be vulnerable.

Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken.

If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal ...
Lock it up safe in the coffin of your selfishness.
But in that casket ... it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable ...

The only place outside Heaven where you can be perectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell.

-C.S. Lewis

Oh Baby

Say hello to my nephew.


Would you like more? Check out his blog.

He has his own blog? you ask.
Yes, yes he does.

Global Food Crisis

As I learn more about the Global Food Crisis, I become increasingly convinced that THIS is our opportunity to live out Proverbs 3:27-28.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow" — when you now have it with you.

What will you do?

You Guys Are Smart Fellers

I thought a banyan tree looked like this:


But apparently baby banyan trees look like this:


Weird, huh?

Here's a couple other interesting things about banyans ...

Today, the banyan is considered sacred in India and Pakistan, where it represents eternal life because of its seemingly ever-expanding branches.

Due to the complex structure of the roots and extensive branching, the banyan is extensively used for creating Bonsai.

And finally a little something for you to tuck away that might just come in handy some day.

The underground roots of a banyan species found in the Amazon are cut into 10 cm lengths, dried and smoked regularly to relieve pain. This practice originated in the Amazon. There are no visible side effects.

Thanks, Wikipedia.

Now It's Time to Play ...

Guess What This Is!

Nashville Doesn't Have 'Em All

Colorado Springs might not be able to claim much in the way of arts, but we should be proud that Jeff Caylor chooses to call it home.

Turn up your speakers and watch this tasty little treat.



Now that's what I call creative.

Hawaii Favorites

Rainbow Falls


Pololu Valley - this was my favorite place we went.



Black Sand Beach in Pololu Valley



Akaka Falls


Waipio Valley



Isaac Hale State Park Beach


Onamea Bay



Hot lava hitting the ocean.


This arch was made when hot lava pouring into the ocean cooled.

10 Things I Learned in Hawaii

1. Safety is a personal issue. In Hawaii, you're pretty much free to do whatever you want, wherever you want. You can hike, swim, climb or jump anywhere. But you're on your own as far as personal safety is concerned. There are tons of very steep cliffs, huge rocks and strong rip tides.

2. Lava is ugly. When you land at the Kona airport, it looks like you're landing on the moon. Thankfully, the east side of the island looks more like the Garden of Eden.

3. Cracks abound everywhere, especially on the beach. It seems some Hawaiians interpret "hang loose" quite literally.

4. Always wear your swimsuit. You never know when you're going to come across a lava-heated pool or hidden lagoon.

5. Hawaii is by far the cleanest state I've ever been in. (There's no trash service - everyone has to take their own trash to the "transfer stations.") And even those are clean!

6. If you're on the island for more than a day, you can be sure you'll run into the same people multiple times. Best to make friends with everyone you see.

7. Create a savings account for groceries. A loaf of bread is $6.

8. If the locals are staring at you, it's not necessarily because they think you're hot. It might be because they know something you don't and they want a front seat to the show.

9. When at a luau on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, beware of getting too rowdy, in case one of the Finance Directors from your work just happens to be at the same luau. (Hey Martin!)

10. It's official. I want to move to Hawaii.

Best Birthday. Ever.

That's all.

Island Adventures

Rather than post my own stuff from Hawaii, I'm just going to send you over to Suzanne's blog for updates. I'll do a few on my own when we get home.

We're off the beach.

Mahalo and lots of aloha!
Becky

Aloha!

Aloha from The Big Island! We made it here without any flight problems and have been living it up Hawaiian style.

The Big Island is really the place to come if you want to experience Hawaii the way the locals do ... I've been very pleasantly surprised at the lack of tourists here. Even in the "touristy" locations there aren't really crowds.

Three days so far, and here's a list of the things we've done:

Rainbow Falls (we swam in a lagoon behind the falls - ask Jamie about her little "adventure")
Boiling Pots
Onamea Bay (unreal picture place)
Akaka Falls (OH-mazing)
Hapuna Beach (comparable to the beaches in Costa Rica, which I thought would never be matched)
Malasadas at Tex's Drive In (it's official - we shall come home FAT)
Hilo Farmer's Market (where the real hippies gather)
Volcano National Park (looks a lot like Mordor)
Champagne Pond (a lava heated natural pool up against the ocean)

We're scheduled for a luau on Tuesday (my birthday.) I'm also excited about hiking in Waipio Valley and snorkeling at Captain Cook's Monument.

This place is seriously awesome. The best part is the laid-back island feel - it really is a slower pace of life. I could definitely get used to it. Pretty much everything to do is free and there are very little restrictions about where you can go. Seriously, if you ever get the chance visit this island, do it.

I'm on my friend Suzanne's computer so I'll just post the one picture for now.

See ya when I'm 30. :)