Wreckage

There is something so beautiful about it. It is so hilarious and so naive how you think things can hold and last forever. In reality, they all fall apart. Maybe that is the beauty of it all...

Change

Tonight we made history. I can proudly say I am an American again.

This is Why I Love Music

It is crazy to think how music can echo your thoughts/emotions so perfectly.



This guy is going to be big soon. Trust me. Once he puts out that album, he will be hitting the mainstream.

Spontaneous

So lately I want to say that I have been a bit more spontaneous than I normally have been in the past. I am not sure what sparked this spontaneity, but it feels good. Maybe it started with that trip down to Santa Cruz that Courtney, Chelsea, and Lindsey convinced me to go on a few weeks ago? I don't know, but there is something about putting everything behind and just doing something completely random or something unexpected that feels so... amazing?... FREE. I can't say that it does not come with its consequences since I guess it is really just a more extreme case of procrastination, but I do not regret any of those spontaneous decisions. So far, this spontaneous mentality has proved to be very rewarding, especially this week and particularly today.

After class today I headed home to take a nap, which I rarely ever do. However, I am sick and the lack of sleep from these past few days has no doubt drained my body of well deserved rest. My roommate wakes me up with a phone call telling me to head down to a free screening of Choke. I remember my friend was reading the book over the summer, but I had no idea what to expect of the movie. Luckily, it was a damn good movie and the actors/director did a fantastic job. Not only was the movie really good, but I did not have to pay to see it (not that it is not worth it). Sam Rockwell did a Q&A after the movie and was pretty hilarious at answering and catering to the audience. I even ran into my friend Daniel on my way home and got to pick up Fight Club that Blockbuster seemed to be out of.

Overall, today was a good day and these spontaneous decisions have yet to back fire. I am sure I just jinxed myself by saying that, but I really have no regrets here and it feels awesome. Going down to Santa Cruz, going bowling and eating the most delicious and monstrous ice cream sundae on a Monday night, and seeing a free movie instead of sitting at home and studying is totally worth the extra cramming of work that later ensues. Honestly, I think all this play just makes me manage my study time better... but that does not change the fact that I could be working and making money instead... I take that back, I have all the time in the world to do that. Let the good times roll!

Down South

These posts need to be more spontaneous and I guess more frequent but not to the point where it is routine or forced. However, I am in LA now and it feels great to be back down here again. I am pretty excited to meet some friends up one last time before the school year begins. The trip should be fun and a full update will come later. Man, the breeze her is so much nicer than in Folsom.

Where The Light Is

Feist

Our seats at the John Mayer Conert

Brett Dennen

Colbie Caillat

John Mayer

So I go to way too many concerts for my own good but I must say the two I went to this month were just so amazing. Not that my other experiences were not as amazing (some of which were just as amazing if not more) but I thought I would just mention these two in particular now because I was so fortunate to be seeing all these artists so close to the stage. I have seen Feist and Colbie Caillat before, but I had much better seats this time and the experience was so much more enjoyable. I must say, these artists and others as well never stop to amaze me with their talent. Their stage humor and the fact they look so good and can hit those notes so well at the same time are also pluses. I guess you can say that I will keep coming to these shows for a while.

Expect more concert updates in the future.

The Beginning and The End

So I have been lagging on my posts (like I usually do) but I promise I will try and catch up on these past couple weeks in the next couple days. Today though, I will focus this entry on Camp Alpha Omega.

Ever since the 6th grade, I always looked forward to going to camp and never missed it since the first time I went. Throughout the years the reasons for going each year varied anywhere from friends to God or maybe a little bit of both. However, the difference this year was that I was responsible in making or breaking this cherished part of summer that I held so dear all these years. It was up to me and these other counselors to make this camp something these kids could take back and remember days, weeks, and maybe even years from now.

During the weeks leading up to camp, all of us worked together to fill these shoes that so many other counselors had filled in the past. Even as the last few hours dawned and the day of camp arrived, I was nervous. I honestly felt that we were not ready. But as the camp progressed, everything came together. Even when things seemed like they were falling apart, it all somehow came together and worked perfectly (in particular: Eucharistic Adoration).

Being a first time counselor was pretty nerve racking as well. I was so afraid that I could not be the counselor these kids needed me to be. I mean, I was scared that these kids might hate me, might think I was lame, might want to switch into a different group, and might ask me things I just did not know. I remember looking up to all my counselors and how well they were to me. I felt so unprepared. To add to that insecurity was also the fact that I was counseling for both camps and that I would be paired with two new counselors as well. But all these fears and insecurities were proven wrong. Both my co-counselors handled our kids so well, and gave me both the strength and confidence to do the same. I could not have asked for a better first experience as a counselor.

But the most rewarding thing of all was the kids. As corny, cheesy, cliche, or whatever as that sounds, I am being honest with you. Just seeing theses kids all together laughing, playing, working together, hugging, crying and praying was such a sight to see. I mean where else can so many different kids from so many different places and walks of life come together to just have fun and love God? Being with these kids for about a week just made me so grateful of this wonderful community that I was able to share and be a part of for so many years. This realization hit me so hard during the last mass we had that, as I took that Eucharist in my hand and placed it in my mouth, tears began to form in my eyes. And as I knelt to pray and heard all the kids in praise, the tears just poured out.

To sum it all up: I just want to say that Camp Alpha Omega was amazing. The energy, the kids, and the counselors all just blew me away. I mean, even now, looking back at all these photos and seeing all these people all in this one place sharing in this experience is truly beautiful. I am so blessed to be a part of this community, and I can't imagine what I would do without it.

I want to thank anyone and everyone that made this camp possible. May we continue to build the NCKCYM community even stronger.

See you guys throughout the year and at next year's camp!