Katie Turned 25

December 28th was my buddy, Katie's birthday.  Her 25th birthday to be exact.  I won't tell you how much younger she is than me.  But here's a hint, she just had a mini landmark birthday and I'll be having a mini landmark birthday.  Please, don't guess though!  Don't say it out loud, it makes it true when you say it out loud and I don't want it to be true.  So, I'm staying in denial.

So, as I'm flipping back through my pictures to pick the ones to post, I've noticed that I didn't get any of the birthday girl!  At least, no good ones.  I fail!  Enjoy them anyways.

People talking.  Hello Katie's side back...

George and Devon.

Cake time!  Nobody thought to get candles though.  So matches were used instead.  (cool slow shutter with light effect)

Match candles = big fire on cake!

And not even all of them were lit.

Me.  And a giant glass for wine.  I swear you can fit about half a bottle in there.  Although, I did not test that theory.

Peter and Lauren even joined us from Jerusalem via skype!  Most of us haven't "talked" to them since they left last July.  It was so good to hear some of their stories.  Lauren is one of the most animated, expressive people ever!

Mitch waving good-bye to Peter & Lauren.

By the time we submerged from the "skype room", most of the people had left the party.  So the few of us left talked for a few more minutes then all headed out too.  I swear, it was 10pm one minute, then the next time I looked it was 1am.  Oops...

Happy Birthday Katie!  Let's do it again next year!

Movies I've seen in 2010

January

1/1 - Did You Hear About the Morgans? (theater)

1/4 - Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (DVD)
1/5 - Duplicity (DVD)
1/29 - When in Rome (theater)
 February
2/2 - My Life in Ruins (DVD)
2/5 The Women (DVD)
2/6 The Da Vinci Code (TV)
2/13 Valentine's Day (theater - so good, go see it!)
2/20 Couple's Retreat (DVD)
March
3/1 Ice Castles (DVD)
3/2 Love Happens (DVD)
3/11 The Time Traveler's Wife (DVD)
April
4/5 I Hate Valentine's Day (DVD)
4/9 High School Musical 3: Senior Year (TV)
4/25 The Last Song (theater)

Books Read in 2010

Finished in...

February

Am I The One? by James R. Lucas

The Proposal

Again with the late movie review post! I'm getting really bad at this...

A week and a half ago Kaitlin and I went and saw The Proposal. I'm a fan of Sandra Bullock. And Ryan Reynolds is pretty funny too. So put them together and let's see what you get. I thought it was a cute movie. So what if it was a little predictable. Big deal.

Ironically, the movie was primarily set in...guess where... Yea, Alaska. Sitka to be exact. So the scenery was beautiful. And it was a good cast of characters.

I liked it!

I recommend it.

Go see it.

4 out of 5 stars.

(By the way, I don't know what movie in my mind is a 5 star movie. And I'm kinda like my dad, nothing ever gets a perfect score.)

The Hangover

Man I'm behind! I'm sorry friends and bloggy world for being behind and a slacker. I'm lazy, what can I say?

TWO weeks ago I went with my bro, his bff, and his bff's fiance to see The Hangover. Let me tell you, this movie was HILARIOUS!

Hilarious, I say. I laughed so hard so many times though the entire movie.

I don't know where to even begin. So, if you're a fan of comedy similar to "Knocked Up" or "Wedding Crashers" go see this movie.

Prepare to laugh.

A lot!

4 out of 5 stars.

Up

Have you ever wanted to tie a bunch of balloons to a chair and see if they'll lift you? Ever wonder how far you'd go? Do you have a destination in mind?

Go see Up!

Disney/Pixar rocks! They've out done themselves again. It's such a cute movie with a good story.

My favorite character...Dug. Squirrel! Point!

4.5 out of 5 stars!

Transformers

That's the first one, not number 2. Yes, I'm a little behind. I finally saw the first Transformers. Why did it take so long, you ask? I really don't know. But I figured I better see this one before the next one is in theaters. Cause I already know that a group is going to see it. And, well, I don't want to be lost or behind and have to ask questions throughout the movie. I don't like having to ask questions throughout the movie.

So I finally saw it. And I don't know why I waited. I wish I would have seen it in the theater. It was a great movie! And it was clean. I think the little robot guy said "oh shit", but then again, maybe it was "oopsie". Kait and I couldn't tell. But that was really the only "swearing" in the movie.

So, if you haven't seen Transformers. Go (rent) see it. When the second one comes out in a couple weeks, go (to the theater) see it.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Terminator Salvation

Dun dun dun...

Humm... Well... I honestly probably could have gone the rest of my life without seeing this movie. It wasn't horrible. Just not my taste.

Why did I go you ask? Well, people were leaving my little Memorial BBQ Soiree and headed to the theater. And well, I didn't work today. So I didn't have to be up early. And well, my new "interest" was going. Therefore, I had to be there too. Although, while at the theater he would have rather stayed at my parent's house, hung out with my dad drinking home brew beer and smoking a pipe. Talk about make my heart swoon.

I digress. We'll have to talk about that later. Some other time.

So the movie. There were no bright cheery colors. There were horribly evil terminator machines. There was the voice of batman, I mean exact same voice from Christian Bale. And there was some other actor dude that I've never seen before but ends up being a new version of a terminator machine. Along with Arnold. He's back...

Kinda, I think the govenator was a fake.

I would give this movie...
2 1/2 out of 5 stars

Huh?

Oh my goodness! It's only 2:52pm. Time is DRAGGING by! Why isn't it 5 o'clock yet?

I know, I know. It is somewhere. Just not here.

So here's something random for you. I like songs that have to do with someday meeting your future mate, about waiting, about patience (hummm...). There aren't too, too many of them out there, so when I hear one I'm generally instantly drawn to it. Why? Well, because I'm waiting, and there is someone out there for me. My current favorite song version of this topic is "Someday Soon" by Francesca Battistelli. Love the song! Love the album! A definite must buy.

But don't waste your time going to Borders, 'cause they apparently don't sell CD's in their stores (at least not in Turlock) anymore. Boo Borders!

Someday Soon
I wanna be the one who knows everything about you
I wanna be the one who’s always on your mind
I wanna be the one to get all of your affection and attention
You’re the one that I’ve been waiting for, for all this time
And I can’t imagine anything, anything better than

Someday falling in love with you
Holding your hand
Making our plans all come true
Someday under a sky so blue
I’ll give you my heart
Our story will start someday soon

I wanna be the one who does everything with you
Watching stars, washing cars, taking walks, going to the store
I wanna be the one who gets to change her last name someday
To something that sounds something more like yours

Someday falling in love with you
Holding your hand
Making our plans all come true
Someday under a sky so blue
I’ll give you my heart
Our story will start someday soon

Yeah I’ll be telling you I love you
On a picture perfect day
And those words inside my head
They sound like angels singing praise
It’s what I was made to say

Angels and Demons

Last night I went to the movies with a group of friends. I was ho-hum about seeing the movie, but I also didn't want to miss out of fun or hangning out. So I went. And I had fun. Of course.

I'm not Catholic, nor do I know a lot about the church's history. So I was a bit confused with some of the characters and their titles and what they did within the Catholic church. There are things that I know in the deep recesses of my mind, like the black or white smoke when voting for the new Pope happens.

I went into the movie having no idea what to expect. To be honest, I haven't even seen the DaVinci Code (and was told I wouldn't need to). Nor have I read either of the books. The movie was good though. Action packed. Full of suspense. A little gruesome. There were a few scenes that I had to look away during, or hide behind my hands.

I would give it a 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

On a side note, in the Vatican there is an area (you see it in the movie) where there are steps that led down to where the former popes are "buried". My dad when he was younger visited the Vatican, and that area was roped off. My Nana took that as a suggestion and not forbidden, so she lead my dad and his brother down there. Creepy!

Star Trek

Let me start off with this, I've never been a huge Star Trek fan. I'm not a trekky. In fact, I left the room when my dad was watching the show. But my curiosity was peaked a little with the movie. And when I was invited to go see it with friends Friday night I decided not to pass up the opportunity.

So what did I think? It was really well done! It was entertaining, especially Captain Kirk (yum!) and the doctor...Bones...? I say go see it!

4 out of 5 stars
(just like Wolverine)

Wolverine

This past Friday night I went to the movies. Now, I haven't been to the theater since I was in Alaska and before that since D was here. So it's been awhile. But I went. And it was fun.

A group of, I don't know, 15 or so met up at the theater for the 9:50pm showing of ...

Wolverine.

So people came to my place prior to the movie to hang out and fellowship. Then we met the rest of everyone at the theater.

The movie was...really good. Hugh Jackman is easy to watch for an hour and a half, that's fer darn sure! There were certain parts of the movie that were not explained very well. I won't go into what they were in case you plan on seeing it. I don't want to ruin it for you.

All in all a good movie. If you want to see it, it's a definite must in the theater with the giant screen and surround sound.

I would say, 4 out of 5 stars. (Although, I don't know what I would consider a 5 star movie. But I rarely give a full 100%.)

Phil Wickham

A couple weeks ago my sisters and I went to a Phil Wickham concert. You see, he was playing at the church Paige goes to in Fresno for a whooping $10. $10 to see Phil Wickham, heck yes!
Charlie Hall opened. I had never heard of Charlie Hall. It took me a few songs to warm up to him. But I like him. He's an itty bitty guy with a big heart.
Here's me! It's intermission...I think. Now on with the show! Here's Phil. I was a bit worried at the beginning of his show. He did a lot of "free" hand motions and it kinda scared me. But I got over it really quickly! I love the way Phil sings. It's very romantic. But not romantic for physical love, romantic for God and how He romances us.
All it all it was a great show! And it was only $10! It was honestly like 2 1/2 hours of concert. If you've never heard of either of them, find them and listen to them!

The end.

RWRS

March 29th was the Rock and Worship Roadshow in Fresno. What a phenomenal concert series! Let me tell you how it went, what all happened. You know, the details.

First off. Tickets were not pre-sold. It was a come-stand-in-line-doors-open-at-4:30 situation. Tickets at the door were only $10. $10 to see Addison Road (one of my favorite groups), Tenth Avenue North, Hawk Nelson, Jeremy Camp, and MercyMe.

Mom, Kaitlin and I took of and made it to Fresno in time to go to church with Paige and Coleman at The Well, the church they attend in Fresno. I very much enjoy The Well.

So here's the Save Mart Center. There were lines forming at every door around the building. We were very fortunate to get there early enough to be fairly close to the front of one line.
We got in, got our seats, and watched the rest of the seats fill in. Paige was playing peek-a-boo behind Kaitlin.
Addison Road was on first. And they were on early. You see, the lead singer is/was extremely pregnant. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of them.

But this group here is Tenth Avenue North. They are another new favorite group. I would recommend to everyone out there in Bloggyland to go out and get their CD.
Then Hawk Nelson was on. Honestly, they're not my type of music. So I took the opportunity to get up and go buy some CDs. And a pretzel. :)My buddies from way back when, Danae and Treva, met up with us. It was good to have them sitting with us too.
Sister picture. Thanks for the bunny ears mom!
Jeremy Camp was on second to last. He was good. Really good. I've like Jeremy Camp for many a year now, so it was a treat to finally get to see him in concert.
Last but not least MercyMe was on. They did a great job, and put on a great show.
The concerts were amazing. I feel truly blessed that I was able to attend. There were over 13,000 in attendance that night, filling seats that they hadn't expected to fill. God was at work in that auditorium. I pray that the vision of the performers will continue to grow and spread to all the unreached in our country.

And I'm now the proud parent of a sponsored child. Well, Mom and I are co-sponsoring. She's a little girl from Columbia. Speaking of, I need to write her a letter!

GOD ROCKS!

Go Thunder!

Awhile back, some weeks ago. Gosh, you know, I can't remember when. More than a week ago, less than 2 months ago.

Point is, I went to a hockey game. There! Phew, finally got it out. My friend Krista ended up with some extra tickets from work. So I got to join her, as well as Kaitlin and Stacey.
We watched the Stockton Thunder vs., well, I can't remember who they played.
You know what my favorite part of any hockey game is? When they fight. Or try to fight.
You see, the rule is that once the helmets and gloves come off the refs can't break up the fight. So punches are thrown.
Teeth are knocked out. Ok, I made that one up. But is it a coincidence that many a hockey players are missing teeth...?Eyes are bruised. I made that one up too. But I'm sure black eyes are a result of the fights too.
Oh no! They hit the ground. The refs can now officially break up the fight.

Pretty cool rule, huh? Or should I say eh? It's Canadian, like hockey, eh.
On with the game! The other team was winning. Then we scored. Then we scored another time. But so did the other team.
Hey, it's time to capture the fans! Hi Kait and Krista!
Woo Hoo! Here's one of our goals!
Who are those hotties?!? Hey good lookin' single guys out there, we're both single too! For a good time call... Just kidding.

I'm not going to post our phone numbers here. Just leave me a comment. Check out the creepy guy in the background! Ok, creepy guy actually works with Krista. Poor thing, he's a little awkward. Friendly, but awkward.

And back to the game. Stockton's colors are black and yellow. The other team, whom ever the are, were, ah, red and gold. I'm guessing really. And squinting at the picture trying to remember.
I tell you what. My family, my parents primarily but my siblings and I have inherited it, can know just about anyone where ever we go. Case in point, see the guy in blue on the end and the gal in the middle of that cluster of 4? I know them. They're from Hilmar. And I grew up going to the same church as them.

They were afraid we were going to tell on them. Although, we agreed that what happens at the hockey game stays at the hockey game.
Go Thunder! Another goal!I'm an saddened to inform you that Stockton Thunder lost to the other team in overtime. But boy did they play hard.

Especially that Huxley. Right, Kaitlin?

Hold My Heart

Last weekend I saw Tenth Avenue North at the Rock and Worship Roadshow in Fresno. I would say that they are my new favorite group. Their song "Hold My Heart" really speaks to me, probably because it's how I feel.

How long must I pray, must I pray to You?
How long must I wait, must I wait for You?
How long 'til I see Your face, see You shining through?

I'm on my knees, begging You to notice me.
I'm on my knees, Father will You turn to me?

One tear in the driving rain,
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One life, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Would You come close and hold my heart

I've been so afraid, afraid to close my eyes
So much can slip away before I say goodbye.
But if there's no other way, I'm done asking why.
I'm on my knees, begging You to turn to me
I'm on my knees, Father will You run to me?

One tear in the driving rain,
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One life, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Would You come close and hold my heart.

So many questions without answers, Your promises remain
I can't see but I'll take my chances to hear You call my name
To hear You call my name

One tear in the driving rain,
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One life, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Won't You come close and hold my heart.

Hold my heart, could you hold my heart?
Hold my heart.

How long must I pray and wait God? Do you hear the sound of my breaking heart? I know you're testing me with my patience. I hope I'm passing. But won't you, won't you come close and hold my heart...

Movie Math

Australia = Man From Snowy River + Pearl Harbor = good movie!

I recommend it!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Part 2...?

I'm not a reality TV person. That's a lie. I like one reality TV show, The Amazing Race. I used to watch The Bachelor, back in my college days. You know, before there was even The Bachelorette. This year though, all 2 months of it, I watched the first and now the last episodes of The Bachelor.

So I missed all the innards. All the the drama and cat fights. I've heard that this season was different. Well, at last the final rose ceremony and the "after the rose" interview session.

WOW!

Shocking!

If you don't what happened... shame on you! Just kidding. It'll be all over every website and tabloid come tomorrow morning. So you won't be able to miss it.

All I can say is this...
I would like to steal Melissa's speech from her final limo ride.

Oh, and Jason, if things don't work out, send me a comment...

The Shack

This year, Dad participated in the "everyone puts something into the Christmas stockings" new tradition. Sure, dad participates every year via my mom, but this year he picked something out on his own. And what is it that he gave each of us?

The book "The Shack". Dad read The Shack in his small group and enjoyed it. So it got it for the 4 of us.

I don't want to give away the book because I want you to read it. I want you to read about a man's experience of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in a physical sense. This book is well written, it's very theological but in a very simple way to understand it. And trust me, philosophical, theological mumbo-jumbo and I don't get along. I end up looking at the book like a lost puppy.

So, go get the book. And read it! It's an easy read. Oh, and have a pen or highlighter handy.

Friday Night Lights

Go Fresno! Go Reno! Go team go!
This past Friday I went to the University Nevada Reno vs. CSU Fresno football game. I had 2, no 3 reasons to go.

1. Visit Paige in Fresno...even though we sat in different sections.

2. See #10 of Reno play. #10 = Colin Kaepernick, brother of my friend/co-worker Devon, and son of the VP of Operations. #10 = starting quarterback that scored 2 touchdowns during the game.
3. See #85 of Fresno play. #85 = Bear Pascoe, brother-in-law to my (2nd) cousin, therefore a relative of mine. #85 = big guy that catches the ball and blocks the players.There was a crowd, all spread out, of people from Hilmar Cheese that went to the game to cheer on Turlock's Kaepernick. Face it, the game was closer than Reno, and warmer.
Devon, Chris, and I drove down early, kinda, so Chris could meet up with Paige and Coleman to get seats in the student section. (Somewhere in that picture (I think) by the aisle is Chris, Paige, and Coleman.)
The Wolf Pack beat the Bulldogs 41 to something 28, 31...I don't know. Devon was happy. So I was.
The night ended with the Montague's visiting the Cheesecake Factory for a very late dinner. Chris and I shared an appetizer and cheesecake. Chris then drove my car home while I slept.

At 1:30am I crawled out of the car and into bed.

Where I stayed for many hours.