December 2016

I started the month with getting the first Friday of the month off. I took advantage of this day by going to Standing Rock Sioux Native Reservation in the Dakotas. I was doubting first of going, but after doing this blog (Neutral Perspective: Dakota Access pipeline project’s Pros & Cons goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com ) from a neutral perspective and getting a lot of "hits'. I wanted to see this whole movement with my own eyes after getting frustrated with the "violence" going on between law enforcement and the "water protectors" (a.k.a. protestors) via social media (many friends on facebook sharing posts on this issue)...

(Picture taken right before leaving Rosebud Camp after three days with showering...lol)

If interested in reading my personal ventures, here is the 1st of 3-> My Personal Adventure Visit to Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation: Day #1 -Friday, December 2nd 2016

I had the 2nd Friday off from work again, which I took this time to install my new "water saver" toilet in the main floor of my rental house I live in. It went pretty well, which I wrote a blog on being "green" and eco friendly as part of my post-Standing Rock action (e.g. Living more of a "green energy saving life" by decreasing the dependency on fossil fuels). I even rode my bike first day going back to work in the mist or light rain.

I had more days off in December as I was trying to use all my vacation days that I didn't use since I like to save them towards the end of the year for "unexpected life" stuff (e.g. vacation to Hawaii 2 years ago). December is a month of many holiday celebrations, so I had a pretty "easy" month work-wise. I'm very blessed and thankful for my job!

On Friday (16th), my friends-co-workers and I went to see the highly anticipated Star Wars Movie: Episode 8-"Rogue 1". I ended up walking there in the cold wintry Friday evening and came early. There wasn't as many people as last year's "Force Awakens". I liked the movie so much that I had to go back on watching the 1st ever made -Episode IV: Star Wars-"New Hope" . I found so many parallels to these movies that I ended up writing a blog-> Movie: Star Wars Series Reflections goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com

My last day at work (full-time job) was on the 22nd as we had the Friday before Christmas Eve off, which was the start of a long 1 1/2 week vacation for both my ft and pt jobs! I used my vacation time for my part-time job, so I can spend a longer time in St. Paul with my my immediate family. I spent some quality time with them and did a lot of fun winter activities:

Went to the Mall of America with my sister and her friend, which we just went "window shopping" and walked the entire 3 1/2 floor (equates to 3 1/2 miles). Then 2 days later, my sister and I took our niece and nephew ice skating at the John Oval Roseville Skating Center...

Fitness: How to teach kids ice skating? goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com
Sal teaching Nephew How to Ice Skate

I bought 4 tickets to see "White Christmas" the musical at the Ordway Theatre in downtown St. Paul. I took my parents and nephew with me, which was a great performance....

..it's based on one of my favorite Christmas holiday movies, which I loved watching since I was a kid. I ended up recording some songs (karaoke version) from it prior (Music: Karaoke-“White Christmas” by Crazy lil’ Sal ) and after (Music: Karaoke-“Count Your Blessings” by “Crazy lil’ Sal” creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com .

I then went back to Morris early Friday morning as I had to deliver newspapers with clients from my ft-job . I did some errands before going back to St. Paul the next day to bring a friend (Luciano from Brazil) to the airport that same day. When we arrived, we flew his drone behind my parents' home by Battle Creek Middle School. He shared a "live feed" of our time on facebook. My parents were awe about watching the footage as we saw a 360 view up in the air of our neighborhood. My brother took his son and nephew with us to go ice skating at Edina's Centennial Lakes Park ....

My Personal Adventure Leaving Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation: Day #3-Sunday, December 4th 2016

Good morning (Sunday, December 4th 2017) from Rosebud Camp! I had a great 8+ hours of sleep as I slept much better compared the night before due to various factors (e.g. didn't use a blanket that I forgot I had in my storage tote, 1st night, getting used to cold weather, etc..) . As I was taking pics of the camp before leaving, there was the daily morning prayer along Canon River across from me at Oceti ..

Standing Rock: Day #3 -Leaving Rosebud Camp (Sun. Dec. 4th 16')

As I was leaving, I met a college student (lady) that was just arriving. She goes to college in New York, but is originally from Florida. This was a common thing here as people come and go. As I drove off, I was a little happy to go home, but also sad to leave this place that became a temporary home for me.

*see more pics from the camps at Standing Rock on North Dakota: Standing Rock or https://www.facebook.com/SalPhotoVideography/

As I left Rosebud Camp...I saw flocks of people and cars coming north to Oceti..

I drove back to the area close to Sacred Heart Camp to drop some "extra stuff" (e.g. clothing, food, etc..) at the church I was trying to connect with prior to the trip. I wanted to bless the folks of this reservation through them whether or not they were for or against this #IStandforStandingRock . Here is the video I took as I left to South Dakota from here (Canon Falls, North Dakota)..

Road Trip Vlog Pt. 3: Driving from Standing Rock Sioux Reservation's Cannon Ball to SE Region ND

As I was getting close to the ND border, I saw a pick-up truck off the side of the highway from the opposite direction. I decided to stop and be a "good" Samaritan to help this young "Native" man. A lady (Caucasian) who stopped by also tried to help and offered her phone, so he can contact his friend to help him. Unfortunately, his friend didn't answer. Thus, we decided to help him. A guy (Caucasian) from Tennessee happen to be driving by, which he offered his help to pull this young man's truck that was stuck in the snow off the highway. The young man had a tow rope, but broke off during our 1st attempt. I ran back to my car and got my tow rope and tried again. I somewhat helped by pushing his truck as it was being pulled. Praise the Lord! We were all able to help this young man and he drove by me to say thank you as we all departed our own ways (see video above as I explained).

"Border between North & South Dakota"

South Dakota

It was a beautiful drive through Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Reservation this early Sunday morning (December 4th 2017), which I enjoyed the scenery and quiet time with God (listened to Christian radio).

Road Trip Vlog Pt. 4: Driving from NE Region SD to SE Mobridge SD

As I was leaving the reservation and getting close to Mobridge, South Dakota. I was listening intently to NPR (National Public Radio) on one of the tribal leaders' interview on the situation on Standing Rock. Feel free to listen to it on the video above.

*see more pics of South Dakota: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation or

It was 10:30ish in the morning and I decided to find a "local church" to attend Sunday morning service in Mobridge..

I found Family Life Church as I was drawn by the name and found it via "google search" GPS app on my phone. When I came in, the people were very friendly. I then went to the bathroom to wash up, which was the first time in 3 days to do so..hehe! It felt great using "warm" water! As I chatted with some people there, they seem to back off every time I told them I was visiting Standing Rock. It seem like it was a controversial topic, which I expected it'll be prior to this trip and anticipating the same feedback when I go "home" (Morris, MN). Thanks for reading and feel free to check my facebook pics above for updated "edited" posts and your welcome to see my other album -> Road Trip: Morris MN to Standing Rock SD & other blogs on the many topics from this trip-ongoing movement!

Please continue to lift all these local, domestic/national, and global events (#standingrock #nodapl #nosabal) related to the growing number of pipeline construction and global events (e.g. Middle East, Syria, Russia, etc..) overall. God bless! Good News Ministry
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