tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59324767196109111802024-03-14T02:21:27.554-07:00Goodnewseverybodycomgoodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-89547778905282820822020-03-23T08:14:00.004-07:002020-08-01T16:07:12.385-07:00Self-Quarantine (Social Distancing) "Daily" Life with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) It's Sunday , March 22nd 2020 as I decided to start blogging about my daily life with this quarantine period. Not sure how long it'll last, but I decided that I want to record this for future generations. I want them to learn the "sacrifices" we are currently making with the increase of technology "making life easier" ..somewhat!
I have to start when I was visiting family in St. Paul last weekend. I was weary about visiting with the virus spreading. Fortunately, the cases were lower at the time. However, I took precautions, so when I arrived home. I told my mom I need to wash my hands before she could hug me.
<p>
I showed my mom and dad the <a href="https://goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com/2017/09/28/health-nutrition-micronutrients-pt-1vitaminswater-soluble/">Vitamin C supplement</a> I ordered for them ..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Healthier-Snacks-and-Foods/i-fbkwrBN/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Food/Healthier-Snacks-and-Foods/i-fbkwrBN/0/2f9743bb/S/IMG_9753-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
..that I told them to take daily to build their <a href="https://goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com/2015/11/02/health-how-to-boost-ones-immune-system/">immune system</a>, especially with this virus right now.
<p>
Later, I then took some Clorox wipes that I bought awhile back and started cleaning common areas where "we" touch..
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-qKwxG27/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-qKwxG27/0/d4719dd2/S/IMG_9788-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
...I would continue this at my workplace this past week as we heavily focused on "cleaning" at the end of everyday. I did this late last month at my own home after I was sick (caught some "virus" bug too). My past renter was sick before he moved out (mid-February), so I decided to clean afterwards with disinfectants.
<p>
Going back to my time in St. Paul last weekend, I was very "on-guard" whenever I went out publicly. I did take the chance to workout at the local fitness center (Woodbury), which I checked the map of where the cases of Coronavirus has been reported. None so far in Washington County, so I decided to go when I checked it around 5:30ish am and went back to bed. Somehow, this whole pandemic has kept me up at time some mornings. However, I try to meditate in God's Word more than usual to give me peace.
<p>
In fact, I meditated on Psalm 91 with my mom the night before..
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/Xi_sdQ6FQqQ">Psalm91Mar13th20</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xi_sdQ6FQqQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/Xi_sdQ6FQqQ">https://youtu.be/Xi_sdQ6FQqQ</a>
<p>
When I was in the cities I would watch the "National Day of Prayer" declared by the U.S. President..
<p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Bh5OKFpNE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Bh5OKFpNE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Bh5OKFpNE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Glimpse of watching different #churchservices streaming live last weekend during the #nationaldayofprayer 🙏 @goodnews_usa (#inGodwetrust 👆✝️) to #stopcoronavirus⛔️ here in our country and the global world 🗺. Feel free to join others Sunday, March 22nd for the #globalvoiceofprayer</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/goodnewseverybodycom/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Goodnewseverybody</a> (@goodnewseverybodycom) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2020-03-22T05:18:06+00:00">Mar 21, 2020 at 10:18pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p>
Before leaving back to Morris, I wanted to store up some food, water, and natural remedies for my parents in case they can't go outside "totally"..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Healthier-Snacks-and-Foods/i-pxFRXsj/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Food/Healthier-Snacks-and-Foods/i-pxFRXsj/1/e2e9fea7/S/IMG_9786-S.jpg" alt=""></a><br>
*see <a href="https://foodsofallkinds.wordpress.com/2020/03/08/drinks-various-teas/">Drinks: Various Teas</a> foodsofallkinds.wordpress.com<br>
<p>
As I write this (Monday, March 23rd 2020), our state (Minnesota) is not in "total lockdown" compared to several other states (e.g. Illinois, New York, and California) and other countries (e.g. Italy and Wuhan, China earlier this year). However, it's good to be prepared !
<p>
Another reason for doing this blog is to share some experiences so far out in the community during this "social distancing" period. Earlier last week, I finally got my new Drivers License renewed; however, it took 3 visits due to the long lines of people trying to get various services from the local DMV. I didn't have the right documents with me or the time was short (e.g. driver license renewals for the new ID takes long, so I couldn't get one if I'm not serviced by 4:30p - closes at 5p) . Well, when I was there for my 3rd visit, the restrictions were higher (Monday, March 16th) when it came to "social distancing" (6 feet was the recommended distance after our state declaration). When I got there, there was no line like the week before. Instead, we were instructed to stay 6 feet away from each other, which was impossible to do in that small tight office! I was at least a foot from the person besides me!
<p>
This was just the beginning of this "social distancing paranoia". When I went to work, we were always on the "social distancing" rule. We've always had that "personal space" issue, but more than ever! Clients kept on each other's case about this themselves.
<p>
When I would go to the grocery store in the Twin Cities, it was crazy at times. The first one I went to last weekend was Target in Woodbury. I went there Saturday (March 14th) morning right away after my workout so I can beat the rush. Unfortunately, I got there later than I wanted to as I didn't sleep long enough that morning. However, I was able to get what I needed. I just wanted to keep my "social distance" and get out of there. I wasn't able to get the particular water brand (Ice Mountain) my parents prefer, but I did find some toilet paper :) Instead of buying more than I needed, I just stuck to buying a 4-pack so I didn't look like I was hoarding.
<p>
I went to the Target closer to my parent's house and this was one was really busy when I went around noonish Sunday (March 15th). My dad asked me to buy some stuff and I went to buy more of that "tea" (above) as this is great to boost one's immune system instead of toilet paper. I have an "emergency" set at home in Morris, and I wanted to buy one for both my parents (above pic, which I previously bought the day before) along for my sister and her husband too. I took a pic of the bread selection as I texted my sister as she mentioned there was not much bread in her area....
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/Coronavirus-Pandemic-Covid-19-Life/Community/i-xw9cNQj/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Coronavirus-Pandemic-Covid-19-Life/Community/i-xw9cNQj/0/308328e5/S/IMG_9895-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
This was like a common scene in many grocery stores due to "panic shopping" all over the world. I shared a <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/St-Paul-Neighborhoods/i-7DkXNXJ">post</a> earlier last week about the rice being sold out in many stores in the Twin Cities.
<p>
When I was back in Morris, I decided to grocery shop late as possible after going early last week after an overnight shift around 7am (Tuesday, March 17th). The store was bare, but it was at the time being stocked. There were staff in almost every aisle stocking the shelves after it was almost emptied out. Also, there were a lot of people shopping so early as there was no school too. I just wanted to get as much of my grocery list and leave. I was able to get most of what I wanted except bell peppers.
<p>
When I went grocery shopping late this past weekend (Saturday, March 21st around 9:30ish pm) before it closed at 10pm, I was one of only 2 customers shopping. I saw a post of a "dance challenge", so I decided to video myself dancing while getting drinking water..
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/h9hmi4YMO-8">Dancing at the Grocery Store</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h9hmi4YMO-8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/h9hmi4YMO-8">https://youtu.be/h9hmi4YMO-8</a>
<p>
Just wanted to post something with "positive vibes" during this season of a serious situation.
<p>
As I write this on a Monday afternoon , I just took a break earlier and took advantage of the sun shining by riding my bike around town. I did ride my bike earlier when I came home from work doing the overnight shift this morning, which I'll post this sometime.
<p>
I'm done writing for now. Till then, keep building your immune system, keep building your faith and trust in God and know you will be taken care of.
<p>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/479920498739082/">Good News Health</a><br>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/479920498739082/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/479920498739082/</a>
<p>
<b>Update: Monday, April 6th 2020</b>
<p>
I'm going on my 3rd week of "quarantine", which last week was pretty "slow" when it came to work as I wasn't needed to fill any shifts. However, this past weekend, I had to work as I was put on schedule at one of the group homes short of staff. I decided to write this after finding out during work, a "friend" told me her grandparents caught COVID-19 at a "senior living center" close to my home. I felt like these places are "hot spots" and very vulnerable for an outbreak. Please pray for my friend's grandparents and many others affected at these senior living centers and around the world overall. I decided to post this social media prayer immediately when I got home..
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-nvQq_lerM/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-nvQq_lerM/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-nvQq_lerM/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">https://www.worldvision.org/disaster-relief-news-stories/prayers-people-affected-new-coronavirus #bibleversesonhealing #bibleverses on #healing #sick https://www.openbible.info/topics/healing_the_sick #powerofprayer 🙏 from #usatoday 📰 https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/03/12/power-prayer-deal-reduce-coronavirus-anxiety-covid-19-column/5014472002/ #sampleprayers for those #infectedwithcovid19 #infectedwithcorona #coronavirus 🦠 https://www.worldvision.org/disaster-relief-news-stories/prayers-people-affected-new-coronavirus from #worldvision</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/goodnewseverybodycom/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Goodnewseverybody</a> (@goodnewseverybodycom) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2020-04-06T01:26:02+00:00">Apr 5, 2020 at 6:26pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p>
<h2>"Life in a Day w/ Sal (7.25.20)</h2>
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/New-London-in-Kandiyohi-County/i-m4Q3ZLT/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/New-London-in-Kandiyohi-County/i-m4Q3ZLT/0/bee6059a/S/BPIV6158-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/PxwSSdUaMfo">Life in a Day w/Sal: Lake Affect Coffee in New London, MN</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PxwSSdUaMfo" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/PxwSSdUaMfo">https://youtu.be/PxwSSdUaMfo</a>
<p>
Feel free to share this as a "sample" on what to pray . Keep persevering..Pray Until Something Happens!
<p>
During my time at work this past weekend, my co-workers and I were chatting about how this whole "pandemic" has affected the people around us overall. We noticed people are more "nicer" and not so "rushy". Maybe this is more around our rural communities compared to the "panic shopping" going in the "bigger communities". What is it like for you ?
<p>
Last week I didn't have to work, so I had a lot of time to "do other things". I noticed I had a lot of dreams that were very vivid as I've been asking God -"show me how I can be a light" for you during this "dark season" around the world. I decided to post more "intercessory" prayer videos, like this..
<p>
Way Maker Tribute (April3rd20)
https://youtu.be/nXtETr7POxs
<p>
Let's all come together in prayer, social media community, as one human race, etc.. to fight this Coronavirus: COVID-19 !<br>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Seen-on-Media/i-qtdv2zD/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Seen-on-Media/i-qtdv2zD/0/a5e0726c/M/Opera%20Snapshot_2020-01-26_102155_www.google.com-M.png" alt=""></a>
<p>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/609542502392314/">Good News Prayer</a><br>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/609542502392314/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/609542502392314/</a>
<p>
goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-57853727399158828662019-08-17T14:33:00.004-07:002020-01-18T20:54:35.960-08:00 2019 Year in Reflection<b>January</b>
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-zvW9mBG/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-zvW9mBG/0/b840f89d/S/Snapshot%284378%29-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
The year started off with some "life challenges" due to my father's health. He had to have a life saving AAA (see <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2019/01/26/getting-through-a-family-members-aaa-surgery-with-updates/">Protected: Getting through a family member’s AAA Surgery with Updates</a> goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com ) surgery mid-January...
<p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs1tAWNHw-2/" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs1tAWNHw-2/" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs1tAWNHw-2/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">I’m very #grateful to #God for answering my , my family, & many others ‘ #prayers 🙏 (@goodnewseverybodycom ) for the “success” of my dad’s recent “delicate “ #medicalsurgery yesterday . Now praying for the slow expected recovery. Thank you to the surgeon 👨⚕️, nurses 👩⚕️, & medical 🏥 staff overall at St . Joseph’s Hospital. Stay tune for my blogs and stories (eg videos ) before, during, & after. I want to help & encourage others in a similar “boat “ facing life’s challenging (some unexpected) waves 🌊 . Feel free to share yours (thoughts, stories, etc..) down below or dm (email) .</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/saldapal18/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Saldapal</a> (@saldapal18) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2019-01-20T02:10:36+00:00">Jan 19, 2019 at 6:10pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p>
... I would ended up living at "home" for a month to help out at home during his recovery. I used that time to work on a lot of personal projects too and spent some great quality time with family , so I thought it was a well time spent. I was able to attend my niece's musical concert..
<p>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HLganpmXhU&t=2s">Minnesota: Highland Park's "Scot-A-Palooza" at the North Garden Theater in St. Paul</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0HLganpmXhU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HLganpmXhU&t=2s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HLganpmXhU&t=2s</a>
<p>
<b>February</b>
<p>
During my month "break", I worked on an online class to build on to my "Fitness Coach" certificate. I took a class on Senior Fitness (see <a href="https://goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com/2017/08/26/fitness-exercise-tips-for-seniors/">Fitness: Exercise tips for Seniors</a> goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com<br>
<p>
I would apply what I learn with my aging mom to encourage her on exercising and get strong as she battled some health ailments due to aging..
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/IpU-k91SXt4">Sit Down Squats w/Encouraging Verses for Mom w/ #healthfitnesslifeguy</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IpU-k91SXt4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/IpU-k91SXt4">https://youtu.be/IpU-k91SXt4</a>
<p>
I went back to Morris mid February after almost a month of "paid leave time" from my work, which was a blessing. My dad started to slowly get his strength after a month since his AAA surgery, which I was a little more comfortable leaving. I would go with him to drive for the first time in weeks , which I wanted to make sure he was able to do this before I went back to Morris.
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/NMVDbI6Sr6g">Sounds of Blackness at UMMorris (Feb28th19) Pt. 1</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NMVDbI6Sr6g" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/NMVDbI6Sr6g">https://youtu.be/NMVDbI6Sr6g</a>
<p>
<b>March</b>
<p>
It's been a long cold winter season, but we got some temporary heat when the Polynesian Dancers came in March 2nd...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Polynesian-Paradise-Dancers-Performance/i-ttk6WBW/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Events/Polynesian-Paradise-Dancers-Performance/i-ttk6WBW/0/86823838/M/IMG_0150-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I was inspired by the free workshop they gave prior to their performance to do some different type of drumming on my recent new drum set my co-worker gave me free..
<p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvaivUbFXsB/" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvaivUbFXsB/" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; 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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvaivUbFXsB/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Throwback to earlier this month as I tried these “African type #drum #musicalinstruments “ as it “almost “ resembled the #polynesian influenced #drum . I was inspired by the #polynesianparadisedancers visit the day before (see previous posts ) I forgot to post a clearer pic of the instrument I used , so I decided to upload a full video playing it w/ a pic ➡️ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nxdhxvgsakM# (“dapalsal “) or linked in my profile above ☝️</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/creativemusicartsy/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Creativemusicartsy</a> (@creativemusicartsy) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2019-03-25T02:35:35+00:00">Mar 24, 2019 at 7:35pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p>
I play in my garage so my renter(s) won't be bothered by me playing in the house. It's cold , but playing on the drums keeps me warm!
<p>
<b>April</b>
<p>
This month is a big month for family back in St. Paul as we celebrate my mom and older sister's birthday. My siblings and I went to this "once in a lifetime" event called the "NCAA Final Four" basketball tournament as Minneapolis hosted this year's big event..
<p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwAmRZMHE4z/" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwAmRZMHE4z/" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwAmRZMHE4z/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Saldapal (@saldapal18)</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2019-04-08T21:17:35+00:00">Apr 8, 2019 at 2:17pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p>
We brought my nephew and his cousin to it, which we did various activities at the Minneapolis Convention Center..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Sports/NCAA-Final-Four/i-DvktzdT/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Sports/NCAA-Final-Four/i-DvktzdT/0/443cd85c/S/IMG_7976-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
The following day, we went to another event called Philippine Day...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Philippine-Day-at-Aldrich/i-6jRxg5x/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Events/Philippine-Day-at-Aldrich/i-6jRxg5x/0/3610f47f/S/IMG_0436-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I would see a buddy of mine from my high school days, who I keep in touch regularly. It's an annual event, which has been a great time to catch-up with friends I haven't seen for awhile along with spending time with family too.
<p>
I would go back home in St. Paul later in the month for "Resurrection Sunday" weekend..
<p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwe8727lYXg/" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwe8727lYXg/" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwe8727lYXg/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Reflecting on the #passionofthechrist 🎥 (on #uptv #directtv ch 185 #faithtv #familytv ) https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2017/04/12/movie-the-passion-of-the-christ-scenes-reflections/ ..by reading #matthew27 (#gospels #newtestament ) on the #crucifixion ✝️#cross & #isaiah53 (#bookofprophets #oldtestament #bible ) http://bible.cbn.com/#!/bible/nlt/23/53 Other #biblicalprophecies fulfilled by #jesus (#yeshua #Yehua #yahu ) http://www1.cbn.com/biblestudy/biblical-prophecies-fulfilled-by-jesus How does this speak to you?</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/goodnewseverybodycom/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Goodnewseverybody</a> (@goodnewseverybodycom) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2019-04-20T16:12:50+00:00">Apr 20, 2019 at 9:12am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p>
I'm <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">thankful</a> to God everyday for what He did on the cross!
<p>
<b>May</b>
<p>
I had the opportunity to take some clients from my ft-job with another co-worker on the 15th to the annual Special Olympics: Track & Field Regional Competition in Moorhead, Minnesota...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Moorhead-in-Clay-County/i-dfNCphZ/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Moorhead-in-Clay-County/i-dfNCphZ/1/e1d0c58c/S/IMG_1273-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
This is just one of the perks of my job! :) I would end up coming back here later in the month after taking a renter (Shafiul from Bangladesh) to this area. We would visit Fargo first...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/Fargo-North-Dakota/i-SmCrn66/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Fargo-North-Dakota/i-SmCrn66/0/3121e97b/M/IMG_1615-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<b>June</b>
<p>
Went to my nephew's baseball tournament with family..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/St-Paul-Neighborhoods/i-5PcrfFT/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/St-Paul-Neighborhoods/i-5PcrfFT/1/d6f8c590/S/IMG_2136-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
Later in the month, my parents and I went to Como Pavillion in St. Paul to this restaurant along the lake ...
<p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0_Kk6IngIg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0_Kk6IngIg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0_Kk6IngIg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">How are you enjoying this last full month of summer ? Checkout the various activities at #comolake in #stpaulmn 😊</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/goodnewsminnesota/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Goodnewsminnesota</a> (@goodnewsminnesota) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2019-08-10T14:33:19+00:00">Aug 10, 2019 at 7:33am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p>
<b>July</b>
<p>
I would later go paddle boarding for the first time within that week during my week vacation through July 4th..
<p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0-HLOEBlIw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0-HLOEBlIw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0-HLOEBlIw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Throwback to 6.29.19 at #comolake in #stpaulmn , which I would late go paddle boarding for the first time afterwards in the week. My parents enjoyed the scenic lay back outing at this beautiful city park . Early tribute to #nationallazyday</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/saldapal18/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Saldapal</a> (@saldapal18) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2019-08-10T04:44:21+00:00">Aug 9, 2019 at 9:44pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p>
Later in the week during my annual week of July 4th vacation, I went to the St. Paul Saints Baseball Game at their newest stadium for the first time since it opened years ago..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Sports/Baseball/St-Paul-Saints/i-fS4Q99F/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Sports/Baseball/St-Paul-Saints/i-fS4Q99F/0/e6fe5d48/S/IMG_2520-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
After July 4th, my mom and I would do some karaoke to some favorite "patriotic songs"...
<p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1b0kZ4lfFG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1b0kZ4lfFG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1b0kZ4lfFG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Another #karaoke song “#starspangledbanner 🎵 “ with my mom 7.5.19 ) Swipe to see #usanthemlyrics 🇺🇸 @goodnews_usa https://amhistory.si.edu/starspangledbanner/the-lyrics.aspx Tribute to #nationalseniorcitizensday</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/creativemusicartsy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Creativemusicartsy</a> (@creativemusicartsy) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2019-08-21T17:38:59+00:00">Aug 21, 2019 at 10:38am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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<p>
Wahid and I would checkout this annual event in St Paul, which was both of ours first time to attend..
<p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B10LZA4lpiZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B10LZA4lpiZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B10LZA4lpiZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Throwback (7.6.19) from the #littlemekongmarket @littlemekong (#littlemekongnightmarket2019 #stpauluniversityavenue #stpaulmn ) earlier last month? What was your favorite #foodtruck #ethnicdish ? You still have a chance today if you haven’t. Feel free to checkout our past Facebook post at #goodnewsminnesota for details or @salphotobiz</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/goodnewsminnesota/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Goodnewsminnesota</a> (@goodnewsminnesota) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2019-08-31T04:40:11+00:00">Aug 30, 2019 at 9:40pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p>
I would visit my sister and her husband in Willmar for supper at a Mexican Restaurant and then went to another baseball game this month...
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/CO0g8P3fFuA">Dwier Brown ("Field of Dreams" father) at Willmar Stingers Baseball Game</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CO0g8P3fFuA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/CO0g8P3fFuA">https://youtu.be/CO0g8P3fFuA</a>
<p>
<b>August</b>
<p>
I took Wahid to to this "Taste of India " at the State Capitol Mall Grounds..
<p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1eZJ6ZlGSw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1eZJ6ZlGSw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1eZJ6ZlGSw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">#creativespotlight ⭐️ #bollywood #bollywoodmusic gets me dancing (behind the camera ) at the annual #tasteofindia in #stpaulcapitolgrounds #stpaulmn @goodnewsminnesota</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/creativemusicartsy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Creativemusicartsy</a> (@creativemusicartsy) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2019-08-22T17:37:09+00:00">Aug 22, 2019 at 10:37am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p>
goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-66599247407767062472019-01-01T14:03:00.003-08:002019-01-07T15:28:37.145-08:002018 Year in Reflection<b>January</b>
<p>
Below are just "some" of the highlights that I can remember through pics I've taken and went through recently. I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">thank God</a> for the many blessings for being able to do all this..
<p>
Went geocaching with my sister and her husband in Fergus Falls..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/Minnesota/Fergus-Falls-Minnesota-Visit/i-kq2sLKJ/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Minnesota/Fergus-Falls-Minnesota-Visit/i-kq2sLKJ/0/af96c45f/S/IMG_7690-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi6CeVVESs0#action=share">Minnesota Vikings "Parody (Twins) Theme Song</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qi6CeVVESs0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi6CeVVESs0#action=share">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi6CeVVESs0#action=share</a><br>
*a little fun parody I made after another video I made of the "Minneapolis Miracle"
<p>
I didn't have tickets to the Super Bowl, but I was able to checkout some of the activities :
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Super-Bowl-LII-Live-in-Minneapolis-Minnesota/i-9TZTJXD/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Events/Super-Bowl-LII-Live-in-Minneapolis-Minnesota/i-9TZTJXD/0/ae768ba8/S/IMG_8414-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
Sal reporting from St. Paul's Winter Ice Palce (1.28.18)
https://youtu.be/HKeoZAfB_Rs
more... <a href="https://smiletravelingblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/26/usa-minnesota-super-bowl-52-experience-visit/">USA: Minnesota-Super Bowl 52 Experience Visit</a> smiletravelingblog.wordpress.com<br>
<p>
<b>February</b>
<p>
My younger brother visiting Morris..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/City-of-Morris-Life/i-gcBP58N/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/City-of-Morris-Life/i-gcBP58N/0/2adcf1a1/S/IMG_8912-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
As he drove through before going to Fargo for a work-related trip.
<p>
The Winter Olympics going on in South Korea inspired me to go ice skating at the local rink..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/Sals-Health/n-GkVwVN/i-r7ZbwDt/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-r7ZbwDt/0/4d6f993e/S/i-r7ZbwDt-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I was able to snowboard only once (February 24th) the entire season during a winter storm as I love fresh snow..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Weather/Winter/Winter-Season-in-Morris/i-BQvTvxm/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Weather/Winter/Winter-Season-in-Morris/i-BQvTvxm/0/6405c046/S/IMG_8392-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-nKgP9JV/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-nKgP9JV/0/7c941de9/S/Snapshot%282736%29-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<b>March</b>
<p>
Parody-"Walk Like a Minnesotan" (originally "Walk Like An Egyptian" by Bangles) by Crazy lil' Sal
https://youtu.be/qsoxwacSYtw
<p>
Some of the challenges of the year were my sewer back-up..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-hFp2rcR/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-hFp2rcR/0/43eec7b1/S/IMG_8611-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I tried to rent this machine at the local hardware store, but it broke. I ended up calling a local plumber and got it taken care of.
<p>
I visited family down in St. Paul for my birthday, which my dad treated all of us to Brasa Restaurant (found by googling)..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/American-Food/i-hgDL7RD/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Food/American-Food/i-hgDL7RD/0/04cae501/S/IMG_8739-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
Before heading back to Morris, I watched my niece's volleyball game with family..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Sports/Sports-Variety/i-VNz5qPg/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Sports/Sports-Variety/i-VNz5qPg/0/558108a0/S/IMG_8783-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<b>April</b>
<p>
It was an "April Fools" Cold Day, which I was in St. Paul to celebrate my Mom's b-day ..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/St-Paul-Neighborhoods/i-HxFNhFC/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/St-Paul-Neighborhoods/i-HxFNhFC/0/8a740fb4/S/IMG_9019-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
Went to play some piano after getting inspired by watching a "friend's" performance at the campus..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-PZ3QtKC/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-PZ3QtKC/0/081163aa/S/IMG_0142-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
During the celebration of my sister and mom (again)'s birthday together, some of us played the "big version" of Jenga!
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/Sal-Photo-Videography-Multi/i-kJtQn3d/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Sal-Photo-Videography-Multi/i-kJtQn3d/0/56706bf8/S/IMG_9443-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
We would later go out to eat (same restaurant-Brasa, where we went earlier this monht) and then go for a walk along downtown St. Paul's riverfront...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/St-Paul-Riverfront/i-95hMMwd/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/St-Paul-Riverfront/i-95hMMwd/1/2e2d71d4/S/IMG_9480-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I also worked on car maintenance projects-spraying rustoleum (black) underneath my car to maintain the exterior protection and color from the "winter" elements of Minnesota.
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Cars/Car-Mainteance-Archive/i-f27RHsB/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Cars/Car-Mainteance-Archive/i-f27RHsB/0/0759910b/Th/IMG_9559-Th.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<b>May</b>
<p>
My sump pumped started acting up, so I ordered a replacement
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-PjVS6Sz/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-PjVS6Sz/0/719f3ef5/S/IMG_9892-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
My co-worker and I took some clients to this annual "Special Olympics Track Meet" in Moorhead, MN..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Moorhead-in-Clay-County/i-NbG54JN/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Moorhead-in-Clay-County/i-NbG54JN/0/026af25c/Th/IMG_9826-Th.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
My friend Chris and I drove to Minneapolis for one night to check out "Pulse Twin Cities"..
<p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BjPqT9jFaHJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BjPqT9jFaHJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BjPqT9jFaHJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Aftermath after taking part of the “worlds biggest pillow fight” at #pulsetwincities at #usbankstadium #minneapolismn @goodnewsminnesota last Friday @salphotobiz</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/saldapal18/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Saldapal</a> (@saldapal18) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-05-26T14:55:09+00:00">May 26, 2018 at 7:55am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p>
It was our first time at US Bank Stadium too!
<p>
I worked on my summer project early as we had some nice "early" summer-like weather..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-6TXVhMr/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-6TXVhMr/0/77dd1866/Th/IMG_9765-Th.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
Helped record the local high musical called <a href="https://vimeo.com/help/faq/sharing-videos/downloading-videos">Legally Blonde</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/N0Y88Zi0qEE">"Fill me Up" (originally by Will Reagan) by Crazy lil' Sal</a><br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/N0Y88Zi0qEE">https://youtu.be/N0Y88Zi0qEE</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N0Y88Zi0qEE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
<b>June</b>
<p>
Hungout with some co-workers , friends, etc.. at Old #1 's cool patio view after watching Jurassic World..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/City-of-Morris-Life/i-5Bv9Xgd/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/City-of-Morris-Life/i-5Bv9Xgd/0/5fd12b5f/Th/IMG_0707-Th.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
It has been a rainy season and year overall after, so I left these tarps in the back and front part of my house to collect rainwater coming down my metal roof and sliding it a way as far from my house..
<p>
This prevents my sump pump working overload and keeps my basement "dryer"!
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/ZBJmc-CKXyU">"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" ("Lion King" Disney Movie Soundtrack) by Crazy lil' Sal </a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZBJmc-CKXyU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/ZBJmc-CKXyU">https://youtu.be/ZBJmc-CKXyU</a>
<b>July</b>
<p>
I walked the entire lake of Nokomis (Minneapolis, MN) with an "old" friend that used to attend the University of Minnesota-Morris, which we were just "catching-up" on how we are both have been doing since (several years) we last "hung out" together..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Minneapolis-Neighborhoods/i-htKS7hB/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Minneapolis-Neighborhoods/i-htKS7hB/0/401c5c0a/M/IMG_1010-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I would later go check out <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Minnehaha-Falls-Regional-Park/">Minnehaha Falls Regional Park</a>, which I haven't visited for year and remember going to earlier as a kid too..
<p>
<p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlGPUfMFgTL/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlGPUfMFgTL/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlGPUfMFgTL/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Saldapal (@saldapal18)</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-07-11T16:07:08+00:00">Jul 11, 2018 at 9:07am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p>
<p>
I then visited another friend that went to UMM, but we both went to school together. We also caught up on what we've been up to since we graduated (different years). We saw each other years ago when a "close friend" (faculty) passed away :( in Morris..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Asian-Ethnic-Dishes/i-X826Lg8/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Food/Asian-Ethnic-Dishes/i-X826Lg8/0/f037e754/S/IMG_1063-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
When I first bought my house, I would use a "manual" (non-gas powered) grass cutter. It would take a longer time, but less noise and more environmentally friendly, plus a great workout! Life got busier and I started using my "gas powered" lawnmower that the previous owner of the house left and gave me. That was back in 2006 and it finally died! :( I decided to invest on a long term (when I get older and don't have the "energy" to keep pulling that string/wire to start it up!) "battery powered" lawnmower..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Landscaping-Progress/i-QxMg4hN/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Landscaping-Progress/i-QxMg4hN/0/82301c1e/Th/IMG_1217-Th.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
So many benefits, which I highly recommend!
<p>
I love swimming, so I joined some friends (co-workers) one hot day to Glacial Lakes State Park, which I would show a picture hanging up of an "old school" pic of our local church "MCC Softball Team" parade float back in the days...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Nature/Minnesota-State-Park/i-vqvXgdm/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Minnesota-State-Park/i-vqvXgdm/0/21f65197/M/2016-06-11%2013.23.46-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I also had a great workout kayaking (*see <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Blf6hJjFOAC/">#saldapal8</a> , pic taken by Paul J...thanks!)
<p>
I continued my summer project of painting some "spots" underneath my metal roof ..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-wJVrspK/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-wJVrspK/0/cbd4499c/Th/IMG_1435-Th.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
Also, did on-going car maintenance by re-doing my windshield repair..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Cars/Car-Mainteance-Archive/i-3gpBgVP/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Cars/Car-Mainteance-Archive/i-3gpBgVP/0/7412d24b/Th/IMG_1572-Th.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<a hef="https://youtu.be/M6qPg2vx90M">"Wavin' Flag" (originally by K'naan) Dance w/ Crazy lil' Sal</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M6qPg2vx90M" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/M6qPg2vx90M">https://youtu.be/M6qPg2vx90M</a><br>
<p>
<b>August</b>
<p>
We (family & I) celebrated Alysa's (my niece turned "teenager") birthday at Olive Garden
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Desserts/i-zXNmG3x/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Food/Desserts/i-zXNmG3x/0/fdc832cc/S/IMG_1785-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I took one of my ESL (English as a Second Language) students (from Brasil) to the Douglas Country Fair..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Douglas-County-Fair/i-mXLXCkm/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Douglas-County-Fair/i-mXLXCkm/0/3fbe6e7c/S/IMG_2080-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I took some time to volunteer for my workplace to "table" at the Stevens County Fair
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Stevens-County-Fair/i-WrXxvt3/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Events/Stevens-County-Fair/i-WrXxvt3/0/e2c52924/S/IMG_2180-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
As we were promoting our Open House fundraiser for our renovated building project.
<p>
I had my own personal house building renovation issue with my roof with this roof "sky window" leak..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-7w66n2r/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-7w66n2r/0/8e993b16/S/IMG_2165-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I met some cool people while helping out with the annual Feed my Starving Children..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Feed-My-Starving-Children-Meal-Packing/i-nP4b7tv/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Feed-My-Starving-Children-Meal-Packing/i-nP4b7tv/0/78c60e29/Th/IMG_2458-Th.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-ftKxGz7/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-ftKxGz7/0/48eae967/S/Snapshot%283793%29-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<b>September</b>
<p>
I started my own "moving" business-just for a weekend! :) I helped my sister and her husband move somewhat across the state by renting this U-Haul truck in Alexandria..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/Minnesota/Douglas-County-Alexandria/i-shMdJGT/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Minnesota/Douglas-County-Alexandria/i-shMdJGT/0/3d0bf45c/S/IMG_2512-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
It was fun driving it, but the most difficult part was one area where I was trying to cross this double state highway. I was tempted to cross to the "medium", but there wasn't much space. Fortunately, I saw the news prior of a car accident that did the same thing and I learned from it. I decided to NOT take the chance and wait a little longer for a more "clear" traffic despite some "pressure" (car behind me). Let this be anyone's lesson!
<p>
Thanks to a couple of several friends that helped move (unload and load).! It was fun riding in the trunk from Pizza Ranch as we had a packed car of helpers.
<p>
I then went to the cities to drive one of my renters to the airport as he left for "home" :( We were able to hangout a little at the crowded Minnesota State Fair..
<p>
Minnesota: State Fair 2018-Scenes of Big Crowds (Sun. 9.2.18)
https://youtu.be/MPlUZd2g6pY
<p>
I went to the cities again , but to celebrate my nephew's birthday. I gave this gift (children's Bible) to him...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Religion/Churches-Across-the-World/i-hghmnZW/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Religion/Churches-Across-the-World/i-hghmnZW/0/07d4ddcd/S/IMG_2747-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
We then went on a boat ride at Lake Elmo..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Lake-Elmo-Park-Reserve/i-6jJFqb2/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Lake-Elmo-Park-Reserve/i-6jJFqb2/0/8ccce3ac/S/IMG_3030-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
Thanks Chris and Paul for keeping me safe and helping with my needed to be done "sky window" caulking..
<p>
Metal Roof: Climbing for Maintenance Repairs-Caulking Circular Skywindow
https://youtu.be/ip7W5LS-zqk
<p>
We (Morris Community Church) had our "last church fellowship service gathering" the church building..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Religion/Churches-Across-the-World/i-Wxsw6GL/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Religion/Churches-Across-the-World/i-Wxsw6GL/0/f638155f/S/IMG_2965-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
We'll be meeting in rental and other places afterwards..
<p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Boao3_8hqW8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Boao3_8hqW8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Boao3_8hqW8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Creativemusicartsy (@creativemusicartsy)</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-10-02T03:49:26+00:00">Oct 1, 2018 at 8:49pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p>
<b>October</b>
<p>
Donated blood at this sports bar in downtown St. Paul while I was there for one weekend..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Education-Medical-Stuff/i-MVcfQPx/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Education-Medical-Stuff/i-MVcfQPx/0/7c3304b4/Th/IMG_3287-Th.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
Got this gift from facebook..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Seen-on-Media/i-5QvLSbt/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Seen-on-Media/i-5QvLSbt/0/23eeadee/S/IMG_3138-S.jpg" alt=""></a><br>
(click on pic for description)
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-rbqk93v/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-rbqk93v/0/7c9297a9/M/Snapshot%283864%29-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<b>November</b>
<p>
Harvest season brought a lot of "produce", so I'm thankful to God for my co-workers for giving me some healthy foods:
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Healthier-Snacks-and-Foods/i-s3x6WFZ/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Food/Healthier-Snacks-and-Foods/i-s3x6WFZ/0/dfe62fdd/Ti/IMG_3555-Ti.jpg" alt=""></a><br>
(thanks Nicole)
and
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Healthier-Snacks-and-Foods/i-L9Wg6zv/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Food/Healthier-Snacks-and-Foods/i-L9Wg6zv/0/19313ede/M/IMG_3818-M.jpg" alt=""></a><br>
(thanks Patty)
<p>
I went to Hmong New Year with family after Thanksgiving..
<p>
Minnesota: Hmong New Year (Nov. 24th 18')-Dance 1
https://youtu.be/UQnlgwuLm6
<p>
I would work on my parent's bathroom sink..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-jf2sv6R/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-jf2sv6R/0/ae38a843/Th/IMG_3993-Th.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
Learned new skills and applying what I've learned in the past too from past plumbing projects from my own home.
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/UKt1j24TnN8">Karaoke-"Give me Your eyes" (originally by Brandon Heath) by Crazy lil' Sal</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UKt1j24TnN8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/UKt1j24TnN8">https://youtu.be/UKt1j24TnN8</a>
<p>
<b>December</b>
<p>
I was a "last minute" fill-in as a client wasn't able to come to the annual ARC Christmas Program..
<p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq8_Q7alwwe/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq8_Q7alwwe/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq8_Q7alwwe/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Creativemusicartsy (@creativemusicartsy)</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-12-04T05:02:03+00:00">Dec 3, 2018 at 9:02pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p>
I played one of the "prophets" during this "Christmas Story"
<p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsBqJR7lIFr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsBqJR7lIFr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsBqJR7lIFr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Healthfitnessguru (@healthfitnesslifeguy)</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-12-30T21:05:06+00:00">Dec 30, 2018 at 1:05pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/P-qZCw5p-mY">Karaoke -"First Noel" (Hymn) by Crazy lil' Sal</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P-qZCw5p-mY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/P-qZCw5p-mY">https://youtu.be/P-qZCw5p-mY</a>
<p>
Thanks for checking out my 2018 reflection, which I've been doing this for the past year now (used to do it monthly). It's an opportunity to "take a break" before "life gets too busy after the "holiday season"-reflecting on God's blessings !
<p>
goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-88532114090909028112018-01-14T13:25:00.001-08:002018-01-15T13:59:42.892-08:002017 Year in Reflection<h2>January</h2>
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/v1oZtN7HBag">"Shine your "light" through each of us"</a><br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/v1oZtN7HBag">https://youtu.be/v1oZtN7HBag</a>
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Afton-Alps-Ski-Resort/i-FJvd79M/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Afton-Alps-Ski-Resort/i-FJvd79M/0/c449a502/M/Snapshot%28460%29-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
Sal w/fam at Afton Alps Snowboarding (Hastings, Minnesota)
https://youtu.be/6VfZOqZ-SyU
<p>
I also went with my family to Mall of America to celebrate my younger brother's birthday. We went out to eat at Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant and walked a little around the mall.
For work, we did our 2nd annual BINGO game with the kids at St. Mary's Elementary School. It was nice to see folks I work with mingle with the local kids. Great exposure for both sides of our diverse community.
<p>
<h2>February</h2>
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Clinton-in-Big-Stone-County/i-8VgkvZm/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Clinton-in-Big-Stone-County/i-8VgkvZm/0/47e611f0/S/IMG_2541-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I wore shorts on February 10th of 2017 as it was an unusual "above average" warm winter day. We had our annual "Valentine Dance" at Clinton, MN with my workplace. Usually, it's single digits or below zero each year during the dance.
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/q8FCrCQwMME">"This Child is Yours"</a>
https://youtu.be/q8FCrCQwMME
<p>
<h2>March</h2>
<p>
I went to the cities on my birthday weekend to attend my older sister's future brother in -law's "Bachelor's Party". We did geocaching in Bloomington and did various activities in downtown Minneapolis. We had a unique encounter with a guy begging for money as we were heading to our car in the parking ramp...
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/R6ie5W0jg7M">"Satelite Guy" asking for money in streets of Downtown Minneapolis-What would you do?</a><br>
https://youtu.be/R6ie5W0jg7M
<p>
Went to the annual "Philippine Day" at Aldrich Arena in Maplewood, Minnesota. This event grew out of the St. Paul Landmark Center, so they started this in a bigger venue at it's current location 2 years ago...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Philippine-Day-at-Aldrich/i-62m7sDk/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Events/Philippine-Day-at-Aldrich/i-62m7sDk/0/e321032c/S/IMG_2967-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I saw a former college friend, Andre and a high school friend, Sean (no picture).
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/uUNLVK9EuvY">Music: New Song-“Deliverance”</a><br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/uUNLVK9EuvY">https://youtu.be/uUNLVK9EuvY</a>
<p>
<h2>April</h2>
<p>
The biggest highlight of the year was being part of my older sister's wedding with James in Chanhassen Dinner Thetre in Chanhassen, Minnesota..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Chanhassen-in-Carver-County/i-D59ZZ9m/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Chanhassen-in-Carver-County/i-D59ZZ9m/0/198fc4a6/S/Snapshot%28832%29-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
Pictures are personal, so not posting it here. However, I'll post this selfie snapshot (click on pic for video) when I visited Prince's Paisley Park Studios in the same city.
<p>
I just wanted <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">"thank God"</a> for an awesome wedding and to see the whole family present, which was an <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/609542502392314/">answer to prayer</a>!
<p>
<a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2017/04/04/music-karaoke-unforgiven-originally-by-metallica-by-crazy-lil-sal/">Music: Karaoke-“Unforgiven” (originally by Metallica) by Crazy lil’ Sal</a> creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com<br>
<p>
<h2>May</h2>
<p>
The Minnesota Vikings (several current players) visited our town of Morris, Minnesota on May 3rd..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Minnesota-Vikings-Visit-Purple-the-Town-Morris/i-m4hMXnx/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Events/Minnesota-Vikings-Visit-Purple-the-Town-Morris/i-m4hMXnx/0/515ab702/S/IMG_3546-S.jpg" alt=""></a><a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Minnesota-Vikings-Visit-Purple-the-Town-Morris/i-HjVgBSP/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Events/Minnesota-Vikings-Visit-Purple-the-Town-Morris/i-HjVgBSP/0/9634eac8/S/IMG_3555-S.jpg" alt=""></a><br>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Minnesota-Vikings-Visit-Purple-the-Town-Morris/i-mC7mRqf/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Events/Minnesota-Vikings-Visit-Purple-the-Town-Morris/i-mC7mRqf/0/b8b6a14c/M/IMG_3559-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/wPwug0MYMm8">"MN Vikings @BigCatStadium -Kai Forbath Personal Interview</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wPwug0MYMm8" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/wPwug0MYMm8">https://youtu.be/wPwug0MYMm8</a>
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/t_zuC5AdPOE">"Stop F'n & Start Prayin' for the World" by Crazy lil' Sal</a> youtube.com<br>
<p>
<h2>June</h2>
<p>
I created a blog on installing a ceiling fan for the first time, which I hope viewers/readers can learn from some of my installing mistakes-> <a href="https://autohomeandgarden.wordpress.com/2017/06/03/home-installing-a-ceiling-fan-step-by-step/">Home: Installing a Ceiling Fan Step by Step</a> autohomeandgarden.wordpress.com<br>
<p>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">Praise the Lord</a>, I won tickets to this annual family music concert festival. I never ever been to this annual event in Blaine, MN. I won a pair of tickets (via Minnesota Gospel Twin Cities that ministers and feeds the "poor"), so I even bought extra as a gift to some family members I took..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Joyful-Noise-Family-Fest/i-vt9JVPC/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Events/Joyful-Noise-Family-Fest/i-vt9JVPC/0/b18bbc62/S/IMG_4178-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/JXHqckuSLEc">Joyful Noise 2017: "Life Challenge" to All by Nick Hall</a> from youtube.com<br>
<p>
Please prayfully consider donating, giving your time or blessings to the "poor" or the "least" amongst you throughout 2018 and beyond!
<p>
I took a day off from work to attend one of the 2 day <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Art/Morris-Local-Flavors-Celebration/">Morris Local Flavors Celebration -Rural Arts & Culture Summit</a> Conference hosted by my local college alma mater .
<p>
I visited my sister and her husband in Mahnomen and then we drove together to watch a baseball game in Fargo..
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/T5tnLaFwAl8">North Dakota: Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks vs Gary Railcats Baseball Game</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T5tnLaFwAl8" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/T5tnLaFwAl8">https://youtu.be/T5tnLaFwAl8</a>
<p>
Here is another <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">Praise God</a> report: We were walking to the ball park to buy tickets when a couple in a motorcycle (I saw this as a "symbol" and reminder of this book a college friend wrote called-"<a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2017/06/24/book-report-about-face-finding-peace-within-the-battle/">About Face</a>", which was my first book to read in it's entirety in one setting!) came by offering their tickets for FREE! They said they weren't able to watch the game and just wanted to give it away! What a blessing from the Lord!
<p>
I would later doing my annual visit to the North Shore by going to Duluth, Two Harbors, and the surrounding area with some college students that one was my renter at the time...
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/-Q8SWI5D8RI">Minnesota: Duluth-Lift Bridge Visit</a> youtube.com<br>
<p>
We visited this place called "<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/American-Food/i-MBJqTs4">Fitzgers Brewhouse</a>, which we found via "google map" as my friend Wahid was looking particularly for "good root beer" (see <a href="https://foodsofallkinds.wordpress.com/2017/10/30/drinks-spotlight-root-beer/">foodsofallkinds.wordpress.com</a> blog I wrote afterwards.
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/NDdicRpP-KU">Minnesota: Jay Cooke State Park Visit-Drive</a>
<a href="https://youtu.be/NDdicRpP-KU">https://youtu.be/NDdicRpP-KU</a>
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/HHOrKt3mpW4">"Let Your Kingdom Fall"</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HHOrKt3mpW4" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
<h2>July</h2>
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/FrWFoSUB47E">Minneapolis: Boom Island Park-Bridge "Chillin'"</a><br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/FrWFoSUB47E">https://youtu.be/FrWFoSUB47E</a>
<p>
I had a week off during July 4th, so I took advantage of that time spending with family down in St. Paul. We rode bikes around Minneapolis. Afterwards, we went to see fireworks at <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Minnesota-Maplewood-Light-It-Up-Fireworks/i-JDQPrPT">Maplewood Light It Up Fireworks</a>
<p>
I then biked more by going towards the <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Bicycling/St-Paul-Bike-Trails-Battle/i-ZMDJzFT">St. Paul Bike Trails (Battle Creek-Pigs Eye-Mounds Park)</a>, but they were closed by the Highway 61 underpass bridge.
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Confidence-Learning-Center-in-Brainerd/i-5xWkzpg/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Confidence-Learning-Center-in-Brainerd/i-5xWkzpg/0/f1724296/M/IMG_4870-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I work part time for a company called Prairie Community Services, which I started full-time back in the summer of 1999 after graduating from the local university. I was asked to fill-in and work a weekend as they were short staff. It was probably my funnest time of my job as I got paid to supervise the "developmentally disabled clients" (young kids-teens-adults) at this annual camp they attend called <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Confidence-Learning-Center-in-Brainerd">Camp Confidence Learning Center in Brainerd, MN</a>. Awesome place as a resort "escape away" for this particular population. Please consider donating your time and and money to see what this place is all about and how you can make a difference!
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-6hztv9t/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-6hztv9t/0/4dd411cf/S/Snapshot%282006%29-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<h2>August</h2>
<p>
<a href="https://vimeo.com/228003597">“Smiley Face” (originally “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga) by Crazy lil’ Sal</a><br>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-rbq5thS/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-rbq5thS/0/10a7af6d/S/Snapshot%282221%29-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I went to the cities several times this month, which was the most of all year. I drove my renter a couple of different weekends to the <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/University-of-Minnesota-Twin/i-dzVrZs3">UofM TC Campus</a> looking for his new "home". I then went to the Minnesota State Fair with family, which we went to our favorite area-"Midway: Games"..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/State-Fair-2017/i-mTW8kx5/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/State-Fair-2017/i-mTW8kx5/0/23efca58/S/IMG_5640-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
My parents rode the Sky Ride for the first time since we were "kids". I would also go to Red Lobster twice with the family to celebrate my dad's birthday and another time with just my parents...lots of seafood this month!
<p>
<h2>September</h2>
<p>
I started the month with my only softball game(s), which my friends from my former softball days decided to do a "last minute" weekend tournament. Unfortunately, we were double eliminated , which I felt very bad as I had a poor batting average (1-2 hits out of 10 or so???).
<p>
I then celebrated "Ramadan" with my renter and friends by going to Alexandria to a former ESL (English as a Second Language) student of mine.
<p>
I drove my work 15-passenger mini-bus to <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Theater/Theatre-Scenes/i-HTvBVQj">Chanhassen Dinner Theater</a> to watch "Grease". It was great weather and the whole trip went well..thank God!
<p>
The Minnesota Twins baseball team were getting hot, so I wanted to watch as many games at Target Field..
<p>
First game was on 9.15.17
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Twins-Games-at-Target-Field-Archives/i-4v5zhNL/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Twins-Games-at-Target-Field-Archives/i-4v5zhNL/0/c982da15/M/IMG_5910-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
Second game was on 9.30.17 with a friend (Chris, who doesn't like pictures), which I left in the middle of <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/School/University-of-Minnesota-Morris/i-SvpkkC7">UMM Coming Weekend</a> (despite friends came all the way from Florida and St. Paul). This is how HUGE of Minnesota Twins fan I am.
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Twins-Games-at-Target-Field-Archives/i-Wt3KqsD/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Twins-Games-at-Target-Field-Archives/i-Wt3KqsD/0/29d93ee8/S/IMG_6194-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
Unfortunately, the Minnesota Twins didn't make it past the Wild Card (against the Yankees) :(, which I watched with some friends at the local bar in Morris, MN.
<p>
<p>
<h2>October</h2>
<p>
I went through a drawing streak during fall, which here is one of my favorites
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Art/Sals-Drawing-Collections/i-BwrDSXh/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Art/Sals-Drawing-Collections/i-BwrDSXh/0/bcf176e0/S/IMG_6731-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I attended "Grandparents Day" with my parents at <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Schools-Around-the-World/i-qvQWFFH">Capitol Hill</a> in St. Paul, which my niece and nephew showed us around. It was nice to see the school where my younger brother went to when he was growing up.
<p>
<h2>November</h2>
<p>
For work (ft-job), I was asked to drive some clients to the annual regional Special Olympics Bowling tournament in <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Moorhead-in-Clay-County/i-NDtp3XK/A">Moorhead, MN</a>. It was very windy driving back, which I'm thankful to God for getting us safely home!
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/krtlwd17gPQ">“The Stand” (originally by Hillsong) by Crazy lil’ Sal</a><br>
<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/krtlwd17gPQ" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/krtlwd17gPQ">https://youtu.be/krtlwd17gPQ</a>
<p>
I went home for Thanksgiving (every we should be thankful and grateful!) and did some "family time" (e.g. went out to eat at a Vietnamese restaurant, walking around Como Park/Lake, and "window shopping" at Rosedale Mall)..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Roseville-in-Ramsey-County/i-SwLVbpK/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Roseville-in-Ramsey-County/i-SwLVbpK/0/37f39a56/S/IMG_6918-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
During the weekend, my sister wanted to workout, so we decided to go to Maplewood Community Center..
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/f6u40QGUnfw">Fitness: Plyometric-Jumping Exercise w/ "HealthFitnessLifeGuy" </a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f6u40QGUnfw" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
*this is the launch of my youtube channel focusing on health, fitness, and lifer overall as my instagram account is named after-> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/healthfitnesslifeguy/">#healthfitnesslifeguy</a>
<p>
<a href="https://goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com/2017/11/18/fitness-various-plyometric-training-exercises/">Fitness: Various Plyometric Training Exercises</a> goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com<br>
<p>
<h2>December</h2>
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/WzEb6Z2pydM">Fitness: Warm-up Stretches while Standing Up to Psalm 33 Reading Pt. 1</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WzEb6Z2pydM" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
I went with some friends "early" Saturday morning to watch "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Movie-Archives/i-DDVQXSb/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Movie-Archives/i-DDVQXSb/0/f74c4c5e/S/IMG_7437-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
It was actually not that bad as I didn't bother to read/watch any reviews-> <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2017/12/17/movie-star-wars-the-last-jedi-reflection/">Movie: Star Wars -“The Last Jedi” Reflection</a> goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com
<p>
But, a "better" movie I went to see later in the month down in the Twin Cities with my younger brother's family was...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Movie-Archives/i-nzCdV82/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Movie-Archives/i-nzCdV82/1/1949d5a5/S/IMG_7438a-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2017/12/30/movie-jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-reflection/">Movie: “Jumanji-Welcome to the Jungle” Reflection</a> goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com<br> This movie ended up beating Star Wars the 3rd week I believe??
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/HhllXzG6w2c">Karaoke="Hark the Herald Angels" (originally by Charles Wesley)</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HhllXzG6w2c" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
This is just some of my reflections from 2017, how about yours? What were some of your highlights? What are you looking forward to in 2018?
<p>
more coming soon!
<p>goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-89576233032957596462017-01-22T21:57:00.000-08:002017-01-22T22:04:06.489-08:00December 2016I 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 (<a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2016/08/14/neutral-perspective-dakota-access-pipeline-projects-pros-cons/">Neutral Perspective: Dakota Access pipeline project’s Pros & Cons</a> 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)...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-JDhBMxT/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-JDhBMxT/0/M/i-JDhBMxT-M.jpg" alt=""></a><br>
(Picture taken right before leaving Rosebud Camp after three days with showering...lol)
<p>
If interested in reading my personal ventures, here is the 1st of 3-> <a href="http://goodnewseverybodycom.blogspot.com/2016/12/my-personal-adventure-visit-to-standing.html">My Personal Adventure Visit to Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation: Day #1 -Friday, December 2nd 2016 </a>
<p>
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 <a href="https://autohomeandgarden.wordpress.com/2016/12/12/home-some-tips-for-an-eco-friendly-house/">eco friendly</a> 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.
<p>
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!
<p>
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-> <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2016/12/18/movie-star-wars-series-reflections/">Movie: Star Wars Series Reflections </a> goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com
<p>
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:
<p>
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...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Sports/Ice-Skating/i-vnv4T9v/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Sports/Ice-Skating/i-vnv4T9v/1/S/IMG_2051-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<a href="https://goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com/2017/01/14/fitness-how-to-teach-kids-ice-skating/">Fitness: How to teach kids ice skating?</a> goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com<br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/GRTjwBvdRmY">Sal teaching Nephew How to Ice Skate </a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GRTjwBvdRmY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
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....
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Theater/Theatre-Scenes/i-H37KgQJ/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Theater/Theatre-Scenes/i-H37KgQJ/0/S/IMG_2077-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
..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 (<a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2016/12/24/music-karaoke-white-christmas-by-crazy-lil-sal/">Music: Karaoke-“White Christmas” by Crazy lil’ Sal</a> ) and after (<a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2017/01/10/music-karaoke-count-your-blessings-by-crazy-lil-sal/">Music: Karaoke-“Count Your Blessings” by “Crazy lil’ Sal”</a> creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com .
<p>
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 <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Sports/Ice-Skating/i-DRFqsh5">Centennial Lakes Park</a> ....
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Sports/Ice-Skating/i-N9grk7t/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Sports/Ice-Skating/i-N9grk7t/0/S/Snapshot%28348%29-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-83980372629223710602017-01-15T13:58:00.002-08:002017-01-15T15:14:27.834-08:00My Personal Adventure Leaving Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation: Day #3-Sunday, December 4th 2016<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-JDhBMxT/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-JDhBMxT/0/S/i-JDhBMxT-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
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 ..
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/zUFSi25wrsI">Standing Rock: Day #3 -Leaving Rosebud Camp (Sun. Dec. 4th 16') </a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zUFSi25wrsI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
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.
<p>
*see more pics from the camps at Standing Rock on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/443035202378024/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1472721199409414">North Dakota: Standing Rock</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SalPhotoVideography/">https://www.facebook.com/SalPhotoVideography/</a>
<p>
As I left Rosebud Camp...I saw flocks of people and cars coming north to Oceti..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-fhM8x6G/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-fhM8x6G/0/S/IMG_1616-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
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 <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2016/08/14/neutral-perspective-dakota-access-pipeline-projects-pros-cons/">for or against</a> this #IStandforStandingRock . Here is the video I took as I left to South Dakota from here (Canon Falls, North Dakota)..
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/1nqqHWa1-N0">Road Trip Vlog Pt. 3: Driving from Standing Rock Sioux Reservation's Cannon Ball to SE Region ND</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1nqqHWa1-N0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-jgnZjfM/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-jgnZjfM/0/S/IMG_1626-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<p>
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. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">Praise the Lord!</a> 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).
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-hsWpGcK/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-hsWpGcK/0/S/IMG_1632-S.jpg" alt=""></a><br>
<i>"Border between North & South Dakota"</i>
<p>
<b>South Dakota</b>
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-HwCRSzW/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-HwCRSzW/0/M/IMG_1634-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
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).
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/1lBehS1vmCs">Road Trip Vlog Pt. 4: Driving from NE Region SD to SE Mobridge SD </a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1lBehS1vmCs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
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.
<p>
*see more pics of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/443035202378024/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1496321817049352">South Dakota: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SalPhotoVideography/>https://www.facebook.com/SalPhotoVideography/</a>
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-SCcH2PP/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-SCcH2PP/0/M/Snapshot%28288%29-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
It was 10:30ish in the morning and I decided to find a "local church" to attend Sunday morning service in Mobridge..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/Driving/Road-Trip-Morris-MN-to/i-KFZXstQ/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Driving/Road-Trip-Morris-MN-to/i-KFZXstQ/0/S/IMG_1653-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
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 -> <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/Driving/Road-Trip-Morris-MN-to">Road Trip: Morris MN to Standing Rock SD</a> & other <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com">blogs</a> on the many topics from this trip-ongoing movement!
<p>
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!
<p.
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/313230752154108/">Good News Ministry</a><br>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/313230752154108/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/313230752154108/</a>
goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-36412018063095108282016-12-17T17:14:00.000-08:002016-12-22T20:11:05.301-08:00My Personal Adventure Visit at Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation: Day #2-Saturday, December 3rd 2016As I shared in my <a href="http://goodnewseverybodycom.blogspot.com/2016/12/my-personal-adventure-visit-to-standing.html">previous blog post (Day #1)</a>, I didn't sleep well and didn't get up in time for the prayer vigil along Cannonball River (tributary of Missouri River)...
<p>
<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d22000.865405158376!2d-100.6309165857654!3d46.426735411164756!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x52d7a9e9afd3196f%3A0xaa2df4d8da2ccb04!2sCannonball+River!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1482023255314" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0" style="border:0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
... However, I was able to watch part of it, which I'm not able to share a photo of it as I found out afterwards that I couldn't take a pic of this ritual ceremony event. It was very peaceful to watch as I prayed myself and talked to God during my morning <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2016/06/07/good-and-bad-on-meditation/">meditation</a>. I would try to have this spirit of prayer throughout the weekend as the speakers would encourage all of us at camp to do throughout my time there.
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-KVg54dD/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-KVg54dD/0/M/i-KVg54dD-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
As I walked through the camp I was lodging at, I took a pic of this cool looking bus..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-gL7HGWn/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-gL7HGWn/0/S/i-gL7HGWn-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I just translated it just now, which it goes something like this "Road on the way". After crossing the bridge over Cannon Ball River, I walked towards the prayer vigil and just got there as it finished :(..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-bzGPWqF/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-bzGPWqF/0/S/i-bzGPWqF-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
While standing there, some friendly lady made a statement saying, "You look cold". I lied and replied, "I'm alright", which then just started rubbing my lower back without my permission...lol! She said that massaging your lower kidneys from the back is one way to keep warm. We then chatted and she shared that she's from France. I was awwed and she then later shared she is originally from New York and introduced herself to be Emily. She ended up sharing some of her life stories of her travels since leaving her hometown of New York (was a hippie during the <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2016/12/23/now-you-know-what-really-happened-in-the-vietnam-war/">Vietnam War Era</a>), which she attended Woodstock. She would later ask about my background and I told her I was Filipino American, which she replied that I looked "Native". I replied that I get that a lot. I somehow lost my notes I took , so that's about it that I can remember. Stay tune as I might find my notes and I'll share more detail of this particular chat.
<p>
I then walked back the "stage" to see of any new developments of the various speakers. Nothing much was going on, so I decided to tour the main "Oceti Camp", which I took many photos that I already have shared on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SalPhotoVideography/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1472721199409414">photo-video facebook posts</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SalPhotoVideography/">Sal Photo-Videography site</a>...
<p>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SalPhotoVideography/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1472721199409414">https://www.facebook.com/SalPhotoVideography/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1472721199409414</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SalPhotoVideography">https://www.facebook.com/SalPhotoVideography</a>
<p>
Feel free to click above for the caption (e.g. links and blogs on the various topics I'm still "researching" on).
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-qDz35c6/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-qDz35c6/0/S/i-qDz35c6-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<i>"Above is a pic of one of the possible barracks/tents "we" helped built the other night. There were several or more of these throughout the camp</i>
<p>
As I walked back to the "stage" to hear more speakers, there were a lot of people compared to last night. Throughout the day, there were flocks of people (mostly veterans that were expected) coming. While waiting for the next "speaker", I overheard a "Native" mom speaking to her kids...
<p>
"Look kids, this is how we live back in the "old days" (tepees)>" I asked her, where she was from. She told me she lives up north by Mandan and that she had to take the longer route from Bismark because the county closed the overpass bridge going to this camp, so they had to go the roundabout way..
<p>
<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m28!1m12!1m3!1d350899.428540608!2d-101.04195929101049!3d46.59906221541592!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!4m13!3e6!4m5!1s0x52d785bdd22238e5%3A0xb814d0547f6979c0!2sMandan%2C+ND+58554!3m2!1d46.8266603!2d-100.8895761!4m5!1s0x52d6535654daee41%3A0x29fdaeaaafc6a871!2sCannon+Ball%2C+ND!3m2!1d46.3894387!2d-100.5940114!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1482465133826" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0" style="border:0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<i>"According to google, it's about 7 minutes longer only"</i>, but it depends what part of Mandan-Bismark metropolitan area"</i>
<p>
Later, I met this lady (Heather) from California. She has been in the camp for the last 3 weeks, which I was amazed. She told me she's been hanging out with lot of Veterans since her husband is one himself...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-XLGtqNS/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-XLGtqNS/0/S/i-XLGtqNS-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
While we were chatting, one of her Veteran (I believe an <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2016/12/17/neutral-perspective-iraq-war-was-justified-or-not/">Iraq War</a> vet) friends came to chat with her. He and I introduced each other and I noticed he wasn't as clearly spoken. He wold mumble his words and appeared he had some disability. My heart grew fond as I feel he was injured when he was an active duty. I've met several injured disabled vets before. In fact, there is this guy I met from a Men's Retreat (w/local church) years ago who suffered from "agent orange" (see <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2016/12/17/neutral-perspective-iraq-war-was-justified-or-not/">Neutral Perspective: Iraq War was justified or not? </a>). Anyways, getting back to the chat, she shared with me how her dad is a Christian and wasn't supportive of what she was doing (e.g. "anti-imperialism", she has actively protested back in Los Angeles with "<a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-occupy-protests-storygallery.html">Occupy Wall Street</a> back in 2012, etc..).
<p>
During our chat, we paused to listen to one of the speakers from the "Native" community. She gave us a history lesson of the global issues impacted by the "greed of oil" (see another blog I wrote after my experience here-> <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2016/12/06/deep-thought-is-oil-causing-wars/">Deep Thought: Is “Oil” causing wars? </a> ). It was like going back to college, a whole quarter/semester of information pack all in one speech. She really captivated my ears and was anxious to re"search" all she shared. In conclusion, she repeated the echo of this whole camp theme-"please be in prayer throughout" this time your here.
<p>
After she spoke, I chatted more with this lady from California. She shared about the "racial tension" between "Natives" and "Whites" (see <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2016/12/15/deep-thought-does-it-matter-if-your-part-of-another-ethnicity/">Deep Thought: Does it matter if your part of another “ethnicity or race”? </a>), which I wrote after a post (after I came back to Morris) on this "on-going" topic shared on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/314695018883121/">#nodapl</a> group I'm in. Also, she shared about the possible "spraying" of a crop plane that made many people sick. She said it could be caused by just the inclement weather, but she and many other campers noticed the increase of symptoms (e.g. throat issues, coughing, etc..) since this "crop spraying" (see <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2016/12/08/neutral-perspective-north-dakota-law-enforcement-with-dapl-security-firm-vs-nodapl-water-protectors/">Neutral Perspective: North Dakota Law Enforcement with DAPL Security Firm vs #NODAPL “Water” Protectors </a> as I did some re"search" and some say it was a false rumor, but re"search" it yourself. I replied that I wouldn't be surprised as I shared how the "government" admitted they did this 40+ years later in Kansas over this predominately "black poor community" and they still do this (e.g. re"search" yourself <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Weather/Day-Time-Sky/i-c4xQF82/A">"chemtrails"</a>).
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Before we parted our ways, I asked if I could pray for healing for her sickness, which she obliged ..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/Inspirational-Bible-Verses/i-kNcQpMn/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Inspirational-Bible-Verses/i-kNcQpMn/0/Th/IMG_3187-Th.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
If you read this far, please join me in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/609542502392314/">prayer</a> for not only these "water protectors", but everyone else (e.g. Morton County law enforcement too) impacted or involved (directly/indirectly) by this #standingrock movement..
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<i>"Heavenly Father, we lift all the people directly/indirectly involved by this situation in Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation. We pray that justice will be done and also healing (e.g. physical and emotional/mental from the meetings that has happened-> peace and forgiveness among the "Natives", "Whites", "various ethnic groups", Veterans, law enforcement agency, residents of Bismark and North Dakota overall, etc..) from everything that has happened and still happening...in Jesus' "mighty" name..AMEN!</i>
<p>
<center>To be continued...</center>
<p>
After praying for her, she recommended me to find Veterans around the camp and get to know their story. I decided to walk around part of the camp looking for one who to chat with. I took more pictures (more will be show on my facebook photo-video site) and eventually got tired. I walked back to Rosebud Camp. Along my way, I met this guy name Ivan, who is originally from Bosnia (asked him because of his accent) and now lives in Iowa for the last 2 years or so. I then continued walking to my camp site (car), so I can take a short afternoon nap. On my way back, I saw more tents being put up around my camp site. I was going to see if they needed help, but they seem to have numerous helpers. I went back to my car and had lunch. After eating, I did a quiet devotional time with God. I was led to the David vs. Goliath story prior (see <a href="https://twitter.com/GoodnewsUSAinfo/status/804570696353464320">@goodnews_usa Twitter</a> account) to this trip, so I ended up reading all of it and additional chapters..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-vNm9dNM/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-vNm9dNM/0/S/i-vNm9dNM-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I then took a "power" nap and was awaken by more "monitoring" aviation action (both a <a href="https://youtu.be/nOThw9X-E8s">plane and a helicopter</a>). I then decided to check the builders progress of the tent behind my car. They were making progress! I started to walk back towards Oceti Sakowin Camp across the river. Along my way, I saw a bunch of workers chopping firewood.
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-FKPSQpq/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-FKPSQpq/0/S/i-FKPSQpq-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I decided to ask if anyone needed help. One worker told me that there was an extra ax in the shed. As he walked with me to get it, we introduced ourselves to each other. He told me he's from the Duluth area in Minnesota. I told him, he was the first Minnesotan I've met this weekend. Then he shared that there is a big group taking turns from the area going to Standing Rock. After chatting with him, I started chopping the wood around me. While chopping wood, a worker next to me started to introduce himself to me. He told me he was from Scotland, which I was wow! I didn't have a chance to ask what interested him coming here. Instead he shared about his background on how he's in a season looking and researching his family "tree" roots. While chatting, this "Native" elderly lady was passing some cornbread to the workers. I couldn't refuse, so I took a break and accepted her offer ..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-TqvDSJc/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-TqvDSJc/0/S/i-TqvDSJc-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
My new "friend" from Scotland and I continued to chat more. He told me that he's been sleeping from one tent to the other as he asked me where I was sleeping at tonight. I then gave him my business card , offering him to contact me whenever he's around my neighborhood.
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-VGzCh3R/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-VGzCh3R/0/S/i-VGzCh3R-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
It was already sunset and too dark to chop wood, so I decided to continue my way back to Oceti Sakowin Camp. I was delayed when a truck carrying hay bales was stuck (earlier I was helping some young ladies that were helping unload them) after unloading it's cargo.
<p>
<p>
I continued to walk across the bridge to the other camp...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-5HSdh43/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-5HSdh43/0/S/i-5HSdh43-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
...I notice some guy on the ground. I found out he was a Veteran in uniform. I decided to stay and see how I can help. Several people were there and one asked if there is a blanket thy can have to keep him warm until the medics came. I volunteered to take my jacket off and put my warm Columbia jacket on him. He said that he thinks he broke his leg after falling on the ice (very common during my weekend here). I was silently praying in my spirit for healing, which I kick myself afterwards wishing I had more boldness to just lay hands on him and pray. Several folks started to chat with him to keep him to have "positive vibes". He shared with all of us that he brought his own EMT kit in case someone needed it , but didn't imagine that he would need it. The EMT folks came and did first aid, which a group of folks carried him to a nearby pick-up truck to take him to the EMT tent. Thank God he got the medical care and praying for him and the other US Veterans!
<p>
I then went to the "stage prayer" area, which was close by and listened for more updates. They had various speakers and "entertainers". While watching-listening, my lady friends from Ohio came by and found me. We chatted how our day has been. Then we met a group of people from Chicago wearing the same t-shirt...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-BTgzHMC/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-BTgzHMC/0/S/i-BTgzHMC-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
They shared about their support for #standing rock and we would chat a bit, but I got distracted as one of the speakers mentioned about her injury during the protest. I then look to the "stage" and was listening. I found out this was the same lady I saw in social media that got shot in the eye with a rubber bullet ....
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/WmksesdcfZE">Nov 20, 2016 Confrontation at Standing Rock </a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WmksesdcfZE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
<p>
This was one of the pics (see <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2016/12/08/neutral-perspective-north-dakota-law-enforcement-with-dapl-security-firm-vs-nodapl-water-protectors/">Neutral Perspective: North Dakota Law Enforcement with DAPL Security Firm vs #NODAPL “Water” Protectors </a>) that really bothered me prior to coming here, so I was touched to see her in person. I missed the announcement, but I notice a bunch of people going up front and praying for her and donating money to pay her medical bills. I'm not sure if it was just for family or tribal members, but I just went up front to bless (<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/medical-fund-for-vanessa">donated $</a>) her. I gave a hug and quietly said..in "<a href="http://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/Power-of-Words/40856503_wHwK6c#!i=3715521787&k=qVvLJQ7&lb=1&s=A">Jesus name</a>..." as I touched her wounded head.
<p>
I then walked back to the group of people I was chatting with and would watch more people giving their prayer and thoughts. I continued to be in spirit and prayer as I watched. After her brother or family member shared about this young women's injury. There was a group of young men sharing about this "Round dance" happening later tonight. They shared a sample of what it'll be like. My Ohio friends and I decided we should go, so we walked to the "big tent" (a.k.a. "largest sweat lodge) later in the evening and had a great time.
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-qknmMn8/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-qknmMn8/0/S/i-qknmMn8-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
It was a cool cultural experience, which I remember doing something similar when there were "<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/UMMs-CNIA-Pow-Wows/">pow-wow</a>" dances back in Morris each year. As I was trying to still be in spirit of prayer in the campgrounds, I started to <a href="http://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/Mall-of-America/34929383_M9jjhP#!i=3432478313&k=pqJ2nFw&lb=1&s=A">speak in tongues</a> out loud during the "<a href="https://youtu.be/1C9Tp7uk3Q8">round dance</a>" yelling. People around me were holding hands in a circle, smiling, and really enjoying themselves. During the dance, I felt something in the bottom of my feet that I stepped on. I stopped and picked up someone's Hyundai key chain. I put in my pocket and thought to myself, "How can I announce this lost and found?". I felt bad for the person who might've lost it and I'm sure he/she was stressed out. Within 5-10 minutes or so, a guy shouted out between dances and asked if people can look in the ground for his keys. I was just 3 people down in front of him, which I stretched my hand with a smile and said, "here you go". My Ohio friends tapped behind me and said, "that's awesome" with a smile. I thought to myself, "<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">praise the Lord</a>!". It felt like a "night club" scene, but in a spiritual peaceful purpose common bond type of way! :)
<p>
I somehow lost my Ohio friends as they went out earlier for a smoke break and I was getting hungry (had some tea with one of my Ohio friends earlier only), so I left the camp around 9ish and headed across the river to my lodging (car). It was a great night and felt very peaceful as I continued to pray in spirit (e.g. singing various parody songs I recorded -> "<a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2016/04/06/music-prayer-come-let-your-presence-fill-this/">Come & Let Your Presence Fall in this place...</a>" ). When I got to my car, I looked across the river and paused in prayer for the workers across the river as I can see them working with the lights on. I asked God that "<a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2016/11/30/music-come-let-your-justice-fall-in-this-place/">Justice will fill this place</a>" as one of my last recorded songs before I came to Standing Rock. I ate some of the snacks (turkey sandwich) I brought and then went to bed in my sleeping bag as I wrote notes during my reflection-meditation. It was a great day!
<p>goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-50306545291868586492016-12-11T19:03:00.002-08:002016-12-12T21:12:39.674-08:00My Personal Adventure Visit to Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation: Day #1 -Friday, December 2nd 2016
I was contemplating whether or not on going to Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation for over a week. I made a blog early August called- <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2016/08/14/neutral-perspective-dakota-access-pipeline-projects-pros-cons/">Neutral Perspective: Dakota Access pipeline project’s Pros & Cons </a> goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com , which the number of "views" was the largest (130 at the time before I left on my road trip). After the unfortunate "Civil-rights" like abuse that friends on facebook was posting, I felt the "need" to want to see this historical event going "next door" myself in person. Also, I had many other reasons (e.g. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/220389504791110/">dream</a> of two "W's" in a cloud formation in a bright blue sky, which I feel like I saw the interpretation after my trip. I'll be sharing this in Part #3 of this continuous blog). I decided to just "step in faith" on Friday, December 2nd 2016. After watching and reading about this movement, I wanted to see myself with my own eyes after getting so much traffic on my blog (<a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2016/08/14/neutral-perspective-dakota-access-pipeline-projects-pros-cons/"> Neutral Perspective: Dakota Access pipeline project’s Pros & Cons</a> goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com).
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<b>Friday, December 2nd 2016</b>: I left a little after 9ish in the morning after packing my car with all my "necessities". The driving conditions between the eastern SD-MN border and the town of was a little slick
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/Driving/Road-Trip-Morris-MN-to/i-MT7dcXK/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Driving/Road-Trip-Morris-MN-to/i-MT7dcXK/0/S/IMG_1380-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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, which slowed my travel destination time. I didn't arrive in Mobridge, SD (southeastern border town of Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation) till 2:15ish (an hour or so later than expected). Other factors was due to some breaks, such as getting meals at Walmart in <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/South-Dakota-Aberdeen-in-Brown">Aberdeen, South Dakota</a>.
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When I got to Mobridge, I took my time driving through as I was curious about the town. I even drove off from main street to check out the neighborhoods..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/Driving/Road-Trip-Morris-MN-to/i-zjcdSPK/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Driving/Road-Trip-Morris-MN-to/i-zjcdSPK/1/S/IMG_1405-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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I then stopped at the Burger King parking lot to get out and take pictures of the Missouri River..
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<a href="https://youtu.be/wqT7CKoFxN0">Road Trip Vlog: Mobridge to Standing Rock Sioux Reservation </a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wqT7CKoFxN0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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It was a beautiful view!
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I didn't get to the actual <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/">reservation</a> until I went on the Highway 12 overpass bridge across the Missouri River..
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<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1420451.2856428144!2d-102.27563739668055!3d45.944910762879104!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x52d61fc527e8caa3%3A0xd6e7c8547faff348!2sStanding+Rock+Reservation%2C+Central+Corson%2C+SD!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1481405231902" width="600" height="450" frameborder="0" style="border:0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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I did some reading prior to my trip and wanted to visit the Sitting Bull Memorial..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-xPKxCDk/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-xPKxCDk/0/S/IMG_1424-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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I couldn't stay long as I marveled the scenery as the winter days are short, so I went back on the road to travel north to Cannon Ball. Along the way, I gained an hour as I drove through the daylights saving time zone. When I went a little back east again from <a href="http://www.city-data.com/city/McLaughlin-South-Dakota.html">McLaughlin</a> ..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-FPRvhRG/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-FPRvhRG/0/S/IMG_1447-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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While stopping here at a gas station, I ran into this elderly native. He tried to speak to me, but it wasn't in English. I thought it was cool to hear his "tribal" language. I just smiled and walked to the restroom. I notice the price of gas ($2.45) was the highest along this road trip. I would later find out that it might've been raised to prevent outsiders traveling to the "protest" site.
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I continued the beautiful scenic drive up north on Highway 24 towards Fort Yates and accidentally took a detour drive around the town. I realized I was going the wrong way, so I went back to 24 and continued north to Cannon Ball.
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-fRxtTM5/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-fRxtTM5/0/S/IMG_1465-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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Before reaching the campsite, I saw the church that I found online that I contacted prior to my trip...
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-sW34bxr/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-sW34bxr/0/S/IMG_1488-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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I met one of the caretakers (Peter) and would chat about my trip. He shared how the pastor wasn't feeling well, so I ended up asking if I can pray together with him for the pastor. He accepted and we <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/609542502392314/">prayed</a>. I brought extra food, so I decided to donate some to the church before heading to the camp to see if they need some more there too.
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<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d37008.51425514396!2d-100.64066591621808!3d46.41551338288551!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x52d61fc527e8caa3%3A0xd6e7c8547faff348!2sStanding+Rock+Reservation%2C+Central+Corson%2C+SD!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1481424388176" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0" style="border:0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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I finally arrived at the campsite around 4:20ish. The first camp was Sacred Camp..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-VRvGQqC/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-VRvGQqC/0/S/IMG_1491-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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When I got there, I was met by a gatekeeper telling me rules of the camp, which I then drove in and found a spot. However, I didn't feel it was a great spot as there were no nearby bathrooms or community . I then drove out and decided to look for another camp, which I read about the others. However, the sun was getting close to setting, so I went back. As I was driving to the camp entrance, a new gatekeeper told me that the roads are going to get icy and might be slipper to get up the hill by tomorrow morning if I leave. I decided to look for another camp, so I drove further north on 24 towards Cannon Ball River..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-fRdC3QQ/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/South-Dakota-Standing-Rock/i-fRdC3QQ/0/S/IMG_1503-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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I arrived at Sicangu Camp or Rosebud according to the locals I camped with there..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-7vbjtJQ/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-7vbjtJQ/0/M/i-7vbjtJQ-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
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This was going to be my home for the weekend :)
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As I drove through Rosebud, I was looking for a place to "camp". I found one just across a couple of porta potties along the river. I parked next to this car, but never had the chance to meet my neighbor as he drove off the following morning. This would become a regular pattern as people came and go. I took a pic from where I set up "camp" and marveled the beauty as the sun started to set..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-Xxm3jJ2/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Xxm3jJ2/1/M/i-Xxm3jJ2-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
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.. I decided to walk around and bring a bag of snacks to hand out to people. I didn't walk too far and some young lady offered me one as she too was carrying a bag of snacks. I felt welcomed immediately as people would greet me and many would even say "welcome brother". I walked towards the entrance of the camp to the highway entrance and then veered along the pedestrian path on the bridge towards Oceti Sakowin Camp. As I entered the camp, I started chatting with a group of young Natives (teens or older?). I greeted them and they welcomed by saying "your Native" now! I then walked towards the big tent (a.k.a. largest sweat lodge) where they reportedly had a schedule of events (e.g. meetings for non violent protest).I then walked around and saw a group of people around this "stage" area...
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-9s8qkxW/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-9s8qkxW/0/S/i-9s8qkxW-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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There was someone on a mic most of the time making announcements or someone doing a performance. Across them, there was some people sitting around a fire and praying. Adjacent to the stage was a place to get hot drinks and some food ("kitchen"). I would hang out there and I wasn't sure what else to do. Awhile later, they announced they needed volunteer at the "carpentry shop" to help build tents for the incoming 2,000+/- expected U.S. Veterans. I heard about them coming this weekend, which I read in numerous social media reports and articles. I decided to go there and join to "do something"....
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/North-Dakota-Standing-Rock/n-LggScZ/i-gcCwr2N/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-gcCwr2N/0/S/i-gcCwr2N-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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When I got there, a young man gave us instructions and we just started building these 4'x4' floor sections to be used. We had plenty of volunteers and we worked so fast that they told us to slow down and ended up stopping for awhile.
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I decided to go and check out the "stage" for any updates in the evening. While watching-listening to the various speakers, I chatted with some young ladies besides me. They drove all the way from Ohio. They told me they are staying at a tent that their friend left for them as he left to go home after being at the camp for awhile. I would later learned that these camps had people come and go and people would take turns "fortifying" each other's camp. We would all walk back together to our camp as we were just a short distance from each other at Rosebud. I ate a late supper that evening (around 9ish) in my car and would try to go to bed. I had so much "stuff" in my back seat that I wasn't able to sit back comfortably. I ended up having a long night as I just didn't sleep well from 10ish to 8ish. I was hoping to get up at 6ish to attend a prayer along the Cannon Ball River on the other side (Oceti Sakowin Camp), but just didn't. I was awaken throughout the night and early morning. Around 6ish, a helicopter would hover both camp sites back and forth. I learned this from social media, so I turned off my smartphone to avoid of being tracked.
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<center><center><h2>To be continued (as time permits for me to write)...Part 2!</h2></center>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/535034003207122/">Good News Circle of Tribes</a><br>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/535034003207122/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/535034003207122/</a>
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goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-6010512771876290132016-12-10T13:10:00.001-08:002016-12-10T13:14:25.203-08:00November 2016I started the month with our monthly worship practice (Thursdays) on the 3rd. I played some soccer after work the week after (10th) as the weather was still "ok". It got really cold, but I braved it with Luciano on Friday (11th) to cheer for our local high school football team in the 1st round of the state playoffs at Alexandria..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Sports/Morris-AreaChokio-Alberta/i-v3x4WZ7/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Sports/Morris-AreaChokio-Alberta/i-v3x4WZ7/0/M/IMG_1012-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
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Unfortunately, the Morris Alberta-Chokio Area High School football team lost, but it was a hard fought at the end. If they won, they would've played at the newly built U.S. Bank Stadium the week after.
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The year is coming to an end quick, so I had to use up some vacation days. I took 3 days off during the 3rd week of November, but gave up one since my workplace was short staff. I plan to make it up by the end of the year. I took advantage of the 1st day off (Monday 14th) by visiting my sister and her boyfriend after visiting a friend in Wadena. Along the way from Wadena, I took a beautiful sunset along Detroit Lakes..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Detroit-Lakes-in-Becker-County/i-BNN3gzB/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Detroit-Lakes-in-Becker-County/i-BNN3gzB/0/S/IMG_2025-S.jpg" alt=""></a>'
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When I got to my sister and boyfriend's house, I would join my sister to a local group fitness class. I ready worked out earlier before this road-trip, so I didn't push myself too hard. We had some supper at the house and I slept a great 8+ hours!
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On my way back to Morris, I took some great photos along the way and stopped at Fergus Falls' Walmart to stock-up on some supplies.
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I had 2 additional days of the following week before Thanksgiving weekend. I had to go to Alexandria on Monday (21st) for my quarterly teaching training meeting (for Adult Basic Education). I spent most of that day doing some house cleaning and various errands.
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For Thanksgiving weekend, I spent the 4 days visiting family and help with house projects (e.g. cleaning ) . We had our annual pot-luck at my younger brother's (family) house. Great time to reflect on God's blessings and to continue that throughout the year. What blessings are you <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">thankful</a> to God for? I'm thankful to God for many of his blessings (life, family, friends, work, and than many gifts/talents/skills to enjoy life and bless others).
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During one of my days off, I came up with this parody worship-praise song as a dedication to what's going on in Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation in North Dakota..
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<a href="https://youtu.be/qgEm8k-wggk">"Come & let your Justice fall in this place..." </a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qgEm8k-wggk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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The last week of the month, I had 2 days off from work, so I spent most of them catch-up on some house "maintenance" projects prior to my every 4 year city inspection as a landlord. I did some painting and making sure all the detectors (smoke & carbon monoxide) were working. I had my inspection on the 30th, which I took a list (e.g. fix leaks in some plumbing) of more projects to do for next month before the deadline (17th of January).goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-27472988526658590702016-11-18T07:56:00.000-08:002016-11-18T09:27:00.667-08:00October 2016We continued our weekly soccer in October, which the weather remained beautiful most of the month. My local college where I graduated had their homecoming, which my friends (<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/UMM-Homecoming-2014/i-DGjZgnm">Joey & Shannon</a>) came again for another consecutive "countless" year. They weren't able to arrive till later (Friday) due to personal reasons. I picked them up and greeted them at the Student Center after a KUMM (local radio station) concert. Unfortunately, my car wouldn't start. After countless tries with the factory alarm going on late at night (10:45ish pm), the local campus police officer was successfully able to to stop the alarm after I handed him one of my wrenches in my tool box that was in my trunk of my car. I decided to leave my car there and follow the suggestion of the campus officer to replace the battery the next day when there will be daylight. I gave up fixing it after I wasn't successful getting a response via text from friends to help as it was late! My friends ended up calling the Morris Taxi service and I just walked home.
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The next day, I got up early to get a new battery and replace it myself as my friend (Tim, the mechanic) still hasn't replied. I carried my new "<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Cars/Car-Mainteance-Archive/i-WNFjmp2/A">expensive" battery ($160</a>!, which Tim called it a rip off) via bicycle and was able to fix it. Tim finally came after I put the new battery and was able to drive to my house. Unfortunately, the car shut off as it remained idle in my driveway. It started up again after contacting Tim to check it out again, which we test drove it around town and couldn't diagnose the problem-probably just had to warm the battery more by letting it run.
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I was thankful to God that this car was able to start and run, but was still weary it wouldn't start again. I told my friends that my car isn't 100% working, so I suggested them to use their Morris taxi pass the remainder of the weekend of Homecoming if they need a ride. I would later get my car working with no problems...praise the Lord! This car issue came along with other 2 challenges at the time ("comes in 3 saying" :( ). I was already having problems with my desktop <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/151487881668302/">computer</a>, which I wouldn't get running for the most of the month of October. I ended up replacing my hard drive with a $300 <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Computers/Computer-Glitches/i-XtzZXXd">Samsung solid state drive</a>, which I never heard about until after doing some research. Tim spoke highly about it, so it was actually a blessing to purchase this and haven't had any problems since replacing it sometime the last week of October. It was such a blessing as it got my computer to start quicker and run smoother too! I was able to upload one of the songs I recorded the previous month...
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OJls1G1I0mo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
During Homecoming, I was able to see my former mentor (who motivated me to ready my Bible daily) Stu F...
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/UMM-Homecoming-2014/i-bGZWfXj/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Events/UMM-Homecoming-2014/i-bGZWfXj/0/S/IMG_0540-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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...who I passed by on my bike with my new car battery, but wasn't able to chat as I was going down a small decline. I would meet him at my local church, which we were able to catch-up and share what God has been doing in our lives in this small group fellowship activity during our monthly community "communion" fellowship.
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The third "challenge" during the beginning of October was my bike, which I had 2 flats within a week time. I ended up buying a new bike "back" ($70) wheel after taking it to the bike shop (Eul's Hardware), which they suggested me replacing it as the bearings were worn out (probably caused by me going over the curb too many times and my weight was too much for the thin back tire). Fortunately, I got it fixed and was <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">thankful</a> to God for all these challenges to be taken care of....<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/144617029049435/">Praise the Lord!</a>
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A former co-worker invited me to meet with her friend about this potential <a href="http://liberalarts.goodnewseverybody.com/business.html">business</a> at Old #1 on Tuesday (11th), which ended up being one of those "make money quick" pyramid scheme business. I learned from my mistakes in the past (e.g. Equinox International, Quickstar, Powermall, etc..), so I wasn't able to get tempted by their fancy presentation.
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I went to the cities the 3rd weekend (14th-16h) as my renters' younger brother (Saad) needed a ride to the airport early Saturday morning (@6am on the 15th). I took advantage of that weekend doing family time (e.g. watched my niece and nephew during swimming practice). My younger brother invited us (mom, kids, and I) to a spontaneous road trip -<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Southeastern-Great-River-Road/">Southeastern: Great River Road-Scenic Hwy 61</a>. The weather was cloudy, but still nice and warm to enjoy the beautiful fall colors!
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Red-Wing-in-Goodhue-County/i-DCkjJjC/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Red-Wing-in-Goodhue-County/i-DCkjJjC/0/Th/IMG_0619-Th.jpg" alt=""></a>
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I attended the annual <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Fall-Into-Health-by-SCMC-in/i-hqJWmTF">health expo</a> in town , which the local hospital featured a key note speaker that was a former NFL Super Bowl Champion. I shared with him a little how I had some health brain concussion like symptoms too, which I would encourage him via instagram with my <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2012/03/04/healed-from-head-concussion/
">blog</a>
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Fall-Into-Health-by-SCMC-in/i-d4b6F3h/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Events/Fall-Into-Health-by-SCMC-in/i-d4b6F3h/0/S/IMG_1868-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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We had our annual dance during this time at my workplace on Friday (28th), which I dressed up as a baseball player. I would do my monthly singing with my local church worship team on the 30th. I attended 2 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/108262006010983/">funeral-memorial services </a> on the 29th & 31st, which is always a good time to self-evaluate's ones' own life of purpose , gratefulness, and goal-setting.
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goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-75038579831387640452016-11-13T17:16:00.000-08:002016-11-13T20:34:20.093-08:00September 2016I continued the weekly soccer on Thursday (1st). It was Labor Day weekend, so I did the paper route with my workplace on Friday (3rd). I then went home (St. Paul) the next day for the weekend, which I spent family quality time-including my annual time with family (only my mom) at the <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Great-Together-State-Fair-2016/">Minnesota State Fair</a>.
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Great-Together-State-Fair-2016/i-dwpDhFt/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Great-Together-State-Fair-2016/i-dwpDhFt/0/S/IMG_1269-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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Above is a stuff animal I won after hitting a plate after three throws in this carnival like-game.
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I decided to go back to the cities the weekend after as I wanted to check out the Minnesota Renaissance Festival
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Minnesota-Renaissance-Festival/i-nCbSkHx/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Events/Minnesota-Renaissance-Festival/i-nCbSkHx/0/S/IMG_0209-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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Below is one of the <a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2016/09/09/music-prayer-come-and-let-your-victory-fall-in-this-place/">songs</a> I recorded...<br>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-7GqHd6z/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-7GqHd6z/0/S/SnapShot%282566%29-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I never been to this annual festival as I really didn't have interest when I was growing up until I got older (e.g. culturally appreciative). I invited a couple of friends of mine, which was their first time too.
<p>
Fall was coming soon, so I did some house projects (e.g. exterior window boundaries screws got tighten). Also got an oil change.
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-VmdqDs6/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-VmdqDs6/0/M/IMG_1530-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/EWmF_uFU1pk">Personal Mile Record Vlog Pt4 </a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EWmF_uFU1pk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>
<a href="https://goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com/2016/08/26/fitness-journey-to-personal-mile-run-record-at-older-age/">https://goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com/2016/08/26/fitness-journey-to-personal-mile-run-record-at-older-age/</a>
<p>
I went to the cities again for the third weekend in a row for a family member's birthday. Great time!
<p>
On Tuesday (27th), I went to <a href="https://goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com/2016/09/29/health-benefits-of-donating-blood-and-what-to-do-before-during-and-after/">donate blood</a>
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/City-of-Morris-Life/i-HrSfbBd/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/City-of-Morris-Life/i-HrSfbBd/0/Th/IMG_1674-Th.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
...I ended the month by going to dance my friend (Mark) personally invited me, which I brought Luciano along. We watched a preview of this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/485520818180236/">adoption</a> documentary video (e.g. <a href="https://vimeo.com/185683967">He Came to Me</a>) he's currently working on. Learning more about my friend's adoption story make me more appreciative of my own <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">blessings</a> (e.g. family). Hope you can check the video out and pray fully consider supporting him with prayer and a financial donation. goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-52601252356046513802016-10-02T07:23:00.001-07:002016-10-02T07:23:47.795-07:00August 2016I started the first week of the month by working on my car (headlight bulb cover has been lose). On Tuesday (2nd), I was personally invited by a "facebook" friend to the local Morris Police Appreciation Picnic after all the "negative" (see <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2015/04/28/netural-perspective-law-enforcement-police-protect-and-to-serve/
">"Netural Perspective: Law Enforcement-Police “Protect and to Serve?”</a> in the news. We then had our weekly "Morris Pick-up Soccer/Futbol at Green River Park Thursday, which we would not miss at all this whole month. We had different people almost every week as not everybody was able to come the same time. My renter and his friend (from Kazakistan) was even able to come, which my co-worker (Oray) enjoyed meeting. It's been a great social community connection.
<p>
The 1st weekend of the month, I would go to the cities to attend my niece's birthday. I used the weekend to spend quality time with my parents too and celebrate my dad's birthday early since I couldn't come down here the 2nd weekend. I treated him out for his b-day by paying lunch for both him and my mom at Denny's-great wheat pancakes by the way!
<p>
My renter for 3-4+ years finally was moving, which took a longer start than he hoped for as finding a place in Mankato was challenging. He ended up moving out the 18th (compared to early July) while 2 friends he referred to already moved in (Saturday the 13th). We managed to all live together for 3-4 days as this has happened before.
<p>
One of my ESL students (Caio from Brazil) did a presentation about his country on the 10th (Wednesday) as our tradition in our classes before students leave. This gives the opportunity for the community to come and learn; however, it didn't workout for many people's schedule. Fortunately I was able to video tape it and I'm able to share it.
<p>
It was <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Stevens-County-Fair">Stevens County Fair</a> time, which I would go there only once due to busyness of two new renters moving the same weekend. I ended up taking both of them for lunch to get to know them on Saturday (13th). It was great weather and the only threat of severe weather the whole time was Wednesday night, but nothing much came out of the dark scary looking clouds that evening.
<p>
On Wednesday (17th), my workplace took our annual trip to Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, which I would drive the big bus again for 2 wheel chair clients to go the 2nd year in a row. It was great weather (foggy for awhile south of Willmar) , but there were a lot of road construction along the way that slowed us a bit, but not too bad.
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Theater/Theatre-Scenes/i-mFj9jWC/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Theater/Theatre-Scenes/i-mFj9jWC/0/S/IMG_0046-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
We saw "Beauty & the Beast", which I had to comment on the great costume designs the characters wore. I wasn't able to watch it "fully" because I had my hands full with work.
<p>
The last weekend of the month, I would drive to the cities with a friend/ESL student from Brazil (Luciano) as he was willing to help my sister and her b/f move. It was kind of "last minute" (planned ahead) as my co-worker (John F.) volunteered to take my shift on Saturday (27th) the day prior. I called Luciano if it was ok to leave Friday (same day), so it worked out-<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">Praise the Lord</a>! It was an answer to prayer! We ended up going to the <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Great-Together-State-Fair-2016/">Minnesota State Fair</a> that evening as a treat and some fun before moving the next day...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Great-Together-State-Fair-2016/i-55JKVTZ">
Minnesota: State Fair-Sky Ride (Sal & 1st time for Luciano)</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tXZnjX-KqLc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
Luciano had so much fun that we ended up going back here on Sunday for 7-8 hours before driving back to Morris...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Great-Together-State-Fair-2016/i-L4SbQQq/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Great-Together-State-Fair-2016/i-L4SbQQq/0/M/SnapShot%282627%29-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
On Monday (29th), I had our quarterly Adult Basic Education Consortium Meeting in Alexandria, as part of my teaching English certificate qualification for the up-coming academic season. I then went to Menards to gather some landscaping supplies that I never had a chance to work on for the beginning of the summer because I just was slacking..hehe!
<p>goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-71638298786042696162016-09-25T16:19:00.001-07:002016-09-25T16:19:46.316-07:00July 2016My July started with a 1 1/2 week vacation, which I started my 1st full day off by going to an evening concert (<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Music/Concert-Johnny-Holm-in">Johnny Holm</a>) with friends..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Music/Concert-Johnny-Holm-in/i-2cjKs56/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Music/Concert-Johnny-Holm-in/i-2cjKs56/0/O/CaioSalPhotobombJohnnyHolmConcJuly1st16.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
I deliver papers with clients in my regular ft-job, so we decided to do it on Saturday since Monday was a holiday. Unfortunately, the door to the local paper was closed, so I decided to ride my bike at the local park after dropping off the work vehicle. I took a lot of video and pics of <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Animals/Bird-Species-of-Various-Kinds/i-sNJtSQJ">various birds</a> along the <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Bicycling/Pomme-De-Terre-Park-Bike/i-jpQ9cvq">bike trails</a>.
<p>
Later on, I would drive to Albertville Outlet shopping mall with a couple of friends. On our way, we stopped at Starbuck to check out some planes during a <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Starbuck-Fly-In-Breakfast-at/">fly-in breakfast</a> at their airport. On our way back from Albertville, we drove to <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Nature/Minnesota-State-Park/i-GDJS7sH">Lake Maria State Park</a> along I-94, which I 've always wanted to check it out after passing the sign of this state park many times. We timed it to head back and stop at Starbuck again for their annual <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Starbuck-Heritage-Days/">fireworks show</a>.
<p>
I would take advantage of our week vacation by going to the cities to spend time with family-friends in St. Paul. I would watch the fireworks through my parent's backyard patio screen as I watched other firework show "live" on t.v. My nephew had baseball practice at Battle Creek Elementary School, so I joined him, my brother, and his teammates. I ended up playing soccer with this young boy (Somali) playing nearby as his mom watched.
<p>
It was the annual big summer "<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Prairie-Pioneer-Days-2016/">Prairie Pioneer Days</a>" in our town (Morris), which I went with some friends to a a <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Prairie-Pioneer-Days-2016/i-982WdZg">rock concert</a> in town. They had fireworks in the background, which made the venue more interesting. I got a free drum stick when the drummer threw several at the crowd towards the end. It capped the evening for me!
<p>
The following day, I would attend my favorite <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Prairie-Pioneer-Days-2016/i-9sJBHtS">pancake feed</a> and watched a little of the parade from my house during the afternoon. It was a great weekend before I had to go back to work the next day after a 1 1/2 week vacation.
<p>
One of the karaoke songs I did this month was Annie's <a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2016/07/11/music-karaoke-tomorrow-originally-in-annie-the-movie/">Tomorrow</a>, along with many theme parody songs from church worship-praise music: <a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2016/07/16/music-prayer-come-let-your-peace-fill-this/">Come & Let your "peace" </a> (parody from "presence" & <a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2016/07/09/music-parody-no-longer-a-slave-to-anger/">NO longer a slave to...."anger"</a> (parody from "fear"). I ended up sharing a short 10 minute <a href="http://morrischurch.com/podcasts.php">message at church</a> (Sunday, July 17th) about these parodies, which we can change the wording and fit/declare (in Jesus' name as spiritual warfare) our own personal life challenges or circumstance in life.
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/gcXFfhI0GUM">"Lord give us a New Song..."</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gcXFfhI0GUM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
I took advantage of the nice "hot" summer weather by going swimming at Glacial Lake with a couple of co-workers after work on Tuesday, July 26th. I was able to build enough confidence to swim past the swimming area and go as far deep out shore. I was hoping to do it more as "fresh" water is a lot better than "indoor" chlorinated water!-> see <a href="https://goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com/2016/07/21/health-be-more-safe-in-swimming-pools/">
Health: Be more safe in Swimming Pools?</a> goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com<br>
<p>
On Thursday, July 28th-we had the first of many weekly <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/98592227652/">soccer/futbol pick-up games</a> in Morris. We met for the first time at the <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Sports/Sports-Variety/i-qNdK6Xq">UMM soccer field</a> and it was fairly hot (80's)!
<p>
My friends who had the last weekend off from work, joined me on a road-trip up the <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Minnesota-North-Shore-Scenic/i-mx7LRM5">North Shore</a> on Saturday, July 30th ..
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/__FmRi2jCrs">Gooseberry Falls State Park Visit (July 30th 2016) </a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/__FmRi2jCrs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
and the <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/Wisconsin-Lake-Superior-Scenic/">South Shore-Wisconsin</a>- side & <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/Michigan-Upper-Peninsula/i-qXVVchc">Michigan: Upper Peninsula</a> the following day (Sunday, July 31st 2016)
<p>
<p>goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-7225944985020302432016-07-24T05:52:00.000-07:002016-07-24T11:57:03.939-07:00June 2016I was inspired to write this song titled "<a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2016/06/03/music-new-song-why-you/">Why do you do what you do?</a>". I worked on my video house project (e.g. DVD labels) for the guy I've been doing this since almost the beginning of the year. On the 7th, I helped my renter with more of his college writing paper by editing it. I attended this community mentoring (Kinship) fundraiser information meeting, which I biked in hot steamy weather Thursday evening (9th). The following day, I did more biking as it was my Friday "off" from my ft-job. I went <a href="https://nationalbikechallenge.org/rider/82613">biking</a> over 6+ miles or so with my pastor (<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Breakfast-Starters/i-P4VsCJx">Pat</a>) despite my pedals breaking off mid-point of the ride. We then went to Don's Café for breakfast.
<p>
The 2nd weekend of the month (11th), I took Caio & Luciano (ESL students visiting from Brazil) to Glacial Lakes State Park, which I had fun kayaking-great upper body workout!..
<p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7i-eGjT6Occ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
I continued my bike-workout by riding to the local grocery store carrying 2 empty gallons and would fill it. Then rode back with one in each side of my handle bars. I was part of my local church <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/144617029049435/">worship</a> team on Sunday (12th), which is always a faith building growing time for me.
<p>
On Tuesday (14th), I attended our annual "<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/388645047917452/">Defensive Driving</a>" in-service, which is always a great life-application review (e.g. just take your time and not speed!). I worked more on my health-fitness blog (15th) as we didn't have any ESL classes. A "friend" on facebook mentioned about TMJ, so I decided to share my personal experience on how <a href="https://goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com/2016/06/08/dental-how-to-deal-with-tmj/">I deal with my TMJ</a>.
<p>
I went to the cities for my monthly visit on the 17th, which I spent time with parents as my "<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/597195683630218/">fathers</a>' day" weekend. I helped my dad (along with my younger brother) replaced a leaky toilet.
<p>
The Morris Kiwanis Talent Show was only 2 weeks this year due to lack of participants, so I would take pictures and videos of the last 2 Thursdays of the month. It was a great time to get-together with people in the community and hangout with <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Competitions/Kiwanis-Talent-Show-2016/i-6MWXCV7">Caio & Luciano</a>-introducing them to some friends that were present.
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Benson-Family-Aquatic-Center/i-xxGM6sN/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Benson-Family-Aquatic-Center/i-xxGM6sN/0/S/IMG_8857-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
The last weekend of the month, I rode with <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Benson-Family-Aquatic-Center/i-WMzG4k6">4 of my ESL students</a> to Benson's outdoor water park, which we had a great time. We ended up going to DQ for a cool treat and then went back to Morris to this "Hog Roast Fundraiser" for Options for Women...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Options-for-Women-Community/i-tnBW4gk/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Events/Options-for-Women-Community/i-tnBW4gk/0/S/2016-06-25%2017.30.30-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
The next day, I took the guys from Brazil to the annual "<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Parade/Vikingland-Band-Festival-2016">Vikingland Band Festival Parade</a>" competition in downtown Alexandria. It was the biggest and longest for this annual event, but we stayed till the end and met this cool guy that took our picture..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Parade/Vikingland-Band-Festival-2016/i-GpJSxrx/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Events/Parade/Vikingland-Band-Festival-2016/i-GpJSxrx/0/S/IMG_8905-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
During work, my co-worker asked for a prayer request for this kid that was missing from her family's town in South Dakota. We would find out later the kid was found..<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">praise the Lord</a>!
<p>
Current Bike Challenge Stats as of 7.24.16...
<p>
6,002 (out of 42K in the Nation)
National Rank
(this Challenge)
1,667
Points
(this Challenge)
286.9
Miles
(This Challenge)
Points Impact
25%Recreation
75%Transportation
2.5 miles
This week
1
Active day this week
<p>goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-10311411693084437252016-07-03T18:29:00.001-07:002016-07-03T19:02:03.308-07:00May 2016I watched the "<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/Azusa-Revival-Now-Spreading/i-gJ5dH6V/A">National Day of Prayer</a>" online "live" from my house after finishing up some yardwork. I was about to attend the special service locally, but wasn't able to finish mowing in time.
<p>
The first weekend of the month, I brought some of my ESL students (Caio & Luciano from Brazil) to the cities to stay with me at my parent's house. We first went to <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/Wisconsin/i-ZhhM7wF">Hudson, Wisconsin</a> just so they can say they've been to another state. We then drove a little north across back to Minnesota to the beautiful river town of Stillwater.
<p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dz48g0Kr9mI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
We were waiting for my co-workers/friends (Oray & Olga) to call us to meet us at the Festival of Nations late Saturday morning. However, due to family circumstance, they wouldn't meet us till 2:30ish. I would give them a tour of the <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/St-Paul-Riverfront/i-Sp8QkRJ">riverfront</a> in downtown St. Paul. To kill time, we walked around the big outdoor annual "<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/organize/Events/Minnesota-Cinco-De-Mayo-in">Cinco de Mayo</a>" in the beautiful sunny day. We still had some time, so checked out <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Zoos/Como-Zoo/i-w5Xgt75">Como Zoo</a> for awhile before they told me they were on their way from the west area of the Twin Cities. Ironically, they happened to get lost and saw us coming out of Como Park's parking lot..coincidence?..not! God divine baby..hehe!..<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">Praise the Lord!</a>
<p>
We ended up driving together to the River Centre in downtown St. Paul. Along the way, I accidentally led them to a Wrong Way street, which was my 2nd time doing this in the Twin Cities (1st time happened in Minneapolis..hehe!). When we finally got to the parking lot, we met my sister and my niece & nephew outside of the parking ramp...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Minnesota-Festival-of-Nations/i-GKMKXkf/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Events/Minnesota-Festival-of-Nations/i-GKMKXkf/0/S/SnapShot%28480%29-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
We all hung out at the Festival of Nations, but it was hard to stuck together as a big group. We ended up going our separate ways to see the rest of the event.
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Minnesota-Festival-of-Nations/i-Srfgf9w/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Events/Minnesota-Festival-of-Nations/i-Srfgf9w/0/S/IMG_8300-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
After the event, we visited a mass service at the <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Religion/Churches-Across-the-World/i-jBfMhm9">St. Paul Cathedral</a>, where we met my parents at the end. We toured around the beautiful church building before heading back to my parents' house for the night.
<p>
The next day, Caio & Luciano wanted to go shopping at the Mall of America, which I would see "<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/Sea-Life-Minnesota-Aquarium">Sea life Minnesota Aquarium</a>" for the first time. We would walk all floors of the mall from 11am-5pm or so. It was nice to see some new additions and the remodeled front area (north side)..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/Mall-of-America/i-d8fP6QG/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Mall-of-America/i-d8fP6QG/0/S/IMG_8494-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
We then drove back to Morris and went through downtown Minneapolis along the way. However, the guys were too tired, so we didn't stop to take any pics around the city.
<p>
When I got back to Morris, I picked-up my new fixed lawn mower, so I'm ready for the new year. On Thursday (12th), I had a "challenging" day at work, but it worked out. I would spend 3 hours of yardwork after going home, which is somewhat relaxing to just be outside.
<p>
On Saturday (14th), I missed the local college graduation for the first time that I can remember. They started a new rule that you need tickets (invite from students) to attend. They've had some over-crowding issues indoors in the past, to it was probably a way to cut down on congestion. I ended up working out at the nearby gym and would see the guest speaker (former Minneapolis mayor) coming out.
<p>
I painted the garage in my backyard of my house, which was supposed to be my summer project. However, due to the early nice weather. I decided to start early.
<p>
We had no work on Friday starting the last week of the month, so we had had a 4-day Memorial Weekend. I spent it by catching-up on many of my on-going projects. I was supposed to do the paper route on Saturday (28th), but the door to the local paper place was lock. I decided to ride my bike around Pomme De Terre and caught a lot of great footage of <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Animals/Bird-Species-of-Various-Kinds/">various birds</a>. I love the wildlife and nature! goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-58097141692369183942016-05-29T07:18:00.003-07:002016-05-29T18:19:32.540-07:00April 2016I started the first weekend by going to the annual "Taste of Asia", which I used to take part in organizing this event when I was attending the college here at Morris. It's nice to see this event still go on since graduation and enjoy watching the new students of ASA each year organize this...
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/UMM-Taste-of-Asia/i-2Cb7ZbL/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Events/UMM-Taste-of-Asia/i-2Cb7ZbL/0/S/IMG_7912-S.jpg" alt=""></a><br>
<i>"Picture of Kevin C., who I got to know through my current renter"</i>
<p>
I spent the first weekend doing my taxes, which is a little later than last year due to no snow days this past winter. I like to do it on days with bad weather, which there weren't that many. I was then able to have some "fun" by going <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153856575752550&set=oa.1089174041123690&type=3&theater">golfing</a> on Monday (4th), which I took a couple of my English students from Brazil (1st time)...
<p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/_eUUceGCbiA">"Trying" to teach golf (driving range)</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_eUUceGCbiA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
The second weekend of April, I joined thousands online around the world watching the <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/People/Azusa-Revival-Now-Spreading/">#Azusa Now Revival 2016</a> that was being web telecasted "live" via online. This comes in a critical time in our nation-world with the up-coming "crazy" <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/agenda-whats-all-the-campaigning-politics-behind-it/">Presidential campaign election</a>.
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I went to the cities the 3rd weekend to celebrate both my mom and sister's "be-lated" birthdays. We celebrated at a Chinese restaurant (<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Asian-Ethnic-Dishes/i-836FNHK">House of Wong</a>) in Roseville, which was a good quality time spending with family.
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I got back on Sunday evening, so I can attend a concert some friends were putting on at the Platform. I bought a CD and was flattered to see my name on the <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Music/The-Platform-presents-Matt-O/i-FFkZxqv/A">credits (thank you)</a>...
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<a href="https://youtu.be/1pKhdQexy0E">The Platform Present: Matt O' Leary & Friends (Nina & Kurtis) 4.16.16 Pt1 </a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1pKhdQexy0E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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I then came home to upload this video (above) and realized my name was mentioned in the song ....aww :)..thanks Matt O!..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Music/The-Platform-presents-Matt-O/i-3SKrmBx/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Music/The-Platform-presents-Matt-O/i-3SKrmBx/0/S/2016-04-23%2011.12.25-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Middle-Eastern-Foods/29333314_V2NZ28#!i=3172792084&k=WF5hcgK&lb=1&s=A">Passover</a> (around the time of Jesus' resurrection) was the 4th weekend of the month. I "tried" to recognize this "feast of unleavened bread" by not eating "bread" for some days as a rememberance of God's blessing. I attended a concert by a guy from IHOPKC on Sunday name <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Religion/Churches-Across-the-World/i-88ZSq6K/A">Ryan Kondo</a>, who will be going to New Zealand by the end of the summer for a mission calling.
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The following day, we had our annual staff board -appreciation supper, which my co-worker's husband (Fred M.) cooked some great <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/American-Food/i-Gv4vdMv">ribs</a>. I rarely eat "red meat", but was opened to it just this once ;) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">Thanks</a> Tammy & Fred M!
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goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-39716122190873664242016-05-28T18:43:00.000-07:002016-05-29T07:21:07.945-07:00March 2016I started the month by accepting an invitation to check out the local Jehovah Witness service, which was actually "better" and "more interesting" than I expected. I still believe their philosophy (see <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/City-of-Morris-Life/i-NFLLqJh
">notes</a>) isn't "Christ" focus, but marveled about their presentation.
<p>
I felt led writing a "death" metal song that needed some drums, so I recorded various drum beats and spliced some of it this song I wrote..
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<a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2016/03/07/music-new-song-heal-the-pain-of-my-past/">Music: New Song-“Heal the Pain” (of my past)</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gJagLuKroAg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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On Monday (7th), I had my every other year physical exam, which I made my appointment before my bus license was about to expire. Well, I unfortunately didn't pass the "eye exam" part, which my personal doctor scheduled a last minute appointment to get an eye exam the next day. He was worried about my license about to expire soon. I learned not to do my physical exam to close to the expiration day next time. Well, I was worried and continued to fast more so I can <a href="https://goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com/2015/09/27/medical-how-to-improve-your-eye-sight-part-two/">improve my eye sight</a> within 12 hours. I prayed and ask friends to pray while I researched online on what foods (e.g. high carbs or processed sugars-><a href="https://goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com/2015/06/14/health-how-to-fight-diabetes/">cereal</a>, which I didn't eat and would later decrease my buying of this breakfast food) affect bad eye sight. <a href="http://bless.goodnewseverybody.com/thanksgiving.html">Thank God</a> for answering this prayer and concern, which my eye sight actually "improved" (went from 20/50 to 20/30!). Thus, I passed my eye exam the following morning.
<p>
After my physical exam on Monday, I rode my bike home quickly as my younger brother was making a stop-visit before going further northwest to Fargo. We ended-up going to Mi-Mexico..
<p>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Latino-American-Dishes/i-jp3TX24/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Food/Latino-American-Dishes/i-jp3TX24/0/S/IMG_7723-S.jpg" alt=""></a><a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Latino-American-Dishes/i-3rcVkNB/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Food/Latino-American-Dishes/i-3rcVkNB/0/S/MiMexicowithbroMar7th16a-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
It was Marcelo's first visit to Morris since he graduated back in 2001. The next day, one of my ESL students from China invited me and a friend of hers for supper. I didn't realize it was her birthday until that day, so I gave her a "last-minute" b-day card. She cooked some great <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Asian-Ethnic-Dishes/i-szPGS9W/A">authentic Chinese food</a> and others!
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I went to the cities on my birthday (18th) to spend time with family-friends during my monthly weekend visit. I would visit a high school buddy (Sean) as he hosted a birthday celebration part at his "crib". It was good to see "old" former high school friends there too. The next day, I attended the annual "<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/organize/Events/Philippine-Day-at-Aldrich">Philippine Day</a>" celebration, which was held at a new venue (Aldrich Arena) in Maplewood. It was great time hanging out with the family.
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I was blessed by a "gift" on March 22nd (after my birthday) by a "resident" of Morris showing her appreciation of what I've been doing in the community. I'll just say, it was definitely a provision from God and I thank Him for it. Just like the story last month of <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/Minnesota-Agriculture-Farming/i-2fgGLPQ">reaping what one sows</a>. :)
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Healthier-Snacks-and-Foods/i-wmSW2Vn">So-called "Easter"</a> weekend came early this year (last weekend of the month), but learned the actual Passover-Resurrection weekend is in April. I took advantage of the "holiday" (Monday 28th) by working on my photo-video project for Gary and went outside to play tennis to enjoy the "Spring" weather. goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-31089321189396679092016-05-28T09:57:00.001-07:002016-05-28T09:59:14.811-07:00February 2016The first week of February was busy with my new photo-video project for a local resident in Morris. I would work on this almost daily after work on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the entire month. I saw it a blessing. On the 4th (Thursday), I would have to then quickly go to my local church for our monthly (every first Thursday) worship team practice (learning new songs for the month). I started the first weekend by getting "pumped" at Body Pump (fitness class) at the local gym. I then went to get my first fishing license in years to go ice fishing for the first time in my life...
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Nature/Outdoors-Winter-Ice-Fishing/i-7J8qzwZ/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Nature/Outdoors-Winter-Ice-Fishing/i-7J8qzwZ/0/M/IMG_7254-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
...with a friend/co-worker (Paul J.) as another friend/co-worker couldn't make it. I brought various sporting equipment to make it more enjoyable as we waited for a bite (never got one-probably we made too much noise). It was fun to be out as it wasn't too cold (notice I was wearing my "fall" jacket only). It was like our pre-Super Bowl party!
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On Thursday (11th), I went to the local elementary school to watch my first high school basketball game this season. I mainly went to give my support for the 2nd annual "Morris Special Olympic Fundraiser" (see <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Sports/Basketball/Morris-Area-Chokio-Alberta/i-xQCvZQ5">pics</a>). The game was actually fun to watch as the Tigers lost a "nail-biter" at the end.
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The next day, my workplace would go to Clinton for the annual Valentine Dance. This was the first time I can remember we had above zero temps :)
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We had President's Day (15th) off, so I took advantage of it to visit a friend (Cory) in a group home he was staying up north. I ended-up blessing him with some "healthy" grocery foods to promote "healthier" eating. I would be later blessed by winning a $30 dollar gift certificate from my pt-teaching job during a teacher's training meeting on the 22nd to a grocery store in Alexandria (where I bought the groceries from). <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">Praise the Lord</a>! On my way back to Morris, I stopped at Andes Tower Hills to do more snowboarding as they had a "holiday" discount :)
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One of the parody songs that came to my mind earlier was the Ghostbusters and thought of "Bug" busters..
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<a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2016/02/19/music-parody-bug-busters-originally-ghost-busters-by-crazy-lil-sal/">Music: Parody-“Bug Busters” (originally Ghost busters) by Crazy lil’ Sal</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G8rwi_WpcC4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
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I went to the cities (St. Paul) for my monthly family-friend visit the 3rd weekend. I would spend some quality time with parents and my sister (e.g. went grocery shopping in our neighborhood) by sharing some pics I took from the past year.
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I started a food blog recently and did one on French Toast..
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<a href="https://foodsofallkinds.wordpress.com/2016/02/28/breakfast-starters-french-toast-of-different-flavors/">Breakfast Starters: French Toast of Different Flavors</a><br>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Breakfast-Starters/i-pvsRB8L/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Food/Breakfast-Starters/i-pvsRB8L/1/S/2016-02-21%2007.51.36-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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<a href="https://foodsofallkinds.wordpress.com/2016/02/28/breakfast-starters-french-toast-of-different-flavors/">
We have been having some newer students (e.g. Mexico, Brazil, etc..) for our weekly Wednesday ESL classes, which <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Community-Meals/i-rt69FwL">many of us</a> happen to be at the monthly Community Meal the same time on Monday (29th).
goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-79502132156410199572016-02-14T05:34:00.001-08:002016-02-14T05:50:24.866-08:00January 2016I started the "new year" at my parents' home after watching Sound of Music at the Ordway Theatre with family the night before. My mom would watch the Rose Bowl parade with me as we relaxed at home. The next day, I went with my brother and his family to watch Alysa's gymnastics performance at Farmington, Minnesota. It was a good 30+ minute drive through suburbs like <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/Minnesota-Water-Towers/i-b2zCCHZ">Inver Grove Heights</a>, etc.. She has really gone better since she started in various areas of the sport! I had to get back to Morris the following day, which was a nice drive back from the Cities.
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It was our 1st day back at work on Monday (4th) and it was good to catch up with co-workers and friends on what we did during our long 1 1/2 week vacation. I had my ESL-GED classes on Wednesday (6th), but no ESL students. We just had G.E.D. students for the next 3 weeks.
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/Flight-over-Pacific-Ocean-from/i-RWWrH9j/A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/Flight-over-Pacific-Ocean-from/i-RWWrH9j/0/Th/DSCF4611-Th.jpg" alt=""></a>
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On Monday (18th), we had MLK Holiday off from my ft-job (2nd year in a row!), which I would go to the annual <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Day-of/i-jFjHNSj">Community Meal</a> at Faith Lutheran Church after a workout at the RFC. The day started cold and it got a "little" warmer, so it was nice to be out and about. I spent most of the day catching-up on my current video project (<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/St-Marys-School-Christmas/n-Xm9hLh/">St. Mary's Christmas Program</a> from last month).
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We had our first ESL student on the 20th (Wednesday), so it gave us hope with this community program. It took awhile to get back to the groove. I would start a new "multi-media" project on Thursday (21st) for a resident in town that a friend in the community referred me to. My friend was too busy, so he asked me if I was willing to help out this particular long-time resident. I would ended-up helping this individual for a longer term project (more than 10+ hours suggested), which I'm currently working on at this moment. It was actually a blessing!
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On Saturday, I would start the day with continuing this recent "multi-media" project in the morning for 3 hours. I then attended the monthly R.E.A.L...
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Real-Life-Ministries-Services/i-j8rSb93/A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Real-Life-Ministries-Services/i-j8rSb93/0/S/IMG_6710-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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There were some encouraging words spoken by the R.E.A.L. member of the worship team, which was a great faith builder!
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I would attend a former friend's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/108262006010983/">funeral wake</a> service :( the next day (24th) after church in Benson. It was a time to mourn and reflect, which was a blessing to chat with his immediate family members. He (David) played softball with us for our church (co-ed) team back in the days during our summer church league in Benson. I would ended up getting to know him more as his family became members of our local church. I got to know him more as he became my supervisor at the group home, which I joined "last minute" due to some unexpected emergency circumstances. It became a blessing (<a href="
http://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Military/Corregidor-Philippines-Tour/26717675_MSdLKw#!i=3632990913&k=qQVQ69Z&lb=1&s=A">financially</a>-<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/Sal-Photo-Videography-Multi/i-MZM38pH">Praise the Lord-Jehovah Jireh</a>!) as I would work to this day at, but a different type of group home now.
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On Thursday (28th), I would go to Andes Tower Hills with a friend-co-worker (Oray) of mine...
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Xtreme-Sports-Snowboarding/i-TrVBD6h/A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Xtreme-Sports-Snowboarding/i-TrVBD6h/0/S/IMG_6887-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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as a make-up day from last weekend (due to friend's funeral wake service). It was an pretty good day despite the icy conditions, which I fell several times and hurt myself. It was a good practice before going somewhere bigger this coming weekend (Lutsen).
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I would first go to the cities to visit family on Friday (29th) and stay overnight before leaving early Saturday (30th) morning for a 4 hour drive to Lutsen. I would hangout and meet my younger brother's family...
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Lutsen-Mountains/i-p7bRG5X/A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/Lutsen-Mountains/i-p7bRG5X/0/S/IMG_7006-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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It was actually an ideal almost perfect day (too hot) as it was sunny and really didn't need all my winter gear. It was such a blessing and a great time..
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LCYvnqvhnuM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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I <a href="http://bless.goodnewseverybody.com/thanksgiving.html">thank God</a> for this time to spend with my younger brother as part of his birthday and his family-friends. We would end up visiting our older sister in Pine City along the way back and did an outing at KFC there. After hanging out at her and James' apartment, I took the back roads through St. Cloud back to Morris. It was a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">blessed</a> weekend!
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goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-45121143115662044622016-01-09T12:07:00.002-08:002016-01-09T12:15:50.305-08:00December 2015The last month of 2015 started with a presentation (<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jgccPr_NCwip_Zj_xwYDAN0tHIbVec4HXYnUACUevm0/edit?pli=1">Sal's Presentation on the Philippines: Spanish Connection</a>) I was invited to do at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/150827491676313/
">Jane Addams Project</a>, which I have been attending since it started 3-4+ years ago at the local university..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Jane-Adams-2014-2015/i-rm3PbQ7/A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Jane-Adams-2014-2015/i-rm3PbQ7/0/M/12309545_10153722787752667_6371986938091089450_o-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
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It was an interactive presentation I wanted to do to bridge the diverse attendees. The karaoke idea would ended up being part of the end of the semester's party too (Friday, December 4th). I bought this microphone at the local Radio Shack and just attached it to my electric guitar speakers, which made an easy "homemade" karaoke machine that I can use for the future.
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Going back, I would attend the local college campus IVCF service as a friend came back to lead a "healing service", which was just a faith builder for all. He would lead a bunch of other college students to do a "Treasure Hunt" the following day, but I wouldn't be able to come since our local church had our once a month group worship practice.
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Xtreme-Sports-Snowboarding/i-3SD8Lvf/A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Xtreme-Sports-Snowboarding/i-3SD8Lvf/0/M/IMG_0363-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
<p>
On Saturday, December 5th-I went snowboarding (my friend Chris came along, but he skied) for the first time in 2 years. I wasn't able to go to Andes Tower Hills earlier this year because it was just too cold. When it warmed up in March, all the snow melted quickly :( I had to warm my self up, so I went on the bunny hill first. After awhile, I would end up going on all the hills that were open and ended-up in the biggest hill! :)
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I would spend most of the 2nd week by working on the videos for the recent musical I videotaped for the local high school-> <a href="https://vimeo.com/ondemand/addamsfamilymusicalmahs">The Addams Family Musical</a> .
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During the 2nd weekend, some long-time friends that moved out of Morris came back to visit. We would hangout at the newest Mexican restaurant in town..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Latino-American-Dishes/i-KBHwf6w/A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Latino-American-Dishes/i-KBHwf6w/0/S/IMG_0452-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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It was good to catch-up and to know my friend Eric is doing a lot better since his surgery. The following day (Sunday 13th), I played a video (<a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2015/08/12/spoken-word-who-am-i/">Spoken Word: “Who Am I….”</a>...
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IFTidMLbqG8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
<p>... I previously recorded with a short -testimony at church during the annual "Christmas Program".
<p>
<p>
The month of December has many great holiday parties and one of them is the annual "Tea Party" at my workplace. On Wednesday (16th), the weather was "horrible". In fact, many schools around the area cut out early, but we kept going. We thought the numbers were going to be really down, but we had a better turn out than expected with the weather. The next day, I would play some indoor soccer with a couple of friends (Michael & Chris), which was my cardio workout for the week! :)
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On the 18th (Friday), some co-workers (Paul, Oray, and Olga) and I went to see the highly anticipated movie "Star Wars: . I was so pumped up after the movie that I ended up making a whistling video of the theme afterwards-> <a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/music-star-wars-movie-theme-whistling/">Music: “Star Wars” movie theme (whistling)</a>. The next day, I went to Andes Tower Hills again and took a friend/co-worker (Oray) and "tried" to teach him to snowboard..
<p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ap_9ghPCwXc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>
It was a little colder than 2 weekends ago, so I actually wore my heavy winter jacket instead of my fall one.
<p>
The day before Christmas Eve, I was invited to videotape the <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/St-Marys-School-Christmas/n-Xm9hLh/">Christmas program of St. Mary's School</a> at the Assumption Church. Prior to videotaping, I went to a co-worker's party she hosted for us. Unfortunately, I parked on the side of the road and got stuck. This caused me to be late and ended up having some technical problems with my camcorder. Fortunately (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">thank God</a>), I was able to correct it in-time, but missed several performers (kids playing piano) :( .
<p>
My work (pt-job) called me the day before Christmas Eve that I didn't have to work the over night, but I ended up staying in Morris (instead of going to St. Paul early) to work on the recent Christmas Program video and other "catching-up" projects (e.g. cleaning my house). It was actually a great start of my 1 1/2 week vacation. I would end up going "home" (St. Paul) to visit family during Christmas vacation-weekend. It was good to see family and help my aging parents out.
<p>
I ended up coming back to Morris to deal with some home appliance issues (water heater got old and was done) after my housemate/renter emailed me the problem. I came home to find a <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-gk7qwnz">"leak"</a> around the water heater, which was sign it was definitely finished and "NOT" fixable. Prior, I stopped at Menards to scout out the available water heaters, but didn't pick one yet as I didn't have the dimensions. I look back and wished I just took the chance and got one, IF a friend/Morris resident (I saw there) that happened to be there could've been able to load it back to Morris. Anyways, I ended up paying this plumber (Chris from Elbow Lake) to do the job after a couple of friends weren't able to.
<p>
I was thankful to God that I got it fixed and replaced as soon as possible (within 3-days). Couldn't find a perfect time for this to happen. I would have to work my pt-job (overnight) once this last week of the month before I went back to the cities to watch a theatrical performance at St. Paul's Ordway Center -> <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Th…/Theatre-Scenes/i-h3RgSs9">Sound of Music</a>. I've been anticipating in seeing this since I first heard about it coming to St. Paul back in August/early September. It was all God's provision as I tried to buy these tickets for last week's performance, but couldn't find any "good seats". I even was about to purchase some "bad seats", but the computer wouldn't let me charge it to my credit card. I look back at this and feel it was definitely ad "Divine" work of God as it's rare that my credit card payment didn't go through when purchasing online. I happened to be playing on the computer to check out other performance days later and found a date (31st) of an "added show" that was "last minute" added...Praise the Lord! I ended up inviting my parents and nephew. My sister ended up tagging along with her fiance (James), but couldn't get closer seats because they bought it later even though I emailed my sister the "last minute show added" the day I purchased it, but she didn't want to take the chance with the weather. I ended up taking a risk as I saw this as an opportunity that might not be open again!
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My highlights of 2015..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/Sal-Photo-Videography-Multi/i-C7TPgX5/A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/Sal-Photo-Videography-Multi/i-C7TPgX5/0/L/IMG_6420-L.jpg" alt=""></a>
goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-9048449905826645472015-12-12T20:38:00.002-08:002015-12-12T20:38:20.642-08:00November 2015I spent the week back to "reality" doing my regular schedule and errands (e.g. raking) in Morris. I would share bits of my time of Hawaii last month from a day to day basis on my facebook photography site. It was "ok" weather, but not too cold. I was able to till my garden during the first week of the month. I also finally was able to get new tires in my new purchased bike after struggling with a cheap bike tire replacement tool. The weather has been nice and above average lately until Thursday (12th) as it got the coldest all season. Unfortunately, it was just one day and it got warmer afterwards. I haven't been used to the cold that I didn't go outside to watch it till the "last minute", but was late as the parade was over. The weather got so warm that I was doing a digging (<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Other/House-Projects/i-wPzm2jj/A">egress project</a>) for a friend of mine with just a shirt on Saturday (14th).
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The temps started to drop throughout the third week. My friend was going to try to have me do one more egress window digging project, but haven't been able to with colder temps. Towards the end of the third week, there was a theatrical play my former director (for Aladdin) was doing. I was interested in checking it out as some friends (e.g. church) were in it. Plus, I wanted to enjoy watching it as an audience member instead of a performer. I went to workout on Friday (20th) after work and decided to just drive straight to the high school "last minute" to watch. I came there to find a long line and wasn't sure if I'll be able to see it as showtime was getting close. The director (Joe) came down from the booth to see the long line and decided to wait till everybody came in. While waiting, this lady came out of the auditorium waving a single ticket to see if anybody was solo. She came up to me and I said-"Yes"! I was very happy as I left the back of the line and went straight in to sit with this lady's (Allison) family-friends. I happen to know some of the people she was sitting with, so that made it less "weird". She ended up sharing that she saw me at "Real Ministries", so that made it even more comfortable sitting with these folks. The play went well and I had to take a pic with some of the characters before I left...
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Theater/Theatre-Scenes/i-zrbj4hR/A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Theater/Theatre-Scenes/i-zrbj4hR/0/M/IMG_0145-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
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I would later make a comment on the event wall of "The Addams Family Musical" and a friend replied if I can tape the show. I thought to myself, I knew this was going to happen! ;)...I thought it was a "sign" after another "hint" from a friend on FB giving me a hint about it. I decided to do it by going to the matinee performance (2pm), which I had to get all my gear ready. Unfortunately, right before intermission, I ran out of space in my camcorder. I was like sweating, but not too much as a couple of people were videotaping the event. Plus, I had the evening performance to tape as a back-up. However, I wasn't feeling as "energized" as my eyes were bothering me. I would later find out it was "pink eye", so I was praying I didn't affect anybody. After coming back for the evening performance to video tape, I would rush out of that place right away as I didn't want to affect anybody. I thought it was a "God divine" thing that I had technical difficulties as I had some great conversations with a couple of community residents in the evening show too. Isn't that cool? May this be a lesson to all of us that things don't workout the way we plan as there is sometimes another door of opportunity for God wants to use us-just gotta be open and willing!
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I started the 4th week with my once a month worship team service, which I look forward to worshiping God by singing-along with learning new songs and practicing singing too. I then went to the Chinese restaurant with a friend from Jane Addams to talk about my presentation on the Philippines next month. It was my first time eating there too after it has opened for over most of the year. I then had to miss work on Monday (23rd) due to my "pink eye", which I got diagnosed after seeing a doctor later in the afternoon. I got the "ok" to work the next day after getting my anti-biotic eye drops. I was kind of hoping I would get the permission by the doctor to rest for several days-have the whole week off, but that didn't happen..he he! :( Ironically, I scheduled my physical exam the same week, which was good news! I found out I had good lab results after a blood test for cholesterol level, sugar level, etc.....<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">praise the Lord</a>! I thank God for good health and getting wisdom on making wise healthier lifestyle choices!
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We had great weather prior to thanksgiving day, which I would drive to the cities late Wednesday night to avoid the holiday rush hour going to the Twin Cities along I-94. I ended up leaving around 6ish from Morris and didn't have to deal with any traffic compared to last year. I ended up stopping at Albertiville Outlet Mall to get a pair of shoes. I went to one of the stores and they told me they have their "Black Friday Sale" already after I asked if their were any sales going on. I got $10 of a pair (final cost of $45 only, cool huh?) of cool looking Nike shoes. It was my first Nike pair of shoes since my extravagant high school days. Another blessing, I'm thankful for, which I try to be grateful all season long.
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It was a great visit visiting family for the Thanksgiving weekend. I was able to hangout with all of my family members. I didn't do too much big. I just wanted to spend quality time with family (e.g. sharing pics of last month's trip to Hawaii and learning more about my dad's past). I was also able to get my battery holder fixed after a long time dealing with my loose battery cables. Also, I spent most of the weekend preparing my Philippine presentation, which I would chat with my dad of what I found out. I felt like a college student again!
<p>goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-39175695325544977292015-12-11T11:09:00.001-08:002015-12-11T11:12:20.336-08:00October 2015It was the annual UMM Homecoming the first weekend of October. It was another year that a couple of friends came up to visit, which one of them didn't make it for the first time last year. It was good to see both of them again as we caught up on how each of us have been doing. I would "try" to meet all of them at the Tailgate Party by Big Cat Stadium, but they ended up coming late as I left. However, I would try to keep occupied and do some wall climbing...
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/UMM-Homecoming-2014/i-PbKdkfN/A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/UMM-Homecoming-2014/i-PbKdkfN/0/M/IMG_5820-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
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..before I left. This year, my friend Shannon brought up his girlfriend, which was the first time for her to visit. We would take her to one of the newest restaurants in town-Mi Mexico...
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Latino-American-Dishes/i-fdMhnDn/A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Food/Latino-American-Dishes/i-fdMhnDn/0/S/IMG_5832-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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..., which we decided "last minute" as we walked by the popular crowded "Don's Cafe". Unfortunately, they had to leave early Sunday morning, so they weren't able to attend some other events going on around town on Sunday (4th): I had my monthly worship team service and then I attended the annual "<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Options-for-Women-Annual">Options for Women</a>" Banquet at the Morris Evangelical Free Church. There was a guest speaker that encouraged us supporters to not just wait for this annual banquet to support this organization, but we should try to support them all year round.
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The following day (5th), I would get a chance to catch up with a married couple that I haven't seen for a long time (since their wedding earlier this year). We would meet at Common Cup, which I ended up doing a fundraiser <a href="https://vimeo.com/142210968">video</a> to encourage friends to come to their "spaghetti feed" (help cover medical expenses for his <a href="https://goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com/2015/10/17/medical-how-to-treat-scoliosis/">scoliosis</a>) later this month while I'm at Hawaii. I then went to meet with my pastor to catch-up for a dinner at Old #1 before our weekly "Focus Prayer" (church prayer group).
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I would take the day off on Friday (9th) from my ft-job, so I can get on the road to visit family in St. Paul before heading to <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Minnesota/City-of-Waseca-Minnesota">Waseca</a> for a friend's (former housemate/renter) wedding. Yuu just got back with his wife (coming to America for an American wedding after being married in Japan last year) from Japan a week or so ago. It was nice to explore some new towns I went through along the way as I was thankful to God for a beautiful drive.
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I arrived around 1ish in time for the wedding rehearsals, which I would meet friend of both the groom and bride. It was such a great bonding time and I had the most fun with the wedding reception (karaoke party)!...
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-8sK22LQ/A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-8sK22LQ/0/S/SnapShot%282964%29-S.jpg" alt=""></a>
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I ended up leaving right after the reception and would get home a little past midnight.
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I woke up early Sunday (11th) morning in St. Paul to ride my bike along the newest open bridge trail (Warner to Shepherd road)...
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<a href="https://youtu.be/tKgX5dZ9rvc">Biking along the "newest" Warner-Shepherd Road Trail Bridge (Oct. 11th 2015)
</a><br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tKgX5dZ9rvc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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...I've been waiting all summer long for this to open. I had a tight schedule, so I wasn't able to ride all the way to downtown like I wanted to. However, I got pretty far, which it was an hour round trip. I ended up meeting this "stranger" who would share about some interesting "sights" (e.g. deer carcass eating up to the bones-possible creature???) and stories of the caves nearby (<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Bicycling/St-Paul-Bike-Trails-Battle/i-9QSFgTn/A">Mounds Park</a>).
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I had about 5 days in Morris before heading back to the Twin Cities in preparation of my trip to Hawaii with family. I was able to visit a friend (Steve) who was somewhat going downhill health wise. I'm glad I took the time to see him as he would pass away 5 days or so later. I've learned to really take advantage of the time you have with family, friends, etc..-love ones period.
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I got to St. Paul on the 17th (Saturday), so I can have some day of preparation before heading out of the state early next (Sunday 18th) morning (around 6ish). I was looking forward to a week-plus spending time with family and just enjoying this much to say vacation island destination. When I got to St. Paul, I went to visit my uncle at a senior living center. It seems like my work follows me. While visiting my uncle, I can hear one of his neighbors screaming. My uncle told me to not worry as she does this at times. I would find out later that she was screaming because she fell from her wheel chair. I felt bad as I could've helped her get back on. I could hear the commotion of some staff helping her up on her wheelchair. When I arrived home, I checked my luggage for additional items to pack. I went online to look-up surf videos as I wanted to find the cheapest way possible to learn before paying the expensive rates. The next morning, we got up early and were thankful to Khua's side of the family for taking us to the airport. Yes, my work continued to follow me as I went on the plane. I would meet this interesting lady that would share some of her interesting life story-> <a href="https://smiletravelingblog.wordpress.com/2015/10/29/flight-passenger-travel-stories-round-trip-minneapolis-st-paul-to-seattle-tacoma-to-honolulu/">Flight Passenger Travel Stories: Round Trip Minneapolis-St. Paul to Seattle-Tacoma to Honolulu</a> (my first blog on my travel adventures!). We had a 12 hour delay in Seattle along our flight to Hawaii from Minnesota. My brother and his wife already scheduled a rental car to drive around Seattle, which was a very beautiful city despite the rainy cloudy afternoon.
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/USA/Seattle-Washington-Trip-2015/i-hRFxkrJ/A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/USA/Seattle-Washington-Trip-2015/i-hRFxkrJ/0/S/IMG_6311-S.jpg" alt=""></a><br>
<a href="https://smiletravelingblog.wordpress.com/2015/10/31/sleepless-in-seattle-downtown-visit-2015/">“Sleepless in Seattle” Downtown Visit 2015</a> smiletravelingblog.wordpress.com
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We still had several hours to "kill", so we drove out of Seattle and looked for a popular attraction. Seattle is surrounded by many high mountain ranges and one of the closest popular one was <a href="https://smiletravelingblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/01/road-trip-seattle-to-mount-rainier-washington-state/">Mount Rainier</a>. Unfortunately, the cloudy weather prevented us seeing the mountain, but we did see the base.
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It was getting close to departure, so we went back to the Seattle-Tacoma Int'l Airport and were anticipating for our 5-hour flight to Hawaii. We arrived in <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Travel/Airports-around-the-World/i-j3ZLcrT/A">Honululu Int'l Airport</a> around 11ish at night and had to drive an additional hour to our hotel in <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Hawaii-Oahu-Island-North/">Laie</a> (North Shore). We were all tired and I remember asking the lady in the front desk about the nearest place to surf. I would sleep pretty good in the room I shared with my parents. I would get up early and was excited to walk the town to see what we couldn't see in the dark last night. I walked to the nearest grocery store in Laie after googling. It was a humid-muggy morning already, which was nice! When I got back to the hotel with some grocery items (e.g. gallon of water since the hotel charged a-lot!), my brother shared about our road trip along the <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Hawaii-Oahu-Islands-North/">North Shore</a>. It was a beautiful day for a scenic drive along the shore! We stopped by one of the beaches and I would just marvel the scenery..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Hawaii-Oahu-Islands-North/i-cLSTxPM/A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Hawaii-Oahu-Islands-North/i-cLSTxPM/0/S/IMG_6420-S.jpg" alt=""></a><br>
<a href="https://smiletravelingblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/05/hawaii-visit-oahus-north-shore-drive-tour/">
Hawaii Visit: Oahu’s North Shore Drive Tour</a> smiletravelingblog.wordpress.com<br>
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goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-61002405304611140852015-12-05T07:32:00.001-08:002015-12-05T07:38:55.300-08:00September 2015Fall season of ESL classes started with a new student from China at the Morris Literacy Project on Wednesday (2nd). It was a good way to start the new season after a slow summer. However, I had to leave early since I had rehearsals still for the Aladdin musical. We had a day off from rehearsals on the 4th (Friday) and it was the "last" Friday of no work for the summer season. I took advantage of the "last Friday off" by visiting a friend in Lino Lakes Prison with a friend, which it was a "<a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2015/09/09/life-lesson-humble-yourself-and-ask-directions-when-lost/">life lesson</a>" (map reading) adventure.
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The next day (Saturday 5th), I attended the once a month community worship called <a href="http://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Real-Life-Ministries-Services/i-5fnnHDm/A">Real Ministries</a>. One of the guest speakers (Jenny) shared about J.O.Y, which I tied to my character (Jafar) in the musical play I was in and wrote this blog-> <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2015/09/06/disney-character-jafar-why-m-e/">Disney Character: Jafar-"Why M-E?"</a>. I used this Labor Day weekend to not only write this blog, but to do other fun activities (e.g. biked to Pomme De Terre Park).
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We had our last week of rehearsals before our two performances at the end of the week on the 4th (Friday) & 5th (Saturday). I did a lot of mental, physical, and spiritual preparations (see <a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2015/08/15/music-tips-for-singers-with-dry-throats/">Music: Tips for singers with “dry” throats?</a>). It turned out to be a great personal experience for me and a self-confidence booster.
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I would continue my bike contest (e.g. going to <a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Bicycling/Pomme-De-Terre-Park-Bike/">Pomme De Terre Park</a>) throughout the rest of the month as it was the last month of this competition.
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I attended the 2nd annual "<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Religion/Churches-Across-the-World/i-HdHBdtX/A">Storm the Planet Conference</a>" at my local church. I would later share the importance of taking "notes" and now applying it in our daily lives the following Sunday during shares. During the conference, I was thrown a "curve ball" (unexpected life circumstance), which was just another faith builder challenge. I would later share this at church too -> <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2015/09/27/visiting-those-sick-in-the-hospital/">Visiting those “sick” in the hospital </a>.
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On Thursday (24th), I attended my once a month worship practice for my local church in preparation for Sunday's worship team service. I was inspired to write this parody after practice..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-Q8tTL5W/A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Music/Sals-Music-Collection/i-Q8tTL5W/0/M/SnapShot%282812%29-M.jpg" alt=""></a>
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I would try to ride my bike as much as I can towards the last days of the month and here were the results of this summer long competition..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Bicycling/Pomme-De-Terre-Park-Bike/i-LSSCTzP/A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Bicycling/Pomme-De-Terre-Park-Bike/i-LSSCTzP/0/M/IMG_5805-M.jpg" alt=""></a>goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-16717588805353581702015-09-13T11:54:00.002-07:002015-09-18T20:33:25.265-07:00My first theatrical experience (Aladdin the Musical at the Park)It's the morning (Sunday, September 13th 2015) after our last of two nightly theatrical performances. I wanted to share my thoughts of my first experience in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/676072462404186/">theatre</a> while it's fresh in my memory. First, I can say I can cross this off my checklist of my "bucket list" in things I always wanted to do in my life. I was too shy growing-up, but got more "social" during my college years due to many factors (e.g. small college campus community and mostly because of my new growing "faith" (see <a href="http://testimony.goodnewseverybody.com/">personal testimony</a>).
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I decided to audition for this particular performance because I'm a huge fan of musicals overall. I love singing..."I try". Since growing-up, I somehow just love the movie musical ("Sound of Music"-<a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2015/07/22/music-karaoke-edelweiss/">Music: Karaoke-"Edelweiss"</a>). If anyone that reads this and knows of any auditions for this, please let me know :)! In fact, it's coming "locally" (St. Paul's Ordway Theatre this winter-Christmas season). I first heard about these auditions from the local paper (<a href="http://www.morrissuntribune.com/">Morris Sun Tribune</a> (<a href="http://www.morrissuntribune.com/news/local/3799559-community-invited-join-plays-park">Community invited to join Plays in the Park</a> By Kim Ukura on Jul 18, 2015 at 5:13 a.m.) , which I regularly read online almost nightly to read "whats happening" in my local community. I got very excited and clicked on a link on "<a href="http://playsinmorris.org/plays/">Plays in the Park</a>". I immediately started practicing the lines of Aladdin's song "One Jump". I thought after competing in the <a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2015/07/01/music-performance-some-where-out-there-by-sal-linda-at-kiwanis-talent-show-week-4-june-25th-2015/">Kiwanis Talent Show</a> the month prior (June), I felt confident to do this. However, my original intention in auditioning for Aladdin was to get a "minor" role with this being my first theatrical experience. When I auditioned the second of two days on Friday (August 7th 2015), I didn't know what to expect. It was my first auditioning experience. They asked me to sing one of the character's songs. I decided to choose Aladdin's "<a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2015/07/11/music-karaoke-i-can-show-you-the-world-disney-alladin/">I Can Show You the World</a>" since I've done this song many times. I even told them I know it by heart, so I didn't even to bother to use the song lyric sheet. However, I would realize I really didn't know the lines as I was "messing-up" mid-way of the song. I felt very bad and they told me that was it for auditioning. I felt really bad as I wish I could've shown more. However, they did ask me to fill out an application, which I shared my "resume" of musical performance experiences (e.g. playing the trumpet back at <a href="http://smu.gs/1LaVdo4">middle school</a>, doing some video recording skits for work (e.g. training videos), etc..) . I wrote down about my participating in the month prior "<a href="http://smu.gs/1T4dCVt">Kiwanis Talent Show</a>" when I performed "<a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2015/07/01/music-performance-some-where-out-there-by-sal-linda-at-kiwanis-talent-show-week-4-june-25th-2015/">Somewhere Out There</a>" (also a Disney song).
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The next day, I checked my email to see if I passed the auditions. I would find out later in the evening and I got a part and was very excited. I kept it a secret from family and friends until weeks later when the topic came up. Our first practice started immediately since the first performance will be a little over a month. We started on Monday (August 10th), which was somewhat an ice breaker and wasn't intense. We had to read the lines of our characters together and got to know each other briefly. However, the number of lines for Jafar was a little overwhelming. It was more than I thought I could handle. I even pondered about quitting because I was thinking this was too much for me. At the time, we didn't have anyone to play Aladdin, so I decided to stay. In fact, I looked around, and I was like the only guy there for the major roles. I decided to stick with it and help out. I believe 2-3 practices later, we found our Aladdin (David), which I even asked Joe earlier if I should advertise around for this missing role. I even emailed and texted a couple of guy friends. Also, I placed a post on one of our facebook groups (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/428575533915396/">Community Needs</a>) . Then the director (Joe) gave us our schedule of rehearsals. I was able to make to most of them except two due to scheduling conflicts. I really needed as much practice as I can, so I decided to skip one "schedule conflict" (annual A.B.E. Consortium "training" meeting). I'm glad I took voice lessons earlier this summer because it helped sustain my voice. I remember the first week of rehearsals, I left early to be part of my local church worship practice. I started to lose my voice this early, so I did a lot of voice exercises my <a href="http://www.haidermusic.com/lessons/">voice lesson teacher</a> (<a href="http://www.haidermusic.com/about-me/">Kurtis</a>) taught me. Also, the necessary "natural remedy" tips (e.g. <a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2015/08/15/music-tips-for-singers-with-dry-throats/">moisten your throat</a> frequently). On August 26th (Wednesday), I was asked to drive the <a href="http://stevenscodac.org">work bus</a> to Chanhassen Dinner Theatre for our annual trip. I asked my boss if I can have someone work for me because we had rehearsals for the whole of Act 1, which I needed as much practice as I can. Unfortunately, there were no co-workers that could. I wasn't totally disappointed because I was somewhat anxious to see <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2015/08/28/theatrical-performance-mary-poppins-musical-at-chanhassen-dinner-theatre-was-super/">Mary Poppins</a>, which I looooove musicals! I'm glad I was able to go since it gave me some inspiration and ideas to go about doing my theatrical performance with Aladdin!.
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During the time of our practices, I decided to do a parody of "<a href="http://smu.gs/1Lakjn8">I Can Show You the World</a>" from my character's (Jafar) perspective. Here is what I came-up with => <a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2015/09/11/music-parody-creepy-old-cave-originally-from-i-can-show-you-the-world-from-aladdin-by-jafar/">Music: Parody-“Creepy Old Cave” (originally from “I Can Show You the World” from Aladdin) by Jafar</a>. Also, I took sometime to reflect on my character and how all of us can be a "Jafar" in life-> <a href="https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2015/09/06/disney-character-jafar-why-m-e/">Disney Character: Jafar-"Why M-E?"</a>
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Our last week of rehearsals were moved from indoors (St. Mary's) to outdoors at the actual performance site..
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East Side Park<br>
<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Theater/Theatre-Scenes/43830713_4x7F9Z#!i=4344789939&k=nP3TqSF&lb=1&s=A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Theater/Theatre-Scenes/i-nP3TqSF/0/S/IMG_5506-S.jpg" alt="Disney's Aladdin The Musical - In The Park! https://www.facebook.com/events/405890109606228/All of your favorite characters from the hit Disney film – Aladdin, Jasmine, Iago, Jafar, the Genie, and more – are here in Disney’s Aladdin, a musical adventure filled with magic, mayhem, and flying carpet rides. An ensemble of townspeople, shop owners, harem girls, princes, and others round out our amazing cast.Disney’s Aladdin’s tuneful, accessible Academy award-winning score, with songs by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice, including “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me,” will send you soaring.This is a FREE Event! All are welcome to attend!September 11 & 12 @ 7:30pm. Bring chairs and blankets to get comfy!http://twistedplays.com/aladdin/http://playsinmorris.org/plays/sponsors/http://playsinmorris.org/plays/https://www.facebook.com/pages/Plays-in-Morris/125795161088266 http://smu.gs/1Q2jA70"></a>
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Related:
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<a href="http://www.morrissuntribune.com/video/4478146028001">Plays in the Park presents Disney's Aladdin</a> from morrissuntribune.com<br>
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It was somewhat a challenging transition, but it was good to have preparation on the actual site of our performance. During our practice outside, after repeatedly rehearsing the scene where I sing and tease "Prince Ali" being merely "Aladdin". I started to feel sorry for Aladdin while singing. It was one of those moments where I just got out of character. It was one of those interesting acting experiences. On Wednesday (September 9th 2015), our director (Joe) shared about how the local paper will be coming and that we might need to bring sharpies to sign autographs. One of the kids from the ensemble team replied softly to me, "Wow, wee are going to be famous!". I then thought to myself, "I don't want to be famous, I want Jesus to be famous" (I thought of this song <a href="http://youtu.be/1NHQJWdXfFE">rancesca Battistelli - He Knows My Name (Official Audio)</a>) . I responded softly back..."yeah..like Hollywood", but wasn't too excited saying it. During the performances, I would pray-"Lord, help me do well, so that I glorify you!". I want to use this opportunity in this blog to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">thank</a> my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SalPhotoVideography/photos/a.780611395287068.1073741907.443035202378024/780612495286958/?type=3&theater">Creator</a> for giving me these "<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/896884150334561/">creative</a> gifts, talents, and skills to do what I was able to do during and after these performances.
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The day of the performance, I would create a blog to record my list of <a href="https://creativemusicartsy.wordpress.com/2015/09/12/theatrical-performance-tips/">Theatrical Performance Tips?</a> for future reference and help others that might go through similar challenges in preparation for a similar or bigger performance. When I got to the park an hour before our performance, one of the kids from the ensemble gave me his <a href="http://smu.gs/1K7bl5K">autograph</a> after I gave him mine (signed "Jafar...keep shining")
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My biggest tip would be getting yourself spiritually prepared. I would meditate on a Bible verse (<a href="http://smu.gs/1QyniWG">Psalm 121</a>) the morning before my first performance, which would help me during the performance. I somehow felt "down", so I remembered this particular verse and prayed. I asked God to give me strength to finish this show. Despite missing some lines (one obvious one in the last scene if you watch the video below :( ), I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">thank God</a> for helping me get through this first one.
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Here is a pic from a scene from our 1st evening show..
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Theater/Plays-in-the-Park-Aladdin-the/51930355_zv2gkX#!i=4347624358&k=QK6pwq6&lb=1&s=A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Theater/Plays-in-the-Park-Aladdin-the/i-QK6pwq6/0/M/SnapShot%282507%29-M.jpg" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a>
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Plays in the Park: Aladdin the Musical-1st (Sept 11th 15) Performance Pt 1of2<br>
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/139078922" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/139078922">Plays in the Park: Aladdin the Musical-1st (Sept 11th 15) Performance Pt 1of2</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user16383442">Sal Photo Biz</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
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In the second show (Saturday, September 12th 2015), I continued more of my preparation tips. While doing some errands Saturday afternoon, a couple of young teenage boys shouted "great job last night" while biking back home from Thrifty White to develop pictures. One thing I did differently was standing up while practicing my lines earlier and later in the day. I found this tip through a google search too. I then wrote down the lines I missed during the 1st show, so I can get it really on my head. Then I did some meditation (after biking -a pedestrian shouted "great show last night" on my way back home-to the local fitness center to wake me up after a power nap) by listening to some worship song (from <a href="http://smu.gs/1KirdGi">Real Ministries</a> last Saturday evening) while putting on my character outfit. I was still a little nervous during our 2nd performance. Another additional activity that helped me was just praying for my fellow cast members when they were performing. Even during the middle of one of my performances between lines, I started praying <a href="http://bless.goodnewseverybody.com/">blessings</a> for the audience in attendance. This somehow helped me get through the nervousness. All this made the 2nd show a lot better. I missed one line and didn't say of my last lines clearly, but <a href="http://bless.goodnewseverybody.com/thanksgiving.html">thankful</a> I finished! We ended the last night by having a Cast get-together at Pizza Ranch, which we stayed till 10:20ish that evening.
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Overall, it has been a great 5+ weeks getting to know some of my fellow cast members and it was fun overall. It was a lot of work memorizing lines, our dance routines, etc... It was definitely a great experience and willing to do this again..hoping for another fun musical!
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/676072462404186/">Good News Theatre</a><br>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/676072462404186/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/676072462404186/</a>
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more..
<a href="http://liberalarts.goodnewseverybody.com/performingarts.html">http://liberalarts.goodnewseverybody.com/performingarts.html</a>
goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5932476719610911180.post-28358361143385548452015-09-07T10:16:00.000-07:002015-09-11T13:35:04.966-07:00August 2015I started the month in St. Paul visiting family. I went to the cities for my niece's (Disney theme) birthday. First, I took my mom to Dragon Star for "Asian" grocery food shopping. Both my mom and I got <a href="http://smu.gs/1Ux9wt2">Bubble Tea</a>, which was a good drink to keep cool in this warm sunny day. We ended up getting ingredients to make <a href="http://smu.gs/1i8bBL9">Halo Halo</a>. Unfortunately all these "cool" sugary desserts increased my mom's blood sugar level, which didn't make her feel good :(. I went to a couple of Bike shops nearby (Woodbury) to "window shop" for a better bike, which I found a model (Shimano) that seem eye-catching. I would later find a cheaper version online since I would have to assemble it myself. I thought this was the better route!
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The next day (Sunday, August 2nd 2015), I attended Alysa's 10th birthday, which they organized numerous variety of games. It was fun to see my niece have a good time and has grown a lot! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/120539491473189/">Thank you Lord</a> for a beautiful day!
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When I got back to Morris, I continued my <a href="https://autohomeandgarden.wordpress.com/2015/08/22/home-bathroom-tub-remodeling-project/">bathroom remodeling project</a>, which took less than a week. I felt it was an answer to prayer to get this finish on time as I prayed that a "friend" would pick-up the materials from Menards in Alexandria on-time, and He answered it! I was able to finish ahead of schedule before my renter came back from his vacation overseas.
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I attended my first ever auditions for a play called <a href="http://smu.gs/1J2LyeG">Aladdin</a>, which I did on the 7th (Friday). I just wanted a small minor role with my "no theatrical" experience. I ended up getting the villain role (Jafar). It was more lines than I wanted, but this will be a great experience. I think they were so short of guys that this was probably the best fit character for me! I shared this with my housemate/renter and he confirmed this by saying I look like Jafar (e.g. big eyes, mustache, etc..)..lol!
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During this second weekend of August, I did a variety projects besides working on my bathroom. I worked an <a href="http://smu.gs/1Ux9Wj7">old bike</a> my "former" housemate (Yuu) donated, which was a lot of work. I would later find out it wasn't fixable. However, I did learn a lot of bike repair skills!
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We had our 1st week of practice for Aladdin beginning August 10th. It was somewhat overwhelming at firs as the lines were more than I expected. However, towards the end of the week, I felt more confident. I ended up ordering this vitamin supplement (<a href="http://smu.gs/1JPcwJn">Tumeric</a>) to help boost my memory to memorize these lines better.
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I continued by bike challenge as I found some a couple of new friends (Chase & Dwyer) to bike with on Wednesday (12th of August). Then I went to the annual Stevens County Fair on Thursday (13th) to hangout with various friends. I would unexpectedly meet <a href="http://smu.gs/1UxaDJu">Eric & Sunny</a> (visiting all the way from Watertown, South Dakota)!
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I got my new bike I ordered online on Friday (14th) and got a <a href="http://smu.gs/1gNYj54">new egress window pit</a> digging job again. It would take two separate "hot" mornings to finish. I would later share at church the following Sunday (16th) that <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/609542502392314/">praying</a> and singing <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/144617029049435/">worship songs</a> (some that I was practicing for my local church worship team) gave me <a href="http://smu.gs/1i8hojI">strength</a> to finish...Praise the Lord!
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On Monday (17th), I got a couple of "used" bikes worked on. I was able to do what I can do with fixing my bikes, so I had my friend/co-worker (Paul J.) use his handy skills. He was able to fix my current bike, which I used to have problems pedaling up the hill. The bike that was donated won't be able to be fix, but I can salvage the parts.
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The next day we had some rain, which is always a blessing (compared to what our friends are going through in the northwest section of the country). I would go to the cities for the second time this month on the 21st. I was scheduled to pick-up my friend/current renter (flew from South Korea) on Saturday. I came on Friday early to do family stuff as I played basketball with my niece and nephew. We even saw the <a href="http://smu.gs/1Ke9oKh">wild turkey</a> that has been running around their front yard (was seen "pooping" on top of a vehicle in their driveway the other day).
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My friend (Jin)'s plane arrived safely Saturday night despite the severe t-storms (and Tornado watch). Also, he left his country safely despite the threats of neighboring North Korea..thank God! Keep praying for that area of the world. I would attend Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul the next day with my mom before going back to Morris with Jin.
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On the 25th (Tuesday), I finished my kitchen tiling project (using <a href="http://smu.gs/1UxQZwQ">new grout</a>). As I was finishing-up, I was getting inspired by a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/301647810000560/?ref=br_tf">motivational speaker</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NickVujicic?fref=ts">Nick Vujicic</a>, who is known for with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/133973023445443/">"no arms no legs"</a>. A friend/co-worker (Paul J.) shared an inspirational video on his facebook, which got me inspired to listen to more of his speeches.
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On Wednesday (26th), my workplace went to Chanhassen Dinner Theatre for our annual trip, which we saw "<a href="http://smu.gs/1fHfgNS">Mary Poppins</a>". One of my favorite Disney movies growing-up. I was trying to skip this trip, so I can join my peers for our Aladdin (Act 1) rehearsals. However, there was no way getting out, but it was a win-win for me since this just inspired and equipped me more with this up-coming <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/676072462404186/">theatrical performance</a>.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great trip (drove da work bus) overall 2 Chanhassen Dinner Theatre 2 watch "Mary Poppins" <a href="http://t.co/K6QjOwr2hy">http://t.co/K6QjOwr2hy</a> <a href="http://t.co/Z1nQ7pdem9">pic.twitter.com/Z1nQ7pdem9</a></p>— Dapalsal (@Dapalsal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dapalsal/status/637422999839207424">August 29, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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..it was a great road-trip with my boss and a couple clients on the 16-passenger bus (Big) that I was in charge of driving back and forth. The next day (27th), I would get a visit from a former ESL student of mine from Uzbekistan. It was good to sit down and eat at <a href="http://smu.gs/1hKQTkm">Grand Buffet</a> in Alexandria with him and my supervisor from our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/258915534158579/">literacy classes</a>.
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I would spend the last weekend of the month by going to St. Paul for the 3rd time within this month (most that I can remember). This time, I chose to go in order to help my sister and James move out of their old apartment to their new one. It was good to visit them and a great time hanging out with my parents while driving to and from. I also took advantage of the weekend for my 20th (Harding Senior) High School reunion, which it was a blessing to catch-up with "old" friends-classmates.
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<a href="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Harding-Senior-High-School-Run/44455883_w3qFpw#!i=3550721432&k=9LCDT8B&lb=1&s=A"><img src="https://salphotobiz.smugmug.com/Events/Harding-Senior-High-School-Run/i-9LCDT8B/0/S/IMG_8179-S.jpg" alt="Many memories from 91'-95' :) Anyone else have stories and what year?"></a>
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goodnewseverybodycomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648314752108419834noreply@blogger.com0