2018 Year in Reflection

January

Below are just "some" of the highlights that I can remember through pics I've taken and went through recently. I thank God for the many blessings for being able to do all this..

Went geocaching with my sister and her husband in Fergus Falls..

Minnesota Vikings "Parody (Twins) Theme Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi6CeVVESs0#action=share
*a little fun parody I made after another video I made of the "Minneapolis Miracle"

I didn't have tickets to the Super Bowl, but I was able to checkout some of the activities :

Sal reporting from St. Paul's Winter Ice Palce (1.28.18) https://youtu.be/HKeoZAfB_Rs more... USA: Minnesota-Super Bowl 52 Experience Visit smiletravelingblog.wordpress.com

February

My younger brother visiting Morris..

As he drove through before going to Fargo for a work-related trip.

The Winter Olympics going on in South Korea inspired me to go ice skating at the local rink..

I was able to snowboard only once (February 24th) the entire season during a winter storm as I love fresh snow..

March

Parody-"Walk Like a Minnesotan" (originally "Walk Like An Egyptian" by Bangles) by Crazy lil' Sal https://youtu.be/qsoxwacSYtw

Some of the challenges of the year were my sewer back-up..

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.

I visited family down in St. Paul for my birthday, which my dad treated all of us to Brasa Restaurant (found by googling)..

Before heading back to Morris, I watched my niece's volleyball game with family..

April

It was an "April Fools" Cold Day, which I was in St. Paul to celebrate my Mom's b-day ..

Went to play some piano after getting inspired by watching a "friend's" performance at the campus..

During the celebration of my sister and mom (again)'s birthday together, some of us played the "big version" of Jenga!

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...

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.

May

My sump pumped started acting up, so I ordered a replacement

My co-worker and I took some clients to this annual "Special Olympics Track Meet" in Moorhead, MN..

My friend Chris and I drove to Minneapolis for one night to check out "Pulse Twin Cities"..

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Aftermath after taking part of the “worlds biggest pillow fight” at #pulsetwincities at #usbankstadium #minneapolismn @goodnewsminnesota last Friday @salphotobiz

A post shared by Saldapal (@saldapal18) on May 26, 2018 at 7:55am PDT

It was our first time at US Bank Stadium too!

I worked on my summer project early as we had some nice "early" summer-like weather..

Helped record the local high musical called Legally Blonde.

"Fill me Up" (originally by Will Reagan) by Crazy lil' Sal
https://youtu.be/N0Y88Zi0qEE

June

Hungout with some co-workers , friends, etc.. at Old #1 's cool patio view after watching Jurassic World..

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..

This prevents my sump pump working overload and keeps my basement "dryer"!

"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" ("Lion King" Disney Movie Soundtrack) by Crazy lil' Sal

https://youtu.be/ZBJmc-CKXyU July

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..

I would later go check out Minnehaha Falls Regional Park, which I haven't visited for year and remember going to earlier as a kid too..

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A post shared by Saldapal (@saldapal18) on Jul 11, 2018 at 9:07am PDT

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..

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..

So many benefits, which I highly recommend!

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...

I also had a great workout kayaking (*see #saldapal8 , pic taken by Paul J...thanks!)

I continued my summer project of painting some "spots" underneath my metal roof ..

Also, did on-going car maintenance by re-doing my windshield repair..

"Wavin' Flag" (originally by K'naan) Dance w/ Crazy lil' Sal

https://youtu.be/M6qPg2vx90M

August

We (family & I) celebrated Alysa's (my niece turned "teenager") birthday at Olive Garden

I took one of my ESL (English as a Second Language) students (from Brasil) to the Douglas Country Fair..

I took some time to volunteer for my workplace to "table" at the Stevens County Fair

As we were promoting our Open House fundraiser for our renovated building project.

I had my own personal house building renovation issue with my roof with this roof "sky window" leak..

I met some cool people while helping out with the annual Feed my Starving Children..

September

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..

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!

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.

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..

Minnesota: State Fair 2018-Scenes of Big Crowds (Sun. 9.2.18) https://youtu.be/MPlUZd2g6pY

I went to the cities again , but to celebrate my nephew's birthday. I gave this gift (children's Bible) to him...

We then went on a boat ride at Lake Elmo..

Thanks Chris and Paul for keeping me safe and helping with my needed to be done "sky window" caulking..

Metal Roof: Climbing for Maintenance Repairs-Caulking Circular Skywindow https://youtu.be/ip7W5LS-zqk

We (Morris Community Church) had our "last church fellowship service gathering" the church building..

We'll be meeting in rental and other places afterwards..

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A post shared by Creativemusicartsy (@creativemusicartsy) on Oct 1, 2018 at 8:49pm PDT

October

Donated blood at this sports bar in downtown St. Paul while I was there for one weekend..

Got this gift from facebook..

(click on pic for description)

November

Harvest season brought a lot of "produce", so I'm thankful to God for my co-workers for giving me some healthy foods:

(thanks Nicole) and
(thanks Patty)

I went to Hmong New Year with family after Thanksgiving..

Minnesota: Hmong New Year (Nov. 24th 18')-Dance 1 https://youtu.be/UQnlgwuLm6

I would work on my parent's bathroom sink..

Learned new skills and applying what I've learned in the past too from past plumbing projects from my own home.

Karaoke-"Give me Your eyes" (originally by Brandon Heath) by Crazy lil' Sal

https://youtu.be/UKt1j24TnN8

December

I was a "last minute" fill-in as a client wasn't able to come to the annual ARC Christmas Program..

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A post shared by Creativemusicartsy (@creativemusicartsy) on Dec 3, 2018 at 9:02pm PST

I played one of the "prophets" during this "Christmas Story"

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A post shared by Healthfitnessguru (@healthfitnesslifeguy) on Dec 30, 2018 at 1:05pm PST

Karaoke -"First Noel" (Hymn) by Crazy lil' Sal

https://youtu.be/P-qZCw5p-mY

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 !

September 2014

I spent my Labor Day (holiday) doing some house project as it showered a little in the afternoon. I put in the pipes and "bird seed" gravel over it in the right side (south eastern) of the month plus long trench project. I'm just glad I finish digging! I filled it in by hand using my neighbor's (Craig M, who is moving :( ) borrowed wheel barrel..a great workout! I continue to do this on Thursday (4th) as I did little by little like the month long digging project. I would do a little more of filling this 6-8 foot deep trench during the first weekend of the month between the workshops of this conference (Storm the Planet-see notes by joining Good News Ministry). This was such an inspiring motivational conference that I'm still "trying" to apply as I write this, which I'll be sharing more through this month's and future blogs.

Through the 2nd week, weeks after, and currently-God laid a "new song" in my heart, which was planted during the Storm of the Planet. I never ever thought I'll be doing this. Many years ago, there was a "prophetic" encouraging word that I'll be doing this, but my friend and I joked about this. Here is one song I wrote recently that took a month as I had to get a new piano to help me..

"Don't Be Afraid to Step in Faith" (October 6th 2014)

I don't spend too much time to "edit" the music as I usually just do one recording and then add my piano playing (still in the works too). Stay tuned for more as the "new songs" are to encourage people.

On Thursday, we had another anniversary of 9-11 , which I will always find "new" findings of what "really" happened in this unfortunate event.

The 2nd weekend, I went to Moose Lake for my once every other month visit. I took pics of the "early-stage" of Fall colors at Moose Lake State Park in Carlton County. The next day (Sunday), our local church had a share by missionaries from India. Then we went to our pastor's house for more shares of this country and the mission experience overall, which prayer was the theme message that was heavily encouraged.

I finally found the "sewer pipe" by the foundation where I dug the trench on the 18th. It was by the water line that was marked, so that helped! The following day, my workplace was another challenging day as we were short-stuff, but thankful to God to get me through one of many more! What helps me to get through long hard workdays like this is looking at the future, I was looking forward to my once a month visit to the Twin Cities. I was planning to attend some events, such as..

Harding Senior High School's 1st Spirit Walk/ Run (Fundraiser)

Also, the same weekend was my nephew's birthday, which we celebrated at my younger brother's house.

When I got back to Morris, I would attend a special guest speaker at a church my friend invited me to. He shared a message that was a theme (e.g. social identity, gifts, etc..) from the conference earlier this month.

I started a new house project on the 23rd (1st day of Fall), which I put special rubber pavers in my garage driveway. I just did a little as I want to test how it work with the coming winter season. The next day, I bought pies from the the annual Faith Lutheran Church Bazaar. I shared one of them with my students at my weekly ESL-GED classes. I noticed my students didn't like it as it was too sweet, which I've noticed from the past that many international students feel the same way. America's "unnatural" desserts are really too sweet with fake sugar! On Thursday, I went to my local church worship practice, which I always look forward too with a "new song" perspective after the latest conference. On the 26th, I treated a new UMM student (Jackie from Idaho) to the famous Don's Cafe. I met Jackie online through one of my facebook group's (Good News Morris, which she joined almost a year ago when she first applied at the local college and wanted to learn more about our college-community. We've been in dialogue since and it was great to meet her in person (face to face) the first time.

During the last "Fall" weekend of the month, it was the 2nd day in a row with 80 degree (Farenheit) weather, so I had to take advantage of it since I wasn't able to do everything that I wanted to do during the summer. I invited a friend (Chris) to a game of tennis, which I would later go with him to celebrate his early birthday with his family at Pizza Ranch.

After making a long list to the "new songs" that the Lord laid in my heart since the conference earlier this month, I tried to come up with the lyrics to the titles and recorded my first song...

"Lord's My Healer"

It would be the first of more to come....

June 2014

I started the month while in the Twin Cities during my monthly visit. I went with fam to the annual "Grand Old Days", which was a showery-cloudy day. It was still fun to hangout with family as we went to this organic restaurant....

French Meadow

I ordered this "healthier" blueberry "organic pancake, which tasted somewhat dry. However, it was my first organic pancake and I know it's very healthy, so that made me enjoy it more. We missed my niece (Alyssa)being in the parade as we were still at my younger bro's house (watching cartons with my nephew Stefan), so she was a "little" mad :(. I went "hurriedly" went back to Morris after our get-together as I wanted to get home to see how my basement is after some torrential rains (3" reported fell over night) and more was coming. I came home and everything appeared ok, so I went to cover the front part of my house with some tar maps to divert the water coming from the metal roof away along the slight decline ground as far away from the house as possible. Also, I came early in case a college friend (Ryan F.) was coming early to visit, which I would later find out he was coming the next day.

Ryan and I would hangout at Pomme De Terre river by the dam to fish. I went to visit him and his friend along the shore after work as they've been fishing most of the day. It was good to see him as he's become a regular visitor here since he's been coming a lot with his involvement with the UMM Alumni Board.

On Thursday (5th), the first of four Talent Shows started at East Side Park, which has been a great annual summer community get-together. They had 11 acts, which is the most I've seen in years for the 1st week-mostly kids from St. Mary's School. On Saturday (7th), Chris tagged along with me to Alexandria to get some stuff for my on-going house projects at Menards. On our way to Alex, he took me to this Indian mound before going to downtown Glenwood (north of) highway 28, which I never knew existed until now. I'm very fond of Indian mounds as part of Native American history.

On Monday (9th), Ron N. came over to finish installing my windows (attic, kitchen, and master bedroom). It's his second time doing this as I'm doing a number of replacements as money comes. I can't wait to finally get all my windows redone. I'm also doing my on-going garage cleaning, which I was able to get some more "junk" (old windows, wood, etc..) as a "friend" replied to my tag on facebook that I'm trying to get rid of some building materials to make more room in my garage.

We (workplace) went to Benson for our annual movie-picnic for both Swift & Stevens County D.A.C. on Wednesday (11th). We saw this animation (Wizzard of Oz in animation) movie, which I wasn't able to watch all of it because of the "busyness" of my duty with work. My friends didn't like it, so I didn't really miss much. After the movie, we had a picnic at the Swift County D.A.C, which I played kickball (kicked a home run)for the 1st time in many years!

On the 2nd weekend of the month, I went to St. Paul for my regular visit (1st of 2 within this month). I helped trim branches for my dad, which he climbed a high ladder boldly despite me telling him I can do it! This apple tree has really grown since my mom planted (just threw it in the garden) this many years ago! It was Father's Day weekend, so it was a good visit "home". I was scheduled for my local church worship team, so I had to leave early Sunday morning (6ish) to get back in time before service (10am) for practice. After service, I would go with a friend (Chris) to the local golf course to the driving range. I couldn't believe how much water/rain Morris got after being gone this past weekend...

Some other places (e.g. roof damage at the Morris Public Library & St. Mary's School) in town would get water damage. I too had water damage last year from a rain storm, which was due to having no cover in my roof while putting on my metal roof. I took the shingles out already and I tried to cover the roof as much as I can, but water found it's way in. I finally was able to repaint some patches in my kitchen that paint came off due to the rain water leak on Monday-Tuesday (16th-17th). This was one of my summer to do projects and was able to get it done before "summer" officially started.

On Sunday (22nd), we (Morris Community Church) had the worship team from Nueva Vida Morris that I've visited/attend since they started years ago, come play music in our service. The pastor (Hector) later shared a message about "God's timing" for everything in our lives no matter what circumstances that is challenging we face. It was a great service overall as I brought a friend (Evan) from my workplace and he was on "fire"!

My last day of the month was my bi-annual dentist appointment, which I learned some tips to "better" take care of my teeth. Got any personal tips yourself?

Gratitude: February 2012

I started the second month of the year doing more work in my basement. I worked on putting a vent for my oven/stove; however, I had to have some barriers (wires) in the path for this vent. During this particular project, I had to cut part of the joist (supporting the main floor) to move the wires away. Unfortunately, I got a little too aggressive with my handsaw and accidentally chipped one of the wires. Fortunately, I stopped short enough before any more serious further damage. It created a spark and burned part of the blade. Thank God it didn't electrocute me! The lights upstairs (bedroom) unfortunately went off and I had to just turn on the circuit breaker. I then had to patch-up (with electrical tape and duct tape) the small cut in the wire.

The month started with more "unusually" warm weather as it hit the 40's during Groundhog Day (2nd), which was fitting for the 1st International Student "Spring Festival" at the local university. The next day, I got an update by mail on my "close to borderline diabetes" level. It's been close to 5 years when I was diagnosed "borderline" and ever since I've been more health conscious in my eating. Well, the numbers turned out well as I'm in a good level and just need to keep maintaining it!

On Super Bowl (Giants beat the Patriots) Sunday, I went to a local restaurant to watch the game with a local resident (see frequently at the local fitness center) to just have a conversation. We see each other regularly and just wanted to "talk". Unfortunately this guy has full blown cancer and was very pessimistic about nearing the end of his life, so I encouraged him that he can still "fight" it. We ended up talking about my faith and ended up sharing a brief testimony how God has changed me.

The nice "warm" weather ended on Friday, February 10th as it was another cold day (below 6) during our annual Valentine Dance at Clinton, Minnesota with my workplace (D.A.C.). However, we had a great dance and it kept us all warm!

The second weekend, I went to the cities for my monthly visit. My mom, sis, bro, and I went to this new Korean restaurant (Fresh Korean Fusion) in our neighborhood. The following day, I spent quality one and one time with my nephew and then to Savoy's Pizza with my brother (along with his kids) as my be-lated birthday gift. It was a great time hanging out.

It's been a basketball frenzy this week with "Linsanity" and that inspired me during a "pick-up" basketball game (Thursday, February 16th) with my former softball teammates. My legs ended up hurting for several days due to cheap shoes (running) I used for playing, so I ended up planning to get basketball shoes before I play next. As I rested during the weekend, I watched the live funeral memorial service of Whitney Houston (see Pop Diva).

Most Sundays, I go to two different church services (English and Spanish). I was asked by the local Spanish church to help with day care, so I've been volunteering watching the infants on Sunday afternoons. It's been more training as a future father! On Sunday, February 19th-I came to Morris Evangelical Free Church for a birthday party by a friend. I ended up bringing my special camera to take pics.

The following day (20th), I went to special "Soul Food Dinner" (sponsored by BSU) at the local university. It was part of a African-American History month celebration.

I finally finished my ceiling tile project during the last weekend of the month. It was tedious work and was very content about finishing this project that I've been nervously planning for a long time. I turned out easier than I expected! Between my project, I would go to the local DQ (2 blocks away) for their annual 50% of "Customer Appreciation Day". I ate lunch and dinner throughout the day!

I ended the weekend with this faith building service (1st-morning church service with 2 other local churches 2nd-evening) on "Faith & Home" (see GoodnewsEverybody.com Family, Believers, Brethren, Brothers, Sisters, Unity, etc...)...

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I highly recommend this message to everyone-especially parent(s) raising kid(s)!

The month ended with our 1st and ended up being our last (so far as of March 24th 2012) "Snow Day" (see GoodnewsMorris : Winter : 2012) we had a +8" inch snow blizzard. It was actually a blessing for folks at my workplace as we haven't had a day off since our one-week winter break before 2012 started. It was a great day to catch-up on house work and I was able to snowboard (2nd time only this whole winter season)!..

I invited some friends (one from Pakistan and two from Bangladesh), which it was their 1st time ever to go sledding!