So, I've moved to Madison. Two weeks ago, with the help of my friends, I packed a midsize U-Haul trailer with some of my stuff, pulled it accross I-90 and drove to Madison, WI.

The awesome thing about being new in town is that somehow, I feel like I have a license to explore and try new things. If it doesn't work out or if it turns out to be a bad idea, it's OK. Time and effort not wasted!!

Here are some of the stuff that I've done so far...
1. Found BestBuy - a 30 minute errand turned into a 2 hr tour - got lost on the way home but found Barnes and Nobles.
2. Rode with a bike club - on the 2nd small hill I thought I was going to run out of air, in my lungs not my tires, did I mentioned that this was their intro group?!
3. Started exploring different kinds of food. The first week was Turkish, last week was Jamaican, this week is still TBD. This is turning out to be really fun. Check out this site for our version of 'where in Madison are Jenn and Juli?'.
4. Served at the food pantry and met some people - what a humbling experience.
5. Biked around Lake Monona... or at least half way around it. The trail said 'Lake Loop' but somewhere along the way the trail was going farther and farther away from the lake so I turned back instead.
6. Went to the farmers market around the capitol building and ALMOST milked a cow.
7. Got lost driving around town...over and over again!

Oh, the joy of unfamiliarity with everything around me! The freedom in not having a schedule or appointments to keep other than the day to day work that needs to be done. The excitement in each and every activity, even in those that seemed mundane. The new perspective that each day brings. This is something to be cherished, nothing to be rushed!

ps. if you know something that I must do or at least try in this town send me a note.

Ewan ko lang....

I don't know why but everytime I tell a non Tagalog(Filipino) speaking person that I can speak in a different language, Tagalog, they always want me to say something... even though they won't be able to understand what the heck I'm talking about?!

Next week I'm getting all my wisdom teeth pulled. I've always wondered why those teeth way back in my mouth are called 'wisdom' teeth. Do you know why they are called that?

I'm hoping that when everything is said and done all that will be taken are my 4 back teeth. I'm not quite ready to part with my 'wisdom'. I don't have enough to begin with.

March is here and that only means one thing - March Madness!!!

Conference tournaments have already started... Duke, the only undefeated team just lost to NCState.... what will happen next...

Don't miss next weekend's selection Sunday! Start thinking about your brackets. Last year's big winner was Glenn. Who will it be this year? I will be sending out the e-mail invite next week so make sure you sign up and join the fun.

If you need a place to watch the games, come on over, chances are I'll be watching them too!! although I might be working at the same time.

Enjoy the month of March, it only comes ones a year. Once the ball goes up, anything can happen.

Go UCONN!!!

Today I got a sweet surprise!

I got home from work ready to shovel snow only to find out that the front walk has already been shoveled.

Thanks neighbor!!

This past weekend I did a missions trip down south.

Friday night I packed my car and drove 2 hrs to meet up with my team in Madison, WI. Note that the temperature outside didn't get any warmer as one would expect from heading south. Friday night set the tone for the whole weekend. Kate led worship using the passage from Psalms 73:22-28. The last verse says... ' But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.'

Saturday came, Gene prepared an awesome breakfast then gave us instructions on what we will be doing, distributing 1000 door hanger invites in the neighborhood while praying for each house. Then he proceeded to encourage us by telling the story from the early days of Cornerstone where after a mass mailing, a couple came to received Christ. After that pep talk, 6 year old Spencer wanted to read a passage in Luke. Juli looked it up and it turned out to be the parable of the good shepherd... he left the 99 of his sheep who were safe and looked for the 1 that was missing... after he found it, he celebrated. Talk about a God moment! Half an hour later a group from Mauston and Janesville arrived to help us distribute the fliers. In spite of the frigid condition, we went out to invite our neighbors and prayed blessings on them. Here's another God moment for me... I would say about myself that I have a heart for God, I have a heart for the church, I have a heart for mission, and I have a heart for my team, BUT my heart was not particular to Northside Madison. After praying for this community as I walked around the neighborhood I could not help but catch a glimpse of God's love for these people. Before the end of the afternoon, I have developed a heart for them as well.

Sunday came and it was time to prepare for the service. This was the first time in a service that half of us were here as part of the team, although from where I stood you would have never guess that. Everyone including the kids knew what they should be doing. Me, I found myself observing what was going on, the only thing that I really had to do was make 36 cups of coffee. The service started, friends and families from the neighborhood and other churches came to join us in worship. By 11:30am the service was done, chairs were put aways and building was close. But the church kept on going...

Most of the group went out to lunch but Juli and I went to meet one of her friends at the Italian restaurant. In my 7 years of residence here in WI, this is the first time I'm meeting somebody who is Filipino. Honestly, I was more anxious about this than distributing door hangers. This meeting turned out to be awesome due to a couple of things... one, because she's a Filipina that's always a plus on my book... two, the conversation was not awkward even though I didn't know her.... three, she shared about her involvement in the community which was what we were curious about... and lastly, Juli was there with me and that makes a ton of difference. Not before long, between Juli and I, our opportunities to get plugged in our community just opened up. Don't be surprise if you hear one day that I'm running a basketball clinic and Juli is running for a seat in congress :o)

Sunday night was a fun night. We celebrated Gene and Becky's February birthdays. The kids kicked us out of the house and everybody celebrated the time apart in our own ways. Over dinner Gene presented a complete campaign for the church plant, from scheduling to marketing to advertising! Even though he was oozing out of ideas, we had to stop the bleeding and put the plug. It was getting late, time to head home and be with the kids.

Monday came and I was exhausted. After playing out on the snow and throwing football with the Reynolds I headed back north to LaCrosse,WI.

This ends my weekend missions trip. I look forward to the day when this becomes my day to day life. But until then, this will have to do.

Have you ever felt like a burrito?
The temperature here in Wisconsin has dipped in the negatives in the past couple of days and I haven't done much, outside of work, other than stay inside my house. Once I get home, I immediately proceed to wrap myself with a blanket then off to the red couch to lounge. Describing the current weather here as freezing is an understatement. Like a burrito I try to stay 'tucked' but once in a while I do get un-wrapped, like when the phone rings or when it's time to get something to eat. I didn't really know where I was going with this so I'll just end it here...

Yippeee, I've filed my income tax!!!! Need I say more?!?!

It has been 2 weeks and I still can't get this song out of my head. I don't know who this was written for but when I think of where my journey with God has been and where it's heading, I can't decribe it any better than this... 'Hanging by a Moment' by Lifehouse...

Desperate for changing, Starving for truth
I'm closer to where I started, Chasing after you

I'm falling even more in love with you, Letting go of all I've held onto
I'm standing here until you make me move, I'm hanging by a moment here with you

Forgetting all I'm lacking, Completely incomplete
I'll take your invitation, You take all of me now...

I'm living for the only thing I know, I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into, Just hanging by a moment here with you

There's nothing else to lose, There's nothing else to find
There's nothing in the world, That can change my mind

As a gizmophile, I can't help but drool over the new iPhone. Fortunately, it's not available for sale until June of 2007, this should give me enough time to come up with reasons on why I should get one. Maybe by that time owning one will be justified.
Let's see.. why do I NEED an iPhone...

1. I have 3 gadgets that I carry with me all the time, a cell phone, an iPod, and a PDA - it might be a good time to consolidate.

2. My cell contract will expire at the end of March - it might be time to switch from SprintPCS.

3. It looks cool!

This list is not looking good. Help!!!

Things that makes you wanna go hmmmm...

My neighbor's garage has been in shambles for at least a year. A month ago I saw a sign on it, one of those yellow cardboard from the city, that said 'Condemned'. Last week a construction crew came in and tact new sidings on top of the current wall. Eight hours later, there was a new garage. Or at least on the outside it looks like there was a new garage. Every time a drive by this structure, I always wonder. Why bother? What's the point of having something to store your 'stuff' if you know it can possibly collapse anytime? Why not just build a new garage if you're gonna go through the trouble?

It dawned on me today that there are times that this is exactly how I go through with my day. I take a shower, put on fresh clothes, wear a smile and go about my day as if everything is fine and dandy. Inside I'm breaking, falling apart, and struggling. God must be asking, why? why bother putting on a facade - when deep inside you know something is not right? Is it easier to deal with the issue than hide it?

Hmmm....

To start the new year I thought I'd post a challenge to myself. This year, I am going to attempt to diligently read the Bible. This not a small feat for me. I like doing things for a small period of time, then I need to move on. I get bored easily. So, in order to increase my chances of success, I've enlisted some of my friends in joining me in this journey and most of them agreed to do so. So far it has worked, I've already gotten e-mails from them checking on me. I know that it has only been 5 days but the outlook is good. My friends are not only checking in on me but also praying for me. I, in return, am doing the same for them.

This year is going to be a year to work on disciplining myself, and this is where I'm starting. We'll see how it will turn out.

Awesome volleyball game tonight!!!

This was probably one of the best that we've played all season. Everyone was hustling to get to the ball. People were hitting left and right. People were committing to the plays and following through. Everyone was talking and communicating. It didn't always looked pretty but we worked out tails getting the ball over. Everyone seemed to be relaxed but focused and having an awesome time. We played the best team in the league and lost but nobody seemed to be down about it. We came close to winning the game and had a blast competing!! Quite a game, quite a journey!!

This year, this season of my life, has been like the game that I played tonight. Life didn't always look pretty, it wasn' t always fun; there were times when people got hurt and times when people got burned but there were also time when things were clicking and things were working out. This year I had to make big commitments and back out on some; I had to let go of some 'comforts' that I've been accustomed to and accept and enjoy some that I've been entitled to but have been neglecting to recognize. To my own surprise, I actually think that I've been more focused and determined than I've ever been. And, if you've spent some time with me lately, you'll be able to tell that I've been very relaxed! There were things that I've done right and things that didn't go so well but all in all the journey has been sweet and rewarding.

As this season of my life goes on, there will be more challenges to face and games to play. Wins and losses will count for something but it will never count for everything. In the process of becoming... I will learn... I will win... I will fail... I will laugh... I will shed some tears... I will have the adventure of my life. In the end, when all is said and done, then, I will become.

Home sweet home!!!

I could go on and on about my trip but nothing can describe it better than the pictures that I've posted. So go ahead and click on the picture to check them out!!

The highlights of my travels: *playing mahjong with dad, joyce, florabel, and jasper; *shopping @ 12am till 3:30am with joyce and jasper on black friday and driving around town singing to an old CD; *falling asleep lying under the sun and drinking pina coladas anytime/anywhere; *going to chichen itza with mom and dad; *finishing a couple of books; *wearing flipflops all day long in November; *having an awesome conversation with Kelli (one of my college roommates) about schedules, community, church, doing missions abroad, and life in general; *hanging out with jen (of jen and jenn from UCONN95) and heather (my UCONN hiking/biking/bowling buddy) and doing an impromptu road trip to the old stomping ground;

Coming back home to WI ain't so bad either. I got to hangout with my crazy friends and play vball tonight with the team.

Life is good!!!

If there's one thing about me that I don't hide it's this, I LOVE to travel. I usually try to get out of the country at least once a year but haven't gone anywhere in the past 11 months. Now that the year is closing, my feet are itching, itching to touch international grounds.

So, to cure this itch, I'll be heading to Mexico!!! I'll be sipping pina colada, working on my tan, and even learn some spanish words in the process. Maybe the next time I speak to my friend Juanita I'll be able to say more than 'Hola'.

Other than traveling to Cancun, what I'm really looking forward to these next couple of days is seeing my family in Connecticut. Living 1100 miles away from them makes me appreciate them more than ever. We have our quirks and different perspertive on things but when it boils down to it, we still tend to stick together. This year, more than ever, we stuck together.

To add the icing on the cake, I'll also be hanging out with my old college buddies from UCONN. Oh, how much we've changed and yet stayed the same. Who would have thought we'll be where were at.

This Thanksgiving holiday, I'm thankful for my family and friends in Connecticut and Wisconsin, old and new, young and old. You make my life quite an adventure and my travels meaningful. God Bless.

Lately I've been finding myself in a reflective mode. It could be because 'things' are changing or maybe it's just a sign of getting old-er. Either way, I've been thinking a lot about the my life and what it will become.

Where I'm at, I really don't know how it will turn out. I'm stepping into a new adventure where I don't know where it will lead, all I know is that it's something that I must take. Most of the time I don't even know what the next step will be until I get there then it just presents itself. Honestly, this is somewhat an unusual place for me, I used to always have a plan, not this time. A scary place to be, yet freeing.

There is so much uncertainty, but I am confident that this is where I need to be.

Remember when you were young and thought about what you'd like to be when you grew up? Now that you've grown up is it what you wanted it to be? Would you rather take hold of your life or give it back to the one who has created it? Could it be that life is just 'like a perfect piece of art displayed for all to see'?

Ten years ago I came across a song that I always go back to when I'm in this mood. This is how it goes...

A shapeless piece of steel, that's all I claim to be
This hammer pounds to give me form, this flame, it melts my dreams
I glow with fire and fury, as I'm twisted like a vine
My final shape, my final form I'm sure I'm bound to find

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me my future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for thee, the hammer holds

And the water, it cools me gray, and the hurt's subdued somehow
I have my shape, this sharpened point, what is my purpose now?
And the question still remains, what am I to be?
Perhaps some perfect piece of art displayed for all to see

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me my future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for thee, the hammer holds

The hammer pounds again, but flames I do not feel
This force that drives me, helplessly, through flesh, and wood reveals
A burn that burns much deeper, it's more than I can stand
The reason for my life was to take the life of a guiltless man

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the pain
And hurt a little, hurt for me, my future is so bold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for thee, the hammer holds

This task before me may seem unclear
But it, my maker holds

The Hammer Holds by Bebo Norman

Noticed the new template that I'm using?! I had too much time on my hand today because I'm sick and stuck in the house so I thought I'd be more productive and play with beta Blogger.

Beta-ing is actually something I don't get to do very often. As a software engineer I tend to be the one sending away beta products for testing. Being on the other side of the equation is quite refreshing. I've crashed my web browser at least 3 times but I haven't gotten to the point of giving up. I'm excited for the developers that created this, seeing your work being used is priceless - but I'm also feeling the pain of testers that are getting stuck. As an engineer my first reaction would be 'user error' but since I didn't create this program I say 'it's definitely a bug!'.

So far I'm liking the new Blogger. I think I'll stick with it.

How does your community look like?

Here's mine.

Click on the picture and check it out!

Last night was the reopening of the 2nd Story. It was packed! A couple of local musicians brought their instruments and played their tunes. There were people listening to music, playing games, chit-chating, catching up with 'life', and drinking their choice of beverages; I had my first 2nd Story espresso with a shot of hazelnut. Last night, this was the place to be: 'hot coffee, warm athmosphere, cool people'.

For a handful of people who casted this vision about 4 years ago, this was a dream come true. If you're one of them and you're reading this, I don't think I need to dig up memories of long hours and long nights that you've put into this. What I do want to remind you is to continue to partner with God and dream big because dreams do come true. 'Your labor is not in vain'. I wished that you could have been there last night and experienced it for yourselves. Know that as I sipped my espresso, I was thinking of you.

If you're ever in Lacrosse, WI on a Friday night stop by at the 2nd Story at the corner of State and 5th.

Good times!
Good tunes!
Great conversations!
Great company!
Great surprises!

From left to right: JJ, Bebo, Jenn, and Joy.

Enough said.