Photo Shoot

Today consisted of hanging out with my good friend Justin Barr as we trekked around downtown Redlands, trying to hone in our photography skills. It has been so long since I've gone out shooting just for fun, and I had a lot of fun doing it. While we were on our shoot, we ran into some skater kids who were more than eager to have us take pictures of them riding. It was quite a wood-shedding experience for me, too! It's been a while since I've put my camera abilities to the test. And let's just say I have a long way to go before I can feel confident about calling myself a real photographer. But nonetheless, I'm happy that I have my little Canon Rebel. After today, though, I'm tempted to look into some more specialized equipment like a fixed lens...or a telephoto lens...or an external flash. Someday maybe? But for now, I can dream.

Fragmented Thoughts

So, it's been one week since I promised that I would start writing more. Looks like I'm off to a good start...but really, I do have things to say! It's just a matter of getting myself to say it. This dilemma actually kind of plays into what I've been struggling with in the past week. I feel like I've been experiencing an identity crisis of sorts. It's pretty simple: the person I am right now is not the person I necessarily want to be...or could be...or maybe should be. I wish I could be a better musician and photographer. I wish I could read quicker than I currently do. I wish I could be a better writer. The list goes on. And the most frustrating part is that I know that I'm capable of achieving those goals, but things just don't seem to "click" in my mind. I want to do so much more than what my mind and body is currently doing! I feel like I can't focus when I need to, or want to.

Kind of like how I'm feeling right now. I know that I have a point, but it just feels so extremely difficult to make it clear! I don't know what God is doing with me right now, but a lot of things aren't making sense to me right now. It's just so hard to come up with ideas...about anything. I feel like I'm at a time in my life where there are so many possibilities, it almost seems like there are too many to handle. I don't know where to begin, and I feel like I have a hard time following through on them. I see a lot people my age who are already accomplishing a lot of great things both for themselves and for the glory of God. And I wish I could offer something like that as well. There's just so much more I want to do with my life, but I don't know where to start!


But before finishing this blog, I would like to address a few things that have come to my attention: 1) I realize that I've rambled a lot; 2) I am thankful for the opportunities I've been given already; and 3) I realize that I've used the pronoun "I" way too much (which may be an insight into the reason for my current crisis).

when it comes down to it, being content with myself has proven to be a difficult task. I have a lot of growing to do. Please God help me.

A New Years Resolution

It's that time of the year again...well, the beginning of it actually. Everyone's out there making their new year's resolutions. Some are resolving to lose some of that extra weight they gained last year. Others are vowing to manage their time better so they Can enjoy life without having to deal with the stress and disappointment of letting it slip away from them. And for a few, this may be the year where they might find themselves being stretched by God, pushed to new limits, and brought to new heights they had never expected to experience.

I have never really been one to make resolutions for myself, but I guess trying to hold yourself accountable to something couldn't hurt, right? So, my simple resolution for this year is write more. That's the main reason why I started this blog. I've always had trouble putting my thoughts and experiences into words, but I would really like to. I always find it beautiful to read what's goes on in other people's minds whether their writing is polished or not. Especially in today's age of online communities, I've been finding that outlets like blogs, myspace, facebook, and even twitter bring a unique dynamic to our fellowship with each other. We get to see who we are in a different light (although it may not always be completely true).

So my new year's resolution is to make a better effort to be a part of that unique fellowship. We'll see what 2009 has in store.

A Christmas, yet non-Christmas Song

Holy, holy, holy!
Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee
There is a sign at the sight of thee
Merciful and mighty
God in three Persons, God in three Persons
Blessed Trinity

Holy, holy, holy!
Though the darkness hide thee
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see
Only Thou art holy
There is none beside thee
Perfect in power, perfect in power
In love, and purity

Holy, holy, holy!
Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy Name, in Earth, and sky, and sea
There is a sign at the sight of thee
There is none beside thee
God in three Persons
Blessed Trinity




May my heart and my lips sing as one.

A Political Blog?

I shy away from politics, a lot. I don't like dealing with unclear answers, biased opinions, and unrealistic ideals. And that goes for both major parties (even my own). However, since the beginning of this past election I've been making a careful effort to try to develop my own genuine opinions on today's politics. I don't want my beliefs to be based on my friends', school's, church's, or even my parent's beliefs. I want to own them myself. I still have a long way to go, but I feel like I'm starting to form some opinions that are genuinely mine. So, here it is: political blog #1. It's not epic, and it's not intense. But it's an opinion that I can feel confident in holding.

I was reading an article on the BBC about Western aid in Africa. What caught my attention was that it challenged Western aid and looked at it from a different perspective. You can read the article here. Sometimes I feel that people believe that hopping on these government aid programs for social justice is the best decision. I'm not saying at all that giving aid to people in need is wrong, but I don't believe that demanding the government to do something is always the best answer.

There's still a lot of reform that needs to happen in Africa, and I honestly believe that's going to happen with the help of people transforming it from the inside out. Corruption can't be fixed by government aid, but it can be changed by people. I do think government aid can help, but individual people need to be at the forefront.

I'll be the first to say that I'm still trying to figure out how I can do my part. Christ called us to be there for those who are in need. It's a calling that shouldn't be taken lightly, and it's the most genuine form of social justice this world will ever see.

A Song of Redemption

One of the most beautiful things about the Internet is to be able to connect with people you would have otherwise never met. In the past year I've stumbled upon a few movements that have really moved me. Some have been big and others have been very small and personal. One movement I've been wanting to share has been very close to my heart. It goes by the name To Write Love On Her Arms. TWLOHA was born out of a response to a call for help, which turned into a short story, which turned into a myspace, which turned into a community of people from all walks of life; and the most beautiful part of this story is that it all goes back to one very real idea: hope.

The heart of TWLOHA has always been offering hope to people who've abused themselves by connecting them with help. Since it began two years ago, this movement has reached far beyond the subject of self abuse and has turned into conversations about pain, how everyone can relate to it, the questions people have while going through it, and the hope of getting past it.

To me, I see redemption in motion. Salvation in action. The whole reason why Jesus came to show us how to live. So people could do things like this, offering hope and changing lives. It's truly a beautiful things to see happening in the midst of hopelessness. Every person knows at one time or another what it feels like to lose hope and to feel pain. And I've seen through people's compassion the hopeful and healing power of Christ whether it is by conventional means or not. I can personally say that God has used TWLOHA to give me hope at times when I felt pretty hopeless. It is our calling as God's children to bring hope to those who hopeless and healing to those who are hurting. TWLOHA is just one of the many beautiful expressions of the kind of hope we have in Christ. May the song of this great Redemption be forever sung...

3 Things

That have been said about me in the past week*:

1. My curly head of hair was automatically referred to as a fro.

2. My singing voice is not dissimilar to that of Chris Tomlin's.

3. I look more black than mexican.


what do you say about me?



*I approve each observation as positive/amusing. :)