Less sleep makes for longer days.

I walked lightly through the Olson's land observing how the sunlight was bouncing off different objects. Shadows covered items that gave it more drama than it deserved. The farm screams of old age as I traveled from one spot to the next. Raising my camera, I focus on a tin can. The shutter releases.




I spent the early morning photographing elements in the farm that I felt was photographically interesting. I avoided human presence in the pictures, but kept in the element of human effects. Time alone doing my photography thing was something I needed. I've spent two weeks with people; time to get away for an hour.

After a while, Laura came out in her Walmart vest and her hair fixed ready to spend eight hours behind a cashier's counter. She walked towards me while I took a picture of some old building, and handed me a note. Girls like notes. They're fun to write and good to read, but you would never hear of a guy writing a guy a note before parting ways. Girls like them, though. I'll write a note to a girl, except I didn't think of it with Laura until she handed me one. Doh...obligation calls.

Laura seemed to dread saying goodbye much more than I saw necessary; however, she did say a fine goodbye with hugs and all. She drove off and that's that. I spent the next few hours talking with Uncle Jim and Angela and packing up my stuff before Julia came.


Karen and Angela have piano lessons taught by Michelle. Angela practices some pieces in the morning. 

The wait for my plane is excruciating. I missed my first flight, so now I'm waiting two and a half hours for the next. It's not that we didn't leave early enough, but there was a crazy accident on the road that delayed us. Julia and I did bond again for the last time, so it was good to have the extra time to talk with her. She had some things on her mind that she needed to get out, so I appreciated that God provided us that extra time. Not so much that it was an accident that granted the time for us...you know what I mean.

I must say that the week with the Olsons has been a very relaxing and destressing time. I needed this. I needed the break from school, and I needed the break to be spent in a unique way. Being out of California for a couple weeks was indeed refreshing. I thank God that I was able to talk and learn about every person in that family on a deeper level. Maybe not as deep as some people may think, but I've come to know each and one of them better; and that was worth my trip.

Julia and I gave our parting words and goodbye hugs just outside the departure terminals. I wrote both Julia and Laura notes knowing that they'd appreciate that, plus it wins points with the ladies. Ha! If only they weren't Julia and Laura would that make that statement worth something...

I love those girls.

I'm feeling the nostalgia now. Indeed it will be a hard thing to step onto the plane. But life goes on, and I know that Julia and Laura will always be around.

Sling on my backpack, throw my camera onto my shoulder, and head over to board the plane. It's going to be a long flight.

The Laura Effect.

I'm going to say right now...that the Olson kids are brutal at Dutch Blitz. I know that I'm only a beginner at the game - learning the game only this past Monday - but I can't get over how incredibly fast these girls are with the cards. I played Angela one on one today just to see if I could at least handle a two player game.

The final score: Angela - 130; Lem - 45

I'm not quite sure if I was frustrated or amused; most likely a little of both. One thing's for sure, though, and I was 100% humbled. That's alright, Angela and I had fun.


Karen and Angela are the only home schoolers left out of the eight kids. Insane. Here Karen is working on math, the subject we all can vouch for as the most favorite. Yeah... 


Lunch. What fun it is to eat! 

Laura, Brad, and I drove over to Jim and Michelle's apartment in the afternoon after Laura got off work. It was a lot of fun seeing Michelle again. I think she has changed the most out of the five oldest kids, but I think that's only because I hadn't seen her in over five years (I think). Jim is one cool bean. He's really energetic when it comes to doing the spontaneous, and there was no trouble feeling comfortable around him.

Michelle didn't cancel a lesson she had to teach, so we all trucked over to Northwestern University and hung out for an hour while Michelle went off and did her teaching thing. Jim went and socialized with some of his friends, which left Laura, Brad, and I to explore the world of Northwestern. I have to say that the campus is one of the most scenic I've seen. I told Julia later that it kicked Crown's campus in the balls for having a lot more trees and a lake. She told me that Crown had all that and even better, but I never saw it. I guess I should have asked. Oh, well.


Laura viewing the lake at Northwestern College. I consider this my money shot for the whole trip. 


Brad exploring the bridge and what lies beneath...(Which is nothing.) 

Anyhow, so I took a lot of pictures of Laura and Brad hanging out at Northwestern and appreciated the cool greenery once again. The lake was awesome. After a half hour, Jim found us and we met up with Michelle and Andrea, who arrived not long after, and headed to TGI Friday's. Julia arrived a little later to hang out with us as well. After dinner, we went back to Jim and Michelle's apartment and socialized and looked through the wedding album. A lot of fun to see the Olson gang that I grew up with all together. Jim is crazy. Perfect addition to the family. Heh.


Strangely, this is the only solo picture I took of Jim. Jim on the cell. It doesn't really do justice to his character, but it's all I got. Sorry, Jimmy. 


The five oldest Olson kids; it was fun to get them all in one picture. (Left to right) Andrea, Julia, Michelle, Brad, and Laura at TGI Friday's. 

Around 10 pm, we headed back to Cambridge to end the night. Laura and I talked about what she'll be doing in the months ahead when she goes to training for YWAM in Hawaii. She was thinking of stopping in LA for a couple days before heading to Hawaii, and I suggested Janel as a place to stay. She got really excited about that idea, so perhaps Laura will make an appearance in So Cal sometime in January. I told her she needs to experience driving in LA; she told me she has no desire to drive there.

When we got back to the Olson's, Laura and I watched old home videos of when Laura was in Indonesia, so I got to "meet" the whole Indonesia gang. After about an hour of watching I said, "Laura, you had eight crazy months over there!" She nodded in agreement. There was so much footage of good times that was only a fraction of the stories Laura would tell me. I fully understood how hard it was for her to leave two years ago.

Laura and I talked into the wee hours of the night. I think it was close to 3 am before we both realized that Laura had to work tomorrow at 11. It was such an encouragement talking with Laura like that again. The things we talk about are challenging and comforting and refreshing all at once, and it is a blessing that I can connect with someone so closely in the way I connect with Laura. I've learned tonight talking to Laura how much she's grown and matured throughout the years, and that is encouraging. Very encouraging indeed. God has really given me a great gift when He put Laura in my life.

She went to bed; I played the guitar until 3:30 am. Music has become an integral part of my everyday goings. I find my stress is released through listening to a good album or playing my favorite songs on the guitar.

It'll be one hard thing stepping onto the plane tomorrow.

J.L.O

My last full day here in Minnesota. I remembered my conversation with Julia on the way down from Crown yesterday. We talked of life and friends and of God and love, and we talked of all the things in between. The more I talk with and learn about Julia, the more I grow to love her. She has become such a wonderful friend to me, and one who's proved to be a person to look to when times get rough. I know she will pray for me when I need prayer, and her support for her friends is an attribute that is hard to find in most people. I think that makes Julia one of my dearest friends.


This is Julia. 

I just thought I'd write that down before I forget. I look forward to this day. Some of us will go and visit Jim and Michelle and have dinner with them tonight. Julia will try to make it down from Crown after classes as well.

Play true.

I never got to hang out with Patrick today, but I guess that's alright. Maybe someday in the future we'll cross paths. I mainly wanted to know his life story because, according to Julia, he's had a rough history. I would have love to know how he got through the tough times to where he is now, which seems to be a God-centered person really making an impact at Crown.

The majority of the day was spent with Julia and Stacy. People like Emma and Andrew came and went throughout the day, but Julia and Stacy stayed consistent. Mostly because I was Julia's friend who was visiting, so I followed her like a lost lamb. Stacy is Julia's best friend at Crown, so she hung out a lot with us. I really got to know Stacy really well, and I was glad to know that Julia had someone like Stacy around to be there for her, and vice versa.

Julia drove me back to the Olson's, and we arrived around 6:30 or 7. Julia and I noticed Andrea's car parked behind one of their barns, so we went to check it out. Laura was sitting in the grass in front of the barn playing with the puppies, which was a funny site considering that Laura already looks like a 14 year old. She looked like she lost four more years seeing her sitting by herself playing with the doggies. That's sort of a mean thing to say, but I know she can take it.

Anyhow, Julia and I walked up into the barn to find Karen and Andrea rummaging through stuff. I gave Andrea a big hug; I wasn't sure if she knew I was coming or not. Regardless, she was very happy to see me, as was I to see her.

The night ended after Laura and I returned back home at around 12 am. We went out with Julia and Brad to see her youth pastor and wife, and then Julia, Laura and I went out to Perkin's to hang out with Laura's school and church buddies. I'm realizing more and more how much older I'm getting when I look at recently graduated high schoolers and seeing how much they look like kids to me. Anyhow, we had a fun time and I was glad to meet more of Laura's friends and those who are influential in her life.

Before Laura went to bed, she brought out the guitar and asked me to play a couple worship songs so we could sing. That meant, in my mind, that I could play since I can't really sing and she could sing since she can't really play. We're such a team. Anyhow, it was very cool to actually play worship songs and play with actual emotion. Worship songs usually don't do it for me at church, though it seems more personal playing them in your own room. I rarely do that, though, so playing while Laura sang was rejuvenating. By the way, I've learned that Laura has quite the voice. I remember her telling me she sang for chapel back in Indonesia, but I always thought that was because they really didn't have anyone to sing. Yesterday, she played me a song she wrote, and I was really impressed how well she could sing. It was encouraging to see her channel that talent into her passion for God.

After singing a couple songs, Laura threw out the question, "If you were ask one thing from God, what would you ask?" I guess Laura acts on her emotions more than I, and a couple good worship songs can heighten a spiritual sense. I tend to keep that in check, but it's good every once in a while to have someone come up and challenge you to not keep it in check. A good spiritual high is healthy sometimes, but that is besides the point. All I could throw out for an answer was Christ to return. I believe my whole reaction to life right now is I'm tired. I'm really exhausted going through day to day living and dealing with the suffering that a Christian goes through. I'm tired of this, and I want to go Home.

Laura said she'd ask for a pure heart.

The Crown of Julia's academics.

I pulled into Crown College in St. Bonifacius to visit Julia and experience college life at her school. It was close to 6 pm when Laura and I arrived, and we spotted Julia and Stacy sitting under a tree alongside the road before we reached her dorm. Beacuse we left for Crown not long after Laura arrived home from work, I drove so she could rest. Ironically, she didn't sleep for even a blink, and the both of us just ended up talking the whole one hour drive there. Good stuff talking is. (<--there's a bit of Yoda dialect for ya.)

Julia took Laura and I around campus to eat, meet her friends, and show off the academic areas of Crown. The time was fun, and I got to know Julia's roommates more in depth by just hanging out in her suite (it was open house that day). Laura's been at Crown before, so she saw familiar faces; and the familiar faces recognized Laura. Julia is very proud of her school, and I'm very amazed at how many people she knows. Julia is quite the social butterfly. The fact shouldn't have surprised me, but it did.


(Left to right) Anna, Julia, and Laura hang out in Julia's suite where four(?) other girls live. Funny, two of the three girls in this picture do not live in this suite. 

We played some bball as well just for the heck of it. I also learned that Craig Cook is now a professor at Crown. That was a random discovery for me. The night seemed long going from place to place around campus and meeting all of Julia's friends and acquaintances, yet I had no compliants.


This picture is up because 1) I'm good-looking, 2) I'm even more good-looking when I have a guitar in my hands, and 3) I'm in a room with like five ladies (even though it doesn't show in the picture; you just have to trust me on that one). Booyah! 


(Left to right) Anna, Laura, and Julia pose for a picture as they head up to Anna's dorm room. 

If you're wondering where I am now before I hit the hay, I'm in one of Julia's friend Patrick's room. He's a very fun guy, and we clicked well. I haven't gotten to know him all that well yet, but I look forward to tomorrow to learn more about the closer people that Julia spends time with.

From awkward to comfortable.

The kids around the house probably thought that sleeping in till close to 12 pm was different if not strange. Then again, I was awake until 2:30 last night. I heard the stirrings of Julia as she exited the house early this morning to drive back to Crown, and also Laura who went off to her morning shift at Walmart.

Getting out of bed and walking to the living room, I was greeted happily by Uncle Jim and Aunt Judy. They look older, naturally. It was good to see them again, though it was a bit awkward being welcomed around noon when I've been in the house for a solid ten hours. After a few minutes of small talk, they told me to make myself at home. I did.

Breakfast consisted of Weaties, and lunch was an hour after since it was already midday. Seeing the younger kids was astonishing. They have really grown. At first it took me a bit to remember the names of the three youngest, and then it took me another bit to get the names right with the certain person. Jenna, Karen, and Angela...from oldest to youngest in that order. Or was it Karen, Jenna, and Angela? I caught on after a while when talking with them. Brad has grown incredibly. He's got an inch or two on me now, and I remember him being a little runt back in the Davao days.

Laura told me last night that the girls will take a while to warm up to me, but once they do, they'll get really comfortable with me being around. I guess she was right, for not too long after lunch did Karen and Angela give me a tour of the whole farm that they live on. It was a lot of fun; I think the girls enjoyed it more than I did, but it was great to see the whole place including every room in the house. I appreciate the high plant life that's around here. Much more green and trees than a lot of places in So Cal that I hang out in. I had no problem getting over the concrete landscape of LA while I've been gone. Moreover, seeing the sky in a strong blue is refreshing.

I also took a bike ride "around the block" with Brad and Angela. That may not sound like a lot...but this is farm country where the Olson's live, so a block is about four miles long. It started out pretty rough with one of their dogs Levi chasing a passing truck and getting run over. God was taking care of him, though, and he came out with only a sprained leg and a scratched face. The hit looked really bad, but he seemed quite fine. He's limping right now, but there seems to be hardly any pain. The rest of the ride was a nice scenic trip. I miss isolated areas where you don't see a lot of people around.

Later that afternoon, Amber Larson drove by to hang out with me. She was only available today, so she drove from St. Paul just to hang out. That was cool. So we caught dinner at Applebee's, and we took silly pictures at Target. It was a great time hanging with Amber. We can talk about anything and be really crazy; we're tight like that.


Don't ask me why we took these pictures...I can't really say. 


Um, yeah. 

I came back to the Olson's later that evening. Laura was back from work, where she worked a double shift. She looked exhausted. I chilled with the kids and we all looked at pictures from our trip in Ohio. The girls seem to love pictures and stayed up past ten looking at all the pictures that Laura took.

All in all, the day was more eventful than I expected. The family is much more welcoming and fun than I remember, but then again, I only really knew Julia and Laura back in the Philippines. It's good to have an opportunity to see how everyone else in the family live out their individual lives.

Upbound.

Aaron's wedding over. Next stop: Cambridge, Minnesota. While planning my trip out to Indiana, I talked with Julia and Laura about the possibility of visiting them at their home in Minnesota. They highly encouraged me to follow through on the idea, so after a bit of thinking about it all, I decided that it would be a fun trip out to the Northern U.S.

So here I am sitting in bed at the Olson's house at 2:15 am. The day was pretty long considering all the traveling I had to do. Not so much hours of traveling per se, but more waiting around. Once the goodbyes were in place and we parted ways with Aaron and Jessica and the Stucky family, Oli, Dave, Nate, and I drove back to Fort Wayne then to Indiana to catch our flights.

The flight was fine and dandy, and nothing dramatic happened. I flew in to Minneapolis two hours earlier than Julia and Laura did, so I waited for them to come. They were my ride back to the Olsons. Of course, their flight was delayed so the wait was much longer. I explored the airport some, which is quite a comfy place. Looks like a mini-mall inside; most likely one of the nicest airports I've been to.

The most entertaining thing that happened during my stay at the airport was a few people missed their flight, and they went nuts seeing their plane getting ready to fly out and them not being able to board. They banged on the window, yelled out to the pilot, cried, and whined. One of the airport workers tried to calm them down with no real success. I felt terrible for them. Really, I did. But the way they handled the situation was quite foolish. Banging on the window and causing a commotion won't get the pilot's attention. Crap happens sometimes, you can't throw a hissy fit when they come around. You just got to let it roll because you can't help it any other way.

Once Julia and Laura arrived, they got their bags and we were off. Stacy Mader and Katrinka Kongsjord, two of Julia's roommates, were the ones to pick us up. They are two fun girls from what I could tell on our 30 minute drive to Michelle's apartment. I'll probably see them more when I visit Julia at Crown, but for now, they're pretty hyper laides in my eyes...maybe a little too hyper.

Because Julia and Laura didn't arrive until 11:30, and it was a 20 minute drive to Michelle's apartment (Julia's car was there), and it was a good hour to the Olson's house, we didn't arrive at the house until a little after 1 am. We stayed up for about another hour talking and looking at pictures and whatnot, but it was fun. I have nothing to wake up for tomorrow morning, but I feel terrible for both Julia and Laura, who have to wake up for school (Julia) and work (Laura).

This was a pretty informational entry, and I apologize for it. Nothing real amazing to write about, but I wanted to write this down to set the next scene for the upcoming week.

Congrats to Aaron and Jessica Stucky.

There is something very beautiful about weddings. I will sound incredibly dorky saying this, but it seems like everything is magical in the ceremony. Every bride looks amazing, every groom looks dumbfounded seeing his bride walks the aisle, music sounds like they're coming from the heavens, ya da ya da ya da...every wedding feels like the greatest wedding.


Jessica walks to her groom. 

Nothing was notably unusual about Aaron and Jessica's wedding, and nothing was short of extraordinary either. Weddings have a certain touch to a day that nothing else can reach, even though hundreds of weddings happen everyday I'm sure. I find the forming unity of a man and woman into one flesh one of the greatest covenants humans can make with each other.


Smiling at his son and soon to be daughter-in-law, Rod Stucky exhorts Aaron and Jessica. 

Things I must note about the ceremony: Dave and Adam are awesome soloists; I never knew they were music majors until I saw them this weekend, I guess bride's maids wearing black is the new thing these days, and I wasn't impressed by the kiss. Sorry Aaron and Jessica, but I gave it like a six.


Aaron and Jessica prepare to say their vows. 

The reception was pretty fun. I felt very relaxed not having the burden of "wedding photographer" slapped on my back. I did take a picture here and there, but I ultimately kept the camera on the table. In fact, I made a point to myself to keep it on the table when I had a strong urge to walk around and photograph. The difference between photographer and guest was greatly appreciated by the evening's end.

Oh, an exciting thing happened; I danced at this wedding. First time I danced ever. Amazing, ain't it? Not that I really knew what I was doing on the floor anyhow. I just stepped lightly and slowly in slight rotations. All of us buddies got up there and danced mainly to the slow dancing songs. I don't think any of us were into the fast paced, "shake your booty" type of dancing. Even Julia and Laura got up and danced, which was quite amusing simply because they stated flat out they weren't going to dance at the beginning of the reception. Suckers. Another thing that was funny was that Oli was really reserved about dancing with other people. I guess him having a girlfriend turned him off, but he did get up there a couple times. I don't see what the big deal is. If you're wondering, I danced with Joanna, Ginga, and Laura. Laura was a bit of work to get onto the dance floor, but she broke after a while. Mwah hah hah.

A group of us went back to the hotel and hung out in Julia and Laura's room until the wee hours of the night. I'm exhausted to write about it, but it consisted of a movie, some self-defense training, and lots of food. Nate kicked my butt.

Reuniting with things past.

5:30 am. You think I am writing before I begin my day, but in actuality, I am writing before I enter my restful slumber.

Fifteen minutes after I got my duffel from baggage claim at Fort Wayne Airport, I was picked up by Dave and Oli. I expected Aaron. Later I found out that Aaron pulled a night shift for his Campus Safety job, so he told Dave to pick me up. I'm happy that he decided to inform me about the whole thing. Regardless, I was still picked up fifteen minutes late. I felt unwanted.

Stepping through the door to Aaron's apartment, I looked left to see Nate stirring on the couch from the noise of us. I just now realize I can't remember his last name. Nate is one of those guys that clicks very well with our sort of group...which is the kind of group that bashes Aaron consistently throughout the day. We all bonded on this common ground, and what bonding time we had!

The rest of the day was spent traveling to Ohio where the wedding will be held, going to the rehearsal, and attending the rehearsal dinner. We took a mad detour on our way to Ohio because of a major road accident, which I thought was quite amusing. Aaron handled it well.


(Left to right) Jessica, Nate, and Aaron look at a map to review how to get to Ohio where the wedding will take place. 


Jessica Mason directs where the groomsmen should stand during the ceremony tomorrow. (Yes, Oli was a groomsman as well!) 


The set up for the bridesmaids...minus one because she got caught in traffic on the way to the rehearsal. 

Our planned bachelor party consisted of just Dave, Aaron, Nate, Oli, and I. It was more of a time to chill with Aaron before his big day rather than a party, which I think is more effective. We stopped by Julia and Laura's hotel room first to say hello. My phone rang with them on the other side earlier that day informing me they flew in. A couple of us felt terrible (Oli and I) knowing they were around all day without seeing any of us.

Of course, I was the only one who knew their room number, and I was foolish enough not to write it down. Memory was all I depended on when we knocked on their door. 220? I'm pretty sure, but "pretty sure" doesn't cut it when you knock at 10:30 at night. Thus we all acted like middle schoolers and knocked on door 220, which was followed by all of us hiding around the corner to see who answered the door. Very childish, I know. Me being me, I thought it funny.

After a few moments of silence, the door cracked open, and the guys sent me to go out to see who it was. Freakers. I turned the corner to see two girls in a "I just woke up" mess scanning for the visitors. Upon seeing me, Laura rushed to give me a wonderful hug as if she hadn't seen a friend in three years. Julia followed and the four other guys came out when it was all good to greet the ladies as well. We talked for a good half hour before parting with them to do our guy thing.

The guy thing didn't work out so well, and it ended with Aaron and Nate playing pool at the bar, David going to bed, and Oli and I heading back up to Julia and Laura's room to catch up with them on things. We did start out with some miniature golf, and that was a lot of fun. We all sucked, and I lost one of the balls; but that's fine. What's one ball?

My night did end leaving Julia and Laura's place at around 5 am. Nate came up sometime during the night as well and got to know the girls better. Julia and Laura have been incredible friends to Oli and I, and the connection the four of us share resulted in long hours talking and informing one another how lives have been the past three years.

The night is about to end...literally, and the wedding begins this afternoon. I need rest.

Transition

Greg Cooper wasn't incredibly impressed with my work on Chris, which I was very surprised to see. I thought it was a wonderful story to photograph, but he didn't think so much of it. The critique was good, and he made some points that were not brought up when I looked at them or when my friends looked at them. That was educational. He handed back our grades: C. It's quite the frustrating thing when you work four days straight on a project only to get a C. I honestly cannot complain, for this project was meant to be worked on for at least a month. It's not in the criteria, but I believe that is why Greg was harsher on me than it deserved. Such little time spent on an assignment meant to take so much time would cause a little frustration on the teacher. That's my take on the lot.

The drive home relieved me of my worries. I feel as if some large burden has lifted from my back. PHO 208 has been a real troublesome class for me, and it has been in more ways than one. I lost motivation to shoot for this class early in the session, which really killed me. I deserve to fail this class. No worries, though. I'll pass. The grades show it, but my dedication and commitment didn't.

After writing a couple papers for English, I drove back to Brooks to turn them in and then headed for Long Beach. I met my parents at an old family friend's house down there we knew over ten years ago when we lived in the Bay Area. I walked into Mirna's house recognizing her within a half second, and we had a fun time catching up and talking. Mom and Dad mostly. I felt right at home hearing all the jabbers said in Tagalog. I miss the Filipino immersion I had as a child.

I now sit in LAX waiting for my flight to board. My parents drove me to the airport from Long Beach, where I left my car so I didn't have to pay for airport parking. My destination: Fort Wayne, Indiana. Well, I actually stop over in Chicago, but my final destination is Fort Wayne. The purpose of this trip will be to attend Aaron Stucky's wedding, who I have not seen in just about three years. Oli is already over there; he flew out yesterday. There's a lot of trips this summer for me.

I like it.

Parting ways.

I exhausted this project to the core. After arriving back to Ventura today, I spent the entire evening editing through the 600+ pictures I made with Chris. I believe the final edit is a fine one. My pictures aren't the most exciting, and I think I could have done better; but for what I got, the final edit is well put together.

Yesterday wasn't much of a day. Photography-wise, at least. Chris spent most of it organizing and planning for his crossover into Mexico. "Besides," he says, "It's Sunday." I guess going out onto the town and shoving events into your day isn't what should be done on a Sunday. I find that very interesting. Even a person with no religious beliefs considers a Sunday a day of rest. I wonder if the whole idea of working six days - okay, okay...what Chris is doing isn't really "working," but you get what I mean - and resting on the seventh is fused into everyone's head. It's a terrible thing to see Sunday slowly being fazed out as a resting day. I remember as a child not going out and shopping and eating out because everything was closed. Sunday indeed felt like a day of rest.


Chris plans his route through Mexico. 

The evening did kick up a little, for Ed invited Adam to come over and look at pictures of the Denali climb. Chris, Ed, and Adam had a fun time socializing and looking through the pictures of incredible mountain peaks and beautiful lakes and valleys. God has really done a work of art creating this world. Before the night's end, Chris and I went out to an Irish pub and shared a few drinks just to hang out one last time before I leave tomorrow.


On the way to pick up some KFC for typical American fast food...so nutritious. 


Chris, Ed (middle), and Adam (right) look at some pictures taken on the top of Mt. McKinley on Denali peak. 

I like to learn through observation of other people. Direct mentoring and advisory isn't my cup of tea. Unless you are a close friend of mine, I won't seek advise from you. But getting life lessons from how people go about their own lives can be very effective. It is for me. What have I learned from Chris? Chris's way of living is to make the most of what you do. I think he went on this expedition around the world because he wants to appreciate this world as a whole and do it first hand. He also knows that time ultimately does not matter, and a rushed life is a stressful one. I think Chris has affected me in this way. I don't see much hurry in life anymore. Of course, there is the urgency that presents itself every once in a while, but they are rare. Kick back and relax. There is a lot to do, yes, but there is a lot of time to do it in too. I think God only demands so much of us that we can handle. He understands how we deal with things, and He won't overload us to the point of unrecoverable breakdown.

God's cool.

Breathe easy. It's all good.

I write from San Diego now about two miles from the 15. Chris has a friend down here, who was a climbing companion when he climbed Mt. McKinley. Chris's first attempt at one of the Seven Summits was up in Alaska, but he didn't accomplish the goal and get to the top. Knowing Chris, he wasn't phased by his failure and will try the summit again later down the road. His friend, Ed Earl, did make it to the top.

Yesterday proved itself to be a day of uniqueness. Traveling with Chris is a wonderful experience not only for its events, but also for the personality and life experience that Chris possesses. I have learned much about Chris today as we traveled down the 1 on our way to San Diego.


Chris and Vaughn organize some drugs that will be used to prevent Chris from getting any foreign illnesses or diseases while in South America. 

One thing about Chris: He's incredibly laid back. He is taking his groovy time with his world-wide expedition; there is no hurry for this man. Before actually setting out on his route, Chris made a few stops to various places: AAA (Triple A, if people didn't understand AAA - I mean, I could have been talking about batteries, ya know!), a gas station, and Adventure 16, which was an outdoor store full of crazy cool adventurey outdoor gadgets and gizmos. After about an hour and a half of errand-type activities, we set out for Venice Beach.


Chris shows Roman his Land Rover. Roman works at Adventure 16 in LA. 

When I said Chris was laid back, I meant that Chris was laid back. He'll cruise down the roads at pretty slow speeds to enjoy the sights and make sure he doesn't miss his turns, which made for great contrast to the Southern California driving here in LA. Impervious to honking and glaring eyes, Chris would brush off the anxious drivers. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of pissed off LA residents. We all need to take a lesson from Chris - we don't need to live such hurried lives. I'm sort of ill thinking that millions of people live their lives with such anxiety. Kick back and relax.


Driving through the streets of downtown LA, Chris makes his way to a nearby AAA office. Because his Land Rover is shipped from London, he drives on the right side of the cabin. 

We saw sights of Venice Beach and cruised down the 1. Chris didn't realize that the 1 is not much of a highway and it passes through a lot of cities and towns. A lot of stop lights and low speed limits made for low miles traveled per hour. It was rather annoying to Chris, but he flew with it.

Because of the late summer days, all the beach camps were bursting at the seams with happy campers, so Chris had to park at a Vista Point on the 5 in order to get some rest. We put together some chicken salad, watched Pulp Fiction, then went to sleep. His Landrover is amazing, and words cannot do justice to how insanely supplied it is; thus I won't bother with the effort.


Chris looks out to the Pacific at a vista point along the 5 south of San Clemente and north of Riverside. 

The San Diego Wild Animal Park provided us with Saturday's entertainment. Once we reached San Diego in the late morning, we had time to burn before Ed returned to the apartment. Seeing the different animals from all over the world was fun, and it gave me more respect to the place when I found out they had helped breed endangered species and redistribute them into the wild. I'm glad they do more than just stick animals in glorified pens for humans to see. Good for appreciation, but it somehow still feels wrong.


While at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, Chris walks through the giant bird house and videos as he passes. 


At the park, Chris was able to take the one hour train ride through the grounds to view the African animals kept there. 

Many photographs have been taken the past couple of days. I must admit that it was exciting to photograph Chris and his interactions with people and places; he makes for great subject matter...well, him and his Landrover.