'09 Football

UW-LSU tonight.....the Sarkisian era begins! He has a tough task ahead. UW was 0-12 last year and they open against #11 LSU. Hopefully his USC experience rubs off.....he's gonna need it until he gets new recruits.



Even though USC is my college team I want to support my local UW team. That is especially true since our friends from California have a son, who I coached for a year, that received a full scholarship to UW. We are headed to the game with Marlion Barnett to support his son's new school! GO HUSKIES.



Servite Football is under way as well. Servite opened the season ranked #1 in OC and #2 in CIF. As usual Servite plays a tough non-conference schedule and opened against #1 Long Beach Poly. Servite beat Long Beach Poly 30-7 and will take over the #1 spot. They have plenty of league championships but have not beat Mater Dei since 1988. Is this the year???? GO SERVITE

Birthday Insights

I am celebrating my 38th birthday with my wonderful wife. This rare trip alone without the kids, my recent graduation and decision to pursue my MBA and the wonderful nature we are enjoying have all led me to renew my approach to life. I have to prioritize and balance my life. There are a lot of things that need my attention.

My wife and kids are first and foremost. Everything I do is aimed at helping enrich their lives. This gives me a lot of happiness because that is what I believe the role of a husband and father should be. I have come to realize that I need to be happy in order to my job as a husband and father. Taking time for myself to DJ, learn the bongos-congas, explore technology (hardware & software), play poker, exercise and to blog have to make their way onto the schedule. Finally, securing my MBA to give me comfort that I can continue to excel professionaly to care for my myself and my family will be a priority.

With my 38th birthday I have found new insights and I am looking forward to resetting the course.

Puerto Rico Day 2

We visited the most beautiful beach in Vieques. It was Sunday and there were a total of maybe 10 other people there and not a single local. I suppose its like us and Disneyland....you just begin to take it for granted when you live in a tourist spot. We kayaked and swam in the world's most prominent bioluminescent bay. Words can't describe it so I will only say it should be on everybody's list of things one must do! If you have never heard of it then Google Vieques Bioluminescent Bay...believe me when I say the pictures ARE accurate! It's been an amazing trip already! Amy's family is so accomodating, giving and just ecstatic to have us. The conversations and events are memories that will be with is for years to come....like when Amy's uncle accidentally flipped the kayak and dumped my father-in-law in the bay. Headed back to the main island of PR today.

Puerto Rico Night #1

We had a great start to our vacation. Justin played in the Starbucks "Hot Java Cool Jazz" concert at the Paramount Theater in downtown Seattle. His Jazz band was 1 of 5 featured Western Washington high school jazz bands.

Justin and his band were awesome and it was great to see him excel on such a grand stage. After his performance last year's national jazz instructor of the year asked "How long you been strumming that ax?" Justin told him he taught himself to play guitar and just began lessons is Sept '08. He told Justin that he has got amazing talent and to come see him in a couple of years- "I know a few people ;-) and I will get you gigs." Justin said it was the best time of his life performing on the stage in front of over 3,000 people. We are very proud :-)

After Justin's performance we gathered him and his gear and it was off to the airport for our trip to Puerto Rico. We met up with the rest of the family at the airport with plenty of time to spare. I told Amy that we have to play the lottery because I can get use to this!

Life Experience - Not Vacation

We just booked a trip to Puerto Rico for spring break. A vacation in this economy sounds crazy to most. For those of you close to us you will realize that this is not a vaction. Instead this trip is a much deserved life experience for Justin and our family.

Justin has been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and has already lost significant strength in his legs. It has crushed our souls as we spend countless hours at University of Washington conducting various genetic tests and muscle biopsies. Justin should be enjoying his senior year on the basketball court not battling this terrible disease. Unfortunately his athleticism has been compromised for the remainder of his life.

For this we are all suffering but none more than he. Needless to say we have all been struggling with this terrible life-challenge. I know he is hurting more than any of us can imagine but I am proud that he has handled it much better than expected. Fortunately he is a young man with many wonderful attributes and life has continued.....just in another fashion.

Justin is an amazing musician (guitarist and pianist) and jazz has consumed his life and presented a much welcomed distraction. He also is back at work teaching young children how to swim and parents love his work. At 18 years old he has displayed a maturity in dealing with this disease that displays a lot of hope for his future. After all we know how much trouble 18 year olds can get into and even with this rediculous pressure he has managed to exceed my expectations as a young adult. I may not always tip my hand to him but he is figuring it out.

Life for Justin and our family has changed and will continue to change over the years. We are taking this opportunity to appreciate life experiences. It is too easy to get caught up in the daily grind. We all take our health for granted and we should remind ourselves to slow down and experience life.

Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder?

I am working in Dallas the entire week and the abscence of my family is tough. I know they say my heart is supposed to grow fonder but.......it seems my anxiety to get home is all that is growing. Perhaps my heart was plenty fond before I left? I am thankful I still have a great job to go to at this time but I definitely can't wait to get home.

The Perfect Wife

"A perfect wife is one who doesn't expect a perfect husband."

Everyone knows I am far from perfect and have had my fair share of disappointing moments. I have the perfect wife in Amy because time and time again she is there to pick me up. Amy I have THE PERFECT WIFE - I Love You!

Credo

Credo means “I believe”. Whether Christian, other religious, agnostic or atheist, life always begins with and requires an act of faith. Credo is the starting point for everything we think and do at Servite. At Servite we believe:
• In Christ and all he teaches through our Church
• In ourselves
• In each other
• That by working together we can achieve almost anything
• That all people have the same purpose in life: to achieve Happiness by accepting salvation offered through our Lord Jesus Christ
• That each of our lives is a unique story of a person pursuing his purpose by making the most of the gifts that he has been given by God.
• That, as a community, each of our individual stories is woven together with and enriched by the stories of the people, organizations and movements with whom we grow

Change Is Up To You

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." - Anne Frank

These are challenging and exciting times. It is imperative that we all take control of the improvements we can make for ourselves. Inherently this will affect those that surround us and hopefully this collective effort can stabalize the turbulence we are all experiencing.

Dare to dream......it's not impossible.

Mission Accomplished

She did it! Amy took a day for herself....
http://speedofsound-amyd.blogspot.com/2009/01/chill-time.html

We Love Our Moms!

Mothers all over that work outside or only in the home are definitely overworked. While they are very appreciated they must take time to rest. There are a million reasons to put your head down and forge ahead but athletes, scientists and soldiers all know rest is essential. You simply need a break to stay focused and productive. Your body, mind and soul needs the break. Even GOD rested on the 7th day. So all you BUSY MOMS out there please take some time for yourselves. Learn to appreciate yourselves as much as all those you care for appreciate you!

http://speedofsound-amyd.blogspot.com/2009/01/chill-time.html

We Love our Moms!

Happy 9th Birthday Mattias.....again!

Today is Mattias' "Official" 9th birthday and I couldn't be more proud to celebrate it with him.The 1st week he had a party at the house with his classmates.

He is on week 2 of a 3 week birthday celebration. I got off work a bit early and met Mattias & Amy for an afternoon movie "Bedtime Stories". We then went to a chinese dinner at Zen Garden. Both of these were Matt's choice and I was glad to oblige.

Being the witty kid he is he once again cracked me up. I text him this morning to say happy b-day. When I met him at the movies I asked if he got the text but explained he had already left for school and missed it. He said "thanks anyways!" Well on the way to dinner we stopped by the house and he picked up his phone. I received a text on the way to dinner that read:

"Thanks Dad....this is a little redundant isn't it?"

He is in 3rd grade and never ceases to amaze me with his sophisticated-witty comments. Who knew this kid would be so funny and smart!

Stay tuned for week 3 of the birthday celebration as it truly is a finale!

Dare to dream.....it's not impossible!

Reconnecting

2009 is going to be my year for reconnecting. With the technology of BlackBerry and Facebook I have re-connected with a lot of friends I haven't communicated with in years. Its nice to hear from people and getting updates couldn't be easier.

Of course we are ALL busy with our own hectic lives but Facebook and blogs make it easy to get quick dashboard views of who is up to what. I will be using Facebook to re-establish a communciation network with friends and FAMILY. I will publish a link to my blog for those who would like to check in on life here in Seattle.

Be on the lookout!

Dare to dream...it's not impossible!