The upgrade and the update...

It's been over a year since I last wrote. I actually intended to write more and made to do so about six months ago, but unfortunately I found out that my storage limit had been reached. I found out tonight (via my sister) that Google Drive upgraded to 15GB of free storage within the last few months. I apologize for not having my hand on the pulse of this development. I figure I can upload slightly less quality photos and conserve the space enough to last for a while. Maybe the space will upgrade again...

So it's been a great year. We've become more settled here in Oregon than I originally thought we might. We've made some good friends, have recruited several family members to move here, and enjoy the life we have.

It might be easier to understand the rest of this post if you read what I wrote the last time I almost posted.

Here's my entry from about six (more like seven) months ago... (Approximately December 2012)

I'm registered for classes starting in January. I just have one class, because the film production major doesn't start until Spring term. There were a couple of things that got ousted from my schedule. It was costing us the same to hire a babysitter for me to work so we opted for me to watch the kids again. We felt it better that we raise them. It's not that we didn't appreciate our babysitter, but when the kids started to call her Sister Mom... well you can imagine how that went over. In addition, because of our old van's poor transmission and subsequent inactivity and Julie's getting a new job, I am taking a break from The Portland Ensign Choir. I was able to participate in the Forgotten Carols with Michael McLean, just after Thanksgiving. It was awesome to see the show onstage as a choir member. It's a great story.

After two months or so, we finally sold the van to a neighbor and bought a green Ford Ranger from some friends in the Ward (so as to maintain our hauling power.) Julie started working for a local company of allied mental health professionals in October after passing her licensing test. That's not their name, but anyway, instead of doing her own practice like we thought she might, it seemed that this new position would be a better springboard for an eventual breakout into a private practice. We had already signed a contract for an office space near the Temple, so we're sub-leasing in the interim. Anyway, Julie's work is keeping her busier in addition to other family and church duties.

Lulu is full steam ahead in her 1st grade year. Over the summer, Lili played soccer again and lost some teeth, though those two events were unrelated. We also started to read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (out loud before bed). We weren't sure if she'd be interested, but we finished the series and have started over again. We're almost through The Chamber of Secrets again. And since the summer, Lulu's reading skills have gotten a lot better. Her teachers put her into the Spanish only track so she spends more time learning her second language. At first it was pretty hard for her, but as with everything she's blossoming.

Pip's doing awesome. His speech and conversation skills are improving. We started a preschool (glorified playdate) to help with school readiness and social skills. We have the school for two hours on Mondays and several kids from the ward come and participate. Julie's the teacher and I assist.  Just celebrated his fourth bday.

Nanners is super cute and smart, and taking advantage of the measures we're taking to enrich the older ones. She says funny things all day long and loves to read books, pretend, and play with Peter. We also celebrated her 2nd Birthday.

We've been taking full advantage of our local library. We are there every week checking out movies, books, and video games.

That's it and here's the update.

Julie's still working at the company I mentioned. We tried to make the move to a private practice more than a few times, but every so often the CEO seems to sense that Julie's on her way out and promotes her. As I said before, I had planned to start classes in the Winter Term at Portland State University, but after deliberating fairly regularly, I had decided to forego that plan and assist Julie in building up her business, so as to maximize our bottom line. But, the CEO kind of ruined that plan since we haven't been able to get the business off the ground with him throwing money at us. Anyway, Julie's also in the current leadership of a local chapter of associated therapists who are Mormon, is in our Ward's Young Women's presidency, and is the better half of the Co-coordinators for our Stake Youth Dance Festival. So she's not too busy. She could still handle a few more things....

So instead of starting in January, I began classes in July. Unfortunately, when I didn't take that class in January it postponed my eligibility for the upper division standing of the Film Major. So, I'll be able to take regular classes and have a full schedule starting in September. It also means that I still can't participate in the Portland Ensign Choir, since some of my classes will be during their rehearsal time. The biggest accomplishment I've enjoyed this year was finishing the documentary I was producing about our stake's Pioneer Trek. I finished it in May and cleared the music copyrights starting in July. I've been having my hand at distribution and exhibition, with is much more complex than I thought. Anyway, I can't tell you how awesome it was to finally see it finished. I wouldn't have been able to do it without Julie's motivation. (I guess it also helped that the Stake President put a firm deadline in place too.)

Lulu finished her first grade year doing really well in both Spanish and English literacy. She has a hunger for learning and reading. Thank goodness for wholesome books. In addition to her own reading, we're almost through with the Harry Potter series for the third time. Grandma Keanaaina is trying to get Lulu into Anne of Green Gables. We'll see if it sticks. Lulu and Pip are both taking piano lessons. Lulu can't get enough of the piano. I'm really happy for that.

The preschool I mentioned became unsustainable as Julie's schedule changed with the promotions. But one of the other parents was motivated to continue it. Pip has started making friends which has greatly improved his communication level. He's such a loving kid and enjoys life. I'm hoping he'll pickup more of the reading bug, which is my focus for the rest of the summer.

Nanners is potty training, though we've been at it for months now because activities and visits and business. Since my class is over, we're training her harder, so I expect it'll only be a few more days or weeks before I'm done with diapers, at least for now. Nanners is such a funny and cute little thing. She's moved from mimicking to making up her own combinations which are almost always hilarious.

I'm still sorting pictures but I'll post them soon.

Yatto! Finally!

I feel incredibly motivated by noticeable progress. A week ago, Julie invited some people from our congregation to help extract parts of a stump from our yard. This was part of an on-going project to erect a play structure for the kids. I've been sitting on the task for over almost six months and was feeling pretty unmotivated to finish it. After the two hours of help I received, the yard area was prepared for construction. I'm so happy she had them come over. It was just the kick in the pants I needed.

All the task leading up to this pont has left me feeling like I'd never get there. But this transformation to the stump/play are became the tipping point, and I could see that I was within days of completion. I was really motivated. It only took me two days to build and one to paint with the help of my sister-in-law. I might've done it in two days total but I had to restock parts and tools. It feels amazing to have it ready for use. The final hurdle is wood/rubber tire chips to seal the deal. 

The other motivator was Julie's time limit. She invited a bunch of people over for Lulu's birthday celebration. She said she'd like me to get it done before then. Looks like it's going to happen. The best part is now I have a tower by which to have preemptive notification of a neighborly attack. I'm not anticipating any such attack, but just in case the tower is high enough that I can see the yards of three or so of my neighbors back yards.

Pip and Nanners are really excited to have the park in their back yard. 

I also got accepted into PSU this week (Portland State University). But I'll have to wait until the Winter quarter to actually start taking classes as enrollment in the major happens in certain semesters. I'll be going for a second Bachelor's in film production. I wanted to work on a masters degree, but this may end up being better. It's more along the lines of what I wanted to study and the companies that I'm looking into, look for people with that kind of background. Anyway, that's exciting. 

Julie's hitting the books for her licensing test. Apparently, it was a bit more challenging than she planned on, but I don't fear for her. She's a really good test-taker.

Lulu is finishing up her kindergarten year. We attended a graduation presentation, where the sang songs that showcase what they learned this year. It was cute. We also went to the Zoo with Lulu's school class. we saw a lot of cool animals. By the way Portland's Zoo is awesome. I've been to a few Zoos. This one is by far the best. You see lots of animals and the path through the Zoo allows you to see everything without too much doubling back.

Julie and the kids joined a summer reading program that promised incentives for meeting certain conditions. The kids are super excited to read their books. 

We're hoping to try out a U-Pick berry farm. This is apparently normal run-of-the-mill operations for those who live around berry states. My family never did it-at least that I can remember. Julie said her family did it a bunch and it wasn't very fun for her. I'm hoping we'll have a better time, but I'll keep you updated.

We're also trying canning for the first time in the next couple of weeks. I have an inkling that my Mom used to do canning when we were little. I don't remember any specifics about that, but a lot of people are telling me it's addictive. I hope I enjoy it.

Good, Better, Best

It's weird how quickly life fills with things. Betwixt the things I create for myself, the choices I've already made that continue to influence my schedule, and the opportunities that seek me out, I find that often having a few seconds to rub together is a luxury. And I take it for granted... a lot...

I understand that some things are good, some better, and others are still better or best. Yet, I still choose to do less effective things with my time. I get motivation in spurts and I go strong at doing the most effective things for a few weeks or months at a time and then fall back into my escapism from mental work. As you might guess, when I find it increasingly hard to find the motivation to blog about stuff, I have reached a slump. It's not like things aren't happening that are heading me in a forward motion, but I oddly find myself comfortable in the stagnation. It's probably either the fact that I've spent a lot of my life since graduating college waiting and being patient for things to happen, or it's my fear of actually moving forward that is hindering my most perpetual drives to success. Even as convoluted as that may sound, I have an inkling that I'm not alone in that experience.

I had an interview with a media production company recently. Unfortunately, they really only wanted me to work a part-time schedule for free without the slightest prospect of a job offer. (In fact they confirmed that it was not in the cards at all.) My productivity took a pretty swift kick in the pants. I'm not sure if it's even possible to do this without proper training and certificates. I've been studying for certification tests. But, for now going back to grad school is off the table for the usual reasons (Debt and timing.). But I'm hopeful and am getting better feedback from my job hunting. Still sometimes it feels like I'm watching the grass grow.

Recently, I've been looking into a transfer to a Portland-based program in Multimedia Journalism via the University of Oregon. Since the program at University of Oregon (or U of O) will be significantly less per credit than at my current-on-line-private-for-profit-graduate school, I'm dropping that wonderfully expensive opportunity for a cheaper option. As far as I'm aware U of O is geared towards legitimate research and is a more intellectual focus vs. the artistic. U of O is a bit higher rated by former students, but that could be because it doesn't require exorbitant amounts of cash. I'll keep you updated on that.

I recently painted our deck and since it's spring I included a picture of the cherry blossoms on our trees. Also, Since I forgot... I'll include Easter egg pictures we took when we went to our friends house.

So anyway, we've been prepping our backyard recently for the construction of a play structure that Julie bought in the wintertime. If you want to know more about the structures origins, you can read my blog post about it.

To prepare, we paid professionals to cut down a pine in our back yard that was leaning into our neighbors yards. It was pretty old and strong but all it ever did was be in the way. So it had to go. After the tree went down we decided we will need to take out most of the gravel that had been installed several years ago and relocate it for future use, flatten out the mound, grind the stump and install a retainer wall and a synthetic ground cover followed by the play structure and bark chips. So, if it ain't a rainin', I'll be out there taking care of it. Julie and the kids are excited to help, but I'm expecting that I will be stuck with bulk of the task. In addition, I'm in charge of the garden and its maintenance this year again. I'm in charge of the landscaping and watering. Adding to my regular chores and studies, care for the kids, part-time Job, three church callings and an extra curricular activity (meaning the Portland Ensign Choir)-  I guess I shouldn't feel bad about how quickly I'm headed forward. It's a good thing I don't have any needy friends or a strong hankering for a social life! I wouldn't be able to fit it in.

Julie has this annoying knack of insisting on her birthday, our anniversary, and Mother's day within days of each other:). Actually, it's really cool to devote every beginning of May to my awesome, supportive, and beautiful wife. What's coolest about this event is every other year she gets to choose what she wants to do to celebrate. And this year was her turn again. She booked us on a romantic getaway in Tillamook. We stayed at the Ashley Inn. That hotel is awesome. We also went to see the Cape Meares Lighthouse and ate dinner overlooking the bay there from Pirate's Cove. We also got a nice massage, which was my first one. It was really fun to have so much time to be together. Happy 7th, honey!!!

 

As for Julie, she is less than a stone's throw from taking her exams and becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I'm really proud of her for working so hard at it. For anyone who knows her, it's just who she is, but I still think she's a wonderful catch.

Finally, I'm mentioning the Pioneer Trek that Julie and I are going on this summer. For those who are unfamiliar with a Pioneer Trek, it is a planned experience that helps youth and adults who participate to understand a fraction of what Pioneers had to go through while the made their way across the U.S. to settle in the West. While the Trek is supposed to be physically difficult it is mostly a spiritual experience that makes Pioneer sacrifices tangible. The Pioneer heritage had a strong influence on members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or the Mormons.) And we (Mormons) believe that understanding that heritage it best done by first-hand experience.

I am the Trek Historian. I am making a documentary about Preparing for the Trek and about the Trek itself. So, I've been involved on capturing footage and pictures of activities leading up to the main event in July. Next week we have a mini trek planned to give the youth and adults a taste of what they might expect on the trek. Julie and I will be there to document the most interesting parts of it. And Julie will be exercising her counseling skills in a volunteer fashion. I'm a bit worried it'll be tough to carry around all my gear. We'll see what happens.

Here's a couple of photos we took around the house.