Posting is a problem. I try to think of topics to write about and none ever come to my head. I see people who post every single solitary day and I’m awestruck. These are the people who make up the world’s geniuses. I want to be included in that category and so I will try to post more often. Here’s one.

Dancing. Yeah, you read right. Sounds like something only a guy like Ben could post about. If you had asked me last year to post on this topic I would have told you I wouldn’t be caught dead typing about it. But after dancing at the Schroeder’s New Year’s Eve party for the first time last year, I found that I, of all people, enjoy it. So without further ado, here are some (very limited) pictures of one of my new found enjoyable activity.

Steps taken to start:

1. You’ve got to get up your gut to ask someone to dance. (This is a toughie for some. Here’s Nate getting up the nerve to break the question.)

2. You’ve got to know how to dance. (The hardest step).

3. You’ve got to be willing to dance. (Unfortunately, many are not.)

4. You dance!

Follow these four steps and before long you’ll not only be stepping on your partner’s foot, but also on the ground. If you’re lucky you’ll only step on her toes!    

I know I know, I haven’t blogged for ages, but when you’ve got a schedule like mine you would see why (yawn). Well anyway, of past event(s)…

#1: My Birthday

I had a birthday (The day that I’m writing this) and it was one of the best (I say that every year). In the morning I got a top of the line hollow bodied Ibanez AF75 guitar from my parents along with breakfast in bed (notice I show you the guitar and not me in bed. You can imagine what I looked like.)

I then went to Boomers with four of my friends where we rode GoKarts (the only thing I have pictures to), played video games, climbed rock walls, did Bumper Boats (It was so cold after getting soaked), and just had a great time.

J.P. and Hayden trying to show off with a no hand technique. Notice it’s not working.

Javan decided he had enough of sitting behind Casey. So he did the only thing he could do. Pass. Corey is trying to follow suit.

Here I am with Nathan coming around one of the only curves to pass on (too bad for Nathan).

Here we all are (even though J.P. looks like he’s in the front, I’m just about to lap him. That’s what I say anyway).

Now for event number two… Two… Twoooo...uhhhhh..... Well nothing comes to mind so I guess you’ll have to be content with my birthday (I was!).

I am guilty as charged with not posting. I apologize. I haven’t had the time to sit down and type a lot.

Our most recent big event at our church has been our Reformation Party. About the same size as last year with 180 people coming; it was great.

(Dressing up was mandatory)

 There were many different things that you could do upon arriving at the event: painting your coat of arms or tossing rocks at Big Ben (No not Ben HECTOR but Ben the CLOCK).

After dinner we went into the barn where for the first time we had a Catechism Bee. Quite a few kids signed up (more than I expected anyway) and it was a nerve-wracking event for those who participated. In order to compete you had to know Catechism questions and for the older kids, the Bible verse references for the question asked of you.

When that was over we watched an (almost) blockbuster play performance by a couple of the men in our church. It was much enjoyed and talked about.

But the true highlight of the whole evening (yeah right!) was Bob the clown, who entertained people by falling off of his unicycle. Probably wasn’t the best juggler because he also has two other businesses going for him: a tax service and teaching Japanese through rap. I think he should just stick to his Rapansese.

Semper Moveo On.

Kevin   

I finally have gotten around to posting again. Sorry it’s taken me so long. But now down to business. Just recently we had our annual church picnic, consisting of pie eating contests, water balloon tosses, three legged races, relays; you get the picture. It was great, and briefly I’ll tell a little bit about each event’s greatness.

Three legged race:

 This was probably my personal favorite of the day. Trying to see how fast and how long you and your counterpart can stay up.

Water balloon toss:

 This was the fourth annual time for my parents winning this competition, probably for my Mom’s great ark on her throw.

Pie eating contest:

 This was a great one to watch. Faces smashed into plates, a beard of chocolate in ten seconds, pie up your nose… Great.

Ping-pong ball Relay:

 This event was one of the most difficult even though it looks like it probably should have been the easiest. Fighting the wind to make it to the end was pretty rough going.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I was named after no one except myself (doesn't really make sense)


2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? A long time ago


3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? When I sign my name quickly I’m OK with it, otherwise PHTttt…


4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Roast Beef. Especially from Quiznos. 


5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Me… Um, let me see… Nope don’t have any kids, putting into play the fact that I’m not even eighteen yet.


6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?  You kidding me??? Of course I would! I’d be my best friend.


7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? No way, not at all.


8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yep. Their still hanging out in my throat.


9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? That’s taking it a little far, but I would if you paid me to.


10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I love Oh’s and (as far as a cereal I never get) Frosted Flakes.


11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Unless I tied them to tight to get them off, then no, not usually.


12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I’m not going onto the strongest-man-in-the-world show anytime soon, but I like to think that I’m fairly strong.


13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough


14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their personality.


15. RED OR PINK? Red is a much better color than Pink (especially because if I said Pink I'd be what Arnold Schwartzenegger would call a “girly man”).


16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I hate it when I can’t get rid of annoying
pimples on my face.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Why all these hard questions?


18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Sure, why not?    


19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Blue jean shorts and invisible shoes (I don’t have any on.   


20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Some purple chips (Sounds disgusting I know, but they’re the kind you find in all the Mexican restaurants alongside the red ones).  


21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Nothing right now but the last thing I listened to was Michael W. Smiths “Fly to the Moon”.        


22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? An Aquamarine colored one.


23. FAVORITE SMELLS? I love the after rain smell.


24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Probably my Mom.


25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I have only met her once, but yes, I’d say that I enjoy her company.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Baseball and Football.    


27. HAIR COLOR? Brown with a few blonde streaks that come out in the summer.


28. EYE COLOR? Hazel


29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope


30. FAVORITE FOOD? Chicken Parmegiana at Olive Garden.  


31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy ending.  


32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Arthur and the Invisibles. That was a STRANGE movie.


33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? My gray Michael W. Smith shirt.


34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer, since we don’t get snow in the winter. But, then again, it’s much cooler to run in the winter than in the summer.      

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Is this the action or the candy? Candy is kisses, action is hugs.

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Molten Chocolate Cake from Chilis.


37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I have no idea.           


38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? No clue. Skip to next question.


39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Marlfox.


40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? A touch screen.


41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Last night nothing (we don’t have tv). Three nights ago… Extreme Home Makeover at the motel.


42. FAVORITE SOUND? Michael W. Smith on his piano.


43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? I like some of the Beatles’ guitar intros.

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Canada. Right up by Prince Edward Island.


45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can play the guitar well. That’s a talent in my book.


46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? On top of a flag pole at the double tree hotel in Modesto. (I don’t get how that was passed along, but it was). Actually in Woodland, CA.

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? I don’t get whose minds these questions are being generated from. I don’t know.


48. WHAT TIME IS IT NOW? 2:12 P.M.

That is it. Finished. Good day, goodbye, Astalavista, 10-4, so on, so fourth.

I have been enjoying the nice calm days we have been having recently. My favorite pastime has been (as portrayed in the photo above), playing the guitar, writing songs, and just generally having a good time plucking strings. I have also enjoyed spending time with my family and being able to read The Bible more in the mornings.

We have also all been enjoying the lighter days outside for longer periods of time, but even that now is starting to come to a close, unfortunately.  School is looming ever closer ahead and that means… (gasp!) More Aeneid Translating! (faint).

I have recovered sufficiently and can tell that even though there is more dreaded Latin, we still know that there is hope for the holidays. We still have a month of summer lying before us so that’ll be enough for me.

Here's a good verse to remember as we push on through life.

 “Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." John 12:36.

1. Where were you born? Woodland, CA.  

2. What city would you like to live in when you are older? Anywhere in California would suit me just fine. (Besides San Francisco).  

3. How many people are in your family? 6: 2 bros, 1 sis, and 2 parents.

4. What is your favorite color? Blue or Red.  

5. How many pets do you have and what are they? 1 dog

6. Peaches or nectarines? I like the nice and juicy peaches.

7. Soup or salad? Clam Chowder Soup or Chicken Caesar Salad.

8. What is your favorite food? Chicken Parmigiana. 

9. Beach or mountains? Nice sandy beaches

10. Playing outside or watching a movie? Depends on what everyone else is doing.

11. Playing in the mud or playing in the grass? Playing in the mud means taking a shower afterwards… Not for me, thank you.

12. Skateboarding or surfing? Let's go surfin' now… Everybody’s learnin' how…  

I had some free time so I went through some of our old photos of 2006 that were stange or unusual. Here's what I dug up...

 I didn't catch that... Was this a guitar or a tennis racket?

 "Really! I didn't rent that excavator over there."

 "Why do I have to sit out here and enjoy 85 degree weather all the time?"

 Laidies and Gentlemen, this is a pine cone.

 Sign reads: "Beware of the Tree Hugger! Your Birch might be next!"

Well, here goes my next attempt at a tag…

1. Favorite Car? Is that impractical or practical? If it’s impractical I’ve always liked a Lamborghini.

2. Ford or Chevy? Ford.

3. Favorite color? Hard… I used to say white (for some unknown reason) but I like blue or maybe red. Who knows?

4. Black or White? White

5. Favorite Restaurant? It would have to be Magdelano’s Mexican restaurant.

6. Ruby Tuesday or Chilies? Chilies.

7. Favorite animal? Probably Killer Whales because as my Dad always says if you had to be an animal, “They’re always at the top of the food chain.”

8. Cats or Dogs? Dogs.

9. Your Hero? My parents would be the obvious ones.

10. Country or City? Solvang. Host of the 2007 Tour of California Time Trial.

11. Favorite football team? Oh when the SAINTS…

12. What is your middle name? Andrew.

13. Favorite dessert? Molten chocolate cake with a scoop of ice cream on top from Chilies. Makes your mouth water…

14. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla.

15. Favorite Drink? Mr. Pibb Extra.

16. Mr. Pibb or Dr. Pepper? Mr. Pibb.

17. Favorite band? Does it have to be a band? If not then it’s Michael W. Smith all the way.

18. Mercy Me or Newsboys? Newsboys.

19. What kind of guitar do you have? Acoustic steel string full gauge.

20. Favorite Movie? Back to the Future II.

So that just about wraps it up.        

On March twenty-ninth weeks ago, we did something that made my life a little more interesting. (Not that my life isn’t interesting but a change can always be good for the health). We headed down to Charlotte, North Carolina for a thesis defense, a Michael W. Smith concert, and maybe some other things along the way.

When we touched ground in Charlotte, we had a nice surprise for not only myself but also for my father. We went to the car rental place and we’re going to get a Saturn when the lady at the desk asked, “Would you guys like a free upgrade to a FORD MUSTANG!” After we got over the excitement of having a car like that, we headed for the bunk and drifted off to sleep. Friday we went to a Michael W. Smith concert where we saw the man that has been my favorite music artist ever since I can remember. It was a very good concert except for one point of it. They didn’t play my song! But other than that they did a very good job keeping it worshipful.

On Sunday we went down to an outskirt of Atlanta and went to church at one of the churches from our denomination. It was a good service and the people I found out, are just like us except for maybe some have accents.

Monday held the first reason of coming down, for my dad to present his thesis. All that he had to do was to sit at a computer and talk into a web cam so that the proctor in Washington D.C. could see him without being there. The bad thing is, we should have been able to just stay home and do the same thing (it was just a webcam and microphone), but that’s the way God plans some things.

We headed back Tuesday night on a huge plane that was very roomy and easy to sleep in. We got back into home at about two-thirty in the morning and went straight to bed.

We enjoyed our trip very much and I got to spend some great father-son time with my Dad so that was a bonus.

P.S. Hopefully next Michael W. Smith Concert I go to, Michael W. will remember to play All in the Serve.

Yesterday we were suprised with getting to see one of the most important stages of the Tour of California. The Time Trial. (For those of you who do not know of the Tour de France and the like, I feel sorry for, your missing out). 

At Salvang (where it was held) the road fan watchers reached a million people who had watched the tour thus far, and even though there was quite a few less than on other stages of the tour, it was still crawling with people. 

As the first bikers took off, we were standing to see them come round the first corner and so to get some good pictures and to have them go by us slowly (slower than the rest of the stage that is. They were still speeding by us). to see them well. 

When the first ten riders went by, we moved to within fifty meters of the finish line where some friends of ours were staking out. The first ones came just shortly after we got there so we were happy to have moved when we did. 

In the first group of no name riders came a man named Zirbel who was first out of the other twenty somthing riders that had gone by with a time around 30:35.98. He was not beat out until Jason McCartney came along with a time of 30:30.57 (or somthing like that). We didn't thing any one could break the 30 minute barrier after the big names like Ivan Baso, George Hincampie, and Pallo Batinne came along with times around 31 minutes. Little did we know.

At about 1:15 Vens Voigt took off from the starting line to try to come into the yellow jersey. Just three seconds off of Levi Liephhimer we all hoped he might be able to pull it off and be able to win the tour. When he came through to the finish line he was at the time of around 29:58.74 or so making him the first one to break thirty minutes. We were all excited that he was the first to do it and maybe the last to do it. But then came Levi.

Levi came just a minute and a half after Vens had finished putting him, when he rounded the final corner, with the fastest time. He sped down the race way and finished with a time of 29:49.43, making him the winner of the Stage and propably getting the yellow jersey for keeps this time.

The day was finished with an interview with the jersey winners, and awards for the first, second, and third place riders of the day. The day was done and we were all glad that we got to see the fifth stage of the Tour of California.        

For picture purposes, I have created a new blog for my Hawaii trip http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spirit

Well, the days have been busy and I haven't had time to write so you'll have to forgive me for not keeping my blog updated. I have now finally gotten around to it. The days have been jammed-packed, and with my Dad gone at Prespetary last week, there were lots of things to take care of at home. But with waiting this long there are things that have to be told, and I will tell you now, starting where I left off on June 27.

July was our month off and nothing very spectacular happened then so we'll go on to August.

August (as you can see from the picture below) was topped by a Capitola beach visit with the Schroeders. I was burried alive and was about to be roasted like a fish by cannibals. And if things seemed like they couldn't get worse, they did. Out of the frying pan into the fire they say. So it was with me. They decided to make me eat anchovies before they roasted me so I would have a better taste. Luckly, someone came along and saw my plight, and scared off the cannibals before anything could take place.

September (again, picture below) was topped with the cream of pie at our Old Fashioned Picnic. I had to give over my title as pie eater, unfortunately (maybe fortunately), to those who could chomp and swallow a piece of pie in less than ten seconds.

October held the Reformation party (sorry, no photo), an event attended by those from both far and wide. This year's theme was "John Calvin" (a part played by my dad, Steve Walker) and took place for the third year at the Fletcher's home. The event, worked on heartily by many, had only a small amount of its attendees as time-travelers from the future. (Everyone else dressed in period costumes)

November will hold, God willing, (notice future tense) some important events, such as our vacation to Hawaii (I will keep a blog update of when we are there to keep you updated). But that is unknown by me so I will post what I do know. For most of the beginning of the month, my evenings were filled with tweaking my video editing production which is our Christmas gift to our extended family. I've done my schoolwork, painted parts of the outside of our house, worked on the yard (pruning, mowing, raking) and our family has worked seemingly continually on the Jamestown 400 Treasure Hunt. We have actually gotten to the secret website and are logged on. My Mom headed the team of clue- searchers and both my parents have been a great help to the furtherance of the mission.   

I'm looking forward to the next few weeks, but only God knows what the future will hold, so I cannot tell you what will happen the rest of the year.  However, like Jeremiah 29:11 says, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" God bless, and Happy Thanksgiving.

What am I doing this Summer, thats a big question. Let me tell you.

Probably the thing I'm doing most this summer is HTML. I just completed a book called HTML with CSS and XHTML. With the information found within, I have entered a contest (mentioned in the above link). I also have been listening to some good music this summer. If you click here you can listen to my top favorite songs (they have good lyrics about God's forever love and the need for commitment to share the Gospel). I also have been doing a lot of work around the house like fixing our dog run so that we can go to San Francisco tomorrow night to the opera (Joan of Arc). I have been reading a lot of books like The Prince and the Pauper. We still work on schoolwork every once in a while. We did Latin today. Other than that we're pretty good with our stuff. We have a family reunion that we're going to on Friday. Went to the water slides last week. Basicly having a good life. Summer, ahhhh...

Well, since I was one of the many that have been tagged, I will fulfill the task given to me...

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4.    "Before you do that, you'll want to create a folder named 'starbuzz' to hold the site's files."   (From Head First HTML with CSS and XHTML)   2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What can you touch?   My school Curriculum for this year  3. What was the last thing you watched on TV?    "Little House on the Prairie, The Continuing Story", about 3 days ago at my grandparents' house. 4. Without looking, guess what time it is.    6:00 pm. 5. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time?    6:38 pm. 6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?  The fan above the oven going.   7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?     The last time I was outside was when I was swimming. It was a blistering hot day of 110 degrees so it was quite refreshing to get in.   8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?    I was watching my Mom and Casey make jam for the fair. (It looked like the executing of strawberries to me).   9. What are you wearing?  Navy blue shirt with jean shorts.   10. Did you dream last night?  Funny you should ask that. I dreamt that I was with the Hectors packed in their R.V. driving, driving, driving...   11. When did you last laugh?  Probably the last time I laughed really hard was when I was with my cousin at the water slides.  Casey got caught in the current of the Bermuda Triangle trying to get back to the exit. I had to come the rescue and pull him out.   12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?  Bulletin board with school stuff on it, A shadow box full of old pottery makings. And two pictures of Lions (who knows how they got in here). 13. Seen anything weird lately?  Nothing out of the ordinary. Unless you count the picture of Mr. Hector who hasn't shaved the whole trip.   14. What do you think of this quiz?  Enjoyable, lots of fun and wacky questions.   15. What is the last film or video you saw?  Eight Below, a video we rented but that my dad edited. 16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?   I'd buy a house for me and houses for my brothers and sister (and brother-in-law). The rest I'd give to the church so that I wouldn't have to figure out the best way to spend it.     17. Tell me something about you that I do not know.     Well, I have to go to my early life, I was not toilet trained until I was 3 1/2 years old. (It took me forever to think of anything).   18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?  I would see to it that men and women were not embarrassed about their faith, and were willing to share it. (Something that I need to work on).   19. Do you like to dance?  I stand in the corner unless it's some music to get me into the groove. Like at my aunt's wedding, they played 70's Disco music to which (I haven't done for a long time) I danced to in the nice cool mode.   20. Comment to George Bush:  Would it be alright, Mr. President, to ask as many questions as I want?   21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?  Stephanie, Sara, Amanda... I've got a while to think it over   22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?    Andrew, Christopher...   23. Would you ever consider living abroad?  New Zealand first comes to mind... Maybe I'll see where another big movie like Lord of the Rings is filmed.   24. What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gate?    Welcome, good and faithful servant.   25.  What one book, besides the Bible, has changed your life?    HTML with CSS and XHTML just might change my future life concerning my job.   25. 3-5 people who must also do this quiz on THEIR blog:   Since everyone I know has already done this, I will not list anyone here (even the random blog people have done it!)

Summer is finally here, much to my enjoyment and I believe, the enjoyment of many others. Last night as a last day of school celebration, we set up our tent in the back yard and stayed up until 11:00 playing games. We had a blast. We also have been swimming a ton. I don't know of one day that we haven't run in and jumped into our pool. (God has blessed us with a great Mom and Dad who let us do that kind of stuff). Summer is one hot season, but at least we are out of school for 72 days. Ohhh happy day!  (Of course, we're still going to work on a little school work and projects around the house.  But it's just not the same as a full load of school.)    

Well I got to go. Maybe into the pool?

When I was five and just starting public school, I was willing and able to do all that they asked of me. I loved my first year of public school, but as the next year came, it got a bit easy. My parents began homeschooling me in second grade because the school had said that I had finished all of their year's requirements. I didn't know it at the time, but I've come to realize that with homeschooling you can learn things at your own pace and level. Because I'm being homeschooled, I have gone much farther than I would have in public school. I am thankful that I am now homeschooled and will be able to put my advanced learning towards further use, like getting a good job. I am always thankful for my parents also (even when they give me math problems that take half a page to solve).

Life is like basketball. It has its ups and downs. Without God, we'd have only downs because we'd be lost in sin. He is the one who gives us our ups by calling us to Him.

But even as believers we sometimes make poor decisions (poor shots). If you shoot from full court you can't make it. But if someone is waiting up court for you (like your church family) to shoot the ball, if you miss, they might still be able to rebound and get a lay-up. God makes it so that with the help of our team we can make more shots (more right choices).

If we just try to do everything on our own we're going to mess up. But with God, anything is possible...even basketball. 

I was thinking back to about five years ago. For a school assignment, I had to write a poem: any kind of poem, just a poem. So I wrote one on how Dad played baseball with me despite the rain,

Baseball Joy

Dad said he would play baseball,

Joy,

Then rain,

Sadness,

Dad gave hope,

"To the garage,

Out of the rain,"

Hitting hard in my glove,

Me and Dad,

Good times,

Baseball.

(Now you may be asking yourself, "I thought this was on moms" but I'm getting to that part)

After I wrote this my Mom decided to suprise me and put it in the mail to a poetry publisher. They later sent me a letter saying that my poem had been accepted into their book. (It wasn't a big thing  since there were over a million different authors, but it was a big deal for me back then). I was begging my parents to buy me that book. They said, "Yes" (even though it was a big waste of money) and sent in the money for it. I thought this was a good example of how moms can do something nice. I would like to give one more example of why we still need moms.

Today, I had just changed after our church's lunch, and was outside in the parking lot. I was thrown a football and was looking over my shoulder when suddenly I ran smack into some folding parking things. To make a long story short, I bruised my ribs and I had the air knocked out of me. My Mom heard about it and took me into a corner until I was well enough to go to the bathroom. She stayed and talked with me. This is why we still need our moms.