Kung Fu Panda and Inner Peace that ends in Three

I highly recommend Kung Fu Panda 2. I got to see it last night in lu of our HUB meeting. Sunday nights we usually have around a dozen or so people at the HUB but last night there were three of us. Because of Memorial Day weekend many were out of town or just not planning to show up and so we had a low turnout. All that was planned for the evening was a game night anyway so it was not a huge deal.
So the three of us after some himin' and hawin' decided to go to Kung Fu Panda 2. We got down to the Old Mill and the place was packed. I had to park 5 miles away (not really but if felt like it) and there was a huge line to purchase tickets. We got in there just as the previews were rolling. It was not THAT full of a theater, most were there for Pirates 4.
I was happy to see the previews because the first one I saw I had no idea it was coming out- JUDY MOODY. I love the tween Judy Moody books and I would like to see this movie when it comes out. Also, Cars 2 was previewed so that was awesome.

Now the the real review- Kung Fu Panda 2 was awesome. It made me laugh more than the first one and we all agreed that 2 was even better than 1. I love DreamWorks movies- ALMOST as much as I Love PIXAR! Maybe that should be the name of my next pet- DreamWorks. hehe
Well, of course they had all the same actor voices- Jack Black- who really makes the movie the hit that it is, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, and the rest of the Original cast of Furious Five. There were also some new ones- the like the evil villan- a Peacock- Gary Oldman. The Soothsayer- Melissa Yeoh. Now, I thought I knew her voice from somewhere but as I was looking this up on IMDB I did not recognize the name and looked at her movies and even thought she has been in many movies that were famous- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, ect, I have not seen them, so there ya go. Victor Garber was the Master Rhino. I mention this because Sarah was trying to figure out WHO that was. She knew he was from Alias, but couldn't place the name. Dennis Haysbert was also in this- ya know, the first pres. from 24, or more known- the Rep for All-State- Are You in good hands?

There were many funny parts in this movie and it totally worth going to the theaters for. If you liked the first one, you will LOVE the second. It also has a good message. The evil doer was the way he was because he felt his parents didn't love him, but that was not true. Also, Po, wanted to find out where he came from. It turned out that he was adopted- it came as quite a shock because his father- a Duck, never told Po, a Panda, that he was. ;)  So he set out to find out what happened.
Po learns along the way that it doesn't matter what happens in the past, you need to look toward the present and the future.

Oh, and Po's father is ALIVE and the movie series is set up for a Three-qual.

Two Problems

I have two problems. One, my roommates (one in particular) keep forcing food at me. Another, my roommates keep eating my food. If I created a household meal together where we buy food together and share responsibilities in the cooking and we sat down as a household and ate Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner together then I would totally be fine with this, but we are not that type of household. It may work for my sister and her roommates in her house, but it does not work for me and my house.

I want to be able to eat what I eat, when I want to eat it. I also want my roommates to have freedom of choice themselves. I want us to buy our own food and eat our own food and leave others' food alone.

One of my roommates is constantly cooking up large portions of food and then pretty much forcing it down my throat. "You gotta try this fish" "You gotta get some of that chicken" "We're making steaks"

This makes me very uncomfortable when this keeps happening. Im not one to eat others' food, and I want to be left alone with my choice in food. I know this sounds selfish when he is just trying to be nice, but it truly does make me uncomfortable. This is not to say that when I get married, in the future, that I will not want to share or eat food that my wife cooks, but in this stage in life when I am renting out rooms to guys, it is awkward when they keep forcing food at me.

The other problem is that I like to make large portions myself for having leftovers. I like to make a full thing of Chicken Enchaladas, or a full pan of Lasagna, or Pizza in quantities I cannot (Or SHOULD not) eat in one setting. Then my roommates come along and take a bit. If they ask for a some, I am happy to share a bit, but not have them eat half of my pan of Lasagna or what have you. I cook that much so I can have leftovers and have a quick and easy dinner later on when I don't feel like cooking. 

Here is the overall problem: How do I tell them that I don't appreciate these things without sounding like a selfish person? I don't want to hurt feelings and I don't want them to feel bad. Maybe on my next food dish that I prepare for future leftovers, I just put a sign on the thing saying  please stay out. Who knows? Any ideas?

Where does this go? We shall see...

I've decided to see where this goes. I have a meeting today after school (whenever that is- I never know for sure on Wednesdays in Bend because of Early Release) to discuss potentials. To be totally honest, Im a bit nervous. I shouldn't be because I have been in this type of position before. It just seems that with conversations I have had recently are pointing to the possibility that this might be God's will in my life. I could at least help out for a little bit. I think it would be so neat to have a dual role job and use part of my time with one role and the other with another.

So many times I am TOO cautious and don't speak up for opportunities like this. I just wonder if it really is God who is hinting, or if I just want God to hint at it.

"So, it comes to this, one great golden chance that only I can take, when everything I fought for is at stake, to make the mark that only I  can make... This is the moment... This is the day" (Just in case you were wondering, that is a snippet of lyrics for This is the Moment by Jekyll and Hyde the Musical)

Wish me luck and God's will please.

My Everything

I have been in love for a few years now. The lyrics to the song Everything by Lifehouse just is amazing. The way they use their lyrics and dynamics to portray need and passion just gives me chills. When I am listening to this song by myself in the car, I blast it (partly because of how quiet it starts out, but partly because of how much I love it) and I sing my lungs out.  Take a look at the lyrics:

Find me here, speak to me

I want to feel You, I need to hear You

You are the light that's leading me

To the place where I find peace again

You are the strength that keeps me walking

You are the hope that keeps me trusting

You are the light to my soul

You are my purpose, You're everything

How can I stand here with You and not be moved by You?

Would You tell me, how could it be any better than this?

You calm the storms, and You give me rest

You hold me in Your hands, You won't let me fall

You steal my heart, and You take my breath away

Would You take me in, take me deeper now

How can I stand here with You and not be moved by You?

Would You tell me, how could it be any better than this?

And how can I stand here with You and not be moved by You?

Would You tell me, how could it be any better than this?

'Cause You're all I want, You're all I need

You're everything, everything

You're all I want, You're all I need

You're everything, everything

You're all I want, You're all I need

You're everything, everything

You're all I want, You're all I need

You're everything, everything

And how can I stand here with You and not be moved by You?

Would You tell me, how could it be any better than this?

How can I stand here with You and not be moved by You?

Would You tell me, how could it be any better than this?

How can I stand here with You and not be moved by You?

Would You tell me, how could it be any better than this?

Would You tell me, how could it be any better than this?

I don't think there is a way to watch that video and listen to the words and not cry. It just doesn't seem possible- at least not for me.

I had this song on my playlist for quite a while before it and liked it but never really appreciated it until a Family Camp at FBC Bend when our guest speaker- Andre, sang the song. It really spoke to me there and I must listen to it at least once a month ever since. Let it challenge you.... Can we truthfully say to God- "You're all I want, You're all I need, You're my Everything." 

May that statement be true of all of us.

The Bad, the Good and the Beautiful

So, as EVERYONE has been talking about today, No, we did not get raptured or anything of that sort. Camping was totally wrong and should be disregarded. My pastor asked of FB this morning what those types of claims do to Christian credibility. Well, obviously, it makes us look incredibly stupid. Its not just the false prophet there, but everyone associated with that idea, thats all of us Christians. On one hand it is very sad that some people believed this. Why do people keep saying they know when the end of the world or the rapture is? It says in the bible- No One KNOWS! So, just be prepared for whenever it will be. If you are ready and you "live like you were dying" then you should not have any problems.

On the other hand, spirituality has been on the front-burner of everyone's thoughts this week and brings up discussions on the topic. I have seen many postings on FB about this. I also witnessed some discussion about this at Fred Meyer as I was waiting for a picture to be developed.

For all the negative parts to this false prophetic explanation, at least it is bringing up the discussion in everyday life. I like that part of it...

Bouncing Around

It is 4:18 AM this morning and I cannot get back to bed. Lots of things are bouncing around in my head. For some reason I have songs from Chicago in there. This is strange because it has been a while since I actually have seen Chicago so the fact that I have those songs in my head is, (as my title of my blog says), random thoughts.

...When you're good to Mama......He had it comin'....Baby? Did she say Baby?....Lipshitz....

Again, who knows WHY I have some of these songs from Chicago in my head, but it is not helping to get back to sleep.

Another thought is that I will have FIVE DAYS of Subbing this week. (and Next Week). I have never had a full week (not to mention full TWO weeks) of Subbing work in a row. I am super stoked about this.

And the last things that are going around in my head are questions of my future. I perhaps have an opportunity for work in a different capacity and I want to know if it is in God's will. I have done this type of work before but am not sure if I am the right person for the job. I think I would have fun with this and it could be incorporated into another job type that I am also doing, but just don't know.
Is it something to put my hat in the ring for? Is it something to talk with a supervisor about first? Would the current job type I am on right now conflict in timing? Would I not be able to give a full 100% on either job if I did both? Would I ruin what's currently happening? Would I miss the public school teaching that I have done recently? Would I thoroughly enjoy the job so much that I would want to make it my calling? I know they love me there. I know that I would have fun with it. I know it would help me to be closer. They know I am loyal.
These are the things bouncing around in my head and I know that last part was cryptic to say the least, but I want to hold my cards close on this one. Sorry, I know my blog is public for all to see (whoever wants to) but it is also a place for me to put down "Random Thoughts and Entries" and I wanted to place these random thoughts down without giving away the main details on these job opportunities.
Lord, God, you know me, you know my thoughts, please guide me (and disregard the Chicago songs)

Costco is NOT for the Birds

The last few posts of mine have not been all that serious (or probably exciting for all y'all to read), so here is a serious post:

A few days ago I was at Costco picking up some things and as I was walking around near the back of the store I noticed something out of place. It was a tiny bird that was very confused. It was flying around up in the rafters trying to be unnoticed but flying in circles trying to find the exit.
I felt so bad for this little birdy that was trying to escape the ginormous Costco building and kept getting lost and not knowing where to go.

Sometimes we all feel that way, don't we? We go flyin' into places that we think will be good for us but we just get stuck or lost and we are up a creek. (Do you say CrEEEEk or Crik?)  We try to find our own way back. We try, with all our might, not to be noticed as we fly frantically to get out of the ginormous unknown area we so willingly went into.

I feel that way about God sometimes- that I am that tiny bird flying around and God just sees me, feels bad that I am struggling, and wants to help. But there is no way that I will allow him, I have to just keep flying around in my mistake until I find my way out (or more likely until I finally realize I can't do it without Him)

Almost Time

It is almost time for a new style. No, not my clothing style, I am always hip with the trends on the threads (Sarcastic, I actually shop on the clearance rack) but my facial hair style.
I like to mix it up every once in a while. I have had every facial hair style imaginable:

 no facial hair,











... The Gotee (or the Goat as I like to call it)

The Goat-stache








the thin Goat Connector

the MAJOR Goat Connector

the Thin Goat Connector without the Goat (not pictured, but I have em)
the MAJOR GOAT Connector without the Goat (again, not pictured)

 The Triangle Goat

The Line Patch

the small scruffy

the medium scruffy... all the way up to...











The WILDERNESS BEARD
(coined by my sister)






















I have tried it all and got bored with it all. Yes, there are some styles that I have tried that I do not have pictures easily accessible but, yes, I have tried the sideburns, just the stache (but not a fan of the stache), just the upper beard (without the neck). I have tried it all, even come up with some of my own that I have not seen on others, combinations mostly.  So, now that I have tried it all, what should I do next? I am in mood for a change of the face, so something's gonna happen, I just don't know exactly what.

Maybe I should take after Community (TV Show) and make Starburns (I haven't done THAT before)

I wanna go!

I have a dream. A dream to see some of my favorite companies, Google, Apple, Pixar... and guess what... they are all pretty close to each other, in California. And guess what else... I have relatives that live in California... I think I shall take advantage of that.




This Summer my plan is to travel to California to see family and also to see these companies. Now, I know that most likely I won't be able to get into these companies and take or tour or anything like that, but I want to at least see em. I think it would be awesome to find a Pixar Logo somewhere and have Pixar (my pup) take a picture by it.
So, my plan is to visit extended family in Northern California- Sacramento, San Jose, ect, and while I am down there, go around to all those places and see what I can see.

A cool thing about this trip plan that I am working on is that I plan to be down there around June 24, and 25 and that is the Weekend that Cars 2 comes out. The amazing thing about that is that there is a traveling showcase for Cars2 called Agents on a Mission and its last stop is San Francisco where Pixar is located so I am hoping to be able to see that on my Trip. There are supposed to be life-size car models of some of the Characters- McQueen, Mater, ect. If I am able to go down there around this time I will have lots of pictures to show.

Long Day!

Today shall be a long day! I was able to get a substitute teaching job- Fridays in the Spring- ALWAYS! I also have a few church things after that.  So, that means, I leave my house at 7:25 to make sure and get to Juniper by 8. Work from 8-4. Shuffle on over to New Hope at 4 to start making Pizza dough for around 35 people- thats 35 ind. pizzas. Then (hopefully I will be done with the dough making and letting it rise) at 5:30 make sure that all my AWANA Carnival pieces are put together and ready for the Carnival to start at 6. That goes until 8. Then at 8, we have our T&T 1 and 2 Celebration for those who finished a book. Itll be lots of fun, but hopefully we won't have to wait TOO long for the pizzas to be made and done. (And hopefully, I pray, that I got enough stuff for the Pizzas as well)

Poor Pixar will not see me until late tonight. How Sad!

Blue Sky durring a Blue Sky Day

I am thouroughly surprised, but I was not a big fan of RIO! (the Movie) Maybe it didn't have as much humor for us old farts as I am used to seeing in Pixar and DreamWorks movies, but even the plot made me bored. Don't get me wrong, the visuals, CG Animation, were great, very par with other animation studios, but the storyline and whatnot were not that interesting. I walked out. How sad, right? Luckily, this movie was a free ticket that came with a dvd that I bought recently. (Otherwise I would not have seen this one in theaters as it was)
The movie was from Blue Sky studios. These guys are the ones that brought you all the Ice Age movies among others. You may recall me mentioning last summer that I walked out on Ice Age 3- Dawn of the Dinosaurs, as well. I don't know what it is about the storylines of the Blue Sky movies, but they just don't do it for me. I will have to remember that next time that an Animation comes out: Pixar- GOTTA SEE, Dreamworks-Usually worth it, BlueSky- ehh

That is all...

Heartache

1. Put your MP3 Player on shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS

4. comment on your songs that were randomly selected for the questions.

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?

More to This (The Letter Black)

-nice

 

2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY

I Got You (Third Day)

-doesn't really work does it....

 

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?

A Beautiful Collision (David Crowder Band)

-this one works amazingly 

4. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?

Lift Me Up (The OC Supertones)

-funny

 

5. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?

Glorious (Paul Baloche)

-sweet 

6. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?

Slow Change (Paolo Pavan)

-I do take change slowly 

7. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?

Wonderful Creator (Paul Wright)

-I would hope so 

8. WHAT IS 2+2?

Christmas Lullaby (Mannheim Steamroller)

-Yes, I STILL have christmas music in my player- needs to change 

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?

Silent Night (The Temptations)

-doesn't really work 

10. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Will You Be There (Pillar)

-works in a funny/sad way 

11. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

Enough (Chris Tomlin)

-hehe 

12. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Be The One (Jeremy Camp)

-LOL 

13. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Oh Lord, You're Beautiful (Insiderz- Skalleluia)

 -That one is my fav I think. It just works TOO good.

14. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?

Constant (Out of the Grey)

-I am constant 

15. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?

Glo in the Dark, Pt 4 (Delirious?)

-This one DOES NOT work

16. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?

Sanctified (Mercyme)

-somewhat works 

17. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?

The Heart of Worship (Matt Redman)

-sweet 

18. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?

Singer Song (Delirious?)

-I DO like to sing! 

19. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

You're Worthy of My Praise (Passion)

-This is another fav. 

20. WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?

Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet (Jars of Clay)

 -nah

21. HOW WILL YOU DIE?

Indescribable (Chris Tomlin)

 -I like it

22. WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?

Shout to the Lord (Lincoln Brewster)

 -not really

23. WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?

Mighty to Save (Seventh Day Slumber)

 -in a certain way

24. WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?

Amazed (Lincoln Brewster)

 -nice

25. WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?

The Birth of Jesus (Renaissance Christmas)

 -not really

26. DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?

Walk By Faith (Jeremy Camp)

 -This one works amazingly as well.

27. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?

Miles and States (Run Kid Run)

 -hehe

28. WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?

All That's Sweet (Bleach)

 -sweet stuff hurts? not sure about that.

28: WHAT WILL YOU NAME THIS?

Heartache (Tait)

-people are going to get the wrong idea about this blog posting title.