um, Spanish?

So, its been a few years now that I've been thinking on taking a foreign language. First it was deciding between Japanese and Mandarin Chinese. I am one of like two cousins on my mom's side of the family that hadn't taken Mandarin Chinese while in college. Then the thought crossed my mind, "you will take more than one language"... and I was like, "um, okay." So, I figure, it was probably going to be both, so which one first. If I chose Chinese, I could talk to my mom and my Aunts and Uncles. If I chose Japanese, I could talk to my friends at church who speak Japanese. Part of my hesitiation in choosing a language is praticality. (the other is I have been doing some more work related travel, that I couldn't start a class yet). So, here comes Urbana 06, the folks at hcjb global, and Quito, Ecuador. Spanish? Wow, didn't see that one coming, Lord. And randomly (or maybe not so randomly), I was searching at LMU (the closest, I could even walk, close, University) and they have a beginners Spanish class starting next Tuesday. Okay Lord, 1) I want to get back into the classroom, 2) I want to learn a language, 3) and being an LMU extension student gets me into the LMU gym! (bonus). So, am I to take Spanish? Well, all the signs are pointing, a few things to check is to ensure that my company will pay for LMU Extension and that the class is still open for students to enroll... oh and one more prayer check with God... just to be sure.

... can't believe its 2007.

Looking at the last few times I blogged, so much has happened since fourth of July. One big thing that has happened, my 30th birthday. It was a nice weekend in August, my birthday. It was spent with some new and some ol' friends. It started with the idea of camping in the sierras. After the 5 some-hour drive to the Eastern Sierras, namely Bishop. We drove up to the campsites, my blue honda and my friends VW, and found the thunderstorm clouds a bit frightening. We drove back into town and found a nice cozy, the only-room-left, Holiday Inn room. Next morning, was hiking a most beautiful hike south of Lake Sabrina. Though not all of us made it to the destination, it was a wonderful (yet exhausting) hike. The views were magnificant and inspiring. We headed back into town, for a bite to eat and to check out one of the photo galleries (something I always wanted to do, but never had the chance to stop and do). I am glad we stopped. Seeing how this one artist captured nature and humanity left me in awe. And inspired me to do more photography. We headed back into LA a day earlier than I had originally planned, but that was alright. This particular weekend appeared to be the weekend of unplanned activities.

As we headed back down to LA, I noticed this lump in my neck. I first thought it was nothing, but then it seriously started to bug. I knew that the church folks were leaving for camp the next Morning (sunday, Aug 6, my birthday). I didn't know what to do, all I knew was talk to Dr Sharon, she'd know what to do. She was to leave on the bus at 7am. Though we didn't arrive back into LA until almost 2 am, after unloading the cars and folks departed the Playa Del Rey Condo, i was up again at 6am, couldn't sleep (a bit like tonight, can't sleep). Anyhow long story short, met up and got to greet all the folks leaving for camp with the bus. It was great to see everyone. Though folks were wondering why I wasn't going to camp, it was good seeing the bus loads of Venice folk. I did get to talk to Dr. Sharon, she suggested I go into the weekend clinic, and get the lymph node thing checked out.

It was this particular birthday weekend where things get interesting in my life. If i tried to blog the events since then, it would take pages, and I am not sure I can remember everything. All I know is that Aug 2006 is where I started really trying to listen to what God wants me to do. (oh and my health, its alright now, wierd scare in Aug, but seemed to clear itself come September.) The church prayed for me, I think that helped me with my recovery, as parts of my illness was a bit debilitating in the sense that at times I was so exhausted, I couldn't stay awake even if i tried to caffienate myself.

The biggest thing was during the time I had to myself, I was able to reflect more and I asked God to "reveal His will for my life" and slowly but surely that's what He's been doing. He reminded me that I have to take care of my finances, that I really need to be financially free such that I can be in a position to do what He wants me to do, when He wants me to go. He also reminded me that I wanted to volunteer at Urbana 06, which I made that committment at Urbana 03, walking through the dome the third night, thinking, "yeah, i want to be a part of something as big as this". He brought me to the decision that I needed my work to move closer to home again, which it has. And He surprised me with a business trip opportunity to Dubai again, which was amazing.

So, where am I now. Well, amazingly, I made it as a volunteer at Urbana 06. I was able to work with some amazing folks, meet new people, make new friends, and get reunited with some old friends from home. Allen Graham, whom I hadn't really seen since 1992 was there to both his and my surprise. It was a blast to hang out with Allen! Also, randomly running into Geoff Hom, reconnecting and finding out that his sister, my bestest friend in high school was there too! I got to hang with Mary and Geoff the day after Urbana, in St.Louis, and that was more than I could've asked for.

Working now, trying to figure out how to block my time and be able to serve God in the capacitiy He wants me to serve in, which maybe to visit and work with hcjb global. Still seeking God's will on that. And a question right now is, "do i take that spanish class?"

I think God is teaching me that you can't plan for everything, He has a tendancy to show you things you never expect, and He'll take care of you. Thanks God, you are truly amazing!