I Cant Possibly Eat ANYTHING else.... Is that pasteles???

Oh my Gosh, Im a glutton. I ate entirely too much good food yesterday, half of which I cant even pronounce, it was amazing!

I got into town around 4ish, stopped at my fams house, the Italian ones, to say hey and eat dinner. Its always good to see everyone, but the joy is gone. With the absences of my cousin, father and brother, its just not the same, huge gap there. Ever since things went to shit however many years ago, I always imagined just ONE more thanksgiving, where we were all there together, laughing, eating awesome food like calzones and pizzagen, and just happy, again. It had seemed impossible for the longest time, still does really, but I think I can change that, I need to be more active in getting us together, for some reason, Im the only link between these people, I should use that, we'll see about Christmas.

Anywho, after leaving the families, I went to the other families where it was exciting as always! Spanish music playing, people dancing, talking loudly and just being joyful. I got to see all 3 of my sissy's for the first time since the wedding earlier this year I believe, it was awesome. Me and Natalia were talking about old times, we argued about who was meaner and who beat who in Jeapordy, some things never change. We drank a few beers, realized that my tolerance blows, so we went back to chill at the other house, I fell asleep for a bit, then my friend Carlos, aka Pookey, came in and I saw him for the first time in a year. He has been in Iraq fighting that shitty pointless war, he had some cool stories to tell, after all he was a helicopter pilot. It was good to have him home, glad he's safe.

I went to the beach this morning, I miss it. I miss the smells, the sounds of waves crashing and birds, the feeling of just peace. I walked along the ocean, shin deep in the ocean, so relaxing. I even managed to rake up a 10 dollar parking ticket, oh well, it was worth it.

Tomorrows the wedding and Im excited, I love being home, I love the fact that Im actually on vacation! But even with all this joy and peace, theres still another place id like to be, in her arms, maybe if she was here.

Bapteezy-Fo-Sheezy

Wow, what can I say.... wow.... I got Baptized today... I wasnt even planning on it. I remember starting the day, feeling SO excited for Neil, so glad that he was making this huge step, wasnt planning on joining him in the water. But when Garret was speaking, about what Baptism symbolized, and about how I was joinging God and what not... it reached my heart, my soul, I felt those words... When Neil came back to the shore, a new man of God, Garret asked if there was anyone else who wanted to be Baptized, my heart answered for me, I raised my hand with NO conscious effort whatsoever, it wasnt even a choice for me, I just did it... It was as if God was raising my hand for me, like a ref would do for the champion of fight, I feel like a champion, however the fight is long from won.

Supposedly that Satan guy likes to attack after these things, but you know what, fuck em'. Im really not worried about that bastard, Ive lived my hell, twice now. If I am tested again, sent back into my hell, I have my father holding my hand, only this time I will squeeze tightly to it, I will set the Lord always before me, because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Thats a Psalm I think.

So yeah, I feel awesome, so JOYFUL, I feel JOY!!! If its one thing Ive learned recently its the different between true Joy and plain ole' Happiness. Joy is a gift from God, (like mana and Tupac), happiness is more an earthly thing. I was happy in my younger days, with the joys of the earth, hell it was FUN to go out drinking EVERY night: Irish car Bombs (my fav), Drunken Foosball at Masquerades, Body Shots, St. Patties Day (Oh my God...), Alchohol Inspired Truth or Dare, Pole Dancing (Ive got pictures), Boose-cruisin' to Savannah, Drunken nights In Darwin Austrailia... man, good times, damn good times... It was fun, I was happy-ish, but there was no joy... I was unfulfilled, empty, looking for that alcohol buzz to fill me up, but that would go away, morning would come, I would feel filthy, shamed, and lets not forget hungover... Thats not life, thats not mine anyways, anymore. I seek Joy now, the Joy thats given by God, the Joy I get from just seeking God, and seeing my friends happy, getting to hug them, and share my life with them, Ill tell ya what dude, Im blessed.

So yeah, that was cool, Im on cloud 9 now, It feels so awesome to be Baptized, let the good times roll! Speaking of which, I have to go read this blonde chick a bed time story! More Joy! Peace!

One Nation, Under Starbucks

So yeah, Ive been totally craving a pumpkin spice latte alllllll day. Prolly because I spent last night sleeping in my car, trying to find my friends campsite at 2 in the morning, Im tired.

Camping kinda sucks actually, everyone was tired, no one slept much because Ryan's loud ass was snoring all night as he usually does, oh yeah, and you talk in your sleep too... Anywho, I left the camping trip early, just got back in to town.

I did however manage to go on a hike, I also learned that hiking really, really sucks... I guess its not the hiking that sucks, I think it was the trail I was on. I mean, Ive been hiking before and Ive liked it, like in Austrailia, me and some Marine friends hiked to Butterfly Gorge, a beautiful little spot in the heart of Katherine (like you know where that is). It was a great payoff for 14 miles of hiking, it was awsome! This however, was about 10 miles of straight trail, well not straight, a lot of uphilling, and for nothing, no view, no summit, just a loop trail, very disapointing actually.

It was nice however to be out in nature... altho this Is a cranky day, working on about 4 hours of cramped car sleep, which entails an emergency break lever digging into my side... surprisingly comfortable actually.... anywho, it wasnt as good as the last time I was in the Blue Ridge Mountians, but it was still nice, nature is cool!

Ok, Im off to finish my Pumpkin Spice Latte, (I think Im addicted to Starbucks), I find its better when its warm and not hot... thought Id share.

boo poo

yo. i went to 2 ice cream places tonight because i became friends with this really crazy blond. you might know her - she goes to a church near you.