Another Student Shines-Must Watch

One of the greatest things about being a teacher is to see your students go on to do great things and shine. For those of you how don't know, prior to teaching in South Korea I taught 5-6th grade and junior high classes at my church. Over the years I've had a lot of talented and well let's just say, entertaining students. Last summer I posted a blog about Derek Drake, one of my former students who won Arizona Idol. Now, this summer I have another talent to share with you-Jarvis Johnson. His dancing skills were featured on the program So You Think You Can Dance. I've known Jarvis and his family practically his whole life, and he has been entertaining and making people laugh since that time. Imagine teaching 30 students for 2 hours with Jarvis in the mix, lol! I have so many stories about this young man but please just check out the video below! WATCH THE FULL VIDEO, trust me you will be entertained. Great Job Jarvis.

Soju Boyz at Seoul City Hall

"Never Can Say Goodbye Mike"

Walk Away

Time passed as I watched the grains of sand slip through my hands and return to the same. Digging my hands deep, I wrestled with my own thoughts, grappling with questionable notions. I finally decided to mold a mound of sand, and then I set out walking, and thinking. Thinking at times about nothing, and at times about everything. The farther I walked the closer I felt to the serenity of the ocean and the further removed I felt from the loud raucous and revelry I left behind. The sound of the waves became clearer and clearer, and the music began to fade in the background. I walked steadily, but slowly toward the beach's end. Passing people with no voices, only hearing the waves in the ocean and the thoughts in my head. Despite the dark of night and the thick locs that swung in front of my face, I felt remarkably attune and aware of everything around me. From the changes of the sand texture below my feet, to the brilliance of the iridescent light shining off the mud. I passed the inescapable lights of Korean nightscapes and ventured to the darkest place on the beach. There I encountered jagged rocks, shells and other things the ocean rejected. Making my way through the roughest parts, I came to a cliff like area where I decided to retire my wonderings. I perched myself on a rock, taking in the vista and then I sat down. The rain came down softly, the sand began to crackle as I hung my head listening to the sounds of the beach. The rain beat down across my back and for the first time that day I welcomed it. In a poetic sense, I wished the rain and the ocean could wash it all away. Centering down there on the rock, I drew enough strength to return to it all again. As I walked back the rain began to pour down with renewed intensity, but I walked with no regard for the rain and no urgency to return.

Unrest: VLOG

I cried

There has always been there unwritten list of man-rules and one them suggest that real men don't cry. I've never subscribed to this idea of manhood because I think crying is at times a very useful expression of emotions. I have no shame to admit that when I watching a heart-wrenching movie or in the middle of a powerful church service, that I let the tears flow. These are the moments where I am most comfortable crying, however there are other times that completely catch you off guard. Literally 15 minutes ago I walked my good friend down the hill to a series of new life adventures. The whole time I was think how surreal the whole experience was, and then came the hug and the parting words. The strange thing is this is not THE GOODBYE, this is just the first in a series of separations until our geography and commitments farther and perhaps further than we have been.

We hugged and I verbally acknowledged the change that had just occurred. As the taxi pulled away tears flooded my eyes and ran down my cheek. I'm still not sure as to why as I am writing that I still have tears on my face. My immediate question was are these tears of joy or of sadness? I'm not quite sure why those are the two categories that originally came to mind. I quickly label them as tears of separation. Both of joy for my friend's glistening future and of sadness that he will not be as readily accessible or close. Perhaps that is why Korea has been so much like home for me. The reason why I have not experience much homesickness. Maybe my tears got ahead of my thoughts to tell me how I'm really feeling. Even as I writing, my thoughts are still grappling for a reasonable explanation as to why these drops of the salty liquid are resting on my face.

The last time I cried extemporaneously, it was again something and someone that I didn't expect to cry over. It was something a former pastor said about me, that for some reason shook me to my core.

Perhaps, what surprises me is that there are very appropriate times to cry (i.e. funerals), and yet sometimes there are no tears to be cried, or they are so light that they don't even take you by surprise. Then there are times where you unexpectedly lose it and cannot even put in to words why. Anyways, I'm done trying to internalize. I'm just glad for the tears and for my friend.

Godspeed My Friend. Godspeed My Friend.

Day to Night Skype

From night to twilight, the dark night flew to morning skies
Where 'Hellos'become Goodbyes.

Weary at dusk, with the weight of the day.
Waiting for the Sun to come again and usher in a luminous new day.

We wait, and rush, make peace and fuss, cause at the end of the day,
we start anew...A smile is on my face, because my tomorrow includes you.

Not bound by yesterdays, but released from past to present. From present we create anew, saying more hellos, only to bid more adieus.

-Written on February 13th, 2008 (skype freestyle)

Sleepless Nights

I can't sleep because my hearts burst at the seems/
with hope, worries, concerns and dreams/
I feen for balance/
with my 12 inch flat feet/
everyday hitting the concrete/pacing,
wondering if my assets are appreciating or wasting
headway? or am I just stylin, coastin on the segway,

we could be, looks hopeful, but we shall see what the deal is,
this odd composition has became my social meal ticket,
but I got in line and lost my appetite,
maybe I looking for a slower life,
I plot my line slowly,
I don't do pyramids,
Pimpin looks fun, but that's for kids,

plus they trying to having me leading a circle to the cross
How does that work if the leader is lost?/
Christ is the only redemption to the puzzle/
The only detour to the trouble/
But sometimes I feel like I need to make mistakes too,
He's kept me, thus I must remain grateful,

I can't ignore it/
My heart is heavy for it/
I did not speak before/
Now, I'm speechless,
I did not speak.
I just minded my business,
unaware of the divine irritation that surfaced as the truth.
Yet, I heard it, and remained mute,

Play 2 Win: My Cardinals, My Life

Randoms!

So here is my first official post of the New Year! I don't have any profound statements to make or any poetic prose for you. However what I do have it a little to Ramble about.

1. I left America- A Black Man was elected President
2. I left Arizona- The Cardinal are going to the SuperBowl
3. Ice Skating is just like roller skating and therefore it's awesome.
4. Bill Cosby was right, kids say the darndest thing!
5. Jubilee is a great church.
6. What's her name is.....
7. I feel like making music this year
8. I'm traveling to 5 new countries this year!
9. Lucretia has a quiet confidence.
10. Michelle has the kind of worth-ethic you admire. Works hard, but not money hungry and never complains. Reminds of my roommate, 00, and a few other people I know.