A cracked shell

Due to rising fuel costs and the economic downturn resulting in fewer passengers, an airline looked at all options to decrease costs. In their attempt, they found a company that used egg yolks in the production of shampoo and was willing to sell the whites to the airline for use on their breakfast menu. One airline employee approached management concerned about the quality of their food deteriorating by loosing freshness and not including the yolk in their scrambled eggs. Upon hearing the concern, management, convinced it was fine, responded that it was a necessary step that was saving many jobs and assured the employee that everything would be all-white.

Olympic stories

I’m watching the Olympics. I’ve actually spent quite a lot of time watching them this week. There have been some embarrassing moments – like the gymnast who ran into the vault beam instead of jumping over it, and the weightlifter who lost his grip on the bar – 7 times! But there have also been some phenomenal moments like the swimmer who won 8 gold medals (the only American I could actually bring myself to cheer for) or the runner who took off from the rest of the crowd and complete obliterated the world record in the 100 meter sprint (with enough time left to cheer, wave his arms, hit his chest, and saunter over the finish line). But the one that stands out to me the most is the one I just saw.

As I watched, the commentator mentioned how this competitor had lost his wife in a car accident just one year ago. Having experienced something similar, I know how difficult life becomes and how this emotional experience has such a massive physical effect. Competing in the Olympics is a feat few can accomplish. Winning such a competition is reserved for the very few elite indeed. All competitors overcome obstacles along the way, but this is something others don’t realize the significance of; and something so significant I don’t care which country he’s from, I cheered for him. He was a weightlifter sitting in second place and to win the gold, he had to lift 10kg (22 pounds) more than he had ever lifted in a major competition before. I watched as he approached the bar, got into position, and prepared for the lift. I cheered as he strained and lifted 258kg off the ground, to his shoulders, and up over his head. Held my breath as he held it there for the required time, then smiled as he dropped the bar in triumph, jumped in the air, hugged his coach, fell to the ground in tears, then jumped and yelled with excitement. A lot of emotion for a grown man, but emotion justified. Way to go Matthias Steiner of Germany!!!

A dream fulfilled...

I just put some photos on facbook. Don't have time right now to tell the stories, but you can follow the link below to see them.

Enjoy!

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=53363&l=0afb0&id=566943522

Long awaited update

So many things to do. So little time to write about them. It seems my life goes like that… Nothing out of the ordinary for a long time, then a whole month or more of exciting things! This has been one of those exciting months!!!

July 1st, I picked up my girlfriend from the airport and we began a 19 day whirlwind of activity. We started off by simply going to a park and talking the day away as we relaxed, enjoyed each other’s company, and she started getting over jet lag. Between trips to the city, sunsets on the beach, trips to the mountains, time with friends, time at church, and a week of Hillsong Conference, our time flew by. I’ll place some photos below to tell the story.

After Greta left, I had a hectic week of catching up and planning a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, then went up there, and now have the task of sorting out a visa to keep me in Australia another year. More on the other topics a little later.

For now, some pictures! They're kind of in random order 'cause I can get this up sooner that way, but here they are.

You can also use the following link to see photo's I'm putting on facebook (you don't have to be on facebook to follow this link and see the pictures)

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=52343&l=1f3fd&id=566943522







We spent a lot of time with my friends, some of whom have now become Greta's friends as well. One night while at a friend's house, one of them asked for my camera and took this picture which turned out to be one of the best. Greta attended Hillsong Conference for a week while I was busy volunteering at the conference so during that week we didn't see each other as much but she did spend a lot of time with a few of my (female) friends. These same women have told me in the past that they would love to set me up and would love to see me in a relationship again but they just can't find anyone they believe is good enough for me. I've been warned sternly that I am not to settle for just any woman because I deserve the best.

Even now, 3 weeks after Greta left, people are coming to me and also telling others that my girlfriend is amazing! She was a bit concerned about what people would think of her - if she'd reach their expectations - and she certainly managed to leave a VERY good impression. I've heard from countless people how great they think she is and how great they think we are together. Needless to say, I'm quite encouraged by their support!

I took her to places where she could pet the real kangaroos and koala bears; but for some reason, most of them walked away. It became quite a joke between us because it happened so often. Well, these two didn't run away!!!! I also had to take the shot because she looks so good in this hat.

Since the day I got to Sydney, one of my dreams has been to take my girlfriend to see a performance at the opera house. It took 1 1/2 years to get the girlfriend, but now that it was possible, I took her to see that performance. Thankfully, there was something other than opera showing at the time so we had a really nice evening, had a great dinner at a restaurant overlooking the harbour, and took in the show. We both really enjoyed the night!

I did some homework before she came and found this great private beach to watch the sunset. I couldn't ask for a better location and we enjoyed some time alone before joining more friends for the rest of the evening. Thank you God for a fantastic backdrop to this photo!




I actually found a few locations for the sunset. It's so nice to see the evening sky turn colours and to know I'm with the woman I love.