The embarrassing proof

I don't have much time to write at this moment, but I discovered through an old buddy of mine, Kyle D in Utah, that there is an old recording of me and some wannabe rapper freestylin. MY younger brother Ryan (Ryno to those in the know) provided the beats to my madness when I was creating lyrical masterpieces in real time, no rehearsin, no cursin. I tried to beatbox, but I can't hold a candle to Ryno. Anyway, you can see it here. I'm the big guy spitting in the microphone and bustin out with the freestyle rhymin. For all you haters that don't believe the hype, this homey really rocked the mike back in the day! PEACE OUT!
Ryno, you got any vids of you beatboxing for F-line party's or anything? I'll never forget the "Intergalactic Planetary" you pulled off at BYU that one time...

Iroiro (means "various" in Japanese)

1) MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT:
Currently: anytime I try to sit down in Economy Class on an Asian airline.
Previously: There are so many, that I can't think of just one that stands out. Here are some memorable ones...
Darth Vader-when I was around 4 or 5, my Dad picked up this cheapy Darth Vader Halloween costume at a garage sale sometime in the Spring. I decided to try it on, black cape and all, but without my underpants. I decided to show the junior high girls softball team next door my awesome costume, and unfortunately, showed them my little lightsaber too.

Baptisms-I had a good number of stuffed animals, and after learning about Baptism in Sunday School, decided they needed to take that first step towards exaltation. Our bathtub became the font, and I proceeded to immerse all of them!



2) FAVORITE FOODS
Pizza, especially NY style; Katsudon; fresh sushi from the Tokyo Tsukiji Market; Ellen's potstickers; Gyros; Aunt Cheryl's Popovers; real kuromiso (red miso) ramen; Sendai Japan Beef Tongue!


3) FAVORITE VACATIONS:

Visiting the mountains (especially Jackson Hole/Yellowstone); Kyoto, Japan; Meinong, Taiwan; NYC (but I haven't been in awhile); Seattle (love Pike's and the aquarium district); Anywhere BYU is playing (except Laramie or Ft. Collins);

4) FAVORITE TV SHOWS:
American Idol; Friday Night Lights (the best acted show on T.V.); Ninja Warrior; Survivorman; Paula Deen on Food Network;

5)THREE THINGS MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME:
I am a freestyle rapper; I don't drink white milk, EVER, but I love chocolate milk; I have participated in a midnight drug raid; I have wandered along 8-mile road in Detroit, rapping, and I am not Eminem; I once hosted a sports show on a little known A.M. radio station in Provo.


ANYONE READING THIS WHO HAS NOT ANSWERED THESE QUESTIONS IS NOW TAGGED!

The Valentine's Day Dialogue

One of the joys of being married to a non-native English speaker is the various unique turns of phrase that emanate from my sweetheart's mouth. For Valentines day, I had flowers delivered to the house. Ellen had been asking for weeks if I was going to get her anything, and of course I told her "I am definitely not getting flowers, that is so overrated and overdone. I'll make sure you get something different and unique." Upon hearing that, Ellen became more and more worried that my creative mind would get her something completely awful, a direct-to-D.I. kind of present or something. So, when Valentine's day came, she pretty much assumed she was getting nothing. When the flowers came, she was caught off guard, and didn't know what to do for me. She thought for a minute, then rushed together my gift. When I got home, she had just finished it: freshly baked banana muffins. That was great in and of itself, but the cute part was the note written on the fridge: "Happy Valentine's Day. Please pretent the mufens are heart shape." My heart melted when I read that.

Ugly baby anxiety

So yesterday we went to the Doc to have Ellen's prenatal visit. She had the basic blood panel done yesterday, and we got to hear the heartbeat for the first time (that was really neat). We wonder if we ought to plunk down the $25.00 or so and get one of those home fetal heartbeat monitors. Anyway, while walking down the hall towards the doctors office, we pass a international couple like ourselves, white American husband, Asian wife, and the baby was not so cute. Like, make you stop in your tracks and pause kind of face, and not for a good reason. This sight made me start to feel a little concern about the gene pool wonder that will be our little one. It seems to be hit and miss with mixed race couples: some kids are cute and beautiful, other kids look more like freaks, and I am trying to be nice here. Now that I've posted this, I feel like I've jinxed our own future kid. I better say something nice next time.

Unexpected Tears

Today I decided to watch the funeral of President Gordon B. Hinckley. I remember the past three funerals of prophets, Spencer W. Kimball, Ezra Taft Benson, and Howard W. Hunter. When I saw those funerals, I never shed a tear or got too emotional. I was more curious of how a new prophet would be called. This morning, however, I was overcome with emotion as I thought about the life, example, and spirit of President Hinckley. He is the General Authority I have been in the midst of the most. From the Chicago Temple dedication in the early 80s to regional conferences in Peoria, Illinois and Greenville, North Carolina, and Tokyo, Japan; MTC devotionals, BYU devotionals, Live sessions of General Conference, I have had the privilege of being in his midst. I will never forget when I was a freshly called missionary in the MTC, and there was a special first presidency broadcast to all the MTCs in North and South America, originating from the Provo MTC. President Monson, President Faust, and President Hinckley all spoke, and you felt the amazing love those three men had for each other. I felt so confident in the leadership of the church, knowing that President Hinckley was first in command under the helm of the Savior himself.
This morning, as I watched the casket being taken from the conference center to the burial site, I felt so thankful for this remarkable man, for his tireless work on behalf of saints around the world, and his humor, humility, and genius in orchestrating the largest period of growth the church has ever experienced. I hope that some day I can be in his midst again.

Making Prisoners Productive

FYI, I work at a small law firm which counts many of California's penal institution "guests" as its clients. In learning about what really goes on within the prisons here, I was totally amazed to see the talent being truly utilized by a prison in the Philippines. HERE is a video of them, if you haven't seen it yet. A wonderful imitation of MJ's "Thriller" complete with a 'queen' playing the female role.

My 11Favorite things/thankful things

11. The game of football. I have loved it since I first understood it. I figure about 20% of my time as an adolescent was spent playing backyard football. Ellen would tell you that 75% of my time as an adult is spent watching it on TV.

10. Drudgereport. I probably check out Drudge 15-20 times a day. I am a news junkie and have to know what is going on in the world, and Drudge links to everything.

9. California fresh produce. After living in various parts of the nation, and eating all varieties of vegetables and fruits, California has the best fresh produce in the nation, hands down (or hands on an orange, grapes, or strawberries).

8. TIVO/DVR. I love the fact that I can study and work all week, then when I have some time, all of my favorite shows and interests are there for me to watch, and I can skip right through the commercials.

7. Friday Night Lights. I have loved this show since it debuted last year. The acting is superb, and the character arcs are very realistic. Plus it has football in it :)

6. Sincere people. I can't tell you how frustrating it is for Ellen and I to meet someone or speak to someone who give us lip service, but are never genuine with what they say. It is so easy to see through people who aren't sincere, or who stab you in the back the first chance they get. Thus, there is a special place in my heart for sincere, genuine people. We hope we can always be that kind of person to our friends and family.

5. Mild OCD. Hey, it keeps the house clean, and everyone stays calm!

4. International Marriage. There are obvious communication gaps sometimes, but I love the fact that I am part of several cultures now, and have the chance to learn so much from other people.

3. Upcoming fatherhood. We are excited, and I am very excited. I've been waiting for this for a while, and I am excited for all of the New-comers/Costners this year!

2. Parents who care. My mother in law, who communicates with me through grunts and gestures, actually shed a tear when I hugged her goodbye a few weeks ago. I assume its because she will miss us, but it could be because maybe she doesn't think I can take care of her pregnant daughter. At any rate, one of my favorite things is that I can always call up mi madre y padre at anytime, and talk to them about anything, and they don't judge me for what I think or love me any less.

1. My wife. What can I say? I have the most beautiful but low maintenance wife in the world. She is content with being at home, planting her garden, cooking always fresh all the time meals, finding bargains on baby clothes, helping her disorganized hubby stay organized, motivating her sometimes lazy husband, and she is ever patient and forgiving. I love coming home, it is the most stress-free place on earth for me to be. Ellen uses clever ways to tell me I better do something or I will suffer..but she does it without ever raising her voice or making me feel like crap, but instead makes me laugh. If I could follow her example better, I wouldn't upset so many people with my temper!