Another Chile Day

8 years ago today I flew to Chile. One of the things that stood out in my mind more than anything else was after about 13 hours on the plane we were almost there. We flew across the Andes mountains and when the sun peaked over the mountains it was the most Brillant Red light beamed through the windows of the plane. It was like pure red....it was really cool. Almost like Lasers trying to fry off peoples heads...that is a nice visual.

Anyway I will be wear my Chilean Jersey again in celebration. Also I went to the Chilean Deli here in town and ate Compeltos and Lomitos...yummy. Well Happy Chile Day one last time this year. I will think about when I rode a Llama...awe those were good times!!!!

Adventures of a Desperate Painter

As many of you may now I am back to school, back to school to prove to Grandma Shepard that I am no fool. (Steph I am referring to grandma at Carmelle) And while this has been an awesome experience for me it also adds a little bit more stress in my life and quite a bit more adventure. I am also happier when I feel like I am using my creative talents.

Lets start from the beginning...

I had a painting due Tuesday right after spring break and because of the work load of this class I was unable to start it until spring break started this week. So I have set a goal for myself to paint every night so I don't have to bare through a 24 paint session Monday night. Tuesday night I started the painting on a piece of Masonite board left over from days past. It was primed and ready to go. It seemed the right size and so I took some scrap (artist term for reference material) and started painting. I was having a lot of trouble getting going. Somedays you just have an off day so I shrugged is off after a few hours and went to bed. The next day I got home from work and between a full day of work and a late session the night before I fell asleep on our couch so I did not work at all. That night I laid in bed and asked for help from Lena and Heavenly Father to give me strength to get some done. At this point I needed all the help I could get. Lena later commented that she prayed for the same thing. Funny how that works out. Let me continue before this gets to spiritual.

So I started painting, painting and painting some more, the more I painted the more I got angry. The paint would slide of the canvas, or board in the case. I would lay down a layer of paint put a little water on and it would slide right off with the water. So my only conclusion is that this board must have been primed with OIL base gesso. Think of putting oil in a glass of water...they do not mix.

So I tossed the painting across the room jumped in my car and went to Micheals to spend way more than I wanted to on a pre-built, pre-gesso'd canvas.

To make this long story shorter. I got 3 times the work done in the time it took to paint the previous painting. It looks really good as well I am happy with how it turned out.



I just had it framed and put it in the student show of at Redwood High. Maybe someday I will get around to posting the painting here.

name meaning

What Nik Means

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life. You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip. People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

If you write in the blog! It will come to past!!

They Listened to me! OH the power of the blog!!!

Happy Mission/Chile Day!!!

As many of you may have not realized today in the year of our Lord 2000 on this very day was they day I entered the MTC and embarked on an adventure that will never be forgotten. Today I always wear my Chilean Soccer Jersey in Tribute. 

When I left to the MTC is was a bitter sweet day! There was a lot going on in our family during that time. So it was hard to leave but yet I knew it was the right thing to do. 

My mothers favorite story to tell is about when we finished the orientation. We had all adequately moistened our faces. We all went to our separate exits, one out one door the rest out the other. Right before I went out the missionary door to not see my family for another 2 months (at the airport). I jumped onto a chair high above everyone else and waved goodbye one more time.  Good times!

Tired of TV

Can I just say that I am extremely tired of the Writers Strike and horrible Television. It has come to the point that I flip through the channels and there is nothing to watch so I flip on the ol' xBox and a play game. I am so tired of Reality Television whether it be Flavor Flave looking for love from a bunch of Huchies or someone getting a make over for free. It just gets too old to fast. There is nothing new to bring to the table there for it is just so boring. I need my mind to be challenged to be entertained.

Writers I am proud of you for fighting for your rights. But please please please come back so I can enjoy TV again. Bring me back The Office, My Name is Earl, Heroes ect...

I will love you forever if you do!

4th Anniversary Fun

Yesterday marks the 4 year anniversary of they day Lena and I met. It is really a bit crazy to think that it has been so long but at the same time I can not picture how life would be without her. She is amazing and I am so lucky to have her.

So thinking maybe that Lena did not remember I tried to surprise her with a few things. I got off a few hours earlier than her so I went home and cleaned up the kitchen and was going to cook dinner for her. Due to the enormity of the task I did not start dinner until close to the time she would be home. She called me just as I was starting and expressed her desire to go out to eat and the she was thinking about our anniversary. So I cleaned up the little I had done and agreed it would be fun to go out.

We decided to go to Famous Dave BBQ because that is where we went on our first date. I was a fun night for both of us. Afterward we went home and relaxed.