Break with Monica (Day 3)

Alright, wedding behind us, now off to explore our nation's capitol! But before we do, we need to solve a very important problem: hunger.

Pupusas, a typical Salvadorian dish. Basically, it's stuffed tortillas (mine was chicken and cheese). It was pretty good!

DC Metro.

Our 1st stop in the Smithsonian (too bad we only had no more than 30 minutes). Don't let the appearance fool you, this museum has 3 floors and is connected to the museum facing it and the "The Castle" just to its right!

The Castle (the back part).

The Capitol

The Washington Monument and some of the Mall (walking/park area where just about all the Smithsonian museums are, as well as a few monuments and memorials).

The Reagan airport is really close.

I don't know what building this was, but I loved this hallway.

It was a lot of fun to play with this picture.

The old post office in DC (worthy of a capitol of a country, don't you think?).

In its original color.

Break with Monica (Day 2)

The wedding was on July 18 at 15:00 (3pm). It was nice; would've been nicer if I knew the couple a little better, but they and their families were very gracious. Many congratulations and blessings to Mariela and Edgar Ramirez!

In the car and ready to go.

Monica helping Mariela (the bride) with a few last details.

The inside of the church (stage).

The newlyweds.

Ok, now the groom is smiling.

The church the wedding took place.

Really? I know of Vienna, Austria and Vienna, Maryland; but I had no idea until a few days before that there was a Vienna, Virginia!

Now I miss (the original) Vienna . . .

Break with Monica (Day 1)

On July 17, my one of my best friends from Southern (Monica), flew up to DC to be at a friend's wedding the next day, tour DC for a few days, then return to Collegedale. We agreed to meet and take advantage of the opportunity to spend some time together (a break from our respective lives).

Monica flew into Ronald Reagan National Airport in DC. Her flight was delayed, so I explored the airport a bit. Of course, I did not explore empty-handed.

An overview of Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington DC.

I guess this helps to emphasize the "National" in Ronald Reagan National Airport.

One of the mosaic circles. This is 4 maps of Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware before they became states in the early 1700s. I'm excited to see the peninsula . . . you know, slightly biased.

Kinda funky. . . obviously got my attention.

A little interpretation on the 2nd level.

Another interpretation just inside from the courtyard.

The Original.

I went over to the older section of the airport and here was the old symbol for the airport on one of the gates.

A little museum/exhibition of the history of the airport and a nearby farm that used to be and the owners of that farm that was there.

Business with Pleasure

I thought I'd share my pictures from my trip to Silver Spring and Washington DC here; at least I have space and more flexibility here than I do on Facebook.

Anyway, I had my Visa Interview yesterday (July 6) at the Korean Consulate at 14:30. I also have a really good friend from Bogi who's working at the Ellen White Estate in the General Conference . . . haven't seen him since he arrived to this country . . . figured that needed to change.

So, he showed me around the GC, hung out together, drove me to the Consulate and waited with me, then visited a few of the monuments afterwards. It was nice being a tourist in my own country; especially with a friend. This was one of the best days I've had in a while.

The entrance to the GC . . . from the other side of the round-a-bout.

Yeap, that's the address.

I made it!

This was my first time driving out of Delmarva. I can navigate, just that 1st-time experiences can be really exciting and uncertain.

(I took a few pictures inside, but they didn't turn out as well as I thought. Better luck next time, hopefully).

How many ways can I interpret a ramp at the GC?

Reflecting pool

Walking up to the Lincoln Memorial.

Hey Stefan!

Playing with angles

Don't let the picture fool you; there were plenty of people there.

Close-up!

Playing with angles again.

From the Lincoln Memorial, looking East. It was about 100 degrees Fahrenheit that day; can't you tell by my face?

Timeless Atlantic

Well, I live by its coast . . .

Thank you again Stefan, for stitching my pictures together for this panoramic shot! (and editing while you were at it)

Curiosity got the best of me (referring to the editing).

The Pacific side

Most of the pool with the Pacific side

Washington always hovering over.

A photographer shoots out in front.

My best attempt to get the entire obelisk in 1 picture-no editing except for the black-and-white.

The work and help of Stefan and his photo-stitch program.

Under Washington's shadow (and breeze).

Jefferson Memorial

Western angle

Ladies and gentlemen, President Thomas Jefferson.

Wonder and awe, or observation and fatigue?

Well, I had a really great day and a good time. Sure, we drove around in circles for a bit (GPS didn't know of a few closed roads), I drove 5 hrs. just to get there and back, got home a little after midnight and didn't get to go to bed til a little after 1:30, but this day was totally worth it. I would love to do this again; just no idea when. We'll see.

Calling all Bookworms!

Hello, I hope there are some book-lovers out there.

My dad has been trying to get started and work as a full-time author for years. He hasn't had much success (if any), but he hasn't quit. He has written several works, mostly Christian Fiction. I just uploaded one of his books, Achor on a website called, "Authonomy". Anyone can upload their stories there and anyone can read others' stories there as well . . . as long as one has an account. If you do, or if you would like to, please go to authonomy.com and check out my dad's book, Achor.

If you need more persuading, here's a synopsis:

The writer Jack Silver is puzzled when he sees the archaeologist Dr. Hamilton covering up an area he just excavated.

Jack Silver is a writer who loves being with his family and studying archaeology. When the archaeologist Dr. Jay Hamilton writes to him, asking for his help in an upcoming dig, Jack is encouraged by his daughter, an aspiring archaeologist herself, and welcomes the opportunity.

Dr. Hamilton is aware of Jack’s insightful knowledge of all things biblical ever since they went to school together, and wants to hear his opinion on exactly what spot of the Valley of Achor the dig should be directed. During the meeting, Dr. Hamilton invites Jack Silver to join him on the excavation. With Dr. Hamilton’s permission, the Silver family decides to join him.

Dr. Hamilton is overly excited to start digging, even willing to risk breaking Israel’s sacred Sabbath laws. On Saturday night, an earthquake hits Israel; the epicenter being at the Valley of Achor. Jack knows Dr. Hamilton is there and goes to see if he is alright. Jack is baffled at seeing Dr. Hamilton covering the area he just excavated instead of digging further; what happened?

Please go and check it out!

Expected Shock

I don't know if anyone still checks this, but just wanted to use this space in order to ask you all if you could pray for my Cuban relatives (Dad's side of the family).

My grandmother, Dad's mother, died last night sometime after 19:00 (7pm). She had breast cancer for about a year. She fell as she was in the bathroom on Thursday evening, was unconscious, and was declared dead last night (Saturday night). She was 88.

Don't worry about me: I'm ok, as in the death didn't really hit me and we were expecting it 'cause of her cancer and age. Of all my grandparents, she was the one I had the most communication with; but it wasn't very much. Sure we wrote letters back and forth, but that was probably no more than 4 times a year . . . if that. (as far as my other grandparents are concerned; dad's father died before dad came to the States and met mom, mom's mother died about 8 years ago--I met her once and that's it--and mom never knew who her father was, so he's as good as dead). So yeah, that's how it is.

Dad seems to be ok (again, he was expecting it), but still; pray for him, his other siblings, and the rest of the family there, please.

Shew, first a brother-in-law on February 23, his wife on March 15, an uncle on June 5, and now his mother last night (June 19). . . and he found out about his mother this morning: on Father's Day . . .

. . . Jesus is coming soon.

New Move

It's quiet.

Too quiet.

Something is missing.

The apartment feels emptier.

Today is a major day in my family (oh, and I was baptised 14 years ago today, but that has nothing to do with what I want to say). Julia has begun to go under the care of Dove Pointe (an organization in Salisbury, MD; dedicated to provide quality services to citizens with disabilities in the area).

I took her to her 1st (official) day in their Vocational Day services. She never liked going there, but after a while, she was ok. She had already spent some time there before.

As she was there, two men from Dove Pointe's maintenance group came by to help move Julia's furniture to her new home. I also bought some stuff that Julia would need for her "new place." We set the furniture up in her room and everything was put in its place. Now, may the time of adjustment begin. . .

Wow.

That is all I can say.

After 4 months of caring for Julia (basically on my own), it's over.

The room Julia and I shared now has only 1 bed and what feels like a ton of space. My clothes are all that's in our closet. Instead of her random vocal sounds and her occasional slaps, silence has taken control.

I'm not listening to see what Julia is doing. I'm not going to listen to any more claps (signal that Julia is done using the toilet and needs to be wiped). Julia is not going to come up to me anymore, "asking" me to give her a bowl of Fruit Loops (her favorite cereal). I'm not going to bathe her tonight; not for a long time, if ever again.

The feeling is surreal.

Yes, I have been away from my family many times; but my family has never been separated: at least not like this. I was in college, dad was on the road, and mom and Julia were at home. Now, mom is dead, dad is still on the road, I'm in our rented shelter (it ceased to be Home a long time ago), and Julia is in her new home. . . sheesh. I never minded being away from home, but that's because I had a home to return to. All I have now are family members scattered to the four winds. Wow, what a situation.

But you know what? God is still very good--at least we're all still alive. As long as there is life, there is hope.