Growing & Changing
September 25, 2009 | Filed Under Architecture, Family | Leave a Comment
A bit of an update. Our family is getting more comfortable here in Nebraska. It feels like Fall now, and we’re glad about that. It is our favorite time of year here. It means pumpkin hunting and corn mazes are just around the corner. I like it best when our little family is trekking out to some obscure town surrounded by corn fields, eating at local diners and exploring oddities. In my view, Autumn and Spring are the best seasons in the midwest.
Well, Kuei is acting as chauffeur now as she drives around town, dropping everyone off for school and juggling all of the most important things on the homefront. She has helped me so much this semester, simply by being so flexible and supportive. I’m busy in studio most days (and nights) studying for a mechanical engineering class or working on my latest project. It is a challenge and I hope I can keep up with it all. Architecture is becoming so immersive in the way I think and rethink everything around me now. It can be distracting at times, though. For instance, simply glancing at a building used to be a random thing. But now everything has punctuated my thinking, to the point where I find myself immediately drifting into thoughts on structure or form or historical context. It really is a way of life that permeates everything. Becoming an architect is insane though. It’s pushing me mentally and physically. It’s taken its toll, but I’m still hanging in there. Imagine taking the classes Engineers have to take. Then you’re expected to learn everything you need to be a good artist. And everything necessary in construction. That’s an architect. A crazy hybrid of all these analytical and creative specialities. My last project fell pretty short because I just couldn’t get it all done in time. I hoping I can still come out strong with my finals though.
We are celebrating Brighton’s birthday this weekend, because midweek birthdays are tough to work with now. He started cub scouts and is fast becoming a young man. Keane is as talkative as ever, completely unreasonable as a two-year-old, and is a constant test of the art of negotiation. They are really great though. Things are progressing on every front.
Zoom
September 30, 2008 | Filed Under Family | 5 Comments
Last week we took a trip to Champions Fun Center, in Lincoln. We are still getting used to the area, so we don’t know exactly where the best or most family friendly places are located yet, but we had a good time. We went there for one reason: go carts. The place is a bit pricey, but it was a once-in-a-while kind of thing. We also checked out the batting cages. More pics here.
Happy Birthday Brighton!
September 30, 2008 | Filed Under Brighton, Family | 4 Comments
It’s that time again. Guess who had another birthday? And it’s a pretty big deal, this particular milestone. On September 22, Brighton turned a whopping 8 years! Did you read that correctly? I know I typed it correctly. Eight-years-old. He’s practically moving out! Just kidding. But pretty soon he’ll be in double digits. Then he’ll be a teenager. And I’m sure Kuei and I will freak out about that too. It’s blowing my mind. My first born son is going to be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints soon too! (likely a week or so after General Conference). Wow. The fact is, my “little man” is really turning into a little man. Age of accountability. This is huge.
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Brighton has a big heart. He’s very open and accepting of others. He’s a funny and curious kid with many talents. He’s our first child. We started our family earlier than most. But looking back, I can see how much Brighton has blessed my life. I am very proud to be his Dad.
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We celebrated on Saturday, and went to a park with Grandma & Grandpa. Brighton invited a friend he goes to school with, who lives nearby. We ate cake and hit a Piñata. We opened gifts. Brighton got his first skateboard and is learning very quickly how to use it. I am surprised how easily he has taken to it. (I had my first board around 9 or so and was really into skateboarding for a few years).
Enjoy these pictures. More birthday pictures here.
Space is Good
September 29, 2008 | Filed Under Simplify, Church, Family | Leave a Comment
Maybe I’m just getting older. Or maybe it’s the fact that my family is everything to me. It could be that the state of the world is in shambles, and when I’m walking in an open field or swimming in the ocean, life feels more whole, untouched, and genuine. Whatever it is, I think there’s something to this “open space” thing. Be it land or water. I really like the room, you know? And all those “rural people,” are starting to look a lot wiser than I used to give them credit for, when growing up in Missouri. (I still don’t like the music too much, but there are exceptions. Less twang, less steel guitar…but I digress…)
I’m very comfortable in an urban environment. I crave it sometimes. And when that happens, it’s a good time to go to Taipei or Tokyo or some dense, fluid, concrete-and-glass jungle. That is awesome. And makes for great inspiration as a designer, musician, etc. Some of the best creative juices flow when I’m listening to electronica and hitting the streets in some downtown megapolis. I used to think that’s where I wanted to live, to really live. When I was a teenager and before I was married mind you. Funny how perspectives can be altered huh? I love cities. Gritty, pulsing, strange cities. A good place to visit. But to live? Have a family? When it comes time to think about elementary schools and your kids’ quality of life? I’m leaning more to small and cozy with a lot of space. But I’m a very modern person…so this is something I am going to have to work with. I’m liking the space. And eventually we will get some land of our own.
We had a good experience the other day. One cool thing about living in the midwest is that there are members in the Church that have land with gardens, etc. Well, one Sister M. was generously allowing others in the ward to come and get a couple bushels of apples from her orchard. So after classes and dinner, we jumped into the car and went on over. Sister M. also provided us with a couple wagons, while we were there, so we could pull Keane and the box of apples. Brighton got to touch some very large and colorful goldfish too. And Kuei saw a patch of soybean plants for the first time. Then we all took a stroll about their property while the sun was setting. It was very peaceful, and a great way to end the day. A little walk among the grasslands. (The sky is bigger out here, by the way). It was a good FHE, check it out.
Skyped
July 18, 2008 | Filed Under Skype, Friends, Family | Leave a Comment
Hey friends and family, we’ve been busy getting settled here in Nebraska. But we have Skype, (and are much cooler now). If you are already part of the Skype world, and want to add us to your contact list, send us an email (that means you, Joe).