visual storytelling

im back on the rock in the middle of the pacific ocean called the Big Island... also known as, Hawaii. its great being back and back to my "normal" dark brown color... and this quarter, im a student in a 3 month course called the School of Illustration. What is that you ask? Well let me tell you what i learned the first day (since i myself didn't really know what it was all about)... we like to call it... "visual storytelling." illustration is used in marketing, chilldrens books, etc. to communicate a 'story' or subject. i'll tell you this much, its a lot different not working on my computer everyday, and instead, the pencil and eraser are my new best friends... heres some work that i did in the last 2 weeks. we already got our stuff made into greeting cards and me and my classmates sold some of our art already. to be honest, i didn't know i had THIS art in me. but here it is...ta-da...


"Breakfast with God"... our first project using pencil. our topic was to illustrate how we spend our mornings with God. here i am, with my empty bowl, ready to get "spiritually fed"...

'twas the night before...

'twas the night before... no, not christmas... but the night before i left for kona after being back in california for almost 2 months. it always comes down to prioritizing spending time with friends or packing my bags... i still haven't figured it out. so why not have everyone come over WHILE i pack? thats kinda what happened and i didnt mind. i'll never say no to comparing guts (ahemmm...hi hipol boys) and looking through old fotos with friends i grew up... i must say that i enjoyed my relaxing and refreshing time at home, especially for the holidays... but of course, the journey must go on...

golden yellow leaves

during this time of year, some people get snow... some people get sun.... what do i get?! beautiful golden yellow leaves up and down my street in san jose... ive never enjoyed turning into my street as much as i have these past few weeks. as i stared at these leaves from my window, there came joy and sadness as i knew that these leaves wouldn't look like this forever. in a matter of a few days, the wind and rain would strip these trees from its intense color and beauty... but i also knew that it would bring a new season...ive realized that in my life and through the "transitions" we face, God has a divine purpose and plan for the times before and after the 'golden yellow leaves' are present. theres times we can feel stripped from all that we know and all that were comfortable with, and it can be tough, but next thing you know, the new season is there and it'll bring beauty that we haven't ever thought to imagine.

the center of the universe

so our friends tiff and ryan from ywam maui, just had a baby...jericho levi is his name. the cutest little baby "in the whole world" (that ones for you tiff!)... so me and my friend jon took the greyhound... yes, the greyhound... which by the way was what we like to call a "cultural experience."... at least it was for me! but the 9 hour bus ride was all worth it once we got to medford, oregon... it was like a ywam maui reunion and i got to see some old friends from my DTS and the Studio. it was good times hearing the guys jam out once again and see what their lives outside the ywam bubble really looked like. i must say it was kinda weird... but good. :) but i'll tell ya, these medfordites are something. i love you guys and thanks for the good times in the center of the universe called medford....

change is good.

yup. thats me at three... or two...:) but anyway... im back home in san jose california and its good to be back to be with my family for the holidays and to catch up with good friends here. i'll be here though christmas but time is already going by so quickly... im reminded everytime i come home that change is always happening. friends getting engaged, people moving, and of course, realizing that the kids i use to teach during VBS are now leading worship at youth group... its scary but eh, change is good.

its a small world

its as cliche as it gets... but its the best way i could describe this ywam journey of mine. but i've come to the end of yet, another chapter of my life. i've spent the last 7 months in townsville, Australia at the ywam base (Reef to Outback- look at all those beautiful people) doing the 3 month school of digital communications and then doing the internship in communications. i loved what i learned on the techny design side of it all and i loved what i was able to impart to that ywam base during the internship. i've never been so inspired to co-create with God in this area and i know full on that this is where He is calling me... i know i've just seen the tip of the iceburg and i believe the door to Australia and my ministry there isn't over just yet. theres some plans for the coming year that i've been really praying into and i'll share more when things are confirmed... but as of right now, i know this. "many are the plans in a mans heart but its the Lords purpose that prevails."... its a theme of my life so i know nothing else but to trust in Him... but i must say, in the "meantime" im going to miss my RTO family for sure. i've come across some amazing people that now have a piece of my heart. i give them the best star jump ever. it was bitter sweet leaving, but i wipe those tears away and i want you to sing along with me now... "its a small world after all... its a small small world." i'll see you mates again one day...