The Value of Family

First off, I would like to apologize for my little blogging hiatus. I really needed to back away for a couple weeks for two reasons.

1 - I really needed to just catch my breath. It has been such a blessing to be able to spend a couple of weeks away from school to kinda of get my bearings. I have been using this to work on relationships that are very important to me.

2 - I cared too much about the wrong things. If you have a blog, then you most likely have an analytic as well. Analytic tell you how many people have visited your site on a daily basis and much more. The second I started caring how many people have visited my site, and was getting upset when too little did, I knew I had to take a break. I want blogging to be something that I enjoy, and a place where I can be real with people everywhere... so there you go. Moving on...

Throughout my blogging break I have learned something really incredible, if you haven't guessed it yet, it was the value of family. Throughout my last couple of months of busyness, I have managed to accidentally ignore some of the people that are most important to me, my family. We all fall trap to this so easily! I hold such a high value in family, and have absolutely taken advantage of the fact that they will always be there for me. Throughout my break I have spent some great times playing board games with many cousins, aunts and uncles. I have spend a couple of hours playing some music with an incredible cousin. I have just spent an incredible night dining with my uncle and my grandparents that are even my neighbors! The conversations are amazing with the people who know where you have come from. I really hope that as I go into a new semester I remember the people that are truly important in my life. I love them very much, and I always will...

Being Followed By Death.

As if it wasn't already enough to swallow the death at my hockey game, a friend of mine, Mike Skinner or "Ski" was killed this morning in a deadly automobile accident. It was a hard thing to accept, it was shocking. He was one of the most loving, kind, and fun people to be around. There is one difference that set his death apart from many others that I have experienced.

Death is completely different when Jesus Christ is in the picture.

Accepting death, and mourning death are very difficult things to do. But I was absolutely in awe of what people have been saying about Mike's death. I was on his facebook today, and everyone had been leaving him little "goodbye" notes. There is a common theme that I have found. Sure, people are hurt, and people are shocked. But these Christians are also happy deep down that this incredible guy is finally reunited with his loving and perfect father. He is the luckiest guy to be rid of pain. It is going to be very hard for his family and his many, many friends. But when God is the center of everything you do... even a tragedy can be a time of celebration. Under interest on Mike's Facebook... the number one thing... Jesus.

R.I.P Michael Skinner March 26, 1986 - December 16, 2008

To give you a small example of what death can be like in the eyes of people who know what comes next, I want to share a couple of the posts on Mike's facebook from today. This is absolutely incredible... this is what sets us apart:

--- Hey Mike,When I first heard I couldn't believe it and sometimes I still can't. It's upsetting and you are missed already. So yes I'm going to send this comment bcuz u will probably see all of our messages in heaven. Make sure you check your facebook when you get to your mansion :) (lol). One thing I know is that we must stay positive about your ... absence here on earth. I know you are so much at peace where you are. I guess you were just so great that God wanted you right next to him. :) You are such a genuine and sweet-spirited person and I'm so happy to have met you. You were a blessing to so many people and definitely loved by Eastern University. Tell God I said wasup ;)

--- you were such a blessing to us all, mike. you had a heart for the lord and a passion for people. may we use your life as an example of what it means to be like christ. we'll see you soon ♥

--- Even though its mad hard for us to understand and we're so sad, I can still smile, because I know you're buggin out right now--in the presence of the Lord. Thank you for everything. I'm sure I didnt express to you how much I appreciated you. I am honored to know as a friend, co-worker, and brother. I hope one day to show half as much joy and pure ... Read Moreacceptance to others as you did. love you and cant wait to see your crazy smile again. If its that bright on earth, cant even imagine what Ill be lookin at in heaven . . .

--- Rest In Peace, my friend. Make those angels laugh like you made us laugh. See you in a while...

A big win and a bigger Loss...

Just got this picture from the Pottstown Rink's Website. It was a great season with these guys, but our next season started off real rough. On my teams first game, a guy on the other team had a heart attack on the rink, and died on the spot. It really brings everything into perspective. So many times we think we're invincible. And to top it off we sweat the small stuff so much... until something like this happens. You'd be surprised how something like that can do one of two things. It can really bring a team together, or it could really tear one apart. I hope it does the first of the two...

Traveling the World, Right at Home...

Sorry about the little blog break friends, I have been studying for finals, doing papers and taking tests for about two weeks now, I am finally free!

Anywho, tonight was a very interesting night. Melissa's birthday was on Tuesday, so I decided to wait until tonight to take her out so that we don't have to deal with school.

Melissa and I both want to see the world very badly, but I thought hey, since I don't have a couple of thousand dollars to go see other countries, I will bring the countries a little closer! I got a tip off from a friend about a very cool restaurant. It consisted of traditional Moroccan cuisine! The restaurant was called Marrakesh, and it was amazing.

First off, the restaurant is hidden in a small little alley way in Philadelphia. To get into the restaurant, you go to this little door in the alley and knock on it, someone comes a minute later to let you in.

As soon as you go in, a guy dressed like Aladdan (cap and all) shows you to your table. Your table is actually a cushion type deal with a ton of pillows.

You eat off this one giant tray/plate. Before the meal, they come to your table and wash your hands by pouring hot water over them and catching it in a pale. It was quite the dining experience, here are a few other things I really enjoyed.

1 - A SEVEN course meal. Yes you heard me right, seven. We had plate, after plate, after plate; followed up by the best dessert I have EVER had... incredible! It gave Meliss and I SEVERAL hours to chat over dinner.

2 - Belly dancer! Of course I could not really thoroughly enjoy the belly dancer because she was a little under dressed, but the thought of the custom was really neat! I have never seen a traditional belly dancer before!

3 - Community. It was a very tight, homey room that we ate in. We were very close to other people eating, and had the opportunity to chat with several of them throughout the meal! It was pretty cool.
4 - Music. They played some traditional Moroccan music in the place, it was really different, but very cool!

People generally have no idea what other places in the world are like. We have some kind of ignorance or even intolerance for people we don't understand. I really enjoyed seeing what different customs are like in a country that I hope to visit someday! I recommend this place to anyone. It's not that expensive either. 5 STARS!

My First Championship!

Tuesday was an awesome night. My hockey team won the championship series! I have never won a championship of anything, so this was pretty cool! To even top it off, I even got some cool battle scars.

As I was going for the puck, I got tripped, a stick then hit me in the face, and then I got kicked in the face with skates. It was pretty intense. I just want to say, the tough guy I am, got right back up. I then proceeded to look for my gloves and stick that all flung when I went down! It left some pretty serious markage and swellage right next to my eye though.

I want to share with you a dialogue that I had with my dad. We have kind of a different relationship than many fathers and sons. We don't speak through hugs or anything like that. We have conversations that are a little more like this one that show the relationship pretty well...

Sal: What happened to your face.

Me: I got drop-kicked in the face with skates and a stick.

Sal: Now that's what I call a hockey player.

Me: That's what I'm talking about!

I also want to thank my beautiful girlfriend for coming to a bunch of my games, including my championship. Just like that Edwin Mccain song, she's my biggest fan, and I am hers!