Say It With Me - 'Liquefaction'!

One thing (among many) that I learned from this last earthquake in Christchurch - soil liquefaction.  You gotta admit, that's a pretty cool sounding word - it just rolls off your tongue and makes you sound so intelligent!  Actually I am sure I learned it about 20 years ago in one of my soil engineering classes in Uni - but come on, how much of what we learned in school actually sticks with us (especially 2 decades later)!?!

Anyways, here's a link to the explanation of what soil liquefaction is (come on, say it with me, you know you want to - liquefaction) - click here.  Basically it is the ground turning liquid or semi-liquid because of the shaking of the earth - kinda like quicksand.

And here are a few photos of the results of liquefaction in Christchurch (here's another chance to say it - liquefaction)...











PS - photos came from various sources in Google Images

PPS - Pray for the people who are dealing with liquefaction and its destructive powers.  :-(

Bloody Hands

Have you ever had someone's blood on your hands?  I don't mean figuratively.  But literally? Take a look at the foto - that is someone else's blood drying on my hands!

Sunday afternoon, I was out for a run, had my headphones on and just cruising. When I'm jogging, I kinda tune out everything else except for my running music (Redman, Tomlin, Mainstay, Jeremy Camp, etc) - I don't notice nor acknowledge much unless it is to nod hello to another runner, or unless there is an emergency.

Well, that afternoon, there was such an 'emergency'.  As I was just getting into the run, I notice a car slam on its brakes right in the middle of the street.  The driver then jumps out shouting and waving his arms.  I couldn't quite make out what he was yelling about - my my earphones were still in.  At this point, I started thinking - ok, is this a drive-by shooting?!?!  Is there gonna be another car cruising by with a guy hanging out the passenger window with an Uzi - I seriously was ready to dive behind parked cars! (Ok, maybe one too many James Bond movie).

But there were no other cars on the street that lazy Sunday afternoon and the driver was gesturing wildly at the back seat of his car and still yelling.  My next thought - ok, his wife is having a baby!  And he wants me to deliver his baby!?!  (I seriously was thinking of Will Smith in Men In Black, when he had to deliver the alien baby - ok, I really gotta cut back on the movies!).   Anyways, the driver was still yelling frantically - at another person on the sidewalk ahead of me.  This person looks at the man, looks at the car in the middle of the street and keeps on walking!  So now, I am just about abreast of the car and the driver turns to me and yells - 'hey mate, help me mate, help me!'  He had a weird wild look on his face, so being the kind of guy I am (weird and wild), I hurried out into the street and up to the car, taking my earphones out.  That was when I heard and saw that there were two dogs in the back seat killing each other - literally!  Somehow, they both had each other by the neck under the chin, right where the jugular would be - their jaws were locked and they were growling.

And then I noticed all the blood - not from the dogs, but from the driver - a young man in his early twentys.  He obviously was driving along when the dogs began to fight in the back seat and he most likely reached back and tried to stop them and got a nasty bite on his forearm, and it was bleeding pretty badly, dripping blood all over the car, the dogs' heads and the street as he's waving the bloody arm about.  But he was still yelling frantically for me to help him break up the dogfight.  So he starts kneeling on one of the dogs, pounding it with his fist (not hard, but enough to try to get it to loosen its jaw).  All the while yelling at me to grab the other dog and pull him out of the car.  Yeah, right - with him bleeding from that nasty bite!

But I wasn't thinking - I was just riding high on adrenaline and jumped into the back seat and grabbed the other dog by the back of the neck with both hands and yanked as hard as I could, putting all my weight behind it.  But the dog wasn't letting go.  So we tried it a second time - the young man pounding on his dog and and yelling at it and me yanking with all my might (which isn't much normally, but hey, adrenaline does somethin' to ya) and yelling at my dog to stop!  And lo and behold, the dogs separated!  I yanked my dog out of the car, still holding him by the scruff of the neck, still pumped on adrenaline.  That was when I noticed what kind of dog it was - some kind of boxer mix, not pure-bred, but it had the muscular shoulders and jaws.  And that was when my knees went a little weak and it hit me that I could've been bitten pretty badly if this dog decided to turn on me, there in the back seat of some guy's car.

In any case, the guy yells at me, 'thanks mate'.  I yell back at him (remember - adrenaline - normal volume wasn't an option) - 'hey man, you gotta get that bleeding arm taken care of!  I'll drive you to the emergency room!'  He yells back 'no, thanks mate, I'll take care of it!'  I yell again 'let's go to the hospital!'  He yells 'thanks mate' then picks up the boxer, literally chucks the dog into the trunk/boot, slams it close, slams the back doors close, gets behind the wheel and screeches off down the street at breakneck speed.  And leaves me standing in the middle of the street, with my earphones laying on the ground and with his blood drying on my hands.  Suffice it to say - that was NOT my normal Sunday afternoon run.

International Talk Like A Pirate Day

Well, it's here again.  Tomorrow, the 19th of Sept is International Talk Like A Pirate Day.  In honor of this day, here are a few things you can do to take part.  Enjoy!

• Translate any webpage into pirate speak at Translate-Pirate.  It's hilarious.  I translated our PhamilyNews blog and had a read and was cracking up so much I almost peed my pants!

• Facebook - those of you on FB can change your language to pirate english.  Login and then go to your account settings > language > choose english (pirate) in the list (it's near the middle/bottom, after all the more 'official' languages).

• Google is getting into the fun - check out their pirate language search page - Google search page in pirate

• And of course, you can go to the official Talk Like A Pirate website and get the latest.  They also have a Pirate-English dictionary that will help you understand your pirate friends.  Here's an excerpt...

Ahoy! - "Hello!"

Avast! - Stop and give attention. It can be used in a sense of surprise, "Whoa! Get a load of that!" which today makes it more of a "Check it out" or "No way!" or "Get off!"

Aye! - "Why yes, I agree most heartily with everything you just said or did."

Aye aye! - "I'll get right on that sir, as soon as my break is over."

Arrr! - This one is often confused with arrrgh, which is of course the sound you make when you sit on a belaying pin. "Arrr!" can mean, variously, "yes," "I agree," "I'm happy," "I'm enjoying this beer," "My team is going to win it all," "I saw that television show, it sucked!" and "That was a clever remark you or I just made." And those are just a few of the myriad possibilities of Arrr!

So there you are, take some time and enjoy the day.  And git yer pirattitude on!

What Do You Wanna Be When You Grow Up?!

Some random things our kids said at the dinner table last night. Out of the mouth of babes...

Jesaiah - 'I wanna be a paleontologist when I grow up. Then I can travel all over the world and look for old things and draw them. And when I am done for the day, then I can be a missionary in that country.'

Taliah - 'I wanna be an author when I grow up, because I like to write and I can make up good stories.'

Zachy - 'I wanna be a worker and build things like Daddy and be a pastor and teach people who don't know Jesus.'

Dariah - 'When I grow up, I wanna play pink drums and be a spy. A good spy.'

So what do you wanna be when you grow up? I am still trying to figure out that question. I guess it helps if I would/could grow up, huh? Maybe in a few years or so. Or maybe never. ;-)

What Do You Wanna Be When You Grow Up?!

Some random things our kids said at the dinner table last night. Out of the mouth of babes...

Jesaiah - 'I wanna be a paleontologist when I grow up. Then I can travel all over the world and look for old things and draw them. And when I am done for the day, then I can be a missionary in that country.'

Taliah - 'I wanna be an author when I grow up, because I like to write and I can make up good stories.'

Zachy - 'I wanna be a worker and build things like Daddy and be a pastor and teach people who don't know Jesus.'

Dariah - 'When I grow up, I wanna play pink drums and be a spy. A good spy.'

So what do you wanna be when you grow up? I am still trying to figure out that question. I guess it helps if I would/could grow up, huh? Maybe in a few years or so. Or maybe never. ;-)

Happy Turkey Day to All!

Just wanted to say thanks to family and friends - you are a blessing to us in your own unique way! Have an awesome Thanksgiving and enjoy time with your family and friends. Here's a foto of our turkey. Notice the pearly whites and great smile. ;-)

Happy Turkey Day to All!

Just wanted to say thanks to family and friends - you are a blessing to us in your own unique way! Have an awesome Thanksgiving and enjoy time with your family and friends. Here's a foto of our turkey. Notice the pearly whites and great smile. ;-)

Happy Belated Veterans Day

(click on images to enlarge)

Thanks to all the veterans who have served in the various wars. Thank you for standing up for me. As one of the 'boat people' from Vietnam, I am very grateful for the soldiers who fought in Vietnam. To be honest, without them I (and my family) most likely will still be back in communist Vietnam. So thanks!

This past week on Veteran's Day we went to the local Murrieta Vet's Day parade. One of the exhibits that caught my attention was the Field of Honor. This is a field next to the Murrieta public library that was decorated with 1200 US flags. Each flag was in honor of a regional veteran. It was a moving display. Again, thanks to all vets.

Here are a few fotos of the Field of Honor...

Happy Belated Veterans Day

(click on images to enlarge)

Thanks to all the veterans who have served in the various wars. Thank you for standing up for me. As one of the 'boat people' from Vietnam, I am very grateful for the soldiers who fought in Vietnam. To be honest, without them I (and my family) most likely will still be back in communist Vietnam. So thanks!

This past week on Veteran's Day we went to the local Murrieta Vet's Day parade. One of the exhibits that caught my attention was the Field of Honor. This is a field next to the Murrieta public library that was decorated with 1200 US flags. Each flag was in honor of a regional veteran. It was a moving display. Again, thanks to all vets.

Here are a few fotos of the Field of Honor...

Jury Duty is Over...For the Next 12 Months

Well, just to let you know, I finished jury duty this week. All in all I have to say it was a very interesting process (don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I would do it again anytime soon). I did get a chance to see part of the judicial process and I did learn a lot about legal terms. There were about 160 of us potential jurors the first day. That was whittled down to about 60 by the next 2 days. Then from those, 18 were picked as prospective jurors and questioned by the judge and lawyers (with the rest of us still sitting in with them and listening).

After this, the lawyers on both sides started excusing some of these prospective jurors, based upon the answers they gave or sometimes just on a gut feeling. So that reduced that group of 18 down to about 9 or so. So another 12 were picked from the larger group of 60 (well, minus the 18 already picked or excused) and questioned. So from this second 12, the lawyers picked enough to get 12 jurors and 2 alternate jurors. Technically there should be 3 alternates, but the judge had mercy on the rest of us and dismissed the rest of us. Otherwise another 12 would have been picked from those of us remaining, and from these 12 1 alternate would have been picked. Whew! All in all a very interesting week. Now it makes me want to read 'Twelve Angry Men' again. I read it back in high school for AP English and liked it. I think we even watched the old movie.

Oh by the way, for those who have been dying to know - I can talk about the charges now that I am not on the jury. It was 4 counts of alleged rape by a police officer in this county - some of the alleged victims are prostitutes. Very serious charges, hence the care in picking the right jurors.

Now it's Becks' turn at jury duty - she has been called.

Jury Duty is Over...For the Next 12 Months

Well, just to let you know, I finished jury duty this week. All in all I have to say it was a very interesting process (don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I would do it again anytime soon). I did get a chance to see part of the judicial process and I did learn a lot about legal terms. There were about 160 of us potential jurors the first day. That was whittled down to about 60 by the next 2 days. Then from those, 18 were picked as prospective jurors and questioned by the judge and lawyers (with the rest of us still sitting in with them and listening).

After this, the lawyers on both sides started excusing some of these prospective jurors, based upon the answers they gave or sometimes just on a gut feeling. So that reduced that group of 18 down to about 9 or so. So another 12 were picked from the larger group of 60 (well, minus the 18 already picked or excused) and questioned. So from this second 12, the lawyers picked enough to get 12 jurors and 2 alternate jurors. Technically there should be 3 alternates, but the judge had mercy on the rest of us and dismissed the rest of us. Otherwise another 12 would have been picked from those of us remaining, and from these 12 1 alternate would have been picked. Whew! All in all a very interesting week. Now it makes me want to read 'Twelve Angry Men' again. I read it back in high school for AP English and liked it. I think we even watched the old movie.

Oh by the way, for those who have been dying to know - I can talk about the charges now that I am not on the jury. It was 4 counts of alleged rape by a police officer in this county - some of the alleged victims are prostitutes. Very serious charges, hence the care in picking the right jurors.

Now it's Becks' turn at jury duty - she has been called.

Back in SoCal

Hi all, we are back from Germany now and trying to get settled in to life here. And yes, we are trying to get over the jetlag - the kids start dropping off at around 5-6 PM (mostly because they wake up at 4-5 AM!!).

We will try to post more fotos and testimonies about the trip - it was a total blessing! It was soooo good to see good friends again, some we have known for almost 12-13 years now. Thanks to all who prayed for us during the trip. And thanks especially to the Romings who opened their home for us to stay the whole 2 and a half weeks - 4 adults and 9 kids (all under 10 years old) all in one house. And nary a problem! Wow, what a miracle!

I am scheduled for jury duty all of next week. And Becks is scheduled for jury duty all of the week after that. Welcome back to SoCal! Life never is dull, is it? I am kinda excited - never done jury duty before. We have been called before several times, but were living in Germany at the time so got out of it (but imagine the travel cost they would have had to reimburse us for if they insisted we show up!).

Anyways, we'll post more soon...

Back in SoCal

Hi all, we are back from Germany now and trying to get settled in to life here. And yes, we are trying to get over the jetlag - the kids start dropping off at around 5-6 PM (mostly because they wake up at 4-5 AM!!).

We will try to post more fotos and testimonies about the trip - it was a total blessing! It was soooo good to see good friends again, some we have known for almost 12-13 years now. Thanks to all who prayed for us during the trip. And thanks especially to the Romings who opened their home for us to stay the whole 2 and a half weeks - 4 adults and 9 kids (all under 10 years old) all in one house. And nary a problem! Wow, what a miracle!

I am scheduled for jury duty all of next week. And Becks is scheduled for jury duty all of the week after that. Welcome back to SoCal! Life never is dull, is it? I am kinda excited - never done jury duty before. We have been called before several times, but were living in Germany at the time so got out of it (but imagine the travel cost they would have had to reimburse us for if they insisted we show up!).

Anyways, we'll post more soon...

Girls Found!

Well, the missing girls have been found! I have no details other than that they are found. The prelimenary report seems to be that they 'had ran away'. They were gone for almost a week. Continue to pray for them and their family and friends as they deal with this situation. And thanks for praying!

Girls Found!

Well, the missing girls have been found! I have no details other than that they are found. The prelimenary report seems to be that they 'had ran away'. They were gone for almost a week. Continue to pray for them and their family and friends as they deal with this situation. And thanks for praying!

Missing Girls

Hi all, please pray for these girls, their families and friends. They have been missing since Friday, Aug 21. One of the girls (or maybe both, I am not so sure) goes / went to the Calvary Murrieta Christian school. It is hard to believe that this can happen in a place such as Murrieta/Temecula. But I guess nowhere is really safe anymore.

If you see anything, hear anything, know anything, please contact the Riverside County Sheriff's Dept. The contact number is on the flyer - click the foto to enlarge it. And please pray and post this to your fb, blog, website, etc. Time is of the utmost essence in such cases.

Missing Girls

Hi all, please pray for these girls, their families and friends. They have been missing since Friday, Aug 21. One of the girls (or maybe both, I am not so sure) goes / went to the Calvary Murrieta Christian school. It is hard to believe that this can happen in a place such as Murrieta/Temecula. But I guess nowhere is really safe anymore.

If you see anything, hear anything, know anything, please contact the Riverside County Sheriff's Dept. The contact number is on the flyer - click the foto to enlarge it. And please pray and post this to your fb, blog, website, etc. Time is of the utmost essence in such cases.

No Criminal Record

Well, the long wait is over. The results from the FBI background check came in the mail while we were on our road-trip. And the outcome? NO CRIMINAL RECORD. Now that the anxiety and apprehension is over, it 's kind of anti-climatic. I was kinda hoping to have at least SOMETHING on my rap sheet to post about. But boring as I am, I have no criminal record. Well, let me put it this way - I have no criminal record that the FBI knows about. Now, it doesn't mean that I DIDN'T participate in any criminal activity - it just means I wasn't caught! And it doesn't mean I am not a horrible sinner! Just one saved by grace. ;-)

No Criminal Record

Well, the long wait is over. The results from the FBI background check came in the mail while we were on our road-trip. And the outcome? NO CRIMINAL RECORD. Now that the anxiety and apprehension is over, it 's kind of anti-climatic. I was kinda hoping to have at least SOMETHING on my rap sheet to post about. But boring as I am, I have no criminal record. Well, let me put it this way - I have no criminal record that the FBI knows about. Now, it doesn't mean that I DIDN'T participate in any criminal activity - it just means I wasn't caught! And it doesn't mean I am not a horrible sinner! Just one saved by grace. ;-)

FBI Background Check!?!

As part of our visa application for New Zealand, we have to have a police background check done for both me and Becks. Never having had this done before, nor ever having the need for it, I had no idea what that meant. I researched it, and found out that it is actually done through the FBI - yes, that's right, we're talking about the Federal Bureau of Investigation! When I think of the FBI, I think of crime-fighting agents who go after mobsters, gangsters; I think of the Witness Protection Program. I think of 'America's Most Wanted' and of weird creepy aliens (i.e. X-Files). The word 'missionary' doesn't quite come to mind when I think of the criminals that the FBI goes after!

So to have them do a background check on me was kinda unnerving. I spent a whole night thinking - ok, what have I done in my past? Was there anything that I did before I became a Christian that might show up on a background check? Have to admit, I didn't get much sleep that night! Not that I could remember anything, but just the fact that they're checking my background!

Anyways, we had to go to the local police station (a first for us - never been inside a police station) and get our fingerprints taken (also, a first). I have to admit I was a bit nervous - I kept thinking the whole time that I would look up on their bulletin board and see my mugshot and the words 'WANTED' stamped in red across my forehead. Alas, that wasn't the case, thank God!

So now the fingerprints are taken, have been sent to the FBI and now we wait. Oh how I hate waiting, especially for something like this....

PS - all info from our fingerprint foto above has been removed, and the prints themselves have been blurred. To protect the identity of the innocent. ;-)