UPDATE: My Sister's Lung

First, I want to thank everyone who has prayed, sent kind words or even stopped by to visit my sister in these past months. It means a lot to all of us. Friends and family are important in times of difficulty that we all must face. You can't truly value life without the pain, the loss or confusion, but you don't have to live it alone. I hope that I can offer the same support that you have given me. Thank you.

The update to keep it simple is that my sister has been in the hospital for the past week. Her right long had collapsed and turns out their is a slight tear in the outer pocket that is leaking air so it won't stay up by itself. She is having surgery on Thursday to repair the damage and test some other things concerning the TS. My mother sent out this email, so I am posting it here.

Aliya has been doing very well and this is a minor set back in her recovery. She was supposed to be going back to work this week and I know she is tired of being bedridden. It's not something that she wants but it needs to be done. I'm learning more about true strength. Our bodies are wonderfully made but truly fragile, so we're in God's hands now. Thank you.

- Peace


_____________________________

Hello Everyone,

We met with the surgeon today and he is planning to do the surgery on Thursday morning. The plan is to close the hole that is leaking, possibly do a biopsy to check for disease, and depending on if there are more problem areas that may leak he will do a procedure to prevent future leaks. They will not have to open her up for the surgery; instead they will make three holes – front, side, and back. He said that for women especially chest surgery can be painful, and he wanted her to be aware of that. She will spend one day in ICU and then move to a regular room until the drainage from the chest tube clears up. Hopefully, that will be within five days. Lots of visitors is probably not good right now, but lots of prayer is definitely appreciated. Please pray specifically for the following things:

* Surgery is successful and they are able to find and close up the hole
* Good results from the biopsy; no LAM disease or other serious lung issues
* That there would be no need to perform the other procedure to prevent future leaks as it can pose problems in the future
* Quick recovery and not a lot of pain to endure
* Wisdom for the surgeon and operating staff
* Great nurses, doctors, hospital staff during the rest of her stay
* Peace for Aliya and the rest of the family
* Experience the love and joy of the Lord throughout this time
* Wisdom for how to proceed in seeking care for TS issues
* A complete healing and a return to normal life and work

Thank you for your time and prayers and we will send out updates as soon as we can. Thanks Marvin and Renee for your visits and stuffed animals – you helped to put a smile on Aliya’s face.

Love,
Ken & Sylvia

Give Life a High Five

Near the entrance to the building housing his loft, about two dozen bouquets and a dozen candles formed a makeshift memorial. One note said, "I couldn't find anything bad about you."

A Knight's Tale will always be one of my favorite movie experiences. Heath. You will be missed. I was deeply sadden by the news. I think you've always been one of my favorite actors, someone who I enjoy watching...like Harrison Ford or Bruce Willis. I hope your portrayal of the Joker in the Dark Knight is something that is forever respected. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world.

I've been trying to write something deep and inspirational for a while. I've just haven't found the words or the energy. I've reached that point. That point where my friends younger siblings are getting married. That my friends parents are passing away. So when did we grow up?

Well thank you Mr. Walker for living a life worth envying. For being a person full of joy. I really can't remember ever seeing you not smiling. Your family is your mark on this world and it is a great one. I hope to raise strong men just like you did.

I'm keeping things short so onto a few other points that I must mention....

Let's be honest. Red heads rock my world. You day walker gingers are the best. I don't know why or where it came from but I've always had this thing for red headed girls. It must be your sweet cherry charm.

Wait a minute, WWE's Brock Lezner is fighting in a UFC match? I'm sure the fight will end in the first 2 minutes and it will be interesting. My money's on Brock. Hahaha!

Its kind of funny that this writer's strike might actually change entertainment as we know it. The acceptance of Reality TV as the primary form of TV entertainment is becoming set in stone. No more will sitcoms and mini series drive our passion for TV, just give me Big Brother and Lets Make a Deal. I've got time to kill.

I think there used to be a cleaning woman at work who would water the plants. I think she stopped working a few months ago. I only remember to water them when I notice them drooping. I feel I do the same with many other things in life.

I'm still working things out with the school. I have 3 classes, 1 thesis and 1 comp test until I have a Masters in Film & Video but for now, my heart is reaching out to all of you. Cheers.


PS> The more I understand how a presidential race works the more I wonder why we're all paying attention to this facade.

Like Dinosaur Facts On The Back of a Cereal Box

Does anyone else think that Clinton's win in New Hampshire was first expected since the dawn of time? That the media down played it so much just so that when she won they could play it up as the greatest victory of all time?! Wasn't it like 3% and didn't she finish 3rd in Iowa. I don't know politics and I only give so much of a damn because my girlfriend keeps me up to date, but right now I wish I could turn them off. As in the media and their loud mouth predictions that are so off. They remind me of that kid in class that just won't shut up about having worked in the White House. Seriously who cares. I'm in favor of Obama and expect the next president to be a Democrat but seriously after watching the Clinton family stand on stage and be praised for victory it all felt like dejavu. Yeap its different this time...oh wait no its not. I'm hoping for a change in pace because I'm tired of the SNL Clinton sketches. They just haven't been as funny since '98.

You got to love the Harry Potter movies. I hope they make them all. So does anyone else think Emma Watson will be smoking hot by age 20 probably even earlier. Yes bigger then Natalie Portman. Also who knew Freddie Adu had been dating Jojo? He's earned my respect. Wouldn't it be great if it turns out he's actually 33 and the whole time it was statutory rape.

I'm so looking forward to one of the best Super Bowls of my lifetime. (Well hopefully.) As for my team the Tennessee Titans... at least we made the playoffs. Young, you need a decent line and some receivers and you just might get hit less often. But for now go Dallas.

Did you know that they are actually working on a 4th edition to the Pirates of the Carribean? Something about the Fountain of Youth and Jack Sparrow, though Keira and Bloom are unlikely to return. Thanks to Harry Potter the idea to stop at third has gone out of the window. Hopefully it won't suck and I did watch the third one this past week and its not that bad. It wrapped things up and I thought it still looked quite beautiful on my roommates Blue Ray disc player (aka a PS3.)

Went shopping this past weekend and I thought why not stop by the Apple Store and see how much new headphones cost. Once entering a I felt this odd sensation that reminded me of Saturn and I was instantly put off and did my best to avoid any of those weird store salesmen in the cool iPhone shirts. I found the headphones in the back and upon flipping the box over I was surprised again. $30 for a pair of headphones!! They cost the same on the website and carry a 3 star out of 5 rating (out of 1371 reviews.) The cheapest you can buy a pair of headphones is about $10. Yet Apple is charging $30? The odd thing is these are the new sleeker version and are actually an improvement but their down fall is still not being able to handle constant loud music. So if you like to turn up the volume to drown out the crazy homeless guy sitting next to you on the bus, I advise buying nicer headphones otherwise stick with the $10 ones. Fight the power.

The Target that will be the first in Washington DC is opening in Columbia Heights early this year. (Hopefully) They are hiring and I was tempted to try and apply but honestly, that can't be a good idea. I feel there is a slight chance that place will be looking like K-Mart in no time. As for now I will finish filling out this application to work at Potbelly's. I hear they make good sandwiches.

The secret about today is that I wanted to write about how the system continues to try and screw me over. Half of it is my fault but still I feel there is someone before me setting traps. More to come later American University Financial Aid system.

Cheers to consensual sex.


PS> I'm trying to be more artsy so excuse the weird artwork.

Origami Asics Video

Origami In the Pursuit of Perfection from MABONA ORIGAMI on Vimeo.

All I could think about was the render time. It still an amazing commercial.