Today was Simple. Sweet. Stress-free. Easy. No School yet VERY productive!
I woke up this morning a 19 year old.
First thing upon waking up, I finished two of my writings and submitted them to Insight Magazine. I hope for they will take it and publish it and if not, no worries! I will just get to post it on my website sooner for ya'll to read! :) But until then, I'll just have to wait and see!
A third article, I also finished this morning in which I started back during the Olympic games. I posted it up on my website so you can go there and read it :) [link is below]
After I finished my writings, I finally put in a good workout at my home gym. I ran 1.5 miles and spend some quality time with my Bowflex and other weights haha. Showered.
Took a quick trip to the Post Office to mail something to a client.
Ate brunch which, really should be considered lunch at 11:30am.
Then I made a video which I posted on my music youtube channel which you can all watch! It's an original song by me. And if you read in the video description, it explains my dream and vision for the song! [link is below]
After that! I really just took it easy. I watched a little TV. played a little music. And I got a little update for my month-long mission trip this coming July in Mexico which i am TOTALLY PUMPED UP for!
Then I went to dinner at Acapulco with my cousin and parents!
I didn't want anything big for today. Just a simple day. No school because of Cesar Chavez's day. Not having to worry about school or other things. Nothing but simple! Even the weather was perfect for my day!
Later this week I'm having a dinner with some friends and I even hope THAT isn't overdone. Just simple and light fun. haha.
I wish ya'll a good week! and take it easy!
You can read my writings at my website at: www.aaronnakamura.com (click on 'Studies & Writings')
You can see my new video at my musician youtube page: www.youtube.com/ranakamu
Take care! & Thank you for the Birthday wishes!!
-AaronNak
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Back to Work from a Not so Springful Spring Break..
Hello Everyone!
Today is the first day of my spring quarter! Spring break is over and it is time to get back to work! However I didn't have much time to kick-back & relax this past spring break for I spent the better part of the week working to get my identity back!
For those of you who didn't know, my wallet was stolen on Saturday, March 20th. The person (or persons) that stole my wallet maxed out my credit cards, managed to somehow deplete my checking account, and got away with the essential items in my wallet such as my driver's license, medical, other insurance cards, and even my LIBRARY CARDS!
So this week was actually pretty tough for me. At first, I was mad, sad, and I felt so violated and shocked that something like this happened to me. It's not something that happens often and if it does never to me! Plus, think about it. Getting YOUR wallet stolen and running into the dilemma that I did is the LAST thing on your mind, right? I spent the whole week talking to banks on the phone and visiting the Sherriff's station. Other frustrating tasks such as visiting the overcrowded DMV and going through insurance procedures were also time consuming. The thought of forgetting to do something else I'm supposed to do always haunted me and left me in doubt this whole week. Have I done everything that I need to do? I placed an alert on my credit file to prevent any accounts to be opened in my name. This week has been more than a handful. A week I had been talking about with my friends weeks before mentioning that I wanted to spend it traveling ended up being a week of non-stop worry.
But let's put that aside! Everyone is guaranteed to have greater trials when growing in their faith! After all, it's spring quarter! For me, it's only about 10 weeks until summer! I cannot wait to get through this quarter. I hope it will be a good one for me and I pray that God continue to use me in helping the world as well as spreading to the world.
Until next time,
-AaronNak
www.aaronnakamura.com
Today is the first day of my spring quarter! Spring break is over and it is time to get back to work! However I didn't have much time to kick-back & relax this past spring break for I spent the better part of the week working to get my identity back!
For those of you who didn't know, my wallet was stolen on Saturday, March 20th. The person (or persons) that stole my wallet maxed out my credit cards, managed to somehow deplete my checking account, and got away with the essential items in my wallet such as my driver's license, medical, other insurance cards, and even my LIBRARY CARDS!
So this week was actually pretty tough for me. At first, I was mad, sad, and I felt so violated and shocked that something like this happened to me. It's not something that happens often and if it does never to me! Plus, think about it. Getting YOUR wallet stolen and running into the dilemma that I did is the LAST thing on your mind, right? I spent the whole week talking to banks on the phone and visiting the Sherriff's station. Other frustrating tasks such as visiting the overcrowded DMV and going through insurance procedures were also time consuming. The thought of forgetting to do something else I'm supposed to do always haunted me and left me in doubt this whole week. Have I done everything that I need to do? I placed an alert on my credit file to prevent any accounts to be opened in my name. This week has been more than a handful. A week I had been talking about with my friends weeks before mentioning that I wanted to spend it traveling ended up being a week of non-stop worry.
But let's put that aside! Everyone is guaranteed to have greater trials when growing in their faith! After all, it's spring quarter! For me, it's only about 10 weeks until summer! I cannot wait to get through this quarter. I hope it will be a good one for me and I pray that God continue to use me in helping the world as well as spreading to the world.
Until next time,
-AaronNak
www.aaronnakamura.com
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Violated
Wow.... Where to begin?
I feel so violated.
Like I can't trust anyone anymore.
My trust limit lines have definitely closed in A LOT.
Hurt.
Powerless like I can't do anything to get back what was mine.
Because I can't.
The place where was last on my list to be stolen from turns out to be the first.
Empty.
Shop?
With what? My money is gone.
Can't drive.
No license.
The sight of my seeing $0.00 for my checking account as I look online.
Feels like a hard blow to the stomach.
Who could have done this?
Does the red line "Age 21 in 2012" not give you guilt?
Mad? Hate? Revengeful?
No.
Sad & disappointed I am.
Yesterday my wallet was stolen. My credit cards charged to the maximum. Checking Account depleted.
Driver's License & insurance cards gone.
Please pray for me.
I feel so violated.
Like I can't trust anyone anymore.
My trust limit lines have definitely closed in A LOT.
Hurt.
Powerless like I can't do anything to get back what was mine.
Because I can't.
The place where was last on my list to be stolen from turns out to be the first.
Empty.
Shop?
With what? My money is gone.
Can't drive.
No license.
The sight of my seeing $0.00 for my checking account as I look online.
Feels like a hard blow to the stomach.
Who could have done this?
Does the red line "Age 21 in 2012" not give you guilt?
Mad? Hate? Revengeful?
No.
Sad & disappointed I am.
Yesterday my wallet was stolen. My credit cards charged to the maximum. Checking Account depleted.
Driver's License & insurance cards gone.
Please pray for me.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Making a Difference in the World ...Still In Progress
Hello there!
It's been a while since the last time I made a blog entry and I apologize. I have just been busy lately doing so many different things, it's unbelievable!
We are now a little past the middle of March and it would be a lie to say that my birthday coming on the 31st has been the last thing on mind. I say again. It would be a lie if I said that my birthday on the last day of this month is or has been the last thing on my mind for it hasn't been on my mind at all!
This whole month so far, I've been working so hard on getting my drop shipping retail/e-commerce business to open up for shop. I must admit that there have even been times where I let it consume so much of my time it often times placed before my school studies this quarter. But something else has been a big on my mind as I have been thinking about it every day since New Year's Day. This July I will be joining Maranatha Volunteers International's Ultimate Workout 20, a teenaged mission trip, as a staff member. As a pastor and praise worship music leader, I will be witnessing, teaching, and even learning to and from others both young and old in the neighboring country of Mexico in the state of Chiapas. For almost a whole month, I will be living a very primitive lifestyle with no cell phones, internet, or any means of other technology. Tents, sleeping bags, limited showers per week, cold water, totally different foods, and living with a bunch of strangers who, by the end of the trip, will be my family.
So why Aaron? What is Maranatha? Why are you going out in the middle of nowhere, Mexico to live this excluded primitive life for a whole month?
Well to answer who Maranatha is, and what they do, here's a link for what they do. It's short and straightforward, but for me to go on about them would be beside my main point of WHY I'm going.
Having been raised being able to see many points of views on life, I learned early on how hard and short life really is without purpose. Growing up, I’ve been through severe financial struggles almost going homeless. Today, I am not only thankful that God has reached out and pulled me out of that hole, but that He has given me talents and wisdom to help others as well. I am thankful for every day of life that God gives me not only to do his works, but other good works within our world today. I have decided to get involved with charities and organizations that help to give opportunities and special moments to those who need them most. Recently, youtube star AJ Rafael went to the Philippines on a mission trip. Him and a small group raised money that they used to feed hungry children, perform free concerts, play & hangout with the local kids or whatever 'just to see them smile and make them happy'. You hear about other celebrities and well-known individuals who do other charity work around the world feeding children and providing clean drinking water for a period of time. Yes. It's a blessing to make a difference in their lives. But my question is, what happens next? ...What happens when those people on their mission trips leave and the funds they contributed slowly diminish until total inexistent? Things go right back to the way they are.
My mission trip will be different.
Last year on the Ultimate Workout 19 in Puyo, Ecuador, we constructed a quality two-building structured school and two 1-day churches. During the Ultimate Workout 20, we will be constructing numerous quality built churches that can also be used as classrooms to teach children. These buildings provide a safe and stable place to worship and learn basic education. The buildings we build on the Ultimate Workouts last for a long time and won't diminish slowly over time like money or supplies. While on the mission trip, we will conduct vacation bible schools for the children where we teach them about the Bible and teach them basic songs of praise. We will also conduct health clinics tending to vital health needs in the area providing items from antibiotics to toothbrushes and dental floss. Cleaning any local parks as community service to help ensure the safety for children is also included. The things we do will be great but there is also another group of people that will be affected while on the trip, and that is us - the participants. We will be pushed mentally, physically, spiritually, and morally farther than we have ever been pushed. Being in a foreign country out in a desolate area away from the comforts of our home, we will be forced to rely on God more than we have ever before. The bond we will make with the participants at each and everyone of the 6 different sites around the city will be amazing. Not only will it be affecting participants there then, but it is affecting me now.
To prepare for this trip is like preparing for a big marathon (like the upcoming LA Marathon on Sunday!), or big mountain hike. It takes physical preparation, mental preparation, and for this trip, spiritual preparation is a must especially while I am going as a site pastor. Morals and core beliefs must be set for they will definitely be put to the test. I am always working hard in all of these areas in my life not just for this mission trip but for my regular, everyday lifestyle. But hey... I gotta admit that for this whole quarter, I've put on a couple of stomach pounds and I've gotten out of shape a bit. That has changed as of this week. It is time to exercise. It is time to prepare myself emotionally and mentally for the challenges that might lay ahead. Spiritually, I must prepare and be strong in my Word and be ready to preach and teach to other teenagers. -In that area, I've been speaking and leading our in my church's youth small groups to help prepare. Not a single day goes by anymore without me thinking about the trip that lays ahead. Not one. The journey is far and the path to staying on track is narrow but I feel this is God's calling for me. Teach the word to others. Witness to others. Of course makes friends and family-like bonds. Making a difference in the lives of the local area and giving them something that will last if not forever, for a very long time. It is a life changing experience for both us, the participants and the local people of Chiapas. It is already changing my life as I am preparing every day. I will be talking about this trip more and more as it gets near. Of course there are expenses for the trip. If you would like to contribute, you can visit my website at www.aaronnakamura.com click 'Upcoming Events' and Read my personal letter to you. The 2nd page explains how you can make a tax-deductible donation either online or by sending a check. To find out more about the Ultimate Workout 20, click here. or visit www.maranatha.org or of course, my website at www.aaronnakamura.com
If you're reading this, I want to say thank you for even reading what I have just said. Even if you cannot contribute monetarily, please pray for me and that I may be a tool for God and a light of the world. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Sincerely,
-Aaron Nakamura
It's been a while since the last time I made a blog entry and I apologize. I have just been busy lately doing so many different things, it's unbelievable!
We are now a little past the middle of March and it would be a lie to say that my birthday coming on the 31st has been the last thing on mind. I say again. It would be a lie if I said that my birthday on the last day of this month is or has been the last thing on my mind for it hasn't been on my mind at all!
This whole month so far, I've been working so hard on getting my drop shipping retail/e-commerce business to open up for shop. I must admit that there have even been times where I let it consume so much of my time it often times placed before my school studies this quarter. But something else has been a big on my mind as I have been thinking about it every day since New Year's Day. This July I will be joining Maranatha Volunteers International's Ultimate Workout 20, a teenaged mission trip, as a staff member. As a pastor and praise worship music leader, I will be witnessing, teaching, and even learning to and from others both young and old in the neighboring country of Mexico in the state of Chiapas. For almost a whole month, I will be living a very primitive lifestyle with no cell phones, internet, or any means of other technology. Tents, sleeping bags, limited showers per week, cold water, totally different foods, and living with a bunch of strangers who, by the end of the trip, will be my family.
So why Aaron? What is Maranatha? Why are you going out in the middle of nowhere, Mexico to live this excluded primitive life for a whole month?
Well to answer who Maranatha is, and what they do, here's a link for what they do. It's short and straightforward, but for me to go on about them would be beside my main point of WHY I'm going.
Having been raised being able to see many points of views on life, I learned early on how hard and short life really is without purpose. Growing up, I’ve been through severe financial struggles almost going homeless. Today, I am not only thankful that God has reached out and pulled me out of that hole, but that He has given me talents and wisdom to help others as well. I am thankful for every day of life that God gives me not only to do his works, but other good works within our world today. I have decided to get involved with charities and organizations that help to give opportunities and special moments to those who need them most. Recently, youtube star AJ Rafael went to the Philippines on a mission trip. Him and a small group raised money that they used to feed hungry children, perform free concerts, play & hangout with the local kids or whatever 'just to see them smile and make them happy'. You hear about other celebrities and well-known individuals who do other charity work around the world feeding children and providing clean drinking water for a period of time. Yes. It's a blessing to make a difference in their lives. But my question is, what happens next? ...What happens when those people on their mission trips leave and the funds they contributed slowly diminish until total inexistent? Things go right back to the way they are.
My mission trip will be different.
Last year on the Ultimate Workout 19 in Puyo, Ecuador, we constructed a quality two-building structured school and two 1-day churches. During the Ultimate Workout 20, we will be constructing numerous quality built churches that can also be used as classrooms to teach children. These buildings provide a safe and stable place to worship and learn basic education. The buildings we build on the Ultimate Workouts last for a long time and won't diminish slowly over time like money or supplies. While on the mission trip, we will conduct vacation bible schools for the children where we teach them about the Bible and teach them basic songs of praise. We will also conduct health clinics tending to vital health needs in the area providing items from antibiotics to toothbrushes and dental floss. Cleaning any local parks as community service to help ensure the safety for children is also included. The things we do will be great but there is also another group of people that will be affected while on the trip, and that is us - the participants. We will be pushed mentally, physically, spiritually, and morally farther than we have ever been pushed. Being in a foreign country out in a desolate area away from the comforts of our home, we will be forced to rely on God more than we have ever before. The bond we will make with the participants at each and everyone of the 6 different sites around the city will be amazing. Not only will it be affecting participants there then, but it is affecting me now.
To prepare for this trip is like preparing for a big marathon (like the upcoming LA Marathon on Sunday!), or big mountain hike. It takes physical preparation, mental preparation, and for this trip, spiritual preparation is a must especially while I am going as a site pastor. Morals and core beliefs must be set for they will definitely be put to the test. I am always working hard in all of these areas in my life not just for this mission trip but for my regular, everyday lifestyle. But hey... I gotta admit that for this whole quarter, I've put on a couple of stomach pounds and I've gotten out of shape a bit. That has changed as of this week. It is time to exercise. It is time to prepare myself emotionally and mentally for the challenges that might lay ahead. Spiritually, I must prepare and be strong in my Word and be ready to preach and teach to other teenagers. -In that area, I've been speaking and leading our in my church's youth small groups to help prepare. Not a single day goes by anymore without me thinking about the trip that lays ahead. Not one. The journey is far and the path to staying on track is narrow but I feel this is God's calling for me. Teach the word to others. Witness to others. Of course makes friends and family-like bonds. Making a difference in the lives of the local area and giving them something that will last if not forever, for a very long time. It is a life changing experience for both us, the participants and the local people of Chiapas. It is already changing my life as I am preparing every day. I will be talking about this trip more and more as it gets near. Of course there are expenses for the trip. If you would like to contribute, you can visit my website at www.aaronnakamura.com click 'Upcoming Events' and Read my personal letter to you. The 2nd page explains how you can make a tax-deductible donation either online or by sending a check. To find out more about the Ultimate Workout 20, click here. or visit www.maranatha.org or of course, my website at www.aaronnakamura.com
If you're reading this, I want to say thank you for even reading what I have just said. Even if you cannot contribute monetarily, please pray for me and that I may be a tool for God and a light of the world. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Sincerely,
-Aaron Nakamura
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