technical difficulties

so i am trying out some new set ups...strugglin'...more to come soon

42'' of freedom

so Christmas is officially over...sad but true...and we could not have been more blessed. this time is always nice to look back and realize how good you got it, and this year we definitely enjoyed the good life. being in San Diego and close to the gundi and mendi fams is reason enough to be grateful, along with great weather, a nice home, new nephew,to name a few.

among other things is our big Christmas present from the mendi clan- a 42'' LCD flat screen to call our very own.
its a huge leap up from our old TV- a fourth generation hand-me-down, that had no power button, and weighed about 200 lbs. the new boob-tube is unreal, and looks amazing in our home, and is a pleasure to watch. just call us George and Wheezy.

let there be light

i can see it kids. officially, i have caught a glimpse of that glorious light at then end of the tunnel. my dad jokes about it all the time how i better make sure its not the light of an on-coming train. no, i will not be run over and trampled by any trains this quarter- except the etrain- though i did have my frair share of long nights, burning my candle at both ends, burning the midnight oil and a thousand other cliches for workin hard.

i must say i have not experienced school quite like this before. i look back on my early days as a new excited grad student, and long for that energy. i still am stoked off what i am doing, and enjoying the atmosphere, my colleagues and teachers. the challenge is good- if you are not being challenged you are not learning. one thing that i have loved about school is our gallery-style presentations. in said events we present our project to the classmates, teacher(s) and guests. after a quick explanation of your work, the floor is open for response and feedback. these are the times that i have learned the most- truly a time to appreciate the perspective and opinions of others. sometimes i puffed my chest like a peacock, at times i had to put my tail between my legs. one thing that is cool is the camaraderie of it all. my 'mates are encouraging and we help build and improve each other...so different than what i imagined or anticpated.

i just have a paper to finish up, and a little portfolio to throw together and then its coma time. yes...i will be in an official coma for three weeks. actually, i will try to spend QUALITY time with mrs. lokestroke. she has been a trooper through this, after all. thanks to all for the support, encouragement and help.

all i want for christmas is...

the etrain asked me to put down her x-mas wishes for the christmas this year.
the third book of that vampire series by stephanie meyer- Eclipse
gift certificates are always clutch- anthropologie, bloomingdales, nordstrom,
american apparel deep v-neck tees.

me...i want a hoola hoop.

are germans mexican?

so as i was driving home from school tonight...a lovely commute to and from downtown, that i do 4 glorious times a week...a thought occurred to me. seeing how i served an LDS mission in the motherland-aka España- and graduated with a bachelors degree in spanish, i often think in spanish. randomly i will talk to myself, or say some phrase in spanish to others. i think partly because A) i don't want to loose it, and B) it just happens-i have been immersed in it by some form or another since 2001.

ANYWHO... my point is, as i was driving home, i was in a "spanish mood" and noticed a mercedes benz infront of me. i then realized that mercedes is a spanish word. "'merced" translated is mercy, making mercedes "mercies." how many countries did los conquistadores conquer after all? think about it...

all tied up

i really should not be blogging, but i feel like it liberates me in some weird way. i suppose just writing releases angst, frustrations, lets the crazy thoughts in my head escape and in more than one ways is therapeutic. besides, my g-ma just discovered my blog and thought it to be nothing short of comical hilarity. who wants to disappoint the abuelita?

so as you may guessed by my title and fabulous graphical representation thanks to DCFC, its the end of the quarter, which means projects, papers and pandemonium---oh my! i feel like a got a grip on the situation. but inevitably will be having some late nights over the next week. the good ole cliche "when it rains, it pours" could not be more true right now. so, i suppose i will do my mother proud and let the blog and loyal avid lokestroke fans suffer...a man needs his sleep and noone knows that better than me. keep me in your prayers folks. the loins are girded, but i can always use a lil help from the divine.

gracias

so i haven't posted in a couple weeks...time flies when you are havin fun.(by fun i mean balancing grad school, work, a family,church...). the past few weeks have been a challenge and have tested my limits and patience. school has been killer- midterms, big projects and papers. i pulled my first true all-nighter since i was a freshman at the Y. oh if it could have been that. the last all-nighter was spent with new friends (who now i consider the best people i know, and best friends anyone could ever have) in dorm room, playing videogames & loud music, pissing off the RA, breaking stuff and creating the fabric of what would become the infamous "wall of amazing."

this past one was spent rummaging through research on different ancient civilizations, comparing and contrasting architectural and cultural innovations. 10 pages later and a few highly caffeinated drinks i was off to work and ready to take on a new day. which happened to be the day that i had a visit with Dr. Eli- expert on sleep disorders- kinda fitting eh? in said visit i was tested and prodded with various instruments- checking my breathing canals, tissue in nasal passage and who knows what else. i was then fitted for a mouthguard to wear at night because i apparently clench my jaw while i sleep. the most dramatic discovery by the Doc was my prognosis for surgery. he set up an appointment to give my tonsils the boot. so on dec. 12 i will go under the knife, and be down for a week. nothing but pudding and popsicles.word.

so back to the title of this monstrous blog- i do have a lot to be thankful for this year. it has been a good one. full of new challenges, growth, reminders of what and who i have to make my life pretty good- so in lokestroke fashion the following is what i have to be full of thanks:
(in no particular order)

1.prescription drugs- i now can sleep with the help of a tiny pink pill. life is no fun with no good night sleep.

2.amazing friends- being away from the people you love most is hard.at the same time the separation makes you realize how amazing they are, and appreciate your time with them when the occasion comes. being sprawled all across the country,we have gone to live our lives and start/prepare for the future- but can always pick up right where we left off like we haven't been apart at all.

3.education- graduating from BYU and now beginning grad school has and is shaping my life and future. it is what makes me who i am- what i know, what i learn and now being able to throw in what i love into the education mix is a huge blessing. there is something about studying and learning something that you have a passion for. its great. even though its challenging- i may complain about projects/papers/assignments- i really do enjoy it.

4. family- my parents and sisters have really been there for us this year. mom and dad especially- we lived with them in the early summer and i can't thank you enough for that. dad, providing me with a chance to work side by side, and learn the ropes is something that i appreciate daily. i know its a huge sacrifice. support in general is amazing- whether it be to listen to my frustrations or help build models out of foam core- you guys are amazing.

5.the Etrain- she has put up with a lot from me this year. clearly has earned some stripes or wings. her tenacity and determination for the best inspires me to be my best. she has had to sacrifice the most, with me being gone most of the time- she has always tried to be supportive and encouraging. a lot of many lonely nights and dinners all by herself makes it hard. luckily she is an amazing woman, who stands by her man like Tammy Wynnette.