Almost there

So, after reading my girlfriend’s blogs, which I absolutely love when she writes, I was itching to write myself. It’s been quite a while again since I posted last, but let me update quickly on where I am before getting into some recent stuff.

March and April went quick, as films came to an end, classes winded down and it was almost time to say goodbye to the people we had lived so close with for the past 3 months. April came and went quick, our film premiered at a theater on Sunset, got to spend time with some of the cast and crew from the film, then the following night a banquet with all the classmates – the last time we were all together as a crew – might have been the final time ever! But, it was exciting as we all were about to take on our own adventures of filmmaking (some would deciding they didn’t want to), but all in all was great and tear-jerking. I was one of the many who had to leave LA to make it back to graduation, which because of delayed flights and time changes I wasn’t able to the next morning, but truly enjoyed all the texts and news about a Hollywood director giving the speech to all the graduates who called my name specifically, felt nicely honored. Then for the past week, the dreaded week of nothingness and no one to see, I relaxed and unpacked only to repack (I’m still not completely packed as I try and figure out what I need for this summer). But I’m excited to what the future holds. Especially the near future with the trip up to North Carolina, such a beautiful one, but what makes it so beautiful is that I’m driving to a girl whom I love so much, only God can sum up the amount of love I have for this amazing girl. And to finally hold her in my arms, to be able to spin her around, walk everywhere hand in hand, snuggle while watching a movie and watching her cuteness sit in front of me as she cutely and shyly eats a Moe’s burrito. Oh, I can’t wait. To take her to her favorite places, Old Navy and Target, and run around with her, to go out to the park and sit by the lake and read together, also narrowing down all the places in the world we want to visit. To finally take her to putt-putt and go-karts and watch her smile and flirt with each other again. Then as summer draws closer, we’ll work together at camp, me being able to work full-time and her as well, as I start my post-graduate freelance cinematography. Hopefully all the “talks” and “plans” of films actually pull through, with the music video, short films and our French film in LA, as well as my professors feature film in Florida, one in Texas possibly, and what more North Carolina has to offer with they’re booming film industry. So far what seems to be locked is TYI in Texas and Amy & David’s wedding in October, both which I’m not getting paid for.

But with all these I’ve also had the great opportunity to invest in my own equipment, truly blessed by my godmother who sadly passed away days before my high school graduation, which meant more to her than anyone I know. Her original plans fell through for support through college, but her family was able to give $5,000 to my name which made it through all of my college career and were used to invest in my cinematography adventure, thank you Karen, I know you’re looking down smiling at where I’m at. There have been many people who cherished me the most who have had to leave this planet in hope for better futures, which they are having, but without their mercy and love I wouldn’t be who I am today, there’s only a few left who I know for sure that value my life more than theirs (my mom and Laura). I thank God everyday for all of this love that he’s given me and one thing I want to share before heading out is a verse that really hit me hard this week. It struck me because the past few weeks, even months and years, have always been tough on me. I’ve let this stress take over that things always still need to get done, always feel the need that “I still have this to do… I need to do this” and never decided to open scripture about it and find out what God has to say. I mean I’ve even studied and taught a class about Genesis 1 where God says that rest is important, to look at our work and know that it is good, and then we can rest – to put forth 100% effort, and when finished look back saying it is good, and resting. But, this verse hit me last night, it’s Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 7 talking a bit about the extra stresses marriage (which most people believe he says to not get married) instead he says there’s just stress in that, this coming from a single man who prefers not to deal with relationships with women – not bad, just not me. In verse 29-32 (now this relates nothing to marriage topic, this relates only to stress in the world that overcomes me) “I do want to point out, friends, that time is of the essence. There is no time to waste, so don’t complicate your lives unnecessarily. Keep it simple – in marriage, grief, joy, whatever. Even in ordinary things – your daily routines of shopping, and so on. Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out.”

P.S. – I cut my hair for the first time, for free! And I’m impressed with it (with some help of my mom touching up the back for me, shhhh)