Day 14 - Where Have You Traveled?

Day 14 - Where Have You Traveled?

Most of the major trips I have taken were with the UNI Men's Glee Club.  I got the opportunity to travel with the group three different times to eight different countries.

The first trip I took with the Men's Glee Club was to Germany, Austria, and Italy.  It had been my first time out of the country and we got the chance to sing during Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.  That was an experience unlike any other.  When we finished Ave Maria, the congregation applauded; an incredible feat in the world's largest church.  Not only that, but as we departed, we ran into a little old Italian lady who said to us in Italian: 

"Everyday I am a poor woman, but today I'm rich for hearing you sing."

And that's why I loved my trips with the Men's Glee Club.  It wasn't about us just seeing the sights.  It was about sharing our gifts with the people of Europe.  Here are a couple pictures from my trip:

The Colosseum - Rome, Italy

Swarovski Crystal Factory - Innsbruck, Austria

The Swiss Alps - Near Innsbruck, Austria

On the overnight train to Rome

Salzburg, Austria

Just some schmuck standing in front of a shop in Salzburg

St. Peter's Basilica - Rome, Italy

My next trip with the UNI Men's Glee Club was to Ireland, Wales, and England.  Here we had the opportunity to stay in a castle for a couple nights, as well as Oxford University.  I was fortunate enough to witness some of the locations where Harry Potter was filmed (books I'm currently reading through right now - I'm on book five, The Order of the Phoenix.  :)  Here are a couple photos from that trip:

Paul Marlow looking in awe of the Oxford University Architecture

Having a seat near one of the hallways where Harry Potter had been filmed

Striking a ridiculous pose in Dublin, Ireland

Frederico Silva standing in one of the tunnels leading to the Dungeon of Ruthin Castle - Ruthin, Wales

Enjoying a Superman comic on the ferry ride across the Irish Sea

My final trip with the Men's Glee Club was to Poland and Czech Republic.  This was an unforgettable experience as well a trip that was actually free for me to attend given the number of tickets I sold for the Christmas Variety shows the two years leading up to the excursion.  On this trip, we made the difficult trip to Auschwitz.  I'll never forget humming Ave Maria within the walls of the firing range...

Me and the boys in Prague, Czech Republic

The Rudolfinum - Prague, Czech Republic

 Krakow, Poland

Auschwitz Concentration Camp - Oswiecim, Poland

 

Firing Range of Auschwitz Concentration Camp

Me and the UNI freshmen

Alums of the group that I traveled with on all three trips - Steve Heinle and Kevin Graves

So those were my major travels.  I've also been to Jamaica with my beautiful bride and Cancun, Mexico with my bride and her family.  I have taken many road trips with my brother-in-law and buddies from high school (Alan, James, Michael, and Chris) as well.  Below are a few pictures from those adventures.  :)

Sipping coconut milk on the beach - Jamaica

A night out in Jamaica

Striking a pose on the beach - Jamaica

Swimming with the Dolphins - Cancun, Mexico

The dolphin toe push - Cancun, Mexico

Can you tell it was winter in Iowa? - Cancun, Mexico

This picture was taken just before learning how to salsa dance - Cancun, Mexico

Our first road trip to Colorado - 2004

We thought we could hike 26 miles in a day - We actually hiked only 9

Our second trip to Colorado

On top of Mt. Massive - 14,421 feet

Day 13 - Favorite Childhood Book

Day 13 - Favorite Childhood Book

I struggle with favorites.  There's so many to choose from!  Since last night's post was a little lengthy (because there are so many good quotes out there), I'm going to try and keep this one short, and sweet.  My top three children's books are:

3. Caps for Sale - By Esphyr Slobodkina

I believe I received this book as a birthday present around 1st or 2nd grade.  I just found the man incredibly talented as he walked across the open plains with a stack of caps for sale.  Can you imagine balancing all of those caps on your head across the windy plains?!  That's one talented Peddler.  :)  I also liked the monkeys.

2. The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food - Stan and Jan Berenstain

There are many Berenstain Bear books that I enjoyed growing up.  The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Dream, The Berenstain Bears Go to School.  My all time favorite was The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food.  Brother and Sister Bear get a lesson in anatomy.  I just loved looking at the bears' X-Rays!  They were so cool!

1. The Monster at the End of the Book - By Jon Stone and Michael Smollin

The Monster at the End of This Book, starring loveable, furry old Grover.  If you haven't read this book, you need too.  It's a hit, for all ages.  One can even find an inspiring lesson through this fun read.  Check it out!  I don't want to give away the ending, but there is indeed a monster at the end of the book.  :)

Day 12 - What Are Your Favorite Quotes?

Day 12 - What Are Your Favorite Quotes?

Boy, I have a lot of them!  Here are a few (you've probably seen a couple of these float up already through my Facebook page or in my blog).  Enjoy!

20. “I know how you must feel some days…like the weight of the whole world is pressing on you and there’s no one to talk to…no one to help you…when you’ll feel utterly and totally alone.  But when that time comes, you’ll know what do.” - Jonathan Kent

"How can I decide what to do with my life when I don’t even know who I am?  I feel like I’m walking in a dream, and nothing’s real, not even me.” - Clark Kent

“Then maybe the answer is to wake up.  There will come a day Clark, when for the very first time, you won’t have to hold back…a day when you can cut loose…a day when you can finally be who you truly are…you’re unique in all the world.  Extraordinary.  Not just any man…and more than just a man…a SUPER-man.  Live Clark.  Follow your passion.  Show the whole world what you can do.  Fly Clark…fly…” - Jonathan Kent and Clark Kent in Superman: Earth One

19. "I have wrestled with an alligator.  That's right.  I have wrestled with an alligator.  I have tusseled with a whale.  I've handcuffed lightning; thrown thunder in jail.  That's bad.  Only last week, I murdered a rock; injured a stone; hospitalized a brick; I'm so mean I make medicine sick.  Bad, fast!  Fast!  Fast!  Last night, I cut the light off in my bedroom, hit the switch and was in bed before the room was dark.  Fast...You George Foreman...I know you got him, I know you've got him picked, but the man's in trouble.  I'm gonna show you how great I am!" ~Muhammad Ali

18. "...life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse.  That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse.  What will your verse be?" ~Robin Williams as John Keating

17. "Everybody loves a hero.  People line up for them...cheer them...scream their names.  And years later, they'll tell how they stood in the rain for hours just to get a glimpse of the one who taught them to hold on a second longer.  I believe there's a hero in all of us...that keeps us strong...gives us strength...makes us noble...and finally allows us to die with pride..." ~Rosemary Harris as Aunt May

16. "If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." ~Serious Black in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

15. "You have enemies?  Good.  That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." ~Winston Churchill

14. "The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows.  It is a very mean and nasty place.  I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.  You, me, or nobody is going to hit as hard as life.  But it ain't about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.  How much you can take and keep moving forward.  That's how winning is done!" ~Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa

13. "Dreams save us.  Dreams lift us up and transform us and on my soul, I swear until my dream of a worl where dignity, honor, and justice becomes the reality we all share, I'll never stop fighting.  Ever." ~Superman in Action Comics #775 (2001)

12. "Live each day with a smile on your face and love in your heart." ~Bill Cordes

11. "What we do in life, echos in eternity." ~Russell Crowe as Maximus

10. "Why to we fall, sir?  So that we might better learn to pick ourselves up." ~Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth

9. "Our destiny is not written on some book in the future.  We write it ourselves, everyday.  And the question is, what do we write next?" ~Tom Welling and Kristin Kreuk as Clark Kent and Lana Lang

8. "In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight.  Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power, Green Lantern's light." ~Hall Jordan reciting the Oath of the Green Lantern Corp

7. "YOGOWYPI.  You Only Get Out What You Put In." ~Bill Cordes

6. "A hero can be anyone, even a man doing something as simple and reassuring as putting a coat around a little boy's shoulder to let him know that the world hadn't ended." ~Christian Bale as Batman

5. "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." ~Psalm 23 as Psalm of David

4. "The past: a place of potential promise and possibility.  We are the sum of our CHOICEs, as what we do now defines what we will do." ~Patrick Stewart as Professor X

3. "Life moves pretty fast.  If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it." ~Matthew Broderick as Ferris Bueller

2. "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." ~William Ernest Henley

1. "Remember who you are." Kathryn Daugherty, my mother.

Day 11 - List Six Things You Love About Yourself. Don't Be Shy!

Day 11 - List Six Things You Love About Yourself.  Don't Be Shy!

Oofta.  This one's tough.  I'm not big on talking about myself.  Nevertheless, here it goes:

1. First, and foremost, I love the life I've had the opportunity to live thus far.  My life has not been perfect by any means, and I think that's what I appreciate most about it.  I've been through some pretty amazing experiences (traveling abroad, being a mascot, meeting the Dalai Lama, etc.), and I've also faced some really big hardships (losing loved ones, finding a job, depression, etc.).  But like Tom Hanks says in A League of Their Own, "It's the hard that makes it great."  I love this life because I living and learning.

2. I love my childlike wonder.  I wouldn't want a mind any other way.  Loving superheroes, goofing around like a kid; my personality keeps me young.  I pray this never changes.

3. I love that I care so much.  There are days when I question the attitudes and perceptions of those around me.  There are days when I really just don't want to put forth the effort.  I often think, "Why do I try?"  Then I remember.  If I take a second to hold the door for someone or smile and give a peppy, "Hello!" to a person walking by, eventually, I WILL make SOMEONE's day.  I just need to be patient and keep up the kindness.

4. I love that I'm drawing again.  There have been a lot of days lately that I wished I would have taken an art class or two and I know a lot of my drawings have referenced other drawings.  But it really is a fun hobby.  It's something I hope to continue doing in my free time and hopefully at some point create my own children's book.

5. I love striving to inspire others.  I may not always accomplish it, but I love making every effort.

6. I love that I think deeper.  My thoughts are usually simple, but deeper.  I love seeing the world differently.  I may not always articulate my thoughts well right away, but I eventually get there.

Day 10 - You Know Who's Awesome?! - #7

This guy:

Day 10 - You Know Who's Awesome?!

This is a man I look up to; my mentor, my friend, Bill Cordes.  Bill is The YOGOWYPI (You Only Get Out What You Put In) Guy.  I've known Bill since my freshman year of high school where he facilitated a youth leadership program called Get a Grip.  For seven summers in a row, I was given the opportunity to re-connect with Bill and hear his message.  I've always loved listening to his stories and learning from him.  He taught me to:

"Live each day with a smile on your face, and love in your heart."

"Live with no regrets."

"Stop, adjust, and go for it again."

"Sit in the T-Zone of the classroom-the front rows and center rows."

"Put a lot in, so you get a lot out."

What's really is awesome is that he continues to travel across the nation talking to teens, college students, teachers, and business leaders about living better lives.  These same lessons are being shared with thousands and thousands of people each and everyday.  What could be more awesome than that?!

I can say with certainty that every day, something Bill has taught me goes through my mind.  My favorite "Bill moments" in my mind are when people are describing the concept of YOGOWYPI, but they don't know what YOGOWYPI is.  Here are some examples:

"Well, if people put in some effort, they'll get something in return..." or "you put a lot into something, you'll get something out of it..."

Bill is awesome.  If you've never met Bill or heard him speak, you need to find a way to do so.  He's a life-changer.  Thanks for the impact you've had on my life, Bill!  Love ya man!  :)

Day 9 - Why and When Did You Start Blogging?

Day 9 - Why and When Did You Start Blogging?

I posted my first blog post back in the fall of 2010 (you can see it below).  I was in graduate school at the time and felt it was important for me to spend some time reflecting on my life outside of school and work.  Not only that, but I've always wanted to create, or work for a positive media source.  For me, this was a start on that outlet.  

Life can be draining.  The world has some major problems out there that many of us are trying to solve, and yet a majority of the media tends to focus on the negative sides of those many problems.  Some of it is important to tune into since we need to know what's going on and to better our world, but there's only so much we can/should take in.  You tune in to it enough, it eventually becomes you.  One begins to think negatively, act negatively, and live negatively.  I wanted to create something people could turn to for a laugh, smile, and/or inspiration.  

Blogging is also very refreshing.  Taking just a few moments out of my day to reflect on something I've thought about really feels good, even if no one but myself reviews those thoughts.  I believe having some record of our ideas, reflections, and who we are "in-the-books" is always a good thing.  It's a part of the legacy we are leaving behind.  I only hope what I have to share is something worth passing on.  I pray that someone, someday, somewhere will enjoy reading what I had to share and hopefully be inspired.   

And there you have it.  That's why and when I started blogging.  Here's to many more posts!

Fall 2010 - First Blog Post

I've been thinking about starting a blog for quite some time.  You know, just to throw some fun thoughts out there regarding my daily adventures.  Sometimes it is important to record and reflect on our magnificent journeys that we encounter in life.

So, here it goes!  I'm a blogger and I present to you, the Adventures of SuperTeeJ!  :)  (Bum, BaDa!)

Day 8 - Favorite Movies You Never Get Sick of Watching

Day 8 - Favorite Movies You Never Get Sick of Watching

Ahhh!!!  I love this topic.  Movies!!!  The only thing about movies is there are so many to choose from.  So many I enjoy.  So, here's my top ten favorite movies I never get sick of watching (this list should be way longer):

10. - Rudy - Everytime I watch it, I cry.  However, everytime I watch it, I become inspired.

9. - Dumb and Dumber - Everytime I watch it I laugh.  Everytime I watch it, I can't stop.

8. - Ferris Bueller's Day Off - Such great lessons in this movie.  "Life moves pretty fast.  If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it." ~ Ferris Bueller

7. - Finding Nemo - The deep blue search for the world's cutest fish is a visual masterpiece and it holds my attention while bringing a smile to my face.  "Just keep swimming.  Just keep swimming.  Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.  What do we do, I love to swiiiim!" ~ Dory

6. - A Charlie Brown Christmas - It's a movie I watch every Christmas.  In fact, it's been a yearly tradition the past few years to watch it right before bed time on the night of Christmas...and perhaps once a day the 24 days before that.

5. - Man of Steel/Dark Knight - A couple more recent favorites.  I absolutely love the modern-day film version of my favorite Superhero.  Clark is humble and powerful in every way in Man of Steel.  And the Dark Knight, well Batman takes on two great super-villains, including the all-time greatest performance of the Joker by Heath Ledger.

Man of Steel - "You will give the people of Earth an ideal to strive towards.  They will race behind you, they will stumble, they will fall.  But in time, they will join in you the sun, Kal.  In time, you will help them accomplish wonders." ~ Jor El

The Dark Knight - "Because he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now.  So we'll hunt him.  Because he can take it.  Because he's not our hero.  He's a silent guardian.  A watchful protector.  A Dark Knight." ~ Commissioner Gordon

4. - Three Amigos - When I was little, I used to have this whole movie memorized.  Still enjoy it to this day.  "We will fight like tigers.  We will die like dogs.  'Cause we are The Three Amigos! (cue rediculous and unnecessary arm gestures, followed by an awkward pelvic thrust and grunt)" ~ The Three Amigos

3. - The Avengers - Never before has a team of superheroes assembled together in such a fantastic way on the big screen.  The Avengers was well done and the stories leading up to it and spinning off from it now are fantastic.  The marvel cinematic universe is one all can enjoy and this film really set the bar high for the superhero genre.  All in all, there's never been a better time to be a fan of superheroes.

2. - The Incredibles - I just love Pixar films.  And this one is probably my favorite of all of them.  The four-superhero team--Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, Dash, and Violet--plus one--Jack Jack--never get weary on the eyes.  It's such a fun, fast, flick.  I can't wait for the sequel!  It's about time.  "Of course I have a secret identity.  I don't know a single superhero who doesn't.  Who wants the pressure of being super all the time?" ~ Mr. Incredible

1. - Jurassic Park - Probably one of the most anticipated movie of my childhood.  I don't believe there was a movie I wanted to see more than Jurassic Park when I was a kid.  In fact, it is the only movie I have ever seen more than three times in a movie theater (four to be exact).  I also watch it a lot when my nephew was growing up.  Such a great movie.  "Dr. Grant.  My dear Dr. Sattler...welcome to Jurassic Park." ~ John Hammond

Day 7 - Your Last Random Act of Kindness

Day 7 - Your Last Random Act of Kindness

One of my favorite things to do nowadays is to drive through Starbucks and pay for the car's beverage (or a portion of their order) behind me.  I heard about people doing this a few years back around the holidays and thought it was a really cool random act of kindness.  It's nothing too big or too fancy, and yet hopefully something that can bring a smile to someone's face.  The last time I did this was on Ava and I's father/daughter day (Saturday, August 16th).  We drove through to get a mocha chip frappe' for myself and a chocolate chip cookie for the little miss (Ava actually fell asleep in the drive thru line).

So, normally when I do this, I pay for the person's drink and drive away never to see the car again.  Well, this time, the car followed me all the way to my turn to head south towards Highway 20.  As I looked in the rear-view mirror, I noticed the car following me.  I kept glancing back only to see a smile on the driver's face, which in turn just made my day.  As I merged into the left-turn lane, the car sped past honking their horn a couple times.  It was awesome.  Make someone's day?  Mission: Accomplished. :)