Having one of those days when I realise how lucky I am to have so much and there are times when I seem to forget that so made a video to remind me and motivate me if I ever have one of those rainy days. Big thanks to my family, friends and most importantly my Saviour Jesus Christ who has given me more than I could ever ask for.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
English Poem
Today marks the start of my nineteenth year on this earth,
And I have enjoyed my life since birth.
I come from the land down under.
Where the desert sands run red,
and the sky a deep blue,
but that can all change in a second
we get lightning and thunder to.
I do miss my home,
but never enough to go back.
Adelaide is a small city,
and the U.S. is where it's at.
My business is here,
I got to do what I got to do.
To Ball and be educated.
Until the next four years are through.
I am in love.
With the girl of my dreams.
She comes from California,
Which is Ironic I think.
Because I have always longed to live there.
By the palm trees and beach.
The sunshine and sand has always appealed to me.
I have big dreams.
Although I don't know where the Lord will take me,
But I do know this,
if I seek him I will have safety.
No matter where I go
or no matter who I'm with,
It's his great sacrifice that drives me,
to go out and win.
I love my family
Every generation through.
It's there support that keeps me going.
When times seem blue.
I appreciate a challenge,
Because it is an opportunity to grow.
If you never push your boundaries,
your never going to know.
I do like to read books,
and listen to music to.
I wish I was artistic,
but to say I could paint
just wouldn't be true.
I am a tattoo fiend,
and wish I had money for more
but being a student-athlete
I am kinda poor.
I am a history education major,
because I like to learn about old things.
Captain Cooks Travels and the Civil War
are things that are of interest me.
My future seems bright,
and full of good things.
I look forward to time writing my story
as the days go by.
My name is Daniel Carlin
and this is a poem of my life.
And I have enjoyed my life since birth.
I come from the land down under.
Where the desert sands run red,
and the sky a deep blue,
but that can all change in a second
we get lightning and thunder to.
I do miss my home,
but never enough to go back.
Adelaide is a small city,
and the U.S. is where it's at.
My business is here,
I got to do what I got to do.
To Ball and be educated.
Until the next four years are through.
I am in love.
With the girl of my dreams.
She comes from California,
Which is Ironic I think.
Because I have always longed to live there.
By the palm trees and beach.
The sunshine and sand has always appealed to me.
I have big dreams.
Although I don't know where the Lord will take me,
But I do know this,
if I seek him I will have safety.
No matter where I go
or no matter who I'm with,
It's his great sacrifice that drives me,
to go out and win.
I love my family
Every generation through.
It's there support that keeps me going.
When times seem blue.
I appreciate a challenge,
Because it is an opportunity to grow.
If you never push your boundaries,
your never going to know.
I do like to read books,
and listen to music to.
I wish I was artistic,
but to say I could paint
just wouldn't be true.
I am a tattoo fiend,
and wish I had money for more
but being a student-athlete
I am kinda poor.
I am a history education major,
because I like to learn about old things.
Captain Cooks Travels and the Civil War
are things that are of interest me.
My future seems bright,
and full of good things.
I look forward to time writing my story
as the days go by.
My name is Daniel Carlin
and this is a poem of my life.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
California Christmas pt. 2
Dec. 26th was going to be a pretty important day for me and like many days on this trip it had been one I had been looking forward to for a while. Alisha and myself where driving up to Santa Barbara so I could go on my visit to Westmont College, a school that had been recruiting me basically as soon as I was over in the U.S.. It was about a 4 hour drive up from Alisha's house at Canyon Lake, it might have been shorter but we hit some heavy traffic after getting through LA. My visit started with lunch at a nice cafe with Coach Azain. We had a great conversation and a great meal after that it was time to drive up and have a look around campus. Westmont was beautiful in was in the foot hills of Santa Barbara and the place felt almost magical. What I love especially is they had plenty of imported gum trees which made me feel right at home. We got to walk through the gym, see the track and field and baseball fields. Walk all around campus. It was amazing, it was as if someone had put a school in the middle of the botanical gardens back home. From the higher points on campus you could see the ocean, which made me so happy because 1 thing I am really missing in Casper is the beach.
Westmont Campus:
After the walk around campus Lish got to be my tour guide of Santa Barbara as she had lived there herself for 4 years so first of it was apparently a must do to go get a smoothie from blenders, It was amazing I will definitely be making frequent visits there I am sure. After the smoothie It was time to drive around and see Santa Barbara. The town was just amazing very typical California amazing beach, palm trees a massive jetty (or the pier as Americans like to call it) with restaurants on it. It's one of those up scale places which is nice all the buildings are amazing. There was still about 2 hours before I had to be up at the gym to get an individual in before practice so Alisha took me to her favourite beach where we got to watch the sun set. Then we took the long way back to Westmont through the hills by all the nice houses, including Oprah's estate.
We got up to the gym and first up I had an individual workout with Coach Azain and also got to meet Coach Moore. The workout was good and once that was over I was able to meet some of the team before practice. The team practice was great, We prayed at the start and end of practice. Everyone was working hard and it was just a fun group to be apart of. What I think was so great about it was that it reminded me of our Centrals ABA practice back home and that was probably been my favourite team to be apart of so anything that reminds me of that group is always going to be a positive.
After practice I stayed with one of the guys in the dorm rooms. It was good that I was put with him because He came from a JC and we are doing the same major (History Education) we got to have a good chat and he was able to fill me in on Westmont life. In the morning I went to breakfast with Coach Moore where we enjoyed a great discussion of numerous things; God, Basketball, Westmont, Santa Barbara, my life, his life. It was a great breakfast and as soon as we got done there it was time to get back on the road.
we stopped off at a nice outlet mall to spend some Christmas money, I found a Cotton On in the U.S. and bought numerous items as well as strolling around and getting a few items to help out my suit for the wedding coming up. Alisha also got her dress for the wedding and a few things from Cotton On.
After our little shopping trip we had one last stop before getting back to Canyon Lake. Alisha took me to one of her favourite places in the world. The Griffith Observatory, It was beautiful we were able to look over and see the Hollywood sign as well as the lights from Los Angeles bright up the night time. We were only there for a short time as Alisha was meeting up with her two best friends from high school that she hadn't seen for a very long time so back on the road it was.
I wish I could tell you first person that Alisha had a great time catching up with her high school besties and I'm sure they did but although I was there, I wasn't really basically I was awake for introductions and enough to see them open there time capsule but from then on I was passed out on the couch and was woken up when it was time to go. I'm sure they all had a blast.
The 29th was yet another day I had been looking forward to for a long time, It would be the day that I and Alisha would get to reunite with our great friends and newly weds Josh and Natalie. Alisha was lucky enough to see their wedding but unfortunately for me I had to be up at Casper so I was very excited for this day. We got into Tuscon about lunch time, after a quick stop at the mall we got to the Kollasch Condo. After a good catch up, lunch and brief planning we headed of to the mall for a stroll around. On the way we also got to pick up a beautiful little blexican boy who Josh and Nat help look after he was precious. Our night plan consisted of a nice dinner/movie combo double date. Who was dating who became questionable as me and Joshy wore matching sweaters and look liked quiet the cute couple. My dinner was great I had a nice rack of baby back ribs while Alisha's dinner was a little more interesting. she had a run in with a very hot pepper, Josh also tried it. I quiet enjoyed there reactions apparently when I didn't want to try it, it meant I didn't care I just call it smart. We also got to enjoy a quality movie in New Years Eve definitely recommend it. We didn't stay up to late as we had a big day coming up. So after a great breakfast and some goodbyes it was time to head off.
Westmont Campus:
After the walk around campus Lish got to be my tour guide of Santa Barbara as she had lived there herself for 4 years so first of it was apparently a must do to go get a smoothie from blenders, It was amazing I will definitely be making frequent visits there I am sure. After the smoothie It was time to drive around and see Santa Barbara. The town was just amazing very typical California amazing beach, palm trees a massive jetty (or the pier as Americans like to call it) with restaurants on it. It's one of those up scale places which is nice all the buildings are amazing. There was still about 2 hours before I had to be up at the gym to get an individual in before practice so Alisha took me to her favourite beach where we got to watch the sun set. Then we took the long way back to Westmont through the hills by all the nice houses, including Oprah's estate.
We got up to the gym and first up I had an individual workout with Coach Azain and also got to meet Coach Moore. The workout was good and once that was over I was able to meet some of the team before practice. The team practice was great, We prayed at the start and end of practice. Everyone was working hard and it was just a fun group to be apart of. What I think was so great about it was that it reminded me of our Centrals ABA practice back home and that was probably been my favourite team to be apart of so anything that reminds me of that group is always going to be a positive.
After practice I stayed with one of the guys in the dorm rooms. It was good that I was put with him because He came from a JC and we are doing the same major (History Education) we got to have a good chat and he was able to fill me in on Westmont life. In the morning I went to breakfast with Coach Moore where we enjoyed a great discussion of numerous things; God, Basketball, Westmont, Santa Barbara, my life, his life. It was a great breakfast and as soon as we got done there it was time to get back on the road.
we stopped off at a nice outlet mall to spend some Christmas money, I found a Cotton On in the U.S. and bought numerous items as well as strolling around and getting a few items to help out my suit for the wedding coming up. Alisha also got her dress for the wedding and a few things from Cotton On.
After our little shopping trip we had one last stop before getting back to Canyon Lake. Alisha took me to one of her favourite places in the world. The Griffith Observatory, It was beautiful we were able to look over and see the Hollywood sign as well as the lights from Los Angeles bright up the night time. We were only there for a short time as Alisha was meeting up with her two best friends from high school that she hadn't seen for a very long time so back on the road it was.
I wish I could tell you first person that Alisha had a great time catching up with her high school besties and I'm sure they did but although I was there, I wasn't really basically I was awake for introductions and enough to see them open there time capsule but from then on I was passed out on the couch and was woken up when it was time to go. I'm sure they all had a blast.
Nap time :)
The 29th was yet another day I had been looking forward to for a long time, It would be the day that I and Alisha would get to reunite with our great friends and newly weds Josh and Natalie. Alisha was lucky enough to see their wedding but unfortunately for me I had to be up at Casper so I was very excited for this day. We got into Tuscon about lunch time, after a quick stop at the mall we got to the Kollasch Condo. After a good catch up, lunch and brief planning we headed of to the mall for a stroll around. On the way we also got to pick up a beautiful little blexican boy who Josh and Nat help look after he was precious. Our night plan consisted of a nice dinner/movie combo double date. Who was dating who became questionable as me and Joshy wore matching sweaters and look liked quiet the cute couple. My dinner was great I had a nice rack of baby back ribs while Alisha's dinner was a little more interesting. she had a run in with a very hot pepper, Josh also tried it. I quiet enjoyed there reactions apparently when I didn't want to try it, it meant I didn't care I just call it smart. We also got to enjoy a quality movie in New Years Eve definitely recommend it. We didn't stay up to late as we had a big day coming up. So after a great breakfast and some goodbyes it was time to head off.
Cuties
Hanging with the Chipmunks
The 30th was a day that Alisha had been really looking forward to for a couple of reasons, She was finally meeting up with her bestie after nearly a year of being apart and it was also another one of her good friends wedding. I was also looking forward to this day one to meet Alisha's best friend Kerri in person and for the wedding as well because I love, love. We picked up Kerri from Tuscon airport and made our way up to Phoenix or the wedding. It was a great ceremony and was awesome to see two followers of Christ become one. After a fun reception and an after party involving Catch-Phrase (which I happened to gain rookie of the year honors) me and my team mate Kerri pulled of plenty of Jordan game 6 like plays to put away the competition in a strong 7 games series.
Looking Sharp
Meeting Kerri
In Love
The next day, New Years Eve was a day spent a lot of time in the car. We dropped Kerri off at the airport and headed back to Canyon Lake where we would spend our last night together. It was a quiet night spent finishing packing up, watching movies, my last dinner with the Heglund fam and just enjoying Alisha's company. We made a quick stop at the party Laura and Dale were at but we spent the rest of the night praying for the up coming year had our first NYE kiss then it was pretty much bed time.
Happy New Years
The next day was one I was hadn't been looking forward to but one that had to come. We where up early and on our way down to San Diego so I could head back to Casper. Good byes are never good but me and Lish did pretty good with this one. So it was back to texting and skype but it's okay I'll be back in Cali soon.
Good bye for now.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
California Christmas pt. 1
Finally the day I had been waiting for since Alisha left from her weekend visit to Wyoming. It was Dec 16th and I was finally on my way to California for my 2 week Christmas break. The day started of quite painfully really I had got 4 new tattoos the night before and I had forgotten how much they hurt the next day. It was a real early morning in Casper the sun wasn't even up but It was the only time I could get a lift to Denver so up at 4 30 it was after leaving the tattoo parlour at 12 30. a quick 4 hour drive and I was at the Denver airport after a few hours to hang around it was time to get on my flight to San Diego.
Getting of the plane in SD I was so happy it was only minutes until I would be reunited with Alisha and as soon as I walked out the doors I could smell the ocean air which I had been missing so much. It's amazing how I can actually really notice the change in air from Casper to San Diego, it has so much more oxygen. After Alisha picked me up it was up to the beach house to drop of my bags and pick up Trevor. then it was onto Costco to pick up supplies and then Chipotle for dinner. Trevor suggested I have a double wrapped Chicken Casuritto (I think that's how you spell it) it was as mind blowing as advertised.
The weekend was spent mainly just hanging around the beach house with Trev and the puppies Faith and Kodi (these two have to be the most gorgeous golden retrievers I have ever seen) as Alisha had work during the days. Sunday morning I got to go check out Alisha's home church, which is basically as castle. It's massive and awesome. I don't think she liked that I called it a castle and kept telling me it wasn't a super church but it was definitely castle like. Sunday night we packed back up and drove up to the Canyon Lake house, It was my first time there and it was so nice Canyon Lake is how I always pictured a typical American suburbia. The Heglund house was so nice as well, felt very homey inside.
The next morning it was up early as Alisha had the day off from work so we were going to one of my favourite places in the world DISNEYLAND!!!!! I was so excited I had gone earlier in the year with some of my AAU team mates and it was amazing so I was even more pumped to be going with Alisha it's just one of those places you want to be there with a partner especially for the fire works. So after getting ready and putting some breakfast in us we got on the road. Anaheim was about an hour away. we got there just before noon and enjoyed a fun filled day. Got on numerous rides, strolled around the park, had photos with Santa, ate churros, got a nice dinner at rain forest cafe in Downtown Disney, went back for the fire works, ate some more churros. Then before we left we went over and watched the world of colour water show which was amazing. We then headed on home and were pretty much passed out straight away.
Most of my first week was spent hanging out with Trev and the Pups which was a lot of fun, we got some shots up down at the park and also got to play a bit of pick up at LA Fitness which was fun played against some interesting and bitchy....well mostly just bitchy characters that could comprehend how I would get to the basket in two steps from the 3 so they kept trying to call travel. I think they forgot that they were 5'8 and I was 6'9.
Some other highlights of the week was when we went back to the beach house for one night Alisha, Trev and myself went out to Bj's Restaurant and it was amazing I decided to go with the 5 meat pizza and I didn't realize how much meat would be on it, It was the most carnivorous meal I have ever consumed. Trevor and I also drove along the beach and gave some runners a but of encouragement using the wolf whistle on his cars PA system, It was just our way of making the world a better place.
It was Christmas Eve Eve and the Heglunds had decided to take me down to Riverside to check out the Mission Inn which is this old school Latino style inn which is just decked out to the max with Christmas lights and decorations. It was gorgeous to see!
Christmas Eve was great, It was Alisha's last day at work and she got off early! Christmas Eve in Cali was actually Christmas day back home so I was able to skype my whole family and wish the all a merry Christmas it was great to see them all at one time. That night it was off to church to celebrate the birth of our Saviour with the Heglunds church family. Then that night it was time to enjoy a Heglund Christmas tradition tamales, I had been told of this legendary meal even before I started dating Alisha, and Trev was more pumped each day so there was about as much hype about this meal as there was hype about Lebron moving to Miami. Unlike Lebrons horrible final series for the Heat, this meal was everything that was promised it was a delicious way to get ready for Christmas day.
Then came Christmas! This had to be my favourite day of my trip not just because of who I was with, but more so what Christmas is about. This is the day I get to celebrate the birth of my/our Saviour. The day I get to do my best to mimic his love and give gifts to those I love. Of course my gift could never be as great as his, I mean it's kind of hard to beat dieing for the world to save us from sin and give us the opportunity for eternal life but I did my best. I had been so pumped for this morning for so long because I had bought Alisha's present in early October and had been waiting so long to give it to her. That gift was a promise ring and a very nice one if I don't say so myself. The look on her face was one I will always keep with me when she opened it, and Laura's face as well for a brief second I think she though I was proposing lol. I was so happy that she was so happy and I hope that is the way God feels for those who are truly happy about receiving his perfect gift. Apart from giving I also got some great gifts, Some really good books from Laura and Dale. Alisha and Trev (well It was mostly a gift from Alisha but Trev mostly made it) made me some string and nail art which was a map of Australia, I was blown away by how great and creative it was it now sits above my bed/man cave in my dorm. The rest of the day was spent with Alisha's extended family it was great to see everyone again and meet a couple of new faces. The food whipped up by Trevor, Laura and Dale was amazing. Everyone was more than full. After dinner it was time just to relax and watch T.V. in our food coma states. Oh and I also forgot to mention that NBA was on all day and my 3 Teams, Knicks, Clipper and Chicago all got the W's made my day a lot merrier.
So that sums up my first week in Cali bit over due but better late than never. Part 2 will be coming very soon I promise so stay posted.
Getting of the plane in SD I was so happy it was only minutes until I would be reunited with Alisha and as soon as I walked out the doors I could smell the ocean air which I had been missing so much. It's amazing how I can actually really notice the change in air from Casper to San Diego, it has so much more oxygen. After Alisha picked me up it was up to the beach house to drop of my bags and pick up Trevor. then it was onto Costco to pick up supplies and then Chipotle for dinner. Trevor suggested I have a double wrapped Chicken Casuritto (I think that's how you spell it) it was as mind blowing as advertised.
The weekend was spent mainly just hanging around the beach house with Trev and the puppies Faith and Kodi (these two have to be the most gorgeous golden retrievers I have ever seen) as Alisha had work during the days. Sunday morning I got to go check out Alisha's home church, which is basically as castle. It's massive and awesome. I don't think she liked that I called it a castle and kept telling me it wasn't a super church but it was definitely castle like. Sunday night we packed back up and drove up to the Canyon Lake house, It was my first time there and it was so nice Canyon Lake is how I always pictured a typical American suburbia. The Heglund house was so nice as well, felt very homey inside.
The next morning it was up early as Alisha had the day off from work so we were going to one of my favourite places in the world DISNEYLAND!!!!! I was so excited I had gone earlier in the year with some of my AAU team mates and it was amazing so I was even more pumped to be going with Alisha it's just one of those places you want to be there with a partner especially for the fire works. So after getting ready and putting some breakfast in us we got on the road. Anaheim was about an hour away. we got there just before noon and enjoyed a fun filled day. Got on numerous rides, strolled around the park, had photos with Santa, ate churros, got a nice dinner at rain forest cafe in Downtown Disney, went back for the fire works, ate some more churros. Then before we left we went over and watched the world of colour water show which was amazing. We then headed on home and were pretty much passed out straight away.
Pre Disneyland pic
California Adventure Park
Castle :)
Most of my first week was spent hanging out with Trev and the Pups which was a lot of fun, we got some shots up down at the park and also got to play a bit of pick up at LA Fitness which was fun played against some interesting and bitchy....well mostly just bitchy characters that could comprehend how I would get to the basket in two steps from the 3 so they kept trying to call travel. I think they forgot that they were 5'8 and I was 6'9.
Some other highlights of the week was when we went back to the beach house for one night Alisha, Trev and myself went out to Bj's Restaurant and it was amazing I decided to go with the 5 meat pizza and I didn't realize how much meat would be on it, It was the most carnivorous meal I have ever consumed. Trevor and I also drove along the beach and gave some runners a but of encouragement using the wolf whistle on his cars PA system, It was just our way of making the world a better place.
It was Christmas Eve Eve and the Heglunds had decided to take me down to Riverside to check out the Mission Inn which is this old school Latino style inn which is just decked out to the max with Christmas lights and decorations. It was gorgeous to see!
Christmas Eve was great, It was Alisha's last day at work and she got off early! Christmas Eve in Cali was actually Christmas day back home so I was able to skype my whole family and wish the all a merry Christmas it was great to see them all at one time. That night it was off to church to celebrate the birth of our Saviour with the Heglunds church family. Then that night it was time to enjoy a Heglund Christmas tradition tamales, I had been told of this legendary meal even before I started dating Alisha, and Trev was more pumped each day so there was about as much hype about this meal as there was hype about Lebron moving to Miami. Unlike Lebrons horrible final series for the Heat, this meal was everything that was promised it was a delicious way to get ready for Christmas day.
Pre Church pic, because we like to be pretty for Jesus
Then came Christmas! This had to be my favourite day of my trip not just because of who I was with, but more so what Christmas is about. This is the day I get to celebrate the birth of my/our Saviour. The day I get to do my best to mimic his love and give gifts to those I love. Of course my gift could never be as great as his, I mean it's kind of hard to beat dieing for the world to save us from sin and give us the opportunity for eternal life but I did my best. I had been so pumped for this morning for so long because I had bought Alisha's present in early October and had been waiting so long to give it to her. That gift was a promise ring and a very nice one if I don't say so myself. The look on her face was one I will always keep with me when she opened it, and Laura's face as well for a brief second I think she though I was proposing lol. I was so happy that she was so happy and I hope that is the way God feels for those who are truly happy about receiving his perfect gift. Apart from giving I also got some great gifts, Some really good books from Laura and Dale. Alisha and Trev (well It was mostly a gift from Alisha but Trev mostly made it) made me some string and nail art which was a map of Australia, I was blown away by how great and creative it was it now sits above my bed/man cave in my dorm. The rest of the day was spent with Alisha's extended family it was great to see everyone again and meet a couple of new faces. The food whipped up by Trevor, Laura and Dale was amazing. Everyone was more than full. After dinner it was time just to relax and watch T.V. in our food coma states. Oh and I also forgot to mention that NBA was on all day and my 3 Teams, Knicks, Clipper and Chicago all got the W's made my day a lot merrier.
Promise Ring!
Bro's
Bling Bling
My Australia <3
So that sums up my first week in Cali bit over due but better late than never. Part 2 will be coming very soon I promise so stay posted.
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