Well the end of a truly glorious saga has come. 2007 was quite a year. Wow, it's been a few months since I've pulled an update on this guy.

As you can see I attempted to change my look and feel around. Someone needs to tell me how to put pictures and stuff as the background. I keep going to my friends profiles and they have these really cool trees in the back... That's so spiffy.

Anyways, what's been happening? Well, I thoroughly enjoyed snowboarding and ski blading with my brothers a week ago. It seems like it's been over a month since I've been back, but in reality, it's been only a week.

There are a few things I love about snowboarding: The effortless glide along the snow, the feeling I get right before I hit a steep slope, maneuvering as well as I can manage as I try to avoid trees on the edges of the slope. Although, the outer edges of the slope is enjoyable, full on tree shooting is nigh impossible for me on a snowboard. It's too difficult for me to dodge trees in the deep woods. But in the end, slopes are crowded. Ski schools roam back and forth across the mountain. Sometimes I find myself dodging the laggers and simply trying to stay on my feet (I'm not a great snowboarder). The frustration I find in snowboarding passes in ski blading.

Ski blades are simply skis that are significantly small compared to their owner and they are absent of poles. Because of this, they are surprisingly easy to abandon the common path down the slope and sail off on a forgotten trail into the woods. I still cannot picture a more enjoyable experience then flying through snow covered trees on trails that crisscross randomly. The small blades sliding with beautiful agility across the powdery snow. The wind licking my face constantly as I push speeds that cause trepidation in my heart. My brothers and I will forge off in new explorations in the trees. We can go deep into the growth on the mountain. At times there will be no path from a previous skier barreling his way through the trees. The trees can get so thick that the shade gives the illusion of evening.

But when I rush through the trees, I get this feeling that I'm looking for something... Some sublime sight of nature that could be just around the corner of the pines. I know that sounds a little weird, but it's true. I guess I love staying away from the crowded slopes because while I rush through the trees I can at any moment simply stop my movement and sit in the snowy trees. Although I love the companionship of my brothers, sometimes I'll let them leave me in the middle of the woods. And as their shouts of joy grow fainter as they speed down the mountain ahead of me, I'll let myself be left alone. Looking, listening to the beautiful vision before me. The only sound I can hear is the snow falling lightly upon it's brethren already stuck to the earth. The trees, like the stoic guards of the wild, slowly nod back and forth in the light wind. Alone... In the forsaken wilderness... It's like a forgotten peace that isn't truly appreciated.

God for some bizarre reason, you placed in me a desire for your peace. And I often find it in solitude. I miss Africa. I remember walking out in the bush during our allotted hour of quiet time (good 'ol GE trips) and sitting out in the wild. The smell of genuine air devoid of pollution. Only my shadow to keep me company, and only the voice of God slowly whispering in my ear. I remember the occasional time I'd scare myself with my imagination thinking that a lion was just beyond some trees. The natural sounds combined with my paranoia was enough to get me startled.

Ahhh... Good memories.

More to come. Sorry, it's just plain 'ol boring text. I'm not very good at taking pictures.

Paul