Update

Welcome back to the show! I believe it has been some time since I updated so I thought… why not? It’s Wednesday! So what’s happened in the past few months? My sister got married! Woo Congrats to Sun and Joanna My family got bigger, but the house got smaller I turned 27…… Hm.. I thought by 27 I would have beaten the game of life and have been on my way to starting it over again at a harder level But alas, still stuck on level 3 Anybody have any cheat codes I can use? Anyways, yes, one year older means one year wiser correct? Absolutely! Alliteration! Alaa Abdelnaby   Work has been work, learning to be patient and joyful in this area for sure.   The wizards have officially made me tired, but it’s all good, because I still believe in John Wall The Nats have the brightest future out of any DC team The Caps are in the playoffs, and surprise surprise.. they actually look like they care!! But the biggest news in the DC area: Robert Griffin III is in town ladies and gentleman This is the change Barack Obama was campaigning  for when he got here! This is the hope Barack Obama was talking about! It only took for years, but Obama was right!! RGIII is finally here   I’ve never felt so hyped over a player coming to the DMV area Not even John Wall provoked such emotion and joy Is this what hope feels like? I forgot what it feels like to believe that there are better days when it comes to DMV sports But now, because of one player, we can believe again! This feels like a sermon or something… Just replace RGIII and Jesus… Ok I feel blasphemous   Just know that DC sports is comin after YOU Boston, after YOU New York, after YOU other good sports cities   For the first time in about 13 years I will not be part of a short-term missions team I don’t know how to feel But, I do know I need a vacation for sure Young Jeezy said it best: Said I’m stressed out, so tired, my days, so long, got to move on I need good vacation ideas I just want good times, with good food and good people Suggestions?   I think we all need an F5 moment once in awhile   I just recently started Twitter up again Not because I wanted to “tweet” something, but rather to follow people that interested me I started following Rick Warren, John Piper, Jeremy Lin, Tebow, The Rock, and other interesting people I love how uplifting some of these people are, it brings more joy and hope than RGIII could ever provide… although ironically, I definitely follow RGIII on twitter.. hahah   One of the most important things I’ve learned through Twitter was something John Piper said: Being right with God must precede doing right for God Deep If all the things that we do are not based on the foundation of love It’s all in vain Psalm 127:1 says that “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.  Unless the lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Everything in life comes down to this foundation of love I don’t know much about relationships, but I do know that if you don’t love the other person, then it’s not really a relationship… is it? I think we try to complicate our relationship with God with a lot of theological questions and all this other stuff that makes us question why God does the things that He does, to understand what Heaven is going to be like, or why some are “chosen” or “not-chosen” and all this other stuff I think that there are times where people are afraid of using faith as an answer because they want to be intellectual, or are afraid that they are going to sound like a cop-out because their non-believing, and even believing friends are mad that “faith” is such a vague answer. It makes me think about what represents the gospel, being around a person who loves others because He first loved us, or someone who has all the answers? Which can lead to love and which one can lead to pride? Don’t get me wrong, all of us seek answers, but what I’m trying to say here is that we can’t be obsessed with finding out all the answers as if that’s going to get us into heaven.  That’s why faith is such a huge part of this thing called love.  It forces us to lay down our pride, confess we know nothing and letting God take control of all the answers that we seek. When we start looking for answers for our own personal gain and knowledge, we lose focus of what the cross was about I think in one way or another we want to be like Ravi or Piper, but if we’re looking to be like them, over the one true role model, we lose sight of what our life purpose is The reason Eve was so intrigued by that fruit wasn’t because the fruit was so delicious but because she wanted to have knowledge of all things and be equal with God, my fear is that many times I feel the same way, that if I have all the answers, I won’t need to live a life of faith, because I know everything… not to say that intellectuals are bad, it’s more of the pride that comes with knowing so much that can lead to destruction.. I think seeking the Word in faith that He will answer your questions better than any theologian or apologist ever could, would be your best bet 2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first of all, that no prophesy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from GOD as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Be intentional! I don’t know if what I just said made sense, but it’s something that I’ve thought about for awhile because of what I’ve been seeing on…. Twitter… hahaha….so many people asking why this and why that as if the answers to these questions would fill in the gap that only God himself can fill This life isn’t meant to be that complicated It’s meant to be a life that worships and loves God, and in return, He will do what is best.. if you just have faith… so simple.. yet so hard… Who knows, I may be totally off on all of this… I don’t know, it’s just what I think …   Bryce Harper is the real deal (how’s that for transition?) His arm strength is ridiculous and his power is already major league And he’s 19 Once he gets his discipline and patience under control… game over MLB…. Strasburg and Harper will be the new Manning-Harrison, Jordan-Pippin, Gooden-Strawberry   KT Tape has officially changed my negative belief that my ankle could never feel good ever again WRONG My ankle feels …. Better… I ordered three packs of KT Tape that I fully plan on using everytime I play sports from here until I can’t play anymore.. which at this rate is next year….   NEVER, and the Rock means NEVER, go to Golden Corral I don’t think I’ve ever felt that horrible literally hours after eating.. usually it takes a day or no.. No, not this time, it took 2-3 hours before my stomach felt like a mosh pit I think we’ve all experienced that sadness you feel when your stomach hurts so bad you start negotiating with God You start repenting and start telling Him if you get through this, everything is going to change Well this is the result ofthat change… a blog update… HAHA SUCKERS But forreal, Golden Corral is no good It has my seal of disapproval David Suh, you are a bad friend for letting us go there instead of Yuraku   Lately I’ve been experimenting the cereal that they have downstairs in the café I’ve come to the conclusion that Trix are not just for kids Cocoa puffs has the best cereal milk Rice Krispies last for about 30 second before they turn into mush The reason people are not healthy in America is because the healthy stuff is HORRIBLE Honey Nut Cheerios will never go out of style Golden Grahams is a winner   Breakfast food is the BEST Every Thursday, it’s pancake day at work I always get two butterscotch pancakes, a sausage link and a piece of bacon WELL worth the money and the years of life that meal probably takes away Wednesdays are biscuit and gravy day Fridays are You’ve had enough days…. Where I eat cereal and try to detox from the past two days Monday and Tuesdays are breakfast burrito days, filled with sausage, eggs, cheese, green peppers, mushrooms, onions, and tomato As I write this, I realize why I have no money….hm…   Everyone, please go check out Ed Sheeran He is going to change the game my friends, change the game   Songs that have been in my head lately: UNI- Ed Sheeran ATeam- Ed Sheeran Good to Sea- Pinback Hard to Breathe- B.O.B.   What ever happened to Jurassic 5?      

Super Bowl

Congratulations to the New York Giants

I find that one of the most obnoxious things about sports are those who say "i told you so"
If you're talkin about your team that's one thing
For example "I told you John Wall was going to tear it up in the league"
Obviously that's a false statement as of now, but i'm sure many people will say that once he does (hopefully) start tearing up the league
But even then, that's ok, whatever, ur simply being a fan

But
I've had countless people come up to me and tell me "i told you the giants were going to win the super bowl, in your face!"
Or something along those lines
Like, child please, the Giants were the hottest team coming into the playoffs, and obviously they had a good chance to win if the point spread was only 3....... or 2.5 .. whatever
Point being, these so-called fans start acting like they own the football world by making these statements that are borderline obvious
For example... "Man.. i TOLD you the Redskins were going to lose to the Patriots!"
Fool, there's a better chance that Joe Im goes to seminary than the redskins winning these days....
Come back when you can make a bold statement.. like "I TOLD you Jeremy Lin was going to win the NBA Dunk Contest!"

Anyways, going back to the Super Bowl
I was doing a little bit of research
From 2007-2012 (and i went to 2007 because i was too lazy to keep researching for more than 5 minutes...) the Super Bowl winners have been:
2011-12: Giants
2010-11: Packers
2009-10: Saints
2008-09: Steelers
2007-08: Giants

Now let me give you the scores of the games where the Redskins played the team from that season

2011-12: Giants (NYG 14 @ WAS 28 ; WAS 23 @ NYG 10 )
2010-11: Packers (GB 13 @ WAS 16 )
2009-10: Saints(NO 33 @ WAS 30 )
2008-09: Steelers ( PIT 23 @ WAS 6 )
2007-08: Giants (NYG 24 @ WAS 17 ; WAS 22 @ NYG 10)

So outside of that Pittsburgh game, you will notice the Redskins have kept it pretty close
So my theory on how to win a Super Bowl has come down this
Either the Redskins are REALLY good
OR (and this is probably a lot more realistic)
The Redskins are SO BAD, that the only way to prove that you are not on the same level as the Redskins, as the scores would show, is to simply win the Super Bowl
There would be no other way to justify losing to the Redskins
The Giants this year must have thought that, in order for the world not to laugh at them for getting swept by the Redskins, they can only win the Super Bowl
That was their motivation
Not simply win for the sake of winning
BUT win so that people will NEVER REMEMBER THAT THEY LOST TO THE REDSKINS THAT YEAR

One day the Redskins will be good again... (although c'mon... 20 years is a longgggg time to be believing that...)
And on that day... We can all collectively say "I told you so" and not sound like a pretentious D-bag!

See Ya

Laugh Out Loud

I always thought "lol" was a very dumb way to express how you feel
I still feel this way

But these gifs truly made me laugh out loud
Only when mentioning these moments can you truly say that you've "laughed out loud"
I call this: My life


This is how i feel at work, all day every day



This is how I feel when I think i'm done with work for the day and then my manager emails me more stuff with about 30 minutes left


This is physically how my day feels like...


In the world of accounting, this is how you feel when you've made one "tiny" mistake



Desean Jackson, in this case, is the weekend.. mocking me and making me sad



And this.... is me every Saturday morning!

Take it easy

This Blog has been blocked at work

Apparently my blog is a security threat and I am no longer allowed to update this page at work anymore.....
Nice
Be afraid GDIT, be very afraid.......

A new year means i can now make resolutions that no one will remember by the end of this upcoming year...
Although by putting my resolution on here... you can't really forget ....
Anyways..
My goal by the end of this year is to successfully say that this year was better than last year...
If I succeed then.. woo hoo... if not.. at least last year was awesome!

To look back at last year.. it was actually pretty eventful, not sure how i'm gonna top last year...
I got a job, went to cali basically for free, and went to Thailand...
Thank you LORD for 2011!
He has been so faithful, how can i not live a life of worship?

I recently started having back spasms.. when i tell you it is quite possibly the worst feeling in the world... i am not exaggerating... and this is coming from someone who has watched 3 entire episodes of Jersey Shore in one sitting....
Nothing makes you feel older than having a back injury...
Along with knee injuries... and you just lose all motivation to do anything... which is exactly what i did for 2 weeks...
Went to a youth retreat during this time looking to relax and worship
Worship was possible... relaxing was not
Whether it was making sure my kids were up and about, or making sure our skit wasn't embarrassing (failed attempt)... i wasn't able to get any kind of rest...
But at the same time, it was all so familiar.. it felt... right...
Can't explain it
God is good...

I recently started watching Studio 6o on the Sunset Strip
Pretty good show.. only lasted one season.. but still, pretty good
I love watching a show within a show... an inception of sorts in a TV kind of way
It's about what goes on "behind the scenes" of a show very similar to Saturday Night Live
It tries to make you think that this show is "real" and "raw"
It doesn't for me, but what i really enjoy about this show is the dialogue and chemistry these people seem to have
For me, the story can be stupid but if it has dialogue that's either insightful or comedic.. sign me up...
That's why I love Gladiator... more than the action... when Russell Crowe busts out in the:
I AM MAXIMUS MERIDAS, GENERAL OF THE
FELIX REGIMENT OF THE ROMAN ARMY AND
SERVANT TO THE EMPEROR MARCUS
AURELIUS!
I AM FATHER TO A MURDERED SON AND
HUSBAND TO A MURDERED WIFE AND
LANDLORD TO A MURDERED WORLD -- AND
I WILL HAVE VENGEANCE IN THIS LIFETIME OR THE NEXT!
after Commodus asks who he is ....I cry
(sorry about the caps lock, i like the dramatics of this quote)
And yes.. i realize this may be more of a "monologue" but Commodus does ask maximus who he is.. to be fair...

or anytime anyone speaks in Pulp Fiction
or when Neo meets Morpheus for the first time
and that's what Ellen Page is so endearing in Juno

Anyways... yea.. this is the year of watching great TV

I don't think that's where i was heading with this.....

I was also watching Parks and Recreation and realized that Andy Dwyer would probably be one of the most amazing people to be friends with
I think of Chris Cooley when I watch Andy Dwyer on P&R

Something i've realized while watching all this TV is that I watch way too much tv....
Shocker, yes
But not for the reason that you think
I love that TV melts my brain cells and will eventually be the reason I'm 300 pounds and alone for the rest of my life
It's the fact that TV gives me unrealistic expectations of life....
Because of TV i'm lead to believe that in a club, i am expected to know all the moves to a choreographed dance in order to fit in with the hippest crew..
yes.. i said hippest...
or that by simply being a sub-par actor who gets maybe 2 jobs a year can afford a nice apartment in the middle of New York
Or that i could get away with being a serial killer, if i'm serially killing serial killers..
Nice life

Don't get faked out ladies and gentleman
Live life according to a different standard
Insert religious quotes... here

Orange Soda is a gift from God

Sports will eventually be my downfall
I already have a jersey curse.. i'm afraid of what's next
My body has been worn down
99% of the teams i cheer for fail
God is telling me something....
Something about.. worshiping idols i think....
Naw... that can't be it... can it...?

I'll think of something better for next time....
Until then.. think of good topics for me...

Tebow Vent

Tebowmania is striking the nation right now and I love it!

Admittedly I am a huge tim tebow fan, I love his game, he just simply gets it done!

I love the interview he had with Skip Bayless the other day, it challenged me as a follower of Christ and he was talking about football

But more than anything I felt bad for him, not because I’m a fan of tim tebow, but because no player should be THAT scrutinized my his own coaches and his GM

It’s one thing to tell Tim to his face that they don’t trust him, it’s a whole different ball game when you’re telling the whole world.

That’s why john fox went from being 12-4 in 2008 to being 4-12 in 2010, you lose the trust of ur players and you lose team

John Elway is on a whole different level

Tim Tebow is doing something a quarterback with “all the tools” couldn’t do, and that’s win with what was given to him

John Elway simply refuses to acknowledge someone who is helping his organization do what they’re paid to do which is WIN

When an organization is losing, I can see why GMs and coaches would go down that low road of chastising players and deflecting the blame on to others

This is just pathetic….. how big is your ego that you would allow yourself to bring down a guy who is doing so much for the team, because he wasn’t the guy YOU selected (Fox and Elway)

Yea you guys didn’t select him with your draft pick, nor did u choose him as the opening day starter, but give props where props are due

Kyle Orton is a decent quarterback, at the very least… the past 2 years he’s thrown for over 3500 yards and 20 touchdowns.. by no means a bad qb….

Yet he wasn’t winning with literally the same group of guys that tebow is winning with, and he doesn’t even have Brandon Lloyd……

There’s something to be said about that… I just don’t kno where to start….

I’m not saying tim tebow will be an elite player, but I just don’t think his work ethic will allow him to be a mediocre player in this league

The greatest players in football were not always the super-athletic or the most orthodox players, they tended to be the ones that just simply wanted it more than you

Jerry Rice, emmitt smith, peyton manning, tom brady…. These players were known for their work ethic and it paid off…

There’s a saying where hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard… hello albert haynesworth

Just wanted to vent about the broncos organizational method… if they’re trying to motivate tebow by what they’re doing, they’re geniuses… but if not… fox and elway are FOOLS

Ghetto spongebob

The only thing that made me laugh on a monday.....

haha

Thai yurd

This past week was probably the worst week to be a fan of sports.
First you have the Sandusky incident, which is by far the worst.
Then you have the passing of a legend in Joe Frazier.
Then you have the lockout… still……
Then you have manny vs marquez… filled with controversy….
Then you have Wilson Ramos getting kidnapped, which thankfully ended with him being rescued
And then you have the redskins losing

Sooner or later you start to think about where the line is between sports and life…
Or is life about sports? Or sports about life?
I have no idea.
To be quite honest, sports is a heavy part of my life
That’s why, although shocking, it doesn’t move me in ways where people who aren’t too involved in sports would react.
For instance, the redskins losing, as numbing as it has become, still hurts in ways that people who aren’t associated with the redskins, football, or sports could understand.
I hate that I get so upset when people say “it’s just a sport”
But it’s the truth, I do get upset… and ultimately, it is just a game
Billions of dollars are spent on this game though, and people’s jobs are in this game, and friendships/relationships are built from this “game”
Many of the friends I made in school and church were through sports
If I didn’t play or care about sports, I know that I would probably have a whole different set of friends, leading to different life paths.. so ultimately.. sports is a huge part of life… to me at least
I don’t kno why I had to explain myself.. but it’s something that’s been on my mind recently
I’m not gonna lie to you, I love sports. I love how, like anything else, it can teach you about life.
That’s all….

Sunday, I met Sun’s (my sister’s fiancé) parents for the first time.
Unfortunately I was unprepared for this meeting.
They called me around 5 to meet them for dinner
At the time, I was helping a friend coach his youth group football team, so I hadn’t bothered making myself “presentable.”
Fortunately I had a sweater in my car
Unfortunately I was pretty grizzly… in the facial area…
By the true grace of God, there was a CVS right next to the restaurant we were meeting at
2 dollars later, I had a razor in my hand and I quickly ran to the restaurant bathroom
Cleanly shaven I get to the table and start eating
I start feeling my face start to bleed and realize that a 2 dollar razor was probably not the best idea for someone who had quite a bit of facial hair
So for the next 20 minutes I’m wiping my face with this RED napkin (thank God), trying to dry the 3 cuts I had on my face
Regardless, we’re all enjoying dinner and none are the wiser about my ninja shaving skills
Or so I thought….
My sister and sun immediately know that I shaved in the bathroom and tells my mom, in jest
My mom in turn tells sun’s mom and dad, and we all have a good laugh
At me

My next sneaker purchase:

Game over my friends

Which leads to the top 5 most beautiful shoes of all time
In no order:

1.) Air Jordan xii flints

So nostalgic, makes me want to cry
These were the shoes I wanted more than any other growing up… so when I got an original pair about 7 years after they came out, I didn’t even care about the price of the shoe, I just had to have them… they remind of a time when ball was truly life

2.) Jordan xi concords

Beautiful, there’s not really much more u can say about this shoe, it’s just …. Beautiful….
This was the shoe that Jordan just absolutely dominated with, 72-10, need I say more?
I didn’t really care for these shoes, but someway somehow, they became a holy grail

3.) Foamposite ones

The shoe that started it all for me… if I can ever find a pair for a reasonable price I will not hesitate

4.) Penny 2

I have a retro pair of these that have yet to leave the box… one day I will wear them… and dance

5.) Grant hill 2

Fila?!?! Yes… back then Grant Hill was the man, and these shoes were basically the most awesome things on the planet at the time


Yes.. all these shoes were released in the mid-90s
Yes.. I am a very nostalgic person
They definitely don’t make em like they used to

That’s all, forreal