Jonathan Chipman

Great Birthday 2009

This year was a wonderful birthday, beginning yesterday morning and continuing throughout today.

Mom and Dad are currently in Lima for a special 3 day mission president training, so yesterday we talked over SKYPE and celebrated together. Every year Mom tells the story of when we met the first few hours of life. I love this and always treasure it. What metal is finer than gold? (I really don't know). Even finer than the finest metal is the heart of my mom and my dad. It's pure.

When I awoke I read a wonderful card from my nieces and nephews--who are great artists! Each of my siblings sent great emails that made me laugh and smile. I couldn't ask for anything better than this! My family is the bomb dot com.

The radio was playing some of my favorite music on the radio when I woke up. I heard U2's Pride, a new song by Five for Fighting: 'Chances', Ingrid Michaelson's 'Maybe', and John Mellencamp's 'Jack and Diane'.

Throughout the day I've been in a good mood. Family, friends, and aunts have sent birthday wishes over text messages, facebook, Geni Family, and phone messages. In addition to those who sent birthday wishes, I'm happy to have many other great friends--and this makes me just as happy.

For those interested in what I did during the day: work and school mostly. I got a lot accomplished, so that's something to feel good about. After wrapping up some school work, I went to Family Home Evening. On the drive to FHE, I listened to some more of my favorite music (Matchbox 20) with the sunroof and window down. The weather turned out beautifully today. When I arrived to FHE (30 minutes late), my FHE group burst into singing the moment I walked in! I'm 100% sure that I blushed a little. That was awesome.

I came home to one great surprise and one great non-surprise. First, I was not surprised to have received a wonderful card from my Aunt Edna in Indiana. This is one of our closest friends whom we consider our aunt, and she always remembers birthdays and holidays by sending a nice card. I don't know how she stays on top of everything (I certainly am not that great), but she does so well. Now to my surprise, five of my good friends decorated my room with 40-50 balloons, streamers, and an awesome poster. I'll post the photo sometime (just not tonight). This is the second time my room has been decorated while I've celebrated away from home. The first was during my freshman year and then this year.

I'm now one year older, and I can only hope to become wiser too! I want you all, especially my family, to know how much I appreciated your thoughts, and I want to tell you just how wonderful a day it has been. Thank you all for making it extra special.

Cheers to all,
Jonathan

Character of the Happy Warrior

Thank you Mr. Clawson for introducing me to this poem.

Character of the Happy Warrior

A great time in the district

One of the big highlights for me, was seeing my good friend Rachel Sheffield. We have many great memories of the DC, as we were both in the district a couple of years ago during my NIH internship.

Unfortunately, the picture of Jaelynn and I are on David's camera. She came with David and I to Old Alexandria and then to Iowa Jima. Good for her, she's going to law school, and I'm sure she'll do great.

This is the great view from atop the Newseum. I spent 2.5 hours there and could have spent another 2 hours there. Somehow I wasn't aware of the Newseum when i was last in DC, but after going, I believe it's one of my favorite attractions in DC.

Anne and waxed up Herbert Hoover.

At the NIH poster session. Emily (on the right) had an NIH similar as I had two years ago. Sooo, she too participated in the annual student poster session. It was fun to return. . . .

As it turns out, the project I worked on 2 years ago with Amy, is now being finalized. Though unaticipated, I met up again Amy and Lisa. Amy came back again this past summer to finish up the study.

. . .

Unfortunately, David has the only pictures of the two of us. BUT, they are on his blog, so check it out. Really, the highlight of the trip was hanging out with David. How lucky I was to have my bro around during a crazy week of meetings! Perhaps only David knows how much I really meant that last sentence.

News worthy

Did you catch this news segment on the Supreme Court. It's important.

Hold me back

I'm blog crazy. Two blogs in one day. Somebody hold me back!

My <3 for the Twin Cities is GROWING

DISCLAIMER:
This picture has very little to do with my post except that I googled for images related to "Highland Festival" and liked this one.

NEW RECORD:
For those who request I post more often, please note how I'm reducing the time in between posts dramatically. Honestly, this post may be coming out too soon. I'm not sure if I can live up to posting my next blog in under 10 months . . . BUT, I'll try.

Now for the point of the blog entry . . .

LITTLE KNOWN FACT BY NON-MINNESOTANS:
Most people don't fully appreciate how much Minnesota loves a party. I am NOT exaggerating when I say that there are at least 55 festivals scheduled for the next year in JUST the Twin Cities!

Yesterday I was running an errand when the store I sought out was nearly encompassed by a six block long festival called Highland Festival. I walked around and scored a free 2 minute massage which truly melted my butter (meaning, it was great). I then signed up for a massage appointment for this upcoming Monday. The appointment normally costs about $350, but I'm doing it for $20. I'm sure this was a NEED and that I'm justified in spending my fun money this way.

NOT JUST FESTIVALS:
This weekend I also went to an outdoor movie projected on the St. Paul library. I know that's common for many cities, but the point is: you can never run out of GREAT and FREE things to do here! This weekend has just added to my love and appreciation for the TC. Compared to other places I've lived, the Twin Cities fall right up there with Boston and DC.

I JUST CAN'T STOP:
Now that you're dying to move to the Twin Cities, let me sweeten the deal just a little more. I am now I'm copying directly from Wikipedia:

- The Minneapolis park system has been called the best-designed, best-financed, and best-maintained in America.

- The region is second only to New York City in live theater per capita^[60] and is the third-largest theater market in the U.S..

- Minneapolis and Seattle are tied as America's most literate city.

- Runner's World ranks the Twin Cities as America's sixth best city for runners.

- The Minnesota Orchestra plays classical and popular music at Orchestra Hall under music director Osmo Vänskä who has set about making it the best in the country.

- The Twin Cities ranked the country's second best city in a 2006 Kiplinger's poll of Smart Places to Live and Minneapolis was one of the Seven Cool Cities for young professionals.

And finally, because I've seen cool things like the girl in this picture twirling around a fire baton. (I then watched an old black and white movie starring Buster Keaton called "The General" . . . I didn't really know who he was and still don't).

This is a great place.

So what I'm trying to say is . . .

Twin Cities, I <3 U .

Your's truly,
Jonathan Joseph

Welcome to the home, where you will find much shalom!!

Today I finally got the internet set up so that I could post this video. The first minute and a half is maybe somewhat long winded of me playing around with the video. Also, I'll mention this was my first attempt to make a video through the Windows software program. So, given that it was my first video and that I didn't want to spend even more time than I did, you may find it somewhat choppy in some places.

Life is excellent, I'm enjoying my time here in Minnesota. Please drop a line and catch up sometime.

Labels: Shalom in the Home