Email to the guys from China

Nihow, wo shi menguren, boukway sho jung when wo gi do wo shi mingz shi A li ck

That means "Hello I am American, I do not speak chinese, but I know my name is Alec" This is my sentence. Its a pretty cool icebreaker. Not that I really need one over here. I think Chinese people, or at least the girls have a pretty scewed perspective on what a movie star looks like. I say that cause every girl i've met has said I look like a really famous star. Maybe its the beard. Jimmy the Factory liason for Salix (the company we work with) He doesn't speak English, but he calls me Baby Face. At first i was confused because I have a beard which is as far from a baby's face you can get. But latley I think it means I am attractive. I think this because everytime I get a massage (which is often - last night i got a full body...No Rob not that full...I named the girl Helga, because i felt this was the house of pain, she basically massaged every nerve ending in my body instead of actual muscles. I think i was tighting my entire body whenever she'd throw the elbow into some type of tendon or spot you aren't suppose to jab things into. It was pretty weird too when she started massaging my butt. I kid you not, not like the middle flabby part - but like the sides and bottom. At one point I think she pretty well cupped my lower left cheek completely. That was awkward) annnnnyways Jimmy calls me Baby Face to all the girls that are there, which is alot, and they all look 16, then again two nights ago I asked one girl her age...she was 28 :0 well he calls me baby face and the girls laugh or rather giggle. I think giggle more appropiately describes the situation.

I am still sick :( at first I was trying to polietly hide my coughs. I know how germaphobic they are here. But not I just hack up a lung and spit it in the closest garbage. I am tired of being sick, i don't care if they stare at me with they mouths wide open in disgust. Haha i was on the way to the factory this morning when i coughed up a particularly large amount of phlegm (don't you just love writing that word) and rolled down the window to spit. Now you have to understand China roadways are crazy, nobody signals, nobody gives right of way, its basically "if i have a bigger vechile, MOVE" this includes people walking, on bikes, on scooters, on motorcycles, in cars, in trucks, in vans, in buses, in big trucks etc etc. Well i rolled down the window and this guy on a scooter up coming up on the right and I spit the....pphhllleegggmmmm......

out right in front of him. He totally swerved out of its path and just stared at me. Thats the interesting thing about chinese people and road rage. It doesn't exist. They use their horn way more then we do. Here I will count how many times I hear it from the factory office (4th floor) in 10 seconds......1 2 3 4 55555555 6 7 - the 5th horn was held down. But they don't get made, nobody rolls down and cusses - not that I would know what a chinese cuss word sounds like. But they totally honk with faces of calm emotion. Really weird.

Anyways - writing this email was a good break. I spent two hours today taking footage with different cameras of a brick wall. Honestly. That was my day. So this is a pleasant break. I miss you guys and can't wait to come home...really...i can't wait. I am bummed to have missed out on everything, especially the party, but thanks for putting me up on the computer (and keeping me there - Karl) Curt convinced me you left that freezed frame on the TV in the living room. Gosh. Anyways I'll be home this Saturday at the earliest and next wednesday at the latest, thus is the life of China, can't work on schedules.

Mucho lovo, am praying for you all, and am appreciating all of the praying you guys are doing for me.

Love piece and chicken greese (suiting cause all I eat here is chicken)

Later,
Alec


PS. Also worth mentioning I have an official girlfriend here. He name is Ju-dong-lee. She is a hostess at the massage place, she is 18. I just found this out as she apparently texted Jimmy requesting to hang out with me tonight since she isn't working....Don't worry. I will decline. Tempting...actually NOT AT ALL HA! see you guys

Time Traveler's Wife

So I am sitting in the Narita Airport in Tokoyo Japan. I'm getting on a plane to Shanghai in less than an hour and I am super tired. Its something like 1am back home. I am not too sure right now.

Anyways - I watch the movie The Time Travelers Wife just before we landed here. Alot of that movie is sticking with me and I am processing it pretty thoroughly. Just wanted to write down my thoughts;

1. Having a love of your life. How often this is the theme to any good story or movie. A sole individual whom you've known for the bulk of your life and fall deeply in love with and pursue happiness with them despite insurmountable odds. I wish life was like this. It becomes really easy to become captivated by this idea and examine my own life. At 24 years into it and I know with all the most certainly that I have not met the love of my life, let alone met anyone that could come close to her. The task at hand, is to take it all with perspective and look forward to the time I do get to spend with her, whenever that is.

2. The movie really has reinforced my belief and desire for a family. I don't believe I'll be anywhere near a having a family when I meet my wife, however the desire for it..at some point in life...is there. The picture of a family, of a home, of love, of unity, or intimacy. Its one I want. More then any job, career, money, fame, or experience I could ask for.

3. The severity of the desire for the second item brings me to the third. Death. What is it like to loose the one you've loved, in one way or another for your entire life? Where is one left when they are gone. Alot of my head tells me my faith in God and Christ. However in this moment, i am scared. Scared of one day loving a girl, a family enough to have to risk the chance of one day living in a world without them. Its a pain, a loss I hope to never feel. I have never been around death, never lost someone close to me, perhaps this is why I am fearing it so much. I don't know what it will be like. The fear of the unknown.

I'm scared to love someone with all of my being, beyond all reason and logic, beyond doubt, insecurity, indeed any deterrent this world has to offer. Someone who by all means will never fully belong to me, and may be taken away at any moment. But I firmly believe that this cannot deter me from loving them. A life without love is terrible.

Lightning in the Face!

Last night was a most amazing evening.

It was roughly 11:30pm, the housemates had all tucked themselves away into bed and I, being a facebook addict, was up a bit later than anyone else. Well the hour rolled around and I left for the long treck to bed.

First stop, the always important teeth brushing exercise in the 2nd floor bathroom. This is where the night gets interesting...

So there I am brushing away, to the left of the mirror is a window pointing towards the SouthWest. Out of my peripheral vision I see the fattiest lightning bolt blast through the sky! Being a physics major I quickly open the window and count the seconds until I hear the thunder. HMMM roughly 6 miles away, not bad I say. I shoot a quick text message out to a friend and return to the window. This time my head fully extruding into the bitter outdoor weather.

Suddenly
white flash
bang
shaking
fire

I literally witnessed, that is to say I freaking SAW a lightning bolt blast a tree across our alley. No more than 25 feet away from my current location. Needless to say this scared the beejeszess out of me! I started hyperventalating and started screaming into the house! All my housemates flew out of their rooms, half naked, thinking I had been shot!

What followed was a two minute period in which we decided whether or not the tree was on fire. As there was a fiery glow protruding from the middle of the tree. Not to mention embers floating into the air!

We decided it was and I called 911 and reported this awesome event! While on the phone - this is the bizzarre part which I assume many in Seattle can confirm - it started hailing and raining extremely hard! The windows blew up and us, being half naked, caught quite off guard.

All-in-all the firetruck came, I showed them the tree, which at this point was no longer glowing. But better safe then sorry. Spectacular night, mother nature flexing her muscles, or (mother with muscles - not sure I like that metaphor) you get the idea.

Glad my head wasn't the tree. That is for sure. AMAZING, love life.

China - Third Time is a Charm. Give my regards to Hell week

It is approximately 12:43am on a Sunday night. There are two rockstars and a pizza pocket next to me.

Its been hell week. Our company is launching our brand new 1080p camera and this means its needs to be S*&# tested out of it. Hey who tests stuff here? Oh wait me. It started with Friday. 32 hours of testing later I find myself sitting in the office on this magical evening.

I've got a good 5 more hours left to punch out. Luckily it will be roughly 6am at that point. So I can head home and sleep. For like 5 minutes before I grab my bags and drive to the airport. Thats right ladies and gentlemen, I am flying out in around eight hours to China. This will be my much anticipated third trip to the wonderfully quaint city of ShenZhen. If you know the city, you know the words wonderful and quaint DO NOT describe it. Shame

I'll be overseas for a week kicking some Chinese tail (not raciest) into building and testing this puppy correctly.

Here is to a evening of no sleep and six hour layover in Vancouver BC.

Catch you in a week.

The occasional regular, but not explicityly expected update

The following is a subtle and short list of recent happens, events, scenarios, and experiences that I have had the great pleasure in acquainting recently;

Spent a week in California with extended Family
Half Ironman race is one week away
Just discovered Mousse for my hair
Received a raise for being a manny (male nanny)
Improved on my swimming - Feeling more and more comfortable in water
Realized Jordan Sparks sings that song love being a battlefield
Learned how to make a quick and simple yet surprisingly good fruit crisp
Was reminded that I STILL don't understand what a pun is
Dressed up for work on a Friday
Spent 10+ minutes shopping for a wedding present - most I have ever done
Left store with cheap artistic solution
Now have less than a day to complete it
Finally finished buying birthday presents for brothers ( July 30th and August 27th)
Ran in the rain!
Took my shirt off
Showed off my hair chest to other runners
Realized my heart rate monitor strap looks like a bra from behind
Was hit in the eye by a water balloon thrown by roommate in second floor.
Balloon did not pop
Eye still hurts
Was so bored at work that I spent an entire morning watching movie trailers and youtube videos
Morning ended with a redundant and transparent attempt to share life by listing recent events
on blog page.


Thanks for reading!

Sunset Hike on Mt. Si

I decided halfway through the day that I wanted to see the sunset from Mount Si. As being in my nature I still decided to go when nobody wanted to come with.

I thought I would post some of the photos from the hike. They are quite wonderful

Dissapearing

My little cousin Mikayla was in town yesterday. It was absolutely without a doubt a beautiful day. We went to greenlake and walked around a bit, sat on a bench and just chatted for a couple hours.

She asked me a interesting question during that time, "would you rather be able to fly or become invisible?"

I quickly replied that I would want to fly - without a second thought I passed the conversation off as another reason why I love her.

I was thinking about that question last night, as I layed on my bed getting ready for sleep. Above my bed is a world map, its filled with tacks, each one marking a place I want...will visit next year.

What's it look like to disappear? Try leaving to travel the world for a few years. Am I discontent with my life? Am I trying to escape something? Am I skipping out on responsibility, and I tucking tail and running. Am I being a terrible friend/son/brother? These questions ran through my head last night, and in deed today.

No

Sometimes you have to leave to gain perspective. I intend to leave with the intention of coming back, that must say something.

I try to disappear. Yes. But I do it for the sake of what my family, my friends, my life needs - an adventure to invigorate my soul, my faith, my belief that the Lord has so much more for me. Life abundant.

After all if you can't see me, that's when you dream, you imagine, you pray, you believe in the same adventure.

The Next Year of My Life

Its Tuesday morning. I woke up at six this morning and ran eight miles. First time in my life I ran that much. Funny thing is, yesterday I swam a mile then ran four. Hmm kind of funny behavior.

Well! Sunday my most excellent roommate Brian Bauer competed in the Coure d'alaine Ironman! And well the bug kind of bit me. So I'm currently signed up for next years race! I really don't think the reality of this commitment has hit me. Which is a good thing, because I don't think I would have made the decision to do it, if it had. I am really excited though. Now I have a reason to get into shape, and tap that inner strength. I mean what better time than your 20's right? Well the whole thing cost around 600$ so I better pony up and do this right.

In the meantime I just signed up for an Olympic Race at the end of July! So that is on my plate right now (hence I ran eight miles this morning). Kind of a big decision in life, and I know it will be a great one!

Here's to a year of swimming, biking and running!

Family - An expression of Jesus

Our house just threw a Barbecue for all of our families. In all there was roughly 40-50 people in our house. It was absolutely wonderful. The event gave me an opportunity to edit together a video which I've posted on my facebook. Feel free to partake in some viewing. All-in-all it was a splendid day and I found myself in my room listening to Mr. Heath relaxing after the party.

In walks Philip Herron and we sit for a few minutes, both having the same thing on our mind. The silence (or lack there of, of our verbal speech) was broken by a simple yet profound "that was amazing"

We both felt a deep joy for the day and what it meant. So much more than an opportunity to eat well cooked food, but one to impart back into the people who raised and loved us, who continue to love us! The reality was all too clear that our families were very appreciative of the event and were thrilled at how great sons they had. I ventured to ask how many other sons in their mid-twenties may have done the same thing. The answer was all too fast "not too many".

I couldn't help but think of the joy we had brought to our parents how proud they were of us. Luckily Phil was there to correct me.

That day, the planning, the mere idea of sharing what we do and have with our parents would not have come to fruition in the manner it did, without the presence of Christ in our lives.

What I take away from that day is a testament to how great a Savior I have, that he laid upon my heart the things that truely matter.

Porch Family BBQ - 2009 from Alec Cattarin on Vimeo.

A week overseas

I just returned from China - for the second time

I was over there for the company I work for. Our new product was in first production and I oversaw the QA (quality assessment) for the line. Needless to say everything was paid for. I just wanted to throw out some amazing highlights of what happend on the trip and what the time away did for my life.

First:

1. I watched the movie Bolt on the plane ride over and back from China. SUCH a sweet movie, totally recommend it
2. I had a Chinese foot massage the first night there. Definitely a highlight of the country.
3. I stayed up 30 hours to avoid jet lag when I got home, as a result I had some amazing conversations in the San Fran airport while I was in layover.
4. Lastly and most importantly I finished the book The Shack on a taxi ride from Hong Kong International airport to ShenZhen proper.

The taxi ride was so great! First off the book is unbelievable. One of the better books I have ever read. As macho as I am, I couldn't help tear up throughout the book. [clarification: tearing up isn't crying. Its like manly tears, or something like that]. But regardless, I was in a van full of Chinese businessmen, none of which spoke english. So when I tried to explain why I was enjoying a book that brought me tears, well it just didn't work out. I think they believe Americans, or at least young tall, odd looking americans, enjoy self-inflicted agony or something.

Ahh but I am getting off point. If you haven't read the book, I strongly encourage you to. It has helped define my relationship to the Trinity, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It gives a much more personable approach to it. It couldn't have come at a better time to. I've been going through a rough tiff with some stuff in life and loved that God gave me what He did through this book.

I got alot of perspective on situations and relationships back here in the states from my time in China. I'm excited to move forward now because I'm no longer living in anxiety and confusion over certain things. But I've found freedom and contentness within them.

And to think I was nervous to go back to China. Praise be to God

Closing the door on Boston

For the past few weeks I've had to deliberate and struggle through one of the more difficult decisions in my life. I have been given the unique chance to pursue a PhD program in Engineering at the University of Northeastern in Boston. Not only given the chance - but to actually be paid to do it, ultimately leaving Boston in six years with no loans and a PhD in structural engineering under my belt.

Struggling with this decision might be an understatement.

I consulted friends, family, mentors, myself, and God. For the longest time I really had no idea what choice I would make. I knew God would provide and take care of me either way. I couldn't feel his hand guiding me in particular direction. So I take this decision as a matter of faith.

Faith in my future, in my career, more importantly to the character Christ is developing within me.

The lord has given me a gift with science, I know this. I've been given a degree in physics, the chance to work for NASA, and now a full ride for a PhD in engineering. All paths that would lead to a stable and prosperous future. Financially life would be alright.

But I have grown up with my mother. A teacher. She has been and done so much for me, and I have turned out alright. I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't want that security. I want my life to be about faith. Trust. Choice. Love. Freedom. I want to live for Christ without anything else in the way.

Looking through this lens. I realized engineering was only on the table because I needed to stabilize my future, to prepare myself for it. No. I want to live in the moment, in faith and trust. I will look to the future, but never with my priorities before the lords.

This weekend gave me so much about why I am happy in Seattle. Why I love it here. Why I am not ready to leave, not just yet. In the very least I would be drawn away from it for anything less than what God has given me through passion. Engineering was not it.

I am in love with Jesus, and look forward to this moment, the next, and the one in which he reveals the next step, the next choice, the next path, the next part - to my amazing journey of faith and trust.

I will be enacting that journey here in Seattle. Or until God moves my passion for Him in another direction -

thank you :)

Graduate school finally showed up

So the course of the past six months have been pretty entertaining when it came to my future. I applied to graduate schools in December for Structural Engineering. I'm really excited about the possibility of going to school again, the subject really interests me. Yet in the midst of the last two months - alot has happened. Nothing to deter me from graduate school, but just other stuff. I guess I got more and more dis-couraged that I'd get into a school - being a physics undergrad NOT an engineering undergrad.


Low and behold I am excepted into a great school and am getting flown out there to visit it. All in the course of a week. It's really exciting how God throws stuff at ya. I'm super pumped for this weekend and can't wait to check out this school.


I am seriously wayyyy tooo blessssed

An account of

It really is a task living day to day. I'm not naive, I don't believe a fairy tale ending at all.

Sleep, work, play, sleep, work, play. Lately the hum has been ringing through my life. Am I to complain? Not at all, how blessed I am. Yet where does living fit in with this hum? Is it rather the tone of the hum? Or am I simply characterizing the life I want to live as something which deviates from what grand master plan the Lord has for me? If so why do I, or better yet, how can I love one so much, yet not desire the hum to press against the inside of my head? A hum spoken by the creator of the universe.

Living, for me, is a subjective experience quantified by the wants and desires of my heart. Yet my soul, my heart, isn't always a book open to read, even to me - the author. To have such an experience as living, one where living can only be defined by the measures of my heart ----

I have to reconcile, not just my desires, my wants, and even my fears, but I have to reconcile my will to God. I have to choose to believe, to follow, to hand over, to submit, to be under authority, to love, to lean on. It is a choice birthed by decision, but lived through by a truth.

A truth which defines who I am, why I desire and want, why I fear, what I struggle with, where I am going, how I am to live. Daily I die, daily I choose truth. What is truth?



Jesus Christ is God
He loves me
He died for me
He will never forsake me