We've had days of gorgeous sunsets... Trying to enjoy them as much as possible before the rains move in and we don't see the sun (not to mention the sunset) until next June...

Yesterday, Kailin and I headed downtown to the historical Paramount Theater in Seattle to a matinee of "Wicked"...


This is Kailin's third viewing (first time was last year in NC, then this spring in London) -


If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. The production won huge amounts of Tony awards (totally deservedly) - the staging, scenery and costumes are about the best I've ever seen. The music is great, and the production is beautifully and tightly performed.

A wickedly wonderful afternoon....

An interesting article that articulates the fundamental ideologically different approaches between the left and the right:

"Norman Podhoretz provided a provocative and persuasive answer to that question in a recent Wall Street Journal column (September 10) based on his new book, Why Are Jews Liberals? Podhoretz wrote: The great issue between the two political communities is how they feel about the nature of American society. With all exceptions duly noted, I think it fair to say that what liberals mostly see when they look at this country is injustice and oppression of every kind economic, social and political. By sharp contrast, conservatives see a nation shaped by a complex of traditions, principles and institutions that has afforded more freedom and, even factoring in periodic economic downturns, more prosperity to more of its citizens than in any society in human history. It follows that what liberals believe needs to be changed or discarded and apologized for to other nations is precisely what conservative are dedicating to preserving, reinvigorating and proudly defending against attack. "

Agree? Disagree?

You can read the full text here.

Some dramatic skyscapes....

How it Imagine Ten Dimensions....

(see if you can watch this to the end without your brain exploding).

On a more serious note, I think this article on "Our Rights" very articulate.

Added later: Kailin is taking AP U.S. Government this year. Her first assignment was for us to have a discussion at the dinner table about what we believe the roll of the government ought to be. I base much of my opinions about that from the book of Alma (so much of the Book of Mormon parallels the political discussions at present). I read a chapter at the dinner table about the kingmen. Interestingly, this article showed up in Meridian Magazine today. Make of that what you will...

- the first day of her last year of public school...



*slight whimper*....

(I'm not really trying to completely neglect this blog.. Should have some Kailin-starting-school stuff soon).

Karen passed along this anecdote today - I thought it worth posting:



An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had once failed an entire class.

--------------------------------------------

That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.


The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan".


All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.


After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B.
The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.


As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little.
The second test average was a D!
No one was happy.


When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.

The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.


All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.


Could not be any simpler than that.

As the late Adrian Rogers said, "you cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.."

We got an email from the mission president today letting us know that Justin has been made a District Leader. :-)

Full text will be posted on his blog.

This is an *amazing* Pantene commercial (of all things). An inspirational must-see:



(of course it helps if you have really great hair...)

Ed got home yesterday from his 48 day Europe trip. So we had an early birthday dinner. Kailin chose Claim Jumper as her preferred culinary venue.


After a giant plate of surf-n-turf she was treated to a celebratory cupcake. Much to her delight... :-)


Today, her official birthday, she wanted to open presents First.Thing. Before church or anything. :-)


(and she still is wanting to attend the University of Washington more than any other college).


Cake after church...


And then we got to attend her last Youth Symphony concert of the season - which was very impressive. They started with an amazing version of the Bugler's Holiday (golly! these tiny, young trumpet players are terrific), followed by an equally young tuba player who played the memorized solo lead for His Majesty the Tuba (the kid barely looked big/old enough to hold it!) and finished up with 4 or movements of Pictures at an Exhibition.

Great concert. Great kid. Great weekend...

I keep forgetting to post the treasures that Kailin brought back for me from her British Isles adventures. Aren't they perfect? She knows me well.

Thank you baby.

Had a very nice, albeit quick!, trip to down south this weekend where we got together with the rest of the Chang-gang (minus Justin). Much visiting and playing happened.


The girls went fishing. The boys played basketball -


(- which necessitated a great deal of hot soaking for the 'old guys' afterwards :-)


The main event was celebrating Grandma Chang's 80th birthday.




(although the kid's opinion may be that the main event was playing Rock Band. :-) Kailin made me play bass with them. I feel quite lacking in comparison.)




The Chang-gang 2009. (I feel very white).


Grandma and her grandkids.

From what little she's told me, she enjoyed her trip to England and Scotland-


(She can't remember where this is - outside of some city)


(Outside of Stonehenge - she liked the sheep better).


(Her roommates)


(Outside of Anne Hathaway's cottage in Stratford-on-Avon).
She has more pictures up on Facebook, if you'd like to see.



After the full 9 days of spring break, she came stumbling out of customs-



fully jet-lagged and sleep deprived, but still happy.

It's nice having her home.