I’m Back: And we find ourselves staring the into the future

I knew I couldn’t stay away forever, for a writer it’s basically impossible to fight off the need to write.  However, there was a lot of work to do between the end of my last adventure (Espana), and the transition from my current adventure (the end of my time in college) into the future.  I will fill in the gaps in due time, just to keep the blog semi-chronological, but in the meantime it is probably most appropriate to take a cue from Tarantino and jump right to the end scene for a minute.

The plans for my immediate future have been set for a while now, but I have elected to keep them under wraps until it was time to get to work, and the time is now.

It is no surprise that I would elect to take a non-traditional approach to my post-collegiate career, especially if you consider yourself someone who knows me.  Furthermore, it is no surprise that I would find it appropriate to vest myself into a project that I am incredibly passionate about.  With that, I am very proud to announce that I will be partnering with my brother and best friend, Paul Novoa, on a project called, “The Street Light Mind.”  My brother, an aspiring musical artist, has dedicated the last few years to developing his vision into a finely tuned album and brand.  Together, we will work to try to get this vision out to the people so that they too can share in exciting time with us.  The album is a breath of fresh air to a cookie cutter industry, and we are excited to share the album with you, but as an introduction we have decided to bring to you the first single, “Strut,” which is now available on iTunes and amazon.com.

I highly encourage you to help me in my project by visiting the site to learn more about it, and by purchasing the song and writing about how much you like it on iTunes!  Also, you can follow Paul Novoa on Twitter and become a fan on facebook!

Thanks friends, i’m sorry I had to keep this on the DL so long, but please know it was necessary and that I wanted it to be done correctly.  Please help me get this word out, and feel free to ask me any questions!

It’s gonna be a heck of a ride… and it hasn’t even started yet!

-PNo

Video Test: Be Somebody

Re-Blog from John Piper: Is it Possible to be Angry and Not Sin?

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/AskPastorJohn/ByTopic/13/4038_Is_it_possible_to_be_angry_and_not_sin/

Aaron Ivey’s “Between the Beauty and Chaos”

Let me just make it this simple: I bought the album less than a week ago, and I haven’t stopped listening to it… no joke! Literally the album has been heard in entirety about 30 times, and it stays great!! I am currently writing an album review, so stay tuned!!! In the meantime…. iTunes or Amazon music will get you the CD!!!!!
There is some AMAZING truth on this album… please support Aaron!!!!!

-pno

Re-Blog from Austin Stone Worship Leader Aaron Ivey

This hit me as a personal wake up call… I often find myself being a “legalistic” Christian, and it drives me insane. I think I scoff about things and talk more than I act… and it is my goal to address that when I return to Austin.

His blog is www.aaronivey.com, I read it 134312 times a day, haha.

Here is the blog:

just finished an AMAZING night at Windemere in Missouri. we’re at a Student Life in Lake of the Ozarks, and tonight was really really great. Matt Carter is here with us and tonight he spoke about our faith being inseparable from serving the poor and oppressed. such a great word. “Let Your Kingdom Come” is a new song on this new record, and it was the perfect song tonight.

there’s a lyric in that song that says, “so let the sick run free, the orphan find her home; the captured man will know, release from slavery….let your kingdom come, let your will be done…” these are the kinds of things that happen when you and i take part in the Kingdom of God here and now. this is what happens when Christians are actually living out their faith, NOT just sitting in their warm comfy pews or desks fighting over non-Kingdom issues… i get so TIRED of hearing about all the things legalistic Christians (Baptists seem to be the loudest) are up-in-arms about… whether it’s tattoos, alcohol, Obama, or simply the style of worship… after nights like tonight… it makes the futility of all those silly and divisive stances seem so apparent.

all the while, real issues like… the plight of the orphans abroad and in our local cities, the sex slave industry, local and global poverty, hunger and lack of clean water, homelessness, teenage moms figuring out how to make ends meet while finishing their education, living and breathing the gospel of Christ to all of our disbelieving neighbors and friends in every situation…. all these issues go unnoticed as many of the Christian faith stay in their bubbles and fight over non-Kingdom/un-Biblical issues. and it makes that all just seem so worthless honestly.

glad to be a part of a band, a church, and a group of friends that is bent on doing whatever it takes to live towards the Kingdom. we’re seeing really cool things happen in our home city, and amazing things on the road so far. so cool. what a great night… thanks to God for choosing to move and speak tonight.

-p.no

Statebound

Literally 21 straight hours of flying and switching flights and a layover until I am home again. Some of my friends are super excited to have me back, some of my friends probably forgot I exist. One thing is for certain: My family is itching for me to be back, and I am so excited to be with them soon!
It is such a mix of emotions to leave what was my home. Barcelona has stolen my heart and made a place for itself in my life. I have met so many great people, seen many gorgeous things, and learned a lot about who I am, what I can do, being more independent and self sufficient than I have ever been, and just about life in general. I will continue to process these things and weigh them against what my natural environment is so that I can truly learn what I have learned.
The feeling came back again. The weird sinking hole of sadness that occurs when life makes a major change. Whether it be a broken heart or a change of environment, the feeling is never easy, but it makes you appreciate what you had. In this case, much as when I left, I was so sad to leave, but so excited for the future. I by no means am dreading going home. I am in my last year at UT, and I am about to have a killer vacation with the family, and I get to go back to my church!!!!!!
I love being caught between the beauty and chaos of God’s plan. (shout out to Aaron Ivey for the Beauty and Chaos reference).
I am currently over Iceland, have 5 hours more on this flight from Frankfurt, have a 5 hour layover in Denver, then 2 hour flight til… HOME.
Get your popcorn ready,
-PNo

Summer Adventure// Going out with a BANG… LITERALLY FOLKS!

Due to the crazy nature of Barcelona, it is only appropriate to go out with a bang, right? With my crazy cast of characters missing, this would normally seem impossible, so I had to call upon the help of some crazy party starters: The Futbol Club de Barcelona.
Over the last 2 weeks or so Barca was won the Spanish Cup (Copa del Rey) and they won their league: La Liga. They also qualified for the Champions League Final against Manchester United (defending champions). No Spanish team had EVER won all three (referred to as the treble). Until Now.
I put on my RonaldPNO (combining Ronaldinho, yes I know he is a former Barca player and not current, with my nickname, PNO) jersey and we headed to Port Vell to watch the game on a big screen, with thousands of other fans! It was nuts. There were so many people crammed into this area, not to mention, everyone was chanting, climbing poles, waving flags, and overall excited. The energy was ridiculous. I joined of course, because I love feeding off energy and providing energy. The Wakefields were pretty stoic through it all, probably a little taken back by the liberal nature of it all.
When Barca scored their first goal off Eto’o’s kick, I started doing the “O le le” chant and then I turned around and the person behind me lit a flare, which took me by surprise, as nearby fire often does.
It was literally the chaos I had dreamed of experiencing. Finally, Messi had a beautiful header to put Barca up 2-0 and the place went nuts. Chants were going crazy as victory was so apparent.
They ended up winning, easily, and then the chaos grew. We all marched to the fountain near placa Catalunya, and along the way wre fireworks, nonstop people, people climbing buildings and poles, flares, basically fire everywhere, drumlines, people, more people, and madd singing. Essentially Chaos. It reminded me of what I pictured the victory of the revolutionary war to be like. I was having a blast being loud and obnoxious for our team!
It was the only proper way to begin the victory lap in Barcelona. I took a lot of video, so look for me to sting it all together soon!
The following day we hit up the parade, which was also insane, minus the fire. I was right at the bottom of the team bus, so I got to see all the players up close and it was surreal to see el champions!
Championes, Championes, O LE O LE O LEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
-pno

Summer Adventure// The Wakefield Adventure

It has been a while since I last got the chance to blog, and that is mainly because I have had zero internet and I have been traveling hardcore in that 10ish day span!
Jamey and her mom came to visit me, which was a welcomed change of pace. It was refreshing to see old faces again, and it really made my return more of a reality. Moreover, I was exhausted when they came in, but they made me excited so I regained my step.
We started off in Madrid, and I was basically their tour guide for the next 10 days. They were pretty jet lagged coming in, so it took them about a day and a half to get some energy in them.
I basically showed them my favorite things that I had previously done in Madrid, and followed the same formula when we went to Seville for 3-ish days. I cannot explain the surreal feeling that I was able to show them Spain as I know it. I never thought that I would be able to show anyone another country, and according to them, I did it well. It was a lot of fun to be “in the know” in these places, and I only wished that I could have done that with my family, but they basically are family, so it was still a fantastic stretch.
In Seville we went to La Carboneria for flamenco on both nights, and it was a great time. We got their early so we had a front row seat both times, and they seemed to really enjoy the authenticity of the joint. It was definitely the highlight of the Seville trip.
I brought my D90 to the show, which I had really wanted to do the last time, so I got some decent pictures. The lighting was very dim, so they are only as good as they could have been, but I did manage to get some keepers, especially when the slow shutter speed blurs the fast movement of hands and feet, very telling photography.
The singer, Kano, seemed to take a liking to my taking of pictures of him, so after the show he said hello and gave me his email so that I could send him the photos. Another Flikr hit, baby!
On Sunday we headed over to Barna, and it was awesome to be a near expert on the city for them. We did many things I had never done before, such as going to a bull fight, stumbling upon some churches I had never been to, going inside Sagrada Familia, and actually eating out at restaurants. I usually ate at home because Nidia made me my meals, so it was nice to actually experience Barcelona restaurants.
On Tuesday night Nidia made us dinner and it was a great time to be able to share conversation with them as well as say goodbye. I was actually very sad upon saying goodbye, not that I didn’t think I was going to, but I was surprised by the level of attachment that had grown between her, Alvaro, Gretta, and I. They really took a liking to me towards the end, and our conversation was as good as it had ever been. They truly consider me family. Walking away to the metro was a sad walk for me, not sure if I would ever see them again. At least I know we will say in touch.
The weather was beautiful all around, and we even snuck in some relaxing non-touristy stuff such as shopping and chilling in parks.
Overall, the Wakefield experience was a great one, one that I will always remember. They are quite the travelers themselves, so to be able to travel with them was always a dream.
Mary seemed a little shocked at certain things, such as staying in a hostel and what not, but she was a trooper about it all, and I feel honored to have given her some experiences that hopefully she will remember forever!
-p.no

Summer Adventure// And Then There Were 2…

Sunday Laura and I flew to BARCA!!!!! I was very excited because my roommate Scott was also in Barcelona. I would like to point out that since I left from school, I had only been with STRAIGHT FEMALES. Really no guy time. I know I was raised with girls (Jamey, Danielle, Hayley, Megan, etc.) but still, Guy Time is crucial, and I needed it.
Laura and I just walked around and she was a doll and watched me panic about finding a place for the Lakers game. I had to convince a small bar owner to play the game. Needless to say, I was a happy camper, although Kobe played the worst I have ever seen him play in the playoffs. This should be interesting.
Scott stopped by, we exchanged stories, and all was good.
The next morning (Monday 18th) I woke up to walk Laura to the Airport bus. I was pretty much dreading this since she has become one of my favorite people and definitely a best friend to me from my abroad group. We got to the stop, said our parting words, I saw some tears, quickly turned away, and went on my way.
I will see her soon.
That day, I met up with Scott, we did some errands together, grabbed some lunch, and went to the API office to use the internet. We left Josh a happy birthday video post on facebook, it is hilarious.
After that, we grabbed café con leche with Sarah, a former API director, and we got to meet her freaking hot non-english speaking cousin. She was fly.
It was really great getting to catch up with her, she is a great supporter and an awesome friend to have. I consider her a friend.
After that we grabbed some Ramplax for old times sake. We ate with Scotts friends Jess, Natalie, and Danielle. I invited a Canadian girl I met in my Hostel, Christina. She was very outgoing and very nice, and she was pretty fun also. We all went to Apollo for “Nasty Mondays”. Why was it nasty I wondered? Well, the place was so freaking hot that literally my entire outfit was drenched, but it may have been the most crazy time I have ever had at a club. I had never danced to that kind of music before, it was not hip hop, it was like legit house music. It was freaking awesome. The lights were crazy and the room was hazy and it was an all around good time with a great group of people. Alfred and Jean Franco made appearances and they were great company as well. Jean Franco got us on the list and we had no trouble getting in!
We then walked home, cuz the metro was closed!!! I probably went to bed at 5, woke up at 8 to go to the bank, haha.
So my freaking money clip has a magnet on it so it demagnetized my Amex and my Debit, I am pissed! Luckily I am in spain where my bank is!
I met up with Scott at around 1030, we met in the middle of Plaza Cataluna. We looked around for a while and just reminisced. This is another home to us, it will always be. Its coming to an end, but the friendships will be forever. This has been amazing. This has been life changing. I wonder how long before I begin to really see what I learned in myself?
I grabbed a full enlgish breakfast, and then came home to blog. It has been way too long, and lots of stories have gone untold. With Scott departing, that only leaves 2 people from my program that I know about still out and about, Marge and I. She leaves slightly before I do, so I will be the last man standing, as Zach once said.
My summer adventure has been full of different characters. First was Emily, Becks, Moe, and Samantha. Next was Marge. Then came Laura, Liz, and Jenna. Then game Scott. Now it is time to change up the scenery completely with the arrivals tomorrow…
But as for now… And then there were 2.
-p.no

Summer Adventure// Venice:: Revenge of the Gondola

So yes, I am in Venice again, because that is where they were heading. Also, I found a really cheap flight out of Venice.
Venice was just as gorgeous as the last time last week, haha.
The only new highlight? I finally got to ride a Gondola! There were four of us, so that price was definitely manageable. The Gondola man was really funny, and he was totally flirting with Liz hardcore, and Jenna too, but I think he liked to get under Liz’s skin. At times she seemed as if she was eating it up, and at times she pushed it off. The guy probably would have flirted with Laura, but we told him she was my girlfriend, so he was most likely respecting that. He let the girls wear his hat, and I was slightly jealous. Venice is much prettier from a Gondola. The pictures I got were freaking awesome! I cannot wait to BW them!
-Pno