I woke up to find the morning news being shot right behind my boat. They do this periodically so I guess they like my view too.

Visiting the wonderful Noble Coffee Shop in Ashland, Oregon I decided to try something new and ordered the “Siphon Service.” This alternate process for making coffee is not only intriguing to watch but it also produces the cleanest cup of coffee you will ever taste! Here is a video that demonstrates the process!

After a rather long hiatus I’m back to blogging and I could not be more happy about this! Where have you been, you ask? Actually I never quit writing it’s just that the writing I was doing is not of the sort that you would read here. My last six months of grad school were rather demanding but I am glad to be done and to have a little more time to begin pursuing some of my interests again, including writing about the rich experiences of life. There is so much more to come…

I am taking a road trip all the way up and back down California, with the possibility of a little Oregon mixed in. Nearing the end of graduate school I began planning this road trip with great expectation. Sporting a new camera I have now set out to explore the “rest of California” that I have yet to visit!

During my first day of driving I took a different route to Monterey than I normally take. Traveling up 5 North and exiting at Jayne Avenue, I took 98 over to 101. The scenery along 98 is absolutely gorgeous. This particular mountain took my breath away! I will be adding ongoing photo updates to my new Tumblr blog as well at www.andyjohnson.tumblr.com/

I woke up this morning to the gentle sound of rain landing on the boat. While enjoying the soothing noise, I rolled over and reached for my phone. Then I saw it, the news I have been waiting for over the past few weeks. The text message read like this, “It’s a boy 10 lbs 8 oz huge and adorable!! Collin ” My heart rejoiced! My beautiful little sister is safe and precious baby Collin has arrived! There could be no better way to start my birthday weekend. Born one day before my birthday and just after Thanksgiving, I envision Collin and I celebrating birthdays together for many years to come Stepping out of the boat and onto the dock, I looked up and saw a full rainbow, a rare sight for San Diego, come out to commemorate Collin’s birth. Welcome to the world little guy! I haven’t even seen your face yet but I love you and can’t wait to hold you in my arms! We are going to be buddies…

Thanksgiving is a bittersweet time of year for me. For the first 24 years of my life, I always spent Thanksgiving with the extended family on my mother’s side. It is a time of belonging, sharing hearts in conversation, eating the best Thanksgiving meals ever prepared, and topping it all off by playing football with the cousins. Since I am one of the two members of my extended family living West of Indiana, and due to the logistics of flying home for a short weekend in the middle of a busy season at work and school, I have not made it back to the family Thanksgiving for several years now.

I woke up this Thanksgiving morning struggling to feel thankful. All I could think about was how for yet another year, I can’t be back with my family for this special time. Realizing that ingratitude is often a matter of perspective, I tried to think again about my circumstances and made an important discovery. I am thankful for friends who become like family.

As of 10:00 PM, on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009, I am officially debt free! After five years of struggling to pull myself away from the spending habits that kept me in debt, I am finally 100% out of debt and not looking back! So why am I telling you about this? It is rather personal and embarassing but my hope is that if you are not in consumer debt, this will encourage you to stay that way and that if you are, there is hope and good reason to do whatever it takes to free yourself.

Just in case you are still wondering why in the world I would want to live on a sailboat, this was my view when I woke up the other morning. The clouds resting atop of San Diego’s downtown buildings first captured my attention. The penetrating rays from the sunrise burnt through the clouds so that part of the buildings were illuminated and part hidden. When I awake it is common to see pelicans, cormorants or other sea birds around the boat. The other day a seal dove right beside me. This is my place with a view.

It all started three years ago when I flew from Alaska down to San Diego to visit both the city and Bethel Seminary for potential studies. Since I was carless, I rented a bike and took a 26 mile ride that took me all over the city. One of my destinations was Cabrillo National Monument where I got my first good overlook of the city, its layout and the beautiful San Diego Bay. On my way up to Cabrillo National Monument, I stopped at an overlook to gaze out at the ocean.

I had the privilege of meeting my new little nephew Tristen, this week! My sister Rebekah gave birth to Tristen on Sunday, April 13th. He was 8 pounds 4 ounces and 21 inches long. Although we live half a country apart, it’s great to be able to see the little guy and talk with him over Skype! This picture is a screenshot that I captured during our first “conversation” together. I’m thrilled to be the proud uncle of two adorable nephews! Welcome to the family, Tristen!