HCS wins third in State Choir Competition

Heritage Christian School (HCS) participated in the State Choir Competition and won third place for the mixed choir division. This is a great honor as this was the only private school who made it to the finals - and then they placed third. There were 16 choirs in the final.

Joel is front row, second guy from left.







Mr Hummel, Mrs Rozeboom (far right) accompanist, and the four student officers.

Mrs. Rozeboom is also Joel's piano/organ teacher.

20 years in the USA - April 10th 1988 - April 10th, 2008

Today is the 20 year anniversary of my immigration to the USA. I remember arriving at LAX - being fingerprinted and photographed and given my temporary resident alien card. I honestly thought that within 5 years I would be back in Australia - but alas - I woke up this morning still in Indiana!

First car?

(This is Joel. Leisa Hills has complete political immunity for all things written here forth in this document.)
I have test driven this 1991 BMW 325i. It has 109K Miles (175K KM). Negotiations are pending on capitol hill between the parties of "Buy this car and get a license when it's legal, and not a minute later", and "Eh, maybe we could wait a year or so(eeek!)."
I'll keep you updated on if anything happens, whether it's license/car when I'm license age, or later. We'll just have to see.

The car is a whole lot of fun to drive though, and I think looks pretty classy. Asking price: $2900USD, although we'll probably try to make a lower offer - it's just a bit steep.

What do you think?

Old man winter is leaving us! Spring is right around the corner. Mr. Toad has been sitting in an ice-bath for a few months now. Finally the water is starting to melt - he is smiling.

Thanks for the Jumper Granny

Featured here is the very stylish Joel Sampson in the latest hand-knitted creation by Granny. The look is completed with tartan PJ pants.

Thanks Granny.....

The amazing conincidences in life....USS New York christened today...

Today the USS New York was Christened, scheduled for commission in 2009. The US New York (LPD-21), is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock.

Shortly after September 11th 2001, Governor of New York George E. Pataki wrote a letter to Secretary of the Navy Gordon England requesting that the Navy bestow the name USS New York on a surface warship involved in the War on Terror in honor of September 11's victims. In his letter, the Governor said he understood state names are currently reserved for submarines, but asked for special consideration so the name could be given to a surface ship.

Oddly enough, a previous holder of the name, USS New York (BB-34), had its keel laid on September 11, 1911, exactly 90 years to the day before the WTC was attacked.

Twenty-four tons of the steel used in its construction came from the small amount of rubble from the World Trade Center actually preserved for posterity.

The Secretary of the Navy announced that two of her sister ships will be named Arlington and Somerset, in commemoration of the places two of the other planes used in the attack came down: Somerset, Pennsylvania and Arlington, Virginia.

The contract to build New York was awarded to Northrop Grumman Ship Systems of New Orleans, Louisiana in 2003. The ship was under construction when Hurricane Katrina struck New, Orleans in August 2005, and survived the storm.

Winter Carriers on....

Winter is still killing us here in Indiana. This week we had temperatures between 0C and -15C. We had a few inches of snow over a couple of days. I took these photos... note the intricate design of the snowflake (on Big Black's head)- each one is different. If I have to be out in a snow fall, I love to look at the snow flakes as they land on my black coat and study each one - one of the wonders of nature.

Joel the Organist

Joel playing the 36 stop, 46 rank organ at The Episcopal Church of All Saints, Indianapolis.

Arts at All Saints

Sunday afternoon the boys and I went to a concert at a beautiful cathedral in downtown Indy. All Saints Episcopal Church has a concert series with local artists performing. The Kevin Kouts Quartet (the 4th in the quartet didn't make it into this picture - but he is a sax and vibe player) played some of their original music - Kevin is on the drums.

Bonus for Joel - the music director at the church is one of Joel's pipe organ contacts (works at the organ shop where Todd and Joel have been collecting organ parts for the pipe organ being constructed in Todd's basement). Joel got to play the organ after the concert. Eli enjoyed all the music. It was a great day.

Joel's first tax return

Joel filed his first tax return! He received his refund check from the state - a whopping $6.00.