Fly fishing in Maryland

I have always wanted to fly fish, so when Mike brought it up, I made sure we were going to go no matter how cold it was. Luckily, Saturday was fairly nice weather so we packed up and headed about an hour away to Maryland to fish at Gunstock (Park?). Fly fishing is a bit harder than it seems, but between Eagle, Mike, and Dave, I seemed to pick up the basics. Ex fly-fishing guide, Eagle, was the only one who caught any fish - he caught three!


Mike and Mike (aka Eagle) practing their technique


Enjoying the quiet. That buldge in the front of my waders is a Diet Pepsi, not my belly. I'm not that fat (yet!).


Dave (aka Jesus) enjoying the quiet as well. He can actually walk on water and summon the fish to rise, but he didn't want to show us up.

Eagle with one of the three fish he caught.

Mike and Mike getting the rods ready.

Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl 2008

What would Thanksgiving be without a Turkey Bowl football game? On my team, was Eagle, a University of Utah grad. I must say the BYU to Utah combo worked quite well as we connected for a handful of TDs.

Here is a bunch of us after the game, which, in case you were wondering, ended in a tie.

Thanksgiving in DC (aka "the District")

Apparently I'm not up with lingo down their. All this time, I refered to Washington DC as "DC," but apparently everyone down there calls it "the district." (in case you cared).

Like my last post mentioned, my sister's family visited me a few weeks ago due to a death in the family. Ironically, they flew back to DC, oops, I mean "the district" on Friday, and I flew down the next day for a week's long stay for vacation and Thanksgiving.

Elaine and Mike recently bought a house right on Mass Ave and asked me to help them do some stuff around the house, namely a closet in the master bedroom, where there was little space for any storage at all.

Pictures!

My friend Dave decided to help one day since he didn't have too much else to do. He recently quit his job and is enjoying life more than me these days! Dave and I squeezed into a cut-out barely wider than a magazine cover to get into the attic to install some recessed lighting. I wish we had footage of me trying to get in and out of that cut-out. During one point, I asked Mike to take of my shoes, because they kept getting stuck. Laughing hard and barely able to talk, Mike replied, "Why don't you take off your ass instead!" Real funny, Mike, real funny.

Once up in the attic we found...well...poop. Bird droppings everywhere! Apparently birds were getting into the attic somehow over the years and left a nice mess for us to forrage through as we installed the lights. No bird flu viruses yet! Whew!

The frame of the new his and her closet.

This is what I looked like after an hour or so of sanding drywall.

Elaine and Maya advising the project and checking in.

My Uncle Jeff taught me a lesson a long time ago. Sometimes you have to sit back and admire your work.

Mike and I next to the almost finished product. (we ran out of paint and they are also going to special order some doors which will take a month of so to come in.)

Long Overdue...Surprise Visit!

I've been putting this off too long. Like exercise, the longer you procrastinate, the harder it becomes. Let me try to update the last month or so...

Elaine, Mike and Maya came into town unexpectedly a few weeks ago. It was great to see them, but we all wish the circumstances were a bit different. Mike's grandmother's illness prompted the suddent trip back to New England for them. They were all hoping to see her one last time before she passed away, which she did on Sunday. The funeral/wake aside, the Qualters were generally in high spirits considering the circumstances. Having Maya, and Peyton (the other grandchild) around helped, I'm sure.

Some pics...


Maya's dress for the funeral of her great-grandmother.


Maya and me chilling downstairs at my house.


Maya can totally walk just fine, but she kept insisting on being put in the walker. Go Figure.

Halloween Par-tay

I recently got back in touch with an old friend from the high school days, Jana. Last week Jana invited me to a Halloween party that included mostly people from her work.

Personally, I think Halloween is just a semi-valid excuse for girls to dress like hookers, but I'm not complaining. It was still funny to see some of these costumes. Granted, I only knew a small handful of people there, but it was good to get out.


Me and Jana. (Yeah, I was a boring RED SOX player, but I already had all the gear, so it saved me a trip to the store!)


Alison and Alison (I mean, Amy Whinehouse)


Hilarious!

I didn't know these girls, but thought the one in green was cute!

Walter bustin a move.

Yips yips (or something like that? Sorry, I'm not down on the Sesame Street characters!)

Maya turns 1

Until my younger sister Annie has her baby in April, Mayumi (Maya) has the distinction of being my only niece (or nephew for that matter). Little Maya has grown so much over the last year. It's a highlight everyday when I find out whether or not my sister uploads new pictures to her blog. I wish I could show you some of the videos of little Maya learning recent new things like walking, dancing, and sign language, but these pictures will have to suffice. Of course, I'm biased, but you can't tell me she is not "wicked" cute!

I can't wait to see her over Thanksgiving. I hope she remembers who I am. Enjoy the pictures I swiped from Elaine's blog.


Maya and her partner in crime, Cora.


Maya's birthday present!


Mike Q and Maya.

Dinner.

Catching up with Kristal

Last weekend an old friend got in touch with me. I had know Kristal from our BYU days. She is originally from Hawaii, but coincidentally her family moved to Cambridge while she was at BYU. We had hung out a few times in Boston over Christmas breaks etc, but I hadn't seen Kristal since before I graduated BYU and moved to Arizona.

We decided to get together on Sunday night and go out to eat at Anthony's Pier 4 - a place that I had wanted to go to since my high school days. It was great catching up chatting with her and her husband, Rich, whom I had know briefly from BYU as well. Kristal's friend, Angel, was also in town for the weekend visiting from Georgia.

On another strange line of coincidences, it turns out that Kristal's dad and my dad actually served in the same LDS mission in Japan in the 70s before we were even born. It sometimes amazes me how small the world can be.

I'm still waiting for a few more pictures from Kristal, but here are some that I took from my Blackberry. Sorry, I'm not in any of these...


Angel and Kristal.


Kristal and Rich

Another Great BYU Commercial

It doesn't quite end like you think it might...or maybe it does...



This one is a great knock on the U of U and is a fun little mockery of their relentless pursuit of BYU.

Ode to some close, yet far away friends...

I got to thinking the other day how fortunate I've been to live the places I've lived and become friends with the friends that I have. My time at BYU was especially great, as I got to know some of the smartest, most talented, down-to-earth, kind-hearted people I've ever met. As I graduated from the "Y" and years have passed, I can't believe how many of them are now married! Of course, I've been happy for all of you, but sometimes I still enjoy reminiscing about times back in the day when we saw each other more frequently. I miss some of those times, but at least I can stay in the loop through your blogs. I wanted to give a little hommage to those that I miss from yesteryear as I add your blog links to my page for others to enjoy. I frequent your blogs more often you would think and enjoy tremendously living vicariously through your pictures and thoughts. It's amazing how many of you now live far away even from Utah, but its also good to know that you are writing your own chapters in your book of life with your new families and friends. You all have been great influences on me and can't wait to see you all again....sometime. Here are your links and some memories...my memories:

Jen (Bates) Salisbury:
You are the salt of the earth. I loved that we had almost all of our major classes together at BYU. I can't even begin to thank you for all the times that you helped me with projects. I never quite undestood how you had such a gift for picking up all those programs so well. I loved seeing your work and can't believe some of the stuff that you've showed me in the past. You are more talented than I will ever be. You are also one of the most caring and selfless people I have ever met - qualities that I'll forever be working on. You never had unkind things to say about anyone, despite having been through some rough times earlier in your life. You were often soft-spoken, but we definitely had some good hard laughs together over the years! I loved hanging with you and Christina, Emily, Chantelle, Kimball, and all, as we did whatever we did. I can't believe you are so far away in California! I need to come visit soon.
http://jenandjosh.com/blogger.html

Emily (Hess) Flinders:
Every once in a while you see a girl that gets married and they just seem to have a different glow about them. It's hard to explain, but you can almost see it even through pictures. You totally have this 'glow' ever since you got married to Ren. You were always well-spoken, like you were speaking for a purpose. You tought me some big words, without ever knowing it. Whenever I think about college classes with you, I remember countless times sitting next to you and you falling asleep within minutes of class starting. How you kept your insane schedule all those years is beyond me! I envied your work habits and don't know how you worked at those nights in that KBYU studio! It was great living together at Liberty Square and being in the same ward. I admire your homemaking skills (that you must've acquired since getting married!).
http://readyformycloseupmrdemille.blogspot.com/

Em, you might have actually stayed awake for this class!

Christina (Lyons) Cline:
Again, it was great having all those classes with you. Like Emily, you seemed to just roll with the punches and never really got flustered despite crazy work schedules. I still don't know how you, Emily, Chantelle, and Kimball dragged me into the SFA executive committee my last 2 years, but it was fun. I still haven't seem the final cut of TOKOLOSHI, by the way. Who has that anyway? I never got a chance to meet your husband, but I'm sure he's a good man! Stay in touch!
http://taylorandstinacline.blogspot.com/

The TMA girls!

Kea Kagawa:
I can't even being to tell you how fun it was to see you again a few months back in AZ and to finally meet your husband. You must be the only person I know that looks better as you get older! Your laugh and smile are infectious! Thanks for all those countless nights at BYU when we hung out and just talked. I always seemed to have something or someone to complain about, or some stupid relationship to vent about, but you are one of the best listeners and never sugar-coated anything for me. You always told it like it was whether I wanted to hear it or not. How fun was that year when I was in the "red brick house' with Kau, Kelii, Mike, and Morgan and you were literally across the street. I remember just coming over unannounced and knocking on your door to chat. I was really pulling for you guys to move to Arizona, so Troy could come to ASU, but now look at me - I'm in Boston!!!
http://keasmea.blogspot.com/

Kacey Laga:
I'm so happy we got back in touch after all these years. I love reading your blog and love the comments you leave me every once in a while. Your family has unbelievably photogenic pictures on your blog. What a good looking family! I will always remember planning those FHE's together for our FHE family at Liberty Square. I will go down as the least creative FHE planner ever - thanks for bailing me out. We pulled through, though. I cannot remember a single time when you were not smiling. I wish we hung out more than we did. Your hubby is a lucky, lucky, lucky man! (That's right, 3 lucky's in there!) Come visit Boston some day. Brad is out here, too!
http://www.lagafamily.blogspot.com/


Gabby Macias:
Sorry I was such a horrible BF. I know I'm lame and should've asked you countless times to ask you to marry me, but I always thought there was someone better out there for you! I think you might have found him, we'll see! I hope I still get an invite to the wedding out in Cali or where ever it happens. Didn't we make an agreement that we would get married if I was unmarried at 30? Ha, I turn 30 next March! I'm glad that we stayed friend all these years and that we can still talk about our relationships with others without any weird feelings. That weekend in Colorado was fun -everything was fun. Sorry I moved to Arizona - I just had to get out of Provo! I love your family, hope they are all doing well. Tell them hi for me. Thanks for visiting me in AZ last year ( I enjoyed our conversation at Cold Stone Ice Cream, in particular!) and Boston (twice!). Thanks for teaching me the word "frumpy." :)
http://gmacias.blogspot.com/

Remember how cold it was the weekend you came to visit me out in Boston (the first time)! It was kinda funny actually!

Hayley (Young) Laidlaw:
Wow, have I not seen you since your wedding in Cali? Has it been that long? I know I rolled my eyes at you thousands of times at school, but you know that I loved you like a sister, right? I can't believe how much you've grown up! And you're an RM!!! I still can't beleive you went on a mish - I thought for sure you would be one of those crazy BYU freshman girls that got married before their 2nd year. I don't even remember how we became friends, to be honest with you - I just remember being friends. After all those crushes on "halfers" and Hawaiians, I think its great that you ended up marrying Eric, 100% "haole." I hope we become neighbors one day. http://ehlaidlaw.blogspot.com/

I think we took this picture the morning that I went to Chicago.

Hayley, remember this one..when I flew to Boston for the weekend and we took a day trip to Nantucket when you were doing your internship in Cape Cod?

Rayna Condra:
Although I became friends with you in Minnesota and not at BYU, I still consider you one of my closest friends even after just knowing you for the few shorts months I was out there. Duluth will always be our little trip! You will always be the first thing that comes to mind when I hear anything to do with Minnesota or Minneapolis. I'll always remember that little purple Ford truck and hanging out at my apartment in Brooklyn Park. It was great seeing you a few months back on my short layover in Minnesota! I can't believe how much you grew up. You are no longer that young woman anymore. You need to write more blog entires for all to read! By the way, remember those pictures I was telling you about? I found them! I'll scan them and send them to you!
http://raynaonyourparade.blogspot.com/

This is "the" picture that I was telling you about along time ago.

Duluth, MN

I miss all you girls a ton! Thanks for staying in touch!

What are the chances of that?

Well, as many of you know, both of my parents have taken an early retirement and have moved to Japan indefinitely. I would assume they would be there a few years, but who knows - does anything turn out like its originally planned? Of course, their moving to Japan was a main contributor to me movnig back to Boston. They wanted someone to take care of their house in their absence, and since I'm the only Sturgis kid not married, that makes me the most flexible, so I volunteered to move back.

Anyways, my mom left for Japan in July and my dad just recently joined her last week. Last Sunday my parents went to church in the local LDS branch and actually ran into a guy, Tomonori Suzuki, that I used to live with when I was serving my mission to Japan back in 1998-2000. But the story of coincidences doesn't even come close to beginning there. It's a bit confusing, so try to stick with me here:

Before my parents were married, my dad was stationed overseas in Tokyo as Military Intelligence for the US Army in the mid 1970's. In the local church branch, they befriended the Suzuki's, a young couple who recently were married. My parent's eventually got married, and had 4 kids, one of which was me. Turns out that the Suzuki's had a son (among other children) that was about my age and they ended up living in Chiba, Japan, right near my Aunt's family. Coincidence?

Years passed and I got called to serve in the Japan Sapporo Mission in 1998, one of 8 mission in Japan alone. Turns, out that the Suzuki's kid, Tomonori, happened to get called to the same mission as me! To make a long story short, out of over 120 missionaries in the mission field, Tomonori became my companion and we actually worked together for about 3 or 4 months. Strange, huh? His parents and my parent's knew each other before either of us were born, and we happened to get called to the same mission (out of over 330 in the world) at the same time, in the same District, and the same area, and become companions. Coincidence?

Well, like I mentioned, it turns out that last weekend my parent's ran into Tomonori at the local LDS branch in Niigata. What are the chances of that? Small world, huh?

And for those of you who were wondering....Tokyo (where my parents met), Chiba, (where my aunt lives), Hokkaido (where I served my mission), and Niigata (where my parents are currently living) are all very far away from each other!

Some pictures of Suzuki "choro" and I from back in 2000 in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan:


In our apartment in Kushiro


Fun times to end our day!


Suzuki Choro's favorite thing to do during morning study time!

My new Red Sox license...

Yeah, seriously, I have nothing better to blog about. Check out the new plates! It's not so different to be a Red Sox fan anymore! I'm just one of millions out here that cheer for them. I like being in New England, but I think it's more enjoyable cheering them on when you live on the west coast. Either way, here's to another World Series run.