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Christmas 2002 Newsletter
Traveling
Some locations require physical presence to appreciate.
My recent trips to NY City and Gettysburg are prime examples.
Ground zero is an awesome place. Even after more than a year of extensive clean up there are little things that seem profound; the color of new bricks on adjacent buildings, small memorials, and of course a large hole, once filled with debris and now being prepared for new construction. One of NYPDs chiefs provided a guided tour inside the public lines that was reverent and inspiring. Even in my small way government service has a new meaning. Im also reminded of the remarkable way America can come together in a crisis.
Gettysburg lies a couple hours drive from DC and was the
site Lee and the confederate army planned to strike a crushing blow to the Union
on their own soil. Tens of thousands lost their lives in three days of fighting
and the heroism and patriotism of those on both sides amazes me.
[image023.jpg]Computer Security
Computers have been my hobby/job for quite a while now. I play with a network at home in my rare spare time and have worked in computer software since finishing graduate school.
I recently changed jobs again, my third job since MIT, and am now working on network security for the federal government. Job security concerns are behind me now and I think Ive found my ideal job, its like being a permanent student. I play on computers and write reports trying to explain to a mostly no-technical audience what the worries and concerns are in the computer world. I love it! I wont bore you with the geek speak.
The Christmas Season
The Book of Mormon records a vision of the prophet Nephis in 600 BC as he and his family departed Jerusalem,
destined for the ancient Americas.
And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white. And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou? And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins. And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.
And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!
2 Nephi 11:13-21
High School Reunion
On a more traditional note, Cypress High School held its ten year reunion in Newport Beach California in September 2002. Ten year reunions dont come around every day and I hadnt seen most of my classmates since graduation. I look forward to the next one.
