It has been quite awhile since my last blog. There has been a lot going on since that last blog. Work, the karaoke party, training, working on the site, holidays and many other things that have popped up in my everyday life. I do not know where to begin!

KARAOKE PARTY 
Let's start off with the karaoke party my wife and I had on December 12th for my best friend Mike. Mike is in the Air Force and just yesterday he was deployed to Qatar, which is in the Middle East. He will be stationed there for the next 6-7 months. We had the party just for him, as he just loves his karaoke! Mike is known to rock the microphone making sure everyone joins in on the fun!




Mike performing "The Humpty Dance" by Digital Underground. He sounds just like them (no kidding!!) and he definitely surprised everyone at the party!

 
Mike and his buddy Frank, from the Air Force, rocking a Beatles tune!


Mike also had myself and my friend David L. to rock the microphone!


Mike singing again with the help from a little friend!


And again! Mike loves his karaoke!!


WNBF Pro, Alberto Nunez, joined in on the fun!


My 2nd cousin, Zoe, as a rock star enjoying the many props on hand!


My cousins, Lindsey and Shannon, sporting the props!


INBF Champ, Eric Helms and his wife Barb, looking the part of a Hollywood couple!

All in all it was a great time. There was a ton of food in which I probably ate too much. Mike had a great time at the party which was very important for my wife and I. We will miss him while he is in Qatar, but we did manage to have a great year with visits back in July at the Capital City Bodybuilding contest, our Vegas Trip, our visit in September and our last visit during the karaoke party. Be safe, we are proud of you and we will miss you Mike!

Work
Who wants to talk about work? Not me, but it is kind of interesting. As most of you know I work for New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. or known as NUMMI where I help build Toyota Corollas everyday. NUMMI will be shutting the doors for good at the end of March. I will then be unemployed and looking to make a drastic change in my life. I have not made a final decision as to what I am going to do, but I am looking into physical therapy and auto insurance adjusting. I have to really look deep into these fields to see which route I really want to take. I am really looking forward to the change and it is time for me to do something completely different. I am still going to continue working on this site as it is my passion.

3DMUSCLEJOURNEY
Our sponsorship contest is a big success and in the next couple of days we will have selected our 2 athletes for contest preparation. We had a variety of different athletes apply and they are all great. We also have had excellent athletes for "The Natural Movement" for the month of December. We are also adding articles to the site and we also have added a Q and A with INBF Champ Eric Helms. Eric is definitely full of knowledge and he is willing to share his insights with other athletes. His knowledge is truly science based and there is no guessing when it comes to answering questions. If you have a question regarding natural bodybuilding send him a question.
http://www.3dmusclejourney.com/questions-and-answers.php

One last thing, I am working on the site for our contest preparation services. Look for our launch in the very near future. TEAM 3DMJ is comprised of 4 excellent natural bodybuilders with a very high success rate on the natural stage. We will guide you on your contest journey using our own experiences. Please check back for our launch!

Holidays
On December 19 my wife and I went over to my dad and stepmom's house for a holiday get together. My step brother, Danny and his wife Kathie, were there along with their kids Ashley, Timmy and Jeremy. Also, my nieces Alyssa and Emily were there. We had some pumpkin pie, apple pie and some ice cream and opened up some gifts. It was a good time and also it was good to spend some time with the family.


My niece and nephew, Ashley and Timmy


My nephew, Jeremy, crazy about his new toy.  Ashley, Timmy, Kathie and Danny in the back.


Myself with my dad hanging out at holiday time.

This past weekend my sis, Tiffany and her now fiance, David came to the house and we had a great time hanging out. Last Thursday night we headed out to Manteca, Ca where this house has the most incredible lights during the holiday season. It is like Disneyland when you first see it! They start setting this house up in September so it can be ready for the holiday season. They also set up a table out front for coffee, hot cocoa and cookies for the people to enjoy as they view the house. The last few years we have made it tradition to go in our pajamas with hot cocoa in hand!
 

I wasn't kidding!! It is incredible!!


Myself, my wife Jhanna, my sis Tiff and David in our p.j.'s!


Myself with my wife Jhanna all bundled up before heading over to see the lights.

The following day we had a great turkey dinner with all the fixings and again I ate way too much but it is the holidays!!


Carving up the turkey as David is flexing away!!


Making the "3DMJ Holiday Workout Video" as my sis Tiffany and David help out.
 
We had a great time during our holiday workout and making the video was totally fun. The video took roughly 6 hours to make, but it came out awesome. David was happy we did it and I am very proud of it. If you haven't seen it yet check it out here. http://www.3dmusclejourney.com/3dmusclejourney-videos.php

Sunday we headed over to Capitola, Ca for lunch with My wife's Uncle Jeff, his girlfriend Roxanne, my wife's sis Tiffany, her fiance David B., Tiffany's friend Tracy, Tiffany's friend Christina and my friend David L. After lunch we then headed over to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.


The front of the Boardwalk.


Walking the boardwalk and taking in the sites.

We walked around taking in the sites and we went on a couple of rides. We went on the bumper cars and slammed into each other. It is not like when we were kids though, as they do not allow you to drive where you want. You have to drive in the same direction as if you are in a race. It took a little strategy to be able to time your car to slam someone with great force. It was fun though, we had a good time. Some of us also went on one of the roller coasters as it started to rain. I got some good shots of the ride check it out!


Uncle Jeff and his girlfriend Roxanne


My wife Jhanna and our friend David L. (No fear!)


David B. and Tiffany's friend Tracy (I don't think she is phased!)


They are in the first 3 rows in this great moving shot.


Getting ready to slam someone!


David B in front, Tiffany and Roxanne in back battling it out!


David L. sneaking in to get his in!


Uncle Jeff in his "Green Machine"!


David B. and myself acting like MLB pitchers trying to knock over the milk bottles.


David B impressed his girl with the prized stuffed animal!


Who says bodybuilding is all I'm good at! I impressed my girl too!


David B, Tiffany, myself, Jhanna, Uncle Jeff and Roxanne at Santa Cruz.

I had a great holiday season with family and friends and now after the first of the year it is time to get back on track with my nutrition and training. I hope everyone had a great holiday season!

A look Into My Bodybuilding Future
2010 was going to be my year to enter my first pro show, but after thinking it over very hard, I have decided to wait until 2011. There are a few of reasons for this.

• Physique wise - I feel I have not had enough time in my off season to really make any significant improvements. I would have to start dieting on January 2nd and this would only be 3 months of off season training. I feel this is nowhere near enough time to make improvements. I may do well on stage against other athletes, but for me it is only about improving myself. If I look the same as last year then for me it is a question of "what is the point if I look the same?
• Mentally I feel I am not ready to diet the necessary 6-7 months. Sometimes it takes an athlete to recognize when it is time to take time away from the competitive drive he has. I am a very competitive person and I have all the 3D's when it comes to training, but it also takes discipline to know when to say to yourself you are not ready. I have recognized this and I am going to take the necessary time to improve my physique and get the rest I need to come back in 2011 mentally and physically ready to be at my very best.
• 2010 is going to be year of uncertainty for me regarding my job situation and going to school and changing career paths. Preparing for a bodybuilding contest requires 100% commitment and with everything going on in 2010 it just is not the right time for me.
• My fellow coaches at TEAM 3DMJ will be making their comeback year in 2011 and I want to join in on the fun with them. 2011 is going to be an epic year for TEAM 3DMJ!!!
• I will be focusing more time into 3DMUSCLEJOURNEY and helping the sport and other athletes improve.

This was a very tough decision for me because the WNBF rules state I have to use my pro card within a years time of obtaining my card. I will be emailing the WNBF asking for an extension. If they grant me an extension then I will make my debut with them in 2011. If they do not, I still have other options. Natural bodybuilding is about presenting your best physique no matter what stage you are on. You do the work in the gym and then you present your hard work. It does not matter what stage or what the judges think, it only matters what you think and what makes you happy. You do not need a pro card to let you know you are a pro. There are many athletes out there with a better physique than mine who are not pro's according to the organizations out there, but none the less, they are pro's in my mind! 

My next blog I will focus more on my training and my journey for the power lifting meet in February. Happy New Year!!! Until my next blog keep training hard and naturally!!