Vacation!
- December 26, 2007 - posted by chicago wedding photographer nate mathai

categories: announcement, Personal
tags:

interested in booking? Head over to the the contact page or shoot me an email to info@natemathai.com

As announced before, I’ll be heading out for vacation early tomorrow morning, beginning with my church retreat in Michigan. Due to this fact, I’ll be away from my e-mail and (most likely*) blogging for while. I’ll be back responding to everyone’s e-mails by January 7th, 2008. So until then, have yourself the happiest New Year, and get ready for a 2008 that you will NEVER forget!

*If I’m able to gain a solid internet connection at the conference site, I might do some photo dumps to get a glimpse as to the goodness that we’re experiencing up there. No guarantees, but feel free to check in!

[12.24.07] Monday Night Recap
- December 24, 2007 - posted by chicago wedding photographer nate mathai

categories: Personal, [MNR]
tags:

interested in booking? Head over to the the contact page or shoot me an email to info@natemathai.com

• [Bears] Now this is the team I remember from last year. No real offense, amazing defense scoring all the points. If only they did this throughout the season. At least we swept the Packers this season.
• [Illini] We’re having a tough season so far, but we beat Mizzou in the Braggin’ Rights game. Go Illini! Can’t wait for the Rose Bowl on New Year’s…
• [ChristmasGifts] I’ve never been a big Christmas gift person but there are two I want to talk about. First…

I bought my niece a digital camera! After a couple minutes learning to hold it, she was off snapping away telling everyone “Say Cheese!” (she wouldn’t take your picture unless you said it). I wonder if she’ll be an apprentice or competition…
And then my girlfriend and I exchange gifts and she got me…

A monopod! Totally unexpected. It’s on my Amazon wishlist (along with many items which i doubt anyone would buy me), but she went and got it for me! She really is supportive! Also, she bought me a new sweater and some socks…all very practical gifts. She’s the best!

• [Fantasy] Obviously. The final matchup of the season, and I outscore my opponent by over 100…And I score more than every other player in the league (minus the one who won the whole thing…stupid LaDanian and his great Monday Night game). If my guys played up to potential all year and not just the last two weeks, I would be in the top 3. Instead…second to last.
• [Vacation] After a busy first year of work (both corporate and photography), I’ve got my first extended ‘vacation’ this week. It’s a good time to relax and get refreshed. I’ll be out in Michigan from Thursday-Sunday for a church retreat, so I’ll be back posting and responding to e-mails shortly thereafter.
• [1More] I’ve got one more party left on my plate- a Christmas party with my extended family (70+) on Tuesday evening. Maybe I’ll post before I leave…but I highly doubt it…here’s to hoping :)
• [HolidayCards] It didn’t seem like much of a contest, as this was the selected card:

…I got a bunch of responses (you’d expect), so here’s some excerpts of my favorites (hope they don’t mind me posting)…
– ‘OMG he’s so adorable’
– ‘Absolutely hilarious…that picture just made my day!’
– ‘Wow…he’s really…mature-looking.’
– ‘Man, that baby looks strange…’

Again, wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas time, and I look forward to amazing things in 2008. Much love, everyone…God Bless!

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You’ve been promised, we’ve been waiting
Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don’t mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home

Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven’s silence
Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world

~Welcome To Our World – ChrisRice

75 Years | (Her) Siblings Christmas
- December 24, 2007 - posted by chicago wedding photographer nate mathai

categories: Personal
tags:

interested in booking? Head over to the the contact page or shoot me an email to info@natemathai.com

On Saturday evening, my extended family got together for a pretty big reason. My godmother (my father’s aunt), and one of the sole reasons why all of us are in America, turned 75 years old! This lady has been such a foundation of prayer and solid living in our family. She is one of the most selfless people you have ever met, and there are countless people (both inside our family and outside) who can attest to this. It was an emotional time for many as people stood to share of how she’s touched their lives and wish her a happy birthday. With both sets of my grandparents being in India my whole life, she was who I knew as my grandmother (and the grandmother of our family). It’s a blessing to recognize the life she has lived and the passion she still has. Here’s few looks at the celebration…

After that I high-tailed it to my girlfriend’s house to have a little “siblings” Christmas party (centered around the relations of her sister and brother-in-law). The fun thing about it is I pretty much grew up with these guys my whole life! It’s amazing how God had placed us all in the same church or community growing up, and now have used the bonds of marriage to bring us even closer. God is good! Our celebration had the obligatory food, fun, and fellowship: pre-made snacks as well as ordered food, great conversation and reflection on the past year, an entertaining game of white elephant, and a rousing competition of Catchphrase (…everyone might seem like a good calm Christian, but boy are we competitive)! All in all…good times. 4 parties in from last Wednesday-Saturday. Here’s a quick look:

Since I have time to post today, I’ll get the real MNR out as well. Keep an eye out…

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