More to come...

- sailing outing
- kicking Gulam's butt in Monopoly (Gulam's favorite board game)

Coming soon

- Gulam's sick...Aram makes him soup

Dec 2005: Big Bro Event: Ice Skating

Finally, we made it to the skating event with time to actually skate and enjoy the food. Last year, Aram got stuck in traffic and we got to the skating event with only 20 minutes before closing. The food was gone, people were returning their skates and there we were - scrambling to get some skates, quickly putting them on and getting in two whole laps around the rink! A hello to Amy, a picture and we were back in the car driving back to North County.

But this year, we were prepared. Aram worked from home and quit work early -- boy, the committment he has for his brother :) So we were able to experience the whole event! We skated, till our feet were sore - actually till Gulam's feet were sore (wimp), cause we all know Aram is from Canada where skating was invented and skating in -30 C is considered warm. Oh, and we Canadians don't just skate - we glide!

In San Diego, the night was clear not a chance of the temperature dipping below zero and not a snowflake in sight. Santa was there, but Aram made Gulam choose: a picture with Santa or do some holiday shopping for Gulam's mom. The decision was clear: mom comes first and Santa would have to wait.

So back to the event. We skated, drank hot chocolate, ate cookies and got our picture taken. Unfortunately, we have no idea who took the picture and so we can't post it on our blog.

Overall, a great night! Big Brother Big Sister always has great events! Thank you and we look forward to the next one!

Time Passes...

Its been a busy summer. Aram and Gulam have been having alot of fun and haven't had time to update this blog. Sorry to all our dedicated readers - we know you live vicariously through us. We'll try not to let you down again. Have no fear, we're back in all our full glory out to enjoy our lives together and do amazing things in San Diego! So this summer has been packed with lots of boogy boarding and more boogy boarding, hitting the pool with our stream machines and Home Depot build it yourself workshops.

Feb 2005 - Plane spotting

Plane spotting is an acquired obsession. You see planes all the time when growing up, but do you ever take the time to spend a day or evening watching them land and take off? Well, Aram has always enjoyed watching planes. He could be driving along and see a plane flying low overhead and depending on his state of mind, he may just pull over and watch it -- and get the poop on the plane :) Now San Diego Airport is in a great location. Its in the city and planes fly right over the freeway, roads and the downtown skyscrapers. It's a sight to see! So being the big brother and wanting to share some of his passions he decided it's time to share this with Gulam. It was an all out evening: we made popcorn, had hot chocolate, dressed warm and found a good spot to watch the planes. We had a great time and here are some pics to show you.

Aram, still getting used to his powers of levitation, attempts to take a picture of Gulam;). 

Gulam;) ruthelessly eats all the popcorn, leaving little for Aram;). Please note Aram's;) expert photography skills.

Gulam;) desperately tries to get the "poop" on the planes. "Zee plane, Zee plane" Please note Aram's;) expert photography skills.

Dec 2004 - Skating in a hurry!

This outing was a mad dash and very little could be truly enjoyed. The skating event held in San Diego by Big Brothers (etc) ended at 7:30pm and Aram ;) thought it would be a good experience for his Little. Aram ;) being an optimist , thought that he could get home from work on time, pick up Gulam ;) and drive 40mins to the skating rink, find parking in downtown San Diego and get to the rink with lots of time to enjoy the skating -- but that was just wishful thinking --Murphy's Law prevailed and taught Aram ;) a good lesson -- plan more simpler events. Let's start with the excuses: 1. Aram ;) works 70 miles away from home. 2. The friday traffic was horrible 3. Big Brothers should have had longer hours...and the list goes on. Nevertheless, the brothers rushed to the rink and as everyone was packing up to leave they were putting on their skates attempting to enjoy the few precious minutes on the skating rink. After getting kicked off the ice, all Gulam ;) got from the refreshment table was hot apple cider and cookie crumbs. That's when the brothers saw Amy, smiled for a picture and headed home. No worries, the brothers stopped to enjoy their favorite treat: creamed ice -- Yum, yum!

Amy's low tech picture phone takes a blocky picture of the brothers -- they look much better in real life! 

2004 -- It's Rodeo time!

This was a time for firsts. It was the first time the brothers were on time for an event. It was Gulam's ;) first time to a rodeo...and it was the first time the brothers almost got beaten up! The Poway Rodeo was home to big people, big bulls, big horses and even bigger barrels. Aram, having grown up in the Canadian prairies, thought this was a small time show ;) Gulam, however, was fascinated by all the activities as he plugged his nose trying to forget the smell. But this passed and he was able to enjoy the activities. We sat in the bleachers mesmorized by the cowboys and their abilities. And then Gulam, the klutz that he is, accidently (we still question this) knocked over a man's drink -- and he wasn't a small man! Now, Aram ;) was oblivious to this and wondered why Gulam ;) suddenly had become quiet and sat with his hands nicely folded in his lap -- this was very unlike his mischievious little brother. hmmm -- what's going on? As he turns his head, he sees a man giving him an enraged glare. The brothers finished watching the show and on the way home, Gulam ;) tells Aram about the incident -- now, it all made sense! Whew -- a close call and a great adventure!

Gulam ;) proudly displays his over-sized nose. His only competition is the horse in the background. Please note Aram's ;) expert photography skills. 

2004 -- San Diego Wild Animal Park - An exclusive tour

The fun never ends...we had a back door pass to the Infant Isolation Unit at San Diego Wild Animal Park. This is where injured baby animals are brought for medical attention and recovery.

Gulam ;) gets his ear licked, shoes nibbled on and licked by some very exotic goats! His girlfriend got a little jealous (just kidding).

Aram;) just stood back in the shadows and allowed Gulam ;) to have experience to remember.

After the Infant Isolation Unit, a tour of the Wild Animal Park was in order --- we saw lots of beautiful animals...and then it was time to go home. But someone lost their backpack and it had all his spending money in it!

What to do? Gulam and Aram frantically searched all the places they were at to no avail! Finally, they had a brilliant idea: "Let's check the Lost and Found", said Aram ;), but alas it was not there. Demoralized, they decided to try one last place, the ice cream stand --- where only hours ago they were happily enjoying ice cream. The Gods were smiling for sure enough the backpack was found by the ice cream stand attendent and he was hoping we would return! A happy ending to a long and great day!

A fun adventure at the San Diego Animal Park begins... 

Gulam poses for a picture at the entrance to the Lion Camp -- new lions recently arrived from Africa -- pls note Aram's expert photography skills ;) 

Gulam ;) finally gets over his fear and joins Aram :) in playing with the deer. 

Gulam ;) searches his mind for a way to get the deer off his shoes. 

Gulam ;), the more cowardly of the two stood back letting Aram ;) bask in the limelight. 

Summer 2004 -- Pools, Pizza and Fun!!

Yes, we've been horrible -- It's Apr 2005 and we're finally writing our blog! No worries, we've been having fun and no time to write.

One of our fun adventures was a pool party with cool stream machines and even cooler floating chairs. Now, this just resulted in one long water fight and we're still not sure who won - Aram or Gulam!

Now it was time for nourishment. If you didn't know, Aram (the big brother ;) ) loves PIZZA! So, of course, Gulam trying to make a good impression cooks a pizza with Aram! It was delicious! And from this day forth -- pizza is the food of choice for these two brothers -- after Cold Stone creamed ice, of course.

Gulam ;) admits defeat to Aram and calmly walks out of the pool, his spirit crushed. 

Gulam's "gunboat" frantically searches for Aram ;) who is submerged in the deep end. 

Aram ;) humbly declines Gulam's ;) offer to take the first bite... 

Chow down, man -- Gulam ;) digs in! 

Gulam ;) gets ready for the pizza of his life! 

What's Awesome Adventures?

What's Awesome Adventures all about?
Aram and Gulam met through the Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County! They have come to realize what a great match they are for each other! Aram and Gulam attempt to meet once a week and plan some fun outings together. But for some strange reason, they are put in strange predicaments (either by their own doing or just coincidence) and then their adventure begins! If they have a normal outing, Aram and Gulam breathe a sigh of relief, "Whew" and thank their lucky stars!

Stay tuned...