Friday, May 28, 2004

Midsummer Night's Blog-

You sometimes reach the high points in life. You sometimes reach the low points in life, so it seems. I have had my share of both. Two speeding tickets added to a $250 car tow in a single week will make one feel as if the world is slightly out to get him (by the way, I accept full responsibily for the tickets). But occasionally the opposite comes around and you find yourself encountering happier circumstances. As of late, I have found myself in a more peaceful state of being. It's as if God has gazed down and smiled upon me with grace that I am truely unworthy of. Nothing extraordinary has happened to me but certin parts of my life seem to be heading in the right direction with a more clear view ahead of me. Life seems a little less complicated and chaotic and I have found it easier to focus towards my intended direction. An "at peace" feeling is a most comforting and invigorating state of mind. I want to always be at peace with life and everything in it but I know it is impossible as long as I am here on earth, so a hint of peace is simply an glimpse at my life after death that must remain my focus.
I will mention some of the petty things that God has placed his hand on in my life as of late. Well, a few weeks ago i was struggling with what direction to take in an effort to make money this summer. My summer is a bit chaotic so I new I must have a job that all compliment with the activities I have going on. I would also prefer to have a job that I would enjoy and benefit from in the future. I did some applying at the very beginning of the summer, but nothing exciting really turned out. Well in the last week, I have been offered 3 awesome jobs that I would absolutely be more than glad to work.
I've taken up tennis in the last month or so. I played a little in high school and was mediocre at best. Well as I have been learning a little more technique in the past month, I have had to change my entire swing. Due to this swing change transition process, many of the last times playing with friends my shot has really been off. This has been a frusterating time but today I felt as if i had made a move towards achieving the right swing which makes the game a lot more fun.
Tonight, I talked to Daniel Bass, a friend from highschool, for over an hour just about prospective job paths and what not. I am really glad to see he is really motivated to become a successful person. I don't have many friends that I graduated with from DHS that are making an effort to improve themselves as people, so it is good to know Daniel is. He is a very solid guy and deserves to be successful.
Mom and Dad are going to buy my younger sister Sara a VW Passat this summer. They are pretty much set on one that is being sold around NYC. There plan is for me to fly up there and drive it back. I can't really think of much else i would rather do. I would love to drive from NYC to home and make stops by a few friends on the way. I truely can't get enough of seeing the different areas of the world. I am amazed with God's creations.
I have been running frequently and I feel myself getting into better shape. Longer distances are becoming little less difficult as I get into better shape.
My car and room are spotless inside and out. What a great feeling!
Kenya is less than two weeks away. I not sure what all is in store for me on this trip but I am eager to find out. I'm sure my eyes will open to a lot of areas and ideas they have never opened to previously.
I am currently rereading a purpose driven life. I think i would like to read this book once a year. The book does such a great job of putting everything in the right perspective.
My summer school classes are going great. The football players are hilarious. Today Ben Hall got his test back and asked the teacher (a white lady) "Can i have 5 extra points because of my dad; he was never around." (he kept a straight face the whole time)
Jocelyn has begun her second trimester with no complications.
Well, I'm goin to pop in Forrest Gump (what a great movie) in and call it a night.

Saturday, May 22, 2004

2 questions to be asked by God

Thinking about life after death, standing in front of God, and the audit he will do of my years on earth (Romans 14:10b, 12)... I get nervous and I feel ashamed at the idea yet I am always aware that this time will eventually come.
According to the Bible we can surmise that God will ask us 2 crucial questions:
1.)"What did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ?"
God will not question our doctrinal views or religious backgrounds ect. The sole question here being, did you accept what Jesus did for you and did you learn to love and trust him?
2.) "What did you do with what I gave you?"
Each person born was given life through God and finds his purpose through God. We are all alive because God wanted to create us. We were created to be the focus of his love because he is a God of love. The earth was created as it was because God wanted a place for his creations to live. As we all know, God created each person unique from any other (different talents, relationships, features, opportunities, ect.) As we look to God for our purpose, we begin to understand why we are who we are and for what reasons. So will we take what the God of love has given us, and use it for his purpose?
The first question will determine where you will spend eternity.
The second question will determine what you do in eternity.
These post we influenced by portions of Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life.

Wednesday, May 19, 2004

chilled _ downtempo _ ambiant

Tonight i cheated. I have never watched a single "The Bachelor" episode... until tonight... The season finale. So now I know what every huge Bachelor fan has been dying to know for the past few months. Jessica will be the one to test a relationship with Jesse. So Hooray Jesse! Hooray Jessica! and Hooray Billy!... for knowing the lowdown in the world of Reality Television!
I am on the road to getting back in shape.- I ran parameter tonight for the first time this summer and I have totally lost the stamina I built up last semester. I clocked my time (24:31) for the 3.1 mile distance. I think thats slightly less than an eight minute/mile. I struggled to make it in that mediocre time. I would like to make it sub 20 minutes sometime soon. This is my goal for now. Running is so much more fun when in shape.
The Streets released their new albumn today so I would like to check that out. I think i will make a list of music to sample and go to Barnes and Noble tomorrow after class.
As of late, I've been listing to a lot of chillout; hence the title of the post. This music, originating partially from the acid house scene in England (mid-80s)_ and the beaches & nightclubs of Ibiza is slow tempo and atmospheric, perfect for night driving or simply relaxing under the sun. Acts that I like the most in this genre are St. Germain, The Future sound of London, and Thievery Corporation.
I went to Blockbuster and picked up 2 movies (Dead Poets Society & Ted Bundy). I've never seen either. Dead Poets Society is always recommended to me and Bundy is a family favorite. Just kidding about Bundy being a family favorite. I am just genuinely interested in people and their motives, serial killer or not. So i will dish out my opinions of the movies later.- I figure these 2 movies will hold me over until I can make it out to see Mean Girls.
Ohhhh and heres the beat on the street about Kenya. Kenya is so much cooler than Norway. Check out the link...
KENYA

Sunday, May 16, 2004

Kenya dig it

I drove 85 South to Suwanee, GA today to meet with the team. I must say I am really impressed with all of the individuals going to Kenya . I knew i would love the trip simply because I was to Kenya but until today I was unsure of who i would be spending the 2 1/2 weeks with. Today I met most of the team and each person was super cool. Three people actually attend Clemson, but i had never met them previous to the meeting. One girl (Katie Hardy), a senior at Purdue Univ., is a member of the first surviving set of quadruplets in Indiana. To think that a mother carried four children in her womb and gave birth to each is amazing. As for the guys, I found that they all love outdoor activities such as hiking, running, and other sports. I know this will be one of the most invigorating experiences I will ever be a part of. And to top the trip off, we will be embarking on a 3 day African safari. We will be driving Land Cruisers across the Serengeti Plains in the Masai Mara National Reserve of East Africa. I will bring a nice camera with plenty of film to capture all of the amazing sites on this safari.
Check out the links:
KenyaPhotos
TeamPhoto
MaraSerena
Safari

Blow

It's a low key Summer's Saturday night and i was out late last night so I decided to lay low at my appt (Harts Cove) tonight.
Tommorrow, I have a meeting in Suwanee, GA with the individuls i will be going to Kenya with (June 10-26). This is a medical/mission trip so many doctors, dentists will be on the team as well as about 15 students, a preacher, and a few others. I am really excited about this trip, as I will be able to provide aid and share christ with those in need. I'm eager to view Kenya and the culture of the people we will be visiting.
By the way, i have become a 5 star chef when it comes to marinating and sautéing chicken breasts. That makes about 5 dishes that i can create. So, I made dinner and rented the movie Blow. I have seen it once before. Actually, there was a pre-released viewing at Clemson (in Tillman) my freshman year which was exciting. For some unknown reason, I'm intrigued with the use, trafficking, and lifstyle of those involved with drugs- though i've never been linked. Not to mention my interest in entrepreneurial projects. Sooooo, i guess i'm destined to become a notorious drug lord? Or not. So anyway, as you know this movie is based on the true story of the first major trafficking of cocaine and marijuana into the U.S. (early 1970's). The main character, George Jung, (played by Johnny Depp) really caught my interest, so after the movie I reaserched him on the internet. Turns out he is still in jail (his 3rd sentence) and will be realeased in 2015. You know that question "If you could have dinner with any one person, who would it be?" Well funny as it seems, this guy would be high on my list. I'm so curious as to what he will do with himself when he is released. He earned and lost 60 million dollars during a span of about 20 years. This blows my mind. <--- I know, I'm a dork...
GeorgeJungHomepage
GeorgeJungInterview

Friday, May 14, 2004

Traveling Light

Well, this is my online journal- These are my thoughts, my ideas, my views, ect. JT gave me the idea and i decided to follow his lead and start my own journal.
I decided to title the journal "Traveling Light"; a play on the title of the book writen by Max Lucado.
I took on the title to treat this journal as a light of my travels; my thoughts.
Lucado titled his book "Traveling Light" in an effort to inform the reader of the danger of traveling through life with heavy burdens (guilt, discontent, anxiety, perfectionism, ect.). This leads to a troublesome tiring life. Release yourself of these heavy burdens and travel light.
So each interpretation of "Traveling Light" is suitable for this journal as it will allow me to vent burdens I encounter on my journey through life.
Well here goes nothing...