Memories...

I don't know why I started thinking about this tonight, but I did...

When I wrestled in high school I loved to sit by my coaches and listen to them talk about the match and yell at the kids on the mat. It made me feel important, and I learned from it (both for my own benefit and in the hope that I would one day be a coach).

However, I often got in trouble because I would sit in the "debriefing" chair that our assistant coach would use to talk to kids that had just gotten off the mat.

I still do this today...when I am somewhere that I am not an "expert," I will sit around those who are to pick up on what they are saying. Whether it's behind the console in chapel, or off to the side of a construction job, or just around the corner during a heated debate about caves, I enjoy listening to those who know what they are talking about. It makes me feel important still, and I try to learn from it.

I also enjoy people-watching...which plays into this. More on this in another post (I think).

For now, it's bedtime. Goodnight!

Wherein I uphold the promise to not dwell on this moment.

The other night the Woman said she wanted to blog about the drama that is going on in life. But then we decided that this too shall pass, and in a year we'll be far ahead in our lives and probably not remembering any of this.

So I have resolved to blog about to good things.

I love the Woman. A lot. She makes me very happy, and she is always there to support me. But I am not afraid to be the one to support her either. Just last night, we talked about things that had us down, about our fears for the present and the future. And as we prayed and went to get off the phone, she said, "Tell me a joke."

So I quickly stammered around to telling her a joke about a zebra dying and going to Heaven. We both laughed, and then talked a little more. Then she asked me to tell her another. I told her a "How many ____ does it take to screw in a light bulb?" joke, and we both laughed again. Then she told me about her aunt who doesn't know how to change a light bulb, but has the entire Dewey Decimal system memorized. I went to bed smiling.

We also spent some time off campus, on a date for St. Patrick's Day. We went to Chilly Willy's and got some pretty delicious Mexican food. Mexican food that still sits pretty heavy in my belly, but I've always considered that a sign of good food. I also quoted a new motto for life: "Nachos are the Jenga of the food world." Look within yourself. You know it is true. (All of these date-related things happened before the nighttime conversation, just to dispose any confusion.)

Today we both have some homework we need to work on, so I think we are either doing a study session in the Library or heading to one of our houses to sit on the deck and work in the sun. We did this a couple of weeks ago, on the really beautiful Saturday we had, and it was a ton of fun. And even though we were there and distracted each other occasionally with music or funny pictures or things related to the upcoming wedding, we got a ton of work done.

Which brought us to the conclusion that being on campus brings us down so much that we couldn't even try to focus on work. Which is why we spend so much time away from campus -- Just like a lot of other people, we've figured out that there is something here that is promoting our laziness.

But back to happiness...I've been sending out some resumes and cover letters, and though I'm not always getting responses (at all, let alone positive ones), I am still excited. I've got a certain vocation picked out currently: Working with the Boy Scouts of America in a mid-level management position. I've applied to be a District Executive in a couple of different places, and I am waiting on an application that will register me with the BSA nationwide.

I'm really qualified for this job (of course I am biased) and it really works well into my organizational style. I am a goal-oriented man, and I really love being able to make a to-do list, and cross it off as I get done. I did that this summer with my internship, I do that currently with my homework...I mean, geez, I do it with what I need to take home on the weekends or over breaks.

Hopefully someone will be intriguied by my resume/cover letter and give me a chance. I'd just like to get into one interview.

The Woman and I have started going to church at Bridges Christian Church in Russell. We really enjoy it. The worship is good, the sermons are nice, and everyone there seems so friendly. Just last week we ran into the senior minister on our way out of church. He stopped us, shook our hands, and said, "I don't think I've been introduced to you two!"

Pretty impressive for a church of 800, if I say so myself.

So we introduced ourselves and I'm pretty sure he thinks we are married. Oh well, it's a simple mistake and if anything dramatic comes of it, we'll clear it up.

But now I have realzied that I'm getting long-winded (or should it be long-texted? Hmmm...) and that I should probably work on some homework. Good day.

"So...are you a non-traditional student?" "No...I'm the professor."

So I love life.

Despite all the crap, worry, classwork, drama, and any other negative item, I love life.

God is good to me. He blesses me with a wonderful girlfriend, a place to live, food to eat, and entertainment to be had. And even though I often complain about the blessings I take for granted, some nights I lay in bed and realize, "Hey, life isn't really that bad after all."

I was up until 3AM last night thinking and praying and talking to myself. It didn't do much other than make me sleepy, but I hope my prayers did some good for some other people. I've been under a lot of stress this semester, but I just keep pushing for April 1 - It seems like due dates will slack off once I get to that date.

I am getting anxious for the Girlfriend and I to go to Michigan, and all events associated with and after that. I know she is nervous, but I can't wait to drive her around my old stomping grounds, to take her to my new hang outs, and to spend nights with my brother and best friend just goofing around and being us. It's going to be a blast, and my parents are super-excited about it too. They're planning day trips for us, and meals, and lots of other things. I cannot wait.

The Girlfriend asked me the other night, if we were teaching together at the same college, what would we be like? She compared us to the professor couples here on campus, but I think we are beyond that. We'll be unique...her in her hip clothes teaching kids about writing, me in jeans and a polo teaching kids about story-writing and ministry. Then we'll get done with the day, and either go hang out with some of the kids from campus, or tear off down the road on my motorcycle to spend the evening on the couch, snuggling with each other and whatever creatures live with us at the time (four-legged and furry creatures are what I am referring to here...but spawn could be there too).

I want to be one of those professors who gets mistaken for a non-traditional student...hence the title of this post. Not in a way that loses respect for me in my students eyes. But in a way that I can connect with the kids, that I can influence their lives outside of the classroom, and that I can get them out of the class and DOING ministry (speaking of which, I should blog on my idea for "teaching" ministry...maybe later).

It's thoughts like this that make me happy. And it's thoughts like this that help me to push on past the crap and head into the future, smiling and unafraid.

I love good music. Just throwing that out there. I'm jealous of all those who can play it...and I also beg that they buy some lyrics off of me!

But...it is about time for a shower and a shave. Good day, all.

Like, Love, and Lust

I like the weather lately. Cool enough to not sweat to death just standing around, but warm enough to facilitate the use of flip-flops (when I'm indoors at least...I'm all about being barefoot outside). Last night a storm was brewing outside of Grayson, and I was very excited. But, it petered out, and I ended up walking around campus with the Woman for awhile (which was just as exciting).

I love the Woman very much. I say that in every blog post because each and everyday I am awoken to another reason why she is the greatest girlfriend ever. I cannot wait to spend every single day with her, nor can I wait to talk to her before I go to bed. She constantly makes me smile and laugh, she makes me feel good about myself...and she fights for our relationship and my happiness. I honestly believe we can weather any storm.

I lust Pandora radio. I know I have a crap load of music (to the tune of 60+ gigs) but I don't have as much as I could. So, I let Pandora's music genome do-hicky do it's magic and bring some pretty awesome tunes to my ears. And it lets me get away from my desk and still enjoy music while I work and type.

Just a quick update because I don't really have enough time to get into anything before I head to lunch and the subsequent workout with the Woman. Good day.

House-sitting

Well, I am on day 3 of 4 for house-sitting for my youth ministry professor. He and his wife headed away for the Winter Break, so I decided that sitting at their house doing close-to-nothing was just as good as sitting at my Aunt's house and doing close-to-nothing.

I had an amazing few days with Woman. I cannot imagine anyone else fitting so well into my life. She is the biggest blessing I have in my life. I thank God for her every night and every morning.

Monday starts school, with 68 calendar days to go until we graduate. It is kind of scary, kind of exciting, and kind of too long. I just want May 9 to be here, but I know when it is I am going to look back and think of all the things I never got to do. But, when times like that pop up, I always remember some sage words from my high school wrestling coach: "You have to give up hope for a better yesterday."

Not much else. I was just bored and decided to blog. I think I am going to try and find some lunch and then play some poker for a bit.

*insert catchy title here*

Well, this morning was my job interview. It went quite well. I learned a lot about the position and got to know the Field Director for this area. I gave him my resume and he is sending me an application. All-in-all a very good day!

I got back to Grayson and spent the rest of the day with the Woman. We got to hang out, I got to ramble about my interview, and we generally had a good time. We went out to late-lunch, then to the mall. Finally, we ended the evening with an on-campus concert by Taylor Mason, a comedian. He was very funny.

I really love the woman. Just wanted to throw that out there.

This next week is short since winter break is Thursday and Friday. Woman and I are spending time Wednesday, and then I am house-sitting for a professor the rest of the weekend.

Not much else exciting. I need to pick my room up tomorrow so I do not have to live in filth. Other than that, I just keep praying God pulls me through the door he seems to be opening.

Wherein I do something constructive...

...or not too much.

Life is actually pretty good. I just keep getting really frustrated with people and things. I feel like everyone I speak to is upset with me about something and I feel like all of my work is slipping past my radar into the "overdue" file. It is just very very frustrating. I just want to get through this semester, graduate, get a job, and get married...is that so much to ask?

Senioritis is kicking me hard in the rear end...and most days in the face, too. Video games and sitting idly online are taking the places of papers and reading. Blogging replaces essays. Sitting and staring at the wall has become my brainstorming...just with much less brain and very little storm.

Hopefully Winter Break will help re-motivate me. Hopefully I will remember to send emails and call home and not do things to upset people. Hopefully I will not have to wake up at 6:45 gasping that I forgot to type up a paper, which I frantically assemble in hopes of passing (only to find out it is not due until next week...). I just need to make it to 9AM on Wednesday, then I am free for four whole days...

I love the Woman. We spent a fair amount of time just being in each other's presence last night. Nothing exciting, nothing special, just hanging out and goofing off and being together. It was quite wonderful.

Well...I need to make a phone call and repack my backpack and probably accomplish something before lunch. Toodles for now!

Flustration

Yeah, I said it.

I am frustrated...flustered...anxious...and tired. Today has caught up with me really damn quick, and I am not really sure why. People have been getting on my nerves and motivation has not been at the forefront of my mind. I am not really sure why all this is happening, but I have my theories...

I love listening to iTunes and having this random amazing song pop up and speak to my soul. The hope makes all the non-soul-speaking music worth listening to. Random, yes, but just throwing it out there.

I have a meeting with one of my profs in a bit, then I am sitting down for some me time. Reading, writing, video gaming, napping...I am undecided as of yet. I would like to get the song I started earlier this week done, and to get some of my other songs/poems conglomerated into a portfolio that may or may not land me some contracted writing for someone or something.

I love the Woman. Greatly. She is the best thing in my life.


Even when we fight my love does not falter in any way. I cannot wait to be married to her and to spend everyday of my life with her. She makes parts of my heart burn with happiness and passion that I never thought would be alive again. She is such a blessing to me, and I thank God for her everyday.

Well...I am gonna' head to my meeting early. Only because it means "me time" starts sooner.

At the tone, your life will be...good.

Life is amazing. I have a beautiful girl who loves me. I have a career-field that is looking up. I have family who loves me and makes me laugh. I have good music to listen to. I have food in my tummy and a warm bed to sleep in.

Woman has been in my life for about 5.5 months now. And she is quite spectacular. She fights for my happiness, she tolerates my peculiarities (which many call atrocities), and we get along really well. There is no control or power in our relationship...there is a team. We both are willing to concede and sacrifice for the other to be happy, and we both give our honest opinion on decisions. I love her with all my heart.

On other news: I HAVE A JOB INTERVIEW WEDNESDAY!!! It is quite amazing. Prayer requested for all things involved with me getting a paycheck.

I have been writing a lot more recently...songs and poetry, mostly. I just wish I could finish a friggin' song once in awhile...oh well, eventually I shall finish something.

I cannot wait for the future...but I have been trying to slow down and focus on the present, because it is so beautiful. I am off to bed for now.

*tone*

Reflections on Writing Love on My Arms

Today, according to a few Facebook events and groups, is the second annual "To Write Love on Her Arms" day. TWLOHA is a foundation centered on bringing Love and Hope to those who are contemplating. Having seen what suicide can do to a family or to a group of friends, I am in full support of TWLOHA and any other anti-suicide group. However, while reading the Walls for one of the events, I read some very negative comments, akin to:

"So, you just write 'Love' on your arm? How does that save anybody?"
"Loving people is not a fad."
"Writing something on your arm does not make you a savior."
"It's funny; people join this Facebook group and think they're actually saving someone's life."

Now, I understand the reasoning behind all of these comments, and I mean no ill will towards anyone who has said/agrees with these statements. I am simply trying to offer my own rebuttal to these, so people will understand why I am writing Love on my arms today.

Writing Love on my arm does not save anybody, nor does joining a Facebook group or telling someone I Love them or wearing a T-Shirt. But the reason I am taking place in TWLOHA Day is to get the word out about TWLOHA and their cause. It is the same principle behind wearing a college or band shirt, or the "I gave blood" shirts the Red Cross gives out - propaganda. That has become a dirty word in our culture, and justly so. Propaganda just seems to ooze of establishment and all those other nasty words no one wants to have anything to do with. However, when it comes to a company whose job is saving people's lives, I will gladly be the biggest propaganda-whore I can for them. It is kind of like Christ...He is not cool (by today's standards), His T-Shirts are often cheesy, but we talk about Him and portray Him to get the word out...see where I am going with this?

As for Loving people being a "fad," if you want to accuse me of this, just look at the way I live my life. I try to Love and interact with as many people as possible. God gave me a spiritual gift of Loving. Even people I really want to hate end up deserving Love in my book. So while taking one day out of my year to physically write Love on my arm may be a fad, do not assume that all of my Love for the year is boxed into this single section of 24 hours. I do not keep Love physically written on my arm for a few reasons, most of the aesthetic and personal. But I do keep Love written on my heart, so when I see people, I Love them (even though lately some people have taken more work than others).

So what am I doing? I am writing Love on my arm so if someone says, “Hey, Yeti, why do you have Love written on your arm?” I can point them towards TWLOHA. Sure, they do not need help (now or ever), or know anyone that does. But someday, they may hear of someone needing help and if TWLOHA rolls off their tongue and saves a life, then Praise Him. Just like when people ask me why I have Love written on my heart, I can point them towards Christ.