Contemplative

Sometimes I wonder what the use is in some things. I mean take school for example. I see the point in having my doctor going to medical school and my attorney going to law school. [I don't however, see the point in having him take the LSAT, but whatever that's another story.] Sometimes I feel as if the whole thing is entirely futile. Most of the time, all I'm doing is jumping through a bunch of hoops to make some random human being happy. I haven't learned anything sometimes I think, other than how to do menial tasks whilst pertending they are important. And then, we are back to the beginning aren't we? We're back to realizing what the whole point of education isn't education, it's socialization.

The question I think that I have to ask myself is why? Why do I do this to myself? Why do I stay up late at night and push myself to the limits? All so that I can push myself to the limitz later? I don't understand why I must push and push and push to earn the right to push and push more. Then, I'll push myself way past 9-5 to pay back "The Man" for the right to push and push myself. Meanwhile my friends and collegues around me will drink themselves into a stupor and their livers into comas while others will use the determination they've learned to resolve to throw themselves off a ledge somewhere. And meanwhile the rest of my friends will work themselves into lonliness even further still - and their families will not be there because those families got left behind in the dust behind tax credits and overtime. Why?

Because all I have to do is play the game to earn the right to set myself and others free.

Random New Stuff on My Blog

Well if you've noticed that my Christmas list is on the sidebar of my blog, never fear - I'm not suggesting that you all buy me presents dear blog readers. Rather, my parents have asked me [as they have been doing in recent years] for me to be AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE with what I want for Christmas. So, in order to accommodate their wishes I have posted the answers to their questions [i.e. "What DVDs do you not have but would like to have?"] on my blog as they read it daily. That is all.


If you are feeling generous however, post-its and pens are ALWAYS a given...along with Skittles.


End Transmission
Secret Squirrel Out

Hey, Well My Dad Thinks This is Funny...

Check out this terrible propaganda...we need something like this at ACU. Partner, can you hook us up? Haha!

Thanksgiving Vacation Part II: The Big Day

Well, it definately has been a long day over here in El Valle. We had Thanksgiving at my Grandma's [She and her husband live in Mission, a small suburb] with my uncles, aunts and cousins. It was really very good. Andrea, Erika and myself watched VH1 "awesomely bad hair" and "awesomely bad fashion" and chilled for a while. Of course, there was the given 2 hours of conversation the "adults" had in the "adult" room which I have recently been moved up to. Now, this is not because I am actually an "adult" so to speak: one must simply understand that as the "chilluns" grow older, they begin to take up more space. Consequently, the "chilluns" table is getting to be quite crowded as I am the shortest of all my cousins who today ranged to as young as 12 years of age. So, it was merely for reasons of efficiency that I was allowed to converse in the adult room today [as I did the dishes]...

Eventually however, the fun and frolic of the afternoon took on quasi-legal attributes and my family began to play lotteria for money. Oh the fun you can have with Spanish bingo! Hehehehe...Joshua cleaned house though, raking in upwards of $30 dollars. Go figure eh?

Finally, it was time for the ritualistic voyage to el cine. Erika, Andrea, CJ & I all saw Christmas with the Kranks - it's cute, you should probably see it if you think situational humor is a good thin [Tim Allen seems to do pretty well with it - he and Jamie Lee Curtis together: BRILLIANT! Why has no one thought of this before?] Now, I'm eating a turkey sandwich and watching Pretty Woman - which I LOVE! - Thanksgiving is pretty much a wrap for me. But what about a lesson for the vacation time? What am I thankful for?

I think that question alone completely misses the mark. I am not quite sure that the point is for me to thank God for my aunt's pumpkin nut roll, or that no one needed stitches today. Probably safe travel and stuffing in TWO DIFFERENT PANS or the BIGGEST MASHED POTATO STASH I'VE EVER SEEN are supposed to make the list. I'm pretty sure that there is something deeper at stake here. What I'm really thankful for, is the KIND of God I have, not just what He does for me. I am abundantly thankful, that He is my father, and that I am his child. I am so glad, that He is the kind of father that will let me come to him and tell him how happy I am about just anything, but He is also there when I'm heartbroken. I amd so excited that I have a father like that. I'm thankful, that I can go to Him, and He'll put me on His knee and hear just how I feel. I am thankful that He is the giver of all things and the keeper of all secrets; that he is the God of Justice and Mercy at once. He is a both a judge and my attorney. God loves me - he loves me like a child - as His child. I don't have to serve all day everyday because I am not His servant or slave: I am His child and I serve because the love and joy in my heart pours out daily because of what the Lord has done for me. It is for this I give thanks.

You see, I don't have to thank Him for every small thing: I AM thankful because I recognize them in context, in the context of the character of God.


Give Thanks.

Thanksgiving Vacation Part I: The Voyage Home

I'm so glad to finally be home again. I love Thanksgiving vacation. Not only is it a vacation in and of itself, it prompts me to get my butt in gear for the final weeks of school and reminds me that there are in fact, only a few weeks of school left.

I left the cold of Abilene this morning at about 11:00 am with Conrad, David, and a pet white mouse in a box. [Interesting, no?] We traveled pretty far I suppose, and the temperature went up the closer we got to home even though night was approaching and it's NOVEMBER. The trip was loads of fun filled with lots of Old School [Backstreet Boy fans unite!] Jams and funny stories. I love road trips.

My mom had Capt. Soup and Pumpkin Pie waiting for me when I got here [mmm Good - BY WHICH I MEAN BETTER THAN THAT CONDENSED CAMPBELL'S CRUD that is CLEARLY NOT made from fresh veggies and by my mom who rocks] along with LEMONAIDE!!! YAHHH! My newly panneled wooden floors are pretty...I can smell the sea in the air. I'm home.

Happy Thanksgiving

Dan Rather

Dan Rather must "STEP DOWN" in order to prevent himself from looking more Clintonesque...SURELY NOT!

Jesus Is In the Small Things

I hear so much about being like Jesus, living like Jesus, acting like Jesus, & being willing to die like Jesus for Jesus. But I ask you, if I posed to all of you the question "Would you die for Jesus?" would it be as difficult to answer as the question "Would you live for Jesus?"

I've found that it is harder to live for Jesus, or live as Jesus than to be like Jesus. Being like Jesus, is to act as He would act at any moment in a given time spectrum when we are aware that such a response would be appropriate. but to live as Jesus, would be to bless people everyday, as one is. I would be happy, if I knew that just me being myself made a difference in people's lives.

When I lost my chance at nationals bid in Minnesotta on Sunday, I was devestated. I can't seem to get it right this semester: there seems to be somethin wrong. But you know what - I have friends who are Jesus to me. Layne went shopping with me and he was patient and sweet with me - but not because of my recent disappointment, but because that is who he is. That made the difference to me. Jeremy Pond: your blog was and is Jesus to me. Thank you for the Skittles.

Home - I Miss It

I cannot wait - I'm going home tomorrow. I want to see Joshua so much - my precious baby brother. My mom and dad - I miss them too. And then, there's Nemo. My puppy has cried for me since Fall Break - poor Nemo. [And no, not from "Finding Nemo": I have read a book besides "The Vindication of the Rights of Women". It's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea people...]

I got home yesterday a little late: our flight was delayed a bit. Casey picked me up from the airport [he was waiting, with flowers] and then I dropped my bags off at home and went to LYNAY. Casey and I had dinner @ Abuelos and then, off to the books!

I'm exhausted today, and I've gotten everything done. I'm on my way to my apartment in a minute to clean up, and pick up my brother's check-book which he has apparantly tossed up to my apartment. I'm gonna do a bit of cleaning, and then pack up and get ready for tomorrow. Jeremy is coming over for spaghetti tonight - it will be good: I'm excited about having real food and a good night sleep.

All in all, this break is much needed. Life I think, needs breaks from itself - it has a tendency to overcommit you.

Peace Out
A-Town Stomp