Ben, ‘11

February 23, 2008

As life keeps moving along, I want to avoid falling into the rut of regularity and routine. That would almost make me normal, heaven forbid! So, I’m spicing up this week’s post a little bit. I’m making it musically oriented. I’m incorporating my favorite songs’ (from the past few years) titles and lyrics into this week’s recap. Now, before we go on, you can’t make fun of the music I like. Some people say that I have an interesting taste in music, so I’m putting myself out there just for your entertainment. So, no picking on me. Deal? Alright. Let’s see “What I’ve Done” (Linkin Park) this week.

The main event that I remember (and feel) from this week is 3000-12. Now, you may be asking yourself “What is 3000-12?”. That’s a good question. Let me go “Backwards” (Rascal Flatts) a little bit. I had just come back from an intense night of ab workouts, push ups, and running (my first time exercising since returning from break). I was already sore and exhausted. I checked my e-mail and had an e-mail from a friend saying that 3000-12 was starting up again. 3000-12 is where men memorize twelve Bible verses over the course of two weeks…. as well as do three thousand push-ups. That’s right, three…zero…zero…“Zero” (Hawk Nelson). The goal is to grow closer as a group and be physically and spiritually “Stronger” (Kanye West). I knew I wasn’t in peak physical shape, but I decided to participate anyways. So, on early Wednesday morning, at 12:01 AM, myself and a few other participants met to begin 3000-12. Through gradual increments, I have now done 1500 push-ups over the course of four days and am well on my way to success. I’m sore, but still “Pressing On” (Relient K). The Bible verses that we’re working on are 1 Thessalonians 5:12-23. I’m getting there and have surprised myself thus far. At times, though, the push-ups are exhausting and I just want to yell “Oh! Gravity” (Switchfoot). They would be so much easier if I were simply “Defying Gravity” (WICKED the musical). Anyways, that’s been the main event of the week. I stop every few hours, find a secluded spot, and do my push ups.

The beginning of 3000-12

The other main event is my formation of an InterVarsity Relay for Life team. I had been looking at captaining a team for a while, but hadn’t found enough people. Now I have. We currently have ten members and I’m excited to get going. Cancer has affected so many people and taken so many lives, “May angels lead you in” (”Hear You Me” by Jimmy Eat World). It’ll be great to finally get involved in Relay For Life and hopefully end cancer. Considering “How Far We’ve Come” (Matchbox Twenty), we “Don’t Stop Believing” (Journey) that a cure will be found.

I’ve also started giving tours this week. Tuesday was my first day and I think that it went quite well. I met some great people and am really excited about the future of the University of Richmond. I met a very nice family and ended up sitting down with them at D-Hall for an hour and talking about the school. The prospective student, Ryan, was interested and reminded me of myself a lot. He was “A Good Man” (Emerson Drive). I also gave a tour on Saturday and will give three next week. I’m liking it so far and hope I’m doing a good job.

I also met with the Career Development Center to see where I’m at with my education path and what I should be doing. I’m doing just fine but have so many options to study and pursue a career in that it is slightly disconcerting. The University makes all of the students well prepared, though, so “Wherever We Go” (Newsboys), we’ll be ready for anything.

This was a huge weekend for a cappella concerts. My life would be “Incomplete” (Backstreet Boys) without a cappella. There were two ninety-minute shows and both were fantastic. The first consisted of the four on-campus groups. My roommate joined one of them and has had a lot of fun so far. The second show consisted of the Octaves, our all-male group, as well as groups from UConn and James Madison University. All of the groups were amazing and it was a great night. “Time after Time” (Quiet Drive), these groups have delivered great performances. My friend whom I went with should probably check into “Rehab” (Amy Winehouse) because she believes she’s addicted to our a cappella groups. I’m afraid that may be the case with me as well.

Due to a canceled class, I was finally able to make the weekly lunch that my church hosts at the University of Richmond. We had some Chinese food and interesting conversation. Somehow, I ended up saying that “I’ve birthed sheep”. That didn’t come out right. Oh well, I still “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” (John Denver). I guess I have to remember “I Ain’t in Wisconsin Anymore” (Carrie Underwood). Our church group is looking forwards to doing some events together soon and they should be fun.

Dishing up for the weekly church lunch

My Bible study group also got together and we’ve begun to focus a lot more on prayer requests for each other as the year has gone on. Sometimes you just wonder, “What if His People Prayed” (Casting Crowns) more often. We’ll soon find out. We also turned it into a hair cutting session since some of the guys wanted to use my clippers.

David was attacked by the hair clippers

The Collegiate Disaster Relief Team, which I’m a part of, finally met this week to discuss our Spring Break trip. Instead of going “Home” (Daughtry), I’m heading to New Orleans to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina’s destruction. I know some of the people going and think it’ll be a great trip. It would’ve been a “Long Trip Alone” (Dierks Bentley) to the Gulf Coast. I think it’s still going to take quite a while to get there, though. We leave early Saturday morning and probably get into “Louisiana Saturday Night” (Mel McDaniel).

This week also marked the last time I met for “Stress Management” on Mondays. It was a very good course and far exceeded my expectations for a required Wellness course. It taught me with how to deal with the stresses of life and better manage them and to take time to “just forget the world” (”Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol).

Speaking of classes, I am finally done with my CORE paper and it’s turned in. It turned out really well and is a work of art. Frankly, it’s “Something Beautiful” (Newsboys). I also did quite well on the math test I was worried about. I attended a research presentation by two science professors for a math assignment on Thursday. They discussed cleaving of proteins and the universe at its beginning. One of my friends will be helping one of these professors construct a radiation telescope this summer by joining with Brown University and the University of Wisconsin. Maybe they’ll see what life looks like in “A Different World” (Bucky Covington). Sculpture is beginning again with us converting our clay skulls we made into musical instruments. No kidding. I’m looking at making a skull bagpipe with flutes. Finally, I met with my Economics teacher and he wants to give me extra work since I’m doing well in the class. It’s not exactly what I was looking for, but it’s not graded and couldn’t hurt. I guess they’re “Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That” (Robert Randolph and the Family Band), then. Plus, I’ve still been having a fair amount of free time, and I’ve spent a fair share of it “Online” (Brad Paisley).

Sports are also going strong here. Our men’s basketball team is doing well and baseball is now also underway. I said “Take me out to the ball game” (“Swing” by Trace Adkins) and went to our women’s basketball game today. I’m afraid that they lost, but they played well. The halftime entertainment was quite entertaining.

We lost

A local youth gymnastics club at halftime

This kid leaped over all of the other kids that are lying down.

I hate to add bad news, but life isn’t always perfect. I was not accepted to be an Orientation Adviser for next year, so those of you who come here in the fall won’t see me right of the bat. That’s fine with me, since I could probably use another week back home with my family after staying here for the summer. Maybe I just had a “Bad Day” (Daniel Powter) for my interview. But as it’s said, “Hey Ben, don’t make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better” (“Hey Jude” by the Beatles) or something like that. “Everything is gonna be alright” (“Believe” by Yellowcard).

I’ll try to end on a more positive note. My mom is now famous… sort of. No, she didn’t make American Idol and go to “Hollywood” (Collective Soul) or travel “Around the World” (ATC) in 80 days. Fine, I’ll just “Come Right Out and Say It” (Relient K). My mom met Mike Huckabee. The Wisconsin Primary was this past week and we are usually a neglected state, but the candidates actually visited this time. Mike Huckabee visited my hometown and my mom stopped by our local coffee shop to see him. I guess she wanted to “Make a Memory” (Bon Jovi) , so she somehow managed to get a picture with the next President of the United States former governor of Arkansas.

My mom with Presidential nominee Mike Huckabee in my hometown

I know that the decision to declare a college is coming up and admission letters are on their way relatively soon. I wish you the best. “This Is Your Time” (Michael W. Smith) and “This Is Your Life” (Switchfoot), trust yourself and get excited . Regardless of where you choose to go, I’m sure you’ll do great. Hopefully, that place is UR, though.

For me, life keeps going at the “Speed of Sound” (Coldplay), but I’m enjoying it. “These are the Days” (Keith Urban) I’ll remember, so I’m trying to make the most of them. I’m hoping that this spiced-up post has kept you entertained and that you’ve enjoyed it. I “Apologize” (Timbaland) for it getting rather long. “I hope you’ve had the time of your life” (“Good Riddance” by Green Day).

Quote of the Week: “I wanna run with fire. It’s my heart’s desire. Lifting your love higher.” - “The Mission” by the Newsboys; my #1 Favorite Song according to my Most Played list on iTunes.
Thought to Ponder: Why to people say they’ve “slept like a baby” when babies wake up every two hours?
Shout Outs: Ryan and his family, everyone else on the tour groups that I’ve led, Sarah for being a faithful reader and friend
YouTube Clip of the Week: