Archive for the 'Sports Games' Category

Reflections on Second Semester

Now that my Freshman year is officially complete, I would like to take the chance to look back on everything that has happened during second semester. It gives you, the reader, a chance to catch up on what I’ve been doing and also give a concise version of everything that we have to offer here. For me, it simply gives me a chance to pause and take a collective look at what I’ve managed to accomplish in such a short period of time.

I’ll begin by taking a look at my classes since this should be the main focus of college. However, if you’ve been reading my blog, you may not have gotten that impression at times. I took Macroeconomics, Sculpture, Foundations of Leadership Studies, Calculus 2, and CORE. Even though the final grades aren’t in yet, I am confident that I did well. I really stepped up my work in CORE and I think I learned skills that will help me better manage my other classes in the future. Sculpture turned out to be a lot of fun for me. I’m not very artistic, but it was a nice break to have a class where you have complete control and make whatever you wanted. My workload was very manageable this semester. I buckled down in the library and made sure I was on top of my work. I still am somewhat unsure as to what my major and career will be (which is slowly starting to worry me) and no class has jumped out and enthralled me, but I’m continuing with the path of study that I think will be the best for me.

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The library on Friday afternoons, when I got most of my work done
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All of the books for my classes this semester
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The musical instruments I created out of skulls and wood in Sculpture

Though I am not sure of my path of study, I am exploring several opportunities that may make my decision easier. I am interested in math, so I will be staying on-campus over the summer to do ten weeks of math research. I will be studying the tortuosity and geometric configuration of blood vessels in the brain and how that results in strokes. It pays much better than working at SUBWAY back home and I’m hoping the experience will be rewarding. I’ve heard that the campus during the summer is a pretty fun place to be.

I will also be participating in a program called Campaigns 2008 in the fall. I applied and was accepted to live in Lakeview within the program. The sixteen of us in my program will take a class on elections in America as well as travel to D.C, talk to officials close to the campaigns, create media ads for the campaigns, as well as several other projects. We’ve picked our own curriculum and I’m really excited. I’ll be living in a single most likely and be in a suite with two of my good friends.

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I’ve been tracking the election closely and made sure to vote

I continued to be active in organizations during second semester. Some of my friends have said that I’m too involved. I wouldn’t necessarily disagree with them on that. I continued to serve as Class President for the men of the Class of 2011. My Cabinet and I planned events including a Super Bowl Party, March Madness Party, and Freshmen Cookout. They were all successes, especially the cookout which had over two hundred people attend.

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The Cabinet’s Super Bowl Party
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Some of my Cabinet members at our Freshmen Cookout

A new organization for me, this semester, was Collegiate Disaster Relief Team (CDRT). During Spring Break, thirty of us UR students went to New Orleans to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. We gutted a nursing home, painted a house, and even helped with a house for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition since they were in the area. It was a lot of work, but still a good time. However, since I went on the trip, it meant that I would not go home between Christmas Break and August. I have already applied to be on leadership for next year’s trip and we have already begun planning it.

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The nursing home BEFORE
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The nursing home: AFTER
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It was though the nursing home was frozen in time
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Me working for Extreme Makeover: Home Editionn1149750614_30996618_7384-1.jpg
Having fun with friends in the French Quarter

InterVarsity has also continued to be one of my activities. I did not attend small group and large group as often as first semester, but I was still a regular attendee. With InterVarsity, I participated alongside a few other men in a challenge called 3000-12 that required us to do 3,000 push-ups and memorize 12 Bible verses over the course of two weeks. I actually completed them all. I also helped with the Valentine’s Dinner where the men of InterVarsity hosted a dinner for the women. I was part of the kitchen crew and put in a lot of hours helping out, but it was still a fun time. Additionally, I served as the Team Captain for InterVarsity’s Relay for Life team. The event was rained-out, but the University did manage to raise $25,000 for cancer research. Since I am fairly active in InterVarsity, I applied to be on Leadership for next year and was accepted. So, I will attend a training retreat this summer for that.

 

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The kick-off to 3000-12
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Helping out with the IV Valentine’s Dinner
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InterVarsity’s Relay for Life Team
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We tried to make the most of the rain before Relay for Life was canceled

My local church has a group for UR students who attend there. I’ve become more involved with them as the year has gone on. I went over to one of my church leaders’ home for Easter dinner with other UR students. I’ve also tried to attend some of their weekly lunches when it doesn’t conflict with classes. Additionally, I helped them with Rebuilding Together, which helps to fix up needy homes in the Richmond area. I also attended an Interfaith Seder Dinner through my church group. Looking ahead, I will be representing this group next year on the Council for Christian Unity.

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Helping out with Rebuilding Together
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A beautiful cake at Easter Dinner
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The Interfaith Seder Dinner

Besides these organizations, I have worked a lot. In addition to this blog, I work in the Admissions Office. I’ve hosted students, helped with Admissions chats and panels, and, of course, given tours. I enjoy it and have spent a lot of time in the Admissions Office. According to my records, I have given 33 tours in the past two-and-a-half months.

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One of my tours was for some ladies from the Class of 1970

I suppose that you are probably wondering what I do when I’m not doing homework or active with my organizations. Well, I spend some of it supporting other organizations. I regularly attended a cappella concerts, improv comedy performances, and sports games. We had some great events that were fun to attend, especially our basketball team’s win over #16 Dayton.

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Our fans rushed the court after our victory over Dayton
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The Octaves, one of our a cappella group, performs

Besides these performances, I continued to attend a lot of the cultural events at the Modlin Center. I went to a performance of “The Battle for the Pentagon Papers”, “The Baltimore Waltz” (student-run play), Bobby McFerrin, “The Meeting” (University production), Natalie MacMaster (Celtic fiddler), Neil Berg’s “100 Years of Broadway”, and folk singer Arlo Guthrie (my favorite of the semester). They were all very enjoyable and entertaining, not to mention cheap.

We did have three special events occur this semester that I believe are worth mentioning. One was the launching of the first Spider into space. Leland Melvin is a UR graduate and was aboard Atlantis. We threw a fun party with “space food” to watch the launch. Also, President Ayers had his inauguration. It was a weekend of picnics, events, and festivities. We love President Ayers and are glad to see him here. One of the highlights from his inauguration was when he served as DJ for his own after party. Finally, the University of Richmond hosted a squash championship that brought fourteen of the top sixteen squash players in the world to campus. I watched many of the games and thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m hoping that they bring the tournament back next year as well.

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Space Food: Milky Ways, Moon Pies, Big Dippers, and Martian Punchp4114546-1.jpg
President Ayers’ Inauguration
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An Inaugural Picnic
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The Davenport Squash Tournament

Of course, I am a college student, so I hang out with my friends a lot and go to fun events. I have found a core group of guys who I hang out with a lot and are great friends. We made regular trips to Capital Ale House for Dollar Burger Night and also had meals at the Cellar (our on-campus restaurant) almost every week. Additionally, we had fun celebrating each other’s birthdays and getting together for game nights on the weekends or going to the Pier to watch “No Country For Old Men”, “Juno”, or whatever movie was playing that week. We also saw comedians perform on-campus, went to the James River, and attempted the new high ropes course on-campus together.

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Dollar Burger Night at Capital Ale House
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Eating out at The Cellar
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My friends threw a surprise birthday party for me
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Me playing Tarzan on the rope swing on the James River
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Having fun with Student Government on the ropes course

Lastly, I should mention the food here. I am still enjoying a wide variety at our dining center and am still amazed at the desserts that they offer. I’ve stepped up my exercise routine and now regularly go to our fitness center. In fact, I’m almost enjoying it (mainly because I watch my favorite TV shows when I’m there). The dining center has also done lots of specialty nights, such as Oriental Night (with sushi and seaweed salad) and Caribbean Night (with conch fritters and Cuban custard). They also had lots of things for finals week such as Midnight Munchies, a nacho bar, and grab-and-go items such as trail mix and popcorn.

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Caribbean Night at D-Hall

That’s been my semester. I know it’s been active but I’ve really enjoyed it. My friends and I have started doing lots more together and I’m curious and anxious to see what the summer and future hold for me. I’m hoping that I won’t be overloaded next year with Student Government, Lakeview, CDRT, InterVarsity, Council for Christian Unity, as well as work in the Admissions Office. Well, there’s only one way to find out and that is to keep reading my blog next year.

Final Shoutouts for Freshman Year: My good friends (Andrew, Jimmy, and Buddy), my family that keeps the care packages coming and answering all of my phone calls, and the Admissions Office for giving me this opportunity to blog about my crazy life.

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My parents awesome care package for Valentine’s Day

What is this squash you speak of?

Howdy y’all. I’m back… again. I know. Three posts from me in one week. You must be getting sick of me, right? Well, it’s a lot more time consuming than I thought so I think you won’t here from me until right before Spring Break next week. Speaking of Spring Break, I’m excited about my trip to New Orleans for an Alternative Spring Break. Part of me wishes I was going home, but I’m very excited for this opportunity to meet new people, have a good time, and make a difference for some people.

In order to get to Spring Break, though, I have to get through a few midterms. I have two next week and I’m hoping they go well. I have yet to miss a single page of reading or homework problem in any class this semester and feel well prepared, but they’re both essay based and in-class which is not my forte.

Looking ahead to after Spring Break, I went to a housing seminar on how registration for dorms will be for next year. It’s quite a process online, but it sounds like they know what they are talking about. I won’t have to worry about any of registration if I get into Political Campaigns in Lakeview. I find out on Monday. I’m slightly worried that either I or my friends won’t get in. Let’s just hope for the best.

Speaking of programmed housing, I want to let all of you accepted students know about some opportunities for you in the fall. There are several programs where you can get involved with classmates with similar interests and have a good time. Spinning UR Web and Ready for Moore allow students to take the same leadership class and get a feel for Leadership Studies. I asked my friend who is in it about it and he said, “Spinning Your Web helped me to meet different types of people and build new relationships. It is something I encourage anyone to try.” It helped him decide if he wanted to pursue that course of study as well as make friends for life. Some other programs are based on outdoor experiences such as rock climbing and whitewater rafting as well as the arts and several more. There are links to find out more info in my UR Spotlight of the Week at the bottom of this post.

Tuesday was busy (you can read all about it in my other blog), but it’s been fairly quiet since then. I’ve given three tours this week (Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday) and I think they all went fairly well. I’ve also been trying to work out a lot more. I went to the Weinstein Center on Sunday night, Tuesday, and today. It’s actually going quite well. I’m not really enjoying it, but if I have my music or TV, I’m good to go and don’t focus on much else. I even got back in the pool today which is saying quite a bit. I’ve lost a lot of my swimming form though.

Speaking of working out, I’m contemplating trying my hand at a new sport- squash. I had no idea how it was played or hardly anything about it before this week. I didn’t realize it, but UR hosts a Championship Tournament for squash players from around the world. Fourteen of the top sixteen players in the world came to campus and I got to see them play for free. It was quite exciting. I went Thursday, Friday, and today. Today was the Championship and James Willstrop from Britain was the winner. I saw world class squash and it was a good time. I found out that UR just started a squash club and might try my hand at it. I have no skill with racket sports, though, but playing a sport is a much funner way to get a workout.

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The squash tournament was held here
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This is an annual event and was a lot of fun to watch

 

I’ve also been working on organizing the InterVarsity Relay for Life team. It’s a little more work than I thought, but I’m getting the hang of it. Right now, we only have three members, so I’m slightly worried, but we’ll try to get a solid team very soon.

Classes are going fine. Most of them are moving ahead, slowly but surely. I easily finished my second sculpture project. All I had to do was drill some holes in my clay skull and stick in some recorders to make my skull musical instrument. We’ll soon find out if it works. It’s supposed to be a type of bagpipe with flutes instead of drones. Since I have free time, I’m starting to make a sitar out of skulls. I’m hoping it also goes well.

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My very interesting skull creation
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We had to make musical instruments from our skulls

I also went out with my friends to Capital Ale House in downtown Richmond for Dollar Burger Night. It was a really fun time and I’m already planning another time to go down there. It’s a classic in Richmond and has a great atmosphere.

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Eating out at Capital Ale House for Dollar Burger Night

I’ve tried to relax this weekend, but I’ve always been up to something, whether it be squash, tours, watching “No Country for Old Men” at the Pier, or going to the basketball game. I’ve finally gotten some free time and have decided to write a post. After this, I’ll just chill and watch a movie or two. I could use some quiet time and just relaxing.

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Everyone wore pink shirts to honor breast cancer survivors
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It was Senior Night and my friend and I waved the flags of our two seniors’ home countries
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Nothing went our way and we ended up losing the game

Quote of the Week: “If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must
be the greatest prodigality.” -Benjamin Franklin
Thought to Ponder: Can you breather out of your nose and mouth at the same time?
Shout Outs: Anyone in the tour groups I’ve led
UR Spotlight of the Week: All of the awesome programs that freshmen can participate in. There’s programs for outdoor enthusiasts, students interested in Leadership Studies, and many more. Find out more about them here for men and here for women. If you’re interested in UR and want to see how you can get involved, check this out. Also, if you’re coming here in the fall, check it out and see if anything interests you.
YouTube Video of the Week:

The Capitol built with 22,000 free standing playing cards

“All These Things I’ve Done” by Ben (and The Killers)

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.

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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.


Choeur du Roi performs at our Greek Ampitheater (they’ve done better)
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Choeur du Roi performs at the concert

JMU’s Note-oriety

UConn’s “Completely Different Note” with my favorite song of theirs

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The Octaves hosted the event and they were fantastic

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.

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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.

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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.

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We lost :(
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A local youth gymnastics club at halftime
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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.

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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:


Haha. This one’s hilarious.