Tuesday, December 30, 2003

Unanswered Questions

As the night comes to a close I wonder how things would be different if I would have made different choices. Would I be where I am now? Did I really have input in the choices I made? I told a good friend tonight that I would not be where I was today without having known him. But where would I be if I had not met him? I really don’t want to know the answers to these questions, but that never stops me from wondering.

My head hurts…is it the caffeine I had earlier? Is it because of my allergies? Or is it all my imagination? Only late at night and full of mixed emotions can these words flow from my fingers. The music fills the air “he was born in the summer of his 27th year, coming home to a place he’d never been before…left yesterday behind him might say he’s born again, might say he found a key to every door…”

On nights like this I wonder what I can change in my life, I wonder what I should change in my life and I pray for change in my life. I do not want to claim to know the answers, but some of them are so obvious that I cannot deny them.

And on an unrelated note, or at least related in spirit, I saw the new Tim Burton movie Big Fish a couple days ago. I am bias, I am a huge Tim Burton fan, but this movie was one of the best acted, best written, best directed, best filmed, and best laid out movies I have ever seen. I laughed, I cried, I thought and I felt good after the movie. I would highly recommend it.

Finally, sleep beckons…

Thursday, December 25, 2003

Merry Christmas!

Christmas in Colorado...once again a Christmas without snow. The new addition to this site for the time being will be pictures. I was given a digital camera today for Christmas. Yay!! Here is a picture of Red Rocks (behind those rocks is the famous Red Rocks Ampitheater, a favorite of artists like U2 and Dave Matthews). This picture is taken from Morrison, a small town west of Denver.



As you can tell it was a clear day...quite warm actually.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday JESUS!!!

Saturday, December 13, 2003

We got snow!
There is snow on the ground...and that is wierd. I knew it snowed here before I moved, but only a few times during the winter I was told. It has already snowed twice! I wish I had a digital camera to put pictures of said snow here, maybe one day. Although, it is funny...it snows one or two inches and people don't leave their homes they raid the grocery stores the day/night before the storm and they stay put. Oh, but the people with 4x4 drive around because 4x4s help you drive in snow and ice (yes, very sarcastic here). Anyway, I've enjoyed staying inside because I have a reason to stay inside ;-P. Actually I decided to head up to campus to study for my last final! Actual studying has yet to occur, but I have high hopes!

Well, I have been walking around the last few days with a "bummed" attitude. Not really sure why...maybe it is the end of the semester, maybe it is stress, maybe it is because of the weather. All I know is that I must kick my butt and get out of it. Only a week left before I will be back in Denver. Yay! Yay! Yay!

Thursday, December 11, 2003

Finals Week
Oh boy! Today is the first day of "Finals Week" (yeah I think it is wierd when finals week starts on a Thursday, but this university can be wierd sometimes). I have one final today and one on Monday. Oh the fun that will be had by all. Cannot wait.

All I need to remember is "assessment, assessment and assessment"...and the assumptions and beliefs of Student Affairs...I will get it...I swear!

Sunday, December 07, 2003

Concerning things of this and that

WooHoo! My last paper of the term is due tomorrow and finals week starts on Thursday, oh the fun that is in store. This weekend has been a time of laughing, crying and studying. Ok, that is a lie, very little laughing, mostly studying and crying...the two are linked.

The weekend has not been all fun and games though. I found out on Friday night that a friend of mine from college has been diagnosed with Leukemia. It is a shock. She is young (25-26), but I understand that age really has nothing to do with it. When I spoke with her she was in very good spirits, which was very good. She seems so positive and I guess because she is young she has a much better chance of survival. I am praying for her.

As usual when I hear news of this sort, or I am stressed out for some reason or another (i.e. finals) I begin to think about life and its purpose. While studying with two of my classmates last night we got on to the discussion of religion. What was interesting is that the 3 of us come from very different places and backgrounds (although we are all within 3 years of eachother), but we all share the same "goal" for religion or church. That is: 1) We do not want to be told what to do. Rather, we want to be presented with the information, and then allowed to make the decision for ourselves. 2) We do not want something that is fake, we demand authenticity. 3) We share a common affinity for ritual, although, not ritual that de-emphasizes the Word. 4) Give or take a few instances, but we are all searching for something more that the modern chuch has been unable to provide.

Well then, I guess that it is it for now.

Wednesday, December 03, 2003

Yet another Real World over and done

It is 11:30pm, I am sitting in my office at work, trying to do some research, and I am listening to a sweet net based Trance station. Trance energizes me like no other instrumental music. I could probably stay up for hours just on the music alone. Yes, I understand that is wierd.

I had the last class session of one of my first courses as a Graduate student today. I can finally say that I am happy I came here to Arkansas. I am still not 100% positive if the choice to go to school was the right one, but I think the choice to come to Arkansas was the right one. I am so excited to have known my classmates, my professors, and most of my coworkers. This is a nerdy thing to say seeing as how its only the first of 5 semesters, but I needed to say it nonetheless. Yes, just maybe, my feelings are influenced by the fact that as of last night the Real World: Paris show is officially done with. Goodbyes are always so wierd to watch.

On a really cool note, Matthew's House, a brand new church in Durango, CO is having a "test" service on Sunday. I so wish I could be there for it. It is so exciting to know that in July the church was just a concept, and now it is a reality. I am definetely keeping it in my prayers.

Random note to self: remember the importance of the Risen Christ today and always.



As the intense melodies fill the air in my office I can only imagine what the future will bring...

Monday, December 01, 2003

Belated Thanksgiving
My short Thanksgiving break was very fun and very needed. I got to spend loads of time w/ my family and Jenn. I also spent a good 4 hours with one of my best friends whom I've only seen very shortly since he is married (but that is ok, his wife is really cool and the reason I've not seen him is not because he is married, but that once he moved back to Colorado I moved to Arkansas...). Anyway, I also got to go downtown which is always loads of fun.

I had planned a "Being Thankful" post, but due to time constraints, I may have to make it even more belated. Oh well. I am Thankful that I have time to do the things I do, so I cannot complain about needing more time.