Ok, a little more info on the Festival of the Black Christ. I'll obviously know a lot more when I get back, but apparently there was an era in Mexico in which the governing body was opposed to anything religious(surprising with how Catholic Mexico has always been). But during this period the government would destroy religious buildings of any kind. Well the church is Campeche was burned and all that remained was a statue of Christ that had turned black from the fire. The fact that it remained intact calls for celebration every year (still unsure how long it has been) since.

I thought it would be cool to have a word of the day that we could all celebrate together in three languages since my class of the Mayan language is so awesome. The words will obviously be very simplistic seeing as I will probably never be able to use complicated words in Mayan. So today's is:

Maya: Ki'ichpam
Español: guapa
English: pretty (in the attractive sense)

Used in a sentence....Ashley is very Ki'ichpam.

Hasta

I went to a restaurant called "La Musa" tonight to watch the Mexico vs Brazil soccer game. Talk about intense. They sure do love their soccer in Mexico and, even though we lost, it was one of the most fun things that I've ever done.

This weekend, Saturday to be exact, is Mexican Independence day. I'm definitely going to buy a huge Mexican flag. And also this weekend is the Festival of the Black Christ in a little town called Campeche on the west coast of the Yucatan. Now, just to make things clear, there is nothing racist OR sac religious about this Festival. Apparently there is just this statue of Christ that is in black iron and they celebrate it every year. So a few of us from the program are going on Friday to experience whatever the Festival of the Black Christ might entail. Both of these events have tons of tradition built into them, especially the whole independence thing as you can imagine. Check back for pictures and stories. I can't wait to share them with you.

Viva México

Definitely not adjusted yet to whole waking up at 6 after studying till 1 thing...

Still making small observations:

-The same loud German shepherd jumps out and scares the daylights out of me every morning as I walk by his fence on my way to the bus stop...you'd think I'd see it coming after 2 weeks.

-You know those girls that talk really fast and use words like "like" and "whatever" too much, and despite the fact that they are trying to communicate something you can never tell just exactly what that is...well they have those here in Mexico too and it's even harder to understand the point they're trying to make in a second language.

-I brought my American study habits with me to Mexico and they're just not going to cut it. I have to get used to reading all of the material, something no one does in the US. A normal Mexican class involves about an hour of discussion over the reading from the night before, and when you don't read the material, well let's just say I've got to be a little more intentional with my time.

-I saw the world's tallest tower of tequila when I walked into Wal-Mart today. Yes they have Wal-Mart here. But literally from the floor to almost the ceiling was this huge tower of tequila. I don't think they can get away with that in the states. And just how in the world would someone be able to purchase a bottle without that bad boy toppling over and killing them?

-Mole is a type of sauce that is fairly common in Mexico and even in parts of Texas. But here in the Yucatan they eat Mole soup which is made out of tomatoes, chilies, and chocolate. Chocolate soup? You're darn right.

Well that's all I've got for today because I've got to get back to that whole reading thing we just talked about.

Mexicans really know how to throw parties. Last night was my host brother's birthday so he had a little shindig. I helped him get the house ready to have company as we were expecting about 60 people (all of which showed up). But then I was really impressed when the rock band showed up. How many people in the states have live music at their parties? Not to mention they played full blast in the back yard from 12-2:30. I guess there is no law against disturbing the peace in Mexico. And for food...he definitely had a taco stand come and set up in our front yard. All the free tacos you could want. I personally went easy on the tacos as to be careful not to repeat the hospital episode, but it was awesome never the less. So I hung out at the party till about 3 and met new people, discussed Bush and Iraq, offered my opinions on the Felipe Calderon situation, learned new slang, and when I was exhausted (and no one was leaving yet) I decided to go ahead and go to my room and sleep. The party rocked on until about 6:30 in the morning, music full blast. And of course I woke up at 9:30 this morning completely unable to fall back asleep so I watched 6 episodes of scrubs and made myself some eggs and coffee as my host parents went to the beach house for the night. I say all of this really just to stress the same thing that I've stressed before...we don't know how to celebrate in America. Everything here is cause for celebration with friends and family. If there is one slice of Mexico that I want to bring back home with me, other than the salsa (not the dance), it is this.

These are 3 terrible pictures of last night, but in them you'll see the back yard full of people, the band, and the taco stand...all at my house.

So maybe culture shock has set in slightly. I knew that it would be only a minor setback when it did, but here is what is going through my mind this morning...not to be a downer or anything:

I miss my...

-air conditioned house
-bed
-couch
-T.V.
-favorite foods
-Dr Pepper
-family
-dates with my beautiful girlfriend
-friends
-church
-car and all other forms of private transportation
-Frisbee golf games with Nurge
-university's football games
-routine of playing my saxophone at the previously mentioned...

It's a reality...we are all very comfortable within our own culture. It's a reality that we often don't realize until we are out of our home culture for a couple of weeks. And I never thought I'd say it but: Middle-class Suburban America, today I miss you.

V.I.P...Me?

Last night I went to a disco...which is what they call clubs here in Mexico(unfortunatley there is no disco music, I was disappointed). I'm definitely not the club type, by any means, but we were invited by some Mexican students and I knew it would be a good way to make local friends. And believe me, it was. We pulled up to the club and there was a huge line of about 50 people waiting outside. We kinda stepped way to the back and away to show that we weren't yet waiting in line as some of our friends hadn't arrived yet. As soon as we were all ready we stepped up to the line and immediately the huge bouncer at the front points to us and says, "you", he lifts the rope gate, points in, and we walk in front of all of these people and into the club. I felt awful! But apparently having Americans in your club draws more business so they let us in. We were also able to get a table immediately..something that is very coveted at this particular establishment. We were getting stared at all night. People kept wanting to buy us drinks, which we politely declined because accepting a drink from a stranger....well, you are all aware. It was a pretty good time seeing as I don't dance, but oddly enough there really was not very much dancing going on for this to be a disco. It was more like a concert with a really good Mexican cover band that was playing Nirvana, Audio Slave, Metallica, and a few others. It was a good one time experience for me, but I would just prefer to sit back in a cafe and hang out with friends. I'm lame, I know.

I'm finally feeling almost normal after this weekend. Thankfully my stomach should now be accustomed to almost any type of food that I should encounter here in Yucatán. On to new news, there has been one minor change in my class schedule for the semester. In stead of taking the Culture and Mindset of Latin America ( as I found it to be too abstract of a class to take in a second language) I will be taking Mayan Language. I’ll be learning my 3rd language through my 2nd language. I can’t even begin to describe how cool this will be. You see, here in the Yucatán there is a lot of Mayan spoken and I’ll have the opportunity to use some of the phrases I learn when I travel to some of the small pueblos around the peninsula. There is a common saying around here that in essence claims that you cannot know a culture until you know the language. Language is one of the biggest ways that a culture is lived out. So many insights into Mexican culture can only be understood in Spanish, and I imagine that it is even more so with the Mayan culture. We’ll see how it turns out.

Hasta luego

Here are a few photos from my trip to Dzibilchaltùn on Saturday. The first picture is of the Templo de las Siete Muñecas. This temple is famous for its brilliant display of the equinox. The Mayas calculated exactly where to but the opening of the temple so that at the exact moment of the equinox the sun would shine perfectly through the door opening and onto the altar. Millions of people gather each year to observe this phenomena. The other pictures are of just random ruins at Dzibilchaltùn. The last picture is of the cenote, which is where the Mayas would bathe, swim, maybe even get water to drink. And yes, I did swim in the same cenote as the Mayas swam in thousands of years ago. It was awesome!

I have some pretty sweet pictures of my trip yesterday but I'm just not really in the mood to put them up right now. You see, I got the opportunity to learn a lot of new medical vocabulary in Spanish last night as I spent the entire night in the hospital. I apparently ate something bad while I was at the beach yesterday afternoon and at about 6 yesterday evening I threw up. I wasn't too panicked because everyone throws up a little bit their first week in a foreign country with drastically different eating habits. It's a common illness known in Mexico as turista, because it's the tourists who have the weak stomachs. Well I started to get a little worried after my 11th time throwing up because there was nothing left anywhere in my body expect for fluids that aren't supposed to leave their location. So, my host family took me to the hospital. As is turns out, the average person who eats contaminated food has about 10,000 bad bacteria in their system that are making them sick. After my blood work came back the doctor told me that I had about 30,000 bad bacteria in my system. and on top of that, I was extremely dehydrated from the...well, you know...."water loss". Because of this, in the past 12 hours I have exhausted 4 IVs, many injections (in both arm and butt...the latter of which I'm still bitter about), and many trips to the bathroom. I write all of this with the knowledge that some of you will be so disgusted as to never want to read my blog again...I understand. But I have to hold true to you all, the readers, in writing about both the good and the bad. So for now, hasta luego my friends, and don't drink the water in Mexico...

A few random picture of my trip so far...
The first a picture of the dining room. Taken from the living room.
The second is in my back yard. The stone cross has the family name on it.
The third is a picture of the new library...very cool
The next is a picture of the group waiting at the bus stop on campus with the Anthropology building in the background.
And the last is my bedroom, complete with blue hammock in the foreground.




There will be more pictures after this weekend of my trip to some Mayan ruins and the beach at Progresso.

Supposedly there is this thing called culture shock. Less of a shock and more of a clash really…A clash of your home culture and the one in which you are visiting. Supposedly it exists. Supposedly. And if this is true, then, in the next day or so I will start a downward spiral of frustration and annoyance of everything having to do with the Yucatecan culture…supposedly. To be honest, there are many things that I miss about home. I miss my family, friends, church, school, and my girl friend, whom I miss oh so much. But to go through a period of disliking the Yucatecan culture seems unlikely at this phase. Maybe it’s because I’m in the honeymoon phase of living here, or maybe I just fit so well here in Mexico, I don’t know. But as of now, things are going well. It is really fun to see how quickly my ability in the language improves daily. After studying Spanish for 6 years, such drastic improvement in just a couple of days is very encouraging. I’m to the point verbally where I can sit down and have an intellectual discussion over just about anything there is to discuss. For example tonight during la sobremesa, the period of time after dinner where the family sits and talks, my host parents and I discussed the differences and similarities between the Mexican and American public education systems.

I’ve decided which classes I will try to take. They are as follows (hopefully):

-Racism and Discrimination (Extra interesting because both are a big part of this

Culture)

-Cultural History of the Mayan Area

-Latin American Culture and Mindset, a Literature class

-History of Mexican/United States Relations

All of these classes will be in Spanish with native students. I’ll also be in an advanced Spanish class with a few other Americans that are in the same boat as I am.

One last thing about Mérida. It is probably the safest large city I’ve ever been in. The population is about 1 million, but they take pride in the security of the city as well as the way they treat foreigners. I feel completely safe, as well as the embassy here tells me I’m safe, walking through the streets alone at midnight. Something that you wouldn’t expect in Mexico.

Hasta

The major differences between Mexico and the US are easy to pick out and more obvious to readers back home. Because of this, it is the small differences that bring a smile to my face many times throughout my day…

Small Cultural difference (cont..)

-Brakes are for emergency use only in Mexico…which makes many emergency situations as stopped cars approach quickly in front of our speeding bus.

-People walk very slowly here and it doesn’t help that I’m 6’2’’ with a stride longer than most body lengths.

-Things that appear to be the same in Mexico as in America tend not to be. For example my sandwich for lunch today appeared completely normal…until I bit into the jalapeños and ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise mixture.

-Toilets in public places sometimes don’t have toilet seats.

-There is a different understanding of time. Meeting someone for lunch at 12 means that they will stop their previous activity at 12 and start the voyage to meet you for lunch. They aren’t late because, technically, the activity of meeting you for lunch did in fact begin at 12.

-In Mexico if you don’t talk about a problem, it doesn’t exist. For example, you will rarely here open discussion about poverty, racism, homosexuality, or any other “hot topic” because they don’t exist…

And the best part about all of this is that I love it so much. My bus ride to school in the mornings is awesome. Jalapeños add an amazing flavor to ham sandwiches. I’m a guy, so who needs toilet seats? The relaxed pace of everyone being about 10-15 minutes late is good practice for my patience and flexibility.

One last thing, it is interesting how quickly I forget English. Not really forget, but I have to think much harder about which word to use and how to spell it in English than I did 4 days ago. And if your name is Ashley, don’t worry because I’ll relearn the language just for you on my flight back home.

Hasta

Small Cultural Differences...

-I have been served soup 3 times so far in Mexico and each time I have been given a HUGE spoon, so big I almost can't even use it.

-The moment that a person steps on a bus here in Merida and pays his/her 5 pesos, the driver hits the gas with no regard for whether or not your footing is secure.

-When you put your bank card into an ATM it is not always a for sure thing that you will get either your card or money back.


I'm starting to get settled in here in Merida and I'm noticing some interesting things about the culture. First of all, Yucatecos have a very strong sense of state pride. They are above all else Yucatecans and then after this, Mexicans. Something that those of us from Texas can relate with. My family serves me food and then tells me whether its Yucateca or just plain Mexican food. Also, being an American here means one of two things. Either you get ripped off because the people know that most Americans will pay the high price...or you get a huge discount because the owners know that you being in their establishment will draw attention and business. Thirdly, La Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan is very beautful. The campus is not centralized like universities in America. Each different facultad, or major, has its own campus.

The night life in Merida is also unbelievable. It was Grandmother's Day nation wide in Mexico today and I went to a photography show of local grandmother's. And since many of the Abuelas, and people in general, here are Mayan there was a huge traditional ceremony full of singing and dancing. If you've never seen a 65 year old Mayan couple dance....you're missing out, sorta. And then there are endless restaurants, bars, clubs (which they call discos, and beautiful places just to walk around. I understand completely why so many Americans retire in this city.

Hasta

Today I discovered that waking up early in Mexico is no easier than waking up early in the US. I started orientation today and have discovered that Merida is an absolutely beautiful city. I saw the oldest Cathedral in the continent, which is right next to my university, and sat in a coffee shop dedicated to Frida Khalo. Tonight I celebrated my birthday with my new extended family because two of my new family members are one year older today as well. Side note, birthday cake in the Yucatan is quite different than we are accustomed to in the US. People are very interested in your political views and are very well educated in world events. It welcomes different view points in a very tolerant, yet still opinionated manner. It almost makes it more comfortable to talk politics than in the US where people are easily offended. But right now it is almost impossible to think and write creatively. I'll be back tomorrow with more.

Buenas noches

I'm here!!!! So after a night of sad goodbyes and a day full of flights and headaches I really didn't know what to expect when my host family picked me up from the airport. I screened my way through customs and walked through a door to see a woman, who looks oddly like my Granny, smiling really big holding a sign with my name on it. I knew right away that it would be a warm welcome. My host parents are probably the most friendly and lovable people I've ever met. I have 3 host brothers that are mid to upper twenties and my own room that is probably better than my room back home...mainly because in the Yucatan people sleep in hammocks. That's right, directly next to my bed is the most comfortable hammock I have ever laid on. As a matter of fact this very hammock will probably be the location of most of my blogs this semester seeing as my family has WIRELESS INTERNET. I was informed that no one in Mexico had internet in their home and I'd have to find some internet cafes....well that's apparently not true. One last small surprise i received today is that my host family has a beach house about 30 minutes away from here that they are taking me to the weekend after next. I'm roughing it so far, but I'll keep you updated.

Hasta

Mexico sweet Mexico in exactly five days. Supposing the category 5 hurricane hasn't demolished my host home I'll be hanging out at a cantina on Sunday evening blogging about my first day in Mexico. My hope is that this blog will provide a way for me to let you all here in the states see what my days in the Yucatan are like (Yodeling will probably not be a part of it)....as well as give me the opportunity to think in English for fifteen minutes during my day, giving me a huge break mentally. So check and comment regularly. Who knows, maybe I'll learn how to put pictures on here.

Wild Heart?

I'm in the process of reading "Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge. I'm aware that many in the Christian community are not huge fans of this, or any other or his books for that matter. And while there are some things that I don't quite agree whole-heartedly with, I'm finding this an excellent read that speaks into a lot of the growing areas of my life. On another note, it is finals week which may just be the best and worst week of the semester all hurled into 7 fabulous days. It seems that there is unlimited time because normal schedules are not afoot, but there are also exams to study for. Exams that could not be studied for in 2 weeks time. Exams that encompass everything that I never attended class to hear. Exams that have a great impact on those things they call grades. I happen to have two of those exams today, and what am I doing? Listening to Shawn McDonald and blogging....enough said.

I decided to see what kind of coffee I was. I think this is more accurate than they could ever know.

You Are an Espresso

At your best, you are: straight shooting, ambitious, and energetic At your worst, you are: anxious and high strung You drink coffee when: anytime you're not sleeping Your caffeine addiction level: high

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

In less than 3 weeks I'll be at Kanakuk, then back to FloMo for the annual Mexico trip, then back to Kanakuk, then I'm moving to Mexico... Is it just me or will I be going between Texas, Missouri, and Mexico quite a bit in the next few months.

But seriously, I'm moving to Mérida, México August 26th for a semester. I will be living with a Mexican family and taking business, archeology, history, and grammar classes all in Spanish. I'm learning to deal with the fear that I'm feeling. I'm trying to apply David's experiences in the Psalms to my fear, knowing that it is the same Big God that came through for him that will come through for me. I want to ask all of you to be praying that God would put faithful believers around me while I'm in an environment that can be pretty dark at times. Out of all of the challenges that I'll face while abroad, including not being around any English-speakers for 4 months, the one I'm most concerned about is the potential lack of Christian fellowship that I will have. Why would God not come through to meet this need if He will meet all of my others?...He will, but for some reason my flesh still wants to doubt Him.

I know the updates have been very occasional, and probably will be for the next couple of months, but once August hits I will be using this blog to journal during my semester abroad. So please, continue to check.

Hasta...

Sometimes I feel like I'm cheating. You see, I'm a Spanish major. This means that my degree is going to be in something that I, at least partly, already knew a great deal about before starting college. Not only that, but after I return home from studying abroad, I will be fluent... After reviewing these facts I have come to this conclusion: I can float my way through four years of higher education, studying something that I will have already mastered halfway through, never step foot in an advanced science or math classroom and still get a degree from an accredited university? You won't hear me complain.

Today's forecast-Lubbock:

Cold; slight powdering of snow.


ACTUAL forecast:

Cold; 5 inches of snow and still falling.

I'm not the biggest fan of cold weather, but if it is going to come snow better accompany. Snow in Lubbock is fun because there are people here from parts of Texas that never see snow. So last night a guy was outside running around in shorts and a T-shirt screaming about how he had literally never seen snow before. I wasn't going to tell him that at that time it was only sleet that was falling, so I let him have his fun.

So I couldn't help but notice that I can hardly call myself a blogger as of late, but it isn't because I have little to say, or that I don't know how to say it, or even that I don't have the time to do it. My unfaithfulness to blogging is for no other reason than laziness. So for that I apologize...to blogger, to the once faithful readership, and to my dear mother who only reads this when someone else tells her to because i've written something that will upset her(See post on October 6th 2005 when I admit to piercing my ear...love you mom).

So, in a form that my buddy Brent uses quite skillfully, I will attempt to redeem myself.

These past four months I've been thinking...
-that I am ridiculously lucky to be plugged in with incredible followers of Christ who love me
-that I have an amazing girlfriend who knocked me off my feet back in June (I'm still recovering)
-that in July of '07 I will be moving out of the country for semester to live in Latin America
-that no matter how long I may go without talking to good friends, we pick right back up as if nothing ever changed
-that I am really ready to graduate college. Only 5 more semesters...ugh
-that God has given me an undeniable passion for Hispanic people and the Spanish language and I can't wait to see how it manifests itself in the future
-that I can't wait for Holiday break so I can catch up with old friends
And finally...
-that the 2006-2007 Red Raiders football season will be coined a "rebuilding year, whether or not any actual rebuilding occurs," as coined by the men of the square table


Thanks for bearing with me

I have a friend that I have lunch with every wednesday. I love this guy like crazy, mainly because of his honesty. He is very young in his faith, not so much by years, but definitely in terms of growth in his walk. After hanging out and talking, he was very excited when I asked if he would be interested in meeting and reading through a couple of chapters of John each week. After this lunch I always feel way more encouraged than he probably ever could. But I have to say the most enjoyable part is the way he says things you wouldn't expect a normal believer to say, or asks questions that, as simple or awkward as they may be, are so honest that they challenge me to think. He is at such a fun stage in his walk with Christ. You know what I'm talking about, where everything is exciting...and truth is so alive, knowledge tastes so good. It's so much fun!!!

oops, he just called, he's out of class so we're heading to lunch....

It is definitely October...and I'd be willing to bet that nobody checks this blog anymore.

This semester is flying by already because of my busy schedule...but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm co-leading a Bible study through the Navigators for freshmen guys. We have about 14 or so guys who are faithful in coming and it is so encouraging to see their hearts to grow in the Lord. God is doing so many awesome things that I can't even begin to cover in a blog setting, so give me a call if you want details. And now on to the girl.... Last time I blogged it was requested that I talk about "the girl". Her name is Ashley, she's from Plano and attends UNT. After growing up 20 minutes away from eachother we finally met in Missouri at Kanakuk and, for some unknown reason, she has hung around this long...trust me I'm WAY out of my league on this one.

Here It Is

To be honest, I've put off for quite some time because there is too much to write about...terrible idea I know. I returned from Kanakuk a couple of weeks ago after 2 months of hanging out with kids, driving boats, and learning a TON. Oddly enough, God put three little kids from Mexico in my cabin that didn't speak a word of English. These kids were at a camp with a bunch of rich white kids, and the fact that they were there at all showed me that God was teaching me something, but that they were all three in MY cabin....Wow. Another awesome thing about this was that Kanakuk did not know that I speak Spanish and they did not know that these kids didn't speak any English. Coincidence??? Never. I'm starting to understand this passion for the Mexican people that I have had for years and I love it.

School is about to start and I'm busy with band, but that means Texas Tech Football! 9 Days till Kick Off! Get ready.

Much more to tell, so if you still read this make sure to look for more postings.

It isn't really like me to go so long without blogging so I'll have to give a quick summary of my life this past month or so. Things are going really well. I spent two weeks in Missouri at staff training for Kanakuk and learned a lot about what it feels like to be unprepared and broken. I spent a week in Mexico leading a team in constructing a house for a family and learned a lot about what it is like to feel unprepared and broken. I leave for Missouri in ten days to be a counselor for the rest of the summer at a Christian camp and will learn a lot about what it feels like to be unprepared and broken. In all of this I have felt so blessed that God wants to use my brokenness to benefit His kingdom. I can't wait to see what God has for me the rest of the summer.

Thanks to Nathan and Steve-O for making my job in Mexico easy. I had a blast.

I think that I have studied more in the past two days than I have all other times previously in my life combined. I am more mentally and academically drained than I've ever been, but the good news is that I'm done. Exams are completed and summer is here. I'm going to sleep for three days straight and then drive home...

That's it! He's out...And you're out too...I don't even know if I'm in anymore.

Last semester I had one final per day for five days. This finals week I have one final on the first day, and then THREE BACK TO BACK on the second day, and none on the rest. I have a feeling this is going to be very stressful.

Man, I have had the worst bloggers-block recently. It seems that I have nothing to say. I'll be in the beautiful Ozark Mountains in one month from today at staff week for Kanakuk. In a month and a half I will be in Mexico building homes for God's children in Juarez. In a little over two months I will be back at Kanakuk to have the best two months of my life, thus far, being taught by a bunch of 7 to 13 years olds. I would rather not look any further into the future...it's so cool what God has orchestrated my summer to be like this year, just 9 MORE DAYS of classes and then a few tests. It's unreal.

I've been getting headaches a lot recently. I think that I need to get my eyes checked, but I would almost rather suffer through the headaches everyday than have to wear glasses. This puts me in a rough situation.


Tonight all of the Texas Tech Kanakuk staff members are meeting to have dinner and discuss our school's kamp t-shirt for the summer. This is the last thing I need, I'm already way too excited about my summer plans and this is just going to fuel my fire.

I'd have to say that I'm a huge fan of missing school. But I'd also have to say that coming back to school after missing three days sucks. I have WAY too much to do today.

Good news is only one more month of school. Last day of classes-may 4th.

The surgery went well. I had a physical therapy appointment today and was able to walk on it a little bit. As of now things look great for me to be in full swing by Mexico/Kanakuk time. I'm feeling a little drowsy....

I just flew from Lubbock to Dallas. The flying time was 46 minutes. 46 MINUTES!!! It takes 5 1/2 hours to drive the same distance. I don't ever want to make that drive again after this realization.

Yay for knee surgery tomorrow......

There are few things that mark our society today as much as our desire to be politically correct. As annoying as it can be at times I found myself thanking God for it yesterday. I'm talking with a guy who, though he doesn't believe in God, has such a hunger to know the truth, and have formed a great relationship with him. I realized yesterday that it is all because of our culture and his thought process. In his mind set of being politically correct...willing to listen and interested in my beliefs...he has had the opportunity to hear the gospel. He has had the opportunity to ask questions, to get to know about the REAL God, and God has used that to open up a great relationship between this friend and myself. I have no idea what is going to happen...but it's just so darn exciting. As much as I hate society and its made up moral system called "political correctness" I have seen that used for His glory. I just thought I'd share my joy with ya'll.

It is definitely 30 degrees outside with a 50% chance of snow.
I definitely just saw a guy wearing shorts and a hawaiian shirt.

I started to wonder if that was because of extreme denial or extreme ignorance...because if it was extreme denial, how do I get that?...I mean he didn't even LOOK cold.

I hurt my knee last september when Nate and Steve-O were in Lubbock and now...

Lateral meniscus surgery...Wednesday, March 29.

I guess I can claim that I walked around (and ran) on a torn meniscus for 7 months....whatever that's worth. Doctor says that i'll need 6 weeks before I can run on it. I say that my thursday night intramural softball game will just be painful that week.

Alright, I held out long enough. I had to put the word verification on. Stupid junk comments. MAN!

Spring Break!

It's March. There is a high of 90 in Lubbock today. I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt. I'm 5 days of class, 4 papers, and three more tests away from spring break. All I really want to do is go play some frisbee golf...


(sighs)
(closes lap top screen)
(hangs head)
(grabs a text book)

Which is worse...That today was the first day that I vacuumed my room since moving in in August....OR that today was the first day that enough stuff was off my floor so that I possibly could vacuum?

I had a weird desire to change my major today. hmm

I was in Fort Worth this weekend for a Navigators conference. It went really well. The speaker was hilarious, the fellowship was unreal, and God was working FOR SURE. Just thought that I would post a few of my favorite ideas that the speaker left me with:

"Now is the only time you will ever have to tell unbelievers about Christ. For the rest of eternity, everyone you come into contact with will know Jesus in a personal way."

"God never discredits effort...just trying to earn His acceptance."

"You should learn to be uncomfortable with certain issues concerning how big God is."

And my favorite by far...

"Bust it for the King!"

Thoughts?

Right before I moved to Lubbock, my friend miles and I bought a few yellow jumpsuits to pay tribute to the movie Bottle Rocket and to leave our good buddy Brent with a little gift to remember us by. You can go here to see the jumpsuits. Well, anyways I hung mine on my ceiling in my dorm room so when you look up in my room it looks like there is a yellow sky diver about to land on you with outstreched arms. This has sparked so many conversations with guys on my floor about movies and then the discussion goes into how I heard about the movie which then leads in to us talking about church which then leads into an opportunity to share the gospel with people...not exactly what I would have had in mind when thinking about the term "creative evangelism" because it wasn't planned. So I encourage you...hang something weird from your ceiling. God might use THAT too.

Things that are pretty sweet...

-college
-Kanakuk for 2 months
-Tech Navs
-Texas weather (seriously, I like it)
-coffee shops
-friends both old and new who deeply care about my spiritual growth
-friends both old and new who's spiritual growth I deeply care about
-my new espresso maker and milk steamer
-Mexico '06...you're darn right I'm still going
-AND.......my Jesus who pretty much rocks my face off!


By the way, who started the whole "rocks my face off" thing?

Last night I went to a documentary made by three college-age kids in 2003. They traveled to Uganda to get a look at the war that is taking place over there. What is happening is that thousands of children between the ages of 5 and 12 are being kidnapped all over this part of Africa. The rebel group is targetting these young children because they are the easiest to brainwash to make them fight for their cause, which is to overthrow the government in Uganda. 7 year-olds carrying AK-47s and hunting knives being forced to murder other people. This is a war that has been taking place for over 17 years now. All of the children in the villages, out of fear of being abducted, travel to the nearest city EVERY night to sleep. They litteraly stay in the streets or wherever they can find, laying by the hundreds looking like kittens huddled up really close together with not a single adult in sight. They have very little access to food and own absolutley nothing. There is a traveling tour going on right now across the country...Lubbock was one of the first stops. If you have an opportunity then GO and see this movie. It isn't for entertainment, it isn't for fun...it is about real stuff that is happening every night, even tonight. You can go to invisiblechildren.com to learn more about it...and on April 29th, all across the United States people will be walking to the nearest big city and sleeping downtown to try and get some government involvement in Uganda. I know this probably sounds weird but if you get a chance then go and see the movie, because it will change the way you view things.

This is my new profile picture on facebook. For those of you who don't know what facebook is, it is an online yearbook-type-deal for all college students where you can keep in touch with anyone else in college around the country. For some reason I have gotten a lot of feedback regarding my new style...

Great News.

I received a phone call yesterday from a very important person...one of my heroes actually. This guy's name is Matt and happens to be one of the top directors at Kanakuk Kamps. Kind of intimidated that this guy was actually on the other end of the line of I stuttered out a "h-hey Matt." It was kinda funny. But getting down to it, he was calling to let me know of my acceptance to work at K-1 this summer. Further, he was asking if there was any way that they could twist my arm into working for two months. I said that it would definitely be something I would pray about. So that is incredible news, but I hoped that getting accepted to work there would be God's way of telling me exactly what I should be doing this summer, and now I have to see if He wants me there for two months rather than one. This is a good problem to have so pray for me in my decision-making process.

Favorite Super Bowl Commercial:

I only got to see the first half because I had to work but...
-without a doubt the one with the mother and her daughter walking up to the father's room with a Get Well Soon balloon. One of the doctors graps the defibrilator and electricutes a fly that is buzzing around the room. The mother and daughter walk in just in time to see the doctor standing near the patient's bed still holding the defibrilator paddles, saying, "Well, that killed him." ...Balloon slowly slides out of girls hand toward ceiling. Then some insurance ad....

What was yours?

I found out why my chemistry professor is so hard. I initially thought it was just because it was an honors class but it turns out to be much more than that. He graduated from Stanford, and then taught at Yale medical school for a number of years before taking the head honors chemistry professor job here at tech. What have I gotten myself into? And more importantly, why on earth would he want to be here?

I just ate an entire family size bag of funyuns.

Suddenly my stomach doesn't feel so great.

This weekend I am heading out to my grandmother's farm with my small group guys for a hunting trip. We are spending the weekend shooting things and having guy bonding time. I am so excited it's unreal. But the fact of the matter is, this is a weekend that we all need. Even though we've been together for a semester now there is still a real need for some extended time together to further develop the trust and brotherhood that every small group needs. This weekend will hopefully do just that.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to eat steak and shoot things.

I saw the movie Glory Road the other night. I know what you're thinking..if you've seen one Disney sports movie, you've seen them all. The underdog rises up and wins it all. Well....yeah. But go see this one. It's well made and pretty thought provoking. It's $7.50 well spent for sure.

One more thing....I'm a little bitter that there are no student discounts at the movie theaters in Lubbock.

New diagnosis on the knee. I have what they call Patella Femoral Syndrom. What it means is that whenever I put pressure on my knee...my knee cap rubs against another bone in my knee causing PAIN. It took 6 doctors with a combined college career of 60 years to figure that one out. COME ON!

I finally went to the doctor about my knee that has been bothering me for the past 5 months. It turns out that when Nathan and Steve-O were down here in Lubbock in September, they witnessed me tearing my Meniscus. Stubborn as I am, I shrugged it off and waited 5 months before finding out the pain wasn't getting any lighter and a doctor should look at it. I have an appointment with Sports Medicine today. I just want it to be over with....ugh

I love those times when physical drain comes at the exact same time as spiritual refreshment. It highlights that God is in control, often unconventional, and has your every need in His radar. This weekend was one of those times. I just got very little sleep, because my house was packed with family, which means Craig sleeps on the floor, But I had a great time teaching high school sunday school at my church, and had an incredible interview for an organization that is doing so much to further the Kingdom of God. It is really an honor and a learning experience have both of those opportunities.

Nap time....

I had a professor last semester that told the class that everything was math. The walls were math, our cars were math, our lives were math. I had a professor yesterday tell the whole class that everything was history. I had a professor today tell the whole class that everything was chemistry. There seems to be a problem here, each subject can't be everything can it? If it is, then why am I taking so many different classes, and paying thousands of dollars to take 5 classes that will all teach me everything, if one class alone will teach me everything? Or maybe I would appreciate it if a professor would approach a subject as it actually is...a SUBJECT and not the only thing that matters in this world.

My chemistry professor actually said that we would be studying reality and analyzing it without applying our former beliefs. He said that he doesn't want his students to be too lazy to think for themselves so they put their beliefs in some fairytale. I can't wait until the day when reality is discovered by all.

Alright...I head back to Lubbock tomorrow morning, early. But, I head back here next friday evening for my Kanakuk interview on Sunday. AND, I'm teaching the high school class at my church while many of them are off on a retreat. My Kanakuk interview was orginally in October, click here to see the earlier post, but there was some paperwork that I needed mailed in from places like Florida, and Kansas that took a little time, so I rescheduled. This week will be quite eventful as I try and learn my class load, work a few days, as well as drive back and forth from Dallas a few times...if only I had my own personal jet.

A month off from school sure seems to go by fast.

Well, I guess I forgot to say how the wedding went. It was awesome. She was amazingly beautiful, and he didn't stop smiling the entire time we were at the church, which was about 5 hours by the time the actual ceremony started.

Now, on to this week......Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Alabama. I don't care care how big of an elephant they may have as a mascot, they will need to bring a little more than that on Monday. Tune in and watch for me on TV....

I don't know about ya'll, but I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt on Christmas day...

Tomorrow, one of my best friends gets married. Tomorrow, I am a groomsman for the first time in my life. Tomorrow, I get to stand at an alter with people that I would have never even met if it weren't for our mutual love for Christ. Tomorrow, I get to answer the question, "How do you know Jonathan?" with the answer, "I worked with him at Kanakuk, and he encouraged me in my spiritual life more than he could ever know and it's an honor to be one of his groomsmen."

I'd have to say that 90% of my closest Christian friends, I would probably not hang out with if it weren't for the ONE thing we have in common, God. And it is incredible to see how that ONE thing in common sparks the most meaningful relationships. This past week of being with my friend Jonathan and his fiance's families, I have come to understand the unity that Christians should have...at least as good as it can get in this broken world.

So, soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Cherry, thank you for allowing me to be a part of this, and I wish the best for you in your future together.

My grades came in. Funny story actually

Spanish: A
Trigonometry: A
Band : A (I think everyone gets one)
History: A (by far my hardest class)
Political Science: B


Wait a minute. Did I just get a B in my MAJOR? Haha, oh well. I can't complain because I did absolutely NO studying for that class. I'll take that 3.8 GPA, which I'm very grateful for and have a merry Christmas, hope you all will too.

Well, I'm in FloMo but this Christmas break is going to go really fast. I'm in a wedding next week so I will be spending a lot of time this upcoming week helping with that. In fact I won't be at the college Christmas party Saturday because I'll be helping my groom-to-be friend move. The day the wedding is over, I will be heading directly to my Granny's house for Christmas. After a few days out on her farm I will be heading up to northern Oklahoma to visit my other Grandmother for New Years. BUT!, I won't get to stay for New Years because I have to report on Dec. 30 for the bowl game which keeps me busy until Jan. 2. Not much of a "break" but it will be fun for sure.

My roommate left for home yesterday afternoon and left me with 2 exams and 2 days alone. Last night, however, was the best nights sleep I've had because I was alone in the room, but it still sucks being stuck here for 2 days studying when the entire student population is done with tests. There are very few sujects that have finals on wednesday of this week and political science just happens to be one of them. I guess I drew the unlucky card on that one. I'm outta here tomorrow afternoon.......

My exam on Friday went really well. Only three more to go. Today when I was supposed to be studying for my other exams, I "wasted" three hours watching the 101 most outrageous moments of Saturday Night Live. I have to say, I don't think my time could have possibly been spent any better.

Church today officially put me in the Christmas mood. Bring on the eggnog and candy canes...

I wasted most of dead day. Very little studying was done, lots of tv watching and sleeping though. I tried to study quite a bit this morning...Now I'm off to my first final.


A little scared...

DEAD DAY '05

No classes
No band rehearsal
No leaving the room
Tons of studying for finals

At least the first three seemed nice...

Wow! The coldest I've ever been in my life was about two hours ago. 7 degrees with 30 mph winds. I never really understood the true meaning of wind chill until I walked across campus in Lubbock in December. It was below 0 with the wind chill this morning. I guess the cold held off long enough.

Well it's official. I have gained 10 pounds since coming to tech. Why???? It's a combination of pizza rolls and hurting my knee so I can't wrestle...can't even run.


Not a good feeling.

Rumor has it that it will be snowing in Lubbock some time next week.

I barely even own a coat.
ugh.....

Man! It's awesome When God lets me see the stuff that He is doing. Sometimes it is so hard to see the progress God is making in the lives of people that you love and it is easy to get discouraged. Especially when prayers seem to remain unanswered. But when God shows you even the slightest glimpse of His plan it is so encouraging. As my buddy Brent puts it, "spiritual things are afoot" in Lubbock.

My oldest brother is borrowing my cell phone for a day or so until he can figure out how to get his new one. What happened with his phone is (in a short version) it was knocked off of my dashboard, landing perfectly into a large cup of water. It was actually pretty incredible if you think about it. But anyway, I never really noticed how dependent I am upon my cell phone. I've only had one for 5 months and I already feel as if something is missing when I don't have it, like I'm half naked or something. What is with my need to constantly know what is going on? Maybe I should get rid of the phone for a while until I can learn to be ok with not being IN the loop...

Home Sweet Lubbock

Being home for a few days was really great. I got to hang out with so many of my friends from high school. As a matter of fact I was out every day AND night of the break, still managing time to spend with my family. Things were way different though, just something that I couldn't put my finger on. When I was hanging out with my friends that have also gone to college they seemed the exact same, but when I was with some of the people who are still in high school, they seemed quite different...not in a bad way, just different. I had thought it would be the other way around. But everything aside, I loved hanging out with all of you this weekend back in FloMo, so thanks for an awesome week. It is so good to have friends that despite the changes occuring on both sides, we are still just as close as ever.

Could I BE any more ready to go home for Thanksgiving?

-said like Chandler Bing from Friends.

The OU game was an emotionaly rollercoster. It was the most exciting game I've EVER seen. The crowd rushed the field 3 times, each time the field was cleared because a call was being reviewed. It was insane. Since we technically won the game three times yesterday, that means that Mike Leach is 3-5 to Stoops, even though this was his first win against OU since being at Tech...he got three victories out of the deal. Does that mean we could be leading the series next year if a similar thing happens?



It is that time of year when I start thinking about the mission trip to Mexico I go on every year. This state of mind lasts for 6 months, then I go on the trip, then a new mind set of "Man that was awesome" lasts until winter time when I start thinking about the upcoming trip. It's a big cycle. This year, however, I seem to be getting excited earlier than usual.....

Well, I made a mistake and I can't stop laughing at it. Tonight as my roomate and I were driving home from the Navigators (a Christian organization...quite possibly the best one EVER) we were talking. It was a pretty solid conversation, so I was concentrating very intensely as we were discussing Acts 8. Concentrating so intently that I didn't see the red light that I was DRIVING through. I noticed it when my roommate said, "You just ran a red light." It was too late, so I decided to start swerving and pull of to the side of the road. We then proceded to run around screaming, "BEES". When the police arrived, one of them was allergic to bees so they left immediately...We were home free. Ok so that last part was stolen from the movie "Tommy Boy," and it didn't really happen. What really happened was we drove back to the dorm contiuing the conversation. When we stepped out of the car, Jack said, "Remember that time you ran a red light?" Classic moment. I'm sure it was more interesting to be there.




And then I found $10... Go Tech!

I just spent the last hour or so walking around the lobby of my dorm in a Darth Vadar mask, shooting people with a nerf gun.


Man I wish I had a digital camera!

My dorm room is quite possibly the messiest room that I have ever seen in my life. If I want to go from my door across the room to my computer I have to make a path. It can take several minutes. We haven't done dished in over a month, there are clothes just piling up waiting to be washed, but won't any time soon because I have a ridiculous amount of clothes that I haven't yet busted out. If I get access to a digital camera then I might post a picture of it. It is not safe. There are seriously piles of clothes waist high. There are empty/ half empty cups sitting in the same place I left them in september. There are about 7 pizza boxes piled by my door that I don't even remember eating because it was so long ago. The worst part about it is that I am oddly comfortable with the mess.

If we aren't careful, is it possible for solid theology to keep us from viewing God as involved and intimate in some areas?


The question mark is there because I am curious...meaning I wouldn't mind some responses.

We play A&M here tomorrow and since they have the 9th worst passing defense(or around there) and we have the #1 passing OFFENSE it might be a pretty high scoring game...on our side anyway. We'll just have to see. Make sure to watch. Get those guns up.

But the really cool thing about this weekend is that Tschirhart and Daniel Riskey are going to be in town. Talk about sweet.

I went in to talk to my professor about my grade and he raised it. He said that it didn't deserve that low of a grade but my paper a couple of weeks before was so solid so he was surprised on my effort on the test. Whatever that means....he's a good guy.

God is continuing to show His faithfulness to me in incredible ways....even when certain people in the Tech band continue to refer to me as a "holy-roller"...pretty much only on the basis that I don't drink. It is REALLY hard for me not to laugh when terms like that are used. But I AM meeting some really awesome people who are genuinely interested in seeking whole-heartedly after Christ and I am loving that fellowship. Just a few more weeks until Thanksgiving, and then one more week of classes and then Christmas! Crazy...Can't wait.

To be honest, I have never really struggled with school. As a matter of fact it has always come ridiculously easy to me. That is why I didn't know what to do when I got my essay test back yesterday with the number 55 on it. I thought to myself, "Where's the other half of the score?" but then I realized that I just failed a test that is worth 1/4 of my final grade in this class.

It's time to get things done. It's time to study. It's time to develop habits that I never got in high school. But most importantly, it is time to realize that school is NOT the most important thing in the world and this is NOT something to get depressed over. Lesson learned....man it sucked....but the lesson is learned.

I thought it was bad waking up for a 9 o'clock class. I have to be at work at 5:50 in the MORNING on tuesdays....Talk about harsh.

Why is complacency such a common theme in the spiritual lives of many college students?

This weekend I am going camping at Possum Kingdom Lake. Well, it's not really camping because we're staying in a cabin, but it IS going to be manly. The weekend has been named The Man-Maker Overnighter. It's a bunch of guys from the Navigators here at Tech and we are all going to go have guy bonding time. We will be studying God's word together and talking about what it's like to be a man living for God. All in all, this weekend is going to be incredible. I have a lot of acquaintances in the Navigators, and I'm hoping to strengthen them into great friendships over the weekend.

Be sure to watch Tech dominate Baylor this weekend...I won't get to see it.

Austin

Well, the team didn't pull it off. In fact, they played worse than I've seen them play all year, but the trip to Austin wasn't a total loss. It was awesome, actually. I got to hang out with some of my friends that go to UT and see what it would be like to go to college in the middle of a large city. To be honest, it was fun to hang out there, but I don't think that going to school there would be too great. Tech's campus is better, the dorms at Tech are better, the food in Lubbock is better, the fans at Tech have more fun...and so on. I toured the infamous 6th street, and hung around the UT campus with Andy, Jack, other Jack, Katie B, and Emily. Turns out the Alicia was in Austin this weekend too, but my phone is stupid and I didn't get her voice mail until yesterday. Sorry Alicia.

Texas Tech is now 6-0, and the coaches poll has us ranked at 8th in the Nation. This upcoming weekend we are heading down to Austin to play the toughest game of the season. Luckily I'll be there, for FREE, playing my saxophone as Cody Hodges, Taurean Henderson, and Joel Filani pull an upset over the UT cows. For that to happen we will have to play the best game that our guys can possibly play. It isn't impossible, in fact, some polls have Tech walking away with the victory. So for this week, no matter your school affiliation, get those guns up because I'm sure that you want to see UT lose at their home stadium the same year that they are hoping for a National Championship.

I have my Kanakuk interview a week from yesterday! I am so excited to get the chance, AGAIN, to sit down one on one with one of the most amazing servants of God on the earth to discuss life, God, family....and pray with eachother. Last summer was incredible getting to serve God in the most amazing place I've ever been to, with some of the most amazing people that I've ever met. To be able to do that again, and to have my own cabin of kids this year, would be unreal. Please pray that God would calm my heart for the interview because I am SO excited and a little nervous. Also please pray that God would guide the decision of the Kanakuk staff members about whether or not He wants me at Kamp this summer. Thanks everyone..

I am so excited!

MAN, I haven't had anything good to post about in like a month. Sorry for the lame blog month. Hopefully more interesting stuff will happen in the near future.

Almost lost it

Last thursday night, I was stuying at my desk in my dorm room. I looked up at the clock and realized that I was almost late for a class that I have on Thursday nights..and since it only comes around once a weekd, it's easy to forget. So I jumped up and started getting my stuff together for class..then I looked back at my desk.........when I had started getting my books together I had spilled 20 ounces of dr. pepper on my laptop. They keyboard was just sitting in sticky brown liquid. The bad thing is that under the keyboard of a laptop is the actual COMPUTER. I dumped it over as quickly as I could and did my best to clean it off. The keys were SOOOOO sticky, and half of them didn't work. I talked to someone who said that they spilled sprite on their laptop and it was completely fried..ruined. That didn't make me feel any better. Well, I went home this weekend really sad that my computer might be ruined, only to return to a perfectly clean, perfectly usable laptop. I don't understand it. By using the keyboard you can't even tell that the keys were ever sticky. It is mind blowing. I guess I dumped it out fast enough not to ruin anything, and it was able to dry enough over the weekend that there isn't any damage. If anyone can explain this to me I'd love to hear it.

Last night my brother, Brad, Jordan, and I pull into a place called Big Buddha Tattoos. Why??you might be asking. Well, it's fairly simple. My brother and I decided that we wanted to put holes in our body. He got his eyebrow pierced and I got the cartilage on the top of my ear pierced. I only have one small request. Please don't tell my mother. NO, I'm not trying to hide it from her...in fact I'm coming home this weekend. I just want her to see for herself. SURPRISE!

Just thought I'd let everyone know about my new purchase.

My brother Adam and I go to the rec center here at Tech pretty often to work out. Yesterday we decided to get some boxing gloves, which you can rent for free from the rec, and box. Well, we pretty much just knocked the crud out of eachother for about five minutes, and decided that we shouldn't continue without mouthpieces and head protection, so we went to lift weights. After that, we went to the wrestling room and wrestled..because well..because it's the oldest sport known to man and is the most fun ever, not to mention that it's MY sport. Anyways, I messed up my knee again, and he messed up his knee again. Final score 7-1, Craig wins....but we both lose because we limped out of the rec together.

Just when I thought my knee was getting so much better.

So aparently this old template is more "Craig". So for those of you who don't like change...here you are.

I know this may be a little dangerous to ask of all of you,(because God tends to answer prayers like this) but I would appreciate your prayers for patience on my part. Nothing big has happened, no huge outbursts or anything....just a lot of little small impatient/annoyed/selfish thoughts and what not...I hate admitting things like this!

I'm really not too pleased with the choices for blog templates...I think blogger could step it up a little in that area.

What do ya'll think of this one????

Off to take my trigonometry mid-term.



This could be trouble.

I never expected God to be this awesome to me...I know that may sound stupid on my part but let me explain. After leaving home, like many people from my church, I never thought that I would find a place in Lubbock that I would get excited about going to..as far as Christian organizations. Well, I was proved wrong. I LOVE every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday...without a doubt the best days of the week. God has put incredible people in my life to sharpen me, disciple me, and just chill like every college student does. Nothing will ever replace crossroads, Brent, or my small-group..EVER. But God has, without a doubt, taken care of my every need spiritually. Why did I ever doubt?


I'm coming home this weekend...and I can't wait!

The cool fall breeze is blowing into Lubbock as we speak. It's going to be a low of 53 or so today and I'm not really looking forward to it. I'm probably the only one that wishes the hot Texas summer would continue on year-round. There's even a chance for rain this afternoon...How unlucky is that? In less than a month and a half, it will probably be snowing here. I'm not made for that!

I'm putting on my jacket and walking to class...

I was informed that I made a mistake on the score of this past weekend's game. It was 63-7 Texas Tech over Indiana State. I didn't leave early and miss the last touchdown. I'm in the band so I had to stay the whole time, However, about the 2nd half, we all stopped paying attention because it was too brutal to watch with our 3rd string in and still uncontrollable scoring. I just hope we don't get too cocky because there are some tough games ahead of us.


I officially quit my job today. I will be finishing out the week at The Market and then I will be unemployed. I'm looking..I applied at Starbucks and I have some other options...but mostly I just feel relieved that I don't have to work in that sweat shop anymore.

I had an amazing weekend with Katie, Katy, Amanda, and Heather. They visited Tech and I think they liked it. It was so refreshing to see some friends from back home two weekends in a row, since Nathan and Steve-O were up here last weekend...(see earlier post).

Another outstanding victory for the Red Raiders..56-7 .not that it matters because we've played a bunch of nobody teams. This Saturday, however, we play KU. I have a feeling the JayHawks are going down.