Sucking the Marrow

Alas, here we are.

2008-08-19T06:16:00.000-07:00

Yeah, this picture has nothing to do with this post. Josiah is late for class. K thanks.
So I am officially back at CIU. Who saw that one coming? I don't know what totally changed my mind to go back... but nevertheless I am glad I decided to because I think I am going to be pretty happy here. I need a job, however. I've applied at a couple of places... the usual... Starbucks, American Apparel, Generic Coffee Shops and such... I guess we'll see what happens so cross your fingers. I am tossing, in my mind, which pictures I can put up with this blog... I haven't any idea. So yeah.

So my sister is pregnant. That's pretty cool. She's going to have her baby around the end of September and I am fully stoked about it. I am sitting in the Fisher building soaking up the last three minutes before classes officially begin. Marriage and Family await me. This should be an interesting class. PEACEEEEEEEEEEE.

I haven't written in forever!

2008-07-07T16:03:00.000-07:00

Im moving back to Columbia. That's all for now.

Has this ever happened to you?

2008-05-05T21:15:00.000-07:00

I have had a few weird experiences recently. Well, when I think about it I guess these experiences, or things similar to them, have happened many times throughout my life, but only recently have I been as aware of them... which is strange because they are experiences that are a result of being unaware.

Okay first: I was housesitting for the really baller house this week and just got home today. The house was one of the nicer of the houses in a neighborhood which starts out in the $900,000. So I guess I should call it an estate. Well, I lost my shoes one day and I was looking everywhere for them. I looked under the bed, on every counter, couch and chair. In every corner and inside the fridge... The Fridge... ??

Another thing that happened to me was when I couldn't find my keys. I must have looked for 10 minutes before realizing they were in my hand.

This one is pretty good... I was trying to turn on the celling fan cause it was hot as armpit in the room I was sleeping in, especially when all the dogs would crowd on the bed with me. Julia was over with her 9 year old cousin, who she was baby sitting for. I pulled that stupid cord thing on fans that changes the speed like 30 times and the fan never came on until Julia's 9 year old cousin came in and turned on the light switch and then, like magic, the fan came on too.

I think I saved the best for last, but maybe not... Actually you might not have thought any of these were funny, but I like to laugh at myself. So I am home now... I am laying on the couch where I will sleep since my room is a disaster and I haven't finished painting it yet. Well, I did the whole process that I go through when I lay down on the couch with my computer... I did everything plus one extra motion. I put the pillows up against one arm rest, I laid down, I put the computer on my lap and angled the screen so that I could see it and be laying down at the same time, and then I reached over with my right hand to my left side to grab the seat belt and buckle myself in... into the couch... wow. SO that is what inspired this blog. Have any of you ever done anything like that? Leave me comments and let me know.

Im moving back home.

2008-04-22T14:59:00.000-07:00

So I decided to spend next semester back at home. I don't know exactly where I am going to go to school yet but I do know that it will be my 4th college change. I am pretty excited about it. I need a job though, so hook me up. So things are going really good with Julia which is pretty awesome. Uhhh, I am trying to think of something cool to talk about or maybe a funny story. So has anyone been watching the Office since it came back on? ...Not that great... Alright, as an attempt to save this blog I am going to resort to other sources in order to entertain you.

Here is a list of different links to videos that I hope will give you a chuckle:

Anonymous Kidney Donation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_5nLxZVoPo

Business Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN0oDnoc3-c

Paper Ball Hacky Sack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KU6QdQAfXI

Guns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY0DfFlzcBk

Mentos and Coke

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbSSG2ULwLU

Well I am sorry that I suck so much, but I hope you will enjoy.

I Am Poor

2008-04-02T14:39:00.000-07:00

So I decided to sell my last two music accessories on ebay this week (leaving me with only a guitar). I only made 80 bucks, expecting to make at least 120. So here I am without much cash and on top of that I received a $100 parking ticket on campus for Incorrect permit, obstructing traffic, blocking another vehicle and parking outside of a marked space. I am appealing it and hoping that it gets waved (cross your fingers). I can't help myself sometimes with spending money. For instance... today my health class went to Bi-Lo (we only have Bi-Lo's here in Cleveland, TN...) and we were given an assignment to do. I thought it would be a great time to get some of my grocery shopping done. Now, I have a meal plan and really no major need for food except for the fact that... well, who doesn't love a fully stocked mini fridge? Gas is an obvious one... I am always driving back and forth to GA. I went to Walmart two days ago, expecting to just get one $1 Vitamin Water and came out with two vitamin waters, some mac and cheese and two of those huge 1 liter beer mugs (I don't even like beer all that much). And if that wasn't enough I owe 60 bucks to my school and possibly another 100 for this ticket. I hate not having a job. Oh, I'll run a quick ad for myself: IF ANYONE READING THIS HAS ANY JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR ME THIS SUMMER PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP. I AM A REALLY GOOD WORKER, WAS GIVEN TWO RAISES AT MY LAST JOB, MADE ABOUT 11 BUCKS AN HOUR AND DON'T MIND WORKING WEEKENDS (actually I do mind, but I'll do it anyways.) So yeah, I am becoming a poor person once again. Good thing I buy a ton of stuff because at least I have plenty to sell in times like these... maybe I'll sell off some winter clothes to Platos soon.

So in other news I have been talking with the record label guy for the once banded Jump Little Children (R.I.P.) and the currently solo artist, and previous lead singer of Jump, Jay Clifford (long live Jay). Because of this connection I am now the proud owner of over 150 live Jay recordings and over 800 live Jump Little Children recordings. He is also going to send me some stuff in the mail. I love that guy, his name is Vinnie and he understands my obsession. Alright well I really only wrote this because I only got one comment on my last post... my sister didn't even comment on it. So here is your chance everybody; to light up my comments and rekindle this flame of support you all once gave me. Peace out.

"Potter, you've got yourself a girlfriend!" drawled Malfoy.

2008-03-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

So it's true. Her name is Julia and if you are blind, which means that someone else is reading you this because I don't know how to type in braille, she is absolutely beautiful! We met more or less through church, but our families are all friends. So here is a little background info. I have been praying for/wanting a very specific type of girl for a really long time and have wasted many hours and lots of money on girls who promised things that they would never deliver. I have almost always wanted a very dedicated and loving girl. I don't much like dating casually (and keeping it at that level) because to me it is denying the relationship so much potential for love and commitment. A lot of girls have told me that they want a relationship, but as soon as they realize that a relationship means a serious commitment, sacrifice and vulnerability, they tend to run the other way. I think this probably has a lot to do with just being immature. So because I have wanted a relationship, and not just a relationship but something that meant a lot and something that I could really commit to and receive from just as much as I gave to, I was feeling like it was never going to happen because I wasn't having any luck. So after praying and searching I unexpectedly ended up talking to Julia every night for a little over a week until we decided to start hanging out. She wants exactly the same thing that I want in a relationship and is way more than I ever expected, especially at this early stage of our relationship. I think when you find someone who is perfect for you, you realize it right away. I've never met a girl who I could just talk to for hours without really knowing anything about her. We have probably spent more time talking than anything and I love it. Above all things however, she loves the Lord and loves that I love the Lord. I really can't think of a more perfect rock to build a relationship upon. It's been really cool how the Lord has worked stuff out as well, she wants to move in the exact same direction as I do as far as a career and a family, she loves dance and music and I love art and music, she lives in Marietta and I just so happen to be moving back to Marietta for a summer and at least a semester... things have come together perfectly. So as it is I couldn't be happier. I guess it goes to show that persistence reaps great benefits. Life is good...

Spring Break, Funny Story and Middle School Retreat

2008-03-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

So spring break... Well I did a lot and had a lot of fun but I don't feel like there is much to tell. Hmmm... Okay, so i first went to Columbia, SC to visit some friends from my old college, CIU, and that was pretty awesome. I especially loved having a bon fire at my friend Danny's house. My friend Shawn came with me, and split all the gas money which was pretty awesome. After a couple days in Columbia I drove back to Marietta and spent the night, repacked the car and then drove, with Shawn, to New Orleans. We made a stop in Montgomery AL on the way so that we could visit my aunt for a little bit and eat her food, which we did, and it was worth it. So after braving treacherous rain, rain that made it impossible to see 10 feet in front of you or drive more than 30 miles an hour, we finally made it to New Orleans, which is actually a really pretty ride if you're into sunsets and cool arching bridges and stuff. We met up with our friend Brian at his school, Loyola, unloaded and then for the next 4 or 5 days we pretty much went all out. We went to a lot of really good restaurants, saw a couple really awesome bands, watched many movies, stayed up way later every night then we needed to, took pictures, took walks and just had a good time. The French Quarter is cool if you're a really rich alcoholic I guess, but I found it to be a bit overrated. One of my favorite parts of this trip, however, was seeing all the incredible architecture of the homes near-by. We also rode the Trolly, of course, and ate a lot of sea food including a total of 12 1/2 pounds of crawfish. So eventually I came back, spent another night at home and then drove back to Tennessee. I think we drove over 2000 miles for spring break. So onto the funny story: I have been trying to get in shape and so I have been running a lot in the gym. One day in-particular I ran three miles on the treadmill and was still feeling really pumped so i decided to use the bike machine. I biked maybe 15 miles before I felt totally drained. So then I decided to grab my stuff and leave. Upon standing up from the machine my legs completely gave out from under me, due to all the fatigue, and I fell flat on my face. I thought this was funny enough but apparently the crowd demanded more America's Funniest Home Videos humor because one of the guys in the cardio room, who was running on a treadmill probably as fast as it could go, saw me fall, began to laugh, and in turn fell on his treadmill, subsequently landing on the speeding belt and being flung into the wall 4 feet behind him. I hate to say that I am happy he fell and got hurt, but at least it took all the attention off of me as I slipped out of the room unnoticed. SO that's that. Finally, the Middle School Retreat. Cory asked me to help out with the Middle School retreat this weekend and quickly I agreed because I love that sort of stuff. The retreat was totally led by the high schoolers, which is a stinking great idea if you ask me. So basically instead of a straight up counselor, I was there to more so facilitate and assist the high school guys in leading. The retreat went beautifully and I even busted up my feet playing soccer. Here are some of the things I learned/ was made aware of, during the retreat. I learned that even 9th grade guys can really surprise you with their ability to lead and lead well, just give them an opportunity to be responsible over other kids and they can do a lot more than you would expect. The depth of God can be discovered at any age (I didn't so much learn this as much as I was reminded of it). Just because you speak really good Jesus grammar doesn't mean jack crap. The reason that 99.9% of the choices we make don't really seem fulfilling and satisfying when we think that they will fulfill and satisfy us is because we are not fulfilled and satisfied by Christ first. This can also be applied to when you date someone for security... it wont work out, be secure in Christ and then date someone who the Lord chooses to love you through. Finally I think the Lord is pressing me to pray about an issue, and ask for prayer as well. I have been looking to be satisfied in college and this is my third college. I kept thinking that a new school would make me happy, but reality is that only God is going to make me happy. Now Lee is a great college and I will probably graduate from here, but I am sensing the Lord pressing me to take next semester off and engage back in with my home church and be a leader in the youth group. My relationship with God is suffering because I am not allowing Him to fully satisfy me and I know from experience that one of the ways He can really get through to me is by working in me while I am in leadership in the youth group, along with while I am in the body of my home church. I feel like the Lord is calling me to refuel in Marietta for a little bit and find my satisfaction in Him, then He will lead me to a place where He will satisfy me further through. So that's it, please be in prayer for this and let me know if the Lord speaks to you, giving you a word in order to help me make a choice on what to do next.

My turn to write a list of ten things no one needed to know about me.

2008-03-08T15:27:00.000-08:00

10 things no one needed to know...

1. I wasn't officially potty trained till I was like 6. It wasn't that I didn't have the ability or the desire to be potty trained... it was basically because I didn't want to take the time to go to the bathroom... I felt, at 6, that life, and enjoying it, was too important to stop and take time to pee anywhere besides your pants.

2. I lived in the Dominican Republic for 15 months... in rehab!

3. I gave myself two tattoos when I was 16. One of a cross and one of a sun with a crescent moon on the inside of it.

4. I purposely peed on my sisters toilet seat as a welcome home gift after her honeymoon.

5. When I was 16 I stole an entire season of a television show from Target... the show was "The O.C." I also stole tooth paste from Kroger once... and a steak from the meats section. Don't worry, this was before rehab.

6. I locked my grandmother in the basement once after she yelled at me for not getting off of the computer fast enough.

7. I have two pokemon video games on my computer and still play them.

8. After being in the Dominican Republic for 15 months the FIRST movie I watched upon arriving home was Mean Girls.

9. I rode my bike completely naked around my street merely for shock value.

10. My friend Shawn and I once found a big plastic sandbox in the shape of a tug boat. We emptied the sand out and sailed it down our creek... and it totally worked.

I want to apologize

2008-02-22T22:10:00.000-08:00

I complained a lot in my pervious blog about a wreck and all the traffic I was stuck in. Well the person who was in the wreck was a friend of mine and a friend of my cousins. His name is Richard Byrd and he lives in my cousins town. he has a punchured lung, broken arm and leg. He will be fine, but I am pretty ashamed that I got so upset about an hour or so of waiting around when my friend is lucky to be alive and I did nothing to show him any respect. That's all.

This Is Crazy

2008-02-22T15:49:00.001-08:00

So I am sitting in traffic 1/2 mile away from my exit and there is a wreck blocking my exit. Not only is it nuts that I am SOOOO close to my destination, but I also have freaking internet access! And it's high speed too. I have no idea where I am getting internet from, but somehow I am connected. So I am on my way to visit my cousin Rob, who goes to Sewanee University, about 1 1/2 hours away from me. I first went 25 miles out of the way which means I got to drive 25 miles back to get to where I needed to be. So after 50 useless miles, I was feeling pretty tired and ready to get to his college... BUT NO! I AM STUCK IN STUPID TRAFFIC WAITING... When I stopped here it was sunny, now the sun has almost completely gone down. I also have to pee. I am hungry too... now that I think about it. Well I am sounding like such a complainer so maybe I will change the subject. I am successfully one week free of Lost. Well that is except for the one episode I watched on TV last night. I strongly suggest that show... but I have a pretty addictive personality, so chances are I just thought it was so good because I was addicted to it. I ordered a shirt the other day. It is a shirt of a band who I love but is not together anymore. The shirt was very difficult to come across and shipping was even 15 bucks and so I ended up spending like 40 bucks... but I didn't care I was just really excited to finally get this shirt. All the had were smalls left and so I was hoping it would fit. Well it probably would have fit if it wasn't a girls small. I was so incredibly pissed. I finally find this shirt and the only remaining size is a girls small. So now I am looking to sell this shirt. The shirt is a Jump Little Children shirt, and it's totally cool, so if you're interested, let me know. Alright, I am going to find something else to do. Peace.

I AM SO FREAKIN AWESOME!

2008-02-16T18:36:00.000-08:00

So.... I just finished watching EIGHTY 45 minute long episodes of Lost in the last 6 days. That means that I have averaged 13.3 episodes a day. That's 9.975 hours of Lost daily, not to mention I still had time for roughly three hours of class a day, meals, homework and sleeping. Many people might think that I am obsessive, some might say that I am crazy or antisocial. However, I am hear to tell you that accomplishing this incredible feat does not make me any of those things; it only makes me awesome. So yeah, I feel pretty good about what I've done. I guess the reason I am writing this blog is because I don't have anything else to do now...

Seriously...?

2008-02-06T08:56:00.000-08:00

So I got a call from a number I didn't know, today in the middle of my Biology lab, and I ignored it. I would have kept ignoring it except that this person called me like 4 times in a row. I finally stopped dissecting the fetal pig I was working on, went out of the room and answered the call. It was Bailey and I assumed it was something super important because she called me 4 times in a row. Well she needed to ask me for a website address so that she could watch a movie online for a class so she wouldn't have to read the book. I was pretty pissed. Anyways, the fetal pig dissection was pretty gross. I am the only guy in a class of 15 and so naturally I am the one elected to do all the cutting. Today I basically cut the cheeks so that I could rip the jaw open and we could see inside the pigs mouth. There was a lot of juices, a lot of tearing and a lot of cracking. It was not a pleasant. School is beginning to get kind of hard. That's all.

My Theology Teacher is an A-hole

2008-01-31T09:03:00.000-08:00

So today in class we were supposed to have a certain book with us. Apparently a lot of students forgot the book and the teacher began asking the students without the book, "why don't you have your book?" "I forgot, I forgot, I forgot," were the answers from everyone until it got to me. Well I knew that all those students didn't just "forget" and I knew that I didn't just "forget", so I decided I wouldn't lie about it. When he asked me why I didn't have my book I told him that I had a lot of books already in my bag and that since we hadn't been using the books hardly at all that I didn't bring them because I assumed we wouldn't need them and I didn't want to lug around the extra weight of three books. Well instead of applauding my honesty he gave me hell. He asked me "HAVE YOU EVEN BEEN IN CLASS!!!??? HAVE YOU BEEN LISTENING!!!???" I told him that I had and that I take notes everyday. I don't know, I think it was super lame of him to both call me out in front of the class and also to get so pissed off because I didn't like to him. I mean I guess I could have taken the easy way out and said that I misplaced it or forgot it or whatever, but I think it's more important to tell the truth and upset someone then it is to lie and be totally comfortable with it. So anyways my cat was discovered yesterday. I might not be able to keep her. I am freaking out. She's like my child. So anyways, pray that something works out to where I can keep her or at least get her back by the end of the semester. Ok, peace out.

I KNOW SOMETHING THAT YOU DON"T KNOW!!!

2008-01-30T11:47:00.000-08:00

...That's all.

Only one question...

2008-01-22T19:31:00.000-08:00

Have you ever pondered how incredibly amazing, weird and wonderful it is that God made women in such a way that the way in which life is reproduced is that humans are grown inside of other humans... In a way it is a really good reflection of how we are grown in God. A child is the reflection of it's mother and is grown inside of her; we are a reflection of God and are grown inside of Him. Anyways, I was studying for my Biology exam and began to get sidetracked. Let me know your thoughts.

I like it here

2008-01-20T19:29:00.000-08:00

Things are pretty good here, but I am having a hard time keeping up on my homework because I am so busy trying to get settled in socially. There are a lot of people I want to hang out with and so I am finding myself with little time, plus I am worried that if I blow any of them off then that would be a bad idea since I just got here and I don't know them that well yet. I guess I want to make a good impression. It snowed a lot in GA but didn't snow here and I am pretty pissed about that. I wish it had, but instead it's just been super cold. So I am expecting a tax refund in February which is really exciting because I only have like 75 bucks and my tax refund should be like 500. My cat is pretty awesome. She sleeps on my bed or my roommates bed almost every night and is not making much noise throughout the night anymore which is freakin sweet. I need to get her her second set of shots soon and then get her spayed because I really don't want her perioding all over the place. I am thinking about coming home next weekend. I'd like to but I can't afford gas right now. Maybe the family will hook me up, who knows. Oh, so I have been talking to this guy, Ryan, he is my suite-mate (not my roommate) and we are thinking about getting a three bedroom apartment for next year. That would be pretty awesome because I DO NOT want to live on campus anymore. It really sucks. Alright, that's about it. Leave me comments. Kbye.

I have a cat

2008-01-15T17:21:00.000-08:00

So I haven't written in awhile. A lot has happened. I went to the Dominica Republic and that went really well. We flew into Puerta Plata and then went to a place called crossroads ministry. We did a lot of ministry in the Haitian villages there and then after that we spent one night in Jarabacoa at the boarding school/rehab, Escuela Caribe, where I was a student. The next morning we went to a small town called Boma and did ministry there for four days with a guy named Enrique. We mostly did manual labor and a couple of children's services. After that we went back to Escuela Caribe in Jarabacoa and spent our last couple days there. I got to lead worship for sunday morning and youth group, and also was able to preach at the sunday morning church service which went surprisingly well. I took about 800 pictures. Aside from that christmas was really good and I got some pretty cool stuff. I just started college at Lee University and I freakin love it. My roommate is totally cool and I think I will have a good semester. Finally, we got a cat. Well, I found a lady giving them away for free, and I got one and so now we have a cat that we secretly keep in our dorm room. Her name is Shisha (she-sha). So that's all for now. Byebye.

It's good to be home

2007-12-19T17:14:00.000-08:00

So I've been home for a couple days and I am pretty happy about it. I've been hanging out mostly with Bailey, Shawn and Brian. Last night we all made dinner and Shawn bought this box of wine and I think Bailey drank too much of it. I had a couple glasses of wine out of my authentic German Stein, metal flip-top included. It is totally sweet and I felt even cooler drinking out of it. This Christmas is shaping up to be one of the better ones for me. The last few years have been pretty depressing around Christmas time. One year Ruth Allen got married and I was left alone on Christmas morning after 16 years of waking up (always before she was ready to) and opening presents with my sister. Also, I was a total asshole and most likely always got into fights with my dad or sister when the whole family was together. Then two Christmas' ago I was in rehab in the Dominican Republic, enough said. Last year Ruth Allen was not here, but the day went ...ok. So this year I am hoping that things are happier. We are going to my sisters house to open presents. We won't even have a tree to put presents under this year, my mom decided that we weren't going to get one. I always hated those stupid women who put those stupid sweaters on their stupid Yorkies and stupid Poodles... well I love my mom. However, she put a sweater on Annie, and insists that it was because she thinks it is funny, but we all know that she put it on Annie because she thinks that it is cute. Well if anyone cares, I want money for christmas because I want to buy a new guitar, 1064 Foreststone Way. Marietta, GA 30064. There's the address incase you were wondering... Happy holidays.

Party Naked!!!

2007-12-14T08:55:00.000-08:00

David G: "So Patrick, you all done?"

Patrick: "Yeah man, just about to check out of my dorm."

David G: "So are you going to Goatfeathers to party tonight?"

Patrick: "Yeah, I'll stop in for a little bit."

Chris: "Yeah! Party Naked!"

David G: "No, we're not going to party naked this time, there will be ladies there."

Patrick: "(Isn't that the point...?)"

Chris: "So you party naked with men?"

David G: "Only till I get married."

Okay, I really need to blog this...

2007-12-13T12:27:00.001-08:00

So I am cleaning out my room and one of the things I did was that I pulled up my window shades, which haven't been up in months. This is important because now people can see into my room. Well my room is on the third floor, dead center of the middle building, which is also the building with most of the staff offices in it. Today this building is especially busy because so many staff are moving out, and so many guys and girls, young and old, are coming in and out of this building. My room is facing directly out above the entrance of this building, so everyone coming in can see right into my room... easily since my lights are on and my windows are open. Well, forgetting that I have previously opened my windows and pulled my shades up, I went about things as I normally do. I have been moving things out all day and being on the third floor, I am pretty sweaty and smelly. SOOOO... I decided to take a shower and started pulling all my clothes off... shirt, sandals, shorts (yes, shorts in december) and boxers. In order to understand fully, you will need to see a picture of my room, so look up. As you see I have a loft in here. When I stand on the loft and you are looking in from the outside you can see from the top of my head down to my ankles. Well I had just finished taking off my boxers, while standing in the middle of my loft... facing the window... when I realized that my shades were up and there was a big group of staff and student women walking towards the building. All eyes were upon me this afternoon. Preeeeeetty embarrassing. I am now wanted by Dwight Schrute for flashing. If you'd like to report me to the anti-flashing task-force then call this number: 1800-984-3672. I'm serious, call it, I swear you wont be disappointed. Call it, please, for my sake and for a good laugh... call it. Well that's all.

I'm Freakin' Finished!

2007-12-13T07:06:00.000-08:00

Well I am officially done with CIU. I am leaving saturday morning, but all my classes are over. That's a picture of me saying "yes!" The other is one of what is to come this weekend (don't worry it is filled with Shesha (fruit, tobacco and syrup...) not pot). I am such a loser. So when you finish up at CIU you are off what we call "standards". Standards are basically the rules that you agree to and they say that you can't smoke, drink, watch R rated movies, dance, have sex outside of marriage, etc... while you are attending here. I didn't really struggle with the last two, but the first I guess were pretty tough because I used to smoke a lot and still enjoy a clove or hookah every now and again, and most of my friends drink and when I am with my family I like to partake in a glass of wine or something.... but now I am officially allowed to do those things without worrying about getting caught (yes, without getting caught because I still broke some of those rules before, but at least I can do it without guilt now). I'm not saying I am a chain smoker, and I don't get drunk anymore, so it's not like I am about to liberate my freedom to waste myself, but I am looking forward to being able to do things with a clear conscience. So I made up a joke the other day... get ready to laugh your face off: Patrick: "Hey, have you ever been to Belize?" Jessica: "No". Patrick: "Oh, well you should go, I've heard it's Unbelizeable!" HAHAHAHAHA! I'm sorry that I just totally built you up and let you down. It wasn't that funny, but the times where I write jokes are few and far in between. I am sitting in my Old Testament class, it was an optional class but we were told that if we were just there, physically, then we would get 2 extra points on our final grade for the class... so you better believe I came. You know after a summer camp how they put microphones out front and have people come up to the front and share their wonderful experiences... well this is what they are doing for the Old Testament class. I think it's kinda lame. I mean, there are people who are obviously up there just for the sake of attention, trying to be funny and they just aren't funny... but they probably have bigger balls than I do because I wouldn't want to go up there and humiliate myself. I love spell check, honestly, I would probably do a draft of every post in MS Word before posting it up here. Man, I feel so uncomfortable when people get up in front of everyone and they kinda open up with a joke and then they say the "serious phrase" and then you know that the talk is about to take a very personal and serious turn. Well this lady just did that and I was having a good time and all and then she did the "serious phrase" and my stomach dropped... you know what I mean? Like I got really uncomfortable because I don't want to know the deep personal issues of this woman. Well I think I am going to go and clean out my room. I have a lot of stuff to get packed up and not a lot of time to do it in. I cannot wait to get home and see my friends and family, I have a really attractive family and I'm tired of looking at all these ugly South Carolinians.

IT WASN'T ME, IT WAS THE PESTO GOBLINS...

2007-12-12T07:28:00.001-08:00

I am tired. I have only one exam and two homework assignments left and I am done with CIU. Someone asked me today why I was leaving because I had so many friends here (she had noticed me saying hello to most of the people who were walking past us). I answered in an almost rehearsed tone: "I like having a lot of friends here; I'd rather leave on a good note than a bad one." I don't think that I have a lot of friends here. I have a lot of people whose names I know, and I think a lot of people would say that I was friendly, but not necessarily their friend. But it got me to thinking that I guess I do, in a way, care a little bit about my reputation here. I mean, if I never come back to CIU then people will always remember me the way that they last saw me, and I guess for the sake of memories I'd want them to have a positive impression. Christmas is only 13 days away and I suppose I am fairly excited. Not so much for the actual day, but really because I can be back home. I never realized how much I loved my house and town and family and friends until I was away from them. I'm sure someone has written a country song explaining this idea much better than I have. So I bought some books the other day because I wanted to feel intelligent. I like reading, and I even like the authors of the books I bought, but I really have no idea when I am going to find time and enough motivation to read the books. I've bought 4 books this semester, and two of those books are compilations of a lot of stories (works of Edgar Allen Poe and Mark Twain) and then one of the books is part one and two of Alice's' Adventures in Wonderland. SO really I have like 15 books. I am almost done with the first Alice in Wonderland story, which is really good, but I think I enjoy too many things. I like guitar, food, music, movies, etc... and so I fill my free time with all these things and rarely complete anything that I start. For example, I have been trying to write a song for the last two days, yet I always seem to begin something new before finishing what I first started. I am feeling overwhelmed. I have a test to study for, a couple homework assignments, then I go home. Freedom!!!.... oh wait, no. Not yet anyways, because I leave for Columbia on the 27th to do prep work for the the Dominican Republic on the 29th. Since I am preaching a church service at Escuela Caribe I will be preparing for that during Christmas break, and also I am leading worship for two services and so I will be working on that as well. Then I get back on the 6th or 7th of Jan 08' and I am leaving for Lee University on the 8th, or possibly the 7th. I have to move in by myself and register during that day which is three days later than I should have gotten there. It is a lot to deal with, but I think that if I start my semester off really busy then I might be able to not feel so overwhelmed as time proceeds. I really need to get a job next semester as well. Alright, well it is only 11 in the morning and so I might write again later. I noticed how most people on here don't write everyday, some only once or twice a month. I don't want ramble on day after day but I think I will be writing more often than others... probably because I have enough free time since I'm twenty, single, childless, addicted to the internet and about to be on Christmas break. Cheers.

Welcome to the world of me

2007-12-11T07:51:00.000-08:00

To begin, I'd like to clarify that the phrase "sucking the marrow" is a reference to the movie Dead Poets Society in which John Keating (Robin Williams) evokes the phrase "To suck the marrow out of life" at the beginning of every Dead Poets meeting. So my aim right now would be reflected in that phrase, as I am seeking to suck the marrow out of life. I am finishing out my second and last semester at Columbia International University with little concern for my grades and even less for my reputation here. I don't mean to sound pessimistic or seem like I am trying to give myself a bad name here or anything, but there is somewhat of an attitude (sprouted from the fat, poison covered lips of a certain individual) that I am leaving CIU for reasons untrue. So the result is that people here are assuming wrong motives for my leaving, and holding those against me, when in reality, they couldn't be further from the truth. But on the other hand they are saying that I am leaving because I don't like the people here and I am distancing myself from them and acting like I am above them... which was not true, but now that people are saying that about me...I guess it is in a way becoming true, not the part about putting myself above them, but about not liking certain people and distancing myself. I recently wrote a song called Columbia. The chorus goes like this: "If these streets could answer, if these cars could talk, I might find some comfort in being alone. But I hate this town that I keep walking around, I wish I could find somewhere else to go." It basically means that I have become somewhat of a wanderer around Columbia. I spend hours (or spent, not really anymore) alone downtown... walking around by myself and hoping to be rescued by something. It was a really terrible couple of weeks, but I am glad to be coming out of it. Anyways, I am transferring soon, and I am really excited about it. Honestly, I just want to get my major, get my masters and then start my career and my family. I hope that the next girl I meet is the last girl I meet and I pray that these stupid high school relational demons will stop presenting themselves to me. I am sitting across the room from a guy, Adam, who is swooning a newly singled girl with his less than mediocre guitar playing and even less impressive vocals. The funny thing is not just that he is really bad, but he is also taken. I feel really sorry for his girlfriend... Wow, I feel like this blog is one complaint after another. It's not a good way to start my online outpouring. Perhaps I will take this blog to a sunnier section of my life. I go through seasons, good and bad, like anyone... and I try and find things in those times to allow God to use to enhance my joy. Sometimes it is music, a girlfriend, a good friend... but lately I have been finding joy in my niece Caroline. I dream about her a lot. I mostly dream of when she is older and the type of relationship we will have. Through my position over Caroline I have learned one very important lesson. If I ever want to be an effective and positive influence and mentor to her, I don't need to change anything about my past, but I have a lot of work to do for my future. I would not say that I am anywhere close to the place I once was, wallowing in depression, drug abuse and anger, but I am still not at a place and not the kind of person that I should be as an uncle to my niece. I love her with everything in me... and because I love her so much and want her to have positive adults around her, I am willing to allow God to change me even more deeply, even if it means I have to give up a lot of things that I still really enjoy (mostly the relationships I have with unsaved people). Well the close this out I will refer back to my quote. Right now I am going through a time where I am not experiencing the Joy of the Lord like I have before, and my RA calls it a season of preparation. Basically he means that there is a time to yield fruit and experience, in a very tangible way, the joy of the Lord, and then there is a season of preparation... during this time I am being grown up to yield fruit... and I experience the Joy of God through persevering. It kind of sucks, but it makes me excited for my new start at Lee. I feel like it will mark the start of a new pursuit towards God and towards sucking the marrow out of life.