Today is the last day of my senior year. As with the end of each school year, I have turned in everythign: my JROTC uniform, my textbooks, and my library books. My locker has been cleaned out and is now back to the valiant shade of school-gray.
Looking back at four years of high school, I realized something. What do I have to show for it? All of my ribbons, medals, ranks, and other various uniform items from JROTC, three years, worth of memories, are sitting in a shoebox in my room. Four years worth of yearbooks and FCA ministry material now sit on my bookshelf. I can't help but think: Is this all I have to show for my time in school? A few books and ribbons?
Or is there something more? Is there something more to high school than just the activities that I was involved in and the classes I took? In fact, there is. Over four years, I have great memories. Everything from the pseudo-philosophical conversations at Bible study ("They will know we are Christians by are kilts") to the random with friends (filming hobos in Colorado) to the just plain weird in class (Mr. Wisner's analysis of the Smurfs as Communist). I can look back on high school and say that I not only learned the curriculum, but I also learned about life. I can discuss both the impact of World War I on the Vietnam War and why it's a bad idea to eat six Zebra cakes in under five minutes (don't ask).
Rock on.
08 May 2006
Prom
I was very surprised by prom. I had been expecting to have a good time with my friends before the dance (which I did), but I actually had fun at the dance. Weird.
Before hand, I picked up Bug, Ruth, Melanie, and Stephen (Steven?), and we went to se M:i III (all of my predictions came true: there was a rogue agent, people wore masks, and Ving Rhames wore expensive clothing). After the movie, to Outback! Four loaves of bread and a bloomin' onion (which lasted two minutes, at most) later, we dropped Steve off and got to the dance around 10. After the dance, we went to Sonic (oh, malts, how I love thee).
In other news, I actually danced. Go figure.
Rock on.
Before hand, I picked up Bug, Ruth, Melanie, and Stephen (Steven?), and we went to se M:i III (all of my predictions came true: there was a rogue agent, people wore masks, and Ving Rhames wore expensive clothing). After the movie, to Outback! Four loaves of bread and a bloomin' onion (which lasted two minutes, at most) later, we dropped Steve off and got to the dance around 10. After the dance, we went to Sonic (oh, malts, how I love thee).
In other news, I actually danced. Go figure.
Rock on.
03 May 2006
Today, I am a Man (I Hope)
Today I turned 18. In my mind this is the most important birthday I will have. It ranks one out of three: 13, 18, and 50.
In Jewish culture, when a boy turns 13, he becomes a man after under going a Bar Mitvah. In today's society, 13 still marks the age at which a child gains more trust and responsibility.
50 marks a half-century of life, and all the knowledge that comes with it.
18, however, marks something else entirely. It marks the point at which a person can finally give back to society. Instead of just taking up resources, one can finally work to create them. Instead of complaining about the world, a person can finally change it. Instead of merely enjoying freedom, one can finally defend it.
Rock on.
In Jewish culture, when a boy turns 13, he becomes a man after under going a Bar Mitvah. In today's society, 13 still marks the age at which a child gains more trust and responsibility.
50 marks a half-century of life, and all the knowledge that comes with it.
18, however, marks something else entirely. It marks the point at which a person can finally give back to society. Instead of just taking up resources, one can finally work to create them. Instead of complaining about the world, a person can finally change it. Instead of merely enjoying freedom, one can finally defend it.
Rock on.
30 April 2006
Fast Fasting
Wow, I haven't done a rambly, unfocused updated in quite some time. So, here we go...
I had a mock trial this week. I served as the defense attorney. My partner and I got our "client" off on one charge, but not the other two, so I count it as a loss (dumb jury who was only there for half the time, no offense to the two people on it who were).
This weekend was the Thirty Hour Famine, which was going to be awesome. Jon and I were gonna try to make it 48, and there was a huge hike and a camp out, and I had helped plan...and I got sick. I only made it 30 hours, missed the camp out, etc.
Saturday, I went to see the school play, Aladdin (not the best one they've done). Afterwards, Jon, Ruth, Melanie, Megan, and I (and Mack showed up for a while) went to China Buffet (Chinese food at 9. That's fun. Seriously.)
Speaking of Ruth and Melanie, I'm going to Prom with them and Bug. So I'm the only guy in a group of three girls. I'm kinda scared. But it'll be alright (we're going to see a movie before the dance, cause we're cool like that).
After church today (and four donuts), Jon and I went to Burger King. Now I remember why I never eat there.
Oh, and last Saturday was the JROTC Ball. It was ok. Better company than last year's, but other than that, it went down hill, despite the best efforts of the staff. But hey, I got to make a speach (ok, a "salute"), which was cool.
Now if only I could get someone to read my blog...
Rock on.
I had a mock trial this week. I served as the defense attorney. My partner and I got our "client" off on one charge, but not the other two, so I count it as a loss (dumb jury who was only there for half the time, no offense to the two people on it who were).
This weekend was the Thirty Hour Famine, which was going to be awesome. Jon and I were gonna try to make it 48, and there was a huge hike and a camp out, and I had helped plan...and I got sick. I only made it 30 hours, missed the camp out, etc.
Saturday, I went to see the school play, Aladdin (not the best one they've done). Afterwards, Jon, Ruth, Melanie, Megan, and I (and Mack showed up for a while) went to China Buffet (Chinese food at 9. That's fun. Seriously.)
Speaking of Ruth and Melanie, I'm going to Prom with them and Bug. So I'm the only guy in a group of three girls. I'm kinda scared. But it'll be alright (we're going to see a movie before the dance, cause we're cool like that).
After church today (and four donuts), Jon and I went to Burger King. Now I remember why I never eat there.
Oh, and last Saturday was the JROTC Ball. It was ok. Better company than last year's, but other than that, it went down hill, despite the best efforts of the staff. But hey, I got to make a speach (ok, a "salute"), which was cool.
Now if only I could get someone to read my blog...
Rock on.
24 April 2006
Invisible Children
My school is a so-called "Channel One" school meaning that we get a daily news broadcast called (what else) Channel One. Most days, I watch the news segments, tune out the commericials, and talk during their cheesy wonder-teen and health bits. But today something was different.
Now, they have had special episodes before, focusing on everything from cliques to the Sudan (my favorite), but today, something spectacular happened. They devoted the entire show to Invisible Children (see link on sidebar). I've been following this charity organization most of the year and own the documentary, and have been deeply moved by it. I was thrilled to see that Channel One showed clips of the documentary and at the end, interviewed a few of the film-makers. Hopefully, it will move all who saw it to get involved.
Rock on.
Now, they have had special episodes before, focusing on everything from cliques to the Sudan (my favorite), but today, something spectacular happened. They devoted the entire show to Invisible Children (see link on sidebar). I've been following this charity organization most of the year and own the documentary, and have been deeply moved by it. I was thrilled to see that Channel One showed clips of the documentary and at the end, interviewed a few of the film-makers. Hopefully, it will move all who saw it to get involved.
Rock on.
16 April 2006
14 April 2006
Good Friday
Today is the day we remember Christ's death on the cross.
He was betrayed, given a trial, beaten, and crucified. He was mocked and jeered. And all for what? The new covenant.
During the first Passover, the final plague was coming. The first born in every household was to be slain. For this to pass over the Israelite houses, each family killed a lamb and smeered the blood on the door frame. Likewise, God killed his only Son and atoned us through his blood so that the wages of sin might pass over us.
Rock on.
He was betrayed, given a trial, beaten, and crucified. He was mocked and jeered. And all for what? The new covenant.
During the first Passover, the final plague was coming. The first born in every household was to be slain. For this to pass over the Israelite houses, each family killed a lamb and smeered the blood on the door frame. Likewise, God killed his only Son and atoned us through his blood so that the wages of sin might pass over us.
Rock on.
Passover and the Last Supper
Welcome to Passover, the Feast of the Unleavend Bread. For those who don't know, the feast is in commemoration of the Hebrew exodus from Egypt (important parts for feast: Exodus 11:1-12:50).
It was the celebration of this feast that brought Christ to Jerusalem. Christ sends his disciples out to find a room for the meal, and they do. They set up the traditional meal and do what is customary. But then things start to turn weird.
During the dinner, Christ makes an announcement. He is going to be betrayed. Keep in mind that at this point, he has already predicted his death. But betrayal? And furthermore, he tells the disciples that it will be one of them who will do the deed.
After this, they start eating again, but Jesus, being the Teacher that he is, descides to do something unusual with the meal. He took the bread (unleavened), broke it, and gave it to the disciples saying it was his body. Likewise, he took the cup, gave thanks, and told them to drink, saying it was his blood. These sayings have caused a lot of controversy over whether or not Communion is literally the Body and Blood of Christ or whether he is merely present in spirit. But that's not the point of Communion. The point is that Communion serves as the sign for Christ's new covenant. The old covenant declared the Jewish people the chosen people of God. The new covenant declares freedom for the captives, peace, and forgiveness.
Rock on.
It was the celebration of this feast that brought Christ to Jerusalem. Christ sends his disciples out to find a room for the meal, and they do. They set up the traditional meal and do what is customary. But then things start to turn weird.
During the dinner, Christ makes an announcement. He is going to be betrayed. Keep in mind that at this point, he has already predicted his death. But betrayal? And furthermore, he tells the disciples that it will be one of them who will do the deed.
After this, they start eating again, but Jesus, being the Teacher that he is, descides to do something unusual with the meal. He took the bread (unleavened), broke it, and gave it to the disciples saying it was his body. Likewise, he took the cup, gave thanks, and told them to drink, saying it was his blood. These sayings have caused a lot of controversy over whether or not Communion is literally the Body and Blood of Christ or whether he is merely present in spirit. But that's not the point of Communion. The point is that Communion serves as the sign for Christ's new covenant. The old covenant declared the Jewish people the chosen people of God. The new covenant declares freedom for the captives, peace, and forgiveness.
Rock on.
13 April 2006
Long Time, No Type
Yeah, so I haven't posted in like two weeks. I don't know why. Probably because I'm either out and about or dead asleep.
So I'll try and keep up from now on (cause I know you all missed me so much).
So I'll try and keep up from now on (cause I know you all missed me so much).
21 March 2006
I've Become So Numb
Kudos to me on quoting Linkin Park.
Anywho, it's SPRING BREAK!!!
Thursday was phat (do people still say that? Phat?). School was a bit of a drag, but then I got to go to Literary Society, which is a ton of fun. And Bible study was awesome. First part of Romans 8 (look for another update on that soon). After Bible study, my friend, James, and I went to Taco Bell (I love late night Taco Bell runs).
Friday, I was going to hit up stick and puck to practice for the big hockey game on Sunday, but Kurt was busy, and I ended up having a meeting as well. The meeting was to plan for 30 Hour Famine and went really well. I'm looking forward to getting the ball rolling (we announce it tommorow.) What did I do Friday night? Oh yeah. Went to Target (got the Matisyahu album. Eclectic, but good) and had my dog groomed at PetsMart. Friday, I had like five cups of coffee, which as it turns out, is way too much. So that was odd.
Saturday was really boring. But I got to eat at Tampico, which is the best Mexican in town. Went to the PX, and went bowling (combined score for two games <100. I know. I suck.)
Sunday church and Sunday school, par usual. I had three and a half donuts. That's a lot of donut. Then hockey - play off, single elimination. We lost 4-0, but played the best game of our season. So that's it for playing with this team. I really am going to miss them.
Monday? Sit around and worry about today.
Today? Wisdom teeth were taken out this morning. It wasn't as bad as I expected. I was numb for most of the day. I can finally feel my tongue again and my lower lip is starting to tingle, which is better than when I first woke up. But I was really out of it. I can't remember the first half-hour after I woke up, and then there's a lot of blurry stuff. But I can't eat solid foods till tommorow! NO!!!
Rock on (with applesauce, pudding, and yogurt).
Anywho, it's SPRING BREAK!!!
Thursday was phat (do people still say that? Phat?). School was a bit of a drag, but then I got to go to Literary Society, which is a ton of fun. And Bible study was awesome. First part of Romans 8 (look for another update on that soon). After Bible study, my friend, James, and I went to Taco Bell (I love late night Taco Bell runs).
Friday, I was going to hit up stick and puck to practice for the big hockey game on Sunday, but Kurt was busy, and I ended up having a meeting as well. The meeting was to plan for 30 Hour Famine and went really well. I'm looking forward to getting the ball rolling (we announce it tommorow.) What did I do Friday night? Oh yeah. Went to Target (got the Matisyahu album. Eclectic, but good) and had my dog groomed at PetsMart. Friday, I had like five cups of coffee, which as it turns out, is way too much. So that was odd.
Saturday was really boring. But I got to eat at Tampico, which is the best Mexican in town. Went to the PX, and went bowling (combined score for two games <100. I know. I suck.)
Sunday church and Sunday school, par usual. I had three and a half donuts. That's a lot of donut. Then hockey - play off, single elimination. We lost 4-0, but played the best game of our season. So that's it for playing with this team. I really am going to miss them.
Monday? Sit around and worry about today.
Today? Wisdom teeth were taken out this morning. It wasn't as bad as I expected. I was numb for most of the day. I can finally feel my tongue again and my lower lip is starting to tingle, which is better than when I first woke up. But I was really out of it. I can't remember the first half-hour after I woke up, and then there's a lot of blurry stuff. But I can't eat solid foods till tommorow! NO!!!
Rock on (with applesauce, pudding, and yogurt).
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