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.
03 May 2006
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).
13 March 2006
Shut Out and Almost Rained Out
So, yeah, no clever intro this time.
Friday - Got home and tried to sleep, but didn't work. Ate a sub for dinner. Wow. Exciting.
Saturday - Went shopping. That was fun. Grabbed the latest issue of HM and a copy of Utopia. And finally got a pair of Con's (Old School, Chuck Taylor styles, henceforth referred to as "Chucks"). And I got to eat at Einstein Bros, which always rocks. Got home, ate pizza, finished my report on rock music, and went to hang out with friends. That was awesome.
Sunday - Church - tornado sirens went off just before we started the service. And what do you do in a 100-yr old chapel with no basement? Stand outside and wonder what to do. So after my dad made a call to staff duty, it was determined that we should just dive under the pews if we experienced bad weather (which never came). After the service and Sunday school, I took my mom to the emergency room (long story). Then I worked on my Exec. Sum. for a while. I stood outside in the sun, enjoying the nice weather, listening to tornado sirens in the background. That was trippy. As I left for hockey, the sun was setting behind a storm, making for a very cool effect. And then we drove into the storm. I thought we would die. And all that to loose 0-6. Anti-climactic.
Rock on.
Friday - Got home and tried to sleep, but didn't work. Ate a sub for dinner. Wow. Exciting.
Saturday - Went shopping. That was fun. Grabbed the latest issue of HM and a copy of Utopia. And finally got a pair of Con's (Old School, Chuck Taylor styles, henceforth referred to as "Chucks"). And I got to eat at Einstein Bros, which always rocks. Got home, ate pizza, finished my report on rock music, and went to hang out with friends. That was awesome.
Sunday - Church - tornado sirens went off just before we started the service. And what do you do in a 100-yr old chapel with no basement? Stand outside and wonder what to do. So after my dad made a call to staff duty, it was determined that we should just dive under the pews if we experienced bad weather (which never came). After the service and Sunday school, I took my mom to the emergency room (long story). Then I worked on my Exec. Sum. for a while. I stood outside in the sun, enjoying the nice weather, listening to tornado sirens in the background. That was trippy. As I left for hockey, the sun was setting behind a storm, making for a very cool effect. And then we drove into the storm. I thought we would die. And all that to loose 0-6. Anti-climactic.
Rock on.
07 March 2006
I Interupt Your Regular Brodcast
Actually, this post is just like my normal "update" posts, I just felt like saying that.
So, weekend recap: Friday was cool - I was at school till four, getting a letter of recommendation from my SAI. Then I ran home and got ready to go camping. On my way to the assembly point, I stopped by the post office to mail my scholarship application. In the process, I learned why people hate the post office. Anyway, I made it on time to leave at five, so in review: I got home, packed, sent off my application, and got to the meeting point, all within an hour. Not bad, eh? On the trip, I ran around the woods, ate, and slept. Fun.
Saturday, I left the camping trip early to get home and help out around the house (my mum has a hurt leg, which I haven't mentioned for some reason), do homework (Yeah, right. Like I did homework on a Saturday. But I did try), and catch some z's in a real bed. Then I went on a date, on which everything went horribly awry. Well, not horribly, but awry none the less. I just like the word "awry".
Sunday - HOCKEY! But first, church. The sermon was good, and made a great point about Lent. Then Sunday School went better. And hockey? Well, we were missing a few people, and playing the number one team in the league, but kept them down to only a one point victory. Final? 3-4. Again, not bad.
Umm...shalom (I have decided to use shalom instead of "hello" and "good-bye". Spread it.)
Rock on.
So, weekend recap: Friday was cool - I was at school till four, getting a letter of recommendation from my SAI. Then I ran home and got ready to go camping. On my way to the assembly point, I stopped by the post office to mail my scholarship application. In the process, I learned why people hate the post office. Anyway, I made it on time to leave at five, so in review: I got home, packed, sent off my application, and got to the meeting point, all within an hour. Not bad, eh? On the trip, I ran around the woods, ate, and slept. Fun.
Saturday, I left the camping trip early to get home and help out around the house (my mum has a hurt leg, which I haven't mentioned for some reason), do homework (Yeah, right. Like I did homework on a Saturday. But I did try), and catch some z's in a real bed. Then I went on a date, on which everything went horribly awry. Well, not horribly, but awry none the less. I just like the word "awry".
Sunday - HOCKEY! But first, church. The sermon was good, and made a great point about Lent. Then Sunday School went better. And hockey? Well, we were missing a few people, and playing the number one team in the league, but kept them down to only a one point victory. Final? 3-4. Again, not bad.
Umm...shalom (I have decided to use shalom instead of "hello" and "good-bye". Spread it.)
Rock on.
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