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[10 Oct 2009|09:19pm] |
So yeah. I don't think I've posted much in here. In fact, my last entry was simply a posting of three youtube videos featuring the ShamWow guy soaking up wet stuff in English and Spanish, and then another video of him slapping stuff (I kid you not).
I started my third semester at Fresno State back in August, and with that came more headaches. Thanks to all the budget cuts (and people not knowing how to make a proper budget in the first place), the mood on campus is always grim. People always talking about what they are going to cut next, or how much longer they will have to be in school thanks to them cutting classes. There's even talks of a walk-out sometime this month (which I kinda think is a dumb idea because it's only going to hurt the people that are already being hurt anyway). But other then the crazy tension on campus, things have been good with school. The new Library is amazing, and sometimes I take advantage of the Starbucks on the second floor of the building (I think I've been there twice so far this whole semester? I don't think spending $5 could be considered a wise investment into my future).
I moved out of University Village at the beginning of August as well, and I'm glad I'm done with that. I moved in with a friend of mine Justin (DeHart. Some of you in the Continental world might know who he is). He's always on the road though, since he drives a truck for a living. Randomly out of nowhere, he stopped by the apartment last Sunday, and said he's taking some time off of work. So he's been hanging out since Sunday. The only problem is that this was one of the busiest weeks I've had in school and work. We started using a new program for registering patients, and it has been creating headaches ever since (the new program is called "Epic", and I've been referring to everything that goes wrong as "epic fail" or "epic headaches" or something like that. It's kinda lame, but it's been keeping the mood at work a little better).
I've recently noticed at my job, I've kinda taken it upon myself to make sure people are smiling and laughing a little. We've been getting behind a lot lately and have to deal with angry patients and techs, and I still try to make a joke or say something funny to lighten the mood. So far this week, I got three people to laugh who said "I'm not in the mood right now", but I still got a smile or something out of them. I know that attitudes are contagious, so I try to make a positive one hoping it will offshoot the negative one I seem to show up to when i walk through the door everyday.
Michelle and I have been going out for a few years (4 years,8 months, and 7 days, but hey, who's counting?). We had fun over the summer. We went to the beach twice, Yosemite once, Disneyland once, and Irene's Cafe a couple times (not enough I might add). She got a job working for the school newspaper as an editor, and she's been doing a wonderful job. However, we don't get too see each other that much. But since we live in the same apartment complex, one of us will walk over to the other person's apartment and at least say hi. So all's not bad.
I read a bunch of books over the summer. I'll post my opinion on those books later (some of these books were amazing, and I would recommend them to everyone). So expect that sometime soon (once I get internet at my apartment).
so yeah. That's all for now.
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[08 Mar 2009|10:49pm] |
My roommate and I think he does lines before he films a commercial.
( Read more... )
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| a quick update |
[04 Mar 2009|10:34pm] |
i realized i haven't updated in almost three months, so i'll take a moment to say a little something.
school has been good. they finally opened up the library here, and it's great. now there's tons of space for studying. it was hard to find a good quiet place on campus to study, and all the books were in some storage area someplace else in fresno. so now it's nice to have all the books back here. last semester i had a hard time finding sources because in order to get a book, just to make sure it had a single article that I needed. it was annoying.
and anyway, i like walking around looking at books. so that's another plus.
work has been interesting. i'm definitely earning my $11/hour entry-level job paycheck. it is quite funny how just because i answer the phone or sit at the front desk of a radiology lab, people seem to think my knowledge. twice this week i've had to tell people that i'm not a doctor and that i'm not allowed to give them medical advice or tell them what i think they're x-rays mean. but most people are nice. it's kinda fun at times, because people don't really want to be there (i'm pretty sure that most of the women that come in for mammograms would rather be someplace else), and i do my best to make them smile and lighten the mood for them, and for the most part, i think i do that well.
michelle and i have been doing good. last month we celebrated four years together, and she still makes me smile. we went to the rio grill in clovis, and ate so much meat, a vegan somewhere broke down and cried. it was awesome!
at lunch everyday, we've been eating sandwiches that one of use has packed. it's my week, so i had to go out and get some lunch meat. this is good because it's helped me to spend less money on food since i'm not eating out for lunch, which could cost about $5-$8 dollars on campus. and i would much rather spend $5-$10 a week on lunch meat and bread. also, my belly is shrinking and i am able to see more and more of my toes everyday. it's wonderful!
we are also getting more involved with the church we were attending in clovis. i really feel God wanted us to go to this church. we went because the clark family went, and we needed a church to go to on the first weekend we were there. we went, and felt really connected with the college group. things have been changing in the group, and they asked more students to step up to help with a leadership group. michelle and i went, and we're working with others to make the college group unique and more Christ-centered. and we're having fun.
also, i have been watching some movies on hbo lately. it comes with rent, and some good movies come on sometimes. one in particular is an hbo original movie called "taking chance". it's really good. like while watching it, i kept tearing up (seriously, ask michelle. she saw me cry a little, but i think she was to fixed on the movie to notice i was watching through watery eyes). if you haven't heard of it, look it up. it's amazing. and for a movie about the war, it stayed politically neutral. i'm definitely going to buy it when it gets on dvd.
well, my battery is about to die, and we're about to get kicked out of the student union, so i'm gonna end this post now.
Lopezcrest, out!
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| Santa Barbara |
[13 Dec 2008|08:05am] |
So today, I'm heading to Santa Barbara to be a part of a Telethon with the Continental Singers. I'm leaving in like 15 minutes, and I thought I would make a post real quickly, just to let people know what's happening. Michelle's coming with me so I don't fall asleep at the wheel or something else.
If you want more info about the telethon, here's the website.
http://www.unityshoppe.org/telethon.htm
I think we'll be playing sometime between 3:00 and 4:00. We (Michelle and I) might leave right after we're done, but we don't know. We haven't fully planned it out yet.
All I've got left in school is finals week. Should be good.
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| the sound of melodies |
[08 Dec 2008|01:30am] |
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music |
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Leeland - Sound Of Melodies |
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about a year and a half ago, i took part in a worship service like i have never before in my life. i won't give the specifics, because that's beside the point, and i hope to tell that story in greater detail (book maybe? we'll see what happens).
we had a break while everyone went to take communion, and the guitar player and i went to use the restroom real quickly, and while we were washing our hands, i said, "you know that song 'sound of melodies' by leeland? i finally get it." i told him that the bridge, where it says "the sound of Your love, is what You're hearing. the sound of Your songs, You've won Your children," finally made sense to me. as we were leading this group of some two -hundred or so twelve to twenty-something year olds, i saw tears in their eyes, their love for God, the honesty of a broken heart turning to God knowing He is all they have. i realized this is what the song meant. God has won His children, and they love Him.
i recently figured out that i have no clue what i'm gonna do with my life. i'm not sure if i'll even finish college. but i know that wherever i go, or whatever i do, i know i want to lead worship. i want to see people encounter God in a real way. even if i'm just someone on stage playing an instrument, i want to lead people into the arms of God through worship. i want to see God's bride fall madly in love with Him. i want to see God's children call out to their Father.
all this because i finally installed itunes so i can listen to the mp3s on my computer, which eventually lead me to this song, and i started remembering things.
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| the elections |
[06 Nov 2008|09:20am] |
i think this sums up what i've been thinking in the last few days.
taken from decapolis.com
If you are like me, this past election season got me riled up. All you have to do is look at the facebook statuses of people or look at our message board for any political topic and know Christians get upset when talking about politics and then throw love out the window and create disunity. Why do Christians have to participate in talk that divides? Which leads me to the question, "Why are we here?" We are here to fulfill the callings God has given to each one of us as individuals... EPH 4:[11] It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, [12] to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. But wait! Check out the following verse... [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. "Unity in the faith". Then why do we fight amongst ourselves over politics? I'm not saying we shouldn't be involved in the political process. I'm saying how come we throw love out the window when we do? And if we do, then how can we achieve "unity in the faith"? If you or the other person can't speak in love - then DROP IT. You are now causing division and causing yourself or someone else or both of you to sin. Any time spent that you are focused on bickering about politics is time with your eyes off of Christ. Your devotion to God doesn't increase just because someone you like is picked president. A president isn't going to stop people from sinning. A president isn't going to stop parents from getting divorced, people from thinking bad about their coworkers and classmates. A president isn't going to help you grow in the fruits of the spirit. Do not place your faith in man. Christ is the only one who can change hearts. Christ is the only one who saves. Christ is the only one we look to. Christ is the only one we serve. If you live in a socialist, communist, democratic or totalitarian country - it's all the same... Stop wasting time on earthly things but rather serve Christ in love. http://www.decapolis.com/christians-and-the-elections
During this whole election I've heard from Christians on both sides of the aisle how their candidate is going to somehow save our country and the other candidate will somehow ruin it. I too have had these feelings. Then the first day after the election I see Christians saying either that Obama gives them hope or that they despair because that McCain wasn't elected. Even though I don't come out and say it, I know deep down I feel these things as well. So somehow before the election we didn't have hope or we didn't despair. But now that a man has been chosen we now have hope or despair. Somehow God was more in control before or after the election of a man. That is placing our faith in a man. Not God. God loved us and took care of us before the vote - and isn't going to take care of you more because Obama was elected, or take care of you less because McCain wasn't. How do you think God feels when we have more hope or despair due to a man? Our hope should be in God. Romans 1:2 And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. [3] Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. No where is the hope in a man is mentioned in that verse. And yet somehow, now we have hope or despair because of a man. And guess what? Man is sinful. Man will always let you down. And man is what we put our hope in? God allows both good men and evil men into power for His reasons. Do you think a Christian in Nazi Germany somehow had less hope in God? Do you think the early Christians during Roman times had less hope in God under Nero when they were persecuted by their government? On the opposite side of that - a greedy person will be a greedy person in a socialist country or a free market country. A bad father is going to be a bad father if there's a Democratic or Republican majority in the Senate. A president isn't going to make God love you more, or bring you closer to God, or help you overcome sin, or make you read your Bible, or help you comfort your friend in need, or help you pray for your family, or help you forgive your neighbor, or help you fulfill your God given calling in life. We don't place our hope in Carter, Reagan, Bush 41, Clinton, W, Obama or McCain. They can't bring our soul hope, happiness or peace. God is the one in control - not some dude. We have inner peace because of God - not some dude. If we truly have our hope in God, we should feel no more hope or despair than we did before the election of a man. PS 62:5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. http://www.decapolis.com/christians-and-their-candidate-christians-and-the-elections-part-ii-
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| here i am |
[27 Oct 2008|10:47pm] |
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mood |
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music |
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Ben Folds Five - "The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner" |
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so i haven't updated in a while. in fact, i haven't updated since i moved to fresno. many of you are probably wondering if i just simply vanished off the face of th earth. well sorry to disappoint you, but i am alive and kickin'. i think the reason i don't update anymore is because i don't want sit down and write everything out, because the writer in me wants to tell it in an entertaining way, and i would spend hours writing and re-writing a simple blog, not only for everyone reading, but also for myself.
so in that case, i will do what i've done in the past:
THE LIST!!!!
( Read more... )
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| So fun! |
[07 Aug 2008|06:23pm] |
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mood |
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music |
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Leah's watching "What not to wear" on TV right now. |
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I decided to post some of the listing's I came across on Craigslist while looking for a room. Some of these are rather entertaining, and some are not for the faint of heart.
( Read more... )
I have a place to live in Fresno now. They work with financial aid so I don't have to pay anything till I move in. It's close to school, and right across the street from Bulldog Stadium. Sweetness!
And I've got my classes...
English 31 - Readings in British Literature - 4 units
Prof. Hendrix - MoWeFr - 9:15AM-10:20AM
English 105 - Introduction to Literary Analysis - 4 units
Prof. Najmi - MoWeFr - 1:00PM-2:05PM
Philosophy 165T - J.R.R. Tolkien - 3 units
Prof. Maldonado - TuTh - 11:00AM-12:15PM
Philosophy 133W - Literature of the New Testament - 3 units
Prof. Maldonado - TuTh - 2:00PM-3:15PM
14 units total.
I move to Fresno on the Twenty-second of August. Classes start on the Twenty-fifth.
Wow. I'm leaving home.
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| Taken from theonion.com |
[01 Aug 2008|10:49am] |
Al Gore Places Infant Son In Rocket To Escape Dying Planet July 30, 2008 | Issue 44•31  Young Gore sets out for his new home, where the sky is clear, the water is clean, and there are no Republicans. EARTH—Former vice president Al Gore—who for the past three decades has unsuccessfully attempted to warn humanity of the coming destruction of our planet, only to be mocked and derided by the very people he has tried to save—launched his infant son into space Monday in the faint hope that his only child would reach the safety of another world. "I tried to warn them, but the Elders of this planet would not listen," said Gore, who in 2000 was nearly banished to a featureless realm of nonexistence for promoting his unpopular message. "They called me foolish and laughed at my predictions. Yet even now, the Midwest is flooded, the ice caps are melting, and the cities are rocked with tremors, just as I foretold. Fools! Why didn't they heed me before it was too late?" Al Gore—or, as he is known in his own language, Gore-Al—placed his son, Kal-Al, gently in the one-passenger rocket ship, his brow furrowed by the great weight he carried in preserving the sole survivor of humanity's hubristic folly. "There is nothing left now but to ensure that my infant son does not meet the same fate as the rest of my doomed race," Gore said. "I will send him to a new planet, where he will, I hope, be raised by simple but kindly country folk and grow up to be a hero and protector to his adopted home." As the rocket soared through the Gore estate's retractable solar-paneled roof—installed three years ago to save energy and provide emergency rocket-launch capability in the event that Gore's campaign to save Earth was unsuccessful—the onetime presidential candidate and his wife, Tipper, stood arm-in-arm, nobly facing their end while gazing up in stoic dignity at the receding rocket, the ecosystem already beginning to collapse around them. In the final moments before the Earth's destruction, Gore expressed hope that his son would one day grow up to carry on his mission by fighting for truth, justice, and the American way elsewhere in the universe, using his Earth-given superpowers to become a champion of the downtrodden and a reducer of carbon emissions across the galaxy. "Perhaps he will succeed where I have failed," Gore said. Despite the child's humble beginnings, experts predict the intergalactic journey may have some extraordinary effects on Kal-Al's physique, eyesight, and, potentially, his powers of quiet, sensible persuasion. "On his new planet, Kal-Al's Earth physiology will react to the radiation of a differently colored sun, causing him to develop abilities far beyond those of mortal men," political analyst Sig Schuster said. "He will be faster than a speeding Prius, stronger than the existing Superfund program, and able to leap mountains of red tape in a single bound. These superpowers will sustain him in his never-ending battle against conservatives, wealthy industrialists, and other environmental supervillains." Although Gore and his wife voiced regrets that they could not accompany their son on his journey, they tried their best to equip Kal-Al for life on his new planet, providing the infant with a Keynote slide-show presentation of all human knowledge, a self-growing crystal fortress from which to monitor glacier shrinkage, and a copy of Al Gore's 1992 bestseller, Earth In The Balance. The baby was also wrapped in a blanket emblazoned with the Gore family crest, which, because it is made of Earth materials, will be invulnerable on the new planet. It is hoped that one day it will be fashioned into a colorful costume for the boy to wear while fighting wrongdoers. "In brightly hued tights, it will be harder for people there to ignore him when he takes on his new planet's lobbyists, auto manufacturers, and enemies of justice," Schuster said. "A bold and eye-catching unitard will give Kal-Al, last son of Earth, a formidable tool for protecting his new planet, a power more awesome than any his father could have dreamed of: the power of charisma." 
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/al_gore_places_infant_son_in
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| As the summer comes to a close |
[31 Jul 2008|02:14am] |
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 complacent |
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The hum of the fridge, and the creek of the house. |
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It's been a very long time since I've updated. That usually means I just write out a list of things that have happened in the past however long it's been since I've written anything. But I don't think I can do that right now.
The last thing I posted was the video of my commencement speech, along with the speech itself written out, so I've got a lot to catch you up on.
I went on many church trips this summer, starting off with the Summer Escape, where we take the High School students on a trip to San Diego, where we stay at Point Loma Nazarene University, and we get away from everything in the world. This ends up becoming a major group building time, because the only way you can avoid being social with people is by avoiding everyone (they have internet access there, and some spend most of the time checking their myspace for any new comments on one of their many profile pictures that they think looks awful, but for some strange reason they still posted it). So I got to know many of the High Schoolers, they got to know each other, and (most importantly) they got to know God better.
Right after that, I went up to Jr. High camp, (which started 2 days prior to me being there) and was a counselor. It was harder then I thought, mainly because I had to catch up with everything that had been happening at the camp while I was in San Diego. Everyone knew each others names, they had teams set up, they had their lessons, and I had to put myself in there. It was fun, but it was harder. In the end, I got to be there when one of the young men from our church told everyone at camp that he wants to become a youth pastor. It was an awesome moment.
In July, I started out the month with a Road Trip to LA/OC area with Michelle. We hardly ever do anything big, like trips to the beach, or something like that, so it was nice to get stuck in a car with her. First we went to San Bernardino, where we met up with Eydie, one of Michelle's friends, and we had a great time with her and her boyfriend Stephen going bowling, shopping at Target, going to Super Markets late at night to buy Sunny Delight only to find out that the next day they would go on sale for half the price we paid for them.
It was awesome.
One of the days we drove over to Azusa, and met up with Chris Bradney, a good friend of ours who I haven't seen in ages. He's doing rather well, and is enjoying life. We ate at this retro 50s Diner called Legends. I am kind of trying to watch what I eat and drinking less crap, so I didn't get the tasty looking Pastrami Burger that Chris got, and went for the Fish Taco's instead.
No good.
Didn't like them.
Would have been better off with picking off him and Michelle.
So we sat around a talked before I finally had to return back to work from his lunch break. He's a good man. Maybe that's why he got the nickname Charlie Brown when he lived here? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.....
The next day, we drove over to Culver City where we met up with My brother and ate dinner with him. I don't get to see him much, and even though it was about an hour out of the way to see him, I thought an hour is way closer then 4 hours, and that it was no big deal. Plus it was fun.
After dinner, Michelle and I took the 405 to the 101 and made our way to Santa Barbara, in search of our friend Sarah Scott, who had finally returned from her year in Ireland to continue her education at UCSB.
She lived in a house with 12-16 other girls (I don't quite remember the exact number) that was less then a football field away from the ocean and directly across the street from a dome-like house that looked like a giant coconut. Pretty sweet.
We showed up late, but she was still up working on a paper, so it was no big deal. We hung out for a bit, and then went to bed.
The next morning we were taking to a local bagel shop for breakfast. It wasn't anything fancy looking, but the bagels were awesome. You could tell this place was meant to be for the locals. You went in, said what you wanted right away, paid for it, and then stepped aside and waited for it to be made. You could say they were the Bagel Nazi's.
We hung out with Sarah some more, and then finally decided to take off. We headed for State Street, which is just fun walking up and down. We ate Italian food. We walked some more. Found a Borders and a Barnes and Noble. Then we finally made our way home. The drive to me right now seems like a blur, because I got all pumped up and Caffeine and Sugar, and let Michelle take a nap. So most of it was spent with me staring at the road, saying nothing at all.
We got home, and ended out sweet vacation with tons of memories, and left over Italian food.
Three days later on the 14th of may, I went up to Kids Camp to be a counselor for 11 young boys, with two co-counselors. I remembered how hard Kids camp is, and how physically, spiritually, and emotionally tiring it is. But I remembered how rewarding it is as well. Not many of these kids have someone older then them that shows them they are cared for, and that God loves them. So by the end of the week, I realized why I became a part of the kids program at my church two years ago.
And when I looked at how some of the other counselors acted, I remembered why I left the kid's department at the end of last year.
It's a shame when adults spend time trying to figure what they can get out of their time at camp instead of trying to see what they can put into it. Instead of investing in the lives of these young children, they were cashing in on their chance to leave home for a "vacation." I think many forgot that this camp is meant for the kids, and not for the counselors.
Well that came to an end, and I came down the mountain for three days. I saw The Dark Knight on Friday, and Wall-e on Saturday afternoon. The Dark Knight was amazing. Everything was over-the-top, and it kept me at the edge of my seat for most of the movie. And at two and a half hours long, it was a long time to spend going crazy. The only thing that bugged me (and it bugged me in the first one) is how Christian Bale sounds when he's Batman. I don't know if there was no other way to sound creepy, but he just ended up sounding like some guy in a creepy clown costume trying to sound scary to the kids coming to his door asking for candy. You know it's not his real voice, but he doesn't keep you awake at night making you wonder if he's under your bed.
Wall-e was good. Especially with the way my brain thinks. There was so much stuff from last semester in my philosophy that kept coming back into my head while watching it. And it was just all around fun. I don't think there's one Pixar Movie that just sucked. There's some I like more then others, but they always stand apart from all the other computer animated cartoons. Definitely worth it.
After three days, I made my way back up the mountain where I was a counselor for the High School camp. This was by far the best camp of the summer for me. After chapel every church would break off into their own church groups and discuss the nights topic. This was a time where I got to see into the hearts of many of the guys and girls of this youth group. We had times were the questions were so deep that it was better just to sit in the silence and and think about them, and then listen to some people who are simply trying to answer things for themselves out loud.
On the last night, the teens were given a chance to lay down their burdens, and I got to pray for many of them. Some I could tell needed it, and some I just went up to and started praying for. I don't know why I did for some of them, and I didn't know what I would say, but I did it. After this night, I know I'm gonna have some roll in ministry, but I don't know what exactly yet. I know whatever happens that God knows where I'm needed, and what I'm needed with.
I've been working (very last minute) on transferring to Fresno State in the Fall, so I'm super stoked about that. Just came back tonight from Dog Days orientation, where I got a lot of questions out of the way, and I'm ready for the semester to start.
Well that's it. I think it's about time I went to bed. Tomorrow (Thursday) I'm helping Michelle move. She's moving with some friends to an apartment, and they're making a day out of it. Hopefully it won't be too long of a day, because I'm about ready to crash and burnout.
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| Here's my speech from commencement on Friday. |
[19 May 2008|09:13am] |
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accomplished |
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My Dad recorded it and posted it on YouTube. I also have it written out below.
Well I would like to say thank you to all the people that have come out today. Welcome to all the Mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters, aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces, stepbrothers, stepsisters, first cousins, second cousins on the mother’s side, neighbors, old friends, new friends, current friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, “just friends,” and all our other loved ones who came out this evening to join us.
Well first, my name is Samuel Lopez, and I am (or was) the President of the Associated Students of Porterville College. I guess I’ll tell you a little about myself.
Being a born and raised citizen of Porterville, I started attending Porterville College in the Fall of 2003. Yeah. If you do the math, you’ll see that I’ve been attending PC for five years. I was asked by someone how I managed to do pull that off, as if it were some crazy form of art no one appreciated. I told them “I did it so you wouldn’t feel bad about you taking 4 years.” I was recently awarded a small plaque that has a clock built into it. It is rather nice. When I showed my sister Katie it, she said “it’s like they’re giving you back the time you wasted at school.” Although I have been here long enough to earn tenure, I wouldn’t say my time was wasted. I have learned a lot.
For starters, I learned that it is not fun to get three F’s and a C in one semester. I learned that if you have a ten page paper due, you should write more then just four pages. Or if you have a workbook due on a select Tuesday, it might be wise to actually turn it in. I also learned the benefits of taking a class twice. For instance, I will forever be able to tell my children and grandchildren that when I took Astronomy the first time, Pluto was a planet. I also learned the joy and feeling of accomplishment of completing a class you previously failed and passing it with an A. I learned that I could do it, but I had to try. I realized that the classroom isn’t limited to the four walls with thirty or so chairs facing one direction that most are used to, with someone writing on a chalkboard or reading from a book. I saw my classroom as the world around me.
Looking at this group, I see future teachers, doctors, business owners, professors, star athletes, writers, journalists, congressmen, maybe even a future President. I see the future of our country, as these students, young and old, go on to change the world. But I want you to see more then just us down here. When you look at these red gowns, I want you to see yourself. Yeah they might be the ones walking down the aisle and getting their degree, but they represent you. They bit of advice or correction, every joke, every one-liner, even every pick-up-line, is yours. They represent everything you’ve ever done, and everything you wanted to be. I can’t think of one person out there looking down here who isn’t proud of one of us. We have finally done it.
But no matter how far we go—and now I’m directing this to you, my fellow graduates—never stop learning. Even if you go on to earn two Masters Degrees and a PhD, never stop exploring the world around you.
It was Mark Twain who said, “I have never let my schooling to interfere with my education.” Our education doesn’t end when we’re handed a piece of paper with our name on it. Our education is doesn’t end when the final grades are posted. Our education simply doesn’t end. Education is not a destination; it is a journey. We will never stop learning.
Now, with your degree, you now have the tools necessary for your journey. It isn’t an easy journey. Life never is. But in the end, you won’t see your time at Porterville College as time wasted; you’ll see it as a time when you strapped on your gear, and told the world to watch out. So to everyone here, since we will all be heading in separate directions, I wish you the best of luck wherever you’re going, I hope that you never stop learning. And also, have fun changing the world.
Thank you very much, and God bless.
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[14 May 2008|10:13pm] |
So I was named Porterville College "Student of the Year" today.
Didn't see that coming.
I had no clue I would even be nominated.
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| Quick Update |
[03 May 2008|12:17am] |
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mood |
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tired |
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-I'm still ASPC President. It's been taking up a lot of my time. By the time I get home, I'm drained. Even when I get a full night of sleep, I still come home and fall asleep on the couch. Only two weeks left though, I then I'll be done (with most of it anyway).
-My classes are going well. I guess.
-This is my second time taking Astronomy, since I got a D last time. All is well though. I'm getting a high A/low B in the class, so it all depends on these next two weeks as to which letter I receive at the end of the semester.
-American Literature is pretty good. We're reading a lot or plays and short stories that are considered "Great American Classics." The only problem is that we're limited to what we have in our book, which our professor is not liking. She had the previous edition, and the newer one just took out more stuff. It doesn't even have Edger Allen Poe in it! But other then that, it's a fun class.
-British Literature is so bad it almost makes me want to change my major. Our professor doesn't know what she's talking about. She's super nice, and she loves literature, but that's where it ends. We read through something, talk a little about it, and then she point out the obvious, and then we go on to the next one. She's giving us way to much work, and even then what she wants is something completely different. Drives me CRAZY!!!
-My Philosophy class is really interesting, to say the least. I don't think I've been challenged so much, and my problem solving skills are much faster. I'm looking forward to the classes I'll be taking when I transfer. Which reminds me...
-I'm Graduating from Porterville College (finally) on May 16. I will then be transferring to Fresno State in the fall. YAY!! I'm finally moving on. So I'm glad about that.
-I turned 23 last month. Not sure what to think anymore. I think I'm hitting that age where your birthday is just a reminder that you only have so much time left before you are considered "too old." Everyone I know is moving on with their lives, getting married, getting jobs, careers, children, whatever else, and I'm finally going to a University.
Oh well. Life's a race, but it's not about getting there first; it's just about finishing.
-I'm still not 100% sure what I'm doing with my life. Recently I've been feeling like I should try and be a youth pastor again. If I do end up being a youth pastor, I don't think it'll matter what degree I get, as long as I get something.
-I miss being in Proskuneo. I miss everyone from there. Are we ever going to do something in the future, or was that just wishful thinking?
-I've been feeling pretty creative lately. I have some ideas that I've been taking note on. I need to right out an outline for a few of them so I don't forget them.
-I miss having my iPod. In case you didn't know, it was stolen out of our office last year, along with $100 from our deposit box, our secretary's textbooks, and other random stuff. We don't know who did it, or why, but I'll get over it. I just miss being able to take all my music with me places and just sitting down listening songs. Most of the stuff I right is inspired by songs, so I'll sit down with my notebook and write while listening to music. Now, in order to do that, I have to find the CD, make sure my CD player is charged, or take my computer with me everywhere I go.
Oh well.
That's all.
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| Some songs that I've been thinking of lately. |
[29 Apr 2008|11:17pm] |
Hangnail - Carry Me
I'll step aside this time around.
Open ears await a still and quiet voice.
Not with the timing that I have.
Ready to make any change required of me.
( Read more... )
Hangnail - Surrender
As I watch the week played from my memory
I can't believe I let this go
The innocence is losing cover
Waiting for surrender of this tyranny
I guess you reap what you sow
And there's no shame in starting over
( Read more... )
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| The Ten Commandments - Part 1 (Bible Study for OIC) |
[20 Mar 2008|11:54pm] |
This Bible study started out of an idea. I wanted to do something for this club, but I didn't know what to do. Then a while ago I thought, "I can do a weekly study on the Ten Commandments!" I wasn't sure what I would say (and to be 100% honest, I'm still not sure what I will be saying), but I knew it could be done.
So I opened up my Bible, and started taking notes on the first three verses on Exodus 20, thinking the first study would be on the First Commandment. However, when I started writing down the ideas, and praying about what to say, I realized that our first devotional wasn't going to go past the first verse, and it reads:
"And God spoke all the words:" (Exodus 20:1, NIV)( Read more... )
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| Wow... |
[22 Jan 2008|10:36pm] |
This has to be one of the coolest videos I have ever seen.
I wanna write a story now.
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