Ode to the Worm

Lo! Crusty earthworm on the sidewalk
I am sorry you did not make it
You once reigned supreme under the ground
But for a dream, that was forsaken
And now you are invertebrate bacon

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Someone needed to post

Although everyone who reads this probably already knows this, my sister is going to be starting as a freshman this semester! We'll be heading back Thursday. Dad, Jess, Catherine and I have spent time trying to get the inside of her truck reupholstered. It was rather disgusting inside, but now it looks really good.

I'm really glad I'm staying the extra semester. Apart from spreading about my remaining classes to a sane amount, my friendships will also be able to continue and grow. I'll be honest, more toward the end of last semester I felt thought I needed to get out as soon as possible and move on. While I still am wanting to move into the workforce, I think this last year is going to be awesome. My summer was great, especially toward the end (Yawoo! week). I am so happy that I stayed in Searcy with friends. Working on the natural gas wells was a lot better than last summer too. I stayed on the same crew pretty much the whole summer, and John and Curtis were great guys to work with. We got along, joked around, and still worked hard.

I feel as if I have changed a lot over the past year or so. Mostly for the better, although there are mistakes I have made and changes that I would have rather not have made. I feel much more confident in myself - more confident in being the man God created me to be.

I want you to know that it doesn't matter
Where we take this road
Someone's got to go

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home

I just got back to Searcy after spending two weeks home! I feel so refreshed and rejuvenated!

I wish that I had been able to stay longer, but there is a slight chance I might be able to go back for a week before school starts as well. We shall see. Jess and Kaeli came down Thursday night before I left so I got to see both of them. Kaeli and I actually drove back to Arkansas together, because she wanted to spend some time with her dad and brother, not having seen them since her graduation from Harding. So we had a fun time catching up...I love my sister-in-law :).

Some of the things I did over the break:

1. Read the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Harry Potter books (I love having time to read for fun!)
   
2. Played soccer every Wednesday and Saturday with a group of college/adult age people...it was so much FUN!!
   
3. Slept in most every day
4. Helped Catherine clean out the stables for one of the ladies she works for...she has 13 horses I believe.
5. Catherine also works for another lady that has horses, and she has the big draft horse, called Grand Master, that is 19 hands tall (that's really tall in horse-measurements I guess). I got to ride him a couple of times!
6. The first Sunday back, after church was over, we happened to drive along a group of really nice exotic cars for like 10 minutes: Callaway C16, Lamborghini Gallardo, Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Audi R8, and a Ford GT. I know for those who don't care about cars this probably means nothing...but for those who do...might realize why this was the most amazing car-related experience of my life!
7. Changed my oil, got new spark plugs and new tires on my car.
8. Watched Star Trek, and loved it
9. Spent as much time with my family as I could!!!!
10. Enjoyed many home cooked meals :)

I hope all of you had a great couple of weeks as well!

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Tids and bits

There is almost nothing better than stepping into a hot shower after hours of feeling chilled :)

I got my taxes done today, mostly thanks to Sam! Taxes always stress me out sooo much.

I miss the family

I still don't know what I'm going to do over the summer...

I'm going to be eating the Easter eggs we colored on Sunday for probably the next couple of weeks...but that's ok, because I like boiled eggs!

I'm so glad this extremely busy day is done. Now for a few hours of sleep before I start another day very similar.

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My work for the entire semester

...has fluttered away. Yep. I found out today that the scope for my IT 410 capstone project has drastically changed (mostly due to Cloverdale leaders, a little for other reasons). I'm going to get slightly technical here:

Basically, our group was supposed to create a database on a server, and then create the corresponding web forms (so that anyone could access it online), and also create a Microsoft Access database (for the church leaders/secretary to use) to link to it.

Well, 95% of my work was done on creating the server database and the web forms. Guess what got scrapped from the project?!?!?!? Gah....

On one hand, its good, because now we are all focusing on solely creating an Access database that should be really user friendly, and I'm not worried about delivering a product that will break soon. I'm sure we can deliver a good product to Cloverdale church. Yet now the majority of my semester's work will not show up in the final product, and that's sad. I almost cried.

But I guess I still learned a lot during the process...which is good...

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My mom now has a job

I'm not sure what to think. I just got the email tonight. My mom hasn't had a job since us kids started coming, so I've never known what it's like. Here's part of her email:

"I just wanted to share with you that I have a job working in a facility (RHA Howell- Clear Creek) with severely mentally handicapped people, ages 5-70. It's not a hospital and the people are not necessarily sick, although some have trachs and feeding tubes and wound problems due to their mental disabilities. Many cannot walk and most cannot communicate verbally and therefore use creative ways to get your attention! But this is their home, where many have lived their whole lives.
...It is all so new to me! I start tomorrow, orienting with another nurse. (I had a special training class on Thursday and Friday - learning different behavior patterns, how to better understand their conditions, how to react appropriately, and how to defend myself with blocks and moves that keep both the clients & myself safe - things like that.)
...Everyone one I have met there is friendly and loves the work; as the Director of Nursing told me first thing, "You will either love it or hate it - no in between." Those that don't love it leave.
...I would really appreciate your prayers."

I'm really glad that she got a job, but I guess I'm just a little nervous for her. That part about her learning how to defend her self...i just...don't like at all. Please also keep my Mom in your prayers! Thanks.

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Saint Patty's Day Part 2

I guess I thought of something else I wanted to write about. In the same class I have to read that book, we have been talking a bit about setting goals, and how that can be a good thing and help you accomplish a lot more than if you hadn't set them. So our teacher has encouraged us to actually write down a few goals for our life, and I thought I'd share a few of the ones I thought of.

• I will be present at every one of my child's births


• I will memorize the book of James


• I will learn how to play the violin and guitar. And re-learn the piano


• I will give at least a million dollars to charity


• I will own a car that goes at least 170 mph


• I will play a recognizable part in a major motion picture or popular television show (not a soap)


• I will go to Disneyland or Disney World


• I want to personally baptize all my children


• I will go to Scotland and New Zealand


• This isn't really as much of a goal as it is an ideal dream, but I'd like my first kiss to be in the rain.


• I will spend at least a year acting as a missionary in another country


• I will go to at least one Dallas Cowboys game, preferably the Super Bowl


• I will visit the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, and Yellowstone


• I will spend at least a week in New York City

Some of them our superficial I know, but others are deeper and more meaningful. I have more but I'm still building the list too!

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