So yesterday I heard back from two jobs I have been applying for, and well let's be honest, it feels real good to be wanted. Now I'm faced with a big decision, but the beauty is is that both have really, really good outcomes and options, so it's just deciding. I'm excited to move forward with life, and to start heading in a better direction...But with that being said, (f)un-employment has had some upsides. Here is a little look at my daily schedule:
9:00 AM- Wake up slowly
9:20 AM- Go up stairs and talk with Dam Dog or Mom
9:30 AM- Call potential employers and leave a message
9:32:30 AM- Make breakfast
9:40 AM- Eat Breakfast
9:55-12:00 PM- Watch Sports Center, apply for jobs, catch up on facebook, news, running news, and comedy websites, and generally waste time on the internet, as well as read.
12:00-1:30 PM - Run, do sit ups and push-ups, and shower (normally while listening to a podcast to learn Spanish)
1:30-2:30 PM- Shower and make lunch
2:30-4:00 PM- Go to the local Governor's Ranch pool, where I am the oldest person and actually enjoy adult swim (I know, it's sad)
4:15-4:45 PM- Nap
5:00 PM- Go up stairs
5:02-6:00 PM- Waste time on internet, play guitar, and read
6:00-7:30 PM- Watch Jeopardy, eat dinner with the family, and regroup
7:30-Bed time (between 12-2am)- Either go out with friends or watch movies, glee, or other random nonsense with the fam
repeat.
Goodbye lazy days, let's hope I still know how to work hard!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Mary Tyler Moore; More Than Just a Bombshell
This morning I woke up to an interesting quote by Mary Tyler Moore that said, "You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you." I've been really lucky the last few weeks to have a lot of things, as simple as a well-timed quote, pop up to remind me that life's pieces all fall into place like they are supposed to.
This quote was really helpful today because, let's be honest, the last month hasn't been the best I've ever had. Being dubbed lazy, disrespectful, and a person who will lie about the severity of a family member's illness to get time off isn't the biggest self-esteem booster. Though I know this is all libel, and that any organization who will let go of a volunteer mid-event in a random town on the other side of the United States from their home without warning, is probably not a place where I want to donate my time, It's still tough. I truly admire a lot of what Invisible Children does and I've grown a lot through the organization before and after volunteering with them (mixed, of course, with a lovely organization called BeadforLife and the friendships found in Sarah McCall, Erin Fischer, and Chelsea Burns). The thing is though, having experienced my treatment, seeing the same poor treatment happen to a lot of other roadies in poor situations, and IC promoting the mentality that you can basically treat people however you want and get away with it because, "we are ending a war," is not an easy concept to grasp. I do still believe in Jason Russell's undying idealism, Jedidiah Jenkins's relentless love and compassion for every person ever, the truth Lindsay Williams speaks in the Tony film, and the empowerment youth feel when they get involved, but a lot has changed for me. I found that I'm at a point in my life where I need to take a break from IC, and take time to lick my wounds and re-group. There are a lot of great organizations creating economic and educational initiatives in Uganda and the DRC, and though IC has done great work, none of these NPOs are ending this war. They are creating mediums of peace and prosperity in war-torn areas, (which is one huge aspect to ending violence) but the only people going to end this war are governments. It's a sad realization I've come to, because I am much more a believer in grassroots campaings, but soldiers are going to stop soldiers, and governments are going to stop wars (after they milk them for all they are worth). A t-shirt sold isn't going to take a gun out of a rebel's hand, but it is going to help a region rebuild, and that is not something to overlook.
But like I said before, there has been a lot of positive things surrounding me throughout the last month. Besides small omens that remind me of my faith, and huge support from friends and family, one thing that really has helped me keep on keepin on is taking pride in my close friends' achievements, and looking at them as examples of how to progress. One of my best friends, Jason, is a shinning example. He is a person who has pursued his passion in multiple things, taken risks and huge leaps of faith, only to experience huge failure that led him to hightailing down HIS path to His dream. For me, I'm so inspired by his passion, and finding what he is put on earth to do. Each day when I hear new stories about doors opening, and seeing how a path becomes quite illuminated once you find and purse it, I want to keep pushing. I want to find my passion, and most of all, I want to find my purpose. It's been cool to see it happen on the small scale as well, with friends making huge strides in relationships, and realizing their own worth. A good friend of mine from CU, who I've worked with for years and seen her go through some rough relationships, called me on the phone a few nights ago. She told me of what she's learned about lacking aspects in past relationships, and places where she thought she was coming up short, but realized it wasn't the case. It was enlightening and moving for me, and gave perspective on how I need to approach dating and vulnerability with future relationships.
Though these victories for my friends have been a much needed vehicle of hope, do I have a bit of bitterness towards Invisible Children? I'm only human, and it would be a lie to say I don't. I miss the friends I made there, I'm jealous of those who have found family in their entire team, instead of deceit and hurt, and I'm very sad to not be reuniting with those whom I really created solid bonds with. But the thing is, I know myself, and as much as this last month has had some lllloooowwwww (read with a deep, baritone voice) lows, I've also been reminded of my worth, my strengths, and my blessings. I have some amazing friends, an extended family across the US, and a wonderful friend, who is more like a sister, whom I never would have met without this journey. It is definitely an uphill road from here, and my path still lacks lucidity, but daily omens and reminders to keep faith make it a much easier road to traverse.
This quote was really helpful today because, let's be honest, the last month hasn't been the best I've ever had. Being dubbed lazy, disrespectful, and a person who will lie about the severity of a family member's illness to get time off isn't the biggest self-esteem booster. Though I know this is all libel, and that any organization who will let go of a volunteer mid-event in a random town on the other side of the United States from their home without warning, is probably not a place where I want to donate my time, It's still tough. I truly admire a lot of what Invisible Children does and I've grown a lot through the organization before and after volunteering with them (mixed, of course, with a lovely organization called BeadforLife and the friendships found in Sarah McCall, Erin Fischer, and Chelsea Burns). The thing is though, having experienced my treatment, seeing the same poor treatment happen to a lot of other roadies in poor situations, and IC promoting the mentality that you can basically treat people however you want and get away with it because, "we are ending a war," is not an easy concept to grasp. I do still believe in Jason Russell's undying idealism, Jedidiah Jenkins's relentless love and compassion for every person ever, the truth Lindsay Williams speaks in the Tony film, and the empowerment youth feel when they get involved, but a lot has changed for me. I found that I'm at a point in my life where I need to take a break from IC, and take time to lick my wounds and re-group. There are a lot of great organizations creating economic and educational initiatives in Uganda and the DRC, and though IC has done great work, none of these NPOs are ending this war. They are creating mediums of peace and prosperity in war-torn areas, (which is one huge aspect to ending violence) but the only people going to end this war are governments. It's a sad realization I've come to, because I am much more a believer in grassroots campaings, but soldiers are going to stop soldiers, and governments are going to stop wars (after they milk them for all they are worth). A t-shirt sold isn't going to take a gun out of a rebel's hand, but it is going to help a region rebuild, and that is not something to overlook.
But like I said before, there has been a lot of positive things surrounding me throughout the last month. Besides small omens that remind me of my faith, and huge support from friends and family, one thing that really has helped me keep on keepin on is taking pride in my close friends' achievements, and looking at them as examples of how to progress. One of my best friends, Jason, is a shinning example. He is a person who has pursued his passion in multiple things, taken risks and huge leaps of faith, only to experience huge failure that led him to hightailing down HIS path to His dream. For me, I'm so inspired by his passion, and finding what he is put on earth to do. Each day when I hear new stories about doors opening, and seeing how a path becomes quite illuminated once you find and purse it, I want to keep pushing. I want to find my passion, and most of all, I want to find my purpose. It's been cool to see it happen on the small scale as well, with friends making huge strides in relationships, and realizing their own worth. A good friend of mine from CU, who I've worked with for years and seen her go through some rough relationships, called me on the phone a few nights ago. She told me of what she's learned about lacking aspects in past relationships, and places where she thought she was coming up short, but realized it wasn't the case. It was enlightening and moving for me, and gave perspective on how I need to approach dating and vulnerability with future relationships.
Though these victories for my friends have been a much needed vehicle of hope, do I have a bit of bitterness towards Invisible Children? I'm only human, and it would be a lie to say I don't. I miss the friends I made there, I'm jealous of those who have found family in their entire team, instead of deceit and hurt, and I'm very sad to not be reuniting with those whom I really created solid bonds with. But the thing is, I know myself, and as much as this last month has had some lllloooowwwww (read with a deep, baritone voice) lows, I've also been reminded of my worth, my strengths, and my blessings. I have some amazing friends, an extended family across the US, and a wonderful friend, who is more like a sister, whom I never would have met without this journey. It is definitely an uphill road from here, and my path still lacks lucidity, but daily omens and reminders to keep faith make it a much easier road to traverse.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
I said, " Give me a Ben Keesey," and now I look like this.
I never realized that staying up till three am when you gotta wake up at seven could be so fun, but welp, it is! After seeing an in house Lady Gaga performance from our host brother, then dressing up like hipsters for a photo shoot, this seemed like the logical next step....
Thursday, March 3, 2011
24 years and one week
I know some people dread birthdays and getting older. Let's be honest, I think I'm definitely getting closer to that stage, but at the moment, I really like each passing year. I'm a firm believer in another year older, another year wiser, as well as the best time of your life is always the present. The fact that I am in high schools most weekdays too and being reminded what an awkward period of life that is, welp that's a good reminder that I should be happy to be where I am at.
But regardless of liking growing older or not, it happens, and I know for me I like to reflect on what I've seen in the past year. 23 was a pretty crazy year for me. It saw love, triumphs, travel, and new adventures, juxtaposed by unexpected heartbreak, failure, stagnation, and inaction. I hit a lot of crossroads, which led me to have to overcome barriers that I didn't necessarily want to face. The year saw me gain acceptance to a program which was supposed to catalyze my future, only to lead me to more confusion and a leave me further away from being a grown-ass man. Friends came and went, new relationships where made, I lived at home for 2 months, which before thoroughly enjoying it, I feared for four years in college. and it all chalked up to a my fateful birthday in London, Kentucky where my new friend Ryan proceeded to tell me, "It's your birthday? We needa go to Taco Bell, that's what we do here!." I couldn't think of any better way to wrap up a crazy, wonderful year.
I think what this new year holds for me is re-emergence of desire and a lot of personal growth. College was an interesting time, and for those of you who know me and the experiences I had, you know that my tumultuous 5 years were far from the norm. I've been writing a lot about the type of experiences that come and completely blindside you, sweeping your feet from under you, and removing the ground you once found balance on. What really sticks out to me is that those experiences don't just come and go, they change you. In fact, they rebirth you. It's like rehabbing from an injury that leaves you temporarily disabled, except more in the metaphorical sense, and instead of learning to walk again, your learning to breath again. For me personally, that PT has taken a long time, but it is absolutely starting to pay off. I think, actually, I know this year is going to see such positive change. I've been experiencing it since I left CO, and I'm more focused now than I have been in years. I'm blessed to be in the position I am in now, traveling the country, and working for the organization which fell into my path in the midst of that rebirthing experience 4 years ago. I couldn't think of any place I would rather be, or anything more beneficial. 24 will be a year of growth, change, and progression, that is something I can bank on.
Favorite Songs of the Week: For when I'm home sick, Paper Bird-Colorado and one that makes me happy, Penny and the Quarters - You and Me
But regardless of liking growing older or not, it happens, and I know for me I like to reflect on what I've seen in the past year. 23 was a pretty crazy year for me. It saw love, triumphs, travel, and new adventures, juxtaposed by unexpected heartbreak, failure, stagnation, and inaction. I hit a lot of crossroads, which led me to have to overcome barriers that I didn't necessarily want to face. The year saw me gain acceptance to a program which was supposed to catalyze my future, only to lead me to more confusion and a leave me further away from being a grown-ass man. Friends came and went, new relationships where made, I lived at home for 2 months, which before thoroughly enjoying it, I feared for four years in college. and it all chalked up to a my fateful birthday in London, Kentucky where my new friend Ryan proceeded to tell me, "It's your birthday? We needa go to Taco Bell, that's what we do here!." I couldn't think of any better way to wrap up a crazy, wonderful year.
I think what this new year holds for me is re-emergence of desire and a lot of personal growth. College was an interesting time, and for those of you who know me and the experiences I had, you know that my tumultuous 5 years were far from the norm. I've been writing a lot about the type of experiences that come and completely blindside you, sweeping your feet from under you, and removing the ground you once found balance on. What really sticks out to me is that those experiences don't just come and go, they change you. In fact, they rebirth you. It's like rehabbing from an injury that leaves you temporarily disabled, except more in the metaphorical sense, and instead of learning to walk again, your learning to breath again. For me personally, that PT has taken a long time, but it is absolutely starting to pay off. I think, actually, I know this year is going to see such positive change. I've been experiencing it since I left CO, and I'm more focused now than I have been in years. I'm blessed to be in the position I am in now, traveling the country, and working for the organization which fell into my path in the midst of that rebirthing experience 4 years ago. I couldn't think of any place I would rather be, or anything more beneficial. 24 will be a year of growth, change, and progression, that is something I can bank on.
Favorite Songs of the Week: For when I'm home sick, Paper Bird-Colorado and one that makes me happy, Penny and the Quarters - You and Me
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
A Beautiful Interaction
I came across the article randomly, but I'm very happy to have found it. I've grown such much as a person through discovering the beauty of different faiths, so the fact people are taking initiative and creating a conference to promote this dialogue makes me :) take a read and enjoy! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/qasim-rashid/a-muslim-a-christian-a-si_b_826157.html
Saturday, February 19, 2011
New Favorite Song!
Please take 4 minutes and click this link, and listen to the song circles. I absolutely adore it! This is my new running/driving/playing at night song when you are far away from City lights, and can't see anything but stars and country :)
Hope you enjoy!
On a random note, here is an interesting tidbit from the organization One . One has done a lot with advocacy for the developing world and US aid, so it's always interesting to hear their perspective.
Keep Ugandan in your thoughts and prayers for a safe and fair election!
Hope you enjoy!
On a random note, here is an interesting tidbit from the organization One . One has done a lot with advocacy for the developing world and US aid, so it's always interesting to hear their perspective.
Keep Ugandan in your thoughts and prayers for a safe and fair election!
Friday, February 18, 2011
On The Road
It's crazy to think our first five weeks are done at IC, but now starts the even more exciting part! I'm writing now from the back of our IC van as we cruise down I-40 East to Tulsa, OK. We have already had some great experiences thus far, and we haven't even had our first screening yet. We are really starting to get a feel for each other as a team, and we are all excited to start doing what we cam here to do. 2 days down, and already we've experienced a faulty GPS route, an impromptu banjo concert, and a teepee village getting ransacked by a T-rex. I can only imagine what else is in store. Here a a few pictures from the road. Hope you enjoy!
Launch Dinner!
vans getting ready to go!
Entering Arizona!
Our GPS apparently likes Indian Casinos
Our new found friend
Texas Sunset
Texas
Oklahoma
Launch Dinner!
vans getting ready to go!
Entering Arizona!
Our GPS apparently likes Indian Casinos
Our new found friend
Texas Sunset
Texas
Oklahoma
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