k8sk8s's Xanga

"If God Calls You To Something, He'll Give You the Power to Do It...."

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 00:12:03 GMT

If God Calls "You To Something, He'll Give You the Power to Do It...."

At least, that's what Robert said at the college service tonight... And it's true--and comforting.

I just wish I knew the details about what God is calling me to. Judging by the way the rest of my life goes, I'll spent hours contemplating the future, only to have something huge happen at the last minute... Most major things seem to happen on the deadline for me, with little or no warning. God sure does like to suprise me.

And I like being suprised. Even though I'm somewhat of a control-freak, I like looking back over my life and seeing how everything worked out: adopting my dog Penny, getting the scholarship, deciding on Baylor, taking a year off, doing IHOP-ATL, going to Spain last summer... The list goes on and on.

The BICers just read Bobos in Paradise for Social World II. It's a "philosophy book" commentating on modern American culture. Not that I agree with everything, but it did make me reconsider some things about my life. Much of the book discusses typical academia-initiated cycle: college education, grad school, internship, job, promotion, making $$$, spending $$$.... Education is good, and money is good (one must eat). But is that really what I want to do?

I know everything is in it's right place for now. But I feel kind of lost, like I don't know where I'm headed. I'm wondering if my life is about to shift again... Ok God. Now what?

Sometimes I almost wish I didn't have so many options. There's a lot of responsibility in my life now--the clubs, activities, and GPA I have now will affect the future. So far, I feel extremely blessed. I don't feel like I do anything to make the pieces of my life come together, but they do.

I just don't know what the pieces of my life are coming together to make. Whatever God and I make with my life, I don't think it will look too traditional.

And while I'm here thinking, life continues on: Summer school will be a new experience, especially with many of my friends gone. And then I'll be in Europe for the fall.

The Super-Duper TCU Island Party Adventure

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 00:51:51 GMT

Lexis and I went to Ft. Worth today for the TCU Island Party. Such an adventure!

When Lex and I got there, I told her that one of the guys on stage looked like my friend Eric from Baylor. A few minutes later, I realized that it actually was Eric. lol.

Then Jeff Mathena played. He's funny, so listen closely if you ever hear him. And, of course, he has nice songs!

And then GRO played. I would elaborate, but I'm hoping it's not necessary... seeing as the mileage on my car has GROwn by a lot in the past year. Speaking of which--April 25, 2006 was my first GRO concert at the Hippodrome in Waco. lol. I really shouldn't know that... I went all by myself, only because Jamey sent a random myspace message to people in the Waco area. I'm SO GLAD I went that day. My life would be very different if I hadn't stumbled upon them.

When Lex and I went out to my car to get our hoodies (for hoodlums like us need hoodies), my car wouldn't unlock with the button. Uh-oh. And then it wouldn't crank, or anything. I crawled out the passenger door because I parrallel-parked on a busy street, and so my automatic lights didn't turn off... Ooops. (Hey, it happens to everybody at some point.)

Luckly, some of Lex's friends from Dallas were in Ft. Worth at a rodeo only a couple minutes away, so they came and jumped us off. Picture a gigantic Dodge Ram pulling a massive horse trailer (with horses in it) parked in the middle of the street next to my car, right across from TCU. It was a Kodak moment, but I didn't think about it at the time.

So Lex's friends followed us to her house in Dallas (horses and all) and then we all swam in the pool. So it was a good night, after all.

Dallas Dirt....

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 01:12:16 GMT

Well, I'm in Dallas with Lexis (my friend, not a car)! Yippee!!! The Dallas International Guitar Show started today. Invisible Children had a benefit / video showing too. I ran into some Baylor people at the Common Grounds booth--which made me want CG hot tea. Josh Jenkins (of Green River Ordinance) was my favorite of the musicians I saw--but him alone is definitely a much different sound than GRO. I also liked the style of the drummer in Radient...

But that's not the dirty part.

On the way to my car, I was walking on grass talking to Lex when I suddenly found myself knee-high in black muck. It was liquidy enough to let me sink quickly, but gooey enough to create a thick layer on my pants, shoes, and entire arm. Why my arm? Because I had to reach in up to my elbow to retrieve my shoe! When I went back to wash up, the security guard wouldn't let me in because she couldn't see the stamp on my hand. Well, duh--my entire arm was black. So I went in another entrance and snuck into a bathroom. At least it was memorable!

School, Music, and Stuff...

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:17:52 GMT

Hmm... Yes, it has been a rather crazy week... School is going full force, Pulse is finishing up, PAD just had elections, I'm meeting all the KD girls, and Diadeloso is tomorrow.

Derek Webb plays a 12-string, just so everyone knows. Common Grounds packed a huge crowd inside Sunday night to hear him play. He's got a new CD coming out in May--based on what I heard Sunday, I want it. Of course, my favorite is still "Wedding Dress."

And I just got back from a Common Grounds Invisible Children Concert. A few bands played, including Whitney Whyte, Austin Pitzer,and James Callihan. Ethan Durelle headlined--I hadn't seen them since a Canvas Waiting show freshman year. None of the bands tonight were "my style." Sigh. But I got to visit with some friends, so the evening wasn't a waste!

Deliver Me --David Crowder Band

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:16:23 GMT

Deliver me out of the sadness
Deliver me from all the madness
Deliver me courage to guide me
Deliver me Your strength inside me

CHORUS:
All of my life
I've been in hiding
Wishing there was someone just like You
Now that You're here
Now that I've found You
I know that You're the One to pull me through

Deliver me loving and caring
Deliver me giving and sharing
Deliver me this cross that I'm bearing

Oh, deliver me

Jesus, Jesus how I trust You
How I've proved You o'er and o'er
Jesus, Jesus precious Jesus
Deliver me
Come and pull me through
Come pull me through

And I'm "Killed..."

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 23:25:25 GMT

Not really killed, silly. Just mostly dead from paintball welts.

I played paintball today with Kappa Delta and TKE--my first real event with the sorority... I gotta admit, I had a blast! We all (minus the girls who watched) had a really great time. I think my clothes were more covered with splatter and hits than anyone else, but oh well. I "killed" a few people myself .

The one downside to paintball is the massive welts I have all over my arms and shoulders. Based on good advice from wise friends, I layered a long-sleeve with a T-shirt. I felt sorry for the girls who had bare arms. As for the guys--now they've got some battle scars to show off.

I should have some really lovely bruises to accent my formal dress on Saturday. LOL. I would.

Adventures in College Station. (How I Lost a Bet, And Other Stories)

Sun, 01 Apr 2007 02:45:15 GMT

I prayed for pretty weekend weather all week long. And I was soooo elated to see blue sky again this morning!!!! (Thanks God, for blue sky--it makes me happy)

Lex came down from Dallas and then we drove down to Aggieland for their BUX Island Party. (Hey, apparently one of my old Y&G/CONA buddies is in A&M's BUX, and he invited me. Of course, I was hoping to go already...)

Between bands, Lex and I went to go get drinks. On the way back, we saw the GRO van parked to the side of the stage. At least, I was about 99% sure it was the GRO van--but I couldn't see the license plate to tell for sure. Lex said that she saw motion in the van, and then bet me it was Denton. (He's always the first one she sees at a concert. Yeah, it's odd/funny.) Thinking that the odds were highly in my favor, I took the bet. A few minutes later, guess who appeared. Yep. I lost, so I had to buy her a taco on the way home.

I enjoyed listening to Bethany Dillon, mainly because my Spain roommate last summer listened to her constantly... Most females singers don't really appeal to me, but I really like her song "Beautiful."

And then GRO: Jamey was absent, but everything still sounded great! I was impressed, as ususal. Lex and I wouldn't have known something was missing if we didn't know what it normally sounds like. Of course, Jamey's electric is kinda crucial to the GRO sound. So is Denton's drums. And Joshua's electric. And Geoff's bass. And Josh's voice. Yippee for Green River Ordinace!

I could go on about how fantastic they were... but I won't. (I'll let the milage on my car speak for me.)

Lex was hesitant about sitting down front, because she was afraid the GRO guys might see her and recognize her. It's her fourth concert. ROTFLOL. It's kinda my fourth concert too... fourth concert this month, that is. (Doesn't look like I'll hear them again until the end of the semester though.)

And then we drove home.

The End.

Bad News: Spring Break is over Good News: GRO came to Common Grounds

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 09:33:34 GMT

BAD NEWS: Spring Break spoiled me quickly. Getting back into the school routine is saddening. Especially since I'm still trying to figure out where I'm headed with my college education. Sigh. Cause if I don't go to law school or grad school after college (which I don't particularly like the sound of right now) -- then why in the world am I putting so much effort into University Scholars and Honors? OR maybe I just have a horrendous case of SPRING FEVER.

GOOD NEWS: Green River Ordinance played at Common Grounds tonight. The sound quality was about as good as I've ever heard inside CG. They played "Speak Through Me," which I haven't heard live in forever, so I was really happy!

My chair kept vibrating, but I couldn't figure out why--it just about drove me crazy trying to figure out what was moving me. It wasn't the drums, or the bass, or anyone behind me... Finally, I realized it was Josh keeping beat with his foot. Haha--mystery solved.

Jamey tried his hand at the high hat... literally. I'm fairly sure Denton's position as drummer isn't in any danger--I had a really great view of the drums, and I continue to be amazed. Or maybe mesmerized it a better word. I could stare at the snare for a long, long time. Besides, Jamey has too much fun with his guitar to play drums.

Joshua was playing an acoustic (instead of an electric); I'm assuming since they were inside CG the electric might have been a little much. I enjoyed the acoustic, though--I could hear the guitar and his voice well. I always get aggravated when Joshua's vocals aren't quite loud enough.

My favorite quote of the night would have to be Geoff saying "dramatic pause" when GRO abruptly stopped playing in the middle of a song as Josh switched guitars. You had to be there.

I'm pretty sure I could be completely content listening to nothing but their music for the rest of my life. But then I would be missing out on a lot of great music...

Florez played right before GRO. I hadn't heard them before (other than on their myspace) but I enjoyed them. The lead singer is a pretty crazy guitar player. It's not exactly the style of what I normally listen to, but it was pretty cool.

Fun days and sad times...

Sat, 17 Mar 2007 01:41:47 GMT

Well, it’s Friday night… Only two more days until school resumes in Wackoland. It’s been a slightly hectic week, but I like it that way. I went skating yesterday, for the first time in a loooong time—I’m just a tad sore, but I’ll live. I also had the chance to hang out with some of my old Houstonian friends from high school, which I really enjoyed! I’m pretty convinced that fifty years from now, I’ll still come back to Houston and call them up to have lunch. Old friends are great things.

On a more serious and sad note, mom leaves tomorrow (Saturday) to go to Atlanta. Her Aunt Sal died (cancer), so she’s going to the funeral and then spending a week or two with her parents. We’d appreciate your prayers for her family…

And internet is down, at my house, along with the cable TV. Which means my dad and I will have to resort to something old-fashioned to entertain ourselves tomorrow. Perhaps a picnic. Hmm…

In case you’re wondering, I’m currently “borrowing” my neighbors wireless right now—which is requiring some balancing and acrobatics on my part to keep the computer connected… So I’m going away, now….

I'm in a weird mood... just warning you!

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:30:33 GMT

I played hooky from school today. I'm such a little rebel.

Just kidding--it's spring break! I stayed in Wacko for a couple days to do some volunteer work with Skate254, the organization opening skatepark for all the little skateboarding boys of Waco. I registered skaters for the competition and sold drinks to all the little sweaty urchins. (I enjoy sweaty little urchins, just FYI. My words are not meant negatively at all...)

And then Sunday I headed up to Dallas to spend the day with Lexis. (no, she's not a car...) We went to hear some bands at a little music festival thing near her house. My favorites were The Canvas Waiting (yea! the band that got me started on local live music) and Hero Factor (who has some good songs on their new EP). It was slightly sad, because GRO was not there, but Lexis and I had fun nevertheless. (A couple of the bands, if nothing else, just reminded me of why I love Green River Ordinance... cause whatever GRO's got, some other bands don't...)

Last night (back in Wacko), the smoke detector at my apartment went off at 3 a.m. BBBBEEPBEEEEEP!!!!!!!!! Quite possibly the loudest alarm in the world. After finally finding a chair, ripping the detector off the ceiling, and yanking out the battery, I went back to bed. Then I remembered what smoke detectors are actually for, and I went downstairs to make sure nothing was on fire. (Luckly for sleepy me, it was all fine.)

And now, I am sitting in my bed at home in SUGAR LAND. My dog, Penny is snoring rather loudly on the floor beside me. And now, I am going to bed, cause my current mental state is, well... not so much.