Resolutions

I can't believe this year is seriously over. I would say its been a good one for me. So i'm celebrating my new year at home on the computer. Loser, i know. But I thought I'd write and tell what I'd like to see change for this upcoming year in my life.

• The first thing I want to be (after all, new years resolutions seem to usually be a desire and not much more, anyways...) different is my walk with Christ. It seems like the tail end of this year, I've been weary and not very close to Christ. It's slipped from a priority in my life and I notice it daily with my struggles. On this note, I find it amazing how our magnificient Creator works in our lives. He teaches us and rather wakes us up through the most unique and beautiful ways and/or people. I love it.
• My second earth-shattering resolution is to read more. I've just recently been slapped in the head and started reading more and I love it. I am going to committ much more of my time to sticking my nose in a good book.
• My third resolution is to get my butt back into shape. Track is approaching rapidly and I've had a prolonged, lackadaisical break since cross country. So I plan to up my training and kick it in gear.

So those are my resolutions and please do anything in your power to motivate me. Haha. Good luck with all your resolutions and a very happy new year to all!

Literature

Lately in my Honors English class(might have well taken A.P. sheesh!) we've been reading excerpts from different classic novels and I have actually truly enjoyed a couple. The homework load has been death-defying but all in all I've read some true classics. My friends and I joke that Mrs. Scarlett somehow manages to still dominate us even though she has not even been here this week(keep her in your prayers btw). Anyhow, I thought I'd list some of the books we've read that I'd suggest and plan to finish off later.

Here you go:

• Ernest Hemingway's "To Have and Have Not"--a truely manly novel that brings out the gruesome, beastly man within.
• John Stienbeck's "East of Eden"--OMG! So goooooood. Draws you in even though you feel like you're reading filth(contrast good and evil so....)
• Erich Maria Remarque's "All Quiet on the Western Front"--an awesome war novel that gives you amazing insight into what war is truly like for soldiers. Good manly read as well.

So there are a few classic that I've expierenced thus far but I hope you might pick one of these up and let me know what you think.

Blogging and Turkey.

Wow. I seriously haven't blogged in forever and that upsets me because i love writing and blogging but i honestly haven't had time. and i know what you're thinking, how could a 17 year old boy not have any free time?! school and hanging out, thats it? well apparently not because i haven't been home with free time in forever. well enough of that but this weekend i finally had some time to relax and just enjoy the holidays. Some of you know, my family and I spent our time in Elgin(suburb of Chicago) with some family and friends who might as well be family. Well we stayed in a gorgeous house/mansion equipped with theatre room, steam shower, waterpark and wonderful people. it was seriously amazing. The house belonged to the Buckman's(my aunt's niece's family, its complicated) who have triplet girls and a year younger boy. Noise and more noise. These four bundles of joy enjoyed tackling, punching, cuddling, kicking, screaming and playing with me and occasionally my father, who was given the nickname pizza guy(no idea why? lol). they also labeled me macaroni and cheese guy, which i tried to find a simple, hidden meaning but i could not think of one. so its either their obsession with food or plain goofyness that our nicknames originated from, but either way, after spending countless hours with them, the chef(Ken's(father Buckman) friend, Dave) arrived and prepared one of the best thanksgiving meals i have ever endured. MMMM! So good! The next day some bowling and a hilarious evening with a very passionate discussion between Ken and brother in law Charley about Unions and business and economy and plumbers which all ended in a hug and no broken noses. It was rather interesting and actually learned a little bit about unions(which i happen to be studying in my econonmics class :]). Saturday, shopping, awesome pb&j's and yet againg traveling. We left saturday night and drove all the way through till arrival in Morristown at roughly 5 am. Caught up on some sleep and am now ending my wonderous weekend with relaxation, blogging and even better some jon foreman(my hero) for the ears. But I thought a share just a little of my thanksgiving and i hope your's was as sponataneous, passionate and tasteful as mine!

God is Love.

The Barbarian Way

So I just finished reading the Barbarian Way by Erwin Raphael McManus and I really enjoyed it and took alot out of it. The whole theme of the book is about how Christians today have become civilized and need to get back to their barabaric roots. Throughout the book he explains how we've become civilized and scared and challenges us to get back to our barbaric roots and live fully for God. The book is very motivating and I love his insight on Christians today. I agreed with almost everything he said and his definately challenged me. Here are just two quotes that really struck me----

• "The closer you walk with Christ, the greater faith required. The more you trust him, the more you'll risk on His behalf. The more you love Him, the more you'll love others."
• "Sometimes its easier to believe in a love you can touch than a love that is real."

I encourage anyone who is looking for a challenge in their faith and a good read to pick up this book. Hope you enjoy!!!

Stitches

So just yesterday I got stitches. 6 of them. Right above my eye. Why does this stuff happen to me?! Anyways, so the story goes a little something like this...jay's surprise birthday party(knew about it anyways but really fun). Me and my best friend taylor decide we're gonna go tubing. So we hop on the tube, pumped and determined to not let go. One of drew's friends(drew is jay's little bro) is driving us and he starts us off real smooth. It's the first wide turn and we're losing balance then bam. We get thrown into the water and I feel like I got just got shot in the eye. It was taylor's knee/shin that nailed me right above the eye. Being dibbs, I figured I just hit pretty hard and wanted to keep going. But Taylor and little kid driving are like dude, you're bleeding. And I'm like nah, I'm fine, lets go again. But to my contrary they drag me in and the parents kicked in. So Mrs. Lane takes me home and then I'm off to the E.R. After sitting in the E.R. waiting area for 3 days and listening to the girl with down syndrome complain about the wait and how she just wanted a hamburger I finally got in and got patched up, as the nice, bearded doctor put it. So here are some pics of the whole experience for you to enjoy!

XC Camp

So we just got back from an amazing week at cross country camp up in the Great Smoky Mountains. We stayed in a sweet cabin with sweet rooms, a sweet foosball table, sweet t.v.'s, a sweet pool table and many other sweet things. But basically it was sweet. Anyways, the team moms(Mrs. Frantom & Mrs. Bishop) cooked us delicious meals all week and kept us fueled for our tough runs. We had awesome runs everyday. We woke up at 6(UGH!!!) and either ran a very hilly 3 miler or did circuits. Then at 3 was the main run and we ran in the national park everyday. There were many awesome, hilly, tough runs. One of them, the Ramsey cascades had an amazing waterfall at the top that was honestly breathe-taking(or it might've been cuz i was butt tired that day, haha) but the main attraction would definitely be Mt. Leconte. It was an intense, very very steep 5 miles up to the most beautiful view that I have ever seen in my life. On top of all the fun and excitement of the runs and hanging out, we had awesome team activities led by Mr. Bishop. The activities involved accomplishing various tasks as a team such as walking across boards while balancing each other and many many other neat and tough things. The best part about all these activities is that the team definitely grew and learned many things. We learned alot about trust, communication, focus, goals, unity and other things as a team. The best part about the week is that the team honestly grew closer and learned so much about each other. I feel that our team is unified and are heading in the right direction to accomplish our goal of being state champions this year. The team chose Chris as team captain and Matt, Spence and I as co-captains this year. We are gonna do our best to keep the spirit and motivation alive in our team as well as keep the dream alive. I just wanted to let y'all know how this week went and I hope you'll be watching and cheering us on this fall.

God is Love

Music: Norma Jean-The Anti Mother

Norma Jean's new album the anti mother comes out August 5th and I am actually really excited about this album. I've listened to the three songs they've released and they all each kinda have different sounds and styles and bring something new to the band. I think it is going to be an interesting mix of songs but i'm liking the vibe. From what I've collected, Cory(vocalist) actually plays guitar on the album as well as live. Alot of fans have been complaining that they're going softer but it stills has that edge with cory's sick yells. I like it when bands kind of try a different sound on sepereate albums just as long as they're staying true to what they are. I am definately pumped about this album and will be picking it up on August 5th!

Happy Birthday America!!

Tonight was A-MAZING!!! It started off with an excellent meal of steak and salad at the herolds. Then I went over to spencer's and we longboarded and waited for everone to get to his house. We did a mini-fireworks show for his parents and g-parents. By this time Tay and Caiti and Steve and Childress were there. We then decided to go crash MKK's little sha-bang party. So we got them to come outside and then blew their faces off. We had like a 30 minute fireworks war and it was AWESOME!!! I jus thought I'd share what I did tonight. Thank you, come again.

A Beautful Run(6/28)

Today was an excellent run. I ran 8 to 9 miles at the park with taylor today and i was reminded why i love to run so much. We went a easy, relaxed pace which always feels good. We ran maple arch and it was wonderful. I have an honest love for the shade and green and smell of God's beautiful creation at the park. I know this sounds treehuggerish but i honestly feel like i'm embracing nature when I am out there. Yet another wonderful element of today's run was the conversation with my best friend. We talked about everything from music to relationships, to life and even running itself. We had great conversation and it reminded me why he is my best friend. I love RUNNING!

Blogging

so i'm gonna start blogging my life(which is unbelievably exciting) so everyone should read em and keep in touch!!