The little things

Semester drawing near, my desk has become pilled with information. I am falling behind, but not yet fallen. With so much time being devoted to school I sometimes skip a meal. It was not the case last Monday. I had spent the prier night in Eunice & James L. West Library working on a history paper that was due the next morning. I had worked till the library had closed, which was ten. I was extremely tired after leaving the library and still not done with my paper. I know I would be back early in the morning.

The next morning, I got up and was at the front door of the library at 7:30, right as they opened the doors.  I quickly set down at one of the desk and got to work. I was able to complete my paper and have time to eat a quick meal right before class. I printed off my paper a headed to the sub to get an egg burrito. I got one set down and ate it. It was so goooood. I told Shawn behind the desk thanks and that it hit the spot. Shawn must have seen how fast I ate that burrito because as soon as I set down to start a different assignment in the sub, I had another burrito in my hand. He told me that he would give it to me if I would pass it on. See Shawn takes all of the tip money that they receive and he gives it back to the students. He had made me a burrito that he knew that I wanted, and just asked that the dead did not end on me.

The Meaning

People impact people. What a profound statement. Everything in the world is an action of a reaction. It is crazy to think of all the possible conclusions that we could have in our life. Every day we have the chance to impact someone. Anything out of my mouth or any action we may take will affect another human being.

So I thought. Can I impact every person today in a positive way? Shawn pushed me to take more time out of my day to say thanks. He showed love in an unexpected place to an unexpected person.

I want to challenge you. Impact just one person tomorrow. Really think how can I put a smile on a person’s face? What would this world be if everyone could show love to anexpecting people?

What a Night

Last night was a wild night. Have you ever been told that nothing good happens after midnight? Well this past Friday night, that statement could not have been any truer. This past Friday sever of my friends and I went out for a night on the town, in Dallas. We meet up at a friend’s house that lives in lower Greenvill, to have a cookout before we hit the town.

After our bellies were full, we discussed were we should go out for the night. It was anonymous. We had decided on the house of blues. Ray Charles was playing an event tonight to raise money for the blind. We thought this would be a fun night with some great music. We loaded up the cars and headed to bar.

When we arrived we quickly found a spot. We pulled our car in and proceeded to the doors, of the house of blues. Before we got too far away from the truck, a man hollered out, “That’s my spot. I had to run up the street to drop someone off. My friends and I all looked at one another for advice. We all had the same idea. We kept walking. Once inside, the night took off. The music was loud and the women were beautiful. About thirty minutes had passed and I noticed the man that had yelled at me was extremely sweaty when he walked through the door. I did not think much of it; it was more of an observation. Another hour past and the concert were coming to an end. We wanted to beat the traffic so we heading out the door about ten mines before the concert had ended. When we got outside my truck, the one that the man asked us to move had glass lying all around its wheels. Every window in the truck had been smashed. Surely the man that did not get his parking spot had not done this. Was this spot such a big deal. Furies, we set and waited to see if the man was going to come out and look at the truck. He never came out. We set in the parking lot for twenties minutes until we saw a cop. I don’t know if we were waiting on the cop, or anyone that looked like they knew was going on. When the cop came up to the car, he spent no time telling us that they had already caught the suspects. Some kids were going around town breaking people’s windows. They had been arrested and taken down to the jail. They had broken five people’s windows and attempted to steal a car to get away.

After messing with the cops and them collecting all of my information, we loaded up the glass filed seats and headed back home. What luck we have, I thought to myself as we drove back to his house. What luck…. Then it started to rain….   

My Pup

Just the other day I got to take a short break from all the competing interest in my life, to play with my dog. My pup has been with me for five years now and he is just the calmest thing. I attempt to play with him in my backyard, but he does not understand the meaning of fetch to well. We have got down the concept of go get it but we quit cant figure out how to bring it back, so our games end pretty quickly.

But this past Wednesday was a different story. I took my dog out to the park. Not too many people were at the park at noon so I felt it was ok to take off the leach. I brought a tennis ball with us in hopes he would want to play. Even if he didn’t want to it, was nice to be outside. I tossed the ball and he set and looked at me. I looked at him. I walked to get the ball. We were not off to the best start. I tossed the ball again. Same result.  I thought to myself, one more time. He’s got one more chance and the ball goes in my pocket. I tossed it again, he took off after it. He brought it back and dropped it at my feet. Amazed, I told him good boy and petted his soft white fur. I quickly picked up the ball and tossed it again. Nothing! My dog set right at my feet. I walked and got the ball and tossed it again. Nothing. Once more, and the same result. I then relived that my dog was training me.

I have been blessed with a great life. People would love to have the life that I live. I have always had people around that love me and have been supportive.  I have always had the necessities of living day to day. When I was younger, I can’t remember how many times I was unable to get the things that I wanted in life.

So why am I unhappy? I know that people would love the life I have lived. I think it is due because of the drive my parents have with stilled in me. I am ready to walk across the stage and receive one of the biggest pieces of paper in my life. Once I graduate, the only thing I can think about is given back to the people that have gotten me so far. My family has fallen upon hard times; I can’t wait to help the people that have helped me so much.

First thing first. I need not be worried about the rest of my life. I need to be thankfull for today and the BEAR NECESSITIES will come to me!!!

BETTER BLOGS

I wanted to give a few helpful hints to help you write blogs in the future. Here are my top 3 ideas that may improve your blogs.

1.      Blogging Schedules

Set yourself a time that you devote to your blog. The time and the length of your blog need to stay consistent. In order for readers to gain interest in your blog, you must write often to allow readers the option to follow your postings. Posting often will also improve your word usage, which will then increase popularity of your blog.

2.      Take notes

In order for people to follow your blog, your content must be accurate and your information needs to be up to date. The best way to insure that information you are posting is accurate, you need to jot key points down, when you see the opportunity to blog. Your readers need to gain trust in you. Putting information that is correct will grow that trust. Taking notes will also give you more ides to talk about in your blog.

3.      Write everyday

The only way to become confident in your words and sound compelling to your readers, you must write often. Writing is a good skill for you to work on. The more you write the easier writing will become.  It is not necessary for you to post everything that you see, you, write to stretch your “writing tools,” and get better at blogging. Think of it as an athlete’s point of view. In most cases he or she must practice daily to set themselves apart on the field. A writer must think the same way.

Weekend Ready

I have been under the gun with deadlines, thinks to my new job. Your right, I just got a new job as a valet downtown. I am working very hard to stay on top of all my studies, from this past week, and frankly I am ready for a break. I am looking forward to going out this Saturday to watch the .Rangers play. Some old friends from high school are going to be in town. We plan to all meet up, and go out to eat and then to watch the Rangers game at the Pour House. The pour house is on 7^th street close to downtown. They have been in the newspapers recently, for having a lively crowd when any Texas sports team takes the field. Saturday the rangers are going to play game three against the Saint Louis Cardinals. The series is tied at one. Come down to the Pour House on 7^th street, at 7:05, to support the home team And if you can't make it, who do you think will win game three?

Getting lucky

The past week I received a call from a family member. He asked me, “If I wanted a job?” I was extremely happy to hear this. I have had a hard time of late, and to be given a job is a blessing.

 I started this past Thursday night. I worked hard. I wanted them to look pass the fact that I have not learned how to drive a stick. That night at work was fun. It is kind of cool to jump in the expensive cars. They are worth that much money for a reason. The leather in some of the high end cars is amazing. It makes me want to work harder in order to have things like those cars. After felling like a big shot driving around in sweet cars, the manager called me over. He quickly asked if, “I wanted to work again.”You know my answer! The manager took down my number, and asked if I could work three more days. I was ecstatic. I had such a good time working and the people I work with make it pleasurable to be there. We all need the money, so everyone is working hard. No one has a big head.

I worked that following day and then again, on Saturday.  I also have work tomorrow. It will be the first day I get money, and I will also receive a shirt with my name. No longer will people call me Nate.

ALCS Champs

Game one was a complete disaster. The Tampa Bay Rays and the Texas Rangers kicked off the 2011 MLB playoffs. Game one was played in Arlington Texas at four o’clock, this past Friday. The rangers got off to a rocky start. Pitcher C.J. Wilson started for the Rangers, he was relived in the sixth inning. Before the Rangers pulled Wilson, the damage had been done. Tamps bats were hot from the start scoring six runs before the 5^th inning. After Wilson departure, the Rays continued their push to win the game and shut the door on the Ranger’s hopes for game one. Tamp won the opener eight to zero. Game two is tonight at 2pm. Let’s Go Rangers

After I watched game one, I expected the rangers to come back hot game two seeking revenge. They have not been the type of team to lie down at all this season. Expectedly the Rangers came back strong. Ranger’s defense was clean. They had 0 errors to go with the 14 hits they were able to put together on the Rays pitching staff. Although game two was close the rangers took it 4-2.

Rangers win. The Rangers stayed hot in the next two games and won them both. I was upset that I was not able to watch the game on TV but to listen to the listen to an announcer on the radio filled the gap a little. I am working on tons of homework at the café down the street from my house. As soon as I finish believe you me, I am flying home to watch ESPN. I am looking forward to seeing the post game celebrations. The rangers were a good team last year and since have improved. Look forward to watching the Rangers game one on Saturday Oct. 8. They are awaiting the winner of the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers. If the Tigers win, we will have game one in Texas. If the Yankees can come from behind in the series, we will be playing in the big apple.   

Right around the corner

Just the other day it hit me. Now that I have thought about it for a couple days and it is starting to sink in, it is making me anxious and eager. My life is going to change fast when December comes around. It’s time for me to graduate!

When I sit back and think about graduating, I fill with excitement. I have lived in the same house for 23 years, excluding two years I spent at school in Oklahoma. I have never left my home roots. I am excited for the day when I can pick up all of my things, leave the house and start a new life.  Don’t get me wrong. Living at home is nice. But sometimes it feels like a prison. I want to break out and take a big bite of the world. I want to get my hands dirty and work hard for something.  I want to put all this hard work behind me. I am ready to turn those grades in to cash. I look forward to starting my career.

Career. When I hear that word I feel began to feel old. I feel like I now have a purpose. I am looking forward to starting my life. When I start feeling all of these emotions, I know it’s time to enter the real world and get a job. I have been blessed with people at Texas Wesleyan that are putting me in the right situations too succeed. This week the school is putting on a weeklong clinic. They are helping students out with resume clean ups, practice Interviews, real interviews, dinner etiquette and hopefully getting some lucky students a new job.  This job could possibly turn in to a career.  The employers are looking for college students. They are looking for part time, full time and even positions that people may never want to leave. I am setting my expectations high during the interviews. I hope that all the companies don’t want me. I would hate to disappoint someone. On the other hand if no one wants me,( not likely with fingers crossed), I would know  that this was just not the opportunity I was looking for. I was taught that you all ways have two ways to look at something. Good or bad. You can’t begin to imagine what good a person can do if they look at every situation as a positive. Your Outlook will change for everything. If no one wants me it was because I am to do grater things. It would just be a little more convenient if I was to find an employer through the school.  The jobs are out there. I have always felt this way. Now it’s my turn to grab one and show everyone around me what I am capable of doing. Get ready world. I am on your heals!!! 

Eye on a little lady

                I have had a small crush on a fellow class mate. This girl is beautiful, long blond hair, deep blue eyes and a smile that can turn anyone’s day around. She is a hard worker and from what I can see so far, she has her head on right and is sticking to the course. We walk anxiously from class to class, but text and talk daily on the phone. With both of our schedules being packed with work and school, we have been unable to meet up. We have been talking now for just shy of three weeks.

                Last night was the first time that our schedules allowed us to meet. I know that since this was the first time and that I may not get another chance for a while, I had to do it right the first time. I had to sweep her off her feet and show her a good time around town.  What happened was unexpected. The night started off with me at her front door at eight- thirty. I picked her up and we headed down town. The first thing she told me was that no guy has ever opened her car door.  This was a shock to me. Shivery dead? Anyway, I know we were off to a good start. We headed towards down town to eat at Razzoo’s  Cajun Restaurant.  The car ride could not have gone any better. Conversation and laughter filled the car. We arrived down town and headed to the restaurant. Once we got to the restaurant we walked right in and got a table. Surprisingly, we had no wait.

                Dinner was nice. We sat and talked more then we ate.  As a matter of fact, I can only recall taking about ten bites of my food. We were so involved with one another that the food sat on the table as decoration. Not a moment of the dinner hour was silent. We talked about the most random and close to home topics one would be comfortable discussing on a first date.

                After dinner we walked back to the truck, hand in hand. This was “kind of a big deal”.  I had been struggling to get a hug from her.  Let me tell you that this one had a huge shell on her back. She was so awkward but in the most fantastic way. Her being awkward was really the main reason that we got a long so well in my opinion. It was interesting for me to have to pull her out of her shell these past few weeks. So when we arrived back to my truck what happened next caught me off guard. We were in the elevator fixing to exit when she said, “Hey, are you going to kiss me or do I have to make the first move.” Stunned I just looked at her. The tables had turned and now I had become the awkward one.  After I gave her a puzzled look the door to the elevator door opened.  She took a step out of the door and turned around and was just waiting.  I quickly moved in for the kiss, thinking that this day was never going to come. I just gave her a quick peck on the cheek.  She smiled and looked disappointed.  I on the other hand know how bad she wanted me to miss her cheek and hit her lips. After I pulled away she had a confused look on her face. I just smiled. She was turning back to the car, when I grabbed her hand again and spun her around. Our lips locked and we shared our first kiss.

Shoulder Pain

                Being back in school has its perks. Yes getting a degree that will help me in my hunt of landing a job is the main reason I attend, having a gym that I can also use at anytime is a huge bonus. Since the beginning of school, I have been waking up at five A.M., eating a good breakfast, and heading to the gym.   I have placed myself on a very intense workout schedule.   I work out Monday-Friday and occasionally, if I am not completely dead from the weeks work out you may find me in the gym Saturday or Sunday, for a quick cardio. 

Since I have started I’ve seen the amount of weight increase throughout all my lifts. I have become stronger in my legs by breaking them down with full body squats and also hack squats. My upper body is also working hard. I have seen a ten pound increase in the past two weeks. I have been feeling   great, and I find myself being able to accomplish more each day. That includes from the work that I am doing in the gym along with the school work that I must stay on top of.

Starting up

This past week was a very productive week.  Getting back into the swing of school came pretty fast for me this year.  This semester I am taking twenty-one hours in order to graduate this December.  Getting back in school, staying focused and ready to work is the key to completing my degree. 
     The first week of school was hectic.  Every other day I spent time in the administration building or in my advisor's office.  My schedule gave us all problems.  I need to complete my degree this semester and there was a shortage of classes I could potentially sign up for to work into my degree plan.
     Currently I have 127 credits but need another 21 hours (all upper level courses 3's and 4's).  After reviewing all the courses offered for the fall semester, it came down to only 13 classes I would be able to select from.  On top of that, I needed all morning classes due to my work schedule.

     After spending four solid days talking to all my advisors, and even being kicked out of one class I attended, my class schedule was finalized and approved for graduation requirements.

     The task then began to quickly catch up on assignments that were already beginning to pile up.  Week two I hit the ground running.  If I can maintain this mindset and focus, I will have a successful year and a happy graduation day.