Oh!!!

Just a side note, Ill be in Washington DC tomorrow until January 2nd visiting my brother who I havent seen in about 2 years, which is long enough to declare legally dead. Its going to be awesome!!!!.......

Merry Christmas!!!

To all who read this, I wish you a Merry Christmas!!!

But, I have to tell you what happened at my church....

Well, it started out as a regular church day, where I go to church help out the choir, and hang out with friends. It was Christmas eve so my choir was getting ready for our annual Christmas program and we were practicing while helping Father Mike decorate the entire church. Thats when it happened....

Father Mike realized he was in a jam for a part of the Christmas ceremonies, he forgot to pick out a Santa Claus. He and others started fanning out all over the church looking for anyone who could play Santa Claus, and my choir director, whom I have known all of my life, told them that I could do it. Uhhh, needless to say, I immediately said, "No!!!" and went on the rest of the afternoon at the church saying it because lets just say that exactly ten Chritmases ago I played Santa when I was nine for a play that my school put on and I tripped and fell. That experience has haunted me all this time. I also started looking around for anyone else who could play Santa, anyone, but everyone had stuff already to do for the program and couldnt do it. "Why me" I kept asking myself, then I realized that it was because God wanted me to do it. I guess, he wanted me to take that nine-year-old phobia away from my life....

In great reluctance, i agreed. Of course, through all of the entire service and program I was as nervous as I had never been before. I didnt know what was wrong with me because I have been on stage dozens of times, so I guess it was just that event that happened ten years ago....

It was time. I got up there, did whatever Santa Claus does with my experience of seeing it done from other Santas in the past and all in all, it was worth it. To see those kids light up when they saw me was just soooo indescribable. It brought me back to when I was that young. It was awesome. They sat on my lap, told me what the wanted for Christmas, and took pictures with me. Geez, I have a huge soft heart, "Why me!!!", but thanx anyway God....

No Humbug for me.....

Weird, all of these bad things keep happening even when Im at home. This year has totally been a drag...

Ok, once I got back I told my parents about my computer and the lengths i took to get it fixed, and they were proud of my effort to get them not to spend money, but we had to. So, the only place I looked up where I could possibly get it repaired was Northpark Mall in downtown Dallas, about 30 minutes away. Well, my mom and I went there, it took us 20 minutes to find a parking spot, we go in, and the store tells us that it would cost up to $500 to get it fixed. WHAT!!! Needless to say, they suggested we buy another one, so I have been trying to look for good prices for another ever since that day. Next, the dryer broke in our house after I dried my clothes, then, the garabage compactor broke. Today, we just got news that my uncle Chris is doing worse and its only a matter of time now. My mom is flying off to Birmingham to see him tomorrow so she might not be home for Christmas. Oh yeah, my dad found a gray hair on my head and I told him that it had to be because of this semester. That tells you I have had stress....

But, you know what, through it all, Im not mad or depressed because its Christmas. I make sure I do all the family traditions. Like every year, I volunteered at the Salvation Army by handing out gifts to neeedy families for Christmas. Because of the money we have to spend, I might not get a present this year, but you know, I really dont care. Its funny, I could actually care less. I have gotten all the presents for the people who care about me and that is what makes me feel good. Christmas has always been that special time of year for me where I reflect and my life and thank God so much for it. I truly think that this is a test from Him and I bless Him for always making see the true spirit of the Holidays. I truly think that nothing can destroy that spirit for me and thats the only present I need....

Vacation, all I ever wanted.....

Christmas break is here and it's time to celebrate. I am done with astronomy forever!!! So what if I got my first "D" in college, I still passed and that is good enough for me. I thought this terrible semester was complete when my laptop broke....oh yeah, my laptop broke. the connector on the back of the computer that connects the chord to the outlet broke off. So how am I writing this blog, I am at home on my desktop. Anyway, Back to the end of the semester....so as I was saying, I thought that this terrible semester would be complete with the total annihilation and destruction of my laptop, but no, I finally found my silver lining....I know its corny but just go with it, ok.....some really good friends of mine donated some money to buy me a $40 gift card to Hastings. Now, I have seen my fair share of tear-jerking movies in my day and have never cried at any of them, well except Passion of the Christ, but lets not get into that, anyway, this act of just plain awesome kindness almost made me want to show my feminine side. Oh c'mon, every man has a femenine side whether we want to accept it or not. I really can't thank everyone enough for what they did.

Well, its vacation time and on the day after christmas, the 26th, I am going to Washington DC to see my brother. Man, I cant wait because we are going skiing and its going to be awesome. Considering all of the dumb and stupid stuff that has happened to me this semester and normally does not happen in my life, I deserve this vacation.

Vacation, all I ever wanted, Vacation, have to get away......well, you know the rest.....

Be a Follower Not a Leader

For most of my life, my parents have told me to be a leader not a follower, and for most of my life I have strived to be that, but its just not in the cards. I have always been a follower. I have been influenced a lot by other people where in reality I almost have no individuality. Sometimes I just dont stand up for my own personal beliefs enough and when i do, there is a more compelling arguement that comes my way that someone else has brought forth, and I usually go with that. I need a life....

Plus, I help people all the time. I have been doing that since middle school, If people need someone to talk to they always come to me because I am only good to talk to and express feelings to. I have never done a lot just for myself and I guess its bittersweet because Im not really selfish. I always let others go before me, which sometimes is not good in a way. But again I think of how much different the world I know would be if I didnt even exist. Oh well, like I said there will be a satisfaction day for me and thats good enough for me....

Some Day.....

If you are one of those people who were never born with athletic talents or any kind of talent with games, I feel your pain....

This entire semester I have been getting more involved with intramurals at Clark and trying to excercise any kind of athletic talent or any kind of skill I have with games, but sadly I have none whatsoever. None for pool, ping-pong, board games, or sports in general just to name a few. I have lost every game I have come in contact with. You see, when I lose its, of course, my fault, but when Im on a team, we lose either because I suck or I just have this losing aurora around me where I cant be with a winning team. Dont worry, I find it very funny. For example, when I was playing Battleship with either Andy, Ben, or Johnny O, I would start winning at a really fast rate and just when I know I have them beat, out of nowhere this huge fluke happens where they beat me at the last second. Whats the deal!!! I even lose to the person who sucks really bad at something. Oh well, I have faith that one of these days I will win something, and it might be major because all of this losing has to add up to something major happening, I hope....

Well, until that day comes, Ill try to keep being a good sport about things.....

SNOW!!!!!

It was winter wonderland here at Clark Hall. It was awesome to play in the snow then come back inside, watch some movies while drinking hot chocolate. the only problem was that school closed at 3pm instead of earlier, but whatever Im just happy it snowed. I mean c'mon its Texas.

Infinity....NOT!!!!

when people go back and forth when they make jokes, some of them slap on infinity to the end of their joke which means the other person cant make any more. Its funny, but stop and think....nothing is infinite in this world except God, so it doesnt work, HA!!!

Anyway, surprise, surprise, Ive been in one of my moods again and I did promise that I would try not to write depressing stuff anymore, but the time demands it because my Uncle Chris is on life support right now and it doesnt look good.

As I stated in my previous blog, Uncle Chris has had a rough life. He was born paralyzed from the waist down and his immune system not fully working. Uncle is the fifth child of nine children on my mom's side. He is my mom's brother. He is in late forties right now and I see him as a huge role model in my life because he has had to indure his entire life. think of your life. he never experienced a lot of simple pleasure having been paralyzed, being black and living in the segregation era. Every time I see him he always has a smile on his face and he is one the friendliest people you could ever meet. I love him so much.

It goes to show you that nothing is infinite in this world. We take a lot of things for granted and this is what puts me in this mood; not just because of my uncle but how much life throws at us and we always focus on the little things without looking at the big picture. Uncle Chris did and I love him so much for that. Im just glad that he is finally going home and leaving the turbulence that is life to get there.

We all have to focus on the big picture because such things like love is eternal and will never die. My Uncle Chris showed me that. Thanks Uncle Chris.....

Lets Pray....

May God be with my Uncle Chris Powell as he is about to enter heaven. He has had a rough life but he has been an inspiration to me because he is one of the strongest people I have ever met in my life. God Bless him!!!

OMG!!!....

OH MY GOD!!!!!I cant believe the semester is almost over!!!! I cant believe I have had so many terrible days this semester!!!! I cant believe how much fun SWACURH was!!! I cant believe I did something major with out my parents knowing!!!! I cant believe I watched Star Wars for 15 hours.....

I am so glad this semester is almost over because it has been the most physically and emotionally draining semester I have ever had in college. The only class I am afraid of is Astronomy because the teacher makes the class really hard because she gives a lot of information but still has some info on the test that we didnt go over. Logic just adds math to the equation and Im lost. the other classes are fine.

Well, yes, I have had a whole lot of terrible days this semester. Not just in the class but outside the class as well. I dont know why this year has been the season of depression but as a friend recently told me, "If this is the worst time in my life, then I have it good." Its a good quote that I shall remember. These last couple of weeks have been the last of my bad days this semester hopefully. The only thing is that because of all these bad days, little things are beggining to get to me and I hate that because there is no reason for it. Oh well, I am definitely going to try and be the great person that I, my family, friends, and God know that I am.

SWACURH, which mean South West Affiliate of College and Universities for Residence Halls, WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!! I have never had so much joy for being involved in residence life. We traveled to Texas Tech for a conference/retreat for all of the Hall Associations in the southwest region. We did a WHOLE lot of cheers for UNT and yelled so much that I lost my voice the day we came back. There was a lot of bonding on this trip and I met some really cool people from other schools. I am so glad I went and I hope to go again.

I went camping for the 10th time in my life last weekend with a cool group of people and it was the first time i went camping without any Boy Scouts which was fun because it was just a fun trip with friends. The only Eagle Scouts there were ben and I, but I wasnt being much of a scout though since i didnt have some small camping equipment. Oh well, I still had a lot of fun. Its one of those times in my life i will never forget because i did it without my parents knowing.

just to reiterate, people are stupid and i hate stupid people, so i hate myself.....NO!!! of course not, just people who do stupid things, I cant stand, I mean c'mon, can you?.....

The 5th of November....

Remember, remember the 5th of November....I just survived a blackout at Clark and needless to say it was bittersweet. Yeah, we had no power what-so-ever, but it was fun to see everyone just hanging out in the dark and do just stuff. We should have T-shirts for this blackout because it lasted a little over an hour. Yeah, we had fun but people were still frantic. Also, we watched V for Vendetta since its the 5th of November. If you havent seen the movie then you should because its an awesome movie and also to understand why we watched it today.

Remember, remember the 5th of November the gunpowder treason and plot. i know of no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot....

Good Friends....

Throughout my life I have been blessed with awesome friends in my life, but they never last and i feel kind of bad about that. My first ever friend's name was John and he lived directly across the street from me and he was an awesome friend. He was like a brother to me. Unfortunately, he moved away when i was six and i havent seen or talk to him since. From then on, I hadnt had a really good friend since. Especially in middle school, i had no friends but i really didnt care because all of the people in middle school were either mean or just stuck-up. Basically, I hated middle school with every ounce of my being and to this day it still haunts me.

In high school, it was much better because people were a little bit more mature in those times. I do stress the "little" part. I did meet some people who eventually became really good friends to me. Abel, Garnett, Buzz, Chase, Sean, and Jennifer. There was one guy though that became a really good friend and his name ironically enough was Ryan. Ryan Zauber is like me in every way, literally. The only difference is that he is white. We still hang out and talk during the summer while we are both in college; its the same with Buzz.

My point is that I have found that most the time friendship are not everlasting which kind of devasting to me because i feel that every one should have a good friend and God has blessed me many times with that. Now in college I have a lot of people that I have really become friends with and once again its awesome. I guess you cant predict the future so i dont know how long friendship with the people i meet will last. Like i said i still keep in touch with my good friends ryan and buzz while also making friends with others while in college. I dont know what the future holds because I have learned that friends come and go and maybe come back, I just hope that the support, fun, and memories never die. Thanks God for blessing me with awesome friends throughout my life....

AWESOME!!!!

I am currently in the TV room watching the Star Wars marathon and we are on episode five: Empire Strikes Back. Like the Disney marathon, I have been going since 9am and I am damn proud of it. All six star wars movies plus the clone wars on a big projector screen and sound system. Its what i like to do. I cant until next semester when we do lord of the rings. YES!!!!!!!!

Star Wars.....

On a lighter note though, this weekend we will be showing all 6 Star Wars films in order chronologically on a big projector screen. AWESOME!!!!!!!

Crying for those Green Pastures.....

They say that there are only certain times when a an cries. Some examples are a faily tragedy, when his girlfriend or wife is the only one around, or he is alone. Me, I am sitting here in my dorm room alone so its ok for me to cry. Well, there reason I am in my room crying is not because I have lost almost any game at the dorm that I have played an RA at or the fact that I am hating astronomy, it is because of the past weekend.....

The stress started on Friday when I was totally unaware that anything would happen to me since I was really looking forward to this weekend: it was the last weekend before halloween and Clark Hall Association was hosting a Masquerade Ball to celebrate. I had my costume, all the food and donations were sent so everything was set. The only thing that might have made me sad was that some people I knew werent coming. No, not just you andy and ben, but other people I knew as well, but it honestly didnt bother me a lot. So, we are getting ready on Friday and matt griffeth was picking up the food and low and behold, Little Ceasars denied making any kind of agreement with me and only gave us half of what we had asked and gotten confirmed for. Carl and I were pissed. And The Tomato completely forgot our order and it got here very late during the ball. Other than that the ball was fun and I had a blast. Even though there was barely any people there, the people who were there made it very special and I thank them.

Well, i guess you could say I had a bit too much fun because the very next morning I was very sick. It has been going around the dorm for months so I wasnt too surprised by it and was just going to take medicine and let it run its course. That was the biggest disappointment of that day apart from no one being in the dorm. It was dead. It was like the ideal weekend for everyone to leave and go someowhere. Barely anyone was here.....

Sunday was just the pinnacle of disappointment. It began as my fault because I had procrastinated on this 4 page paper that I was supposed to do for my film class, so, being that I was still sick, I decided to get on that. I had about 2 and a half pages done when my phone rings and it was my dad. He was just calling to remind me about what we are going to do for thanksgiving. After that, he starts striking up a general conversation about how I am doing in school and in life and as usual he starts asking me if I have been to any black parties. I have already had an on and off bad weekend so I tell him that I did not want to talk about that again, and then he gives me the "You should be more connected with your race lecture" and says something that I will never forget, and I dont think he knows how uch he affected me, "I wish you were more like that...." Its like he did not even like the way I am. I love my dad, but sometimes he says things that I know he doesnt mean but doesnt realize how much words can hurt......

So the rest of the day and some of this day I have been in a slump. I have been on and off hammered down because of it and if anyone is reading this and has seen me today, Im sorry you had to see me like that. Like my dad, I am sort of sensitive to certain things and they dwell on me sometimes no matter how much I dont want them to. Sorry....

Well, tomorrow is another and I hate that most of y blogs comprise of me being depressed, but if I am happy or sad I do write about it, its just it seems that it is depression season because I have also been doubting my leadership as president, but I have pushed that aside because that is just dumb little satan talking. Anyway, I am in my room right venting on these events that have happened this weekend and I feel that I will be better tomorrow. I am reminded of Psalm 23 and this semester has dealt with my emotions so much that I am still going to carry on. So I am crying, crying for those green pastures.....

Connection...two...

Once again I am depressed and, yes, once again its because of my parents. Its nothing too big this time, its just usual stuff that they keep telling me that aggravates me. If you read my previous blog, Connection, you will understand what I am again going to talk about....

Ok, so while I was at home, my parents gave me this whole lecture on how they are concerned about how connected to my roots as a black man. I do understand that I am black and with that skin color comes a lot of history and consequence. What really got me was how they were trying to make it seem that it was "ok" that I was hanging out with a predominantly mixed group of people. Now, don't get mad at my parents, you have to understand where they are coming from. My mom grew up in Birmingham, Alabama during the fifties and sixties, so she is very grounded and has a good handle on the world. My dad grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas and he was more out-going than my mom and dealt with racism a lot more first-hand. So, I fully understand where they are coming from but its just the fact that my brother and I never had to deal with the horrible prejudice that they had to deal with and I feel that sometimes that when I hangout with different races they feel somewhat threatened....

As I have said in Connection, I feel that one of the purposes in my life as I feel it should be in everyone else's lives is to break the racial barriers that surround us. It makes humanity so much harder to deal with. So it just depresses me sometimes when it seems my parents will always see those barriers that will separate people. It goes with other people. WAKE UP!!! As long as God is in charge, I really doubt that humanity will change. Even if every race except white was killed off, thousands of years later another race would spawn. That was just my little scifi excerpt. As Edward Norton once said, "You can't change the world, but you can make a dent." I dont know about you, but I wish to be that dent in the world even if sometimes my parents disapprove....

Im Still Alive....

Dont worry Im still here, its just that soooo many different, weird, and awesome things have been going on so far which has just had me on the go. I know I said that homecoming was over, but things I have done to compensate for all of the hard work were just awesome and thrilling...

Well, I skipped some classes that I should not have skipped during homecoming week because of how much homecoming demanded of me and I promised myself that the next I would not do that and go to every single one of my classes, which if you have read my past blog, Scheduling Frenzy, it is not an easy thing to do, but I succeeded and I knew it would pay off because I was going to something that weekend which would really be a reward for me for homecoming....

GOING TO THE FAIR!!!! The fair is not just a big thing for Texas, but it is also a huge deal for me and my family as well. According to my parents, I have not missed a fair date since I was born, so I have been to the fair 19 times, wow!!! When I heard that a huge group of my college friends like andy and johnny o had never gone to the fair, literally fell over dead.....nah, Im just messin with ya, but serioulsy....I was shocked and appalled at this, so I got Andy to arrange a day when we go to the fair. We went on the 14th and it could not have been a better day. We saw and did one of everything: we got food, rode rides, bought stuff, and rode the ferris wheel, which Texas is known for since it is the biggest in the nation. After, the fun the main event came along....Jars of Clay. They played at the fair and honestly this was the first concert I had ever been to and was ecstatic because it could not have been with a better band. These guys were awesome and really got the crowd riled up and it got me wound up as well. It was insanely awesome!!!....

After the fair the hardwork began because I then realized that I had two tests on Tuesday. Now, these werent just normal tests, these were tests in my hardest classes on the same day, damn!!! I told everyone from then on that after Tuesday the 16th, i would be good because I knew that day would live in infamy and it did. It started out fine, my first test, Astronomy, went better than i expected. The problem was history because all it comprised of was essay. I felt bad about it because after the test I heard how people had written ten pages worth and i only wrote four, but they were four good pages which is all that matters right? I hope so...What ended the stressful day was when my dvd remote died and it wasnt because of dead batteries, it just died, no more remote I had to get another one....

Which brings me to today. No, I am not writing this blog at Clark, I am currently at home writing this on the home computer. I am home because my family misses me, typical, so I decided to come home for a night, spend time with them, and head back the next morning. But I am not going home empty handed, which brings me back to the remote....I manipulated, wait "manipulated" is such a strong word...I asked my parents if they could get me a universal remote and they agreed. I cant go into long detail on how I got them to do it, but if you ask me in person I will tell you. So I am on my way to wal-mart to buy it, I buy it, leave, and just as I am getting on the intersection without a traffic light, a multitude of cars pass by and I am blinded by their lights since its dark, and it looks like they are all turning into wal-mart so I can go....as I go a car, out of nowhere, comes up and literally comes inches away from crashing into me on the driver's side. Needless to say, I could have died instantaneously. I felt so dumb and stupid for that. Sometimes I feel I just dont deserve God's love and He just gave me a huge, "WRONG!!!" by a near-death experience. Wow!!!

So by nearly dying of shock, cotton candy, concert-craze, 2 tests, and an actual near-death experience, I truly think its a miracle that Im still alive....

7=Perfection according to God....

In the bible, God created the world in seven days and according to Him it was perfect on the seventh day. Now, throughout my life I have always considered this number to be perfect if God has said so....

Ok, now to the relevance of this. I know that our football team is not the greatest.....man, what am I saying, we suck. So, our homecoming game starts at 6pm and I decided not to go because even though we were playing a team that was 0-5, I just did not have all the confidence. That was until I decided to see what Andy was doing and found out he was going to the game at 7:30, so not to feel lonely I decided to go.....

Ok, I have always thought that I bring an auora of bad luck to the team I am ruiting for, and sure enough that was tested once I stepped onto our field and surfe enough the other team scored their first touchdown which put them ahead. Damn. So the game goes on and stricking it turns around when we make a miraculous touchdown to put us ahead with a minute and 25 seconds left in the fourth quater. YES!!!! Until, they scored a field goal to tie us up. Overtime. Ok, I was really anxious but not too much because I knew we would win and it would be over in no time.....

WRONG!!!!!!!, Ok, the game stayed tied and we went into the second overtime. Tied again, third overtime. this time, we should have won, but the ball bounced off the field goal. Fourth overtime, tied again, Fifth overtime. By this time, anxiousness was a huge understatement for what everyone, who decided to stay, were feeling at this moment. Sixth overtime. What was funny to me was that all of the points that each team was getting were all through field goals not touchdowns and each field goal were close-calls for us meaning we could have won, but alas. Seventh overtime. At this point, I was praying to God and asking him why this was happening, then it hit me. 7. Its perfection. And my philosophy was correct, WE WON!!!!!!!!

This was indeed the most interesting games/homecoming games that I have ever been to or seen. It was the classic battle between the worst teams going at it, which maybe the reason why it took so long, but who cares, WE WON!!!!! Everyone rushed to the field because it was such an awesome end to a crazy week. Now, I can rest because it truly is over.

You see, there is a God....

IT'S OVER!!!!!!!.......almost....

FINALLY, Homecoming is over and I can rest and concentrate on more important things, like my life. Dont get me wrong, I had a blast working on all of the events: Mini-bonfire, Spirit Wall, Chalk the Walk, and Yell Like Hell.

Speaking of Yell Like Hell, it was awesome!!! of course we were nervous in the beginning, but once we got up there it was like we were stepping into a world of our own and that is really what it felt like. You know, I really don't care that we didnt win Yell Like Hell, the point is that we did an amazing job and I am so proud of everyone who participated and worked their asses off just to have fun. Oh, Im also glad that West Hall or Maple Hall didnt win. They're our rivals.

Im not sure, but Ill bet we got points for being very original with our chant and dance. We danced to an MC Hammer song, "Walk Like an Egyptian", "Achy, Braky Heart" and the song from Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Needless to say, it was awesome!!!

Now all that is left is the game and Im still debating on whether Im going to go. So Homecoing is almost over.....

Long meetings, homecoming, late nights, birthdays.....Disney?

Ugh, its been a long time, I know, because I have been unbelievably busy this week and next week will be even worse. Right now, Im in the TV room watching the immortal Robin Hood: Men in Tights. So I figure this is a great opportunity to blog because there are so many things that happened this week that must spill out....

Last time, I left you at the point where my board and I were going to have a serious meeting about our progress. Im happy to tell you that the meeting went very well and that every one had great things to say about why they were participating in CHA. I said that the meeting would be long, and it was, incredibly long. 2 hours to be exact. Luckily, I went to church before the meeting and I am soooo glad i went. They discussed Psalm 23, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...." It was really weird and awesome because I felt that God was talking right at me. See, there is a God. Needless to say, I felt very confident after that. At the meeting We discussed many things from GAs to Homecoming. Speaking of which....

Tuesday, we had our Ninja GA which I think was a huge improvement from our Pirate GA, since we did our game first rather than doing it last so that people could get pumped for the meeting. Anyway, Im getting off subject, Tuesday is also the day we started Homecoing events. We tried to get the residents pumped up for that as well so that we could win this year. The first one was mini-bonfire which was due that following Friday. We discussed ideas and on Wednesday we put it into action. I was selling Clark Hall T-shirts and I had three tests that week. Although, on Thursday, I had finished my exams so I could work on the bonfire....

From what I saw, they had done a great job with building the bonfire out of nothing but popsicle sticks. Just, things needed to be glued and painted, so it shouldnt be that long of a job. Yeah right!!! i started helping them at 9pm because i figured I wouldnt be at it long. So, Janna, Jessica, Andy and I started painting and i cant tell you how long it took us to stop painting because then we started getting other ideas about what we could add to it and that added on more time of work. I didnt complain because I thought it was fun. but then it got to be 1am and everyone started to get very tired and some people left. As time went on, the only people that were left were my friend Johnny O and I. To make a long story short, we stayed up until 4:30am putting finishing touches on the construction and repairing bad things. The problem for me was that i shouldnt have stayed up so because the following night i had to stay up all night once again for my program....

Friday was the start of Family Weekend and I have been building up for this weekend since I came back to school. For about a month I have been planning a program for Family Weekend called Little Sibs. This program was for families, residents, and kids. Through Housing, i bought $200 worth of food for this program. Ok, what we did was set up a huge projector screen in the TV room and sound system and watch nothing but Disney movies. Like I said, I was supposed to stay up all night again and I did. The program started Friday at 10pm to 12 noon Saturday. I know, ridiculous, but it was very fun. Ice cream, cookies, fruit snacks, chips, and soda, nothing could be better. There was one thing, sleep. I was totally exhausted from the week at 12 noon Saturday. I have never taken such a good nap. I slept for 5 and a half hours, woke up, read Andy's e-mail about my program being the best ever, went to the disappointing UNT football game, came back and napped again....

The end and reward to the madness of the week came to me when Johnny O and Bethany called me and told me they had a surprise for me for all of my hard work. They had free tickets to the movie theatre that they got from a stranger, they expired that night. I wasnt about to let my Saturday go to waste without doing something for myself so I thought who else could go. Then it hit me like lightning, Andy. It was his birthday the next day and he is kind of blah about his birthday so I decided to make it fun for him. We saw The Last Kiss, which is a very messed up movie by the way. Anyway, that is the madness that was this week and it does not stop there, this week is Homecoming Week so events galore, I just hope Im ready......Oh! and Happy Birthday once again Andy.....

Blah...for me...

This week was just blah for me. For everyone else it seemed it was really hectic. Anyway, Monday, of course like any other Monday, was just a blah day and nothing big happened.

On Tuesday, the day started out great and just ended on a bad note. Ok, I was all ready to go to the RHA GA because the theme this week was pirates vs. ninjas, needless to say, AWESOME!!! Well, to make a long bad story short, some people on the board didnt do what they were suppose to, thus making things difficult. I will say that it did bother me a bit.

On Wednesday, I was still reeling from yesterday so i woke up blah and dismal. i decided to talk to my advisor about yesterday because he is good guy to talk to if your feeling bad. Anyway, we set up a meeting for Thursday so we could discuss....things, muahahahaha.....sorry. I felt better after that.

During the meeting we discussed many things that will be addressed with everyone at our next board meeting. Needless to say, it will be a long meeting on Sunday. Also, I really did not care but it was funny to see everyone else care....the internet shut down at our dorm. People went crazy and kept complaining how they were soooo bored. I swear, you would think that the internet is like a drug. people all over the dorm were drooling over the absence of no internet, it was pretty hilarious.

Remember that I said that my week was blah, well it was for me because majorly things that usually happens to me, did. Is "majorly" a word? Well, its friday and thats all that matters. Oh, at breakfast I was eating oranges and some of the pulp got on my lip and my friend Jenna told me to wipe it off, well, I did but it moved to another part of my face and then another and another until I finally got it off. I guess you could say that was something out of the ordinary that happened to me this week.

Haircut....

YAY!!!! I have finally gotten my haircut. Even though I had to drive home in order to actually get a haircut, it wasnt really that bad. While I was getting my haircut, it felt very liberating, like I was getting a lot of tension off of my body. I know that sounds very weird, but hey, I have had a lot of tension before I went there.

A haircut is silently considered a special thing for a black person because we really have to get it cut just right otherwise we will go around lookin all kinda messed up. The best thing about it was that it was my barber whom I have had for many years so he gives me a discount. Awesome, I know. After my haircut, its like I said, it felt like a huge weight was lifted because I havent had a haircut in almost a month. I felt goooooooood.

The only problem was that when I came back, it was amazing to see what people actually noticed I got a haircut and oddly enough, most of the people that noticed were black. I know that we have different hair, but come on, i can tell when a white person has had a haircut. It was sooooo funny.

Well, anyway....

Obstacles....

Eureka!!! Ok, so Im sitting in the car with my friend Andy and we are on the way to Whataburger, and I have the strangest yet greatest revealation, I am becoming under a state of depression.

So you are thinking right now, "Why is this idiot so happy right now when he just said that he was depressed..." Well, I shall tell you...It has been said we use more muscles when we frown than when we smile and just recently I researched that and found out that it is actually true, so stop frowning, its too much of an unnecessary excercise. Anyway, another part of my revealation is that depression is so easy to counter-attack and if you do it early it wont rule you. The only thing that is bothering me is why am I depressed in the first place, its weird. If has something to do with my father, it would be strange because I have argued with my dad before but I can handle that because like I have said, we are a lot alike. Well, I pray that from this day and hour forward that I no longer be depressed over small, insignificant or even big things because God has a bigger plan for me and would not want me to waste my time lingering over past obstacles and tribulations...

Connection...

In my opinion everyone should have at least one good friend. It doesnt have to be your best friend but just someone you can connect with or someone who will always be there whenever you arent OK. For me, almost everyone I meet, most of the time, I can connect with him/her. There is only one problem...and please dont take me the wrong way when I say this...they are mostly white.

The reason being, is because I basically do not fit the stereotype for what most people perceive a black person to be. I can safely say that I am not alone out there. I have talked to many people of my race who feel the same way. Its not that dislike our culture, its just that some of the things like talking ghetto or dressing a certain way that some blacks dress just dont appeal to some of us, and, basically it might pertain more to a white person. I know Im being a little stereotypical, but its how the world is perceived nowadays.

The main reason for this post is to state how I connect with both black people and white people, and if you are reading this with a stereotypical mind then you would say that I do not connect with both because you perceive them to be totally different. But if you arent reading this that way then you would say that I do in a sense that I perceive the world to be the same yet we all, of course, have different interests no matter what race.

Anyway, to this day it is hard for me to connect fully with both races because of their inate observation on race and its "difference". Although, every day I thank God in some way for not making me so ignorant in regards to that and letting me see the big picture, that all people are the same. It has always been a goal for me to break those barriers, and I will continue to make the connection.

Better Day....I hope...

Yesterday, if someone saw or tried to talk to me they would have noticed that I was a little off and there is a valid reason for that. Well, my dad and I are sooo much alike in our characteristics that when we argue its like Hurricane Katrina all over again. Most of the time, we argue over the most dumbest stuff which is a big reason why I get mad in the end. I dont want to go into the gory details but it happened early Saturday morning and afterwards I kept telling myself that the rest of the day was going to be better. Yeah right!!!

Ok, I was really looking forward to my haircut because it has been growing for the last 5 weeks, and if you are black, and would look ugly in a fro, that is not good. Unfortunately my barber did not show at the time he told me he would and I waited there for an hour and then left because I had other stuff to do. I started to get ready to go shopping for pirate stuff with the some people on the Clark Hall board for our General Assembly. But, many other people had other pressing engagements which is understandable because its Saturday. And the end of my morning happened when I got into an arguement with Andy, who himself was having a bad morning.

Alright, at that point I was just saying to myself that "so what if my morning was shot, I still have the game to look forward to." Well, during paint-up, I spilled paint on the carpet in the TV room so Silvia the janitor is going to kill me. The upside is, if you havent already read my previous blog, WE WON!!! After the game, a group of us decided to go to IHOP, so I went to my room to get ready and they accidently left without me. My roommate was also going with another group and I decided to bum a ride with them, but then at that point my mind was just sooo out of it from all of today's bad luck, I just didnt go and stayed behind.

So lets recap...whenever I have a bad arguement with my dad early in the morning, the rest of my day gets shot. Well, its Sunday and nothing bad has happened, maybe because I am just sitting in my room typing this, hmmm....? Anyway, I have done my praying and will have a better day...I hope...

We Won!!!....

As I have said before, I am a sophomore in college, so of course I have seen my fair share of UNT's football games and let me just say that every single home game last year let me down. I mean I dont want to say that we sucked, but it just was not a good year. Anyway, last night was our first home game of the season against our rival SMU, and, just to simplify things, WE WON!!!!!.

It was the first time since I have been there that we actually won a home game. I might be over-reacting, but I am surely going to milk this for all its worth!!!

Labor Day...whats the point?...

Once again, another boring Labor Day. I dont think I have ever done anything amazing on Labor Day. Well, I dont want this Blog to be all about complaining, its just that sometimes I feel that Labor Day comes off to me as a useless holiday, but dont get the wrong idea, I love the fact that I get a day off from school, but I have only had one week of school and its really early to have a day off. Maybe, if I did something amazing over Labor Day, it would be more amazing to me but once again I feel like its a day that doesnt need big planning for because Im just coming off of summer and I have had all my amazing times already. Its just a boring meaningless holiday to me, if someone wants to disprove me please do.

I dont know, this just rambling. All in all, I still dont want to go to classes tomorrow.

Scheduling Frenzy....

The first week of classes is finally over, now I can rest with the knowledge that I have a three-day weekend because of Labor Day. Alright, it started out like this: I had class from 8am-12pm on Monday and I absolutely loved all of my classes, History, Film and even Spanish!!! considering I have it 5 times a week. Ok, Tuesday was the worst day: I had class from 9:3am-2pm straight with no breaks, AHH!!!!!! it started out bad when my backpack of 2 years finally broke and i had to carry all of my books to all my classes. Astronomy was fine, the only thing bad about it was that I forgot to sign up for a lab so i will have to do that next semester.

Ok, the worst class that I signed up for was American Literature. Dont get me wrong, I love to read, I enjoy it immensely. IT WAS THE TEACHER!!!! she was absolutely horrible. she is French and talks in a very quiet and slow voice. It was soooo annoying. Also, she would take long pauses between her words and I kept wondering if she was ever going to speak again. Basically, I really had to get out of that class, it just ruined the fun of Literature for me. So, all week I kept trying to get out of that class hoping something more interesting would turn up. So, I turned to Philosophy.

Nothing was open for the Philosophy classes until Thursday, when I saw that Intro to Logic was open and at that point I was desperate so I signed. The fun didnt stop there. Remember I had an 8 o'clock class so that class opened up some time for Tuesday and Thursday so I switched my 8 o'clock for a better time on Tuesday and Thursday. Now, it was set. My schedule was perfect and now I have only one class on Friday and that is at 11am. Awesome!!!!!

And to make matters better, I just got my official Flip-in/Flip-out card since I am pres. YES!!!!! and tomorrow we are having a watching party for the UT vs. UNT game. Of course, we are gonna win. (in case you didnt catch that, I was being sarcastic.)

The Day of Reckoning Is Coming....

Ok, tomorrow I officially move back to Clark, and I couldn't be happier!!!! The only thing is i tend to overpack. Its mostly because of my mom; she has the mind set that "you can never have too much stuff", whatever. I cant wait to meet up with everyone, it will be like a homecoming, because I consider Clark like another home to me. I made some really close friends during my freshman year in that dorm, so this year will be much better.

Anyway, back to my overpacking situation, I have a lot of stuff and Clark has three floors with no elevator only stairs, do you catch my drift now? lugging that stuff up the stairs is going to be murder because my dad, awesome guy by the way, has a back problem so its up to me or in his words, "Your the young one, you can do it ALL by yourself because.....my back....you know." Ugh!!! There are times where he really loves to play the guilt card, but dont worry its a battle with us because I do the same thing to him sometimes.

I am writing today because I more than likely will not have time to write tomorrow because I need to set up my room. This time I have a three-person room, and I know what you're thinking, "Roommates suck!!!", well, that fortunately was not the case for me last year. I had an awesome roommate, not only because his name was also Ryan, but we had a lot in common so it was cool. He is one of my roommates in the room, the other is Brandon, he was the first guy I met once I moved in and we've cool since, mostly because he is my ping-pong rival.

The First Post

What's up everyone, Im Ryan, and I felt it was time for me to just sit down and once for all write down all the stuff that is in my head. Now, since this is my very first posting, i should say that Im 19 and I am not going to start at the point where I was born up to now, Im just going to start at this very day, August 14th, 2006.

Ok, I am a sophomore in college and as of today I am packing my stuff for when I move in on Friday, YEAH!!!!!!!!. Now, I know a lot of people hate to live in a dorm, but they have never experienced the glory that is Clark Hall, my dorm. I love Clark Hall so much that I became president. Thats right, Im a nerd and proud of it!!! Anyway, I have no idea what to expect for when I start this job and I am anxious both in a good way and bad way.

I'll start with the good way first. Its good, not only because i get 20% off of Housing (woot), but also its a great chance to meet new people, tell them about college life. I know!!! fun isnt it? Oh, I never said what college i was in, The University of North Texas in Denton, TX. Ok, I guess the only bad side is just that Im nervous about not doing a good enough job. Although, I do always get nervous when i have to handle a huge responsibility, who doesnt? And I shouldnt be, because i have great support from friends and family.

I think thats enough, for now. I need to show this post to Jumper and Ricchuiti. Jumper is the one who wanted me to start a blog, well here ya go Ben!!!