Posts (page 2)

It's New Year's Eve! How are you celebrating tonight?

I celebrated by coming home from work and taking care of and putting to sleep my sick fiance. I wouldn't have had it any other way.... Well, maybe if she weren't sick it would have been better.

          So this year has been crazy and the next one is going to be even more hectic. I have a ton of stuff to do even before it begins. This year I've moved to another geographical location, switched churches and jobs, gotten engaged, etc. I've worked more hours in one week than most ever will and is sanely possible. I bought my first car, turned 21, and reminisced quite a bit. Talk about a busy year! One thing that I do regret though is not keeping in contact with people, not getting together enough with people. People is why I am here. I am here to love people and encourage friends. I love cooking and that has brought me a few friends as well. So for the new year I promise to keep in contact with people better.

         Another thing I need to get better at is set moments of praying, reading, and meditating. Right now, I do these things too sporadically. One day I'll spend almost two hours then the next day; nothing. This is an important part of my life and I want that to show. I would recommend it for anyone reading this.

         I found a Family tree program on this computer so I will be working on that little by little in the upcoming months. My aunt (or second cousin) did an extensive one a while back, but I would like to see if I could do anymore/find anything else. Marriage plans are in the works as well. Sites booked, people picked, and food chose. Still need to send out invites, pick out songs for the music, and get my tux chosen. All I have to say is big things going down over here. HOLLA!!!!!!

 

So this Christmas season is ridiculous. This season in my life is quite hectic and I'm ready for it to be over. One great thing is that I have all my shopping done that I know of. How about this though:

I work late night tonite after which me and my fiance will be driving up to Indy to spend Christmas Eve with my family and close friends. After that we'll have to come back down because I'll be working Christmas Day from 9am to 7pm. Then when I get home I'll be eating and opening presents. I miss being able to spend time with the fam.

I've also lost the passion for cooking. I don't look forward to going to work. I dread it... What to do; what to do?

    So the other day I found out that Camptown had a Facebook group page. To give you some background to this blog. I was involved with Camptown, an wilderness adventure program for at-risk and inner-city kids, for about 7 years or so in some work or fashion. At least 6 of those years I worked as a youth leader. It's going to be hard to write everything down here in one go but we'll try. The godliest man I've ever met asked me to be a youth leader after that first summer. I can't tell you how ecstatic I was. My brother could tell you though. I was so excited, I couldn't hold it in and went and told Ryan right after I was confronted with the opportunity.   
    What happened after this was a friendship and admiration of a man that from my point of view could do no wrong. Plenty of trips were to follow and an eventual meeting with Danny, who I would still say is my spiritual mentor to this day even though we're more than 100 miles away. It broke my heart when I learned that Tom Lehman had cancer. That was probably the hardest I prayed and worst I cried ever. He ended up going on to be with the Lord, but not before I had one more chance to speak to him.
    It was at Tonya's wedding in northern Indiana. I was busy the whole time, but later that night; before me and the Wright's left I had the opportunity to see him again. I tried to talk to him, but he didn't remember me. This Untold Hero who had calf muscles as big as anyone's head (because of hiking up and down those mountains); was now in a wheelchair and couldn't remember who I was. I WAS CRUSHED.
    Despite all of this, there has been many great things and wonderful moments/memories that I have had with Camptown.   
    Euchre games and whole packages of Oreo's gone within one night.
    My first and only fishing weekend
    Meeting and spending time with my spiritual mentor
    Throwing rotting Grapefruit around a stock room
    Spending time with the homeless
    A near death experience with a storm on the side of a mountain.
    Numerous backpacking trips
    Rock climbing and rappeling
    Watching the stars watch me
    Realizing my potential as a leader and more
    Slipping in a creek more than 25 times
    Nicknames and roses and thorns
    Sounding like hick while going down the river in a canoe
    Views that would make you wonder/ponder about the Creator and how in the world people don't believe in one
    DAMASCUS, VA
    Water fights and ghost stories
And if you could only imagine that this is the tip of the iceberg... I was/am truly blessed to have Camptown a part of my life. One.

          So just to get it out there, I did vote for Obama and I do think he'll do a great job in office. All this aside I'm so glad this is over. I have seen sides of people that you would never believe. People upset over one thing or another. The thing that gets me is that people voted with no information whatsoever. I have no qualms with someone who's actually looked over the issues and decided then; whoever the vote was for. However, I know of at least a half a dozen people if not more that voted just because their parents or someone else voted one way or the other. I don't care if it was for McCain or Obama. That's it though, that's all for my soapbox speech. Let's get back to living passionately, freely, and with dedication. Just because one guy is in office rather than the other doesn't change the fact that we have decisions, issues, and problems. Live, love, and listen to hiphop!!!!!

So this week I've gotten a crazy amount of music. However, I still haven't found the one cd I'm looking for: The Four Brothers Soundtrack. Here is just a small sample of what I've bought:

      I've also made it a point to get in G-d's Word everyday and be in constant conversation with Him. It's crazy how right you feel after doing this; but yet it's almost the most easily skipped thing during the day.

       And on another note... Who's ready for this election to end? Sorry I've been all over the place recently, maybe the next post will be more settled. 

 

So since my last post, a lot of stuff has happened. I recently got engaged, here's the story from my girl's perspective:

"Justin's family had come into town that day, which was the first time since Justin had moved here in May. I had to work all day, so when I got off at 6, we had a cookout at my parents house w/ my family and his family. Around 8:30 his mom said that they needed to head back home. So, we said our goodbyes and then Justin's best friend, Ryan, wanted to go see a movie with my brother, Daniel, and my brother-in-law, Jordan. They decided to go, but Justin wanted to hang out at home with me. I told him that he should go hang out with the guys, bcuz his best friend was in town, and he doesn't get to see him that often, let alone have a guys night. So, needless to say, I was very adamant about him going out with the guys. He was being very persistent about going to the waterfront, in downtown louisville. I REALLY didn't want to go, bcuz I had been up very early and it was cold. (i'm not a fan of cold weather, at all) But, he won, and we went to the waterfront...But i made him stop at target on the way there, bcuz i needed to look for something. (HAHAHAHA) So, we got to the waterfront, walked around, talked about our days, and then we passed Joe's Crab Shack and we're in between Joe's Crab Shack and the bridge. He gets really close to the water, and i'm like what are you doing? I'm not getting that close to the water, that's just creepy...then he was like well, i was just wondering if there's a step in the water? I was like, umm, i don't know...while all along thinkin, that's so awkward, he's acting like a dork...lol. Then I finish telling him a story about my day, and he looks at me, (i'm facing the bridge) and says janet, i want to ask you a question that's totally off topic...i was like okay...(I mean, that's normal in our relationship, random convos sometimes...) He looks at me, gets down on one knee, pulls out the ring, and says "will you marry me, Janet?" First thing out of my mouth, no joke, "are you kidding me?, are you serious?, no wait, this is a joke....", (you have to understand that we watch the office, so the whole pam & jim thing, acting like he's going to propose, and then not.....he'd done that a time or two before, so i was kinda thinkin that that's what he was doing again.....) then he was like, i mean, i have a ring right here, you want to look at it...so i snatched up the ring box and was like it's pretty...and then i was like oh, i mean yes!!!!!! So, we gave each other a big hug, and a kiss on the cheek, and we were super excited and smiling like no other.....OF COURSE!!! When he was on one knee, my brother, from on the bridge yelled "SAY YES!" and so i looked up, and his family, and some of my family were there watching the whole thing! I couldn't believe it! After that, there was a lot of yelling and shouting and just being very happy! I still don't really believe it at times, and am oh so happy and can't stop smiling!!!! I LOVE HIM SO MUCH! Now, off to wedding planning..............."

Also been watching lots of good movies

 

And above all just trying to live Jesus out. Trying to inspire the masses; to let people know there is a better way, a higher way. Too many people I know are slugging it out in the trenches when they could be floating on top. Kind of like in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. More to come soon...

So I wanted to take my girl out this past free Friday night. (cooks never get weekends off?!) We celebrated our two year anniversary a little late, but celebrated it indeed. I took her to Proof on Main in downtown Louisville.

Proof is known for being one of downtown's most innovative and eclectic restaurants with the head chef , Michael Paley, doing many big things. (They have a garden on the roof to grow their own tomatoes, watermelons, etc.) Just for example, he's doing the Presidential inauguration dinner.
    So for an appetizer we got a watermelon salad, which came with purslane, olives, bacon, and gorgonzola cheese. Very good and the flavors contrasted; all of the ingredients made sense. Main course consisted of a M-rare Bison tenderloin for me and a Ny strip m-well for the lady. Both were very tasty. Hers came with heirloom tomatoes and french fries; while mine was accompanied by fingerling potatoes and buttered leeks. Of course we had to have dessert in which we shared a peanut butter parfait and seasonal berry cobbler. I finished my meal with an espresso and we were good to go. The service was awesome, John Lee did a very good job of making us feel at home with it being our first time being there. I will tell you though; it won't be my last.
    This capped off a nice rare "off" day in which I took some friends to Puck's express and was surprised by the tasty food that was served there.If you are one of the few people that read this; sorry I've been so irregular as of late. I've been fairly busy and when I do get a moment to breathe, I'm usually trying to hide somewhere so I won't be found.

         So today is like reality day or something of that nature. I just realized I need to be in school but I'm not for this semester because of various reasons. No exceptions, no excuses; I'm not in school. Therefore it feels like I'm staling. Stall like in a car not stale like in a cracker. Then to finish my degree I need to be in Indy so it looks like I'll be going up there once a week in the summer/fall to finish my degree. Oh well... I'll get there one day.

          I also want to start a coffee house. Honestly I just want a great coffeehouse to go to. Like Quills or Corner Coffee. However there is none to be found as of yet. Therefore I feel like it's my duty to get one going. (however I do that) I really just want a good coffeeshop to become integrated into.

          Then there's work... I don't know, but I've just been really negative lately. I don't like it one bit. I just think I need one day away from everything you know? Or maybe I should just be taking a couple hours a day to get away from everything. Just me and Jesus. I've been getting a lil' bit, but not near enough as I know I should.       

          Sorry everyone, today is the day to vent apparently. Give me a lil' time and I'll be back to normal. Below is some stuff that I've found recently...

 

After seeing this video I had to buy their album  "Rising Down"

Just got back from northern MIchigan. Went and vacationed with fam and my girlfriend. Good times, good times. Not much relaxation, but tons of fun nonetheless. Full of airsoft, apples to apples, beach, dunes, downtown Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Mackinac City and Island, chubby bunny, bookstores, s'mores, waking up early, poolage, riding kid bikes down huge hills, local food, putt-putt, etc. Pictures will come later, but wanted to post another blog just to let everyone know I'm still alive. Been listening to Coldplay's new album and some MIA as well..
Also picked up several more books on cooking; will be putting them up soon. On the last day, me and everyone went up through the tunnel of trees to eat at Leggs Inn which is an authentic Polish restaurant. Only open from May through October; it is a area jewel. Great food, great history, and great feel. If anyone is in the Mackinac City area mos def hit that up on the real.