2 months left.

With roughly only two weeks left in the spring semester, I feel the need to pick up my academic lifestyle. My grades are decent, but not where they should be right now. Despite the average grades at mid-terms, I feel that I have taken a different and more productive approach to this semester. Without pledgeship my weekends have freed up to do the things I've wanted to do since moving to Colorado. Events and explorations such as Hiking, Snowboarding (although the snow season has been horrible), Rock climbing, and of course working out.

This semester I made a New Year's resolution to stay in great shape. Unlike most people who make this promise to themselves, I have successfully stayed in the gym on a consistent basis still. I have raised my bench press to a new self record of 245 pounds, and have strengthened the rest of my upper body a substantial amount. I have been lacking in the running department, but have lately been running in the morning for about a mile every day, I know a mile is not that far, but its progress for a sprinter like me. With the weather finally warming up, I have begun to train for tennis. Hoping that it will pay off when I play in the walk-on tourny this Fall, hopefully getting some kind of money to stay at UNC.

I have ordered a couple of book off of amazon, which are supposed to come in this week :). One is a story of Bear Grylls' comeback from abroeknd back to be the youngest Brit to climb Everest, and the other about Bear and 4 other sailors who sailed through the artic ocean on nothing more than a inflatable motorized raft. Should be exciting.

Spring break in 11 days!!

The Great Outdoors

The weather in Colorado, has been restricting outdoor activities for quite some time. Having a sports car with low profile tires doesn't really allow you to be able to drive in the mountains. Therefore, I havent snowboarded as much as I would have hoped this season, but given that the snow season this year has been sub par. Boarding for about 8 days total this year has made the investment of a mountain pass a successful one. On a more optimistic note I have gone hiking two out of the past three weeks in Boulder. Within these hikes I have gotten back to rock climbing and exploring off the beaten path. Climbing to the top of the foothills around an altitude of 6,500 feet. Climbing up a steep ridge to witness Mallory Cove. I have finally been able to experience Colorado how I pictured it when moving up here. This semester has been less stressful than the fall, but still challenging. Singing in the Men's Glee has brought back the musical outlet I dearly missed last semester. In fact, we are having out winter concert tomorrow night at the UCCC. I have been consistenly working out again, and have gained some weight as a result, putting me back over the 160 lb. mark. Well I must depart to finish some homework, but I will leave you with some pictures from Boulder.

State of Mind

Do we have a destined goal set forth be a higher power? Or can we control how our future will play out? How great are the ramifications of our actions? How far do the ripples travel in the ocean of fate?

All these questions, are ones that may never be answered while on this earth. Personally, I find it hard to believe that everything has a greater purpose than presented. I am a man of faith and hard work. Although contrary to my disliking to the thought of everything happens for a reason, I tend to be amazed how horrific situations, in a matter of time, pan out into something pleasant for the individual at hand. I have had a few encounters of this phenomenon, and with every event that seems dismal, somehow transforms into an abundance of great opportunities. This leads me to think this is one of God's doings, but why would he put someone through heartache and pain? Are these tests? Callings? Random happenings that alter different dimensions? I ponder these things as less pleasant events have led be to the University of Northern Colorado, where at first I was skeptical. But the more I grow and open my mind, the more I have come to like the little town of Greeley, and more importantly the University. I have made a solid group of caring friends here, of all ages spanning from 18-25. Opportunities and professors that could launch me into the following years with experience and confidence. I have witnessed some of the most outstanding sights and metal struggles just this past year, opening my mind to better and brighter ideas putting my self in better situations.

To conclude this thought I would like to intertwine these happens to the question that...What am I doing here? Who am I? Where do I wanna go? If I am somewhere else how drastically will it change my life? What do I care about the most?...these questions and the answers that I hope to find out will leave me with a new set of questions...I don't know if these answers are relevant to my "destiny" or who and what I am and will be. But I still wonder if the answers are different how great of a change it would be.... I we really in control?

second semester

The following blog contains my schedule for the spring semester, and a brief overview of the seemingly long first week.

Music Theory I
Aural Skills I
Musical Styles & Context
Men's Glee Club
College Algebra
Macro Economics

As for the first week of classes...

I have not missed a class yet, which is a nice change from the commonly missed 8/9am classes from the fall. I have grown accustom to my new schedule and think that this semester, although challenging, will be a great chance to better myself both academically and physically. I have proudly worked out (lifting/running) 5 days of the last week, establishing a healthy lifestyle right from the start. I love the music that the Men's choir is singing this semester, I think that it's awesome to be surrounded by excellent musicians, which bring out the best in you. As much as I'd like to continue this blog which the rest of my class experiences so far, but it's brunch time. So long for now!

Powder

After settling back in Greeley the past few days, I have come to miss the mountains. The majority of last week I went snowboarding at Winterpark/ Mary Jane with a couple friends. The fluffy white blanket outside reminded me of the crisp mountain air two and half miles above sea level. Oh, how I miss the powder.

The Man In The Glass

The Man In The Glass

Anonymous

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass.
The fellow whose verdict counts most in you life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum
And think you’re a wonderful guy.
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

He’s the fellow to please-never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear to the end.
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

a rise from the ashes...

On Monday I get what most people wish for their entire lives, a second chance. A chance to right my wrongs and get my life back on track. I have come to believe that most everything happens for a reason, and with every mistake you must take it as an opportunity to grow, learn from that mishap, and essentially succeed. My first semester of college took quite a toll on me, both physically and mentally. By joining so many organizations right off the start it started to put me in a real bind with my time management, which eventually caught up to my academics. After reflecting over the holiday break I have come with the right mind set to tackle an obstacle with a well managed lifestyle and budget. Using 2009 to recreate my self, much like a Phoenix, rising from it's own pile of ash, better and stronger than before.