Florida (Day 1!)

Well, flying wasn't all that bad I suppose. Take off was really awesome! That felt like a roller coaster! The seat next to me was empty, so the flight was fairly comfortable as well. I just bought a couple magazines and listened to my iPod. It was dark, so I could look down and see all the city lights below, no clouds, no turbulance. It was such a fast flight too. I looked down and saw what looked like a big city and I was thinking, "This must be Toledo." And then the captain came over and said we're preparing for our initial descent into Orlando! That was fast! Flying is definately the way to go in the timing aspect though! A pretty smooth flight! But, it seemed like no one mentioned how crappy landing on an airplane is! Man, we were circling around Orlando and it felt like the plane was sideways and the wings were pointing toward the ground! I did not like that part at all! Then we finally hit the runway and I looked out the window and could obviously see that we were going 400 mph. I just wanted to yell out "STOP before we keep going into the swamp!" But, the captain hit the breaks!

Matt picked me up at the airport, I landed on time around 9:00. We drove on the tollway past Disney and Universal Studios and such. We talked about the plans for the week. Then we made it to Lakeland and he showed me around town. Drove me past his school, downtown, and then we went past Joker Marchant Stadium (Tiger's Spring Training facility). That's got me pumped for Saturday! We're going to watch them play the Mets.

We got back to his place, ate what we stopped and picked up for dinner (Checker's) and chilled out for a little while.

Today Matt had to work, so I woke up and farted around on the internet for a little while. Then I went running because it's such a nice day out. I've spent the last 2 hours or so laying by the pool getting that tan!

Tonight me and Matt are gonna go play around in Lakeland. Get dinner, he has some shopping to do for school, then who knows!!

The rest of the week is looking like this:

Wednesday: Go to work with Matt.

Thursday: ?

Friday: Matt's taking a sick day and we'll probably head to Gatorland and to see my grandfather in Daytona.

Saturday: Tigers game, Third Day concert/Strawberry Festival

Sunday: Universal Studios/Islands of Adventures

Monday: Fly Home.

Well, gonna go run! Later everyone!!

Minutes away!!

Ok, I am getting ready to fly to Florida to see Matt! I have never flown before, and I am flying alone! We will be boarding in a few minutes! I stopped and had a drink to help calm the nerves. It worked! Excited, nervous, psyched! Here I come big brother!!

From all different walks.

Today, as I was walking downtown Ypsilanti, I was thinking about where I really wanna live the rest of my life. Not as in where on a map per say, more of whether it'll be in the country or in the city. I'm a country boy at heart, I feel it, I know it. I love the wide open spaces, I love the openness, the fact that your space is your space and you don't have to share it with another house built on top of yours. I've been settled on that decision for a while.

But as I was walking through downtown today, I remembered what I really do love about city living. It's the fact that you can walk and have so much to see and look at at marvel at. This is true in the country too, the rolling land and wildlife that's far more inclusive of more than just the random fox squirrel or pigeon.

In the city I can do one of my favorite things. I really do like to people watch. I don't think I like it for the reasons most other people do. I don't like to judge people, it's more of a wondering thing to me. I wonder about so many things when I see people. Where are you walking to? Where are you coming from- your house, apartment, mansion? Who did you just leave, if anyone, or who are you going to see? What has your life been like so far? What ambitions do you have right now? Are they the same as mine (an education and better job), or are you trying to get to the liquor store as soon as it opens because you drank the last drop of vodka last night and need to feed the addiction?

Why are you sitting on this cold bench at nine in the morning? Waiting for the bus to go to work, or because this is where you stayed last night, the same as every night before? Are your parents still alive? Do you have important relationships in your life that you treasure, or are you living a lonely life, day in and day out? You are dressed so simple, yet your might have all the riches in the world. You're wearing the most popular clothes, but could be the most shallow person in town. What struggles have you faced? Have you overcome the odds or let them punch you down so far you can't see the top of the mountain? Are you struggling with so many demons right now and you're just waiting for one person to come by and help with just one of them?

Is it a strange phenomenon that I wonder about so many questions just because I pass one person walking down the street? Is it that I am just really nosy? I guess I don't take things for face value, but I wonder about so many things that go so much deeper than what appears on the outside. I think it was the way I was raised that I am slow to judge when encountering people I've never met. If you're being a rude jerk to me, there's a reason that probably has nothing to do with me. If you're wearing the sloppiest clothes, I'll assume you're just as kind and friendly as the next person wearing a business suit. I notice this thinking is so important in the job that I do, and working at Cabela's might even amplify these reflections. Cabela's is not a cheap place to shop. However, we get some of the scrubbiest people that walk in and drop $1,000 on one purchase. Some of the ugliest people are the friendliest, some of the better looking people are just arrogant, and that also goes vice versa. Don't just people by their money or what they spend, but also don't judge them on their appearance, because chances are, you're gonna be one hundred percent wrong!

Don't get me wrong. I'm human and I go completely against everything I just typed at times myself. A lot actually. Some days I just don't like anyone that crosses my path. Other days, I have days like today. I do judge just as much as the guy sitting next to me right now. It's just important to remember things like this every once in a while.

This is a completely different blog than what I normally type. But these were thoughts that I just wanted to write down and share because they consumed my whole walk from main campus to downtown. Must've been something I should share huh?

Now, gotta get to class!

Good day all!

Hey everyone! How are you all doing?

Things are good on this end. This past week was really busy and didn't have much time to do anything! I had 3 exams, work everyday, class 2 days. I was exhausted!

This week is going better. Had a couple days off, which was nice respite! I got my math exam back this morning. It was a 72. I thought I had done a little better than that, but it's ok. I didn't get my book in the mail until Sunday (3 days before the test).

Funny thing. JP started talking about Nascar a little bit last week- he's not a fan. But, apparently he is now! We started a Nascar Fantasy league! Cracks me up because I have no idea how any of this works- but we got some sweet names! Our league name is the "Left Turn Hillbillies." I named my team "The Mullet Mafia!" I feel like I achieved ultimate hillbilly status now!

I drove to class with no heat in my car this morning. It'll have to go in the shop tomorrow. I am really hoping it's not a big fix that's gonna cost a lot of money. The fan works and it blows semi-warm air, but not too much warmer than cool air.

Not a whole lot on tap for this weekend. Friday I'm working out and then hanging out with Ryan and JP. Saturday I have to work (hooray for a boring Valentine's Day). That's also draft day for fantasy Nascar! Then Sunday is race day! HAHA! I can't believe I actually care about this! Me and JP work together and we're gonna take our lunch at the Wilderness so we can watch the
start of the race.

Next week might be pretty busy, but then it's off to Florida! I really cannot wait. We had a nice warm up here that's gotten rid of the snow, brought back an old friend (the sun), and flooded the river. But it's back to good ole reality and cold Michigan February days!

Hope all is well with everyone...better go take some econ notes!

Almost Friday....Update!

Honestly, as crazy as I expected this week to be, it has gone by pretty quick. Yesterday it was Wednesday and I was thinking it was still Monday. Today is the end of the craziness.

Tuesday I had class all day then I worked til close. I had to be to work at 6 am yesterday and work til 3. We're in the middle of putting our spring merchandise out, which means a big floor move and shrinking racks. I was supposed to do this with Ryan, but he showed up to work puking, so I just told him to go home. I worked my butt off all day and went home and studied for my first exam of the semester today. Math- not cool.

I had such a hard time getting out of bed this morning. When I did, I went upstairs to take a shower and the pipes froze in my bathroom again. No shower! No wakey! I was feeling a little nauseous. And then I stepped in cat puke. Not a very good start to the day. I went to class, took my exam, and now my day is going much better. It helps I think I did okay on my exam. Probably not an A, but at least B or C quality. Hey, considering the run-around I got getting my book and not getting it til this week, I'll be happy with it! I have 2 more classes, then I work til close tonight. I'll prolly go over to JP's after work for a bit and then go home and sleep, sleep some more, and then keep sleeping!

No big plans for the weekend. Going to the Ida and Dundee bball game tomorrow with Ryan and Brandon. Both are state ranked. I have two exams Tuesday, so I need to do a lot of studying and I work both Saturday and Sunday. Whewww.....are you as exhausted as I am? But I also need to get my butt to the gym and run every chance I get now that this crazy week is almost ended!

I'm sitting in the student center people watching when I should be working on homework. But I'm so drained, I'm just relaxing and chilling. I'll get to that this weekend!

When will I sleep??

Well, this week is off to a very crazy start. And it's not a craziness that I really like.

First, a recap of the weekend. I was off work all weekend so Mike, Jess, Taylor, and I drove up north and surprised the crap out of Mom & Dale. It was hillarious. We had a good time, except Saturday night. Mike, Dale, and I went out Jeeping, and ended up getting the Jeep stuck out on a back road. So, we called Mom and asked her to bring us a shovel. She drives the truck and gets it stuck on the other end of the road. It was awful! We walked and walked and walked some more. It was cold, I only had a zip up hoodie and t-shirt on. I walked across Lost Lake to get back to the house in snow up to my knees! NOT FUN! The vehicles stayed in the woods over night until the contstruction equipment came to get them out Sunday! Looking back now, it's funny. But at the time, I was not laughing very hard.

Spent a lot of time in the hot tub this weekend too. We also broke out the pictures of when we were little. It was really nice to walk down memory land, but it was also sad seeing pictures of Gram again. Nonetheless, we had a great weekend.

Sunday night I hung out at JP's for the Super Bowl and kicked it back with him.

Yesterday, I studied a little bit in the morning, worked 12-9 and came home and had to read some econ chapters. The rest of the week is what's going to be tough. I work til 9 tonight after I get out of class, have to do some more reading tonight- then work from 6 am to 3 pm tomorrow. I have an exam on Thursday I'll have to study tomorrow night for, and 2 coming up on Tuesday. Class all day Thursday, and work til 10 Thursday night. I'm looking forward to Friday- my only day off this week. I can't complain, it's hours and money in the checking account, but it's hard to juggle it all and stay awake!

I started running again last week, but I have no time in this week's schedule to hit the gym. That means I'm really watching what I eat because my goal is to lose about 15 pounds.

I'm sitting in econ class and this is normally my nap time. Gotta go!!

My name's Mark, and I'm addicted to technology...

Anyone know of a good support group?

I got myself a laptop this week. It's been under my fingertips since Day 1. I have it for the convenience of doing homework and still being social with the family, but also for class. But, it's become my lifeline the past two days. I had my first class this morning (Math), and I was really looking forward to class being over , so I could get to the college of business (I slipped on some douche bag's driveway walking between campuses by the way) and get my laptop out.

I now have my BlackBerry, which keeps me connected at all times when I don't have the laptop plugged in. The desktop which I now use secondary for downloading music and updating the iPod. Oh, yeah, that's something else. My iPod. I can't go through a whole school day without it. The tunes are always in my ear- from driving to class, walking to class, waiting for class to start, in between classes. It's crazy. I let Ryan borrow it to take skiing, and I went almost 2 whole days without it, and I felt naked. Good thing it was the weekend. And, now I have my laptop. I truly am blessed. I don't know how the Amish do it, honestly!

Does anyone else besides Jessie have this problem? Would you like to set up a weekly session so we can discuss our issues and try to get over this addiction? On second thought, nah! Life's fun with technology!

On another note, I started running again yesterday. I went two and a half miles, non stop. Felt so good, even though my lungs were frozen. My knees hurt a little today, but no pain, no gain!

We're supposed to get another 4-6" of snow tonight. Ergghh. Tisha, are you guys getting hammered with all of this? No school?

It's About Time!!

My Christmas presents finally got hung up yesterday:

Wondering....

It's nights like tonight that made me wonder how Cabela's is Michigan's #1 tourist attraction. We were so dead!!!!

It's Tuesday, and we have a new Prez

Well, thank God that son of a Bush is gone!

First, let's recap. The weekend went really well. Sunday night I worked overnight inventory. 6 pm til 6 am. Wasn't too bad actually. Then came some sleep for about 4 hours. JP called and asked for a favor...if I'd work for him closing that night so he could get his car fixed. I said yup. It seems like I should change my address to 1 W. Cabela's Blvd!!

This morning I decided that how good my commute goes determines how my day will go. I had an awesome commute this morning to school. No problems at all, good music, time to think. First two classes went great. Then I headed to the Student Center to watch the inauguration on TV. I just thought they had it on the TV in the lobby. Nope, leave it to me to sniff out a good party. Upstairs in the Grand Ballroom, they were having a bash hosted by WJLB with it showing on 3 projection screens and free cookies and stuff! I just stayed and skipped my econ class. It was awesome to be in the atmosphere of so much excitement of the change we see coming. Had a good time talking to different people and watching history on the big screens.

Then I went to my accounting class. The teacher is so boring. I sat against the wall. It was warm. I leaned my head against the wall and I guess fell asleep. I woke up and my phone was flashing with a text from Lindsay. She sent it at 2:42 and I woke up at 3:05. Slept most of the class! It's so easy though- like high school accounting!!

On another note. Lindsay had an interview a couple months ago with Teach America. It's a service organization where you go into inner-city schools around the country where teachers are hard to attract. She's really been hoping it goes well and nervous about it. She was supposed to find out today. She did- she's going to Phoenix next year to teach special ed elementary school. Very happy for her and excited because she's so happy. Not exactly thrilled that she's leaving for a little while, but hey, one day at a time! Was gonna post a blog asking for prayers, but I was late! She's prayed hard for it and feels that this is a sign her will is in line with God's. She'll be great at it and it's where her heart is.

Anywho, off to bed! Pretty tired! Hope all is well for everyone!

God bless America.

Irony?!

GO FIGURE!!

The day after I buy my first plane ticket, a plane hits a flock of geese (that I hunt) and lands in a frickin river!!

It's 56 in Florida right now! That would be so much better than -9! I really don't mind cold weather, but I hate arctic weather!

I went out this morning to start my car to make sure it would start before I go to work. Well, it started! But my heat is frozen! It's in the garage right now to thaw, but the bad news is there's no garage at work to park in! I'm really contemplating calling in. But, I work with JP tonight, so I wanna go in. That wouldn't be cool to leave him hanging like that!

Ok, should work on some homework before work. Nahhhhh....there'll be time for that later!

Brrr

It's sooooo cold here. Subzero temps, schools closed, my ears fell off walking to class today!

38 DAYS TIL FLORIDA!!!

Ohhhhhhhh boy!

Well, it's so cold here.

So, I got home from work and booked a flight to Florida for spring break. I've not been down to see Matt in the three years he's been there. It's my turn to go see him!

I've never ever flown before either. I'm going all by myself, so I'm a little shaken by that! I can't wait.....

One week 2/23 thru 3/1!!

OUCH!

I have to work at 10, and every muscle and bone in my body hurts!!!! This will be a long day!

Nope...not a broken bone!!

Me and Ryan went skiing and snowboarding today at Mt. Holly. WOW, was it fun!! I think I was flat on my butt more than I was up on my board. My butt hurts, my shoulders hurt, my arms feel like they weigh 1,000,000 lbs, my legs hurt. But, we had so much fun it was all worth it! God bless Ryan for being so patient with me. I even made it down a couple black diamond slopes! The roads were awful on the way home, at one point we were sideways on 23 almost hit a mini-van. Mad props to my boy for keeping the truck on the E-way!! I'm going to bed.......

(Man, I look like Mike in this pic!)

I ♥ snow!

They're calling for 8-10" of snow for our area today and tomorrow. Well, we were going to goose hunt. But nowme and Ryan are going to hit the slopes at Mt. Holly tomorrow and ski and snowboard! I'M READY!!!

I have a favor to ask of you....

My buddy J.P.'s fiance found out that her grandpa was diagnosed with throat and stomach cancer yesterday. With that being said, will you say a prayer?

8-10" of snow tonight into tomorrow :)

NEW!

Notice my new music! ------->

I heart snow, but.....

Thursday, January 8. The second day of classes. I now know where I'm going, where to park, how to manage my time and commutes. However, the drive this morning absolutely SUCKED! (Notice the capital letters- that means I mean business!).

Monroe County was fine. Once I hit Flat Rock on 275, speeds dropped to 50 mph tops. Cars were in the ditches. State police lights lit up my morning more than the sunrise. It got even better. Past the airport, speeds dropped to 40 mph tops, mostly around 30-35. My normal 20 minute drive took 55 minutes this morning. I made it to class just in time and got the seat in the back row I like! Good thing I left a little early!

I know people are wondering who the girl is in the post from Tuesday. But, I'm not going to say too much at this point. I will just tell you her name is Lindsay and we have gone out a couple times. As time goes on, I will tell more. But for now, just taking it day by day!

Went hunting yesterday morning with Ryan. Not a darn thing was flying, other than the lone duck flying up the river. Stayed out for a bit, came home, relaxed. Then went to scout a spot in Erie and met Mike, Jess, & Tay in Toledo for dinner at Texas Roadhouse and man was it good! Made a few stops after that and came home and chilled, and did go to bed pretty early.

I'm hungry.

I thought about leaving to go up north tonight after class. But, Lindsay goes back to school (Michigan State) Sunday and I'd really like to hang out with her some before she goes back. I also made plans with JP and Ryan to hunt Saturday. Hours are slow at work right now, I'm planning on heading north in 2 weeks. Gotta put in for that off work now!

Hope that fills you in a little. Have a good day y'all!

Good News!

I am back in camo! Although it's only because the old man in our department fell off a ladder and broke a few ribs before Christmas, now he's off til AT LEAST Jan. 31st. Worked out good because my school schedule was different than everyone else's, so I was the only one available on days she needed! Nonetheless, I'm back in my home :)

Tuesday Evening Post

"But if she can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice..."

It's Tuesday. I don't think I'm going to like Tuesdays.

Well, it's 5:30 AM...AKA- the butt crack of dawn. Nope, not even- it's pitch black out still.

If I were up right now to go hunting, the blood would be flowing, I'd be pumped. But nope, I am up early to get my butt to class! Not sure where I'm even going because my first class is on main campus- and it's my first class ever on main campus! And, my 8 AM class is a math class. HA! My brain isn't functioning enough to do 2 + 2, let alone trying to do some algebra!

If you got to sleep in today, well good for you *sarcasm.* If you're up early with me, cheeers to this *again, sarcasm!*

Pointless

I am only up this early to go hunting.

But I went to bed at 10 last night and didn't fall asleep til after 1 a.m. last night. Now I am up at 4:30 a.m. These nights frustrate me because the only reason I can't sleep is because my mind is racing, thinking about stuff that does me no good to think about. The past is the past, the future is up to me and depends on me, how how hard I work at it will determine the course.

"So love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don't and believe that everything happens for a reason."

"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is."

"Fear not for the future, weep not for the past."

"Worry gives a small thing a big shadow."

YES....my new year's resolution

Life is grand, no complaints. Well a couple girl problems, but it's getting better :)

Happy New Year to everyone. I hope you are abundantly blessed this year. New Year's Resolutions are a pretty dumb idea, but yet, I make one every year. I have a couple for 2009:

1. Shoot more ducks and geese than 2008. So far, no luck. Thanks old man winter, our spot this morning was all froze over and nothing flew in! Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I have a feeling it will be, but I've had this feeling before, and it ends up being really bad gas!

2. Update my blog more frequently. It only takes a second, shouldn't be so hard. I can also do it from my Blackberry phone.

3. Save more money. I think I have this one every year!

4. Straight A's and B's in the winter and fall semester.

5. Get the girl problems figured out!

Those are mine. What are yours?

Let's do some catching up...

Well, life has been quite busy lately. I guess when you're a college student working in retail at an outdoors store during the holiday & hunting season, life isn't going to exactly be boring huh? We were told we can pick up as many hours as we want this week, including overtime, so I've taken advantage of that.

I went out with a couple friends last weekend and saw a movie, then had a blind double-date on Saturday. I really hate blind dates. I am an out-going people person, but it's a little different when it's labeled a "date" ya know? She is JP's girlfriend's roommate. So, her comfort was Ashley (JP's girlfriend). JP was such a nice pal to point out when my voice managed to squeek. But, a good friend couldn't let that joke go without saying I guess. I would do the same thing to him. It went really well. Suffice to say, when you are forced to sing in front of the girl on the first date (we were playing Rock Band), it works as a great ice-breaker.

Sunday I worked, Monday I had class and homework up the wazoo. Then Tuesday Ryan and I went out hunting and I worked 10 hours after getting up at 4:45 for a hunt. Then Wednesday I had school, including my exam, and then worked 5 1/2 hours. Today I had some "me" time, that was actually "me studying" time and I work 3-10 tonight.

This coming Sunday will be crazy. I go in at 9 a.m. Sunday morning and don't get off until 3 a.m. Monday morning. We are doing another re-arranging of our department and dum-dum me, volunteered to help stay. My saving grace is that my 8:30 class is cancelled both days next week!

The holidays are pretty much upon us now. I am really looking forward to family coming. It will be busy with work, but I will make sure I spend plenty of quality time with family over the season.

An update for you...the MRI on my buddy's mom showed 4 cysts on the brain. They don't know anything about them at this point, she is going to a specialist. So, prayers are still needed and greatly appreciated.

Now, your homework assignment. Give me updates on what's going on with you, my loyal friends and family. I know it's the busy holidays right now, but just leave a comment letting me know how you're doing!!