I'm [Not] Alright

Pap-Pap went home on Monday afternoon. He's with Dad and I'm sure he's ecstatic right now. It's been interesting dealing with a loss that I've been emotionally prepared for. Dad's death was sudden and Grandpa's was long and drawn out. Heart attack. Cancer. Not only that but it goes against the order of life. Viewing/funeral is on Thursday/Friday. I don't want to do it.

"I'm not alright/I'm broken inside/Broken inside/And all I go through/it leads me to you/Leads me to you/Burn away the pride/Bring me to my weakness/Until everything I hide behind is gone/And when I'm open wide/with nothing left to cling to/Only you are there to lead me on/And I move/And I move/And I move/Closer to you/Honestly, I'm not that strong/I'm not alright/that's why I need you"[Sanctus Real]

My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation. My stronghold; I shall not be shaken. Trust in Him at all times...Pour out your heart before him. [PS62:5.6.8]

I've been spending most of my time reading books for next semester. Really have enjoyed the cults book. Now all I need is a create your own cult kit.

I've also hung with Mel too, and lounged at home. It's been good to relax.

Target: Made some returns and went shopping too. Acquired some cool stuff. Plaid cap. Plaid is dope. Sweet LS t-shirts. External hard drive (on sale).

Recently this melody has been going through my head, and I've hit it out on guitar and piano. "Your mercies are new every morning. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Your lovingkindness is better than life. And your love is mine. I will praise you, for you are my God. I will praise you God above all gods."

Anyway. All for now.

-Sammy

Boxing Day

Sam had an amazing Christmas. It was different, but amazing.

Sam loves punctation too...!-:?;/,"!*It's his new thing.

Sam spent Christmas eve with his family and opened gifts and ate Christmas dinner with said family. Then they went to the candlelight Christmas eve service at church. Which Keith and Sam quite agree on being perhaps the best church service in the year because it includes fire! December 25th was spent at Pop & Grandmas with Mom's family eating much food and enjoying the gift-giving thing again. Sam also watched the Grinch in the evening which is his favorite movie in case you didn't know. If you do not know this by now, learn this. It is important that you know this. It will help you better understand Sam. Also, Sam spent time with someone he loves. Sam enjoyed.

Isn't it great that because of the ultimate gift we get to give/receive gifts today?

Oh, and Sam has no problem with referring to himself in the 3rd person. At least...no, he has no problem with this at all.

Now That I Have Some Perspective

I've learned a lesson from college. Life is as slow as you make it.

Last night I went to a Christmas party, then came home and watched It's A Wonderful Life.

Enjoyed sleeping today - and what I call lounging. Wrapped some Christmas presents - and I'm gonna do some reading.

I love punctuation...


-Sammy

7 Days

I'm home. Blissful it is.

Bad news: I was sick.
Good news: I was sick.

Mel and I pulled an EEP today and left. I've been sick for the past three days, including my birthday on monday. Let me assure you of the misery I experienced. I am grateful for the ability to simply eat, sit down, or sleep.

So here am I, happy to be home, and getting better. Can I just forget the last week I've had?

"Now listen, even if we're horribly mangled, there'll be no sad faces on Christmas."

-Sam

December

Halfway through the stretch of finals, and it's...

It's gonna rain.

Angst

Pet peeve: The phrase, "Have fun with your homework." As if I actually enjoy disciplining myself to do homework!?! I mean, really now, who started this phrase, and where'd we pick it up? But that really annoys me: Tell me to work hard or do my best, but don't give me an imperative command about having fun, (even in jest!)


Punched a kid in the mouth tonight (accidentally). I felt so bad. I was just havin fun and messin around with Marcus. *grimaces* Yea.


Put my tree up last night. What saddens me is the fact that I put it up this late due to how busy I have been. Also, I talked with JoHo t'night about how sad we are about no open dorms for Christmas, and no Christmas-time open staff houses. We want the good food and caroling around Christmas time! In spite, I decorated my tree with CD's and DVD's. It's an interesting touch, but it's cool - I like it.


And if that interests you...

What?!?!?

Here I am, awake from midnight on, studying until the light of dawn.


It's finals week.


What am I thinking?

Falling Frozen Ice Crystals

Okay, now really...does it have to snow? Just because it is December and we are starting into the winter months, does not mean that it has to get all "Christmasy" and snow on us! I mean really, I don't mean to be a Scrooge, or a Grinch (love that movie), but whoever said that the snow makes everything all white and pretty, in spite of the deadness, was a hopeless and pathetically blind optimistic! Need I say more? I need. So I was driving around tonight and came to a stop sign, applied the brakes, and the back of my car slid to the right about six feet! Really! Tell me how wonderful snow is now! And then, there's the salt and the slush....ech. And then some child, of whom I have my suspicions as to their identity, made a disgustingly cute snow angel on the main north lawn of main campus. Can we not just leave the snow be? Oh no! We must tramp in it and ruin its "beauty". I'd say the only redeemable quality of snow is how pretty the crystals look up close. Other than that...ugh.

So with all this snow that we got...

Method #5: Single Lark's Head
Length: Medium to long
Difficulty: 2-3
This style is very similar to Method #1, only with a little twist. Fold scarf in half. Place your hand in the loop on the top end of the scarf, and then lay the scarf around your neck. Your right hand should still be in the loop and your left hand holding the two ends of the other end of the scarf. With your right hand grab only one of the two ends of the scarf and pull it through the loop you are holding in your right hand. Adjust for snugness.

-Sam

The End

"I talked to your mother. She called to gloat." (Sorry, random things pop in my head)

Back to Cinci now. I went hunting on Monday and shot a button buck.


What I find ironic is the things that I preach on, God speaks to me about, especially in specific areas of my life. I have been helped. Of course after intense study, preparation, and immersion in the passages I should not be surprised. His word is alive.

How can you be happy, apathetic, desirous, stressed, and hopeful all at the same time? It's just about that time in the semester...

Hmm

Method #4: The Single Flipover
Length: Medium to Long
Difficulty: 1
This one's easy: Put the scarf around your neck and flip one end over. Style it!

Σαμευελ

Just What I Needed

And wanted...

I have spent the break with the people most loved around me. I've gone shopping, played games, ate food, gone out to eat, played the piano, sighted my gun in, and made caramel popcorn.

It feels like the holidays. And it's good to be...*sighs*...home.

-Sam

(what a sloppy sentimentalist, psh)

Blogging on Blogging

Proving that I can quote without quoting a movie:
"I hate it that its 5:30 and its dark already." -Roommate Brent Lavy

Woke up from my nap this Sunday afternoon and on the way down the hall to the restroom Jesse asked me with curiosity in his voice,
"Are you happy thanksgiving's coming?"
"Yea." I replied in a deep and sleepy voice.
"Me too." He replied. "It feels like I have a little more joy in my heart."
I laughed out loud to myself. I honestly feel the same. It was just amusing to hear him say it.

Talked with Janeane, Paige, Sarah, Kimberly and Isaac at supper tonight. Apparently a bunch of Freshman don't like me. Reason is, I suggested to Mr. Profitt last year that blogging is a great way to improve your writing. We had to write personal essays for EC2 and I used part of a blog entry to write it. He liked the idea and now Mr. Singleton has started the blogging requirement in English Comp. Therefore, all these non-writers and novice bloggers now dislike me extremely. I'm even famous. Singleton mentioned my blog in EC1 class, which makes me smile with surprise. Anyway, we enjoyed a great conversation, laughed hard at morbidity, and I tried hard at amusing them with my wittiness.

Part of the conversation including an explanatory confession on my blogging style. I prefer when I can to exclude the personal pronoun, I. However, as just evidenced, this is not always possible. See beginning of paragraphs 2 and 3 for examples. I also use run-on sentences as part of my style sometimes, as evidenced in this post.

Leanna was heading back home and said something to me on the ramp tonight from a distance as I was going to supper. I didn't understand and walked up to her and said, "I'm sorry." She said something to the effect of, "You really were serious. You're in your slippers, and you have been in your room all weekend." Yes, ladies and gentleman I feel like a burrowing, hibernating mammal.

Thanksgiving its Thursday. What?!? It is?

I figuratively, "can't wait."

Method #3: Square Knot
Length: Medium
Difficulty: 2
Begin with the scarf around your neck hanging at even lengths. Take the left side and tie it by crossing the left over the right side and bringing it up through to form a single overhand knot. Pull it snug up to your neck as this is where the knot will end up being. Now take the right side and cross the right over the left, again pulling it through the loop as you would an overhand knot, only backwards. Summary: tie two knots by tying left over right and under, and right over left and under. It should look something like this:

-Σαμευελ

Quoting Rules

Yes, there are etiquette rules to quoting movies and other media recordings. These are unwritten and unspoken rules, well, until now that is. Please find the following list a helpful and incomplete review of how to properly quote movies and include them for much humor in your daily conversations.

Rule #1: Always use quotations to add humor to conversations.

Rule #2: Use quotations in context. This is very effective.

Rule #3: Always interrupt when you've just thought of a brilliant quote. Louder, generally equals better. Especially when preceded by an "Oh, oh, oh!" or a gleeful hand clapping.

Rule #4: Always mix and match your quotations so that outsiders will never know what you are talking about.

Rule #5: Make sure to look at people weird when they stare at you for quoting movies and laughing hysterically.

Rule #6: Feel free to break all rules, when at any moment you feel they would hinder a delightful conversation full of riotous laughter.

Rule#7: Make a game of it. Quote back and forth from different movies, shows, and episodes, always keeping a theme or context in the quoting. This is much fun and increases bonding among friends and family.

Rule #8: Random is good. Always quote from movies in any pattern you wish. Switch from movie to movie without any warning.

-ΣΜ

A Pathetic Efficient Weekend.

Did I mention the feeling of excitedness I have for Thanksgiving? Yea, I'm going home next week. The break I long for...is coming.

This weekend I am doing something that I have not done yet. I am practically locking myself in my room and avoiding most social contact. I considered taking the battery out of my cell phone, but don't want to be accused of hermitage. This anti-social behavior will help me complete the large amount of homework I have due on Monday.

I see the progress I'm making in Greek, and the hard work that preparing a sermon requires. Discipline and hard work, ech! Oh, how they get you places. Anyway, a few things figuratively call my name. Namely: shower, homework, food and Carlisa. I leave you with another scarf tying technique.

Method #2: Ascot
Length: Short, Medium, or Long
Difficulty: 3
Place scarf around your neck, and looking down you should adjust the length of the scarf so that left side is much longer. Take the left side and cross it in front of the right side and wrap it around back to the left side. Wrap it across a second time, then holding the knot with your left hand take the piece you just wrapped and tuck it from behind into the V-section right beneath your neck. Pull it through and let this section hang down in front. Adjust the knot by flaring the front piece, and pulling down on the back end of the scarf and pulling up on the knot of the ascot.

Grab Your Scarf. It's Cold.

So Monday I was accused of wearing all black due to my alleged mourning over the cold weather. This comment was due to my appearance of black dress pants, shoes, and a black fleece coat. However, I had a colored dress shirt and tie on and found it very offensive, that two souls would accuse me of being a mournful scrooge in this season of happy dragon-breath blowing!

Psh!

This morning I donned appropriate attire and went jogging, to Christ Hospital and back. Oh, what a burning in my lungs. It made me feel so very joggeresque, and horribly, pitifully sick, and yet so alive.

Confession: My sleeping pattern is all out of kilter. Monday: 2 hours. Tuesday: 15 hours. Wednesday: 3 hours.

Only 4 more weeks of school left. I just need a break so bad. The holidays approach, and I am doing everything in my power to stay above being a wreck.Let's run away.

Method #1: Lark's Head Knot
Length: Medium to Long.
Difficulty: 3
Fold scarf in half. Place your hand in the loop on the top end of the scarf, and then lay the scarf around your neck. Your right hand should still be in the loop and your left hand holding the two ends of the other end of the scarf. With your right hand grab the two ends and pull through them through the loop. Pull the scarf around your neck, while tugging down at the two ends, and adjust snugly according to your comfort.

-Sammy

It's Cold

So in light of the recent...snow, I am happy. I left church tonight with flurries in my headlights. Turned the music on loud and thought of [not] only cold and Christmas. I don't wanna be alone for my birthday. I'm tired and wish it would end. I'll be up, right after midnight. And then, wa oh, and then...

[τις ουκ αποθνησκει]
The one who is not dying,
[Σαμ]
Sam

600 AM

I wish something other than procrastination would motivate me for a little while.

Wait, I can think of something: σπουδαζω. (I hasten, make every effort.)

2 Tim. 2:15: Make every effort/do your best [σπουδασον] to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

I'm learning

−Σαμ (τις ουκ αποθνησκει)

Dismal Day

She told me, "Thank you for improving my cottage cheese." I'm so glad my life is fulfilled now.

A little Greek homework:
I will call to my Lord and he himself will answer me.
καλεσω προς τον κυριον μου και αυτος αποκρινσει με.

Today is a cold, wet, dismal day, and my heart is soft. Worked short, and ran to the store to acquire necessities. I even found much happiness there. Yes. Today is simply a fitting day to sell roses in the rain.

Also, I watched a squirrel dart across the road right in the path of an oncoming car. He slipped on the wet road as he scurried his little legs as fast as he could go, just barely missing being hit by the car, running up a tree to safety. I laughed after this scene unfolded before me.

Over the weekend I acquired some friends. Spike and Narcissus, respectively.


Narcissus is a particularly vain plant, he sits in front of the mirror all the time. I also added another lamp to my room. This one does not have a name, but neither do the other two. Why? I do not know.

I also put up several strands of Christmas lights around my room - the C-7 type. I, however, will not do the courtesy of posting a picture of the results. And for those who are bothered by my Christmas decorating, I do you the courtesy of saying, Get over it!

ΣM
ΜΣ

That And So Much More

"Αγαπησεις κυριον τον θεον σου εν ολη τη καρδια σου και εν ολη τη ψυχη σου και εν ολη τη διανοια σου." Matthew 22:37

We prove our love for God by obeying his commands (I John 5:3). What is Christ's command? Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. (Matt. 22:37) What a revelation - so simple, so paradoxical. While I must confess my failure, I here express my commitment and determination, to love God with all I've got.

Psychology research paper on Color Psychology handed in this morning. Pentateuch paper on the Sabbath due Monday. Lesson 12 Greek vocab due tomorrow. That and so much more...

The weekend lies ahead with some hope. Lying parallel to that hope is the discipline of homework.

Applied for a job at University Hospital.

And simply for the fun of it: ο θεος φως εστιν και εν αυτω ουκ εστιν αμαρτια. η καρδια μου περιπατει κατα την αληθειαν και ουκ ακολουθω ταις οδοις του κοσμου. ακουω της φωνης του κυριου μου και τηποσω τους λογους αυτου. δε πως περιπατησομεν εν εκειναις ταις οδοις ει ου γινωσκομεν αυτας;

-Σαμ

Lacking Motivation

I found a dollar in the street.

So I can make this great barbecue chicken...

Your snowmen leads a tragic life...

Still dealing with this cold...

But in the great scheme of things...

-σαμ

Bandwagons, Animals, and Insights.

So it's been good to be home. And I don't say that casually, but yet at the same point I cannot remember the last time when it was bad to be home. In either case, things turned out to be better than I expected. So that's the advice, lower your expectations and then you'll be surprised...Just joking.

Fall is definitely here - showing its face more than it dares to in Cincinnati. It reminds me of a couple years ago, driving home on the highway, windows down, music up, little gray-green-brown leaves dancing across the road, trees in full color, and woodsmoke in the air. -And I just realized that I can't keep talking about autumn. Ech!

In other news, what a hype about politics! Ha.

I'm home with my sister and her friends for the weekend. Tomorrow is Rochelle's birthday and I'm home to help her celebrate. We went to a hayride last night. Complete with food, swing in the hay loft, corn maze, large fire, animals, and friends. (Notice how I join animals and friends at the end, and make the assumption that you would know that there would obviously be an actual real-live hayride.) Oh, what fun to sneak around in the corn, donning a t-shirt over my head and tying it behind to reveal nothing of my identity but my eyes to the people I would scare. And I did. Scare them, that is. Running to and fro, jumping, yelling and growling at innocent victims. Fortunately, my allergies to hay, straw, and dust didn't affect me as much as I dreadfully anticipated. Maybe it was because I sat on the first bandwagon on the hayride, thereby leaving behind the majority of the "fun" youth on the second wagon as they threw hay at each other, and turned each other into scarecrows. Yea, maybe that had something to do with it.

We also went down under the barn and petted the Democratic presidential candidates (two donkeys), well pet is a nice word, I more reached through the fence and patted the one donkey on its butt and watched as dust flew in the air. However, the calf redeemed the experience. I named him Buddy. I saw him and decided to pet him, so I just climbed over the small fence and went over to him. The little girls yelling scared him, but I eventually was able to coax him into letting me pet him, and he started sucking and chewing on my hand. It was a neat experience for me. Although I was questioned as to wanting to spend lots of time with the calf, I related to the questioners that I have always seen calves in the field and on farms and have never got a chance to pet them, or just even get close to one. Therefore I endeared the time I spent with buddy. Also, I got a chance to hold a black velvetine rabbit, so soft! However, equally enjoyable and more humorous was hearing Dani scream as the baby pig she was holding squealed up a storm. She was quite traumified as to its squeals and seeing that it did not like her terror, it promptly decided to relieve the situational stress by crapping over Dani. This brought me much laughter.

On the downside, I have been minimally sick with it getting increasingly worse over the past few days. Symptoms of sore throat and nasal congestion, and a little bit of laryngitis. Another reason to be home: Mom gave me a tea of hot water, vinegar and honey. I preffer adding extra honey, and it really is quite a throat reliever. My sickness has gotten so bad that last night there was so much mucus in my throat and esophogaus that after gargling with salt water and gagging I simply stuck my finger in the back of my throat and expelled it. However, I must say that it has been a pleasure hearing how low my voice has dropped - ridiculously low I tell you.

In all of this I'm trying to be estatic in Christ as Mer said in class. I was reading today and was struck by something. This is how we love God: by obeying his commands. (I John 5:3) I was thinking, what's the most obvious command about loving God? It came to me, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind." This is the most important thing in our life that we can do.

And that my friends is a good post.

-Sam

Cold Air Warm Heart

In life I've found that everything will not always go the way you planned. Last week's culprit proved to be no match for my intentions. Therefore, this week has proven, and will prove to be, much different.

My father planted a sugar maple tree that turns flaming orange each autumn as it falls asleep. I'm so glad he planted that tree.

Was in a bookstore last week and my interest was caught by a book called 501 Must See Movies. We scanned through the entire book, and for fun I decided to count. I have seen only 20 of the 501. That's 4 percent! Found this very amusing.

Carved a pumpkin last night and won a game with my team in volleyball intramurals.

Was reminded tonight of how much I really love spiced apple cider. That and...

Let's ski.

-Sam

Cold, Damp, and Dismal Fades To Cool and Sunny, with Smiles

My current choice of body wash: Old Spice, Swagger.

My mother made these great pumpkin chocolate chip cupcakes.

The trees have it together around here, they're actually falling asleep in good color.

Our dog is so cool. I love her.

Oh, I came home for the weekend, yea...

And took a walk last night in the rain. It was cold. You could see your breath.

The eager anticipation of Christmas makes me feel like a kid again.

That cinammony-apple-pumpkin smell in the house. My mom is so cool.

Chapped lips, chapstick. Dry skin, scentless lotion.

And I'm stealing her identity.

My uncle Paul, aunt Eileen, Pap-Pap and Grandma are coming from PA. We're going out to eat.

...But is this the reason why I'm happy?

These Are The Headlines

Truth be told, I actually don't like politics.

And I find it ironic that I'm tired of everyone talking about how great fall is, yet I myself am enjoying this cold weather, the woodsmoke, and the pumpkin carving I did last night.

Hmm.

"I mean even I myself am having some yuletide doubts. But maybe if we could reunite with the Who's..." said Cindy Lou.
The Grinch cut her off and mocked her,
"But maybe if we could reunite with the Who's...Oh, grow up!" The Grinch growled.

It was cold this morning, and as I walked onto main campus I looked and saw the sky glowing with color. Did I mention it was cold? I wore my jeans, hoodie, scarf, and beanie. And for the first time in a long time, much to my delight, I could see my smokey breath this morning. 9 of us went to the Coffee Emporium. And I just feel lovely now...

Ah, yes, October!

Cool Autumnal Weather

It makes me stick my hands in my pockets
Opting against my gloves
It makes me breathe deeply
And go swishing through the leaves
It makes me pull out another sweater
And tie that happy scarf around my neck
Every so fashionably

Personal Exposition on Weather

Winter is a curse and
Spring is its resistance
Summer is a blessing and
Autumn is the surrender
To it all

I, in my pleasured morbidity used to ascribe the term "dead and dying" to the winter and autumn seasons. For, if winter was the bitter cold, and no insects and bright flowers abounded, then fall was the death of almost all living things, going out in a blaze of glory. "Everything was dying!" I proudly proclaimed. But in recent light and exposition of the fall season by a close personal friend of mine, I, as a self-admitted realist will hereby make the statement:

Autumn is not when everything is dying. It is simply when, the trees fall asleep.

There. I said it.

But the bugs, what about the bugs?

-Sam

Stimulant

I overdosed - ingested 880mg of Caffeine in a 14 hour period this morning. In order to complete the large amount of homework and research paper due today, my drug of choice was caffeine. It worked well - enough to get me through. And now 22 hours later I am being told to go to bed. I was sick all morning with an upset stomach, with urges to vomit. It is a sickening feeling when you body is trying to shut down, but your brain will not let it. Rest assured, there are consequences. αποθνησκω!

What Happened This Morning As We Stood In Line For Coffee

In light of the recent headline from the Cincinnati Enquirer: "Debate Displays Great Differences," we have hereby postulated this entirely fictitious account of recent comments on the presidential debate.

"Debate Displays Great Similarities Between Candidates." Recent debate reveals candidates are so similar, voters are having trouble distinguishing the difference between them. General public struggles to care. An attitude of apathy and indifference has struck the nation. Many voters are asking, in the great scheme of things does this election really matter? 58% of those polled simply shrugged. They stated that they were leaning towards one particular candidate but didn't really care that much. The remaining percentage of voters said, "Hey look, a squirrel!"

Many Americans today are struggling with realizing the differences between the two candidates. In fact, 39% percent of those polled stated they were very confused by all the little signs in everybody's yards. One man commented that he had placed 75 presidential candidate signs in his front yard simply to aerate the lawn. Hugenmeyer stated, "My lawn has improved greatly since the political party contacted me about advertising their candidate." Other Americans are using the signs for croquet, golf practice, and lawn ornamentation, which happens to look very nice next to the gnomes.

Yes, indeed the election season has brought about much confusion and indifference to many around this nation. As we look forward to the national election we simply are confounded by the astronomical amount of people who are saying, "What the - wait, are we supposed to care?"

-Σμ

College

...engender, anecdotal, panacea, gigantesque, a, dour, repudiate, vogue, nuance, laity, buttonholing, abject, list, vociferous, solidarity, apartheid, contentiousness, peremptorily, quantified, sentient, aeon, relativistic, mongoloid, aberrant, et al, of, abate, latrogenic, incapacitated, criterion, autism, words, diathesis, caustic, effervescence, exogenous, endogenous, cyclothymia, dysthymia, eccentric, that, catatonic, mutism, fugue, diametrically, estrangement, I, somatoform, hysterical, atrophy, lability, disinhibition, impair, impressionistic, psychotheraphy, ecclesiology, psychoanalysis, have, cathasis, latent, nouthetic, rapport, gestalt, depreciation, sublimation, looked, libido, psychotropic, lesions, ameloriate, depersonalization, dichotomy, catharsis, concurrent, collaborative, pedantic, cogently, up, phenomenological, id, clerical, facade, tentativeness, when, generativity, neurosis, approximation, engender, anemic, marasmus, menarche, punitive, confabulate, altruism, celibate, doing, inordinate, viable, plethora, some, histrionic, clinicians, amenable, pathological, self-actualization, pubescence, ambivalence, consolidate, ideology, college, cognitive, integration, progesterone, veneral, delimitation, illusory, intrinsically, negate, achetypes, reading, tantamount, unequivocally, peripheral...

Faulty perception
I love
The combination
Of those words
Like a salt and pepper shaker
On a table
Like two dancers
On a floor

Shorn

And now for the moment you've all been holding your collectively bated breaths for...


And now many of you sit in great satisfaction, shock, surprise, sadness, amusement, amazement, or indifference.

*Laughs to self*

And all the little hairs on the floor lay crying...

Now I must begin thinking of responses to everyone's anticipated ensuing comments.

Shorn,
-Sam

400AM

I can't keep doing this.

When I Think...(And Yes I Do)

John 14:6a "λεγει αυτω Ιησους, Εγω ειμι η οδος και η αληθεια και η ζωη"

I should write poetry about my least favorite meals in the cafeteria. Yea.

When I think of autumn I think of: chili, colby cheese, apple butter, apple cider, scarecrows, jack-o'-lanterns, cinnamon, colored leaves, straw, hayrides, fire, leaves falling from trees, woodsmoke drifting through the air, little brown leaves dancing across the street...

And sometime, yes sometime this fall, I want to carve a watermelon like you would a pumpkin. *chuckles*

-Σαμ

Eloquent Randomness

For all of you who were concerned, nay worried about my current state I can truthfully assure you that I am not depressed, and that I am squeaking by with enough sleep. Contrary to the earlier posted seemingly conflicting pictorial evidence, which happens only to be an artistic expression of my habitual early morning activity.

Moving on, I am frustrated with the trees - or rather the lack of cooperative cold weather which causes the trees to fall asleep in a blaze of colorful glory, unlike humans.
Homecoming is this weekend which means almost nil to me right now. I have helped with the Main St. booth a bunch and have had much fun graffitiing. I also look forward to the Ministerial Division shirts that will be coming out.

Homework is pretty steepy for me right now; I feel a figurative pile of time-consuming work sits in front of me, taunting menacingly. A silent stare down - no silliness, and no sticking out of tongue. My brain spins as I try to embrace the complex infrastructure of the Greek language. As Osprey has so intelligently put it: It's like you are making your way through a cave in thick fog.

Bring on the apple cider and the carved watermelons. And let's go scare a scarecrow!

-Sam
Fall Fell

300AM

I can't believe I do this to myself.

-Σαμ

γινωσκεις;

I John 4:8
ο μη αγαπων, ουκ εγνω τον θεον, οτι ο θεος αγαπη εστιν.
The one who does not love, does not know God, because God is love.

τα αγαθα εν ζωη
The good things in life.

ειμι Σαμ
I am Sam

Natural Selection

I was standing in line listening to a guy in front of us talk. He was talking to his friend about how there has been a recent rise of people getting hit by cars in New York because they are distracted by their ipods. He succinctly declared that this was Darwinism at its best. I resorted to self-repressed riotous laughter.

Oops.

What's Not Gonna Work?

It's getting cold. We had a short bout of rain yesterday, and it was windy. It made things really feel like fall. The leaves aren't changing yet, but Mom said they are up north. Sleep. Sleep.

Scott's here. I was on my way out to work in Hyde Park and stopped him and said "Hi".

I have not been getting enough sleep. I was up til 330 in the Schmul library doing research work Wednesday. I talked for 5 minutes and 43 seconds to Shane on the phone who happened to be sitting directly across from me. That's the craziness we enjoy.

In gooder news I slept a full night last night. Abandoned the crew for coffee this morning but enjoyed every minute with Carlisa. It's amazing what sleep will do for you - emotionally, spiritually, physically.

I ponder whether or not to do my Psychology research paper on stress or color psychology. Anyway.

I worked today, and Adriana's still in the shop. The weekend is promising. Greek vocab homework and stuff tonight.

Now who would like a cookie?

-Sam

Autumn?

It gets dark at 7:30. I don't like that. It reminds me that fall is here. (Which it has been for 8 days) Get ready for the flaming colors. The trees are going to fall asleep soon.

My life right now feels like the middle of the kitchen table in the middle of making a chocolate cake. Oil, flour, sugar, salt, vanilla, baking soda, eggs, and chocolate chips all strewn about. I'm just a recipe.

I had a good weekend in North eastern Ohio. I loved the location and the people. I had a lot of fun with friends. I also learned how to successfully flip on the trampoline. And the proof is in the pudding, err...pictures.







So long
-Sam

Short Sleeve in a Tall Cup

I can't take it. I'm out of here. My mind is swirling. I'm running low on sleep. I'm going away. There's more than one of us. We're going to have fun.

But before I do, maybe I'll go running, and go to class, and sleep. Yes.


Ike's birthday was today. We went to the coffee emporium downtown and I had the creme brulee brand. I enjoyed. We got Ike a t-shirt in honor of slipping past the teenage years, of which I will soon follow. (Insert panicked scream)

[I] thank God for friends.

And you know what? I'm outta here. I've been too busy and my mind isn't stopping anytime soon.

A dios.

-Sam

I'm Just a Refugee

Remember that time back in the fall semester of '08 - that huge power outage from Hurricane Ike?


That's what we'll say.

Trying to remember the details I'm forgetting, and remembering the details I wish to forget

I have made and received 27 phone calls today and have gone to 4 meetings. I have not slowed down since this morning and I am in hate with it.

I've got so much on my mind my head is spinning, and throughout the day I've had trouble thinking straight.

Down the street several shots were fired tonight. I saw the flickering red and blue.

I enjoyed a week off a school. Power was out for hundreds of thousands in Cincinnati. I stayed at a friends house for the week and then went to another friend's house for a wedding and the weekend. I enjoyed myself immensely.

And vagueness becomes me.

-Sam

*wink*

Greek Homework

My Greek professor, Dr. Philip Brown has said it so perfectly. In response to the people who tell him, "It's all Greek to me!" he responds, "When people say that to me I say, 'It's Greek to me too, I just know what it means.'"

And translating this sentence makes my head spin:

οι αδελφοι του ανθωπου λεγουσι τοις υιοις του αγγελου.

αποθνησκω!

-Sam

In The Midst Of It

Whew, it's been crazy. I haven't blogged because I haven't had the spare time to do so. Even now I sneak a few late night minutes in. My days consist mainly of sleeping, eating, classes, homework, and ministry. I've been involved in structural diagramming, Greek vocabulary and grammar, psychobiology, and more. That's the fancy, a lot of it simply consists of note taking, reading and studying. Tonight, I even forgot what day tomorrow is.


My cactus cutting that I brought from home has sprouted roots after being in the window for a few days. I'm happy about that. I viewed videos online on how exactly to grow cacti cuttings and simply thought it would be cool to grow a low maintenance cactus. My freshman year roommate got me hooked on it.

Was in the library last night and Mel was studying Shakespeare. She chose Sonnet 147 for her assignment. We both shared quieted riotous laughter after I quoted the final lines in a witty British accent, followed by a deep growling voice: For I have sworn thee fair, and thought thee bright - Who art as black as hell, as dark as night.

Full day tomorrow which will be started off with jogging (which Mel is unsure of doing because of the shooting down the street) and then downtown for some coffee at the Emporium.

I Don't Have a Girlfriend

I think that the classic Christian single person's approach is, "God, you've gotta bust me over the head with a mate, a spouse." And really I think the biggest thing is just having the patience to wait for the person that God wants you to spend the rest of your life with...It's hard...I think that's basically the deal: it's just trusting God. I don't think God is that dumb. I think that he gives us enough wisdom, enough intelligence to be able to know, as His child, when our life partner comes our way.

New Way to be Human

"Yet we struggle to believe that God intends for us to be truly human. We think we must get dressed up in our Sunday best to talk with God. We're afraid that being made of flesh and blood meets with divine disapproval. The fact that we love to laugh, take a walk with a friend, sip tea and read a good book for the sheer pleasure of it is probably regarded from on high, we fear, with a cosmic frown. We forget that it was God's idea, not ours, to make us human...There is also confusion about what it means to be spiritual. We feel it is more spiritual to take our seeker friends to a Bible discussion or to church than to a play or out for pizza...[God] made us human. He is therefore interested in every aspect of our humanness. It is the stuff of our humanity - the everyday grit and glory that we all encounter simply by walking out the door each morning - that God uses to shape a holy life within us. We dare not limit him, then, to Bible studies and discussions with Christians. He created life, and he desires to be glorified in the totality of all that adds up to life. And his power and presence will come crashing through to the world as we let him live fully in every aspect of our lives." (Pippert, 1999, pp. 30-31)

I thought I would share a little bit of inspiration with you. This is open for comments, aggreable or disagreeable. I acquired this quote from a textbook that I am reading for college. In my own opinion I think that the author has nailed it. The author explains that in embracing humanity she is not condoning sin, however within the context of evangelism and spirituality we simply have trouble being who we are. God is not a God whom you can impress. He sees past the facades. He knows our heart each and every moment. Too often I have come to the table consciously or unconsciously trying to please God with my spirituality. It's a futility in religion and failure in a relationship. While I am not abandoning the issue of outward appearance, I do recognize that God has his eyes on my heart. In the past I have given God the first and "foremost" (but very groggy) minutes of my morning believing he was smiling on my effort to put him "first" in my day. While I will not condone selfishness or nurturing our relationship with God whenever we please, I do believe that we must love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and that we - as the children of the Father - must learn to be comfortable with being ourselves. Anything more than this is acting.


Pippert, R. M. (1999) Out of the Saltshaker & into the World. Downers Grove, IL: IVP

Revival and Rockets

"Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar." Psalm 138:6 NIV

I'm not exactly sure what to say...but I know that it has been a great week. I have felt God's presence and have drawn closer to him these past few days. They call it revival and I suppose that's been a fitting term for what has happened here on campus. God is cleansing and renewing hearts. He is accepting the sacrifice of self. He is pouring out his love, mercy and grace on those who seek Him. He is getting closer to those who are getting closer to Him. My confession is that I have not guarded my lips, nor shown God's love to others, nor kept myself unpolluted from the world. However, I've given God all of me. And really, that's all He wants. I'm committed to purity. I'm committed to Christ. I'm committed to self-insufficiency - a total dependence on God. I was struck tonight by this verse in Psalm 138. That even though God is high, majestic and Lord of the universe, he pays attention to the humble...but, the proud he knows from a distance. It was an interesting discovery and one that I know well: pride will distance us from our heavenly Father. My heart's whisper is: I just want to know God more.

The first week of classes has begun and the fuel to the rocket engines has been engaged. As the semester begins, combustion kicks in and the smoke begins to billow. Soon...we will have lift off. I have gone running and plan to go in the morning as well. I've also lifted weights to keep up with my brothers at home. *chuckles* The syllabi have been passed out. The reading of books has begun. Here we go.

And I'm going home for the weekend.

Change

seems inevitable. However, whichever metaphor of life we want to use we still cannot escape it. We are in an odd relationship with change. It affects us so deeply, but we also have control over change as we alter circumstances by our actions and decisions. Of course what makes it so suffocating is that there are things that will never be the same. Change has affected us so deeply in ways that can never be resurrected.

The passing of time has brought about much change here: new people, new faces, old faces with different jobs, new roommates, new dormmates. And perhaps it is the hourglass of time that is to be blamed here, but we are bound by time and change. We cannot escape.

But before you mourn let me declare hope. Within this cage of time and change lies choice. It is the key that unlocks the prison and the hands that sculpt the clay. It does not provide a gung-ho attitude, but rather an approach to life that says I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. And from this foundation we lay a framework of determination, hard work, enthusiasm, goals, dreams, perseverance and wisdom.






Semester Goals

1. Continue to affect the culture of my college in a positive way.
2. Grow and mature spiritually in my relationship with God
3. Obtain a job and work steadily
4. Study diligent to excel academically
5. Learn to balance sociality and academia
6. Discipline myself to do what I must
7. Affect those I encounter with the passion I have for Christ

Cincinnati

Hey, I'm here.

And I sit contemplating what to tell you...I have uh, made it safely back to Cinci after a lengthy but speedy summer break. I thank God that I am here once again. This year promises to be difficult with some hard classes this semester, but what, do I shrug it off and say that I can handle it? No. My God promises that his grace is sufficient for me. I trust in Him.

As I ramble on I must say that this is the first time that I have had a good, steady connection for internet in my room. So never fear, that lack of posts shall soon be relieved. So there's hope for the future my friend!

Eh...yea.

In other news I am staying in the same room - 218 - with a single roommate, Brent. It is working out very well as we are both easygoing, courteous and enjoy some of the same things. Was able to successfully move in Tuesday and by Wednesday had finished arranging the room. We have a very nice set up. I am happy and feel very blessed about the arrangement both of the room and the roommate.

I've been down the river to walk across the bridge. I've helped my sister move some stuff. I've purchased textbooks. I've gone downtown to the coffee shop. I've played beach volleyball at riverfront. I've worked for the school. I have talked to friends and have enjoyed being with so many college mates again.

Yes, I'm here and soon things shall start going too many miles per hour.

Vacation

Well I went to North Carolina. I thought I would post pictures from our family vacation. Due to the amount of pictures I uploaded I won't ramble on about how relaxing it was or how much I really enjoyed it, although these facts are indeed true. As far as explanations go we acquired a cabin near Mt. Jefferson in Northwestern NC. It was about a mile up in the mountain with a pretty view and hiking trails all around the mountain. We spent our time relaxing at the cabin which included watching movies, cooking out, grilling, roasting smores, reading, sleeping in and swinging on porch swings. We also hiked trails on the mountain and went up to a lookout view. On the way back home we drove along the Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoyed the fantastic view. Well, here you go. Enjoy!