New Week

Funny, last night i found myself playing basketball. Yes, me. Like i always say when the hooping topic comes up, a man's got to know his limits. And basketball is definitely, as some famous guy said, above my pay grade. I finished the evening with a jammed finger and i rolled my ankle. Congratulations. I did go home a bit satisfied that it wasn't as terrible as it could have been.

I'm looking forward to this week. I think it's going to bring on some good things. Kicking off a new lifegroup tuesday, and then canvas is moving to sunday nights this week and a couple of other things will make this week a pretty solid one.

My scripture of the week via Daily Bread: "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurace develops character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment". (Romans 5:3-5)

The Wait is Over

What's up blog world? It's been a minute, no maybe i should say it's been ages. Different reasons for that, which i'm sure i'll detail but not all, not right now at least. it's almost two o'clock in the morning, got church in the AM but dude, i really can't sleep. I'm somewhat stressed out but I'm trying not to be. As you may know i've been debating my next steps in life, it's getting a tad dizzy out here. I think that's playing into my lack of sleep. It's been like that the last few nights, i've eventually fallen asleep but it's been taking more than usual. And usual is not a short time either. I'm doing my best not to be worried, prayed about it and put it in God's hands but i can't deny the fact that it's starting to bother me a good amount.

I've been applying for jobs that i think are pretty adequate for me and what i'm looking for, including my caliber, asking pay and role criteria. I've even applied for some that i would assume i'm overqualified for but it's awfully quiet out there. Although i have heard a few noises lately, i'm hoping those noises get louder. But the last couple of days, i can't figure out if the whole situation is just getting to me but i'm starting to feel i need to do something. I really have little to no idea what that something is but i just have this feeling like something needs to be done. I don't know if it's my natural self wanting to somehow take control of the situation, which i honestly don't want to do because i've put it in God's hands but sheesh dude. It's like what to do? I've had thoughts about the whole grad school shindig, which i definitely want to do eventually but i just don't feel like it's the right time. Most of the schools i would want to apply to would like me to have at least 2years of work experience. Unless i go the MS and then MBA route later; i mean if it comes to that fine but i don't really see that as such a great strategy but hey who am i to say. Anyhow, i talked to the mom about the whole grad school gmat about a week or so ago so maybe that's what got me thinking crazy. who knows?
Like i said, i just feel like i need to change strategy. But i just added a new thing to my job search business. I started following up applications with phone calls, that's helped a bit but i got an e-mail from one that might be interested saying no calls (this is after i had already called and left a voicemail). Heh! I read the e-mail and i'm like "good to know"...after the fact. Actually a legit opportunity, she needs to holla at me. On a more serious note, i've been networking at least trying to, keeping up with previous contacts and such, there are very few things that i'm not doing at the moment that i can think of. I guess i need to broaden the horizon. I don't know if it's time for a more radical step but i don't think i'm ready for that and I honestly don't think that's in His plan for now. As much as I don't know and I'm still waiting for the right door to open, i kinda discern that "that" ain't it, at least for now.
I know and understand His using this time to teach me something. as obama would say, "this is a teachable moment", it's always a teachable moment for us not him. Anyway, i believe God is using this time to do some work in me, some of which i have and can definitely identify. But i'm ike c'mon God let's get moving to the next phase. But who am i to rush Him. All in all i'm staying positive and believing that something good is right around and i'm turning the corner. Thy Will Be Done.

Let me try to catch some snooze...

Back again!

Wow! It's been almost two months since I last blogged. I have to say i've been a lazy blogger. But anyhow, I'm back. Within the last two months, I went to Nigeria came back, went to Retreat for Canvas (church young adults ministry) in Austin and now i'm here about two weeks after. It's been an interesting, fun as well as rollercoaster eight weeks. I'll be detailing going forward. Anyhow, i just posted the pictures from my trip to nigeria on facebook and i wanted to link it here. Haven't figured out how to link my facebook page to this blog but hopefully i figure it out ASAP.
Nigeria was amazing, what can I say. It was more than i expected in so many ways. I took over 650pictures, i only posted like 170 on facebook just to give folks the idea. I think i said it on one of the pictures, one phrase to describe Nigeria: Work in Progress. I honestly wish i detailed everyday as the days went by. But all in all, i got to see family members that i hadn't seen in a while, some i had never even seen before. Also saw family friends that remember me since when i was 'this' small...blah blah blah. you know the drill. But it was all good. The love of family and friends is not comparable. It was a delight.
Nigeria, is full of corruption. One quick story. While we were there the Central Bank of Nigeria FIRED the top banks CEOs. Yes you read that right! They fired them, who in hell or heaven gave them the right to fire a CEO of a private company. And that's not the end they put them in JAIL. Dude if that's not a banana republic, then i don't know what is. They made up some BS charges that they mismanaged their banks. So what if they did, which they really didn't...the banking crisis is worldwide. Even if they did, that's up to their shareholders...which in one bank I am. It's pretty sad man. Anyhow man, I'll be blogging a lot more often.
Oh by the way, I'm looking for a new J-O-B now. Godwilling I'll have a really good one soon. Wish me luck and godspeed! For now, I'm Out!

Weekend Roundup

The weekend was pretty good, too quick and too short. Yes, even though this was my friday off. I went to a lecture by Robert Murphy of the Mises Institute friday. It was very informative, even though a lot of what he said I knew from Amity Shlaes book, "The Forgotten Man". The best part of the lecture was hearing that business leaders were almost excited when FDR died because they feared he was going to declare himself Dictator. LOL...reminds me of another "charismatic" president. Except this time he might not just "rule" in America but as a "citizen of the world", rule the world. Wouldn't that be just dandy. He hasn't done enough damage to the US so he wants to screw the rest of the world over. Great Idea! Had a good mother's day with the mother. I was left with a pretty fat lunch tab. Mother's day comes once a year, I guess.

It's a shame that Wanda Sykes and the rest of the left succumb to acts like these. That's all i can say about this.

Tea Party De-brief

I had a lot fun at the rally yesterday. I'll be posting pictures shortly. Got there about 3:45 (it was supposed to start at 4) and I guess I was a little nervous. For one, it was my first protest and then second, uhhh do I have to say. I don't think i was necessarily nervous, i think i was just more anxious to see the reaction I would get. But the wait didn't last. As I walked up out of the parking garage, I walked right into the line to get into the park (people were signing in). In line, I met a couple who brought their young daughter, probably in middle or high school. I couldn't really tell. We chatted a bit, they loved my t-shirt for one, that was a big convo starter. The guy took pictures of me and we were yappin' it up. Then for some reason, I can't remember, we spoke to the lady behind them and before you know it me and her were yappin' it up. She seemed like a really nice middle aged woman but then I could tell there was something about her. Anyhow, she told me how her kids made her sign and then I said something about being a recent grad and then she asks me where I went. And of course we know, I'm always proud to give that answer. LSU! Her face lit up and gave me the "get out" look. And she yelled, "GEAUX" and of course I said, "TIGERS". It was a party already. You know LSU ppl, we meet each other and we act like we've known each other for years. I love the LSU family, truly amazing. I don't think there's anything like.

The program kicked off with music, pledge of allegiance, bible reading, and prayer. Yes, welcome to Texas, where we love our God and Guns. They had about 10000 people show up, i don't what the actual count is but it was amazing. Lots of speakers. They had conservatives, libertarians, ron paul crowd, young, middle aged, old and very young, fair tax people (I'm definitely a flat tax guy and think fair tax is sort of a joke) but we were all together. American flags everywhere. And there was plenty of Texas spirit, a lot of 10th Amendment and the proposition regarding that in the Texas state house.

I had a good time and I swear a million people took pictures of me. A lot of the older folks asked me if I remember the Carter years. My answer? "Uhhhhh, I really wasn't born until '87 so I've done a lot of reading and the guy was a joke". They loved me! Then again, who doesn't? Just teasing. , It did go a little long but I had to leave early (about 6:30). I teach fifth grade kids at my church on wednesday nights. All in all, this was a great experience that I hope is the beginning of saving America.

Post Christmas

So it was a pretty good Christmas this year! Got to spend a lot of time with the family and family friends which is always great. I also got to spend extended time with my younger cousins, who kicked it over at the house for a couple of days and even hit the cinema with them, checking out "Bedtime Stories". Interesting movie by the way, which doesn't mean i thought it was great. Adam Sandler's natural comedy kept me awake. Anyhow, it was a great Christmas except that my oldest brother couldn't make it but we were able to chat up through the great technology of the webcam! I recommend it, definitely! Mostly, this Christmas was a very meaningful one to me because I was able to volunteer with a local group, Volunteer Houston, with a friend of mine. It was an amazing morning that got me to recognize some serious realities. It's unfortunate how much we all take for granted...life, health, strength, and family. It was a little depressing to see some of the people in the hospital (both young and old) on Christmas day, laying in the bed, some suffering from in-curable situations. I was blessed to be able to make someone else smile and bring joy to peopel that might not have had some otherwise. I guess the scripture remains true, "it is more blessed to give, than it is to receieve", because the feeling i felt after leaving the hospital was stronger than any feeling i've felt from opening any presents on this Christmas or any other one. This whole event reminded me that we dare not take anything for granted, especially being able to wake up in the morning and know we don't need anybody's assistance to get up and get around. How grateful we must remain in this new year, all the more with the distractions of economic hard times we face in the coming years. Regardless we must remember that the situation we are in is ten times better than that of millions of others...and we're only talking about in the US. Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year!