'Tis the Season

Well, it's soccer season again! I am very excited about the new season starting, I can't really explain it. Some people think I am crazy for still playing soccer despite the numerous injuries I have had, and that I am still willing to throw myself on the ground repeatedly to keep the ball from going in the goal. But there is something about the game that makes me happy. When I am on the field, I am a different person. I am not thinking about work, or worrying about bills, I am playing soccer, and that is a great feeling.
The season started last Thursday night with quite a thrashing. I chalk it up to our team getting used to playing together again, and a terrible referee. But the highlight of the season so far was the Southwestern University Alumni game, which pitted the Alums versus the current players. We had a pretty decent squad and ended up winning the game 3-2. I was just excited that I didn't get scored on in 45 minutes of play. It was fun to see old teammates and meet some of the guys that played before me. It was a fun afternoon. The season runs through the middle of May, so I will get to play in quite a few games, and that makes me happy.

The Little Things

This past Saturday was a strange, but good day. It was the last day of my first class this semester, "Organizational Theory," which was a great class. Anyway, I had to finish a 25-30 page paper reviewing an organization I had been a part of using the four frames of organizational theory. I worked on it all day and finished about 6:00pm. I then went to the Wal-Mart to get some bread and milk and such. On the way home I was feeling very sad for no real reason. I remember feeling like I didn't have anyone to hang out with, and I was basically feeling sorry for myself. I hate when I start to feel that way and know that I really have reason to feel that way. Anyway, I had to stop to get gas and when I turned my truck back on the cd that was in popped out and the radio came on. It was set on the local Christian station 92.1, and Chris Tomlin's song, "How Great is Our God," came on. At that point in time, my mindset completely changed and I was in a great mood again because I realized we do have an amazing God. I remembered that I am not ever alone, because He is always with me. I stopped to get some dinner and kept listening to the radio and heard 2 more great songs before I got home, including "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe. Sometimes it just takes a little reminder of how good things really are to get me out of a funk.
It's been a nice week with the students on Spring Break. I have gotten a lot of stuff done and it is so quiet. Although I do have to take defensive driving this week. Also, the spring soccer season starts this week and I am very excited to be playing again. Hopefully Thursday night will go well.

Birthday time!

So it was my 26th birthday last week, and as someone told me that means I am officially closer to 30 than 20 now. That makes me feel a little old, but I'm okay with that. I had a great birthday and I am so thankful to all my friends who sent me messages that day, it made me feel very loved. My actual birthday was on a Friday, so we didn't do anything super special, I had to work that night and then I went home to finish a paper for my class. On Saturday, I woke up early and drove to Austin to watch my little brother swim. I hung out with him for most of the day and my parents came in town later that afternoon. That night we went to Craig's meet again and watched him swim a career best, which was awesome. Then we went out to eat as a family plus Craig's housemate and his family. After that we went to Pete's to cap off the night. Several of my friends met me there and I had a great time singing along, being goofy, and watching my brother work it on a girl there. Overall, it was great birthday and I am so thankful for all of my friends.
On another note, my little brother is officially a professional swimmer. This past weekend was the American Short Course Championship, and Craig did very well there. He won the 500 freestlye the first night and on the third night got third in the 200 backstroke. Placing in both of those events won him some money, so he is official now. It's been such a treat watching him grow in to the great swimmer he is these days and I am so very proud of him. He works extremely hard so it was great for his confidence for him to do well this weekend. Now we're just looking forward to Olympic Trials in 2008. If you want to check him out, he has his own website now, he's big time! Check it out: http://www.conciergechappy.com/ Some girls made it for him and it looks really good.