Day 28

This morning was a urban reminder that there are doctors, lawyers, and policeman in are cities, although this morning I'm focusing on the doctor....

After a visit to the doctor, I find out the lumps in my throat are swollen lymph nodes are a result of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. This is more often referred to as strep throat, though I'm a nerd and big medical words are cool. Luckily for me, because it was such an early stage, I haven't had a sore throat, runny nose, or had to alter my day plans. I was given powerful anti-biotics that I can truly vouch for when I say, they have really made the disease recessive, if not almost vanquished. I'm going in tomorrow for blood work to test for mononucleosis.

I worked during the afternoon, and then darted out with Melissa to join the birthday party for my mom. It was her 50th, and we threw her a surprise party. It was great to see so much of my family there, all enjoying themselves, with perfect fall weather. My Aunt Marsha catered several dishes and deserts, and with added brewed drinks and wines, it was a good night. Me and my dad got her an ipad (I'm a poor college student, so my dad paid most of that one...).

Went to bed at midnight sharp, knowing little that I would get 10 hours of sleep....

- Mom's 50th Birthday -

Day 27

Ho hum

I was incredibly late today for school, since I' quite certain my alarm did go off, but alas, I remained to stay slumbered in my bed, until I did what I do best. Slept in.

Regardless, I made it to school and enjoyed class, my spanish lab, and then had lunch with Melissa at The Connection on campus. Fresh, organic, and Michigan salads. Yes, it was good.

Went to work, did the usual, took some names, busted some heads, nothing too fancy.

Went home and got to see my grandma Judy from Monroe, here for my mother's birthday. I hung out at home until Mike came over later in the evening. Before he arrived, I spent about thirty minutes in the shower, just sweating, sitting, feeling tired and kind of sick. I felt better by the end of the night, but I'm keeping an eye on this "sickness". Me and Mike watched youtube videos and Robin Williams on Boradway. Then I slept. Yep, thats my day. Are you happy you know?!!!! Huh?!! Happy?!!!! STALKER!

I'm kidding, I love you all. Derek, shut up. Yes Derek....seriously, when you read this in the future, you will be embarrased, and you'll sound lame. Oh well.

-A picture that has nothing to do with this day-

Day 26

Why yes, I did just wake up, go all the way to work, only to find out I wasn't scheduled. Thanks for asking.....

Nonetheless, I had a swift meeting with my boss and then did some tasks and projects around the gym for about 2 hours, just to make up loss gas money, and some extra dough. I had stayed the night at Mike's the previous night, so after work, I set homeward bound and showered.

I finished working on my first paper for class, and then departed for GVSU, where I critiqued my paper, read other student's papers, and did more class de espanol. I ended up getting a B- on my first Spanish test, which is what I sort of predicted. Not bad, not bad.

After class, I snapped another exotically beautiful picture of the sunset. GVSU has, I think, the best view of sunsets, being it's quite elevated, and there are no trees or lights around it. It's in a rural realm where everything above you is vibrantly displayed. I met up with my good friend Jordan at Fazolli's which is the equivalent of McDonalds via Italian fast food form. We caught up with life, friends, and filled in the in-betweens. I've known Jordan for a year and a half. She was one of my managers when I worked at Plato's Closet. She moved to Texas in January and has since then helped start up a church, taken an assistant manager job, and other forward-oriented things one does with their life when they move away.

Went home and watched Batman and the Dark Knight, more or less skimmed through the cool scenes. And we know the cool scenes are the one's with Joker.

- The sunset -

Day 25

Woke up early this morning for my Com 101 class. It's such a drive back out to Allendale, for such a short class (70 minute class). Luckily I go by Meijer everytime so the availability to stop for a juice is adequte.

After class I came home and goofed around the house (I'm really getting sick of all the down time at my house, it's really urging me to move out), and watched some old movies I grew up with in my high school days. Then around 6:00, I left for my bi-weekly night class in Holland. Came to find out the class starts at 7:00, not 6:00, so I nested at a Mcdonalds (my once a week guilt dine) and did some homework until class started.

Because of my late class, plans for the casino fell through, where I was supposed to meet Mike. Nonetheless, I drove to his house where I would later stay the night. Melissa and Jordan came over. Jordan has been one of my good friends for two years. She was trying to surprise Mike but my lying abilities are bad (which I guess is a good thing.... who wants to be good at lying?) The four of us went to B-Dubs and partook in wings. Mmmmmhhhmmmm.

- Us at B-Dubs -

Day 24

I hate Mondays. Today was another bad Monday. I don't want to go into it; if I return to this post and give it a read a year from now, I don't want to resurrect scabs and give power to anything negative. Nonetheless, I made a productive day of it.

Cleaned my room for starters, which it was in dire need of. Dusted,vacuumed, organized, and cleaned over. Smells and looks new. I also shipped some eBay sales out, used goo-gone on a pile of things that have been needing the solution, and updated stuff on my computer. This morning was also the first morning I blended my breakfast, and this wasn't just any breakfast, but fruit. Oranges, apples, apricot, a concoction of vitamins and calcium that would be slurped down my throat from the foamy fruit frappe that was remaining. I also blended a protein shake, after a vigorous workout, from a vigorous day.

Went to school, did excellente on my first Spanish quiz, and pretty sure I succeeded in doing the same on my first test (might be a B+...we'll see). I sit here down on campus in a benched, shaded area outside the Fresh Food Company, a $9.00 buffet restaurant that boasts to be the finest dining on campus. I believe it. One look in this place brought up images of a cruise ship. Golden Corral has nothing on this eatery. Stay as long as you want, eat as much as you want. Any food you can think of. Chinese, salads, pastas, sandwiches, pizzas, soups, drinks, and plenty of ethnicity to go around. Yum is well deserved.

Ending the night with a late night dinner date with Mike. A good friend, with good food, and good talks. Here's to healthy eating

- What a good fruit blend should look like -

Day 23

10 years ago, my hands put down their drumsticks as my band teacher informed me and the rest of my middle school band class that two planes had just been flown into the World Trade Towers. The first day I saw a face of evil. A decade later, we remember and honor.

Woke up to a new sermon series at my church. I sat in a higher section of the balcony, which was dimly lit and unkempt, but I was still able to perceive the message. After the sermon me and Chad met up with Melissa and Samantha and has a Costco lunch.

After that I went back to Melissa's house where I hung out briefly, before leaving to see the film The Green Lantern with my friend Mike. The film was ok, a definitive  for a little boy's imagination. As stated on the previous blog, I avoided all sugars and sodas today, at the theater and at Costco. My body thanks me.

After the film, I met up with Melissa at Cornerstone University to check out Evensong. Evensong is a Sunday night event that brings a college university band (a la worship team)  together and unites a campus with Christ's love. It's been four years since I've been to this, to it was a time warp for my brain. After the show I went back to my old stomping grounds in Van Osdel, the dormitory I lived in. I walked through every floor, lobby, and lounge, taking in sights, smells, and memories. I became overwhelmed, and sat in a lounge and had a one-on-one with God. My basket of amnesics began to overflow a surging tangent of fervor in my mind. The emoticon capacity is brimming. I was so selfish those years growing up, yet I was so innocent. A child of the culture. I japed myself the entire time. I was blessed, and I never knew it. Until now. I miss that school.


Rob and Alex, two great guys from Cornerstone met me and Melissa at Applebee's tonight, where we were able to catch up, and I was again connoted again that I was blessed. I never had to wander that far off.


- Birthday party, December 2007, Cornerstone pals -

Day 22

This morning was a refresher. Someone hit F5 on my life. The little amount of sleep I had was enough to cover me with the curtain; the last magic trick of some sick magician, featuring me as a parlor trick in his game of life.

Read another chapter of that devotion. I could devote an entire blog to how this book is mimicking my thoughts and actions, but I'll spare myself and others that trip.

Went into work and cleaned house. Both around the job site and with my body. I started with a basic, eating only healthy foods + working out + in-taking serious protein (over 100g that day to be exact). I stopped at Meijer and loaded up on many organic juices before going into work.

After work, I stayed true to a newer, healthier lifestyle, minus hooka. Yes, I met up with Melissa, Kelsey, and her boyfriend Cody, and we hung out at the EGR Hooka Lounge, filling our lungs with the white sheep of tobacco families. Good Saturday, still feeling healthy and alive while typing this!

- My juices I drank today -