Tony Romo meets Mike Huckabee

For all that it's worth, Tony Romo is the man of the hour to me. I abhor the NFL, but the Dallas Cowboys are quickly getting my attention despite the fact a player with a history like TO is on the roster. I just watched a post-game interview with Romo and I have concluded that he is the man. His team has been very successful this season and he is a young guy, a young star but he handles himself so well in interviews discussing the game and how he handles controversy off the field. Secondly, the way he handles himself on the field. Having played sports since I could stand, I have developed a great respect for players who have instinct and player who have poise. Tony Romo has ice water in his veins and it shows. I love players like that who handle themselves so well on the field. There are many good players but great players are the ones who are blessed with the ability to rise in clutch times. It isn't hard finding these great players, just look in their eyes...that will tell you all. For example, Mitch Mustain, former quaterback for the Arkansas Razorbacks, now on roster at USC, looked as if he was approaching his death every time he broke the huddle. Likewise, his play reflected it. Tony Romo is clutch, period.

Paralleling that thought, let me get political real quick. The governor of the state I have lived in all my life is now a rising star in the presidential scence. Mike Huckabee is a man fro Hope, Arkansas who is making a scene nationwide, not just Iowa. I first got interested in my governor's presidential campaign bu watching a video on youtube where he confidently and convincingly defended the creation of our world as brought to us in the book of Genesis. I continued searching for videos of Huckabee from previous debates and a ran across a slew of videos from various debates in June. I was hooked. Mike Huckabe, much like Tony Romo, is the most cool and confident person in the Republican debate scene and quickly making his case for the number one in the Presidential scene period. He is the most likable, most genuine candidate I have seen yet and am very much becoming involved for his sake.

People like to make the argument that a minister has no place in the oval office because he holds beliefs that many Americans do not, as we are quickly becoming a diverse nation. To that, I would argue that he is not striving to be the President to infiltrate the homes of Americans with his Southern Baptist faith, but apply these morals and ideals to the leader of our nation. I find it ironic that he is scrutinized for any mishap he makes because of his professed faith as if he should be held more accountable...give me a break. He will be the first to tell you he is not perfect and is indeed a human, prone to mistake just like every other person in this country. I believe that if a man (or woman) seeks to apply Christian principles to the job of the Presidency than our country will be better off. Yes, policy and economics and immigration and global warming all have their place, but it is my belief that if the United States of America, this nation under God, put a man that is seeking to follow the ideals of the Bible, into the oval office then our country will be more beneficial than we have in some time.

Thanksgiving Day

For what it's worth, Thanksgiving was a good day today. Honestly, the entire day I never like cognitively thought in my mind "I am thankful for this or that" but the entire day was spent with appreciation for my extended family. I played football with my cousin that is in his twenties, my second cousin who is two, and my other second cousin who is nine. The diversity of this day just moves me to love my family even more . I have always kind of felt left out from the table conversation because I am the second youngest cousin in the family, but my semester in college seemed to have catapulted me into the loop with my older cousins or perhaps I have done some growing up since I have seen them last. They have kids now and I am still a young buck, but as we sit there the conversation is all-inclusive and I love it. I feel a real connection with the cousins I have always grown up looking up to but now I have reached a sense of understanding or acceptance from them. It served as somewhat of a right of passage that I have never received but through this marvelous day, I see it through the conversation and love and joy and thankfulness of my family.

One Fine Day

For all that it's worth, I love my family. I am on Thanksgiving break right now and I have really spent it well. For the past few years, I haven't really been a part of the tree decorations for Christmas. I usually have found some other thing to do, some movie to watch, or some friend to go hang out with when that happens. This year, my sister was in Dallas with her fiance and my younger sister was out to lunch for the day with a friend from church, so I was at home with my parents for the afternoon. We were talking over lunch about Christmas and all that good stuff when we decided that we should just throw up the tree and the front porch decorations. Not only have I not been a part of the Christmas decorating festivities, it has never been just my parents and me. So, all afternoon we put up the tree, got the lights plugged in and working, got out the wreaths and the stuff that lines or railing and got it all situated. This may seem trivial but it is honestly the first time in a long time where I have just been wrapped up in the term 'home' and it truly was a blessing to this Thanksgiving break. I honestly think that is set the tone so to speak for the week ahead of me. It has me more concerned about family and what we are doing and spending time with each other, a concept that hasn't really been a factor in recent years.

Seasons of Change

Ahh, finally. The first big round of tests is over and it is the weekend. I celebrated by making notes for all the work that I have due monday and making sure I study for the quiz that I have that day too. It just doesnt end really, it is just a matter of adjusting and I am slowly doing just that with the workload, social life, and keeping my sanity. Visitation for clubs is this coming week and as crucial as that is, it still isn't the most important thing. The most important thing is that Season Four of The Office begins and I honestly cannot wait.

But really, I did actually do something social tonight. Lucas, Erica, and I went to Brick Oven Pizza and I got a redonkulous calzone for cheap with a water. Then we rolled over to Riverside park and walked around in the dark, talked on the little pier thing that goes out onto a cliff for quite sometime. After that, we went over to Midnight Oil, of course, to chill for a little bit. That place grows on me more every time, especially now that it is getting colder, so its about time to convert to a hot drink as opposed to my usual granita. Anyway, the greatest part of tonight was when we decided to go to the golf course and watch The Office. We grabbed a big quilt, changed into some sweat pants, grabbed Harrison and headed out there. It was amazing, just sitting out there in straight peace, laughing it up at the funniest show on tv. Also, the weather really got me in the camping mood, so we started planning our first great adventure tonight. I got out my pack and sleeping bag just to really get the feel of the camping season in Arkansas...I know, I am a loser but I love it. Two weeks from this weekend is the set day, given things work out (school, club stuff, etc.)

How could I forget this though: Harding Remix strikes again in the form of Straight Up Thuggin' with the newly added and edited, I might add, video of Listen to your Heart. It pretty much blew up on campus and people love it. I must say though that no one loves it as much as we do; we had so much fun making it and we can talk about it over and over and it never get old. We are all really proud of this video cause it is actually legitimately funny. Anyway, that is just a rough sketch of my past week and adjustments here at school. Many things are changing and I am doing my best to adjust so hopefully it all works out. I really hope I can find that balance with a good serving of responsibility and focus cause my college recipe is lacking a little bit in that area.

Smooth Transition

One thing I loved about high school is that it was easy. I would have one week out of about 9 where I really had to 'buckle down' in my work. I have come to see that college is much different. It requires a little more studying that I have been accustomed to in my days as a student. My dad was telling me sometime last spring that my sister had spent 8 hours studying for an organic chemistry test and made the statement that 'that is probably more than you have studied on your whole life.' As sarcastic as it may seem, I think it was truthful. I never studied for anything. Naturally, walking out of the Brackett Library with 3 solid hours of chemistry under my belt was a new experience. And to add to that, I had my Pscyhology notecards in front of my face from dinner all the way until the library and all the way from the library to the dorm. It's awesome really, I am actually enjoying it. I mean sure I would rather be sleeping or messing around on campus or something, but considering I know that I have to do well on this chemistry test, I am quite fine with spending three hours in the library.

Also, classes hit an all-time low when my engineering class (meets for 1 hour a week) got this ridiculous assignment for an excel spreadsheet. We haven't done a thing in there all year and the one week I am totally swamped, he hits us with that. I don't think so.

But here is the deal: Psychology - Wednesday, we never cover the book but well over half the test is from the book, hence my notecards. Bible - Thursday, test over the Gospels; my teacher is pretty tough and sometimes unpredictable, as it is with his tests so some time will need to be spent there. History - Thursday, I my first major paper due in the subject I abhor, yet am content with the assignment apart from the fact it is due in the middle of a chaotic weekk. And the granddaddy: Chemistry - Thursday night, first test in the class, covers four chapters and I have a poor chem background so this should be a fun ride. And that will be my week, not to mention a three hour lab tomorrow, followed closely by a club mixer.

Oh college, how I love thee. Despite this hectic and new schedule, I am still content with where I am because I am slowly developing some study skills and time management skills. Today, I never one freaked out over this week, but simply stayed focused and got some work done. It's a good start to this week and I look forward to a celebratory Friday nap after a solid college performance these next few days. So here is to my week...and my first test of tests.

Everytime We Touch

This is just a little video we threw together one night, I am only putting it up on here so that I can attempt to get a podcast in iTunes of it: