“Hurricane” Ida

It turns out that sometimes hurricanes are all talk. Ida approached Mobile at the beginning of this week, and everyone knew that we were doomed. Freshmen panicked. Everyone else anticipated an evacuation. UM Alert informed the student body that classes were canceled from 3 PM on Monday through 12 PM on Tuesday. And there was much rejoicing.

As it turns out, when classes are canceled on Tuesday morning, Monday nights turn into Friday nights. People were hanging out in the dorms until midnight, and then when the RA’s (such as myself) kicked them out, they braved the storm and hit up Waffle House (the ONLY restaurant that stayed open past 7 on Monday night). Hurricanes make ordinary people do crazy things. And, as I discovered this week, Hurricanes, when downgraded to a tropical storm, make college students party like it’s 1999.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Adam, why would smart college students risk their lives by going out in the storm at midnight?” I’ll let you make your own assumptions there. However, I will say that I have seen thunderstorms do more damage than Ida. She will forever be remembered as the Gentle Hurricane. Such a nice little storm.

Also, come to UM. God bless!

The Two-Tone Ottoman, Dreams of Philosophy and a Bucket of Cookie Dough

It is bright and early (thank you, daylight savings time) on Thursday morning and I was enjoying a cup of hot chocolate until I spilled it all over my light brown ottoman. Perhaps, if I spill it again, I can manage to stain it evenly.

Let’s see – this past week was filled with class, work, doctor’s visits (too many!) and Honors Research. It is time for yet another Honors Paper, which, strangely enough, is my favorite part of college. After 3 months of research, I have at last completed my outline (which is a third of the required length of the paper. Hmm …) and am spending most of my time stringing it together into complete and legible sentences. Perhaps, one day (after the paper is due), I shall dream of something other than the nature of man and political theorists …

It has now come to my attention that 3 clocks within my dorm room each claim a different time. That is unacceptable.

In further news, I found a bucket of cookie dough in my fridge last week. I don’t think the cookie dough gods exist, but if they did, they must have been smiling upon me. Said bucket is now nearly empty. Do the cookie dough gods give free refills?

Anyway, my allotted blogging minutes are now running into overtime (yes, I live on a minute-by-minute basis. It ensures that I obtain 7-8 hours of sleep each night).

Until next time … I love college.

Happy Wednesday!

Hello everyone! It’s the middle of the week and I’m just about ready for the weekend. Things are beginning to get very busy in the CPA department with Christmas Spectacular. Next week calls for many rehearsals and long nights. I am excited about performing at Dauphin Way with the massive choir and many ensembles. It will be quite a change from sitting in the audience the last 5 years. Impact will be singing a new Christmas song we’ve been working on along with the band, orchestra, and a select few from the choir. I can’t believe the semester is almost over and Christmas is so soon! I should probably start my shopping soon for presents…

Something the Lord has been showing me recently is just how selfish I am. I know, very random, but it’s really been something that He’s convicted me about. I find myself so often caught up in my own busy schedule without even taking the time to concern myself with others’ needs. I tend to load myself with worry over schoolwork or obligations I need to fulfill. How do I so easily lose sight each day of my purpose? I was created to worship the Lord and serve others. It’s that simple, yet I fail over and over.

Psalm 37:23-24 says, “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”

If I am constantly delighting myself in the Lord, then He is delighting in my ways and my steps are made firm! Even if I stumble, I will never completely fall because He will hold me. So yes, I might fail over and over again. Sin might creep into my life every day, but the Lord will never cease to convict and remind me that this life is NOT about me. What a powerful truth!

Just thought I would share these words… I hope everyone has a great rest of the week! God bless!

Murder Mystery aka Monster’s Ball 2009

Amazing!  The light show was great…the food was great (would have been greater had the chocolate fountain worked, but it’s okay)…the space was large enough…the music was great…the murder mystery part was great…the decorations were simple, but great!  It was awesome!  I was Bon Qui Qui and it was fun being her for the evening.  I wasn’t in character the whole time, but it was great.  There were so many creative costumes this year.  My favorite costume was the Mad Hatter from the Alice in Wonderland movie…she was Edward Scissorhands last year and that was amazing as well.  This year was fun even though I was stressed out half the time.  All week I was stressing about it, but it turned out to be great and a lot of fun.  I’m grateful it was great.  The Murder Mystery part of Monster’s Ball–we sent out a fake “crime notice” that many people though was real until they saw the heading.  Then we made clues to the murder on poster boards and put them in the dorms and in the Cafe.  Trey Taulbee was the murderer and he used a guitar string to “kill” Kris Nelson.  The plot to the murder was Trey wanted Kris’ position so he killed him.  There were so many clues that pointed straight to Trey, it was awesome!  The photo shoot was really cool and then at Monster’s Ball, we decorated the storage room to look like the murder was done there.  It looked awesome!  I wish I had a camera again.    One day…

Anyway, CAB has two more events before the semester ends…that is really weird to say…”before the semester ends”.  We are in the final stretch y’all.  Yay!!  :^)  I’m excited.  I hope you have a great week!

“He is Α&Ω!”

Here’s a blog

Alright, for those of you who have been looking for my blog for, oh say, like two months now (sorry Kathy), here’s one. I have no excuses other than pure business.

It’s true. I had hope that it was all a big lie, but the fact of the matter is that once you get into your junior year of college, life gets a little hectic. Course loads get a little more strenuous, cafeteria menus get a little worse, flu overtakes your body a little more, hoses in your engine’s cooling system get holes in them (thanks for the help, Thomas.), teaching Sunday school gets busy (thanks for your help, James.), and I’m sure other stuff goes on as well. The point is, life is short, and days are only 24 hours long, and sometime you have more to do than your clock will allow.

BUT, life is great. Even though classes can be a little tough sometimes, and even though I am tested in various ways, and even though finances may not be as simple as I would like for them to be, I still have a God who is seated on His throne right now, who not only decided to save me (which, by the way, should be more than enough to make life amazing), but also invites me to play a part in His plan. This semester, I have learned many things about my life, as well as several things about God, and I have begun to conclude that there is no reason to ever let the everyday occurrences of life get in the way of my joy. I believe that Chris Tomlin said it well, “I know I am loved by the King, and it makes my heart want to sing.”

Also, come to the University of Mobile.

The Bouncy Committee, Inflation Rates and The Ghost of Halloweens Past

This particular early morning escapade has primarily included inflation rate calculations for the Economics exam in which I shall partake in less than an hour. What a great dose of happiness to start this day.

Speaking of doses of happiness, I was privileged enough to be drafted into the Bouncy Ball Committee of my workplace, at which I gleefully obtained 4 colorful bouncy balls of a whopping 60mm in diameter. I am now drafting other unsuspecting coworkers into the Committee in an effort to spread the bouncy happiness a little further.

Let’s see – registration occurred this week. I plan to continue my athletic – er- amusement next semester in Weight Training. If I don’t get anything out of all these HPE requirements, at least I’ll get some great stories to tell my grandchildren someday.

It has now come to my attention that Monster’s Ball occurs this weekend. To be quite honest, this fact has yet to cross my mind before this moment. I’ve had some intriguing costumes over the years. I have been an indian, a cow, a Disney princess (I don’t remember which one), and a Biblical Archaeologist. Most recently, I was a non-conformist, which required watching House with a few other non-conformists instead of attending Monster’s Ball like all of the … conformists. Hmm – perhaps this year, I shall be a college student and spend my evening on my Honors research … yes, that sounds like a grand idea.

Well, there you have it. Thanks for sticking with me while I decided what to do about Monster’s Ball. ‘Tis yet another reason why …

I love college.

Fall in the Smokeys

Wow, it seems like it’s been forever since I’ve blogged. Last week was a bit crazy. It was the first week back from fall break, so classes were very busy. I had three tests, Impact recording, worship choir performance, my roommate’s birthday, and a trip to Tennessee. I was constantly going somewhere or doing something and, needless to say, I did not get much sleep. It is now Tuesday and I’m beginning a new fresh week. Fall has officially begun and the weather is making me happy. I’ve never been so much in awe of the beauty of this season as I was this weekend in the Smoky Mountains. Impact took a trip to Townsend, TN, just  forty minutes from Gatlinburg. It was gorgeous! Every tree was a different shade of orange, yellow, or red. The cool, foggy air made me want to curl up in a blanket by the fire and read a good book. As we sang in two morning services in a church there on Sunday, the Lord moved during our worship time in the hearts of many there. The response that morning was very positive and I’m so thankful we were  able to be used. After a long weekend, I am now trying to get caught up on sleep that i missed. Hopefully I will be able to rest a little more this week. I want to end with a verse that encouraged me as I was reading through Isaiah yesterday.

“Oh Lord, You are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.” -Isaiah 25:1

Everything done by God was planned long ago. This verse just affirms the fact that God is all-knowing and faithful in his plans for our life. Be encouraged. God bless!

Long Overdue Blog

I think everyday before today I said to myself and others that I need to write a blog.  LOL!

I had an awesome fall break!  It was fun and relaxing.  I went home, went to church, and went to work…it was awesome!  I’m sure those that I’ve told may have thought I was being sarcastic, but I was most definitely not being sarcastic.  I mean work was hard, but it was great to be working with Belk again.  I was nice to know that I was missed too.  It was an ‘Awwww’ moment for me.  Church was off the chain!  I remember asking God to let me attend service on Wednesday and Friday and He allowed me to go to all the services that the church I attend had.  Awesome!  I came back to school ready, fulfilled, and revived.  It was a great feeling.  Everyday is a blessing and a battle for me.  I thank God I’m alive and I have to fight the devil to keep my testimony.  It’s something else.  Anyway, I’ve been busy helping CAB with Monster’s Ball which is Saturday, October 31st.  It’s going to be amazing!  I’m excited!  I think I’m even more excited about Spirit Week happening.

I hope you have a great week!  “He is Α&Ω!”

Stompin’ Grounds, Cultural Aversions and An Epic Return

Fret not Ramland, I have returned to the blogging realm. Though my early morning escapades have recently consisted of midterms and my little corporate America office cube over Fall break, I am back to the regular college routine. There is also a slight winter chill in the air (at last!) and thus, my beloved leather jacket has returned to my daily attire. Epic, indeed.

Midterms passed without consequence. The most difficult by far was the dreaded Honors midterm (the term ‘dreaded’ is measured by the quantity of facebook statuses reflecting lost sleep and much difficulty), but said midterm was also conquered well (insert sigh of relief here). If only I can overcome the research paper …

As for Fall Break, it was likely the most productive week of recent memory. Besides ample time spent in my little corporate America office cube, I also wrote two papers, read 3 books and cleaned 4 trash bags of unnecessary junk out of my parents’ abode.

I also spent the weekend in the “ol’ stompin’ grounds” of the maternal unit, where I ate much cake and even attended a football game. (However, my aversion to football was not overcome, but rather encouraged. After half of the first quarter, I contented myself with reading Crime and Punishment on Cleo, my iPhone, in an attempt to ignore the excessive noise. I mean, really, people – is yelling ‘GO FOR IT, BILLY!’ every time said player moves really going to help anyone?)

Anyway, thus concludes my rants for the morning. Onward to … class!

I love college.

Home Sweet Home

I’m sitting here in the comfort of my own double bed in Montgomery. It is fall break and I’m so happy to be home! This past weekend my life was consumed by the Montgomery County Junior Miss program. I was invited to come back and sing on Sunday after winning first runner-up last year. I also helped backstage, encouraging the participants and being an extra hand. It was neat being able to watch the program this year and not having to perform with all the nerves. I was glad to see old friends and catch up with everyone.

I have to admit, it’s quite lonely having a fall break when no other schools have one. Don’t get me wrong, I love being out of school and at home, but I can’t see many of my friends because they have class this week. Therefore, I am using this time to spend with family and accomplish much needed tasks…such as getting my hair cut today. I can’t wait to go to my church tonight and visit the youth service. My student minister has asked me to share with the group my experience so far in college, and what the Lord has been teaching me. There’s so much to say! I really can’t believe this semester is already half over. It has literally flown by! My schedule is going to get pretty crazy when I get back to Mobile with Impact and such. In the mean time, I will continue to relax and enjoy the rest of my break while I have time. Sunday I will be returning to the beautiful Saraland! God bless.