5/5/11

Hey Dude,

I am so excited to go to college! I got all my class scheduled on the 16th of April along with all my paper work filled out. I am an official Bethel Pilot! I think what I am looking forward the most to is the community there. I have visited there a couple times and it just feels like home when I am there. All the people are really nice and opened to new people.

The professors are really personal as well. I talked to one of my professors when I was there and he seems like he really wants his students to succeed. He told me anytime I need to talk or I need help on something just give him a call and we can go get coffee or meet at his house because he lives like 3 minutes away. He reminded me of a lot of the Hicksville teachers because most of them want to see you succeed and want to build a relationship with you.

I am also really excited about my roommate. His name is Luke Klimek and he has become my best friend over the last year and half. He is going into Youth Ministries like me so I feel like we will have a lot to talk about. Also we have talked about many starting a ministry together once we are done with college like plant a church. He is also one of the people that helped me make Bought At A Price, the human trafficking organization, possible. I am just really looking forward to get to know him more and grow together in our faith.

Oh yeah, by the way this will be my last journal entry and I just wanted to say it has been great talking to you! I will miss you!

Later Dude!

5/4/11

Hey Dude,

Today we went on our Student Council field or “leadership conference” whatever you prefer to call it. It was a really legit field trip. We started out with Roxie making us breakfast which was eggs, bacon, and cinnamon rolls. After that we moved on to leadership games that we did in the commons just to get the day on the right foot. One of the games we did once when a group of people stand on a beach towel and the group has flip it over awhile the whole group is still on it. Lets just say that is pretty tough.

Once we were done with our leadership games we went to the grocery store to pick up chips, bread, lunch meat, etc for our lunches. Then we were on our way to the Paint Ball Plex. I was really stoked to go because I never been there. Mr. Blue was kind of worry that we would have to play inside because of how much rain we got, but once we got there the people said that we could play outside. The outside course was legit. It had a high ground and a low ground and a tons of small hills in between. There was also tunnels you could crawl in. There was so many hiding places.

We played about six rounds and we were only given 500 balls so you have to be picky when you shot. It was so much fun though. The first couple of games we did juniors and seniors against sophomores and freshmen. It was sad though because the freshmen and sophomores beat us the first games because they had Mr. Blue on their team and I was not expecting him to be good at all but he took out a good amount of our team. One of the games I had an awesome hit on Zac Yoder and after the game was over he showed me where I hit him and he had a huge welt I sort of felt bad but it was still awesome! It was a really tiring but awesome day!

5/3/11

Hey Dude,

Tonight I was reading though James and the verse 1:26-27 hit me pretty hard. It talks about if you consider yourself religious but do not keep a tight rein on your tongue then you are just deceiving yourself and your religion is worthless. This verse seems like a no brainer to most but if you really stop and think about it, it is almost scary. If you call yourself a Christian but do not keep a tight rein on your tongue it is all worthless. I guess the reason it hit me so hard is because I am committing my whole life to my religion by attending Bethel next year and becoming a Youth Pastor.

It also struck me because I can be very opinionated and many times I just say what I want no matter what other people think. I think that is a good thing sometimes but I do not feel like I have a good rein on my tongue. I guess I have a lot more to learn about becoming a Youth Pastor and how to follow God with my whole heart.

The main reason I want to become a Youth Pastor is to help people who struggle with things in life and to teach kids about who Jesus Christ is. Even though I have a burning passion for all that I still believe God has a lot to teach me about growing up and maturing. I am excited to see what he does in my life in the next couple years but also scared. These verses were just a real wake up call for me.

Later Dude!

5/2/11

Hey Dude,

Yesterday our country found out that Osama Bin Laden had been killed. Personally I thought it was the best thing for our country for him to be dead. He is just one nasty guy who has planned many awful things as well as threat many people's lives. He also has brained washed people to work for him and do all his dirty work. Lets put it this way he definitely had it coming.

Many people think it was a bad idea to kill this man because it is just going to piss off friends and works and yes they are right it will. I just believe it was the right thing because if we did not try to kill him and take control of the situation he could be planning more horrible things. It also shows his followers that the USA has power still and they need to be careful. That does not mean we do not need to do the same because now that Osama is dead America has put themselves at risk. As a country now we need to be careful that another terrorist attack does not happen in the USA.

I think now that we have reached our goal in kill the man in charge, the USA should start taking troops out of there. I simply think we are putting all these guys at risk when they do not need to be. Yes, I think there should be some troops there but not tons we just need enough there to admit to keep the peace. War is a silly thing but we do not really have a choice when our country is at risk. September 11th was something Americans will never forget. I think it still scares many people in this great country.

Later Dude!

5/1/11

Hey Dude,

Today Haley and I celebrated our birthdays after church by going to Vince's for lunch. Both sides of my grandparents, my parents, Haley's parents, and Haley sister came. The main reason that we went to Vince's is because neither set of grandparents had been there before. My grandparents have heard a lot about the restaurant because Haley's dad owns it. We pretty much consumed the whole back room.

We were there for over two hours talking and sharing stories. It was cool to see Haley's parents and my grandparents get along so well because that is the first time they met. My grandparents also seemed to really enjoy the food. Part of the lunch was awkward though because my grandparents thought it was necessary to tell all kinds of stories about me when I was young. It was also kind of funny. I honestly hope we get to do that again sometime really soon, because it was almost weird how similar our families are and how well they get along. Haley and I were kind of freak out afterwards because we were not really sure how this lunch was going to go.

After we were done with our appetizers, lunch, desserts, and stories it was time to go. When I said it was time to go I really meant it was time to talk about leaving. When my family says they are going to leave they do not actually leave for another 15 to 20 minutes. Also Vince, Haley's dad, bought lunch for all of us which I think embarrassed my grandparents because they just feel like they have to pay for everything. Vince's words to that was I own the place I think I can do that! It kind of made me laugh. Needless to say between my grandparents they left a 50 dollar tip so our waiter make out well for the day. Over all I thought it was a good day!

Later Dude!

4/30/11

Hey Dude,

Next week is my senior prom. It almost does not seem like it can be possible. This year has flown by so fast. I am so excited, one because I am going with a beautiful date and two it is my last Hicksville Prom ever! I am looking forward to how the Juniors are going to decorate the commons for us. I am just really looking forward to a good night!

For the drive in I think Haley and I are coming her grandmas 1936 Auburn. I think it would be such a sweet ride to pull up in. I also do not think that anyone else has ever came in a '36 Auburn before! The only way we would not be able to go in the Auburn is if it rains because we would be sitting in the rumble seats and they do not have a top over them. The back up plan if it rains though is my dad's 1977 Corvette. The only reason I do not want to take the Vette is because I took it last year. Do not get me wrong I love that car but I want to do something different this year. Regardless of what we take though it will be an awesome night!

I think the dinner and the dance is going to be awesome and I am not even a fan of school dances. I am also looking forward to post prom. Last year was really fun just bowling and going mini golfing. It was very entertaining and way better than other post proms I have been to from schools. I think the whole time overall is just going to be great and it is going to be a great high school memory!

Later Dude!

4/29/11

Hey Dude,

This journal is being created just so I vent so bare with me. I am the kind of person who can usually get along with anyone but I honestly have about had it with my desktop publishing teacher. I do not have a problem with how she grades or even that I have to work in that class it is how she treats us as students. I feel like I am a good student in there I have a 100% and I always turn things in on time but she can be down right mean to us sometimes. For example Brian was waiting on pictures from the bus drivers to put in the yearbook and it took them awhile to get it. Anyways our spreads were due before he received the bus rider picture so he got a B on his spread and he had no control over when he got the picture. I am just going to say she had no mercy on anyone.

I wish I could advise any upcoming students to NOT take her desktop publishing class because she is very demanding no matter how hard you try. I truthfully enjoy doing the spreads for the yearbook I just do not like doing it under her supervision. If it sounds like I am being harsh I wish you could come to class with me to witness it. Basically I wish I just did not take the class.

This year is almost over and I will truthfully not miss that class. I really think I will miss all the good times in my other class but I really cannot think about any good times in that class. The only good thing about that class is that we had a good group in that class and I think the yearbook is going to turn out really really cool, but I do not think it is because of her at all. Well thanks for listening!

Later Dude!

Tonight we are leaving for our senior trip, which we will be heading to New York City. I am overly excited to go because I have simply never been to New York before. I have heard a lot of about it from people who have been there. I think it is going to just be interesting just to see all the busy people on the streets and all the cars and taxis going every which way. Overall I think it is just going to be a good learning experience for me.

I just find it funny that the people in our area think that the Glenn Brook Mall gets really, really busy that is probably just a fraction of the people in a New York mall. This may sound strange but I just enjoy watching people. I think you learn a lot just by watching. Just by what I know about New York I think I am just going to have fun looking around the streets because there is just a variety of people some famous, strange, on a mission, poor, and in between kind of people.

I am also looking forward to the hot spots we get to go to. I am really looking forward to go to the Empire State Building because that is just a spot that all Americans should go. I think just the history of the building is cool. Also I am looking forward to the dinner cruise we are going to go on because it is going to be at night and we get to see the whole city lite up! I think touring the NBC studio will be cool too because that is where Saturday Night Live is filmed still. I think those are just going to be some of the highlights I am looking forward to many, many more.

4/28/11

Hey Dude,

Now that I have only have about four weeks of high school left it is really hard to stay focused and actually care about the things that are important. Also there is so many things going on right now that it is hard to do well at everything so I end up doing about half for everything just so I can get everything done, which I honestly feel bad about because usually I try my best in everything no matter what. I think it is just hard to focus knowing that I am already accepted to college and have all my plans for next year. In my mind I am thinking what is the point of all this “busy work”. I know there is a purpose but to me I like to trick my mind and think there is not one.

If I was totally honest with myself I would have to admit that I am actually going to miss high school a little and I am actually going to miss my classmates. All throughout high school my grade has expressed how they hate each other but when it comes right down to it I think we are going to regret that and start to miss each other when it is to late.I just want to wish everyone well before I leave, because the truth is that might be the last time I see them. I am not sure what my life has in store but I do not think it will be in Hicksville. It has been a great town to grow up in but it just is not for me. I need a little more city and life.

I have explained this in other journals but I am really excited to head to Bethel next year, but I hope I never forget my high school friends. I have had so many awesome memories with my high school friends even if we say that we “hate each other”. I am definitely going to miss basketball. I am also going to miss super fanning at the football games. I am also going to miss a lot of the teachers because I have known a lot of them my whole life and they have taught me a lot about life.

Later Dude!

4/24/11

Hey Dude,

Last night Haley and I had our combined birthday party at her house. There was 60 to 70 of our closest friends there. It honestly could have been more because people came and went all night. The party started at 6:30PM and did not get over until 1 AM. I know you are probably thinking HOLY CRAP this party got way out of hand but honestly it was really smooth. No one brought drinks or smokes which made me really happy because with that many people I was scared what was going to go down. I think everyone had a good time just playing corn hole, ping pong, Wii, board games, and whatever else. A lot of people stood around and talk and ate food.

I personally thought that was the best birthday party I have ever had because all my Hicksville and Leo friends there to help us celebrate our birthdays. It was cool to have all my church friends and school friends together. I was a little worried about how they would mix together but some of them actually became good friends and plan on keeping in contact.

Haley has the perfect house for parties with a big basement and big kitchen. Also her yard is pretty roomy too so people were just everywhere. Haley's parents own Mancio's so they brought in pizzas for everyone so no one was hungry that is for sure. I honestly could not have asked for a better birthday. I still cannot believe that many people showed up it meant a lot to me and it showed that people really cared.

Later Dude!

DO NOT READ!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Dude!

I really cannot believe that I have known my best friend for only four months, because now that we have spent so much time together and have talked about so many different things, it really feels like I have known them forever, and that we have just always been friends. I know their family so well and feel really comfortable around them. Four months just seems too short for all the memories we have made together.

Some of my fondest memories are of us is hanging out at the lake together and going on boat rides. Also, we went to a Christian music festival together called Ichthus, which was seriously outstanding because I got see my favorite bands and share that time with my best friend. Also, just hanging out watching football together in their basement while I am yelling at the television, because my team is not doing as well as I wish they were. Plus, just sitting outside on their porch swing sharing life and engaging in serious and funny conversations. I think one of my recent favorite memories is when we dressed up as the guys from the Mac and PC commercials for Halloween.

Although my best friend and I did not start our friendship like most do, nor did we have a sandbox relationship like kindergarden's do, I still would not change our story. It is unique and some might even find it comical. Some may even think I was a creeper for taking my new acquaintance’s phone and putting my number in their phone, but we still talk about those August nights and laugh. It is funny how big of an impact a new face and a friendly smile can truly have on a person. Some people might think that a best friend and a girlfriend should not be one in the same, but I did say our story was unique and comical, did I not ? There is never a dull moment between her and I. Haley J Buchanan could not be a better best friend for me. I truly cannot wait to make even more memories with her and continue to write my best friend story with her.

DO NOT READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Dude!

As I was driving home, all I could think about was how much of a fool I truly was for wanting to be their friend so badly that I desperately put my number in their phone. Assuming that I would never hear from them again, I tried to forget about it and find some good music on the radio to listen to just so that I could clear my mind. Once I was finally home,from what seemed like a super long car ride, I get an unexpected text message from my “new friend.” Part of me was excited to open it and read it and the other half was afraid to read it because I felt like a total creeper. Although I cannot remember the exact wording of that conversation I remember I felt very relieved and was very glad I took the risk of putting my phone number in their phone, creeper or not, it was worth it.

Unlike most friendships, ours started off with a single text and continued that way for about a week. We talked about basketball, the friends we have in common, and asked very general questions. Although I kind of asked for it, I did not just want to have a texting, I wanted to see that same friendly smile I saw on the first night I met them. The texting slowly started to stop, and I began to lose confidence that this friendship was going to workout through texting. I did not hear from them for a few days, and began to think something was wrong. It was not until that following Sunday when I got a text from them asking me if I would like to go go-karting with them. I surely was not going to let an opportunity like that pass by. Riding on the go-kart track for a couple hours together and getting ice cream really capitalized on our friendship.

Since that afternoon that we went go-karting we have shared many laughs and memories. It is funny how things in life fit together by one decision, by one choice. I would have never known my best friend if I would not have gone to that party that August night. I think this whole experience has shown me that sometimes a single risk pays off. Now looking back, I do not know how I would have done it any differently, nor do I know what I would do without my best friend.

DO NOT READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Dude!

Last summer on August 11th, I met my best friend. The friendship was so unexpected and very unforeseen. I talked to this acquaintance for five minutes that night and knew we were going to spend a lot of time together. That night I was just expecting a typical house party with a lot of food, loud music, and familiar faces. It is funny how big of an impact a new face and a friendly smile can truly have on a person.

How can you muster up so many questions and thoughts about a person that you have only talked to for five minutes? That was the question I kept asking myself the day after the party. I actually was trying to convince myself that it was not that big of a deal, and I just needed to remember my new friend as a memory, because the truth of the matter was I probably would never see them again. I did not even catch their name the night before, so how could I possibly be having thoughts about being close to this person. If I cannot even remember their name, how am I suppose to expect them to remember anything about me? This was all running through my mind while I was on my way to another friends house for a pool party.

As I showed up to the party, I instantly jumped into the pool and enjoyed the company of a mixture of some church friends and friends from Leo. Little did I know, that my new friend was also there. Once again, I did not get to talk to this new acquaintance that much and almost seemed ignored. I began to think that this friendship was not what I was hoping for. I was not going to let it ruin my night over a person I did not even know. I went back over with my group of friends and started talking about sports and inside jokes. Still thinking in the back of my mind why friendships could not form like they did in kindergarden. Where you could just flat out ask a person to be your best friend just because you guys played in the same sandbox or liked the same superhero. Hours later, once I was ready to head home from the party, I took my “new friend's” phone and entered my phone number as a last attempt to connect with them.

4/6/11

Hey Dude!

I would just like to express to you how fast my senior year has gone and I cannot believe the end of it is in sight! The Seniors and I have only about seven or so weeks left in this school year and truthfully that does not see as though it could be so. I feel like we should still be getting time outside for recess or still be getting cut in line at lunch by the senior but now that is us and it is almost all over. Am I sad? Well of course I am to a point but I think I am ready to move on in life and to start my footprint in society.

I am really looking forward to college. I am looking forward to all the independence that it brings with it. I am looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends. I am looking forward in being somewhere else for awhile other than Hicksville Ohio. I am looking forward to getting out of my box and being stretched a lot. I am scared but I also think everyone is scared of the unknown more than they would like to admit.

Yes, I am going to miss Hicksville and all the people in it just because this is all I have ever known and have experienced, but everything has to have a begin and end and it is time for me to start a new begin whether I like it or not. It is time for the Junior to become Seniors and us Seniors to become Freshmen again. I guess God only knows what next year holds but I am really excited to see what he has in store.

Later Dude!

4/6/11

Hey Dude!

A few weekends ago the Bethel College Choir was in Leo and naturally I wanted to go support them even though I have never heard them before. I have heard that they have a lot of talent and that they sing very well together. I also wanted to go because one of my friends, Geoff Sherry, sings in the choir. I met Geoff when I was visiting Bethel and we have kept in touch ever since. I really did not know what to expect but I was excited to see them.

I ended up getting a few friends from Leo to go with me along with my girlfriend. I was so excited to actually see these guys perform. When we got to the church that it was in it was totally packed out so we found seats together as close as possible. They started out with a really up beat song but only the girls were on stage which I thought was odd but half way through the song the guys started to come from upstairs singing and I thought that was amazing just how they planned that. The choir sang about 12 or thirteen songs. Every single one of them was amazing. I think the one that was my favorite was when I my friend Geoff came out of the choir and started to play the drums out of no where. I was super impressed and I had no clue that he could even play the drums. There was even some points of the songs where I would get goose bumps and I even saw other people crying.

After the show I got the opportunity to talk to Geoff and tell him what an awesome job he did. I introduced him to my girlfriend and I introduced him to my friend Luke who will be rooming with my at Bethel next year. It was cool to take to him though because he seemed really excited that I am coming to Bethel next year. I was really glad that I went to that show and maybe when I am at Bethel I just might try out for the Bethel Choir because it seems like a really cool experience.

Later Dude!

4/5/11

Hey Dude!

This might be one of the strangest journals I have written but I have sick at home and there is not much else to write about than my love for Netflix. I got Netflix back around Christmas time because all the television ads that said it was the coolest thing ever well they were right it pretty much is the coolest thing ever. I only pay $10.66 a month and I get all these instant movies and television shows that stream right through my xbox and I get a DVD sent to me in the mail of my choice. Honestly that is a deal you cannot pass up. If you think about it for $10.66 a month you could not even buy a new DVD at that price nor could you rent more than three movies from the local DVD store in a month. I know you are thinking that you could use Red Box but you do not get all the instant television shows and movies on your Xbox.

This has come in handy for me throughout the winter months because sometimes there is just nothing to do when it is cold outside. Also it is very handy when you have been homesick with the Flu and the only thing left you have to do is type your journals. Not only is it handy when you are sick or when it is old outside I have found it to be more and more handy because sometimes there is either nothing on television or it is just a much of returns with Netflix you can choose what you want to watch if you do not like it just switch it and it is no big deal.

I know one is thinking wow this really a waste of your time watching all these shows on Netflix and the truth of the matter is probably yes, but as an American if you are going to sit in front of the television anyways one might as well watch what they want to watch. I find it kind of funny because even my parents are really starting to get into Netflix they love watching their favorite television show and watch old movies that movie stores do not caring anymore. In my opinion I think Netflix is worth your time and money for many different reasons.

Later Dude!

3/26/11

Hey Dude!

Tonight I had an awesome opportunity to hang out with a good friend by the name of Evan Davis. Him and I use to hang out a lot but as life goes on you get much busier and have less and less time for things you use to, so from time to time we find nights to hang out and tonight was one of those nights. I picked him up at his house in Leo around 2:00 PM and either had eaten so we went to Taco Bell and got the Five Buck Boxes, which I must say are amazing! That was just the start of our awesome night!

After we were finished eating we headed back to my house where we called some Black Ops for nearly two or three hours. Some people may think that is a waste of time but we had a lot of fun. It was fun just to talk and play video games together. We use to play video games all the time together so it brought back old memories. After we had about enough of the video games we switched over to watch some Netflix and watched some television shows like Family Guy and That 70's Show. That was an amazing waste of time.

After a few more hours past we started to watch the movie Shutter Island which I must say was one of the worst movies I have ever seen in my life! It was such a crazy movie the plot changed at least three or four times and it was really hard to follow. It was kind of like a bad car crash you wanted to look away but you could not. It was a waste of two hours and thirty minutes though. Evan and I both agreed it was one of the worst movies we have ever seen. Not to mention there was no ending to it the movie just cut off with no real conclusion. After that we went back to play video games talking about how dumb that movie actually was. Besides that movie though Evan and I's night was great it was really good to see him again!

Later Dude!

3/19/11

Hey Dude,

Early this morning we got back from our Senior Trip and even though I had a blast on the trip I was also really happy to get home. I think the long bus ride back to Hicksville is what really made me want to be home faster. Also I was really looking forward to get back to town because I had a date with my girlfriend, Haley, that night. Even though it was only a couple of days I still missed that girl a lot.

Once I got home I took a good three or four hour nap then Haley came over to see me. I was so excited when she got to my house. I personally think I bored her though with all the stories that I told her from New York along with all the pictures I showed her. I also gave her the gifts I got her in New York, which were a Hello Kitty coffee mug, socks, a necklace, and some candy. She was really excited to receive the Hello mug! Once I was done tell her about New York and all, we started to plan our date for that night.

Haley and I decided to go to Flat Top Grill, because I have never been there and it was one of her favorite places to go. I was really excited to go with her because her and I haven't been on that many dates even though we have been dating for almost seven months. We usually just hang out with each others families or watch Netflix. After Flat Top though we went to the movie Beastly, which is basically I modern day Beauty and the Beast. I actually found it to be a really really good movie. After that we went to Starbucks coffee and went back to my house for awhile. It was such a good might with Haley and I really did miss that girl.

Later Dude!