So it all started with one run. One run which had the ability to change his life. One run which would take a young man to be able to race with the rest of the world's greatest runners. This man I speak of is Ryan Hall, a man of pure inspiration and unbelievable dedication to running. But the thing is that he doesn't do it for himself, he does it for God.
Now to me, that is a man with a passion and a drive like nothing else. He resembles exactly what happens when you set yourself to something more than your own ambitions. It resembles a man who knows that life is not all about him.
So simply stating, where does this have any connection to my life? I have started to really study hard in all my classes, get more involved in college, work to get myself onto a respectable financial platform where I don't rely on my parents for everything I need, and last, but surely not least, I have begun to run again. But as I was finishing my run today, I thought to myself what someone asked me the other day, "Why are you running again?". And in that moment of my last few strides, I asked myself, "What am I running for? Why am I doing the things that I do at college? What is my goal right now in life?" But even at this moment the answer hides from me.
So after my run I laid in the pool and relaxed, still thinking about my current goals and aspirations when I came to a basic realization. Ryan Hall knew the answer clear as day. He didn't worry about what the next day brought along. He prayed for guidance and a clear path to follow. He knew there would be walls in his path but he would be granted with the ability to overcome them.
So in the wake of this, I have come to realize that all you have to do is go on that one run. That one daring run can hold the ability to change your life in ways you may have never imagined. If you just set your mind off of yourself, you can have the ability to go far.
God Bless
Matt
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
PARTY!
Yes, that's right not done with the first week of school and I'm enjoying MASSIVE parties - over 500 people!
The York Obama campaign threw a massive party at the Yorktowne Hotel Ballroom to watch Senator Obama's acceptance speech. It was AMAZING! Obama said everything that needed to be mentioned. I won't bore everyone with a detail analysis (yet) but be sure to watch it for yourself if you haven't already.
Check it out here: http://www.barackobama.com/tv/
I'll get exact numbers a little later but I know we made thousands of phone calls telling everyone to watch the speech - did anyone get the message? More importantly, we got a HUGE number of volunteers and will likely get tons more over the weekend.
If you want to get involved check out the website: http://www.barackobama.com or send me an e-mail and I'll get you set up with a team in your area.
Love it? Hate it? Let me know! I love to talk and debate.
I'm looking forward to celebrating Senator McCain's 72nd Birthday (August 29th) by helping make 72,000 phone calls across PA for the Obama campaign. McCain will get a little more press, but we're working hard to make our presence known out in the field.
Now that it's past midnight I think I shall go to bed since I have to get up at 6. G'night all.
Stephen
P.S. I promise I'll eventually stop plugging something every post (although every other post is still likely to be about the campaign until November 4th)
The York Obama campaign threw a massive party at the Yorktowne Hotel Ballroom to watch Senator Obama's acceptance speech. It was AMAZING! Obama said everything that needed to be mentioned. I won't bore everyone with a detail analysis (yet) but be sure to watch it for yourself if you haven't already.
Check it out here: http://www.barackobama.com/tv/
I'll get exact numbers a little later but I know we made thousands of phone calls telling everyone to watch the speech - did anyone get the message? More importantly, we got a HUGE number of volunteers and will likely get tons more over the weekend.
If you want to get involved check out the website: http://www.barackobama.com or send me an e-mail and I'll get you set up with a team in your area.
Love it? Hate it? Let me know! I love to talk and debate.
I'm looking forward to celebrating Senator McCain's 72nd Birthday (August 29th) by helping make 72,000 phone calls across PA for the Obama campaign. McCain will get a little more press, but we're working hard to make our presence known out in the field.
Now that it's past midnight I think I shall go to bed since I have to get up at 6. G'night all.
Stephen
P.S. I promise I'll eventually stop plugging something every post (although every other post is still likely to be about the campaign until November 4th)
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Already?
Wow that week went fast! Here it is, less than 10 hours away from my first class. I gotta stop writing these things at midnight...
I was an orientation leader this past week and had the opportunity to meet some of the incoming students. I hope we sparked some interest in campus activities, but more importantly, I hope we gave them some of the tools they will need to survive their first semester. I didn't last a year the first time I went to college. Too much drama, not enough support system.
Speaking of support system, my awesome friend Todd just left. We were working on some posters for the Luau tomorrow. I really hope that people get more involved this semester. I know student apathy is a huge problem at every university, but it doesn't stop us from trying to fight it. The old saying about "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink" is true. We'll keep leading anyway. I honestly regret spending the first two years in the background. I've met so many fantastic people and I don't know what I'd do without them. They keep me sane when I think I'm losing it, and they keep me smiling even when I don't want to.
Well, guys, I officially announced my intent to graduate in December. My hands were shaking when I hit the button. :) My husband is so proud of me. It's hard to believe that this crazy ride is almost over. What am I going to do when I don't have a billion things on my plate? What's the next leg of my educational journey going to be like? Do I have what it takes?
Til Tomorrow,
Jess
I was an orientation leader this past week and had the opportunity to meet some of the incoming students. I hope we sparked some interest in campus activities, but more importantly, I hope we gave them some of the tools they will need to survive their first semester. I didn't last a year the first time I went to college. Too much drama, not enough support system.
Speaking of support system, my awesome friend Todd just left. We were working on some posters for the Luau tomorrow. I really hope that people get more involved this semester. I know student apathy is a huge problem at every university, but it doesn't stop us from trying to fight it. The old saying about "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink" is true. We'll keep leading anyway. I honestly regret spending the first two years in the background. I've met so many fantastic people and I don't know what I'd do without them. They keep me sane when I think I'm losing it, and they keep me smiling even when I don't want to.
Well, guys, I officially announced my intent to graduate in December. My hands were shaking when I hit the button. :) My husband is so proud of me. It's hard to believe that this crazy ride is almost over. What am I going to do when I don't have a billion things on my plate? What's the next leg of my educational journey going to be like? Do I have what it takes?
Til Tomorrow,
Jess
State College
Hey guys!
So I've finally moved into my dorm and I can't wait until tomorrow. I'm staying in Pollock and I really like it so far. My room mate and I both moved in on Friday and we're finally all settled in. Classes start tomorrow and I'm definitely nervous!! I don't know how to get to any of them lol I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have to ask some one every 20ft to tell me where I need go lol So this weekend has been crazy! Pep rallies, blue band and Joe Pa and it's only been 2 day!! There's always something going on around here and no matter where you go, you get a free t-shirt, my count so far is 6 haha It's pretty cool though. State college is amazing...no lie. Everyone is really friendly and the area is gorgeous, I've already run into three people from my high school...40,000 people and I run into 3 of the 12 people I know from my high school already lol weird. I hate walking everywhere though, I'm pretty sure my ankles are hating my right now and I've finally realized that flip flops were a bad choice haha It's not too bad though, I'll finally be getting some kind of exercise. I will say that I miss my family, Friday night when they left was the worst, I'm pretty sure I wanted to go home that night, but Zach and my mom reassured me that everything was gonna be ok and they were right. I can't wait til football weekend!! We're gonna own!! Ok well I should get some sleep I have a ton of stuff to do tomorrow.
Abbie
So I've finally moved into my dorm and I can't wait until tomorrow. I'm staying in Pollock and I really like it so far. My room mate and I both moved in on Friday and we're finally all settled in. Classes start tomorrow and I'm definitely nervous!! I don't know how to get to any of them lol I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have to ask some one every 20ft to tell me where I need go lol So this weekend has been crazy! Pep rallies, blue band and Joe Pa and it's only been 2 day!! There's always something going on around here and no matter where you go, you get a free t-shirt, my count so far is 6 haha It's pretty cool though. State college is amazing...no lie. Everyone is really friendly and the area is gorgeous, I've already run into three people from my high school...40,000 people and I run into 3 of the 12 people I know from my high school already lol weird. I hate walking everywhere though, I'm pretty sure my ankles are hating my right now and I've finally realized that flip flops were a bad choice haha It's not too bad though, I'll finally be getting some kind of exercise. I will say that I miss my family, Friday night when they left was the worst, I'm pretty sure I wanted to go home that night, but Zach and my mom reassured me that everything was gonna be ok and they were right. I can't wait til football weekend!! We're gonna own!! Ok well I should get some sleep I have a ton of stuff to do tomorrow.
Abbie
Friday, August 22, 2008
Tutoring Staff Meeting
The staff of the Nittany Success Center (I'm still going to end up referring to it as the Learning Center since that was the name last semester.) met for the first time this Wednesday. We had a lot of fun getting to know each other since there's quite a few new tutors this semester.
Mike returned with his signature yellow hair which he'd dyed for an anime convention. He was nutty as ever so Donna and Dr. Dzubak did their best to keep him in line. He's the craziest most flamboyant person you'll ever meet. Playfully picking on him is lots of fun since he never lets things take too serious a turn.
The actual training itself was a lot of fun too. Returning tutors such as myself took on the role of the student in a mock first tutoring session to work on new tutors skills. It actually gave me an interesting new perspective on some of the things I typically do. Plus we got to frustrate new staff to no end!
Actually two of our staff members had come in previously for tutoring in subjects they had difficulty with, so it was great to hear their insights as well.
Alright, I'll admit it the policies and paperwork section was boring because I knew 99% of the stuff, but it's important to note.
School starts in a few days, Yikes!
Enjoy the last few days of Summer,
Stephen
Any current students can apply for a tutor at no cost. All Services are confidential. Anyone who thinks they might be interested in joining the staff and becoming a tutor can apply at the website or in person by stopping by room 107 in the main classroom building.
http://www2.yk.psu.edu/learncenter/
Another great service directed by Ann Fetterman, a member of the English department faculty, is the online writing lab. You can submit a paper and have a critique back within a couple days. The great thing is you can choose what areas you believe to be weak and receive advice on how to correct them.
http://www2.yk.psu.edu/learncenter/owl.php
Mike returned with his signature yellow hair which he'd dyed for an anime convention. He was nutty as ever so Donna and Dr. Dzubak did their best to keep him in line. He's the craziest most flamboyant person you'll ever meet. Playfully picking on him is lots of fun since he never lets things take too serious a turn.
The actual training itself was a lot of fun too. Returning tutors such as myself took on the role of the student in a mock first tutoring session to work on new tutors skills. It actually gave me an interesting new perspective on some of the things I typically do. Plus we got to frustrate new staff to no end!
Actually two of our staff members had come in previously for tutoring in subjects they had difficulty with, so it was great to hear their insights as well.
Alright, I'll admit it the policies and paperwork section was boring because I knew 99% of the stuff, but it's important to note.
School starts in a few days, Yikes!
Enjoy the last few days of Summer,
Stephen
Any current students can apply for a tutor at no cost. All Services are confidential. Anyone who thinks they might be interested in joining the staff and becoming a tutor can apply at the website or in person by stopping by room 107 in the main classroom building.
http://www2.yk.psu.edu/learncenter/
Another great service directed by Ann Fetterman, a member of the English department faculty, is the online writing lab. You can submit a paper and have a critique back within a couple days. The great thing is you can choose what areas you believe to be weak and receive advice on how to correct them.
http://www2.yk.psu.edu/learncenter/owl.php
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Back in action...
Hey everyone!
So I just got back a couple days ago from an amazing trip to University Park and I feel like I haven't had much of a break since I got home! I have yet to go through all my bags still! But besides life being busy as usual, I am extremely pleased with how much I got out of the Leadership Conference. There was just so much to learn about taking a leadership position! It just keeps me thinking about this semester thats coming up in a week. My goal is just be as prepared as possible and be ready for anything that comes along. Alright, well the hour is long and the night is short so I must bid adieu. Enjoy your last week of "freedom"!
God Bless!
Matt
R.I.P
LeRoi Moore
8/19/2008
So I just got back a couple days ago from an amazing trip to University Park and I feel like I haven't had much of a break since I got home! I have yet to go through all my bags still! But besides life being busy as usual, I am extremely pleased with how much I got out of the Leadership Conference. There was just so much to learn about taking a leadership position! It just keeps me thinking about this semester thats coming up in a week. My goal is just be as prepared as possible and be ready for anything that comes along. Alright, well the hour is long and the night is short so I must bid adieu. Enjoy your last week of "freedom"!
God Bless!
Matt
R.I.P
LeRoi Moore
8/19/2008
Packing....all over again!
Hey Everyone!
You're probably wondering, "who in the world is this person?!" Well, my name is Parisa, I'm going to be a freshman at PSU York, obviously, and I have been out of the country for the past 6 weeks! I just got back from a long visit to Iran(which is where I'm from,) and eastern Europe.
I don't really have much to say yet, because the whole process of joining the PSU family hasn't started yet.
I'm from McLean, VA, which is about a 2-hour drive from York, so it's not that bad. I'm going to be living at the APEX apartments, so I won't be commuting!
It's funny how I immediately get back from one trip, have to unpack everything from my suitcases, and then immediately pack again into boxes for York! It's so exhausting! I love it!
I'm beyond excited to get to college! I've been ready since my freshman year of high school!
More to come! Hope you all are getting pumped, too!
We are Penn State!
-Parisa
You're probably wondering, "who in the world is this person?!" Well, my name is Parisa, I'm going to be a freshman at PSU York, obviously, and I have been out of the country for the past 6 weeks! I just got back from a long visit to Iran(which is where I'm from,) and eastern Europe.
I don't really have much to say yet, because the whole process of joining the PSU family hasn't started yet.
I'm from McLean, VA, which is about a 2-hour drive from York, so it's not that bad. I'm going to be living at the APEX apartments, so I won't be commuting!
It's funny how I immediately get back from one trip, have to unpack everything from my suitcases, and then immediately pack again into boxes for York! It's so exhausting! I love it!
I'm beyond excited to get to college! I've been ready since my freshman year of high school!
More to come! Hope you all are getting pumped, too!
We are Penn State!
-Parisa
Friday, August 15, 2008
Bleeding Blue and White
I'm typing this at 1:30 in the morning after our second full day at the aforementioned Summer Leadership Conference. Today was great: our groups participated in a variety of volunteer projects, we had a great guest speaker, I learned what color best represented my personality, and of course the Penn State Pride Dinner was phenomenal. This is my third conference, and my last as I'm graduating in December. It's a little bittersweet. I had a great time with new friends and old, but it's been in the back of my mind that this is my LAST conference and I'll never experience this again.
If you, dear reader, ever get the opportunity to go to this conference, do it. I've learned about so much over the past three summers. I've learned how to be a better leader, how to deal with conflict, how to push myself outside of my comfort zone and how to let go of (most of) my insecurities and just be a proud Penn Stater for the weekend. I've come to realize that the Commonwealth is filled with amazing, motivated, creative, and brilliant people. I've also been honored by the company of the wonderful people that attend York. I now have six other people that I know I can always count on to say hello in the halls. 8^) I wish I could bottle this experience and bring it back to share with all of you. I wish you could feel the incredible amount of love and acceptance and pride that fill these halls. If only we could all find something to be this proud to be a part of....we could change the world.
Get ready guys! School's only a week away and it's going to be a great year. I'm ready to Luau on the 25th!
With Pride,
Jess
If you, dear reader, ever get the opportunity to go to this conference, do it. I've learned about so much over the past three summers. I've learned how to be a better leader, how to deal with conflict, how to push myself outside of my comfort zone and how to let go of (most of) my insecurities and just be a proud Penn Stater for the weekend. I've come to realize that the Commonwealth is filled with amazing, motivated, creative, and brilliant people. I've also been honored by the company of the wonderful people that attend York. I now have six other people that I know I can always count on to say hello in the halls. 8^) I wish I could bottle this experience and bring it back to share with all of you. I wish you could feel the incredible amount of love and acceptance and pride that fill these halls. If only we could all find something to be this proud to be a part of....we could change the world.
Get ready guys! School's only a week away and it's going to be a great year. I'm ready to Luau on the 25th!
With Pride,
Jess
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Good News: Awesome memories! - Bad News: Summer is ending...
Hey everyone!
I must say it is pretty sad to see that the summer is slowly but surely coming to an end. I was surely blessed with a wonderful summer thus far and I can be sure to say I did not waste a minute of it. I was fortunate enough to go on a missions trip just a few weeks back to the Gulf Coast where I was able to meet different families who had to live through Hurricane Katrina. It was quite sad to think that it is closing in on it's 3 year anniversary and there is still about 80% of work that still needs to be done. The one families home we got to work on was a rehab project where the father and his two sons have been living in a FEMA trailer for over 2 and half years! It just really makes you think how fortunate we have it up here where storms like that are a very rare occurrence.
Well, to turn to a fortunate note, there is a lot of progress being done and despite the damages, the locals seem to hold a pretty optimistic opinion about when everything will be completed. Some range between another 5-20 years, which is still quite a bit don't get me wrong, but it is better than people thinking it will never get done.
Well I suppose I will leave it at that for now. I still have to pack and get ready for our Leadership Conference at University Park tomorrow!
I hope everyone enjoys the last leg of their summer and I will speak to you all later!
God Bless!
Matt
I must say it is pretty sad to see that the summer is slowly but surely coming to an end. I was surely blessed with a wonderful summer thus far and I can be sure to say I did not waste a minute of it. I was fortunate enough to go on a missions trip just a few weeks back to the Gulf Coast where I was able to meet different families who had to live through Hurricane Katrina. It was quite sad to think that it is closing in on it's 3 year anniversary and there is still about 80% of work that still needs to be done. The one families home we got to work on was a rehab project where the father and his two sons have been living in a FEMA trailer for over 2 and half years! It just really makes you think how fortunate we have it up here where storms like that are a very rare occurrence.
Well, to turn to a fortunate note, there is a lot of progress being done and despite the damages, the locals seem to hold a pretty optimistic opinion about when everything will be completed. Some range between another 5-20 years, which is still quite a bit don't get me wrong, but it is better than people thinking it will never get done.
Well I suppose I will leave it at that for now. I still have to pack and get ready for our Leadership Conference at University Park tomorrow!
I hope everyone enjoys the last leg of their summer and I will speak to you all later!
God Bless!
Matt
McCain Town Hall Meeting
I went to the "Straight Talk" Town Hall meeting at the York Expo center hosted by Senator McCain. It certainly reaffirmed my stance on the upcoming election.
McCain spoke primarily on energy policy (offshore drilling and nuclear power were a big focus) and the recent events in Georgia.
I really had an incredibly fun debate with two pastors from a local church (I won't mention who or which church without their permission) about abortion rights and gay marriage while handing out a couple dozen Obama Pamphlets to people waiting in line - also met a few interesting supporters also outside hold signs/handing out literature etc. I met a couple people on the fence who were coming to get a better idea of McCain's stance on various issues. It's pretty amazing to hear everyone's story and see where they're coming from.
I might write up a longer critique later but this will have to do for now.
Stephen
McCain spoke primarily on energy policy (offshore drilling and nuclear power were a big focus) and the recent events in Georgia.
I really had an incredibly fun debate with two pastors from a local church (I won't mention who or which church without their permission) about abortion rights and gay marriage while handing out a couple dozen Obama Pamphlets to people waiting in line - also met a few interesting supporters also outside hold signs/handing out literature etc. I met a couple people on the fence who were coming to get a better idea of McCain's stance on various issues. It's pretty amazing to hear everyone's story and see where they're coming from.
I might write up a longer critique later but this will have to do for now.
Stephen
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Canvassing for Obama
Well today was exhausting but it was a lot of fun. Went out all day canvassing for the Barack Obama campaign. It's amazing to go meet people and hear there stories. I personally knocked at around 100 doors across Shrewsbury over the course of the day. I'm not sure what the total was, but it definitely shows one person active can make a difference.
I'm looking forward to the Wednesday meeting to share the experience with the rest of the team that couldn't make it and those that I didn't see throughout the day.
You can get involved by finding a local group here: http://my.barackobama.com or send me an e-mail and I'd be happy to find out details about your local group meetings.
Hopefully Sara doesn't lynch me for shamelessly promoting my candidate on the blog. Welcome to college - all kinds of opinions held by all kinds of nuts like me.
Agree? Disagree? Let me know
Stephen
I'm looking forward to the Wednesday meeting to share the experience with the rest of the team that couldn't make it and those that I didn't see throughout the day.
You can get involved by finding a local group here: http://my.barackobama.com or send me an e-mail and I'd be happy to find out details about your local group meetings.
Hopefully Sara doesn't lynch me for shamelessly promoting my candidate on the blog. Welcome to college - all kinds of opinions held by all kinds of nuts like me.
Agree? Disagree? Let me know
Stephen
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
It's HOW much?
Despite the fact that I am on the last leg of my undergraduate degree journey, it never ceases to amaze me just how much my books cost every semester. According to one of the graduate schools I'm applying to, I need to take trigonometry. So not only have I just increased my credit load to 18.5 credits, but I now need to buy a $125 book. Blah. I'm taking Trig, Physics II, and I have to take Chem II up at Harrisburg because it's not offered here in the fall. Math and science books are by far the most expensive to buy, so needless to say it's going to be a pricey semester.
I think I'm crazy to take so much my last semester. But PSY is offering a new 400 level theatre class and I really hate to pass that up. But if I get too overloaded, I still have a ton of drop credits. So no worries. From what I'm hearing from all these graduate programs, I might as well get used to this type of work load. This is exactly what grad school is going to be like. I don't know if I'm more scared or excited to be graduating. There's still a lot of schooling ahead of me, so graduation is less of a finale for me and more of a midway point. :) I just have to keep my eyes on the prize and think of what my paychecks are going to look like when I'm done with all of this. No more Ramen noodles!! LOL
Til Next Week,
Jess
I think I'm crazy to take so much my last semester. But PSY is offering a new 400 level theatre class and I really hate to pass that up. But if I get too overloaded, I still have a ton of drop credits. So no worries. From what I'm hearing from all these graduate programs, I might as well get used to this type of work load. This is exactly what grad school is going to be like. I don't know if I'm more scared or excited to be graduating. There's still a lot of schooling ahead of me, so graduation is less of a finale for me and more of a midway point. :) I just have to keep my eyes on the prize and think of what my paychecks are going to look like when I'm done with all of this. No more Ramen noodles!! LOL
Til Next Week,
Jess
Friday, August 1, 2008
(Insert Witty Title here...or be lazy like me and don't)
Hey everybody,
I got my drivers license yesterday, so I can actually commute to campus - it's a little weird being one of the few students still having your parents drive you. I attended classes last year full time while enrolled at Susquehannock high school through the dual enrollment program. When classes began I was only 15, so I didn't even have my permit. The fall semester I took evening classes because it was simpler to coordinate scheduling that way. I wanted to take a lot of courses only offered during the day for the spring semester, so dad dropped me off before he went to work which left me stuck there from around 8-7 every day. It'll certainly be nice to be able to leave after my last class for a change.
Haven't given much of a thought to school besides this blog - I still have no clue what I'm going to write for the three weeks leading up to school. I always try to tell people life story just isn't that exciting but somehow get dragged into these things anyways. (^.^)
I guess I'm supposed to pretend that I'm thinking about school starting soon (August 25th) and not the fact that I can drive! Well, I did get the tuition bill taken care of recently and am working on getting books ordered.
I shall leave you with that terribly exciting factoid for now and go enjoy my license for now (did I mention I was excited?). I promise this will get better when I have something to write about - have no clue what I'm going to tell you for three weeks.
Stephen
I got my drivers license yesterday, so I can actually commute to campus - it's a little weird being one of the few students still having your parents drive you. I attended classes last year full time while enrolled at Susquehannock high school through the dual enrollment program. When classes began I was only 15, so I didn't even have my permit. The fall semester I took evening classes because it was simpler to coordinate scheduling that way. I wanted to take a lot of courses only offered during the day for the spring semester, so dad dropped me off before he went to work which left me stuck there from around 8-7 every day. It'll certainly be nice to be able to leave after my last class for a change.
Haven't given much of a thought to school besides this blog - I still have no clue what I'm going to write for the three weeks leading up to school. I always try to tell people life story just isn't that exciting but somehow get dragged into these things anyways. (^.^)
I guess I'm supposed to pretend that I'm thinking about school starting soon (August 25th) and not the fact that I can drive! Well, I did get the tuition bill taken care of recently and am working on getting books ordered.
I shall leave you with that terribly exciting factoid for now and go enjoy my license for now (did I mention I was excited?). I promise this will get better when I have something to write about - have no clue what I'm going to tell you for three weeks.
Stephen
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