Rez Week

My freshman year I remember hearing the words Rez week, and wondering are people here allowed to say that?  Coming here from Montana Rez was a termed used to refer to the Indian Reservations, and not in a positive sense.  After getting used to hearing the word Rez in a positive sense, abbreviation for resurrection I am able to enjoy the week leading up to Easter (Rez Week).

                Rez weeks is one of my favorite times of the year, because we are reminded of the resurrection all during the week.  It is also nice to see different Christian organizations on campus come together to help for a common goal.  Last year Rez week ended with a rally that included worship, and the opportunity to hear from different leaders from each organization.  Every day a different organization sponsors a free lunch in the JBK.  Monday’s lunch was sponsored by Buffs for Christ, Tuesday the Wesley, and Thursday the BSM. 

                This year, WT’s own Abbey Jo Martinkus, created a mural in which students could write a note saying what they thought of God’s love.  The theme for this year was Greater Love, describing that there is no greater love than to die for someone else.  This is the whole story of Easter and the Resurrection, that Christ would give His life in order for us to live.

                I hope everyone was able to get out and be a part of the activities, and enjoy what each organization is doing on campus.  Along with that, I hope everyone had a fun and safe Easter.  I hope Rez week allowed for us to remember the Great Love, and the true meaning of Easter. 

 

 

 

 

Thankful for Thanksgiving

While reminding myself of all I am thankful for on Thanksgiving, I had to realize I am very thankful for Thanksgiving in itself.  It could possibly be the best American tradition we have ever known.  I love the thought of eating all day, taking naps, watching football, and eating some more.  All while doing this with the ones we love.  I also had to giggle about the get out and play commercials during the football games.  Honestly, who wants to play after stuffing their face all afternoon?  I have to admit I love this holiday. 

A damper to the holiday however is the fact that I have to count my days until finals is before me.  One thing that did not make my thankful list.  As many of my grades are border line I realize that I should probably spend the rest of my holiday hitting the books instead of hitting all the friends up or even hiking Bridger Bowl up to find some snow to ski.  Yes, unlike the Texas Thanksgiving, the Montana Thanksgiving is one filled with snow and finishing the day off with a soak in the hot tub.  It’s a lot different than many in Texas have come to know. 

As you remember back to how great of a Thanksgiving you had, and all you are thankful for, continue to give thanks daily.  Thanksgiving should be year round!  As we remember all we are thankful for, also be thankful for the tradition that truly makes the World upset at us, Thanksgiving.  Maybe this year at Christmas we can give a little more than usual to others in need.  I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, and will give thanks in all that you do.

Time does Fly!

Where has this semester gone?  I can’t believe that today is already Halloween.  I still feel all unorganized, and like it has only been a few weeks into the semester.  Before too long, or probably now, it will be time for me to start studying for finals.  I can’t believe after today’s holiday is over, thanksgiving is right around the corner, and right after that is Christmas break.  I just feel like this semester has gone by way too fast!

 

            This has been a crazy semester for me, some new friends, a new major, a new dorm, and finally an attempt on trying to grow this brand new facial hair that is struggling to come in.  I think this new major change to Political Science, is my fourth, putting me above the three change average for college students.  I guess I do always have to go big.  Along with the end of the semester, is the end of my money supply.

 

            I can’t believe how quickly I have blown through my money and it honestly all goes to food.  By looking at me you would think I was lying but its true, it has all been on food.   I know along with many others I’m frantically searching for a short term job over break but one that can pay the big bucks.  This search is still unsuccessful.  As this semester is quickly drawing to a close I need to really encourage others to make the most of the time left here before it gets hectic.  All our athletes have been doing excellent this year, so all of our athletic programs are looking for post season play.  Let’s support them while we can, so they can bring back some titles for our school! 

 

            Too bad we can’t slow time down, but since we can’t, make the most out of everyday.  Have a safe Halloween, and a great weekend.  Make sure to hit the books when possible but have fun doing it.  Before too long it will be too late, and you will be going home for the holidays.  Keep it real WT!  Also keep voting for me for real world!

“Real”ity T.V.

   Growing up, my family always loved to have family time sitting around watching reality t.v.  I thought we had a “normal” family, but it seems that other families and people do not find reality t.v. as interesting as my family did.  We were big fans of Survivor, Big brother, Amazing Race and almost anything else that promoted real live people, in real life scenarios (hmmm stranded on an island happens to everyone).  As my family continued on in this tradition, it spread throughout our other relatives, so we could all talk about who got voted off or what drama was had occurred on the last episode.  This was the topic of conversation for every family gathering.

     Since coming to college, I found that t.v. isn’t really that important in my life and aside from watching the Office, or sports, I rarely have time to watch much of anything.  Reality t.v. has sadly slowly slipped out of my life.  That is until I found many people watch MTV’s Real World, I do admit I have seen a few episodes but I do not watch it regularly.  My reality now consists of Big Brother during the summer, and sometimes the Hills if you count that.  While at home this summer in Bozeman, there was a commercial for a casting call for Survivor.  This sparked my eternal reality t.v. flame once again.  Determined that my life needs to be seen I quickly started filling out the application.  My flame was put out once my mom spoke the encouraging words of “If you made it on Survivor you would die, you are too skinny to survive.”  So that dream ended but it has once again been started.

     I found out that the Real World is having an on line casting call, and Big Brother is also taking applications for its next season.  I decided to see what happens for both shows.  I am required to make a video for both, and Big Brother I just submit an application.  The Real World however, did not have any locations close for interviews so I am attempting their on line process.  They will choose one member of the house from the Internet, based on going through different rounds, interviews with the show, and people voting for you on line.  Why would I want to be on reality t.v.?  Well I feel it is very misrepresented for what America seems to feel is real.  In both shows, members sleep around, get drunk, and cause drama.  Aside from the drama, that is the opposite of my life.  I want to go on t.v. to show that I am very real but yet am a Christ follower, don’t get drunk, and don’t sleep around.  I want to show that Christian men do exist in this world, and are a part of reality.  Plus in many cases I wonder how many of things that happen to me, are not on t.v.  My life is just far too interesting.  So after reading this blog feel free to vote for me on my real world site, pray that I will learn a life outside of reality t.v., but more importantly vote for me.  I feel I am very real!

Click my picture or one of my links to go to my page and vote for me!  It is highly recommended!

Welcome to the Good Life…It’s the life I live

     After Homecoming this last weekend, I was given the opportunityto leave small town Canyon, and escape to the mile high city of Denver, Colorado.  It was a great time to just get away and relax with college off my mind.  I also got the chance Tuesday night to see the band Anberlin perform at the Ogden theater.  For those of you who don’t know me that well, I’m addicted to Denver, and even more so Music.  This is not my first time in Denver for a concert, and certainly not my last even though the parents are not supportive of these road trips, concert trips, and the long distance girlfriend that sparks these interests even more.  I must give her the shout out though for getting us the tickets for this last show, thanks Alex. 

     After a great show from a band called There for Tomorrow, Straylight Run, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, and of course Anberlin rocked some faces off.  I highly recommend There for Tomorrow(http://www.myspace.com/therefortomorrow) and Anberlin (http://www.anberlin.com/). I loved every second of the concert., but it did not last long enough.  Before I knew it I was back on my way back to the Texas panhandle.  I thought that the second I would get back I wouldn’t want to get back in the groove.  Although I missed the mile high city, and being able to hang with Alex non-stop, my life here is pretty eventful.

     Last night the Baptist Student Ministry had the bands The Bank, and Abandon Kansas play.  It was an amazing show and a ton of fun.  It was not a big time show like Denver holds, but Canyon does have some things to do.  It was a lot of fun, and getting back into the groove I get to be a part of a great program before Midnight Madness.  Monday night Buff Hall and the Residence Hall Association will be hosting a Wii Boxing Tournament where the winner will win a Nintendo Wii, and a chance to Wii Box President O’Brien at Midnight Madness.  It will be at 7 p.m. Monday, October 13 and is open for all who live on campus.  I really miss the things Denver has to hold but there is a reason I am here in Canyon, TX.  It is a great place to live and happens to be within drive of major concerts and events, if you ever get bored.  After seeing all these bands play lately,  I feel that I need to practice guitar and join a band.  It is the only logical thing to do.

The Residential Life during Homecoming Week

I have always been a part of Residential Living here on campus, and homecoming week by far is the busiest/most eventful week WT has to offer.  Aside from professors thinking it is a great week to make everything due, it seems that for once everyone comes together in the spirit of West Texas A&M.  Residential Hall Association (RHA) puts on many of the events for this week, giving students a chance to get out of their room.  That is if the students stay here during the week and weekend.  I have been blown away in years past at the number of students that just can’t make it away from home more than Monday through Thursday.

This year I finally see it slowly changing.  With the increasing sizes of the freshman class, I feel this year we have one of the most involved.  Being an RA in Buff Hall I see how involved students get.  This week RHA has done a great job getting students involved.  I have never seen as many people at the Marshmallow Roast, excited about building the bonfire or guarding it, and even a paper football tournament with the chance of winning two free cowboy tickets!!!  It’s insane! Even last night at the midnight weenie roast tons of people showed up braving the rainy weather.  The halls look amazing this year as it looks like many residents took pride in decorating.

I feel that the pride of WT students continues to increase this year, and I hope it does not stop after Homecoming Week.  I hope everyone will attend the Bonfire tonight, the parade and football game.  I hope WT becomes a place that students enjoy being here as much as I have.  I mean a Montana kid that loved it so much his sister followed him here.  Out of state students have also been increasing which is amazing (WT students represent 48 out of the 50 states), because we can’t go home on weekends we get to enjoy WT all the time.  I hope we see the parking lots remain full on the weekends, rather than the usual emptiness on campus.  So I hope all on campus have enjoyed this week, and will get out and enjoy this weekend!  GO BUFFS!