Czech post 2

i'm getting lazy, no copy and paste this morning cause breakfast is waiting for me! Check out the new stuff we put on czechteam2008.blogspot.com

Czech post 1

Just blogged about our Czech journeys
you can find them at

czechteam2008.blogspot.com

packing for Czech

This program is going to get me into trouble, but heck I'm having way too much fun now.

Here's the latest video.

packing for Czech from Matt Parks on

Twiiter meets blogger

I just added a Twitter link to my blog! I'm super excited about this. So look to the left, you'll see the list of my twitter twits.

You can follow my twitter/see my twitter here

If you're not familiar with Twitter, this is a great video explaining it by commoncraft


enjoy

today's projects

so Pearl and I did a little work around the house today, thought I'd share.

peace

asking boldly yet holding loosely

So I’ve been thinking a lot here lately, I fear a little too much thinking.

It became public this past Tuesday that Pearl and I resigned from our positions at LCBC. My reasoning was to free up my Tuesday nights so I could finally begin my master degree at Biblical seminary.

With my impending unemployment approaching I applied for an amazing job this past Monday, one I’m realizing I would absolutely love to have. I’m praying boldly to get it, yet I’ve learned (through some very hard headed lessons) that God actually does know more then I do, and in that knowledge he may know that the best for Pearl and I is not in that job but another.

So here sit I, trying to balance it all, filling like emotions and life are being juggled all around.

God I ask bold, yet hold loosely,

It is truly in you that my trust and faith are in,

In the midst of the fear, unknown and chaos, may I rest in knowing that You (God) are near, you care, you know, and in the fact that I am so deeply loved.

Here's a video that puts my emotions into pictures

a random video

so I just came across this video on a friends blog today, it's crazy! yet so much fun to watch.

it's people getting punched in the face in slow motion!

Do you think you could do this?




here's another slow mo video, also very cool

a starbuck's morning

was going to post this this morning, but the day flies!

at 8:00 am I was:
- Sitting at Starbucks

- love’n it

- A nice large coffee, a sweet apple fritter, my laptop and my babe

my work day...

Today I was shown a pretty cool software that would take screen shots, so for all of you who have ever asked "so just what do you do"

here's what my days looked like

Enjoy

i heart road bikes...

(this is a long post, sorry, but it reads fast)

Today was another one of those “let’s see if I can do this” days

You know, the days where you get a crazy idea in your head, seem to somehow talk yourself into it, and then before you know it you’re off and running towards it excited to see what will really turn out, will this be the best thing ever, or not so. (I feel like that’s my life in general right, but I’ll tell you more later)

Today’s bright idea centered around a lunch meeting I had in E-town.

[For my southern friends E-town (more formally known as Elizabethtown) is a good 30-35 minute car ride from my house, most of which is on the interstate.]

Pearl and I knew the day that we decided to down size to one car this day would come. The day where I needed to be in one place and her another.

She offered to rearrange her day to take me to my luncheon, but I was in some sick way excited about this adventure.

So this morning I rolled out the house, in pursuit of making it to E-town, not by car but by bike.

Now’s a good time to tell you of a really odd desire I’ve had since being a JR in High school. Ever since getting my bike I’ve wanted to ride a “century” or a 100 mile ride. I don’t know why but I’ve always been enticed by this.

So today as I rolled out on my 23 mile trip to the restaurant, I decided I would take a longer way home and may be, just maybe hit a huge milestone on my way to this goal, a half century (that’s right you math geniuses, that’s 50 miles)

Let’s just say I started out strong, I felt super good, I imaged this being a cake walk, may be I should increase the distance even?

Around mile 14 I started to slow down a little, I thought nothing of this, I assumed another boost of energy would come.

Mile marker 20 came and I was ready to see the restaurant, and defiantly not another “beautiful rolling hill of PA”

Mile 21, I finally made it into E-Town, I had a surge of energy, it was time to race with traffic again, and I did just that!

Mile 22, a quick stop at a local bike store, picked up 2 energy packs for the way home, and a spare tube, you can never be too safe.

Mile 23, food is in sight, I’m feel good, still thinking this was a great idea.

After a great lunch, I made some changes in my homeward bound course due to some road construction (aka a bridge was out, kind of important even if you are on a bike)

Mile 26, out of E-town, starting to be a little tired, slowing down the pace

Mile 30, Sunny Burn Rd, Finally, “man I’m tired, my legs are starting to not feel as strong” starting to wonder how good of an idea this was.

Mile 31, “what’s that hissing sound, great a flat” So I sat in someone’s front yard watching tractors roll by as I patched my tube. I also put down my 1st energy packet.

Mile 31.5, “this is the dumbest idea I’ve ever had, what the heck was I thinking”

Mile 32, “what way was I suppose to turn again? Better yet what way is the fastest home, this is now officially getting old”

Mile 36, “dear God I’m about to die”

Mile 36.5, “*&(^% another hill!”

Mile 37, “I’m going so slow I’m about to fall over, I just can’t do another hill”

Mile 37.5, “maybe Pearl could pick me up out here”

Mile 38, “I finally know where I’m at again” a little energy returns

Mile 40, “the church sweet church” I’m taking a break, calling Pearl and maybe getting a ride out of here. No answer on her cell, crap that means I’m rolling again, better eat the second energy pack

Mile 41, “I can so do this”

Mile 42, “I so can’t do this”

Mile 45, “I’m so close, yet so far”

Mile 48, “I’m passing the Mall! Thank you Jesus! Home is insight”

Mile 49, “I’m too close to stop”

Mile 49.5, a burst of energy, I’m almost at 50!!!

Mile 50, “Thank you God! I’m can’t believe this, oh wait I’m still not home”

Mile 51, a big boast of energy, a little tailgating, oh so much fun

Mile 51.19 HOME SWEEET HOME, ok now I’m officially died!

I’m super excited to be able to say I’ve ridden a half century, although I will say that it was one of the hardest things I’ve done in a long time. As you just read miles 33-39 where just miserable mentally and physically, as was the finally 5 miles home.

But it’s over now and I can say that I’m glad I did it!

Here’s the finally numbers from the ride.
Average speed – 14.8
Fastest speed – 37.6
Time on bike – 3:26:16
Totally distance – 51.19 miles

Here’s something interesting just to put this in perspective (and to brag a little):

For my southern friends: If you where to get on 985 in Gainesville (exit 20? The one with the QT) and drive south, in 50 miles you would in sitting in the varsity looking at Georgia tech

For my northern friends: Once you get on 222, Reading is only roughly 28 miles away Or From Barnes and Nobles on Fruitville, if you took 30 East, in 50 miles you would be at King of Prussia

today's ride...

Things you never what to experience while riding a bike:
- the approaching sound of horse hoofs
- the roar of farming equipment, especially those involving massive amounts of manure
- a “wide load” lead car passing you as you’re rolling onto a one way bridge
- directions that include “once you cross that mountain, you’ll want to take a right”
- the grind of your front wheel getting ripped into a small chasm in the pavement
- the announcement of “I’ve got a flat”

Things you do want to experience:
- any speed over 35, preferably over 40
- passing a gas station with $3.91 per gallon displayed
- being able to look at your hot wife for miles on end
- Knowing that you’ve saved roughly $12 in gas
- the words “we are so getting ice cream when we reach Intercourse”
- the wondrous glow of your farmers tan

Pearl and I had a great ride today. We rode out to East Earl for Pearl to get her bike checked out. Our little joy ride turned into a 45.6 mile ride, that had us pedaling for 3 hours and 27 minutes. I was proud of Pearl, she really had some rough muscle moments but she still managed to average 13.1 miles per hour.

It was a great day. There’s something good to for the soul when we’re in the sun, breathing deep the fresh air, and feeling the burn of your muscles.

God, thanks for today’s wonderful weather, the fun of being on the road, and the wonderful sight of finally making it back home.

PS – the picture is a map of our ride, each pink box represents a mile

50 things I learned in college...

1. Don’t always be afraid of eating the yellow snow, because it could actually be a lemon snow cone (i.e. don’t always think you know what something is by face value, because you might be surprised).

2. Make sure you always think with the right head. One may be smaller, but it can still get you in lot of trouble, bad trouble.

3. Take school seriously, but not too seriously. Some of the best lessons are learned while skipping class.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask out the girl of your dreams. Dreams do come true, and a no is better than a never know.

5. Don’t prank your roommate, they know where you sleep.

6. Don’t forget about momma. She’s just as happy to have you out of the house as you are, but a weekly phone call can really do a lot, both for when you need extra cash and a hug.

7. Your parents really do get cooler after you move out. I don’t know how, but something magical happens where they go from being the dumbest people on earth to people you actually respect.

8. Your sister might not wear the same shoe size, but she will follow your footsteps. Be careful not to step in manure.

9. It’s not cool to squeeze a four-year degree into six.

10. Watch your debt; you really do have to pay that back someday.

11. You really can live on Ramen noodles.

12. If your friends are idiots, you’ll be one soon.

13. Be willing to have fun; you’ll be an old fart soon enough.

14. Enjoy college while you can. People really do expect you get a job one day, and not just for a summer.

15. Make sure you study something you want to give your life to. It’s better to feel like you’re giving it away than having it stolen.

16. Don’t let the freshman 15 become the sophomore 30 (or the junior 45, or the senior 60).

17. Don’t run from your doubts; they might actually teach you something.

18. If you’re going to act like you know something, make sure you really do.

19. There really are some dumb questions, so don’t sleep in class.

20. Anything can happen in a dorm, enough said.

21. Syllabus shock always happen, so don’t quit until at least the 2nd class.

22. Be nice to the cafeteria ladies; they’ll remember you.

23. Always be able to remember what you did last night.

24. Be willing to try something new, just make sure it’s legal.

25. When you moon someone, make sure they don’t have a camera.

26. Respect Dad for more than just his money.

27. Don’t try to keep in touch with your entire senior class. Pick a few and forget the rest, because they’ll forget you soon enough.

28. Define yourself because others are often eager to do that for you.

29. Your 20’s is more about who are you becoming than what you’re doing.

30. A nap can actually be the most productive thing you can do sometimes.

31. Laugh at yourself. It makes life more enjoyable.

32. The prettiest girl is not always the one to date.

33. At times a “B” is more than enough.

34. There’s wisdom in knowing which assignments to ignore and which ones to work your tail off for.

35. Tell momma everything! Cause she’ll eventually find out even if you don’t.

36. Make your faith your own.

37. Embrace your questions, you might just change history.

38. You might think you’re just friends, but she could be expecting a ring: don’t play with hearts.

39. Check your dorm fridge! It stinks for a reason.

40. Shaving is overrated: embrace your inner beard.

41. You can take earrings out but you can’t erase a bad tattoo.

42. Pace your schoolwork because you really can’t type 3 papers in one night.

43. Two pots of coffee really do make you shake… a lot!

44. Study abroad, not a broad.

45. Choose a good apprenticeship: it might become a job offer.

46. It’s ok to do something different than what your degree is in, most people do.

47. Do you really need all that stuff?

48. Do your own laundry. You won’t have many dates when they find out your mom still folds
your underwear.

49. Remember who you are, and I mean more than just your name, dummy.

50. Love God, love others, the rest will really work itself all out.