College

I am currently a freshman in college, and I find it hard to believe that in just one short week my first year of college will be over. I feel that it has gone by much faster than I expected. College is a time when young adults should go out and experience new things and travel and live life before they have to really enter into the real world.

College is a great time for young people to go out and try new things. Part of this comes from meeting new people and getting to know their likes and dislikes and being introduced to things that they like that you never knew about. College is also a time when you are able to do things without your parents permission, and it is from these new things that you gain valuable knowledge and experience.

College is also a great time to travel. Most colleges offer great opportunities for students to travel overseas or to other parts of the country as part of a college class or program. Oftentimes these programs are a bit cheaper, and they allow students to go with their friends if they so choose. Sometimes also going on these trips are safer than actually going alone.

The normal college four year plan seems like a lot to many people however it is shorter than what you think. Four years will be over faster than you think and you might regret the things that you didn't do because you though you had much more time than you actually did. So because this time will be over in a short time live it up, travel, enjoy the new experiences, and have fun.

Birthdays

I just recently celebrated my nineteenth birthday, and it was the first one ever away from my family which was a new experience. I realized some important things on this birthday. I realized most importantly that contrary to what you believe when you are little everything does not revolve around you when it is your birthday. Your birthday should be one of fun times and celebration but also moments of reflection of what is important in your life.

Having my family not be with me on my birthday was a new experience for me. It taught me something though, and that was that they really are very important to me. It taught me that even though they weren't with me to celebrate it on that day they were still thinking about me and they still cared for me. They were with me in spirit instead of in person. Not having them with me reminded me of how much I care about them and how much I love them.

This was also my first birthday without my usual cast of friends around. Yes, I had different friends with me, but not the same ones that I always do which was also a new experience. I realized the same thing about them as I did with my family. I missed them, but I also knew that they still were there with me in spirit. Instead of doing the same things that we always did for birthdays I got a chance to do different and fun things. \

So, contrary to what you might believe about birthdays when you are little they are much more than a day where the whole world revolves around you. Your birthday is, and should be, a day that reminds you of how much other people in your life mean to you. It should be on this too that you take a little time out and thank those people who have gone so far out of their way to make that day a day that is all about you.

Travelling

A popular thing to do is to go on a family vacation, and my family has gone on a few we haven't travelled all over the world, but from those few experiences I have had with family vacations and other trips without my family I have learned the importance of travelling. Family vacations are great, and they are a good starting off place, but the real learning comes when you are older and when, a lot of times, you go travelling by yourself or with a group of friends, people that are your same age. Travelling allows people's minds to be opened. It allows them to experience new things and change their previous ways of thinking. Travelling is a powerful instrument of change.

Before I took my trip to Washington D.C. wars had been wars. They were something I read about in history books or watched movies about. However, once I went to D.C. and saw some of the memorials, especially the Vietnam memorial, my whole thinking about them changed. I realized that there were real men fighting and they really died all because they were courageous enough to say that they'd fight when our country asked them to. The Vietnam memorial was especially moving and heartbreaking at the same time because I saw all those names of the people that lost their lives and it just got to me. It just touched my soul and made everything more real. Without this experience I'm not sure if wars would have ever become something that had just happened in history books instead of something that had happened for real.

Another moving experience came on my trip to New York City. This trip happened about three years after 9/11, and on this trip we went to the site of the twin towers and saw what was left of them. This experience, just like the last one, was eye opening and made things more real. It solidified what had happened in my mind. Seeing things on TV is one thing but then actually going and seeing the destruction in person is completely different. Travelling allows for that change into reality to happen.

My own personal experiences have convinced me that travelling is beneficial mostly because it allows for things to become a reality. Even just going and seeing places is different when you see them in person than just in books. I have so many places on my list that I want to travel to, and I believe that everyone should have places that they want to go and visit as well. Miriam Beard sums up the point of travelling, "Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." I couldn't agree with her more, and I know it to be true.

Reading the Bible

I am an Evangelical Lutheran, and I have been for my entire life. Every week that I went to church I learned more about the Bible and about my religion and my faith increased. I have always wanted to read the Bible but just never got around to doing so until this year. This year, for one of my classes, we were required to read the books of the Bible, and it astounded me how much I had been missing by not reading the Bible to begin with.

Sitting in church on Sundays or even hearing the Bible stories from others like in Sunday school classes is not the same as actually sitting down and reading the Bible. There is so much that you miss when you are just getting snippets of a larger story. It is like reading only certain chapters out of a chapter book. You might miss something; you are especially getting cheated out of the larger picture.

Sometimes missing things isn't that bad, but in this case it is. There are so many powerful stories and messages that the church can't possibly get to so they stick with the same ones. Thus if you don't go and read the Bible for yourself you might know those selective stories very well, but you will be missing out on other important information from God.

The Bible is definitely not the most interesting thing to read, and it is sometimes confusing however it is important that it is read especially if you want to deepen your faith or even understand things a little bit better. I personally have found spots of great enjoyment in the Bible and spots that were tough to get through, but overall it is worth the effort that I put in it. I feel not only closer to God but also that I have a deeper understand of how he works and what he wants.

Family Gatherings

Today was Easter, and my mom's side of the family gathered yet again for another family party. Her side of the family is very large and so gathering us all together in one place is a challenge to say the least. Lets just say that there were about 50 of us there, and that only includes my aunts and uncles (my mom's brothers and sisters and their spouses) and my cousins, some of which are married and have children of their own, and that wasn't nearly all of them. Having such a large family makes me realize how special these family gatherings are to me because I don't see them very often. Family gatherings are special and should be cherished.



For families that live far apart and don't see each other often family gatherings should be cherished because they are times for family members to reconnect and catch up. They are times when the past can be relived and enjoyed. Family gatherings give family members a chance to talk and to be there for each other. It gives them a chance to get to know one another and perhaps develop a much closer bond than what would have been there without the family gatherings.



There is also so much fun and excitement waiting to happen at family gatherings, and it are these memories that stay with people as they grow older. It is the exciting times that people will remember. I know that at the family gatherings on my mom's side I usually partake in a rousing game of train. It is during these games that I not only get to know a few of the other players better, normally a few cousins and a few aunts and uncles, but we also just have a good time.



People are not able to choose who they want to be in their family. They are automatically born into a family. Because of this lack of choice it is important to get to know your family and the best way to do this, oftentimes, is through a family gathering. It are these family gatherings times that are most important to cherish and remember and enjoy.

Theological References in the Most Unlikely Places

Most movies today are made to entertain, and not to bring up serious questions however upon closer examination of many movies it can easily be seen that they do, in some particular spots, prompt deeper thinking. Many movies encourage this deeper thinking by, in some way, referencing religion. There are many great examples of this, but some include The Boondock Saints, The Dark Knight, and The Lion King. All of these movies make their viewers ponder a different idea and makes them see connections that are at first hard to discern, but become more visible the deeper the viewer looks.

The Boondock Saints explores an interesting concept about what God really is saying to us. The movie begins with a preacher telling a very powerful story and then summing it up with the line, "But there is another evil which we must fear most, and that is the indifference of good men." The movie plays with this theme and makes the viewer think about if that is really what God intended or if that is a twist in the reading of God's word. The movie is entertaining even without the thought provoking question however it is that question that makes the movie valuable.

A very recently popular movie, The Dark Knight, is also a very entertaining movie at face value however it is the end that the viewers are left with a theological question/reference. At the end Batman leaves and chooses to be the person that everyone goes after. It is just like Jesus in essence where he is the people's savior but many do not choose to accept him, and instead they go after him and want to hunt him down.

Another favorite, perhaps a more classic movie, The Lion King, references theology in two different and distinct ways. It first presents some similarities. Like, for example, when King Mufasa dies in order to save his son it can be compared to Jesus dying for his children, use. However, the bulk of the movie is used in contrast to normal biblical teachings, and this makes the viewers consider more in depth what God really teaches us to do.

Sometimes, theological references occur in the most unlikely situations, however they are used to make the viewer consider something new and interesting. They also add to the movie's theme. Next time when you watch a movie, instead of just enjoying it at face value try and find a deeper meaning. Try to look for something more. Try and look for a theological reference.

Music

Music is very prevalent in our times. Music accompanies our life in more ways than we realize. It is at sporting events and rallies. It is at church, it is what most people turn on in their cars. Listening to music and finding what kind of music that makes you feel better is a very important part of life.

Finding a genre of music or even music in general that makes you feel better is important because it can lift your spirits. Music has a powerful way of speaking to people. It can say things to them in a way that no one else can. It can be a soul comforter, or it can be a way to pump up already high spirits.

Listening to music also helps relieve stress. Putting on a song and just being able to bob your head and sing along and just forget about what's going on is a powerful way to relieve stress. In life today many things provide stress for people and finding an effective way to relieve and eliminate stress is important to not only make a person feel better but to also improve their health.

Music, besides being background noise to life, is a powerful way to improve people's spirits. It not only is a great way to add happiness and enjoyment to life, but also provides an added benefit of stress relief. What is so great about music is that it can be individualized to each person and to that person's specific mood. Music is there for what people need when they need it.

Concerts

I love listening to music and am open to listening to almost anything. The enjoyment that I get from listening to music however can only be surpassed by actually going and seeing an artist in concert. Seeing a musician live really allows the listener to see how the musician wants their songs to be interpreted plus it also gives the listener a chance to really see the emotions that the musician wants the listener to get out of their songs. Going to concerts is an essential part of really getting to know the musician and their music.

Last weekend, I went to see Dave Barnes in concert. Previous to this concert I was a fan of his music, however, I didn't really begin to fall in love with his music until after the concert. This was because of the way that he played the concert. Watching him perform onstage I could tell the passion that he had for music, and the passion that he had for people to enjoy his music. His passion for his own music really got me to feel passionate about his music.

Concerts don't just have to be about the main artist themself. The opening bands also have great potential to be a big hit with the crowd. The band that opened for Dave Barnes was Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, and despite never hearing of them before their performance really drew me in. I learned about who they are, as a group, and what their songs are about, and I ended up really enjoying their music.

Concerts are a great way for music listeners to really go out and enjoy a particular band or artist that they love. They are also a great way to find new bands and artists. The Dave Barnes concert was, for me, a great way to learn more about an artist and his songs and more deeply enjoy those songs, and also an opportunity to experience something new and different that ended up being, in my opinion, a hit.

The Zoo

When I think about what my favorite places to vacation are I always think of a place that involves animals. Sea World was one of my top spots; I also liked Disney World, but that had more cartoon animals than actual real animals. When thinking about more everyday realistic trips the zoo is always my favorite place to go. In Green Bay we have a fairly nice zoo. It isn't realitively large or has the biggest selection of animals, but it is a great place to go and escape for a little bit. Going to the zoo should be made into at least a once a year adventure.

Going to the zoo provides families or friends or others opportunities to bond in a relatively inexpensive fashion. Large vacations are normally designed to bring people closer together, and the zoo can be a great alternative to these large vacations especially when money is tight. Walking around the zoo and interacting with the other people provides a great bonding opportunity.

The zoo is also great because there are so many, and each is so different. The statement, "If you've seen one zoo you've seen them all," is a very inaccurate statement. It is important to branch out and explore new and different zoos because each are designed differently and each bring something different to the table. I know that the zoo in Green Bay is on the smaller side and so there isn't as many animals as the zoo in Milwaukee. Thus, branching out and going to the Milwaukee zoo is a great opportunity for people to see different animals and experience things that the Green Bay Zoo is unable to provide.

Going to the zoo is also a great learning experience; it normally tends to be a great field trip that elementary students are taken on. People get a chance to learn about different animals: where they normally live, what they eat, and other tidbits of interesting information. The zoo is also a great place for people to find out information about endangered species and ways in which they can help those animals.

Going to the zoo benefits many people. It benefits those that attend, the zoo itself, the workers int the zoo, and if done correctly the animals in the zoo as well as those outside of the zoo who need help. Zoos are a reminder to humans that we are not the only ones that are living on this planet, and that we should work to help thost that can't ask for it, animals in particular.

Being a Kid Again

I sometimes dream about being a kid again for a day. What is so appealing about being a kid is the fact that most of the time you do what makes you happy, and it really is as simple as that. If playing with the blocks is not entertaining enough you move on to the farm set or perhaps the light-up toy piano. The older you get the harder it is to find time to be able to engage in activities that truly make you happy. It is so important that even as we grow up and become adults with an overwhelming amount of responsibility we still take time to do the things that make us happy.

It is so important to remember to take time out for yourself because sometimes life hits people with hard things. Death in the family or a serious medical condition being diagnosed are both rude awakenings, and it is at these especially hard times in life that it is important to remember the things that make you happy. It will be after events like these when you will need something to pull yourself out of the pain, and participating in what makes you happy is just the remedy.

Life's little bothers are perhaps the more recognizable and real reason for why setting time aside for ourself is so important. It is, many times, the little things in life that get to people. This might include losing the car keys and having to search for them when you are already late or forgetting the dry cleaning or trying on everything in the closet and realizing there is nothing in there that makes you feel good. It is these little things that bog us down and affect us that all add up and depress us and ultimately provide the reason for why doing the things that make us happy necessary. It is after the time spent doing what makes us happy that we are lifted up and lose our sadness or anger or frustration.

It is so important that people combat the things that make them unhappy with the things that do make them happy. It is almost like an equation and it is most beneficial that the happiness side is greater than the unhappy side. Finding what makes you happy does not mean that you have to completely revert back to peek-a-boo or hopscotch or the other things that made you happy when you were little. All that matters is that at the end of the day there was at least a five minute chunk of time where you were completely selfish and did something entirely for yourself.

Front Porches

Close your eyes, and imagine a house. Make this house the most welcoming house that you have ever seen, like it is beckoning you to just walk right in and make yourself at home. Now, what does that house look like? Does it have a porch? I would bet that you imagined it with one. I know that when I imagine this house mine is a two story white house with a front porch that spans the entire length of the house, and there are large white pillars in the front as well. There is also a long, but not overly long, driveway and the yard has full-grown, beautiful trees. A stereotypical representation of this house in my mind is what many of the old plantation houses looked liked. Despite all of these other characteristics that pull me in; it is the porch more than anything that creates the welcoming feeling of the house. A house's front porch gives a good indication about what kind of people live in the house.

Front porches come in all shapes, colors, sizes, and designs and because of that it is hard to classify a good, welcoming front porch but I think that simply looking at the front porch will give you the right vibe. The most welcoming front porches are those that are large and span most of or all of the front of the house. They are also ones that are not enclosed. Some enclosed porches do span the entire length of the front of the house however because they are enclosed they radiate the feeling of superiority. Like someone would need a special invitation into the porch instead of just being welcomed immediately. It is the welcoming front porches that are the best kind of porches and also reflect to passersby that those inside the house are welcoming themselves.

Then, there are the in-between porches. These are the ones that almost have it, but just simply do not quite completely make the requirements. These porches tend to be smaller and have a little less openness to them. Sometimes the people that live inside the house do all they can to dress up the porch and make it seem a little more welcoming or prettier than it is. These people still fit in with the group of welcoming people because they at least care enough to give their house a more homey feel. Sometimes people just can't help what kind of porch they get stuck with, and so it is important to look at what they do with their porch, with what they are given. On the other hand the people that don't do anything with their in-between porch are viewed as having their moments of welcomeness. On some days others might view their porch as one that is welcoming and on other days it could be considered not so welcoming.

Now, some houses simply do not have a porch and that causes the houses, in my opinion, to look a little awkward. It is these houses that are the hardest to judge. Sometimes, as I mentioned before, the decorating of the house makes the house seem very approachable. This can be achieved through landscaping and other decorations especially. Other times people don't really care about their house or their property and leave it unattended which turns off those that pass, and makes them seem a little unwelcome. With these porch-less houses it is important to look at other things like the landscaping or upkeep of the house to find out how it reflects the people that live in it.

For most people, their house is one that means a great deal to them and so it thus reflects the kind of people they are. People who are meticulous and orderly will reflect that in the upkeep of their yards and house fixtures. People who are welcoming will especially go to great lengths to reflect that on the outside of their house by putting up decorations for instance. Others who perhaps are busy or preoccupied with other things will pay less attention to their house and that uncaring attitude will reflect to those who pass by it. Porches are especially characteristic parts of a house that beckon others to come in and feel welcomed, and it is this part of the house that is especially telling of the type of people that live inside the house.

Reading for the Soul

I have always been a reader, and I have always liked to read. While there are all the practical applications for reading I had never been able to tell others why they should read without using one of those reasons. However, about a year ago I found my answer, and coincidentally enough it was while reading. East of Eden is a novel that was written by John Steinbeck, and it was while reading this novel that I found my answer. I found it is this line,"'But 'thou mayest'! Why, that makes a man great, that gives him stature with the gods, for in his weakness and his filth and his murder of his brother he has still the great choice. He can choose his course and fight it through and win.'" Now, some probably do not find this quote that interesting or even life changing, but for me it was. It changed something in me. It touched my soul and made me realize why I read. I read because I am searching for the things that are able to rock my soul. That are able to change it in ways that nothing else can. I read now to find the lines that affect me; to find the lines that change my life and make me better.



Some may argue that they have other things that change their life, but I would ask them what those are. Video games, shopping, sports, traveling, movies those are all things that people do but that don't change them. Sure, sometimes some things get close, some movies have great messages and lines that penetrate the soul, but nothing comes close to the power of the written word because of its adaptability. Authors can only do so much, they can only help create a picture in the reader's mind, and it is up to the reader to make that something memorable, something of worth to them.

In the above quote all that was running through my mind were pictures of my life and the choices I had made to get there. The choices, either good or bad, still were choices and still an exercise of thou mayest. My mind then strayed to the future, and it saw all the power that I had to make that future the one that I wanted. It was that above all else that was most touching to me. Movies already have a set picture; they already fill the mind with something which is why, even though the story and the picture might be powerful, it can never fully penetrate all the way into the soul because it does not allow the mind to adapt it to something that directly influences that person.



The written word will not go away. It will always be here waiting to be read to be put in action and to be the one thing above all else that drives people to be more. So, I dare you to find a book, read it, and find the one line or so that touches your soul. I guarantee that if you have chosen your book correctly it will be there waiting to change your life.