it was a good day...

I would have to say that I took it pretty easy today.  There were some things that happened which I am pretty happy about, though.  First, I applied for a summer AmeriCorps position in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  They still need a lot of help from the devastating flooding last summer.  I was searching for internships and came across it and it seemed like it was right down my alley.  The money is pretty bad, but thats not really important to me at this point.  I have volunteered so much on the Gulf Coast, so I think it would be pretty cool to go somewhere else.  All in all I've been pretty lazy with the internship searching so I was happy with myself for finding this possibility.  Plus, if I end up there I will definitely go visit the "Field of Dreams."  That thing is still there, right?

I played in an 11 v 11 soccer scrimmage game tonight.  I am playing on a Men's Bloomington Cutters team.  Its been a while since I played full field, but I actually felt pretty good out there.  That could be because I was playing very little defense and only really moved when the ball was near me.  I did score our team's lone goal, so I was pleased with that.  I also hit the post.  I think its safe to say that I am the most dangerous player we have.  We start league games this Sunday, so it should be interesting.  I hope I can find some shin guards, but I really don't know if I even have any anymore.  Oh well.

The best part of the day had to be free breadsticks from Pizza (E)X(press).  I will never call that place anything other than its true name.  Kind of like I still order the Big Ten Special.  They can never take that from me.  But yea, free food and me get along very well together.

Well, time to study for a bit.....  

can't believe its been two years....

I am still in disbelief til this day.  Isaiah, I miss you so much.  You were such a wonderful person and will always be in my thoughts.  I don't have a lot to say other than your influence on my life has been immense, and you will forever be a part of who I am... Love you Riggs..........

lame friday...

So I completely lived up to my "indoor stud" title that I gave myself earlier this week.  During my game last night at the Plex I scored eight goals.  Most of the goals were pretty sweet, too.  I can't say the same about the team we played.  That may have played a larger role in my masterful performance than I am willing to admit.  Nonetheless, I hadn't played in two weeks so I was happy.  

Today was definitely not the Friday I had envisioned.  I was at SPEA by 7:45 this morning to work on homework for two classes.  It was 3 by the time I was done.  Normally this wouldn't be so bad, but somehow I managed to stay up until 3 the night before.  Oh well, the two-hour nap I took upon arriving home was glorious.  The dream I remember was not so glorious, though.  I won't go into all the details, but I was on a Y'ALL trip and there were major issues.  I'm really glad it was only a dream.  

Well, I'm going to get back to watching the NCAA tournament games.  I'm really hoping just one game will end up being exciting.  Its bad enough when IU isn't in the tournament, but when all the games are blowouts I really just can't take it...

you just gotta keep livin' man...

So tonight I had my first practice of the spring with my U11 boys traveling soccer team.  This is my second season with this group and they really are a good bunch of kids with a lot of potential. The first practice is usually a little stressful just because its been like 5 months since I've run a training session.  I would say its just like riding a bike, but I haven't ridden one in years so ya know...The practice actually went pretty well in terms of the kids giving effort and the activities having a natural flow to them.  However, I am so disappointed in how the fields are now at Karst. When I was a young kid playing for the Cutters, Karst had perhaps the best fields in the state.  I felt lucky to play on them.  Today they are hard as rock and there are so many areas where it is all dirt. It really is a shame and I hope they can be restored somewhat.

After not having a very productive day studying prior to practice, I ended solidly.  While my stats lab was only scheduled to run from 8:30-10:00, my partner and I were working hard until midnight.  We are getting close to finishing a brutal assignment so I think it was worth it to stay late.

I ended my night in typical fashion.  I obviously ate some food that I really didn't need to (microwaved some nachos) and watched back to back episodes of That 70's Show.  During a commercial I noticed that Dazed and Confused was on HBO, so I clearly watched the end of that after the second episode had finished.  I never get tired of hearing Matthew McConaughey's character saying, "You just gotta keep livin' man,  L-I-V-I-N."  Sometimes I really wonder why I didn't grow up in the 70's, but what are you gonna do?

Ok, time for a few hours of sleep..........

     

My first blog...

Well, I probably should be studying....but I've been wanting to create a blog for a while now.  I'm pretty quiet in general, so I'm hoping this provides me with a way to express how I'm feeling about things.  Anyways, here goes nothing...

Those of you who know me well are sure to have heard about one of my trips to the Gulf Coast.  I recently returned from my 10th overall trip since Katrina struck over 3 1/2 years ago.  It was my 7th with Youth Advocating Leadership and Learning (Y'ALL), the IU student organization that has become such a big part of my life.  At this point, it is hard for me to imagine my life with Y'ALL in it.  I cringe when thinking about finishing grad school next spring and realizing that I won't be able to participate with Y'ALL in the way that I can now.  The most recent trip proved to be very trying for everyone involved.  Planners, group leaders, and of course the amazing volunteers were all tested in various ways, yet we were able to pull through and come away with a truly memorable trip.  I am so indebted to everyone who played a part in it and will never forget it.  I am already psyched for the next trip, yet can't believe that it is only 6 weeks away.......

So I mentioned I should be studying....I'll get to that.  My classes this semester are definitely beginning to stress me out, although I'm sure no more than the next person.  Sometimes I like to whine though I guess.  Gut-check time is about to start and I am planning to be ready...  

I begin coaching with the Cutters Soccer Club again this week.  It has now been over 5 years since I started....I get to work with the U11 age group.  That is the perfect age group for a couple reasons.  First, they still truly love the game and are eager to learn.  Second, they think I'm a God when I'm clearly just an indoor stud at this point.  I think the fact that I will have less free time will actually benefit me in terms of being more focused on school.  There won't be time to procrastinate.  Also, hopefully the schedule at the Bluebird won't be calling my name as much as usual for late night jam band dancing....sometimes that is too much of a priority for me I suppose.  

Well, I guess that's enough for my first post.  Until next time...