Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Favorite Blog in Class: Brown Sugar's Blog
My favorite blog by a fellow classmate in my class would have to be Brown Sugar's blog. Personally, I enjoy the personal posts and style added to the blog. Brown Sugar has many posts about soccer. I do not think I saw any other blogs with posts pertaining to soccer. He also has many pictures and videos in addition to the standard text posts. I also think his posts over his personal reading are well thought out and interesting. He relates the blog to his own life often. Ultimately, I believe Brown Sugar's personal touch to his blog puts him among the best blogs in my class.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Pondering, by Loran Saggu
Loran Saggu's vivid colors and austere pose in his self-portrait, "Pondering," depicts a pensive, arcane thinking in his own mind. His colors of orange and yellow relate to his calm, yet passionate mood in his portrait. In addition, his striking pose of a pondering state alludes to a hermetic analysis occurring in his mind as depicted in the portrait. Saggu's serene eyes add to the overall sedate tone of the portrait. Saggu's warm colors and relaxed expressions in his self-portrait portrays a paramount deep thinking state.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
The Wedding Bells Toll...
I found out only a few weeks ago that my oldest brother, Keith, is getting married soon. I am actually very excited for him. I would be supportive no matter who he would be marrying I am sure, but I know his fiancee is a wonderful woman. In addition, I will be a groomsman for the wedding. The interesting part about the wedding is that Keith is the oldest in my family, and Jen, his fiancee, is the youngest in her family. As a result, Jen has nephews that are my age. In other words, Jen is their aunt, but Jen will be my sister-in-law even though I am the same age as some of her nephews. Sometimes, it's funny how things work out within a family. Regardless, I look forward to the wedding and I am very happy for my brother.
Reading: More Than Just the Catch by David Tyree (pgs. 105-124)
In the next section of More Than Just the Catch, by David Tyree, I was entertained by Tyree's miracle of a football season. In chapter ten, Tyree details the New York Giants, his NFL team, and their journey to the Super Bowl in 2007. They were doubted the entire year, and they barely made the playoffs with a 10-6 record and a number six seed. However, their team had stronger unity than ever before, and they possessed mental toughness to win as an underdog. In the playoffs, the Giants won games at Tampa Bay, and then at Dallas to make the NFC championship. In the NFC championship, they needed overtime to finally beat the Green Bay Packers and punch their ticked to Super Bowl forty-two.
In chapter eleven, Tyree details the events of the Super Bowl, how he prepared for them, and how he reacted to them when they actually happened. He prepared for the Super Bowl with a prayer with his spiritual mom, Kimberly. The New York Giants were major underdogs to the undefeated, 18-0 New England Patriots. The Giants played well the entire game but found themselves down 14-10 late in the game. On the winning drive, Tyree caught one of the most amazing catches in NFL history to keep the drive alive. The Giants scored a touchdown on the drive and went on to win the game 17-14. Tyree details how amazing and unreal the moment of the Super Bowl victory was for him. He was able to use his famed platform to give glory to God for everything God did in his life and continues to do for him. Tyree details how magnificent the one play he made in the Super Bowl represented his entire life of struggle with constant hope. He thanks God for the fame and platform he used to glorify God's name. At the end of the chapter, Tyree gives all glory to God emphatically, and notes the amazing events that occurred in his life to lead him to be the man he is today.
I felt rather emotional after reading this section of reading in Tyree's book. Tyree's situation truly seems unreal. I remember watching the Super Bowl and witnessing possibly the greatest play in NFL history! The Giants were possibly the greatest underdog story ever! I honestly believe God may have had a hand in the Super Bowl that year. The Giants brought so much good emotion to so many people. For Tyree, he was able to witness for God with his new found fame. I work to use God's name in my interpretation of my success in life. I will give glory to God when I need to be a witness (which is often). I always want to remain level headed about any success I encounter in life while remembering God brings all of the positive things into my life. I hope that I can find more entertaining and incredible stories through reading more in Tyree's book.
In chapter eleven, Tyree details the events of the Super Bowl, how he prepared for them, and how he reacted to them when they actually happened. He prepared for the Super Bowl with a prayer with his spiritual mom, Kimberly. The New York Giants were major underdogs to the undefeated, 18-0 New England Patriots. The Giants played well the entire game but found themselves down 14-10 late in the game. On the winning drive, Tyree caught one of the most amazing catches in NFL history to keep the drive alive. The Giants scored a touchdown on the drive and went on to win the game 17-14. Tyree details how amazing and unreal the moment of the Super Bowl victory was for him. He was able to use his famed platform to give glory to God for everything God did in his life and continues to do for him. Tyree details how magnificent the one play he made in the Super Bowl represented his entire life of struggle with constant hope. He thanks God for the fame and platform he used to glorify God's name. At the end of the chapter, Tyree gives all glory to God emphatically, and notes the amazing events that occurred in his life to lead him to be the man he is today.
I felt rather emotional after reading this section of reading in Tyree's book. Tyree's situation truly seems unreal. I remember watching the Super Bowl and witnessing possibly the greatest play in NFL history! The Giants were possibly the greatest underdog story ever! I honestly believe God may have had a hand in the Super Bowl that year. The Giants brought so much good emotion to so many people. For Tyree, he was able to witness for God with his new found fame. I work to use God's name in my interpretation of my success in life. I will give glory to God when I need to be a witness (which is often). I always want to remain level headed about any success I encounter in life while remembering God brings all of the positive things into my life. I hope that I can find more entertaining and incredible stories through reading more in Tyree's book.
Reading: More Than Just the Catch by David Tyree (pgs. 77-104)
I became aware of several interesting situations as I read my next section of More Than Just the Catch, by David Tyree. In chapter eight, Tyree describes his transition to living a life for God. He describes being possessed by the devil for a period of time. He was acting so unnatural and evil, that all of the people close to him became concerned. Eventually, David broke the devil's possession of his body when he called out to God. David's wife Leilah, describes the devil possessing David as an attempt to pull him away from God. David had recently accepted Christ and started to live a life for God. This new life may have caused the devil to try to pull him away. David describes afterword about his NFL career under the radar. He was never a standout player, but David believes he was exactly how popular God wanted him to be in the league. God has purpose in all things, and David's quieter NFL career was all part of God's plan to show case him later in his life. Last, David describes a revived home life he experienced as a father and husband. After dedicating his life to God, he began to seek his guidance in all things, thus, he was led to a healthier, closer-knit, life at home.
In chapter nine, Tyree describes the passing of his mother. His mother was always a huge part of his life, and seeing her go was not easy. However, Tyree's mother accepted Christ near the end of her life. Tyree rest assured that his mother was indeed in heaven and she even wrote a poem confessing her faith in Christ. Tyree's mother's death was difficult for their whole family, but they recollecting well on the good times spent with her at her funeral service. Her dog, Mickey, was left with Tyree's spiritual mother, Kimberly. Tyree describes at the end of the chapter how he knows that his mother is in heaven smiling at Kimberly and her dog Mickey praying together every morning.
After reading this section of Tyree's book, I feel that God can truly penetrate any person's life. Tyree was in a mess of all sorts. Certainly, it did not appear that Tyree would ever turn around his rather immoral lifestyle. However, it only took one moment to turn around his entire life. He finally realized he needed to commit himself to living God's way, not his own. I believe that people can turn their lives around quicker than they may think. A situation can seem to murky to be cleared, but there is always hope. Some struggles seem to large to defeat, but if you are patient with yourself and God, you can defeat these struggles. I have always felt that I must tell people that they can truly overcome any obstacle in life with the help of God. Often times, it is another person that can turn your life around. I always want to work to be a strong part of other people's lives so that they have me if they need me in any situation. I feel more fortified in my beliefs through reading this book, and I look forward to unveiling more truths in the story.
In chapter nine, Tyree describes the passing of his mother. His mother was always a huge part of his life, and seeing her go was not easy. However, Tyree's mother accepted Christ near the end of her life. Tyree rest assured that his mother was indeed in heaven and she even wrote a poem confessing her faith in Christ. Tyree's mother's death was difficult for their whole family, but they recollecting well on the good times spent with her at her funeral service. Her dog, Mickey, was left with Tyree's spiritual mother, Kimberly. Tyree describes at the end of the chapter how he knows that his mother is in heaven smiling at Kimberly and her dog Mickey praying together every morning.
After reading this section of Tyree's book, I feel that God can truly penetrate any person's life. Tyree was in a mess of all sorts. Certainly, it did not appear that Tyree would ever turn around his rather immoral lifestyle. However, it only took one moment to turn around his entire life. He finally realized he needed to commit himself to living God's way, not his own. I believe that people can turn their lives around quicker than they may think. A situation can seem to murky to be cleared, but there is always hope. Some struggles seem to large to defeat, but if you are patient with yourself and God, you can defeat these struggles. I have always felt that I must tell people that they can truly overcome any obstacle in life with the help of God. Often times, it is another person that can turn your life around. I always want to work to be a strong part of other people's lives so that they have me if they need me in any situation. I feel more fortified in my beliefs through reading this book, and I look forward to unveiling more truths in the story.
Homestead Coffee House
I was pleased with my experience I had at the Homestead Coffee House this past Friday evening. I thought all of the artwork was excellent, if not beyond excellent in my opinion. I truly believe there are artists at Homestead that may have a future career as an artist of some kind. I was not aware of the immense talent we have at our school. All of the musical acts were also very entertaining. Everyone at the Coffee House had great talent. My favorite act of the evening would probably be the band, Leaving Rockwell. They were the only band, and in my opinion, they were the most entertaining musical act. Overall, I thought the people organizing the event did a tremendous job and I am now sold on the talent in the arts at Homestead.
Reading: More Than Just the Catch by David Tyree (pgs. 25-76)
In the next section of reading More Than Just the Catch, by David Tyree, I found more examples of hard work used to get out of bad situations. In chapter two, Tyree describes the positive influence his older sister, Tara, had on his life. She was the first to accept Christ into her life, and she helped advise Tyree on what is wrong and right in life. Tyree describes how athletics were his ticket to making it to college. He knew he needed to go to college to be more, and his only way to getting there was his athletic ability. He worked harder than everyone else even at a young age, propelling him to be the football player he wanted to be in the future.
In chapter three, Tyree explains how peer pressure had a huge impact on his life. Eventually, Tyree's reputation in school as a kid landed him in the wrong social group. His friends made poor decisions and often disobeyed authorities. Tyree was influenced negatively by his friends and often found himself in trouble. He writes about some of their mistakes, including driving a car when all of his friends and him had never driven before in their lives. Tyree writes about the hard times with his friends, but he also tells that things would get better from his point of being in with the wrong crowd in school.
In chapter four, Tyree explains more peer pressure he faced, specifically pressure in high school. He made some poor decisions while in relationships with girls in high school. He invested too much attention to some girls, and he focused on being a "player" in high school. However, he still managed to fair very well in football and maintain his grades. He was able to achieve the football scholarship he always dreamed of as a young child. His mother was ecstatic, and Tyree describes the excitement both of them shared on their visits to colleges.
In chapter five, Tyree describes his life at his college, Syracuse University. Specifically, he details the crazy parties and beautiful women at the school. Eventually, he met a woman he could not get off of his mind, Leilah. Soon, the two started seeing each other regularly. Unfortunately, the two had sex, which complicated things in the relationship. Leilah writes about the strong ties the two had to each other in their relationship at the end of the chapter.
In chapter six, Tyree describes more difficulties in his relationship with Leilah. The two continued to party regularly, and eventually, Leilah became pregnant. David was actually drunk the day Leilah went into labor. Despite their child, the two broke up and Leilah stayed home with their son. However, David's family all liked Leilah, and all of them held on to the hope that David would return to marry Leilah.
In chapter seven, describes the drastic change that took place in his life early in his NFL career. He was drafted in the sixth round by the New York Giants, and he found success early in the league as a special teams player. However, he struggled mightily with alcohol and marijuana addictions. He was arrested for marijuana possession later. In addition, Leilah was pregnant with their second child basically at the time David paid bail to get out of jail. At this moment that Leilah told David the important news, David decided he needed to make huge changes in his life. He cut out the drug addictions, including alcohol, and began to turn his life around as he turned to God for guidance. He committed himself to Leilah in marriage and also committed himself to his children. He describes that only his faith in God allowed him to have the ability to truly turn his life around.
After reading this section of Tyree's book, I feel as though Tyree's story is almost unreal. He was able to find success on the field always, but all of the truly important things in his life were in jeopardy. He had trouble with many dangerous addictions and seemed selfish many times in college and early in his NFL career. I think it is amazing how Tyree and many people can hit rock bottom, and then truly change their lives. I have noticed that even in my struggles, I can hit bottom and then begin to turn my life around. When my sins become full blown and as obvious as ever, I can truly distinguish what I need to do to improve myself as a person. In retrospect, I am closest to God many times when I am struggling the most keeping his commandments. I know choosing immoral and ungodly things in this world is completely wrong, but God uses these times in my life to draw me closer to him. I am sure I will uncover more truths in this book as I continue to read about Tyree's story.
In chapter three, Tyree explains how peer pressure had a huge impact on his life. Eventually, Tyree's reputation in school as a kid landed him in the wrong social group. His friends made poor decisions and often disobeyed authorities. Tyree was influenced negatively by his friends and often found himself in trouble. He writes about some of their mistakes, including driving a car when all of his friends and him had never driven before in their lives. Tyree writes about the hard times with his friends, but he also tells that things would get better from his point of being in with the wrong crowd in school.
In chapter four, Tyree explains more peer pressure he faced, specifically pressure in high school. He made some poor decisions while in relationships with girls in high school. He invested too much attention to some girls, and he focused on being a "player" in high school. However, he still managed to fair very well in football and maintain his grades. He was able to achieve the football scholarship he always dreamed of as a young child. His mother was ecstatic, and Tyree describes the excitement both of them shared on their visits to colleges.
In chapter five, Tyree describes his life at his college, Syracuse University. Specifically, he details the crazy parties and beautiful women at the school. Eventually, he met a woman he could not get off of his mind, Leilah. Soon, the two started seeing each other regularly. Unfortunately, the two had sex, which complicated things in the relationship. Leilah writes about the strong ties the two had to each other in their relationship at the end of the chapter.
In chapter six, Tyree describes more difficulties in his relationship with Leilah. The two continued to party regularly, and eventually, Leilah became pregnant. David was actually drunk the day Leilah went into labor. Despite their child, the two broke up and Leilah stayed home with their son. However, David's family all liked Leilah, and all of them held on to the hope that David would return to marry Leilah.
In chapter seven, describes the drastic change that took place in his life early in his NFL career. He was drafted in the sixth round by the New York Giants, and he found success early in the league as a special teams player. However, he struggled mightily with alcohol and marijuana addictions. He was arrested for marijuana possession later. In addition, Leilah was pregnant with their second child basically at the time David paid bail to get out of jail. At this moment that Leilah told David the important news, David decided he needed to make huge changes in his life. He cut out the drug addictions, including alcohol, and began to turn his life around as he turned to God for guidance. He committed himself to Leilah in marriage and also committed himself to his children. He describes that only his faith in God allowed him to have the ability to truly turn his life around.
After reading this section of Tyree's book, I feel as though Tyree's story is almost unreal. He was able to find success on the field always, but all of the truly important things in his life were in jeopardy. He had trouble with many dangerous addictions and seemed selfish many times in college and early in his NFL career. I think it is amazing how Tyree and many people can hit rock bottom, and then truly change their lives. I have noticed that even in my struggles, I can hit bottom and then begin to turn my life around. When my sins become full blown and as obvious as ever, I can truly distinguish what I need to do to improve myself as a person. In retrospect, I am closest to God many times when I am struggling the most keeping his commandments. I know choosing immoral and ungodly things in this world is completely wrong, but God uses these times in my life to draw me closer to him. I am sure I will uncover more truths in this book as I continue to read about Tyree's story.
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