Other than a skateboard company, the word peaks my interest. This past weekend I had the house to myself because the parentals were in Vegas, I am the 3rd and final Pilon kid to be in the process of becoming independent. So of course like every good college guy does with a house to himself, I massive kegger and drank loads of alcohol and all kinds of people came over and it as a wild weekend of debauchery.
Not.
But I enjoyed having the place to myself, and I did have some friends over on Saturday night. (thanks for coming yall) Anyway, last night I spent some time with a couple of my friends as well. We went to compline at St. Mark's Cathedral, picked ups some food at Dick's Drive In and ended the night with some great conversation at Kerry Park up on Queen Anne. It was really great to just sit and talk.
Until...
Well let me give some background. One of the two friends I was with, whom we will call Bob for anonymous' sake, has been independently out of the country for the better part of the past year. They are now back and living with their parents. This is where the "Until" comes in. Me and my 2 friends were sitting on the ledge at Kerry park, enjoying the view, having some good conversation, and Bob's phone rings. Said phone was answered with a very unhappy parent on the other end because Bob had missed curfew. What I did not understand was the fact that Bob never had a curfew before, but ever since he has been living with his parents again he now has a curfew, and Bob is 19 years old.
I think independence is a hard thing for parents. It is just naturally built into parents to want to help their children and once their children grow up into responsible independent adults, it can seem so foreign for parent to not have to help their child nearly as much anymore. And this becomes the tricky balance of becoming independent. Does my 19 year old need a curfew, or can I trust them to be old enough know what their limits are and that the can take care of themself? I suppose the answer is going to depend on the person and the circumstances.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
Hugs: the wonder drug
Have you ever wondered how effective hugs are?
You rarely give a hug that is not appreciated, or receive one that does not make your day a little brighter.
Can you think of any medication that has such pleasant side effects?
Hugs are good for you. They're not fattening and they don't cause cancer or give you cavitiies. They're
all-natural, contain no perservatives, artificial sweeteners or other chemical additives.
Hugs are cholesterol-free and contain 100% of the recommended daily allowance of hope and happiness. They are a completely renewable source of energy and they're available without a prescription.
Hugs don't require any special instructions. They don't need batteries, tune ups or x-rays.
They're non-taxable fully returnable and energy efficient.
They can be safely used in all kinds of weather: as a matter of fact, they work especially well during cold or rainy days. They are particaulrly effective in treating everyday probablems like stress, worry, anger, frustration, sadness or sorrow, and even the occasional nightmare. The best thing about hugs is you can use them without special training or prior experience. But a word of caution for those of you trying it for the first time. You should never wait until tomorrow to hug someone who needs it today. Once you realize how good it feels, you'll want to do it all over again tomorrow! Yes.... hugs are extremely addictive!
You rarely give a hug that is not appreciated, or receive one that does not make your day a little brighter.
Can you think of any medication that has such pleasant side effects?
Hugs are good for you. They're not fattening and they don't cause cancer or give you cavitiies. They're
all-natural, contain no perservatives, artificial sweeteners or other chemical additives.
Hugs are cholesterol-free and contain 100% of the recommended daily allowance of hope and happiness. They are a completely renewable source of energy and they're available without a prescription.
Hugs don't require any special instructions. They don't need batteries, tune ups or x-rays.
They're non-taxable fully returnable and energy efficient.
They can be safely used in all kinds of weather: as a matter of fact, they work especially well during cold or rainy days. They are particaulrly effective in treating everyday probablems like stress, worry, anger, frustration, sadness or sorrow, and even the occasional nightmare. The best thing about hugs is you can use them without special training or prior experience. But a word of caution for those of you trying it for the first time. You should never wait until tomorrow to hug someone who needs it today. Once you realize how good it feels, you'll want to do it all over again tomorrow! Yes.... hugs are extremely addictive!
Full
Today is the last full day that I am in Holland and it is already 4o6pm. This morning I rode my bike to school and turned in some books to be reimbursed for, and then I turned in my bike. So I then took a nice walk home because I did not have my bike anymore. Tomorrow my train leaves from Zwolle at 715am. I still need to finish packing. Ugh. I am still not sure everything is going to make it home. I have already decided to leave 2 of he pairs of shoes I brought along because one pair is old and look like it too, and the other pair I don't really ever wear at home nor did I while I was here.
This past wednesday night we went to the pancake ship for dinner with the whole group, which I previously wrote about. It was very good. We all received dinging bells to remind us of our bikes and also a package of stroopwaffels. (Delicious Dutch treat) this whole week I have been accumulating things and every time I get something else I have to reconsider, "will this fit in my suitcase". I am coming home with more than I brought that is for sure. It is now 413. I am not a fan of time. It is like a curse..."oh I'm late!, time is flying by, a time to live a time to die." Time is often our slave driver. But then we also choose to let it control us. This is something I have loved about Holland. Down time, reflection, coffee breaks, visiting with people, sitting in this living writing on my blog right now. When I am at Dordt or at home, I feel much more of an obligation to time. As if my schedule needs to be filled with productivity and progress for the majority of my days. Hmmm.
I have been frequently asked in the last couple weeks if I have enjoyed my time in Holland and Ukraine. I have mixed feelings about Ukraine.........but I love Holland. I wish I could take my family and friends here for 4 months to see what I have experienced. Holland is a beautiful place and from my experience has beautiful people on multiple levels...
There are many Dutch girls that are cute.
Personalities of so many people that I have met are genuine and that is beautiful.
Beautiful houses and windmills dot the blooming, spring countryside, and the countryside does not smell like shit. Literally speaking.
And for those I have come to know and love on this Dutch program, I plan to see these people again and to give them all hugs and to recall the beautiful memories and to laugh and cry and be content with how much God has taken care of us for these 4 months. I will dearly miss this place, these people, this culture, this way of life.
Homeward bound.
This past wednesday night we went to the pancake ship for dinner with the whole group, which I previously wrote about. It was very good. We all received dinging bells to remind us of our bikes and also a package of stroopwaffels. (Delicious Dutch treat) this whole week I have been accumulating things and every time I get something else I have to reconsider, "will this fit in my suitcase". I am coming home with more than I brought that is for sure. It is now 413. I am not a fan of time. It is like a curse..."oh I'm late!, time is flying by, a time to live a time to die." Time is often our slave driver. But then we also choose to let it control us. This is something I have loved about Holland. Down time, reflection, coffee breaks, visiting with people, sitting in this living writing on my blog right now. When I am at Dordt or at home, I feel much more of an obligation to time. As if my schedule needs to be filled with productivity and progress for the majority of my days. Hmmm.
I have been frequently asked in the last couple weeks if I have enjoyed my time in Holland and Ukraine. I have mixed feelings about Ukraine.........but I love Holland. I wish I could take my family and friends here for 4 months to see what I have experienced. Holland is a beautiful place and from my experience has beautiful people on multiple levels...
There are many Dutch girls that are cute.
Personalities of so many people that I have met are genuine and that is beautiful.
Beautiful houses and windmills dot the blooming, spring countryside, and the countryside does not smell like shit. Literally speaking.
And for those I have come to know and love on this Dutch program, I plan to see these people again and to give them all hugs and to recall the beautiful memories and to laugh and cry and be content with how much God has taken care of us for these 4 months. I will dearly miss this place, these people, this culture, this way of life.
Homeward bound.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Pancakes! How cool is that?
the answer is, very cool. Tonight will be a kind of last getting together of all the students that have been on SPICE this semester as well as all the SPICE Buddies(Dutch Students that hung out with us). We are all going to eat loads and loads of pancakes and talk about all the great things that have happened this semester. Oh, and the best part is that none of us have to pay anything for it. The school has graciously organized this wonderful get together and they are shouldering the bill as well. YAY!
There are still some assignments to finish up and hand in, but I predict that tomorrow will be the last day I will need to slay that dragon. Today was officially the last formal meeting of my last class. I had a presentation that went well. On a scale of very poor to excellent I was graded with a very good. Literally that was my grade. I chuckled when I realized that was literally the way I was getting graded for this course.
In other news, I found out today that one of the girls on the same program that I am will be taking the same flight to Philly that I am on Saturday morning as a result we will be taking the same train to the airport as well. It will be nice to have a travel buddy for part of the trip. Thankfully I will not be following her back to Iowa, but have every intention of flying into Seattle at 9pm! It will certainly be good to be back in the glorious Pacific Northwest! Oh, and I have placed an order for there to be good weather when I come back. So if it is sunny on Sunday you will know that I am home. But if not...then I am probably still home, and the non-sunny weather is not my fault. I know...that last little bit did not sound conceited at all.
See you all soon!
Peace.
There are still some assignments to finish up and hand in, but I predict that tomorrow will be the last day I will need to slay that dragon. Today was officially the last formal meeting of my last class. I had a presentation that went well. On a scale of very poor to excellent I was graded with a very good. Literally that was my grade. I chuckled when I realized that was literally the way I was getting graded for this course.
In other news, I found out today that one of the girls on the same program that I am will be taking the same flight to Philly that I am on Saturday morning as a result we will be taking the same train to the airport as well. It will be nice to have a travel buddy for part of the trip. Thankfully I will not be following her back to Iowa, but have every intention of flying into Seattle at 9pm! It will certainly be good to be back in the glorious Pacific Northwest! Oh, and I have placed an order for there to be good weather when I come back. So if it is sunny on Sunday you will know that I am home. But if not...then I am probably still home, and the non-sunny weather is not my fault. I know...that last little bit did not sound conceited at all.
See you all soon!
Peace.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Sloth:habitual disinclination to exertion; indolence; laziness.
Today I have not been outside once. Most of my time has been sitting in front of my computer, and my intentions, although good, have been completely unsuccessful. I have things to write, and a portfolio to organize, and yet procrastination has become all too common for this 21 year old. Officially an adult and I feel like I have habits that I should have put to death years ago. Part of me wishes I had the determination and discipline to sit down and work on something start to finish and the result being excellence. Reality is that many things take me longer to do than they ever really should and almost never in one sitting.
Honestly this is embarrassing. I think I have a problem with sloth, and as a disclaimer I would say it is not all the time. But there are days where I have lost the desire to do anything I am supposed to and everything I am not supposed to or that is unimportant is so appealing! How do I change this wretched part of me? Results of a quick google search have revealed the Bible to compare the slothful to weak, dumb dogs, the opposite of diligent, wimpy, whinny and a begging mooch.
Ouch.
In response to my question of change, I would request the assistance of my faithful blog readers to give me the proverbial kick in the pants when you see fit. If I object, something to the effect of "you are a slothful, lazy, wimpy, whinny begging mooch." should suffice. And no this is not too harsh. I think a realization of reality in one's life is often the most effective cure to something many of us are experts in...... lying to ourselves. And despite the pain of the truth I would like to think that the outcome is ultimately for the benefit and growth of a person.
I need to go ride my bike or something else active, or is this procrastination at it's best? Waste a day away in avoiding what is important and then once realizing the waste and laziness that has occurred, one fuels the fire of procrastination in proposing to do something active that is still not accomplishing what is important. How about I propose to do something Productive.
Just the word sloth is so unappealing. Gross. Alright...moving on to more productive things.
Peace.
Honestly this is embarrassing. I think I have a problem with sloth, and as a disclaimer I would say it is not all the time. But there are days where I have lost the desire to do anything I am supposed to and everything I am not supposed to or that is unimportant is so appealing! How do I change this wretched part of me? Results of a quick google search have revealed the Bible to compare the slothful to weak, dumb dogs, the opposite of diligent, wimpy, whinny and a begging mooch.
Ouch.
In response to my question of change, I would request the assistance of my faithful blog readers to give me the proverbial kick in the pants when you see fit. If I object, something to the effect of "you are a slothful, lazy, wimpy, whinny begging mooch." should suffice. And no this is not too harsh. I think a realization of reality in one's life is often the most effective cure to something many of us are experts in...... lying to ourselves. And despite the pain of the truth I would like to think that the outcome is ultimately for the benefit and growth of a person.
I need to go ride my bike or something else active, or is this procrastination at it's best? Waste a day away in avoiding what is important and then once realizing the waste and laziness that has occurred, one fuels the fire of procrastination in proposing to do something active that is still not accomplishing what is important. How about I propose to do something Productive.
Just the word sloth is so unappealing. Gross. Alright...moving on to more productive things.
Peace.
Frustration
When what is done has been done and all has passed
Once God has decided that the final judgement shall be cast
I feared I was lacking faith, I was losing my sight
My God, please have mercy on me tonight
When my words are made of ash and my mouth is dry
Once my strength was worn down and I rub my sore eyes
I feared I had pridefully refused all help and responded in spite
My God, please forgive me tonight
When I could not stop thinking and just rest
Once I had made my sin a frequenting unwanted guest
I feared I was damed and no way i would be cleaned white
My God, please give me peace tonight
When I realize these issues are not past tense
Once I know I have procrastinated the thought of what is reality...
I fear...
My Future
Death
What other people think
Consequences of my doubt
My weakness
Once God has decided that the final judgement shall be cast
I feared I was lacking faith, I was losing my sight
My God, please have mercy on me tonight
When my words are made of ash and my mouth is dry
Once my strength was worn down and I rub my sore eyes
I feared I had pridefully refused all help and responded in spite
My God, please forgive me tonight
When I could not stop thinking and just rest
Once I had made my sin a frequenting unwanted guest
I feared I was damed and no way i would be cleaned white
My God, please give me peace tonight
When I realize these issues are not past tense
Once I know I have procrastinated the thought of what is reality...
I fear...
My Future
Death
What other people think
Consequences of my doubt
My weakness
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