Monday, June 27, 2005

Tough But Good

Well all, I think the toughest week of project is over.

This past week was just really intense. Basically, during most of our free time, we would go out and talk to people about what they believe, as far as their faith. One of the toughest questions we asked is “What do you think happens after death?” It was sweet to hear all the different perspectives and opinions. At the same time, we would share how we believed that as people we are sinful. However, God gave us this amazing gift through Jesus Christ that we need to accept into our lives.

It was a great week but now I am excited for the coming week because it is all community building, which I love. The week is themed “All for One.”

One of the more ironic but great parts of project has been the choice of computers in my action group. My action group is basically a group of four students and one staff leader. We are a bible study and do a lot of stuff together. One of the great things is that three of us have Apple Powerbooks. How unbelievable is that. That’s right. There are many people that are realizing how superior and Apple is to any other computer.

Anyways, today has been the first day it has consistently rained in weeks. Because of that, I did not have to go to work. How great is that?! Also, a group of us wanted to go to New York this week, but we will see if that actually works out.

For the second time in my life, I went to a laudrymat today. It is kind of weird because I have always done my laundry either at my house, my apartment, or dorm. In a way, it’s a cool experience because it gives me a bunch of time away from everything and everyone to regroup and get things done. However, not being in the comfort of my own place is a bit weird.

One of the guys in my action group let me borrow a CD by Passion, called “How Great Thou Art.” For those of you who are into worship music, I would totally recommend it.

Other than that, it has been a good week and project has been going well.

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Deals, Steaks, and Sunburn

Here I am folks, four weeks into summer project and still trying to find time for everything.

Summer project is a lot like freshman year of college. You meet a ton of new people and there is always something to do with somebody. Whether you want to go play basketball, hang out, have a deep conversation, or just play MAFIA, you can always find a group of people to do it with. There are also the infamous phone number exchanges. Many times, at least during freshman year, I would exchange my phone number with everyone I came in contact with. Midway through the semester, I did not know half the people in my phone book. While it is a little different on summer project, everyone is getting around to exchanging phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc.

For those of you who know I love Apple Computers, I have been blessed with great roommates. Out of the four other roommates I have, two of them have PowerBooks, how sweet is that!!

Ohh yea, I think I told everyone I was going to Philadelphia last week. A group of six of us went, which was sweet and we went around to three different Philly Cheese steak places to see which one was the best. While Pat�s is by far the most popular, most of us agreed that Geno�s was the place to be. If you ever go, make sure to get cheezwiz on the sandwich. That is the only way to go.

I also went to Atlantic City last week, which is only 30 minutes away. It is much bigger than Ocean City with a bunch of casinos and what not. One of the cool parts of the city is their outlet mall, similar to the one in Kenosha. I have found out that one of my new favorite stores is H & M. For those of you who have not been there, you are missing out. They have great clothing for reasonable prices. It is like the IKEA of clothing stores.

Speaking of great deals, I found this Chinese place right down the block that has this lunch special for only $4.80!! And there is a ton of food too!!

The Golf Course is going well. I really do enjoy working for my boss because he always compliments us on our work and is encouraging in general. I have learned that no matter what, I just want to work hard for him because I respect him so much. But the bad part about the job is that I got sunburn. I thought I never could get sunburn, but that is untrue. So my skin is peeling a bit and I am really itchy.

Other than all that, I have been learning a lot about God. While that sounds like the most general statement ever, it really is true. I am understanding how sweet it is to have a relationship with Jesus and really, how amazing of a friend He is in my life.

Alright everyone, that is it for now, I hope all is well!

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

A long time...

Folks, I apologize for not posting in a while. I have been in Ocean City for almost three weeks now and I am still attempting to get fully in gear. It seems as if each day brings so many new things that I cannot keep up. However, it has been pretty fun and exciting at the same time.

God is doing some sweet stuff out here. There are just some people I look up to so much already. The more I get to know some people, the more I respect them.

In addition, I have been able to find some great deals. A few of us walked into a store thinking it was a thrift store. It was not, but we did find the best deal in town. A 24 pack of Jones Soda 12 oz. bottles for $6. That comes to only a quarter a bottle for Jones Soda!!! Are you kidding me?!?! Then, on Sunday, we found this Chinese Restaurant down the block that has a lunch special for only $4.80 and so much food!! Ya, the deals have been great.

Lets see, I will be getting two new roommates this weekend. They both had to take summer school, I think, so they could not come until now. I am pretty excited because that will complete my Action Group.

For the first time since project started, I played sand volleyball next to the ocean. While it was sweet and all, the sand was not so good because there are so many shells in it. Unfortunately, some people got cut up and all, but there were some great games.

Like I said before, I work at Grate Bay Golf Course. My job is so sweet and laid back. I have never worked outdoors, but the time really does go by faster. My boss is really laid back along with all my coworkers. I have learned a lot of things and have made a few mistakes along the way too. Just today, I learned how to work the fairway mower, which is huge and sweet. It even has a speedometer that goes up to 10 mph. Which is pretty sweet for a lawn mower. My boss was like, “try to be careful, the thing is worth $40,000.” Are you joking me that is insane for a lawn mower!?!

Along with all that, the last week has been good. There are still so many people to meet and get to know. I will let you know how it goes. I am going to Philadelphia tomorrow to get a real Philly Cheese Steak. I will let you all know how that goes too!

That is it for now, I hope you are all doing well and would love to hear from you too! Ohh yea, if you wanted to send mail, my address is:

1301 Central Avenue
Ocean City, New Jersey 08226

Alright, that is it for now, take care!

Tuesday, June 7, 2005

Folks, We gotta Job!

Holla at you boys, I got a job today!!! Hupila would be so proud. I am officially a grounds crewmember of a local golf course. How sweet is that?!? Lets see, the only real downside to the job is that I will have to wake up early in the morning because I have to be to work at 7:00 a.m. Other than that, I get to work outside with some other guys that are great and it is pretty laid back. I did not even fill out an application for the job before I got hired.

Other than that, it has been sweet getting to know a ton of new people. And even better, there will be whole wave of people coming this weekend because they are on the quarter semesters. Ya, I am pretty excited.

Project, in a way, feels a lot like the beginning of freshman year of college so far. There are just so many people and everyone wants to hang out all the time. It just seems like there is no time to break apart and spend some alone time doing things. As I currently type, there is a big card game going on in the room across from me and there are people doing random stuff upstairs. It is taking so much in my body right now just to sit down and attempt to concentrate. And to think, I have to go to bed soon, wow, lets see how that goes!

Well, it is almost 10:30 here, so I think it might be time for bed. Wow, I feel like an old man! I hope this all finds you well. Take care.

Saturday, June 4, 2005

The OC

Well, I am finally here in Ocean City, my home for the summer…(technically, I am currently flying on an airplane back home for my sister’s graduation, but who really cares about details.)

We arrived here on Wednesday night around 7:30. It was so sweet because we met up with three other cars in Pennsylvania, so we had this huge caravan of people through Philadelphia rush hour, which was definitely interesting.

Also, on that night, I was asked to emcee the first meetings tomorrow. Which were sweet and a lot of fun. I enjoyed doing it, although it was a bit nerve-racking speaking in front of people I really did not know at all. However, that quickly changed.

Over the past few days it is shocking to me how well I am remembering names and how much I have gotten to know people. It just seems like everyone is open and willing to share what is going on. This environment is totally me and I am excited to have that the rest of the summer.

I live in a place called the Ambassador’s Inn. It is four stories and 80 of us students live there. There are two other places on the same block that people live, they are called Grandmas and the Mansion. However, the Ambassador’s Inn is the main place. To explain a bit, Campus Crusade owns the Ambassador’s Inn. It is not a functioning hotel or anything. It doesn’t even look like a hotel. It is just sweet. If I can post some pictures somehow, I will.

I have already met some great people. I have met numerous Cubs fans and even two Bears fans!!! How exciting is that!!?? And there are still about 60 students to come to the project who go to quarter schools!!!

Some time the last few days have been spent trying to find a job. So far not luck in finding a coffee shop to work at, but I did apply to Ben and Jerry’s, which would be sweet to work at. So we will see what God has in store for me this summer as far as work goes.

Alright, that’s about all I am going to write for now. The OC is great. I am sure home will be fun too the next few days with my whole family for my sister’s graduation. Take care all.