Back to school, back to school...

And we’re back! Spring Break was good, though I worked all week it was nice not thinking about classes for a whole week. I have to admit I did not get a chance to play final fantasy at all which I found to be slightly ironic. I contemplated finishing the third paper, but in the end could not bring myself to do it. By the way, what was up with the snow storm on the first day of spring? Talk about some crazy weather, it was nice outside the day before, and then SWUUUUSHHHHHH. I guess old man winter decided to go out with one great gust before it was all said and done. I am reminded of the old Christmas movie The Year Without A Santa Claus with the Heat Miser and the Snow Miser (I am not sure I spelled those right).

Well, now that classes are going again it does not seem all that stressful as it did before. I am caught up with all my work, and though I did not work ahead during break I find that I feel confident in my ability to finish this semester strongly. Though, I am now looking ahead and believe that I am going to take some summer courses so that I can possibly finish up my degree next year. I think I need to take two cores and I would be done with general required classes. That would be nice because I really want to focus on the classes in my field. Though next year’s fall and spring semester will be crammed with all of my upper-division courses, but I think I can do it. At least I hope that I can because I would really like to move on to graduate school after next year. Hopefully, I will be able to get a good job and move out on my own again. I feel like a bum living with my family, but when I did live on my own I just kept acquiring student loans because the job I had could not cover my living expenses and tuition.

So, I hope everyone else had a great Spring Break. I know a lot of my friends went on a missions trip which is pretty awesome. Actually, this year is the one year that I did not do the same. I was kind of bummed, but you have to have money to do it and I did not have the cash. Working was pretty fun though. I got a position as a student technician and started last week. I was surprised how fast time went by because I was enjoying what I was doing. I like computers, but I have only a basic knowledge of them. However, with this new job I have already learned a lot of things I did not know before, and there is still more to learn! I once heard that true success in the workforce was when a person can call their job fun not work.

School lunches (PS)

I would like to bring some attention to the state of school lunches. This subject is definitely one that needs to be addressed with more consideration in our country, and every other place where nutrition is tossed to the wayside. Honestly, I think a person’s nutrition should be one of their top priorities, and as should follow their child’s. Really, I believe everyone knows that eating healthy is what they should do, but that is the problem. Instead of putting nutrition into practice it is just taught out of a book. I would say most if not all bad eating habits are learned, and in like manner so are good ones. I am bringing this up because I ran into an article on Yahoo about a teacher who is anonymously posting a blog about her endeavor to eat the lunches served at her elementary school. She herself states that outside of work she eats healthy, and started the blog out of concern for the children’s health. While admittedly she is not an expert on nutrition she comments about how the food looks and tastes, as well as details about any negative effects that occur after eating lunch. Also, along with her posts there are installments by guest bloggers with their take on the subject.

Initially, the original story I ran into on Yahoo was talked about from the perspective of a person who makes lunches for their children, and stated how the blog on school lunches had increased her motivation to continue the act. Personally, I think homemade lunches are a good way to select healthy food for children. However, this only works well if one can afford buying the food. Honestly, I think it is a shame that people even have to consider this option. Why should people have to buy healthy food for their kids’ lunch when we pay for the food distributed by the schools with taxes? Should not the money spent in tax dollars be used in such a way to provide food that is already nutritious? I do not know how this tax money is allotted to the schools and who is making the decisions on what to spend it on, but I think some priorities should be reexamined. I looked up a site after seeing a link in a similar article on school lunches that mentioned the Child Nutrition Act. This site had some information on how this topic is being addressed at the government level.

In the end, I think this is an important issue to consider. Children need to be taught by experience not just through head knowledge. Personally, I think as one grows up a person tends to favor foods they are familiar with, and because of this children should be given food that is nutritious so that they will tend to have healthy eating habits as they get older. Thus, kids need to have nutrient filled lunches at school. Obviously, the school is not the only place, but unfortunately some kids only get a decent meal when they are at school, and if high-calorie-low-nutrient items are the only thing served, there is a problem. Lastly, I think a majority of all of the health problems seen today have a link to what people eat. So, developing good eating habits would help prevent sickeness.

Almost there! (OP)

Yeah! Spring Break is almost here! List of things to do; sleep, worship Jesus, and play some FF. That sounds like an excellent way to spend my time. However, before I get there the dreaded midterms stand before me like menacing giants, but I am ready with my sling and stones. I have two midterms and both of them from my math classes. Honestly, I was feeling a little unprepared this weekend until I finally set down my game controller and started doing my homework. I have come to the conclusion that I would rather get all my work done and then enjoy my leisure time rather than procrastinate. This is because when I put off my work, because I feel the game calling my name, I feel guilty about it, and a rising dread of falling behind in school or even failing fills my being. I would rather get all the work done than have it constantly looming in the back of my mind driving me to the edge. When I say the edge I mean I get depressed. Seriously, like it is a cloudy day and all I want to do is sleep, but I can’t seem to be able to even do that. Thus, I toss and turn all day and night. It is just not a good feeling. However, now I am ready and can see the ray of sunshine peeking through the clouds. Putting my nose to the grindstone and wielding the ever-sharp pencil in hand I have been conquering the homework assignments. At least that is what I would like to be happening. It seems like those math problems just get more monstrous as I go along. I spend way too much time on homework that should probably only take twenty minutes. Oh well, maybe stamina is more important than speed. Diligence is something I have had to learn over and over again.

Anyway, spring break should be a nice rejuvenating time. I hope to do some projects around town to help people out. Campus Crusade student leadership usually has stuff they do with the different organizations around town. If they have not planned anything I will probably go to Watered Gardens and help out around there. I have done that a couple times before during Christmas time. Watered Gardens helps out the needy around town by providing some meals and clothes as well as doing other stuff. Other than that, I will probably be in my room sleeping /playing FF or at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) here in Joplin. I find that place to be excellent for just going to be with the Lord. It is very calming to be there and put on a good soaking CD to listen to while I meditate with the Lord. Other than that I don’t have much planned for the next week. I have usually done a mission trip during the break, but I think I will simply use this one for some R-and-R.

Game Tech Wars (PS)

Yes, the gaming competition continues. I came into the gaming mode in the late 90’s when I played FF VII. This is definitely fairly recent in relation to gaming history, but I was not interested in games until that time. Before then gaming was gaining a steady momentum in becoming a leading form of entertainment for people all over the place. I have to say that I have favored Sony since the time I started playing because that was the console for FF. I never thought back then that there would be a hot competitor for gaming consoles, and then along comes Microsoft with the Xbox. I thought it was pretty nice especially with the dawn of Halo, but honestly I never thought that it would rise above the Playstation line. That was until the fatal next generation era. There is really no doubt that Sony has definitely been exchanging punches with Microsoft, and seems to have lost its place as the preferred system. Really, the fatal error was the initial price of the PS3, but what is done is done concerning those times.

Now, there is a interesting concept that I ran across as I was pulling up the home page of the computer I happened to be searching with. A story on Yahoo about Playstation Move. A “new” controller for the Playstation that incorporates sensor technology in two remotes that look very similar to the Wiimote. The design is kind of interesting, the controller is round and has a bulb that lights up at the top. Supposedly the technology is supposed to be better than what Nintendo has offered so far. Overall, I have to say that it looks cool, but there are some definite draw backs to this. One, the timing is late. People are bound to view this as a knock-off of the Wii controller system. Though, thinking about it, maybe people will want to get a PS3 so they can play fun interactive games without buying a Wii, as well as have the ability to play blue-ray and PS3 games. Another problem is the bulb. I do not really know the specifics, but it seems like that thing could break pretty easily. Finally, how is this going to make the transition to the system? Are they planning for this controller to replace the regular sixaxis or is it supposed to be an option for certain games?

As I was looking at the comments for the story I kept seeing the phrase Project Natal linked to Microsoft. This caused me to do a Google search. Eventually, I ran across a website that has a lot of video links of the introduction of this system. Basically, this system is fully interactive without the need for controllers. Instead, it uses a sensor that scans in 3D the area around it, and reacts to motions and voice commands. This is pretty interesting technology, but from what I could gather it is still in the beginning stages. That is to say, this is possible, but the games are not there yet. Again, I do not know the specifics, but I did come across a blog that had some good information with a link to another blog for Playstation Move.

Any input on the subject is welcome.

Playing around in the pre-dawn hours. (OP)

Right now I am very tired. I just want to lay my head on a soft pillow and float off to the land of dreams. The reason for my tiredness is simple I stayed up until four-thirty in the morning playing a video game, and got up to go to work at seven-thirty. Not a very smart move on my part, but it is not everyday that a highly anticipated game that I actually want to play comes out. Personally, I used to play video games whenever I had free time. However, these days I have not really been too interested in them because of wanting to put my delight in the Lord. Nevertheless, I found myself glued to the television from midnight to four-thirty in the morning after buying a copy of the new Final Fantasy XIII.

I have to admit, I really debated on whether I should have allowed myself to give in to my desire to play this game. In the end, I decided to indulge. It has been a very long time since I have played a new game, and this game is actually my first for the PS3 that I own. Really, I would say that besides the blue-ray capability this game is the only reason I wanted to get a PS3.
In the past, I would say that I was definitely addicted to video games. This was to the extent in which if I did not play once a day I did not feel like the day was complete. I would literally spend hours upon hours in front of the TV. Also, I only played a certain genre, role-playing games or rpgs. The amount of time to really get anywhere in one of these games is enormous. One could possibly spend five hours playing and only get through maybe less than ten percent of a game. Though, this really depends on the game, because rpgs will last for around twenty-four to over a hundred hours of game play. I think anything less than twenty-four hours is really short, and a good game will last at least forty hours. So, it is easy to see how one can get lost for hours at a time in one of these games. Though, this isn’t necessarily healthy. There is a genre called MMORPG which stands for massive multiplayer online role-playing game. The most famous title of this category is World of Warcraft or WoW. I have heard about people actually dying from playing this game for three days straight without any sleep. That is sad and ridiculous at the same time. Personally, I did not enjoy WoW much, but I did enjoy Final Fantasy XI which took that series into the genre. The problem with these games is the amount of time one puts into them is gargantuan. When I stopped playing FF XI I had about a couple weeks worth of playing time. That’s right, just playing time, this means the amount of time I spent actually playing the game added up to around three hundred thirty-six hours. I played that much and I had not even begun to go into any depth of the game.

Fortunately, I have learned discipline with my time. Well, accept for last night. Man, I am really tired.

Campus Issue on Discrimination (PS)

There have been three articles over an interesting issue that has been addressed in The Chart recently. They have to do with protestations of the discrimination clause of MSSU not including sexual orientation. The first two stories I ran into while going to work. I saw a stack of the school newspapers in the hall and thought, “why not?” I flipped through until I found the articles over the organized protest that caught my eye. Mostly because I have an interest in what people with different world views have to say. The first protest was a sit-in of about twenty people at Hearnes Hall in which individuals put duct-tape over their mouths to make a point. In the articles it said that this was not a direct result of a comment made by a now former member of the Board of Governors who resigned shortly afterward. However, they did say that the comment was proof that the issue needed to be made more public. The third article addressed a second protest similar to the first, but this one had a growth in number to about sixty people. Here are the links to the first, second, and third articles.

Personally, I do not think these people should be discriminated against. However, it is hard to say that, when I come from a point-of-view that believes theirs’ to be wrong, and sound sincere at the same time. One might think my very state of mind discriminates against the entire way of life, and honestly I do not really know how to address someone who is homosexual about the subject.

I am not a homophobe I’ve worked and interacted in a friendly relationship with people of different orientations. Really, the situation is not all that different than working with anyone else who is not a Christian. So, I do not really see why people have a problem giving them equal footing with everyone else.

If the same type of mentality in the discrimination of homosexuals was applied to every other category of sin people might see things differently. Basically, Christians discriminate against same-sex orientation because it is called an abomination. However, believers sometimes forget that everyone is a sinner deserving of judgment including them. Thus, in the same respect of denying homosexuals their rights because it is a sin, everyone else deserves to be denied rights of life because of sin, including Christians. (Funny, I think it says that in the Bible.)

The main argument I have heard against this is that if homosexuals are given equal footing with everyone it would suggest that Christians condone homosexuality. I can see how this is true, but at the same time I don’t really think it is completely valid. My view comes from God giving us the will to choose between His will and our will. Basically, that means that we can do anything we want if we are willing to face the consequences. Obviously, many people do not even believe in the consequences, thus they do as they please. My argument is if God gave them the choice. So, who am I to deny their choice and/or rights. I can only make them aware of the consequences in the most loving way possible, and if that is considered discrimination there is nothing I can do about it.

Love is more powerful than discrimination my friends.

Getting over the slump. (OP)

I do not know about anyone else, but for me there is always a point in the semester where I just want to give up. Maybe it is the stress of classes getting to me. However, it never fails that after the first few weeks of classes I tend to slow down. I am tired all the time and just do not feel like doing any work. Fortunately, I know better than to give in to this temptation. Nevertheless, it feels like each time I sit down to do an assignment I am forcing energy to be awakened from the deepest parts of my being. Perhaps, I just need a break. Yes, spring break is just on the horizon taunting me with its promises of rest and relaxation. At the same time, I chide myself for my laziness and procrastination. Life is work indeed. I really feel like I need to pray for more joy in work. I mean, when I think about it I feel really good when I accomplish something I set out to do, but starting the task is really hard. I understand that the Lord created us to work and that after the fall work became difficult, but I really wish I could overcome this negative mind-set towards difficulty. I wish to be joyful instead of discouraged at the thought of working. I am reminded of some videos I had to watch for job training. One of the main themes was to “choose your attitude.” I really think it is possible to do that, though very hard at times.

Sharing about it has made me feel a little better. However, I know I am yet to have my second wind on the matter. I believe the main reason for my slothful attitude is my desire to be finished with college. As a fifth year senior with two more years left I feel somewhat ashamed that I have not been more diligent in my college career. Thus, I feel some regret for past mistakes. However, I refuse to let such self pity keep me down. Indeed, I must get a hold of my thoughts and stay focused. I think I just need to pace myself and not let myself get down.

Honestly, thinking about the reasons behind my foggy perspective. I am seeing that it is more from the amount of work I have to do this semester. This is actually, one of the harder semesters I have had for the past couple of school years. I guess adjusting to the work load is getting to me.

I know the best thing for me is to focus myself on the goodness of the Lord. Whenever I feel disheartened spending sometime in prayer always helps me realize the goodness of the life I have been given. All fear of inadequacy falls away and I know that I can do anything because He is with me. Yeah, I kind of feel like a psalmist right now. Starting off with a gloomy attitude and then focusing on how God is good. It is kind of a joyful thought to be in agreement with those ancient song writers.