Let's go random...

Yesterday I met this kid at work, he works at the pool snack bar which is adjoined with the tennis. His name is Mack. I was cleaning off one of the benches and he came out to ask if I needed help because he was so bored. We talked for a bit (pretty good conversation), then I went into the tennis and he went back to the snack bar. About 2 hours later, I went in to the snack bar to order up some food before leaving. I was talking to him a lot, asking him questions, basically continuing our conversation from before. As he walked out to deliver food to one of the members, he turns to me and seriously asks, "Have we met before?" HAHHA I was like WTF!! dude I just met you 2 hours ago, and he was like ohh sorry i'm just really bad with names! I was kind of freaked out -- anyway my grilled cheese sandwich was delicious.

I have a couple of dreams I vaguely remember from last night. One was I got bit by a vampire right in the neck, it hurt in the dream i guess but not really (b/c i don't feel pain in dreams). Let me remind you these weren't the good lookin' vampires from twilight either; I wish it was Alice who bit me :)
then the 2nd dream I was working on my first serve, learning how to use both legs and jump into the serve; of course in the dream I jumped up like 4ft and smacked it down -- if only I had the dream a couple of years ago - hahah

hmm that's it for random for now...it looks like shit outside, very overcast and breezy (which is how Toledo has been the past couple weeks, with every once in awhile a sunny day. Work is going well, I like the people there, it's different hanging out with adults now (ages 23-55) but I like it...

Way of the Peaceful Warrior

"A book that changes lives"
I dunno if it changed my life, haha, but it's definitely food for thought and things worth considering!

On the back of the book:

Way of the peaceful warrior is based on the story of Dan Millman, a world champion athlete who journeys into realms of flesh and spirit, romance and terror, light and darkness, laughter and magic. guided by a powerful old warrior named Socrates, tempted by an elusive, playful woman named Joy, Dan is led toward a final confrontation which will deliver or destroy him. Join Dan as he learns what it means to die - and live - like a warrior.

These next two passages I thought hit home from the book:

I wanted to whisper in peoples’ ears, “Wake up! Wake up! Soon the person you believe you are will die – so now, wake up and be content with this knowledge: There is no need to search; achievement leads to nowhere. It makes no difference at all, so just be happy now! Love is the only reality of the world, because it is all One, you see. And the only laws are paradox, humor, and change. There is no problem, never was, and never will be. Release your struggle, let go of your mind, throw away your concerns, and realx into the world. No need to resist life; just do your best. Open your eyes and see that you are far more than your imagine. You are the world you are the universe; you are yourself and everyone else, too! It’s all the marvelous Play of God. Wake up, regan your humor. Don’t worry, just be happy. You are already free!”



and this is what Dan wrote under his Final Notes section at the end of the book:


A book can inspire, expand perspectives, remind us of the truth we already know – but real transformation entails a whole life of practice.

The life and practice of the peaceful warrior is action – being usueful to others . in the eyes of Spirit, little things count. What you give, you receive. Doing is understanding. And you can do anything when you find the heart for it, and the courage.

Of course we make mistakes; it’s how we learn. We’re all in training. Life can be difficult; what an opportunity! The Light will disturb us when we’re comfortable,a nd comfort us when we’re disturbed. We turn to Spirit for help when our foundations are shaking, only to find that it is Spirit who is shaking them.

I’m not special; we all have our “Socrates.” He’s your higher self. So be guided by the best that’s witinin you. In any moment you can ask, “what would my high self do?” and you’ll know the right course. Trust yourself; trust the process that is your life. You are the spiritual being you’ve been waiting for.

It’s said that there’s one Journey but many paths. Here’s wishing you well on your own path, on the Journey without distance we travel.

What's going on in my life?

Well the season is finished, college tennis is finished, hill workouts are finished, practice is finished...a lot of endings...It hasn't hit me yet though.
I finished season the best I could; I couldn't have done better. I beat this kid in the finals of the MAC tourney that I haven't been able to beat about all 7 times we have played since juniors. It was a great way to go out; undefeated in the tournament, for both Jay and I - couldn't be happier. Deep down, Jay will miss it too!

I had my last undergrad class ever on Thursday.
Friday I went to our home Track meet and got to see some of my friends compete. They did well. Then Friday night I went to track/cross country house party. That was a lot of fun!!!
Yesterday, I went to the Toledo Country Club to check out everything because I start work on Monday. Then I went and playd tennis with Chris Clark, it felt very weird playing after not practicing for so long, I feel like I have gotten so much worse, haha! Then I went to the lib, started my 10pg philosophy paper, fml!! Then, Jay Wade and I went to go see X-men Origins: Wolverine. I really liked it, we all did, a lot of badass scenes. After, us 3 went to applebees and got some food and and cheered to some drinks!

upcoming:
Finals week, next week. I have a final Tues and Weds morning and my paper/listen to presentations on Thursday night, then I am finito!
But next week is going to suck, b/c like I said I start work. I have some crazy hours going on, it's going to be rough! but lots and lots of $$$
Graduation Sunday May 10th
Going home probably Tuesday May 12th
Chicago for Engagement party Fri/Sat.

Well, off to school work, hope everything is well with you ppls! Enjoy the weather, laterrrrr!

UT vs. Ball State
Tied 3-3
I won the 2nd set to go into a 3rd and the match came down to me...
I wouldn't want it any other way...
Arm started cramping, then the legs for the whole third set...
I fought as hard as I could, but on top of not playing well the whole day, I didn't have enough in me to pull out the win...and so we lost 3-4.
Definetly a heart-wrencher and an upsetting finish...

time to bounce back...

Church

So tonight I went to church with one of my teammates. It was the first time going to church in Toledo for 2 yrs and first time going to Catholic church since I was 12 or so? There I met up with one of my friends; she goes every Sunday so I told her to let me know what was going on because I felt very lost/ignorant and not knowing what to do because I had forgotten everything since childhood. I stayed silent when most of everyone else spoke. I did receive communion; the bread/body, not the wine/blood.

Although I felt weird being there because I have not been in so long, I really enjoyed being there. It was good being around a bunch of people with one common interest. And I have been wanting to go for a very long time, so again i'm glad I went; it was cleansing...I think I may do it again come next Sunday...

don't worry, I prayed for you as well!

green

I went out for St. Patty's Day this year and here is a green pic of me rockin' the hurley attire hehe and Jenny Belsky (girls tennis team).

randomz

SB is over and back to reality. 6 more weeks of tennis, about 8 weeks of school. Def ready to get this semester over with. Grind.
Summer time will be busy with work but definitely chill!
Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day so don't forget to wear Green or you get pinched!! muhaha


Sweet paragraph from my Philosophy Courage book...
“They are a nightmare vision of incorrigibility or cluelessness, of unrelenting determination to carry out their intentions against a universe whose claims they either do not understand or do not acknowledge. They give us the heebie-jeebies in their preternatural imperviousness to social and moral claims and even to threats of physical pain. They are unreachable in a way that even the courageous person who doesn’t scare easily is not.”