final preparation.

For the next 31 hours, you won’t be able to find me. I’m going to be unavailable to the world.

For the next 31 hours, I’ll be running around campus, getting final questions answered, making my final run-throughs of problems, writing out theorems one last time, getting Starbucks, staying up late, and doing work.

For the next 31 hours, I will be completely focused in on what it is that I need to do in order to end this semester successfully. That is, a 93 and an 81 on two tests. I’m even willing to take a B+ in Linear Algebra and shoot for a 78 and an 81. The pressure and the stress is still there.

But I feel that I am preparing myself well. The last three days at home allowed me to relax and work in an unstressful environment. This was wonderful, as I didn’t feel as much pressure. I’ve gone through all of my notes, written out quite a few theorems that we might have to prove tomorrow. I feel fairly confident, and fairly ready. The next 31 hours will dictate just how confident and how ready I will truly end up being.

In spite of all this, I still got frustrated Sunday night, though, something that I can’t afford to do tomorrow. I know what I’m doing, and I know what I’ve gotten myself into. It is now my responsibility to pull this out.

 

How I can’t wait for Wednesday night.

–jl–

flamingo 5k and quartet rehearsal results.

This morning, I ran the MAF Flamingo 5K– my second official race in 36 hours– and was fairly pleased with my results. This course is essentially a run over the Melbourne Causeway, twice. I was able to keep a fairly even pace the entire way through, with a 7:05, 7:00, and 7:00 miles, finishing the race at 21:38. That’s good enough for 91st place, out of over 1400 that entered. Needless to say, I am, again, pleased with my results. I’m not sure as to when my next 5K will be, but I will continue to train, and continue to progress towards the ultimate goal of 26 miles, 385 yards.

It looks as if the quartet is about an 80% GO for this weekend, as opposed to 50-50 a few weeks ago, or 60-40 last week. Duane keeps prodding Josh on to just skip the weekend, and come up to Jax regardless. I’m hoping this is the case, as we’ll be able to sing in the quartet, go out on Friday night, and have fun. Looking at the draw, I think that we have a favorable chance of moving on to Saturday night. Whether we’re in the contest or the MT, though, remains to be seen. It’ll come down to Friday.

Studying for finals is going well, so far. I’ve been reading up the last day or so, and will hit the books some more tonight and tomorrow before physically working problems and such out. Pray that I can pull this off… it will take grace from God for me to hold a 4.00.

And, while you’re at it, pray that the Red Sox can win a game… 2 heart-breaking losses, 4 losses in a row.

–jl–

i’ve got 5k’s and musicians a plenty…

I was extremely happy with my results from the Midnight Fun Run tonight, as I stayed right on pace with where I thought I would be. With most of the first mile downhill, and most of the second mile with a tailwind, I ran the first two miles of the 5K in 12:34. The third mile was a killer, uphill most of the way, and into a headwind that kicked up at times. Thus, my time in the Run tonight wasn’t bad. I’m pleased with my 21:10.

I’ll take that result and look to build on it on Saturday morning in Melbourne, when I’ll be running the Melbourne Art Festival Flamingo 5K– right after singing the National Anthem for everyone running. It ought to be an interesting experience… I did it last year, but didn’t run. This time, I get to do a little bit of everything.

This musical weekend will be the first as an official CSF Officer, as I found out today that the Selection Committee has given me the job of Music Coordinator. I am extremely excited for this opportunity, and am looking forward to build the hearts and faiths of all who come to CSF through the music that I am able to lead to others. It should also give me some quality leadership time with other musicians, something that I have been lacking up here in college so far. I’m also really looking forward to the people I’ll be working with. The other members of the CSF Team are all multi-talented individuals, and I hope that I can build much stronger relationships with them over the next twelve months.

That’s all for now… heading home (instead of St. Pete) tomorrow, and will be busy all weekend with studying, music, 5K’s, and the like.

–jl– 

midnight fun run.

T-minus 11 hours to the Midnight Fun Run 5K.

They say that this thing is not a race, but just a “recreational run.” Can someone tell me the last time a 5K, complete with registration and all, was a recreational? Because if it was recreational, it would be free… I’m going out tonight like it’s a real 5K, and, hopefully, perform well. The start is all downhill tonight (running down Gale Lemerand) so I think people  will get off to an abnormally quick start. It’s important to pace tonight, because after that downhill start, the entire rest of the course (slightly more than 2 miles) is all uphill. The Lake Alice Loop is a slight uphill, and then the hill back up Gale Lemerand, that final stretch, should be punishing for those that don’t pace. My strategy is to control myself going downhill, start pushing the pace a little bit in that Lake Alice loop, and really save my energy for the last hill. I believe it’s there where I’ll be able to pick off quite a few people who don’t have the stamina.

Please please please come out and support me in this 5K! I just gave you the route… the run will start at 11:59pm tonight. Free breakfast after it’s all over!

–jl–

are my friends growing up?

Two of my closest friends from back home started a relationship in the last two weeks.

I’m so happy for both of them, and praying that they can develop these relationships, especially in the midst of some very tough circumstances. But I feel just a little bit threatened… are these two friendships still going to be as lively and strong as before, or will I be slighly faded, outshone by another torch?

I’ve been through so much with both of these people, and they mean the world to me. Personally, I think the best course of action is to be patient: I’m still going to love them as I would previous to the last two weeks, and, in return, I would expect nearly the same. And, as their friend and brother (in some instances) they should know that I am always here for them, regardless of what may happen.

It’s temptous, but I still need to remain patient. I need to wait to Make any sort of move with a relationship until the Fall.

–jl–

the long and winding week ahead.

Less than two weeks to summer. Less than seven weeks to Boston. And I can’t wait.

The Red Sox have won five straight (4 of those coming against 7-13 Texas) and 9 of 10 (4 of those coming in the 8th inning or later). Boston plays the Angels during the week, and, this weekend, travels to Tampa to take on the Rays. Unfortunately, I won’t be there… I’ll be home this weekend, after packing up most of my things here in Gainesville and driving home. Quartet rehearsal this weekend, where we’ll have a good idea from my bass if we’re competing, depending on if he’s going to Gainesville on Friday or Jacksonville on Friday.

As for before the weekend, classes end Wednesday. All of my extracurriculars have their last meetings this week (church, etc.) and I should be good to go until next Wednesday. I just found out that my two finals, Linear Algebra and Statistics, will be back-to-back… one at 3pm, one at 5:30pm. And, on looking at the grades, I’ll need an A on the final for an A in Linear Algebra, a B on the final for an A in Stat.

Meanwhile, in response to Saturday’s post, things have quieted down a bit. My head is leveled. And, as Father Tony put it in his homily yesterday, I am not letting my heart be troubled.

–jl–

emotional roller coaster ride.

Sometimes, I just don’t get life.

Sometimes, I just don’t get why I get so frustrated over petty things. And, at the same time, I sometimes don’t get how people get frustrated over me.

I don’t get how one can be irritated with someone who is only trying to help a loved one.

I sometimes don’t understand why people get so frustrated over things, whether it be love, or school work, or friendships, or whatever your fancy, and, yet, put on a facade to the world that says, “I’m okay… there’s nothing wrong with me today.”

I don’t understand why getting drunk is equivalent to having a good time.

Sometimes, I don’t understand how one can be so blind as to not see something that is right in front of them, even it’s been there for years.

And I don’t understand how taking time, and showing compassion, can lead to irritation and annoyance among others.

Yet, and here’s the paradox: yet, it is through all of this frustration, emotion, and misunderstanding, that I realize, and understand, that it really doesn’t matter.

So forgive me, my collegiate friends, for being overbearingly caring from time to time; it is only my nature that I wish to help, and wish to care, and wish to serve you, the ones who I have grown so close to over the last eight months. 

It doesn’t matter if someone is so sick from alcohol that they’re throwing up, because I know that you will do the right thing and take care of them, in their time of need.

It doesn’t matter if people don’t seem to realize what others have done for them, because, sooner or later, they’ll get it, even if it might be too late.

It doesn’t matter if I cross the line a bit and am overbearing on someone or something, because that’s my nature, and that’s a flaw in my character. My image and character is, and will always be, under construction; please forgive me while I fix it.

And it doesn’t matter that I worry so much about others. I really shouldn’t be worrying in the first place; worrying never got anyone anywhere. At the very least, I should be confident in you, my friends, to do the right things, all the time. And if that is the case, what is there to be concerned about?

 

The last twelve hours have been a roller coaster of emotions. I need not, at this critical moment, get caught up in petty drama between friends that will stress me out any more than I need to be.

I need to talk, not to anyone in particular, but to the Father.

–jl–

rockies-padres game last night (this morning).

What a game… 22 innings long. This thing started at 10:05 EDT, and ended at 4:21 EDT, 6 hours and 16 minutes long. The final score: Colorado 2, San Diego 1. No team scored a run until the 14th inning. These two teams have come up with some ridiculous games of late, and I can’t wait until they face each other again, later this season.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox split a pair in New York with the Yankees this week, and swept Cleveland in a two-game series at Cleveland. Now, it’s home to face Texas in a four-game, Patriot’s Day-weekend series. It looks to me like David Ortiz is starting to get his swing back, which is a very good sign. He went 3-for-10 against the Tribe, and looked like himself against the Yankees in New York. As for Manny, he looks like he’s being Manny. 495 HR for the guy, 5 short of 500 for the career, which I think he’ll attain somewhere around May 3rd, at home, vs. Tampa Bay. And as for my personal favorite on the team, the Greek God of Walks, well, he’s swinging that bat quite nicely, and substituting quite nicely at 3rd base for the injured Mike Lowell. Through 17 games, Youk’s stat line: .371 BA / 1 HR / 11 RBI / 14 R / 9 XBH / 0.777 BB-SO.

Meanwhile, it’s seven weeks until I, myself, head to Boston, and I’m looking for Red Sox tickets. I can’t find them at the Red Sox site (not even standing room) so I’m going to have to go the StubHub route to by some Mariners tickets that first weekend. Beyond that, I might be standing outside of Fenway a few hours before game time…

–jl–

a cooking note.

I made Shepherd’s Pie tonight for the floor and throughly enjoyed it.

When making Shepherd’s Pie, make sure you let the frozen vegetables completely thaw before mixing in your browned meat and beef stock. It helps to do this all at once, rather than right before the things are going into the oven. Still turned out good, though.

 

1 lb. Ground Beef

2 cups mashed potatoes

4 oz. cream cheese

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 cl. garlic, minced

4 cups frozen mixed (thawed) vegetables

1 cup beef gravy

 

1. Brown meat in large skillet. Drain.

2. Mix potatoes (I used instant potatoes, just prepare them as the directions say) cream cheese, 1/2 of the cheddar, and the garlic until well blended.

3. Stir vegetables and gravy into meat.

4. Spoon into 9-in square baking dish. (NOTE: Also make sure you have a large enough baking dish. I ended up with three Pies tonight because of that.)

5. Cover with potato mixture. Spread.

6. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese.

7. 20 min. in oven at 375°.

Makes 6 servings.

 

Enjoy!

–jl–

four things i learned from the weekend. extended.

(Note: The first two are from the CSF Retreat this weekend. The other two are unrelated items to the retreat.)

I. I can be a leader in the church through my music or through wherever the leadership team needs help.

I discerned this weekend that the time for me to become a leader is now. Exactly where God wants me in the scheme of the Catholic Student Center is uncertain to me at this time, but there are options open for me. I feel called to lead in the Music Ministry in CSF somehow, as well as anywhere else that my leadership skills are needed. The verse that led to me this in the Bible: John 9:4.

II. I should wait to pursue any sort of relationship until the fall.

I also discerned this weekend that I really do like her, through the beauty that I saw emulating from her during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. When you can find a girl that you know has the Holy Spirit in her, you’ve got an excellent catch in the net. The verse that I found that leads me to wait: Song of Songs 3:5.

III. The MythBusters are more interested in the process of creating than the actual myth.

I saw them talk last night at the O’Connell Center, and they were fantastic. That was their main point: that the guys are not in the work to bust myths, but, rather, to find a way to solve the problem at hand. They also highly recommend that anyone who likes their show should be an engineer, and employ the same problem-solving skills to other problems. Oh, and also to not try the things that they do at home.

IV. I might be able to pull off an ‘A’ in Linear Algebra.

Thank the Lord! As it stands right now, I have a ‘B+’ in the class (if I’ve done my math correctly). If I’m able to do well on these next two quizzes in the last week of class, I would likely need somewhere around a 95 on the final (out of 105 possible) to obtain an ‘A,’ and around a 75 for a ‘B+.’ Oh, it would be nice to have a 4.0 GPA after my first year here at UF, especially with the course demand that I’ve put myself through this early into my college career.

–jl–

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