The New Me.... ((continued))...

Well I know that the 3 readers who read my blog know that I am trying to re-invent myself. New, new, new! Well there is some new stuff that I would like to inform you about. I am now officially a soccer player. Never dreamed of that in my life. Today was my first practice and besides the killer heat it was thoroughly enjoyable. I really think that I am going to like it! BUT guess what I am also doing Cross Country. Two sports in one season is really hard to do and I am just now beginning to realize that. I don't just have a full plate, I also have 2 side dishes filled and and 64 oz. drink...filled! I am juggling work, school, friends, sports, God and church all at the same time. I know that God needs to come first and foremost and I really am trying to put an effort into my relationship and trying to make HIM my number one priority. It is very, very challenging and I am trying not to get caught up in all the other things and stay grounded. 

Next Subject. I need ask a question. Ok my new style. There're are many pieces in my wardrobe that some people would think would be "gay". Such as white pants, sleeveless hoodie, & a suit vest. Now just for the record for all of you who have ever questioned my orientation "I am straight!" I like girls, let me rephrase that I LOVE girls. lol. OK. well anyways let me move on, should I just work (<-gay word) the pieces I've purchased or what? I am sick and tired of always having that question being presented to me (("Are you gay?")) and stuff like that. You know, you get sick and tired of people asking you the same question over and over. AH! What do you think of this whole deal? hmm. I'm trying to be myself and not let anyone get me down so ya. 

I know I went off on a little tangent and all, just asking for some help. 

Well thanks for having interest in my life. Love you guys. 

A Fresh Start.

Well it's hard to believe that I am a JUNIOR this year.... ! WOW! A junior, it just seems like yesterday that I was a freshman! Anyways just want to update you on what's going on in my life, on a more personal note. ((I hope that I don't regret this)) 

As many of you Facebook(ers) and Tweets know a couple nights ago I wasn't in a very good mood. I was so ticked at myself, my parents, & my life. I was so overwhelmed with just stuff, I really felt like dying. I'm just struggling right now with so many things: Financial Issues, I want a CAR!, work related issues, school just started back ((not a struggle [yet] lol)), certain relationships that I have, just a bunch of stuff. Ok, Ok you are probably saying "But you are only 16!!!!" I know, believe me I know! But ya the things we go through, and it only gets harder. So here is the good news. 

So after just being fed up I ran to my room and let the flood gates open. Cue the tears. I was so frustrated and angry I didn't know what to do with myself! So I stayed in my room until the next morning. As time passed in my room I calmed down and popped in my headphones turning up the tunes. But this "listening to music session" was far from normal. I decided that I was going to listen to some Christian Music ((normally when I'm mad I blast Kelly Clarkson.)) -Casting Crowns to be exact. I listened to their whole CD... Lifesong. It was incredible. I was totally wrecked. It totally just spoke to me right where I was.... no scratch that GOD totally spoke to me through them right where I was. I put it on Shuffle, skipped through a couple of the "Happier" songs and then listened to the rest. Three of the songs spoke to me the most: "Does Anybody Hear Her?" "Praise You in This Storm" and most of all "Set Me Free" As "Set Me Free" filled my ears tears filled my eyes. I was broken. That song totally is where I'm at right now. Wow. I cried out to Jesus in my own room, laying in my bed, at night. God truly can speak to you anywhere. It doesn't have to be at church or sunday school it can be anywhere. 

Before I forget I also listened to this amazing song "Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer" by Keith and Kristen Getty. Cried all through that one too. 

This is yet another turning point in my life. During the Lightforce Trip God totally rocked my heart and I made a big step in His direction. That was such an awesome experience and I'm so glad that I had the courage (through Him) to do that. It still has been a daily struggle to continue on the path that He wants me on. That night that I just described was another one of those "rock your heart" nights. It just reminds me that I still am a Child of the One and Only Creator. And that He still wants me on His path going His way. Also that I need to cast all my cares on Him. Isn't He Amazing? :)

I will leave you with these three verses that are hanging on my bathroom wall. 

Philippians 4:6-7 (New American Standard Bible) 

6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Matthew 6:33 (New American Standard Bible)

 33"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Thanks God. :D

Brandemonium No More!

School Shopping is here. This is one of my favorite and least favorite times of year for this reason New Stuff but also a New School Year. ((blah)) Anyways this year dare I say "I want to reinvent myself?" I DO! Ok this might sound drastic but I am well on my way to becoming a new "Daniel". Here's the deal, no I don't want to change my personality but yes I want to change my style and many other things that come with that. 

BRANDS BRANDS BRANDS!!!!! No don't get me wrong BRANDS are amazing. Ahhh! For all of my middle and high school career I have been consumed by them especially the mac daddy of them all for teens-and me ~ Abercrombie and Fitch. I shutter at these words now. I refuse to be branded with those words ever again. My deal now is that I want to expand my horizon with fashion and how I put things together. I just don't want to buy what's in season at Abercrombie and feel like I'm in style because of it. NO! 

Now I'm not boycotting brands all together. Not at all! What I'm trying to say is that I'm moving away from what the majority of teenage America is wearing. Let me tell you my inspiration for my new style. Wow I can't believe I'm gunna write this.... My inspiration are the Jonas Brothers. Whew! But I don't want to be a wanna be brother I want to take what they have done or recreated and recreate it to fit "my style" and my budget. :) 

So this year I did not make one purchase from Abercrombie and Fitch, not even Hollister! ((Gasp!!)) Instead I choose to buy things at Dillards (Polo Section... Yippee SALE) Target, American Eagle (Just Jeans), Polo Ralph Lauren OUTLET, J Crew OUTLET ((Praise God for Miramar Outlets), Guess and Old Navy. I know that many of these are huge name brands but ya I think I explained myself above. 

Soo, keep a look out for the "new" me! :D

I'll get to it.... sooner or later.

So I feel bad. I feel like I have to have responsibility with this blog. I feel like I have let you readers down, by not daily updating it. I haven't finished the Europe trip posts or even the iPhone 3G release post... wow... I'm going down fast.  But I will get to it... sooner or lat

Here's to you Rascal.

Well today, August 14, 2008 is a very sad day. OUR dog Rascal was taken away from us by it's owners (our next door neighbors) who had lost him a month and a half ago. I'm just very frustrated right now, we have invested so much love, time and money into this dog and we were very attached. Puppy/Doggie as would call him was an awesome dog and now it will be very hard not waking up to him licking my face our jumping up on my bed. It will be hard not seeing him curled up sleeping on the couch and hard not having those daily walks with him. 

It will just be hard. I'm very frustrated, mad, and sad. 

Well here's to you Rascal, we love you and will miss you terribly. I love ya bud. 

Love, Daniel

Not just any old sand... Normandy and Omaha Beach.

Now off to France, we hopped on a ferry ((Brittany Ferry)) from Portsmouth England to Caen, France (around Normandy) The Ferry was way more than a ferry, it was more like a miniature cruise ship. It was about 3-4 hours across the water and when we arrived another little drive to this very remote Accord hotel. lol but it was very close to the NOrmandy attractions. The hotel was so interesting though, especially the bathroom, specifically the shower. Haha, ummm it was open, like it only has 1 pane of glass and didn't close, it was halfway open. What an interesting experience. Oh and by the way none of the staff knew any english, broken at the MOST. Rooms were cool too,balcony and an upstairs w/ 3 single beds. 

Morning come and we are on our way to "Point du Hoc" Ok [first of all] this whole experience dealing with NOrmandy was just a moving experience. Point du Hoc was Hitler's Atlantic Wall and a German gun battery. [feel free to correct me if I'm wrong] When we got there it opens up to this grand view of both OMAHA and UTAH beach. I could just imagine soldiers fighting and firing guns and waging war. You could see all the damage done by the war bombs (from the aircraft) and also from the ships offshore. YOu could see the ruins of the bunkers and the pill boxes, etc. WOW! Then we went to the Normandy Cemetery and saw all the graves of the men who died in WWII. We also saw a grave that was used in [the movie] "Saving Private Ryan" ((I'll have to tell you this story later)) Anyways finally we get to OMAHA beach. WOW! [again] I cannot believe I am here ((remember the reoccurring theme)):) Just being in this presence, I have heard over and over in countless history classes about D-Day and OMAHA beach and just wow, I'm standing in the sand where this all happened. We even got some sand! We then proceeded to listen to [a guy][I will edit this with his name later] speak about the events here and other different insights that he has had. Unbelievable [as Mr. Crain would say] ((We also ate french banquettes on the beach here)) 

[DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE SLU 301 PICTURES AS I CONTINUE TO POST THEM]

Stonehenge... Just a bunch of rocks... lol

Here we go off to France! Actually wait [how could I forget this] I almost forgot. Before we headed over to France we made a couple [of pit] stops. We only one - Stonehenge. Stonehenge - ok well in my mind I had the picture of the Windows default background [you know what I'm talking about] and also I had the image of it being foggy and eerie with light rays shining through. So we pull up and its there like right there! ((by the way that is a reoccurring theme throughout this trip along with "Am I really here?" and "I can't believe I'm doing this!")) Ok so we pull up and get like 15 min. to wonder and stare in amazement at these mysterious stones. [time was up and now it was] Lunch time: we headed over to a sheep free meadow [pasture I think is the correct term] to have a picnic and listen to the welcome speech given by Brent [Crowe] So Cool! SLU 301 has officially begun!

Well Hello Everybody... hmm :)

The following blog post is taken from a page in my journal while attending SLU 301. Sorry I was not able to blog during the trip. But I hope you enjoy through my writing the adventures the T.O.T. had in Europe!

Well hello everybody! Sorry I haven't been on lately there has been no internet access or should I say no free internet access. The last time I logged in was when we first arrived. Now we sare back in London and I'm here sitting at the Renaissance Club Lounge :) Ok well you're in for a ride on this post - My experience in PARIS! [I obviously thought I would be logging back on to the free internet but I didn't get a chance too, just keep reading... and from here on out in these posts these signs [ ] will be comments prior to the actually journal entry] But first I want to ask a question.... am I being to detailed in my descriptions and is it getting to long because personally I'm doing this for myself so I can look back one day and be like ((as Steve Eerkle)) says it "Did I do that? lol :) Comment?! 

[PLEASE COMMENT BEFORE I SPEND HOURS TYPING WORDS THAT NO ONE WILL READ!]