so far so good

A lot has happened this semester. It's been a bit of a whirlwind experience thus far and much has transpired in my life. I started teaching a class with a friend and that alone requires a lot of time and energy. In addition to that, work is taking a lot out of me too.

The best part of this semester is that Dalena and I got engaged. That is truly an amazing experience and I am excited to marry her. Out of this experience, I've grown much in my faith in God. There is a huge level of responsibility that comes with being engaged. I have to be a leader, support system, and serve another person. There is a lot to learn but I'm excited about this experience. It's going to be a great adventure!

For now, I'm going to get ready for bed and prepare for tomorrow. I have to pack and get ready to drive to Houston. Happy Thanksgiving and stay safe to all those who are traveling.

Working out

For a while now I've been trying different things to become more active. I like working out and playing sports but can't always do both. I had a small group of friends doing a beach body workout called Insanity which was pretty cool and then eventually bought the program for myself. I really enjoyed doing it but having now completed it, I find much of the work out toe repetitive. Recently, Dalena bought a yoga DVD which has been fun. I used to think yoga was lame but now I know differently. It is a great practice and I don't know of anything that brings on such a great sweat. In the next few days, I hope to get P90x which seems less intense than Insanity but still great. Lots of people I know have done it and found it to be a great program. We'll see.

I'll update more as I try more but for now, I'm going to call it an early night. Peace!

Do you ever feel those intense moments of inspiration? They always happen at the strangest and most inconvenient times, for me anyway. Several years ago, the creative enegy began to flow the most at 3 am which made sleep rough. That was when i first created a blog too. These days I don't get those rushes of inspiration nearly as often and when they happen now something seems to get in the way. I guess that part of life and letting stuff get in the way.

Today we spent most of the work day in a training session to learn about lots of different pieces to the course I'm coteaching this coming fall. The psrtof today that got me the most was learning the meyers-brig assessment in grater detail. I feel as though stuff like that is more applicable to the type of person I am and will continue to be. Looking back over the course of my life and development of self I feel like I changed so much.

I wish that I could write a letter to my past self. I'd make sure to let past Ben know to treasure those inspirational moments and take advantage of them when they came up. I'd tell me to take a few more risks...not too many but at least a few. I feel like I've written about this topic a few times before but it's the kind of thing that is worth pondering. What would you tell your past self If you could write a letter?

The weekend so far...

I'm at home in Houston for the weekend to attend a wedding with Dalena. The drive here in thursday night took much longer than I imagined in my head and it feels like I haven't slept in about 2 days although I know this is very much an exaggeration. In truth it pleases me to visit with my familial tomorrow morning i will get up to watch my sister kick some ass in a race out by deer park. I haven't seen her run in a long time and she has developed her talent so much since when i last saw her.

I am trying my luck with typing on eipadto write this journal entry and while I think the iPad is pretty awesome I still see a huge need for an actual keyboard for computers. Normally I am pretty error free but with my big man hands the desire to hunt and peck is greater than my ability to fit on the keyboard. That said I am confident that this will grow on me and I'll soon be as comfortable with it as on a regular keyboard. My step mom just recently purchased a Mac and I have to say, it is sexy. Mac has got it going on with asthetics. Their machines are functional and stylish to the eye. The computer can occupy a prominent spot in a high traffic apace of a house and not look weird. When I finally need a new machine, I will buy a Mac. I can't believe I just said that.

Tomorrow is a very early day for me. If you think about it, think of my sister as she runs her race around 7am!

Sunday or Monday I'll update about the ceremony and Father's Day.

Gnight peeps

E-X-C-I-T-I-N-G

I'm not sure what to write this night. My goal to go back to updating my blog has been seen and left wanting which is a bit disappointing. I don't make time to do this and since I don't make time to do it, it just doesn't happen. Oh well. Here goes...


I't summer in Denton. This particular summer is full of many different things. For starters, and probably the most exciting, is that Dalena and I have been together for a year at the end of this month. I see this as the most exciting thing because it's a pretty big deal. I always knew there was something special about her when I first met her and I'm glad that we've gotten to this point and I look forward to future points in life with her. It's a pretty cool thing to be in the kind of relationship that captures my whole heart and brings out the best parts of me. It's also an amazing thing to be with someone that loves all the parts of me including the bad. I used to know, or pretend to know a lot about relationships, but I can't say that I've expereienced all that life has to offer beyond reading and studying about relational development. I'm in a place I've never been in before and that is a tad scary but also exciting. Exciting...I've used that word a few times and I think that is the best way to explain how I'm feeling. It's a thrill to be here and I am looking forward to celebrating on the 24th.

In addition, I'm curious to see the development of my professional career. It has already been a tough time adjusting to the new tasks set before me. I love the new challenges that are presented with advising and teaching. When I first arrived here I never would have thought I'd be doing this type of thing as a career but it suits me and I feel like I've gotten pretty good at it. I'm not sure what is next but I know I have the people in my life and the skills needed to continue. Soon I'll begin class again in a master's program which can only aid my development.

For now, I'm going to enjoy the short lull and take care of some things I've been putting off to do other things. I wanted to write more but I'm growing sleepy and it seems that my day is catching up with me. Until next time...

Whew what a day

Today started out like any other but as it developed it started getting rough, and now that I've spent time with Dalena, and I worked out, I feel much better. Insanity is going very well this time around but I'm sad at how out of shape I got from the previous time we did the work out. Hopefully, I am able to stick it out to the end and generate some real success.

Last night I was unable to fall asleep. I chalk that up to the fact that I slept way too long Sunday. The nice part about not being able to sleep was starting and finishing a new book called The Art of Driving in the Rain. It was an incredible story and one that I enjoyed very much. The end found me shedding some tears and thankful that I have Keely (my dog) in my life. If you need a new book to read, I suggest picking up a copy of that book.

Tomorrow is an early morning for me. I'll be getting up early to head to bible study and then I have a full day of work ahead of me. Until later...gnight!

The weekend

This weekend was a lot of fun. Lately I've been having a really good time doing a big range of things. This weekend in particular was special because I got to go to 2 places I've never been before. It was a little disappointing because Dalena couldn't come with me but I did have great friends with me so that made the night anyway. We went for dinner at a place called Victory Tavern and then after dinner we went to Sambuca. At Victory Tavern, I ordered the special of the night which consisted of Shrimp Risotto and fried lobster tails. Needless to say it was decadent and delicious. The glass of wine I had really hit the spot too.

After dinner, we headed to Sambuca. Since it was Elsie's birthday she planned for us to eat at one spot and then get after dinner drinks/dessert at this awesome spot in Uptown. Sambuca is this really nice place that has live music and some delicious desserts. We got to people watch a few drunk people as well as some older men who were having a wonderful time. I would recommend either place but I didn't get to eat a full meal at Sambuca. I'm pretty sure it would be amazing because the Tiramisu I had there was easily one of the best desserts I've had.

I didn't get home until very late, or early depending on how you look at it so I slept in this morning. Dalena came over and we spent the day being lazy and relaxing which I think she really needed. Once she left, I spent the next few hours cleaning up my place which is always one of those things that I loathe doing but it has to get done. Laundry is the bane of my existence and if I could find someone to do that for me, I'd be happy to take care of everything else.

I thought I was going to hit the bed sooner than now however once I finished cleaning up I decided to have some fun goofing off on the Wii. That took a lot longer than I thought it would but since I slept so much today it only make sense that I avoid going to bed too early.

This week is going to be pretty rough. Thinking over my mental list of stuff, I am going to wear several different hats at several different times since there are so many different things going on both during and after work.

I'm looking forward to working out a lot more this week. I did 3 days this past week and I'm shooting for 4 or 5 this coming week. In the interest of not dragging this very dull entry out I'm going to say good night. Catch ya later!

b