Dr Pepper, you're a part of me...

So, this is what sleep deprivation feels like...
I don't know if I could have prevented my late-night homework time, but nevertheless, it did happen. I am pleased to announce that I did, however, finish my digital audio studio design...but, to be quite honest, I still am not exactly sure how it all works. I guess we'll see. Aside from giving myself awful muscle cramps last night from stretching while I was asleep, the little sleep that I did get was rather pleasant...dreaming of TRS cables, control surfaces with USB connections and wondering if I really needed Mackie studio monitors, well, I'm not sure if that was "pleasant." By brain was definitely working on overtime last night, and now it's pretty much fried. Hopefully I'll get through my classes today though. I still have to present my studio and explain it to the class today; that should be fun... It's times like these when I thank God for caffiene and Dr Pepper; it is a blessing.

Yay for my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles t-shirt! I'm not thinking very clearly anymore, so I'm just gonna end it right here for now. Something more coherent and meaningful is soon to come!

Be blessed in the Lord today,
Jezz

Thankful...

Today I am thankful for:

• pocket tissues
• cold and sinus medicine that makes you oblivious to everything around you,
• free bottled water
• oranges that don't match
• glasses to wear when your eyes won't let you stick your finger in them to place a foreign object (although, I do miss my contacts)
• milk and cereal bars, warm fleece hoodies
• inspiring music, including the music of Billy Joel...thanks Nathan!
  
• Band-Aid brand adhesive bandages
• and the Great Physician, God Almighty, Jehovah Jireh-the Lord will provide, who takes care of every need

Be blessed today...and be thankful!
Jezz

"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding." - Job 37:5

Simply put...

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." - Psalm 28:7

May that be the anthem of my life...

Be blessed today,
Jezz

Decisions, decisions...

Saturday February 12, 2005: do I go to Dallas to see Relient K, Mae and someone else? or do I go to Lubbock to Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin and Casting Crowns? man...that's a tough decision, especially since the day before/that morning is Moody Weekend. But, in theory, I can go to both concerts with plenty of time to spare. I just don't know if I'll get sleep. I can't pass any of these opportunities up. Do you know how excited I was to find out that Mae and Relient K were touring together? It's almost like a dream come true...it's beautiful! omg...I'll keep you posted on that one...

Speaking of decisions...I made the decision this week to end my tenure as a sales associate at American Eagle Outfitters. It was a pretty tough decision, but this is what needs to happen. I have a peace about it, and for that I am grateful. I know that my time there was blessed, and I have enjoyed working there. I will most definitely miss the people...but when it's time to move one...it's time. I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for me after this. I know that He will have beautiful and wonderful things come out of this decision.

"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." - Jeremiah 29:11
I know I quote that verse often...but it is true...and it is a sure foundation to lean on. The promises of the Lord are true and forever.

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4

The Lord is truly wonderful.

Be blessed in all you do today,
Jezz

Abundant blessings...

Yes, Jesiree, you agreed to do Sing Song this year…omg…so, the first Sing Song rehearsal was last night. I’m way excited about our music! Aside from the late-night rehearsals that may take away from my homework time and, more importantly, my sleep time (wait, they already have), it’ll turn out to be an enjoyable and memorable experience, provided that the Lord get me through it.

The first week of school is not even over yet…and I almost had one of my oh-my-gosh-I-have-way-too-much-on-my-plate-right-now-I-can’t-handle-this breakdowns; that was the second day of school. Strength and endurance are two things I’m definitely going to need this semester, but I know the Lord will provide. I was reminded that through it all, He is there. He is our strength, our fortress, our comfort:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows." - 2 Corinthians 1:3
And, even more so, He has made us to overcome these obstacles, struggles, tests…hard times.
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37 In that there is hope; there is a renewed vigor to keep pressing on. He will see me through.

His blessings and goodness are in abundance around me. I cannot deny the awesomeness of the Lord and His everlasting care and provision for me. And, it’s funny; the song tells you to “count your blessings,” to “name them one by one,” but honestly, I can’t exactly name all of them one by one, because He has done so much. That includes some things that are far beyond my grasp. I can’t fully comprehend everything that the Lord is doing in my life (if I did, that wouldn’t make Him God…), but I know that He is working. And, that is a comfort and a joy beyond all measure.

Be blessed today in all you do,

Jezz

Beowulf revisited...

From the archives de diaryland...definitely one of my favorites. A real update will come later...I promise!

2004-01-16 - 9:55 a.m.

You would think with a name like "Beowulf" that he'd be the ugly monster that was killed by the beautifully handsome (would that be like a guilded lily?) hero in the Middle ages... But no, It was a name a creature with the name of Grendel that was subject the scrutiny of the community Beowulf protected. I imagine Grendel looked hideous, being a mixture of maybe that really ugly monster at the end of the technology/alien planet type level of Contra one (yes, the old school Nintendo version) and Trogdor the Burninator...not saying that Trogdor is ugly, but he is a dragon...Would the name Grendel scare you? It wouldn't scare me...I don't think it would at least. But, maybe if I lived in that magical/mythical community, I too would be terrified of the monster known as Grendel...

I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that. But, it was fun!

By the way, I'm still working on my Trogdor illustrations...it's coming along quite nicely actually. As for guitar and bass, yes, still picking away (but not on bass of course because I don't use a pick...

Have a great day!

Jezz

Heels and squeals...

The first day of my sixth semester at Abilene Christian University...it's great to be back. I admit, I was a bit lonely/bored here all alone in Abilene for the Christmas break month...it seemed like forever. But, forever is over. Yes!

So, after realizing that parking at the WPAC was a mistake (night class ending at 9:30 across campus in the Don Morris building of doom) and it being too late to park elsewhere especially with the new dorm going up and whatnot, I took the "long way" over to the Vanderpool building aka work which is also across campus. (I've decided that I intentionally park far from everything because I realize that it's the only way I'll get some form of exercise.) Walking across campus at ACU is just something else (especially on the first day of the semester). I was reminded of something that makes up much of the "ACU difference:" the sounds of heels and squeals of ACU females (okay, so maybe it doesn't...and, of course, does not apply to all ACU females...it's a stereotype, and I know it...) Meanwhile...I pitter-pattered along with my pastel pink bowling-esque shoes...hehe...I'm gonna stop right there.

Moving on...Band boot camp from the bad place (thanks Tark for the title) is now officially over. To be honest, it really wasn't from the bad place. I actually enjoyed it. Being herded from place to place for 12 hours a day and being fed so much until I felt like I had to unbutton the top of my jeans was a great experience...rehearsals were productive too. It's amazing what five days can do.

Randomness from the first day of classes::this is the first semester of me being in college without the brother::Spanish class in all spanish is a bit freaky::Yes, I already have homework::I've missed the Fat Cow::oh Steven Moore praise days...::I love ACU::

It'll be a blessed semester...God's good like that. He always takes care and provides His purpose and guidance in all that we do...no matter how miniscule and insignificant we think it may be. He is, after all, the God of EVERYTHING...blessed be the name of the Lord!!!

" 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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

Be blessed today in all you do,
Jezz

Bread...

I am the new owner of the best of bread cd...and I must say, I am uberexcited! It's like taking a trip down memory lane. I can still see the white and seafoam green tape with these same songs. It played regularly in my childhood; my dad's a big fan. Bread...they're grand...

So, band stuff starts tomorrow. I'm definitely ready for it all to begin again. I'm excited to see what the Lord has for this semester. I know that it will be more than I can ever imagine...He's a good God like that.

Off to listen to some more good oldies...as well as my new Monk and Neagle cd. It too is grand :)

Be blessed today,
Jezz