My Journey to Ball State Part 2: What I Found There

The second half of my story begins at the start of my first semester at Ball State as a Sophomore. I had been having what I thought were stomach problems a few weeks before the first day of classes, but after suffering from the pain periodically over the first 2 months of the semester, my girlfriend at the time predicted that I might have appendicitis, which I had never heard of at the time. I didn't believe it at first, but in September I went to the Health Clinic at Ball State and my doctor believed I had appendicitis. And so, he called for a driver to take me to the hospital and it turns out the doctor was right. That night, my parents came over to the hospital to be with me while I went through surgery. My appendix was so inflamed in my body that it couldn't come out by making 3 small incisions on my body, so they had to make a larger incision on my stomach in order to get it out. I had to spend 3 nights at the hospital, but I was thankful for everyone that visited me. I now have 4 scars on my body, but it would've been way worse if my girlfriend at the time didn't make me go to the health clinic.

Ever since the summer before Sophomore year, my relationship began to fall apart. It was off and on a lot, with her losing interest in me, which resulted from me being so clingy, our constant communication through texting when we weren't together, and the fact that we spent too much time together. We eventually broke up my first semester of college. It took me a few months to get over her. We stopped being friends second semester of Sophomore year, but we became friends again in Junior year and we no longer had any grudges or regrets towards each other. As I said in my last post, one of my reasons for going to Ball State was to be with her, but I still don't regret my decision of being here.

During my Sophomore year, I didn't run for a while due to recovering from my surgery, and I never joined any running teams afterwards. I didn't have a lot of friends either because I spent too much time with the girl I wanted to be with at the time. Sophomore year wasn't all that bad. I changed my major to Construction Management, which I still don't regret and I still have interests in. I also got invited by Matt Novak to join a bible study that he was a leader in, along with Andrew Slayton and eventually Zach Brubaker; whom all 3 of them I am extremely thankful for. I accepted his offer, and begun going to Bible Study. For a while I didn't take a lot into heart from Bible Study, because I felt unworthy in God's presense. I had been so focused on being in a relationship and having fun that I walked away from what God had to offer me. I started attending Cru near the end of Sophomore year, but my faith in God didn't improve until Junior year.

From Left to Right: Lacey, Myself, Ben, Alice, and Poppy

Junior year was when a lot had changed for me. I lived in LaFollete, which is mostly filled with international students, whom I am now more fond of. I became best friends with this girl Alice, that introduced me to the swing dancing club that I joined on campus. I soon got to meet her boyfriend Ben, who is now her husband, who watched Fringe with me whenever he came to visit. Both of them are awesome and they helped make more sense of God to me. I also went to bars with them which was always fun, but I wasn't crazy like I was my Freshman year. I was more responsible and I was old enough to drink. I also joined a bible study led by Vince Ferry and Zach Hanje. I also attended Cru more and made a lot more friends. I grew stronger in my faith with the help of my entire bible study, Alice and Ben, and the staff at Cru. I also grew in compassion for the international students. All of the ones I've met are nicer than us Americans most of the time, such as Poppy, Yi, You Wu, and Artemis. That year I learned that it was important for to grow in my relationship with God, but it was still crippled until my Senior year. At the time I desperately wanted a girlfriend and that brought me down for a while.

Junior Year: Boyz 2 Men BStuds!

I am now a Senior and am almost finished with my second to last semester. This semester has been important for me. I now live in a house with 3 other roommates, whom are all easy to get along with. I am currently dealing with the hardships of affording to live in a house, but it's starting to get better for me. I am in Vince's bible study again, along with Scott Quillen. I went to Fall Retreat in October, and I learned something valuable from it, through God and some of my close friends. I have finally learned that I should be content and patient with being single, and that my next relationship with a girl should be based around God and each other rather than intimacy and closeness. I am finally trusting in God's plan for me again, and am trying to build a strong relationship with him. I've also been more active in my major, with Cru, swing dancing, and all around being more outgoing. 

The final semester is almost here, and I thank God for what he's taught me, for bringing me closer to my family and friends, for all the experiences I've had along the way, both the good and the bad. I also want to thank all my friends and family that have been there for me through thick and thin. What I found at Ball State wasn't what I was expecting, but it was what I needed the most.

My Journey to Ball State Part 1: Why I Went There

Before I begin, I am not demeaning anyone I mention in this article. I have no quarrels with anyone or think badly of people, and you shouldn't either if you know anyone I mention. This is strictly to tell my story from 2009 to the present about why I went to Ball State, and what I found their instead.

I had originally hoped to go to Ball State in 2009, but I wasn't accepted my senior year of high school. I didn't apply myself as much as I do now. A few colleges accepted me that year, and I narrowed down my choice to Vincennes University. The town of Vincennes isn't the most appealing and entertaining part of Indiana, but it had a good university. I chose Vincennes University for their reputation on having very transferable course credits, their affordable price, the fact that it wasn't a private school, and for having Cross Country and Track teams. 

I made a lot of friends there, and I miss them all even today. As I was there, I did a lot of running with the team. I also chose Accounting as my first major. I wasn't bad at it, but I soon realized I didn't enjoy any of what the major had to offer. I also partied a lot. There's nothing wrong with drinking, but I should have done a lot less of it, especially because I had a lot at stake at VU with my education and position in athletics. I was stupid back then for that.

A few months after I started going to VU, I dated a girl from Ball State. I felt close to her and I wanted to spend a lot of time with her, and so I did. I spent a lot of of weekends going back home to Noblesville to spend time with her. I was clingy. I didn't date many girls before I dated her so it felt new to me in a way. I texted too often as well. I would get distracted by my phone so my friends didn't have my attention a lot, which I apologize to all my old friends from VU for that. I still partied while I dated her; sometimes I didn't tell her about it. Take note on that my friends, don't lie or keep secrets from the ones you care about.

I applied to BSU again during my Freshman year at VU, so that I could be closer to family, get a Bachelor's degree since VU was a 2 year college, and see my girlfriend more often. The first 2 reasons weren't bad reasons at all, but my last reason was selfish. I applied myself a lot more than I did in High School to increase my chances of getting accepted. I received my acceptance letter from Ball State in April 2010. I was excited and so was my girlfriend at the time. In May 2010, I had finished my Freshman year at Vincennes and I said farewell to all my friends there. The next chapter of my life, which I'll talk about in my next post, was about to begin.

Mario: The Most Interesting Plumber in the World

The Narrator: "He saves the Princess numerous times without bringing a weapon beforehand. Any sports games he plays, he is a pro. He has competed in the Olympics more than twice against Sonic the Hedgehog. When he throws parties, he hosts them on giant game boards. He owns over 20 vehicles including go karts, motorcycles, and an airplane. Any mushroom he picks up off the ground makes him grow taller. When he dies, he comes back to life. When he's in space, he doesn't need a helmet to breathe. He is, the most interesting plumber in the world."

Mario: "I don't always do things other than plumbing, but when I do, Imma number 1 at it. Stay mustachioed my friends."

Mario Mario (That's his full name) is the renaissance man of gaming. The genre of video games for Mario include 2D and 3D platformers, racing, sports, party games, role-playing, puzzle, and fighting. He's been around since the early 80's, so he's older than me! He first appeared in arcade games such as Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong. Then he appeared on his first console game Super Mario Bros. for the NES. Ever since then, he's starred in over 100 video games, including sports games such as Tennis and Golf, Mario and Sonic at the Olympics, and all of the Super Smash Bros. games! He is Nintendo's Mascot and is popular even today.

The first Mario games I've played were Super Mario Bros. 1 and 3, back when I was a lad. Currently I'm playing Super Mario 64 on the Nintendo 64 and Mario Kart 7 on the Nintendo 3DS. I play Mario Kart 7 between classes normally. Super Mario 64 is one of my all time favorite Nintendo 64 games. The game features over 15 levels with 120 stars to collect. The boss battles are fun, especially against Bowser, where you grab him by his tail, spin him around, and throw him at a bomb. If you collect all 120 stars you'll find a secret on top of the castle. The items are great, especially the Flying Cap and Metal Cap. You can also ride a turtle shell and magic carpet. The only thing I don't like about the game is how you have to change the camera angles a lot with the C buttons. The graphics were great at the time, but nowadays some people complain about it. I love the music and enemies you fight. I get nostalgia every time I play that game!

3 Weeks of Hard Work, Lord of the Rings, and Mannheim Steamroller

Thanksgiving break was short, but relaxing. It included great food and good times with family and friends. But now I'm back at Ball State, getting ready to tackle the final 3 weeks of my semester. After that, I'll be enjoying the much longer Winter Break and getting ready for my final semester at Ball State. How time flies!

These next 3 weeks will be busy for me. I have 3 group projects to work on and then studying for Finals. I'll also be working my last Fall shifts at Noyer in dining and then I can sign up for better hours for next semester.

It's not all work for me though.....hopefully anyways. I'm gonna be gearing up for the Hobbit movie in December by watching all 3 of the extended versions of the Lord of the Rings trilogy (I don't have the normal versions with me at college). If you wanna watch them with me let me know! I'm also going to be relearning how to play some Christmas songs on my guitar so I can perform them for people. 

Other than that, just working out, playing some old school video games (currently playing Super Mario 64), jamming out to Mannheim Steamroller and spending time with friends at college, because I'll miss them all a lot during break! So that's my plan in a nutshell for the next 3 weeks. I plan on finishing strong. I hope none of you get Senioritis near the end!

My Thoughts on Dating Part 3: Being in a Relationship

Welcome to the third and final part of my series on dating! Now that I've talked about being single and pursuing a relationship, it's time to talk about being in a relationship. I hope what I have to tell you will help out in your relationship if you and your significant other are having issues right now. And for those of you like me that are still single, here are some important tips that will help you out in your next relationship.

1. Loyalty

Don't cheat! That right there is obvious. But there's more to being loyal to your significant other than just knowing not to cheat on him or her with other people. You have to stick with them through thick and thin through any situation. If you can't do that, then marriage isn't a good idea for you two for a while. Don't stop complimenting each other. And also, make time for them. It shows how much you care for them.

2. The "L" Word

For all you people that have seen the movie Scott Pilgrim, I'm not talking about the word "lesbians". 

Wallace: "Tell her how you feel. Break out the "L" word!"

Scott: "Lesbians?"

I'm talking about the word love. The word you'll find everywhere and hear a lot everywhere you go. It's a dangerous word to be saying too soon. If you say you love someone too soon, it makes you seem like you want to take the relationship further really fast. And that can be scary for the other person. You don't own each other. You're dating, not married. I used to say the word love within the first month of dating. It made us too close to each other too soon. I can't tell you when to say the word love to your significant other, because I don't have an answer for that. All I'm saying is, just don't say it too soon. 

3. Intimacy

It's okay to show affection to your girlfriend or boyfriend, such as kissing, holding hands, or cuddling. But I warn you as a friend, do not take it too far. Going too far includes sex and stuff like that, well, you get the idea. I used to do things like make out way too much, even in front of other people. That's one of the things that I'd say ended my last relationship. I wanted intimacy too many times. Relationships are about way more than just intimacy. They are about things like being together, helping each other grow spiritually, and seeing if the relationship will ever develop into marriage. So cut down the lovey dovey stuff and do other things together like hang out with friends or go on adventures together. If you're going too far in intimacy with your girlfriend or boyfriend, talk to them about ending having stuff like sex, or end the relationship all together. Also, don't be too intimate with your girlfriend or boyfriend around others either. You'll annoy your friends and family and it'll be awkward.

4. Make Time for Others and Yourself

It's okay to hang out with the person you're dating, just don't do it too much! Spend time with your family and friends as well. If you avoid them too much, you'll drive some of them away from your life. I used to spend too much time with girls I dated. I feel closer now to my family and friends than I did when I dated back then. I realize now you have to make time for friends and family. It's also good to have some alone time. When I dated back then, I didn't spend a lot of time by myself. That's one of the reason I didn't do things I used to love a lot like reading my bible, running and playing guitar (read my post "Back to Where You Used to Be" for more on that). 

5. Communication

Texting is a useful tool we have now in society. But using that tool too much can be a recipe for disaster, especially in your relationship. If you text too much, you'll find yourself pausing in conversations with others and you'll eventually have less to talk about with your girlfriend or boyfriend when you're hanging out. But having too little communication can be bad as well. If you don't talk to your girlfriend or boyfriend that much, that could only lead down a straight path towards breaking up. Don't avoid talking to each other. You two are not only boyfriend and girlfriend, but also best friends.

Thank you for reading this post, and if you've read the entire series, then you are awesome in my book! The road to marriage isn't gonna be smooth. There will be bumpy paths, dead ends, and roads that lead the wrong way. But a good relationship requires 3 for it to succeed; you, the guy or girl you like, and God. I hope you learned something new from reading all of this. I've certainly learned a lot over the years and I plan to use that knowledge in my next relationship. Thanks again for visiting my blog! If you have any questions about my series on dating, contact me through Facebook or leave a comment on here. Until next time, remember, make good choices! And I lesbians you!

Black Friday

Today is Thanksgiving! A day where families spend time together eating a huge meal at 3PM and watching the Macy's Parade. It's a day of thankfulness. It's more of an American holiday, but to me and many others it's a day where we give thanks to God for everything we've been blessed with. Sounds nice doesn't it? Sadly for many though, it's a day that's short lived. Many people are getting ready as soon as Dinner's over to either go to work or wait in line at a store. This upcoming day is known as Black Friday, a day that people get ready for after Thanksgiving and wait or work until Friday afternoon.

It's a day that stores have extremely low discounts on popular store items starting Thursday night and running until Friday afternoon. If you're like me, you've been flooded with ads from the mail, commercials, and emails about Black Friday. I've never visited any stores on a Black Friday before, and I can't go this year because I'm trying to save money, but my Dad is a regional manager at Macy's so he's getting ready to work tonight. The name originated in Philadelphia, describing the chaos of pedestrian and vehicle traffic the day after Thanksgiving. It has been widely popular since 2005. The name Black Friday has also been used for describing certain events throughout history that were disastrous, such as a massacre, a tornado, and a few riots. The name Black Friday does sound kinda evil, and you may have heard my fair share of complaints about that day, including how violent it can get every year, but there is some good that comes out of that day as well. So instead of telling you all the bad parts of Black Friday, I'll also tell you the good things that come from it.

Pros:

-Extra hours for employees and managers. For some workers, they get overtime pay and maybe even a bonus. A little extra money isn't a bad thing for many people.

-Huge discounts! There are deals such as an XBOX 360 with 3 games for free and big screen TVs for cheap. Blu Ray movies are $4 and video games are super cheap. If I had the money, I know I'd be tempted to go out and buy something. 

-It's a day people can buy nice things for loved ones for Christmas at a decent price.

-Most people don't wait in line alone, they get to spend a lot of time with their friends and family.

Cons: 

-Waiting. Waiting. And guess what?!?!? Even more waiting! You'll find yourself stuck in a long line for hours and hours just to get into the store, and then you'll find yourself waiting even longer in the checkout lanes. Especially if you're in the front of the line. There are people that camp out waiting in line so that they can increase their chances of getting something that will most likely be sold out fast.

-Extra hours for employees and managers. Yes there's also a negative side to working on Black Friday. You have to deal with customers that will most likely be more worked up than ever before due to waiting in line to get in the store. You'll also be combating sleep deprivation. If you're working tonight, stock up on Mountain Dew and 5 Hour Energy Drinks.

-People can be aggressive at outings like these. Just be careful not to provoke anyone.

-Nintendo waited too long to release the new Wii U. It didn't come out until 6 days ago. The black Wii U is more popular than the white Wii U, because it comes with more content, including more memory and Nintendo Land. Most stores are already sold out of the Wii U, so don't hold you're breath that you'll find the Wii U you want tonight.

The new Nintendo Wii U

If you're working tonight or are planning to shop, I'll be praying for all of you that you'll be safe and sound. Have a good Thanksgiving everyone!

My Thoughts on Dating Part 2: Pursuing a Relationship

Welcome to part 2 on my series on dating! So in part 1 I told you all my thoughts on being single, but now I'm gonna tell you about pursuing a relationship with someone. I recommend you read part 1 before continuing on since in order to pursue a relationship you need to be single! Ladies, keep reading as well. Even though men are the ones that need to be the pursuers, I've got some good points for you girls too! I've learned a lot of the dos and don'ts of pursuing girls through past experiences and through others. Let's begin!

1. Confidence

Don't be like Eeyore with low self esteem, but don't be like Kanye West either, with an ego 10 sizes too large. Having a huge ego makes it seem like you care about yourself way more than others, and others will think you won't care for them. But you need some confidence to prove that you can take care of yourself and others. Guys, how else are you gonna ask a girl out if you don't even have the confidence to ask them out.

2. Use the Word "Date"

Men, repeat after me, "would you like to go on a date with me?" Sounds simple enough right? But there are times when your tempted to tweak that sentence a little bit, by taking out the word date. Don't do that! Women like to know if that nice dinner, movie, or coffee outing is a date. You need to make your intentions known. Don't leave the girl second guessing on whether or not you 2 just went on a date. I've made that mistake before by asking a girl if she wanted to go with me to a dance, instead of saying would you like to be my date to the dance. There was one time that I was too embarrassed to ask a girl out on a date, so one of my friends asked her if she wanted to go on a date with me instead, without me asking him to do that. Remember men, use the word date and ask her yourself.

Women, repeat after me, "yes." That was shorter than what I made the men say. You girls are lucky! Now that I've helped the men learn how to ask any of out on a date, this is where you come in. Assuming you're single, do not be afraid to say yes. Give the guy a chance. Going out on a date doesn't mean you're dating. Though the guy has intentions of dating you, it is only a date and you can say you don't want to date him afterwards. Who knows, you may like the guy a little beforehand and like him even more after the first few dates. Just avoid using the word maybe. It's worse than saying no to a guy, because you're not giving them an accurate answer.

3. Get to Know Each Other Before Dating

Don't just ask out a complete stranger, get to know them first. Establish a good rapport with them. A popular word these days is friendzone. Don't let that scare you into starting a friendship with someone before pursuing them. Granted, don't take years to pursue the girl. Make your intentions known sooner rather than way later. Don't just hang out alone with them a lot either, hang out together with other people as well. It shows that you're outgoing and can get along with others. You'll need that quality if you guys start dating, since you'll need to get along with your boyfriend or girlfriend's friends and family.

As long as your friends with each other, it's my opinion that it's okay to Facebook stalk them to find out important qualities you want in a girlfriend or boyfriend, such as if they are Christian or if they're single. But be careful my friend, too much Facebook stalking is bad. You may find yourself and liking and commenting on literally everything they post, and that person you're interested in will think you're clingy. 

4. Be Yourself

 

Such an original topic right? Not like you haven't heard that saying a trillion times now. But it's important. Don't pretend to be someone you're not. You're best at who you are, and if the girl or guy you like doesn't like the person you are, then more than likely it won't work out with them. If you keep being someone you're not with that person and you end up dating him or her, then you'd have to keep that going, and he or she will eventually catch to what you're doing with disapproval. 

5. The Signs

For us guys, we wish the world was perfect in which girls made it obvious that they like us. But that's not the case. At times, girls don't want to make their intentions known. And that's okay, because you know why? It's your job as a man to go after her. Girls want someone that'll fight for them. That doesn't mean fighting other guys that want her. That just means being brave and pursuing her. So men, don't be afraid to ask girls out on a date even if you don't know if they even like you. Ladies, if you want to leave hints for men to realize you like them, that's okay too. Just make sure you're not leading them on without realizing it, such as what you wear or how you compliment them, assuming you don't like the guy as more than a friend. 

6. Fear of Rejection

Let's face it, being rejected sucks. It's like finding out you're not going to Cedar Point or Disney Land after hoping to go. I've been rejected before. It's not fun. But it's how you handle the rejection that's key. Don't be a sore loser to the girl or guy after they reject you. It shows you only wanted one thing out of them. Don't be a loner for a while. You've got God, friends, and family to go to for comfort. Learn from it, and realize he or she wasn't meant for you. Just tell yourself, God has a plan for me and a significant other picked out for me already.

If you feel determined to keep going for him or her, just make sure they like you a little bit. If they are unsure of dating you, give it time and give them some space. Not too much space though where you don't see him or her for a long time. It's worked for me once. The girl eventually said yes. Don't constantly go after him or her, they'll eventually get annoyed with you and lower your chances of ever getting together with them. So sometimes rejection isn't the end. It just depends on the situation and whether or not you're a good judge of his or her feelings. 

My Thoughts on Dating Part 1: Being Single

Welcome to my 3 part series on dating! No matter what your relationship status is, I encourage you to read all 3 parts of my talk on dating. Today's topic is about being single. It's not often people talk about advice on being single, most people are just concerned with getting into a relationship. But believe me, for those of you that are single right now, there are some things you need to know.

Before I begin, I'll tell you a little about my background that relates to this post. My relationship status is single. 

I've been single for a few years now. I've only dated a few girls. My relationships have ranged from lasting a few days to a year. I've been in both short distance and long distance relationships. I've been rejected a few times. I've been friendzoned too. I've never been in a relationship where God was in the center of it. In the past I'd put girlfriends over family, friends, and even God. I was that clingy and selfish. 

So that's my background on dating. But through all my experiences in the world of relationships, being single for a while, and even learning from others, I've learned a lot over the years. Allow me to tell you all about what I've learned. Okay class, let's begin!

1. Be Happy

While you're waiting to be in a relationship someday, be content with being single. I've heard that phrase a lot this week through different people in Cru. What does it mean exactly? It means to be happy with where you are right now. It doesn't mean you're opposed to dating right now. I do hope you don't say to someone you're interested in something weird like, "hey I like you, but I'm content with being single, so come talk to me in 5 or 10 years, and then maybe we'll date." I am content with being single, when the time comes that I find the right girl for me, then I'll pursue her. But it's not healthy to spend most of your single guy or girl days being sad about being single. Focus on other things. Have some hobbies, spend time with friends and family, pursue God. Be social and outgoing! 

2. Be Smart with Facebook

Do not take this the wrong way. What I'm about to say is only meant to help others, not to be judgmental  Too many times, I've seen people post their problems about being single on Facebook. It could be that they want everyone's attention in hopes of finding someone through complaining about being single. Don't be that guy or girl! Complaining about being single on Facebook shows you are desperate and it will not boost your chances of dating someone anytime soon. I've also seen people complain about their ex's on Facebook. In my opinion and from my experiences, if you're stuck on your ex, you aren't ready for a relationship. You need to forgive and forget. I assume you're no longer a teenager, so don't act like one and hold grudges on others. It goes back to the last point I just made, you need to be content before you should date again.

3. Take Care of Yourself

Being single doesn't mean you should be lazy all the time. Do not dress like a slob every day. Dress to impress at least every once in a while. Granted, don't go spending tons of money on clothes for that reason. Before you leave your house to start your day, consider wearing jeans over sweatpants or even pajama pants. And ladies, be careful with wearing leggings. Believe it or not, they're see through. Cover it up with a long shirt or dress. 

Take care of your body too by working out and having good hygiene. Brush your teeth everyday, shave your neck beard, for God sake's please shower every day! I cannot stress that enough.  As for working out, I'm not saying you should be a body builder or steroid junkie. Working out increases self image. You have to like who you are. That right there is also important in relationships, but I'll talk more about that later.

4. Reflect on Yourself

Although you may not think it, being single is actually an important part of your life. You need to prepare yourself before you should be in a relationship. That means actually thinking about how you were in the past with dating. Think about what you may have done wrong or what you could have done more of. For example, were you too intimate with past boyfriends or girlfriends? Did you spend either too much or not enough time together? Were you mean or selfish? If we don't reflect on past mistakes, we are doomed to repeat them. One thing I'm continuing to change about myself is that I'm trying to build a strong relationship with God. I want to have a good Christian relationship someday.

5. Have Faith

The hardest part of being single is the fear that you'll be stuck in the single zone for a long time. The truth of the matter is, everyone finds someone at different stages in their life, whether they are young or old. God has a plan for you of who you will marry someday. My friend Ben Shoemaker didn't find Alice, who is now his wife, until he was in his late 20's last year. But he had faith, and he trusted in God's plan. In waiting, God brought the two of them together at last! Have faith in yourself too. Do not think that there's no one out there that'll go for you. There is that one special someone out there for you. You just have to be patient and keep your eyes opened for him or her.

6. Avoid Temptations

Porn, sex, and masturbation are all very tempting. None of these are good ways to stay content with being single. The media makes them all seem okay, but they are actually dangerous for you. They all make you feel worse about yourself and where you're at in being single. They distort your priorities of what you should be wanting in a girlfriend or boyfriend. We all struggle with these temptations, even those that are in relationships. The best way to avoid these temptations is to keep yourself busy. That includes having a few hobbies, working, and hanging out with people more. It also helps to have someone to help you overcome these temptations. Talking about it does help. The more you persevere, the more it shows you'd be a great husband or wife someday.

Kulczak with Thoughts

If you are reading this, then congratulations! You are a winner! This isn't an ad about winning a free iPad or about hot single girls in your area that want to meet you, this is for reals. This post is super cereal and you will get a prize!


Please take me cereal!

So you might be asking yourself, what is it that you've won. You've won a free blog to read! This blog is by me, Luke Kulczak, and I come with thoughts! No this is not the guitarist, Lukasz Kulczak, who comes up on Google when your search my name. This is the one and only Luke Kulczak that'll find in Indiana, the corn state!

As a special bonus for clicking on this page, you will be rewarded with more posts to read on my blog than just this one. Pretty exciting stuff right? This special reward comes with thoughts of mine, including super cereal ones about life and spiritual stuff, and not so cereal thoughts like video games, star wars, and other nerdy stuff.

But wait there's more!

Because you are reading this, you will also be rewarded with many pictures like this!



And videos like this!

Well I hope you enjoy your new prize, since you will getting more of my thoughtful posts for free! Hours upon hours of free entertainment right there. Don't forget to keep checking in for more posts. Thank you for not ignoring this, and remember, Jesus loves you, and so do I!

Back to Where you Once Were

Have you ever drifted away from something you used to do and love? Have you drifted away for a long time? You're not alone.



I've drifted away for the longest time from not one but 3 things I used to love and do; running, playing guitar and my walk with God. Why did I stop doing all of that? I could make an excuse like not having enough free time, but that's not the case at all. The fact is I do have free time. Even on my busiest day I have some free time. What have I been doing with all of that free time I have? The answer for me lies in media entertainment such as video games, TV, Facebook, and YouTube. I have plenty of time to play guitar, go on a run or read my bible, but instead, I sink into my computer or my TV for hours upon end. I've been addicted without even fully realizing it. Granted, it's okay to play video games or go on Facebook for a little while, there's nothing wrong with that, but it can't be all you do. I've only just begun getting back into playing guitar, running, and digging into my bible, so my journey back to all of the things I used to love has only just begun. Here is how I'm getting back into the swing of things. This may help you in some way as well.

1. Running



Running is one of the best workouts you could do for your body. It increases stamina, makes you faster, and makes you feel better about yourself. I used to run in Cross Country and Track my senior year in High School and my Freshman year at Vincennes University. I wasn't the best, and I wasn't striving to be the very best runner in the team. I was racing against myself, trying to beat my personal records. And I did just that for a while. My best mile time was 5:05 and my best 8K time was 29:36. Those were what I call my "glory days." But I transferred to Ball State University after Freshman year, and I had an appendectomy. I didn't run for a while after that because my body wasn't ready for it. But I was ready afterwards, yet I still didn't run. I could have joined the running club, but I didn't. If you stray away from running for just one month, it becomes tougher to run. You become slower and you can't run as far. It's been a few years since I've gotten into a full running routine. But after all those years of not running, I started running this week. I discovered that deep down there is still a runner in me. I've done a few 10 minute runs this week on the track in the Rec Center and I learned that I could still run pretty fast. Only problem is I can't last very long on the track before I get worn out. I'm working on increasing my endurance while still maintaining a good pace. But over time I will get back into it.

My Tips on Running:
1. Schedule a time to run a day in advance.
2. Keep a running log of your running times and mileage each and every day.
3. Don't just run, but work out the rest of your body as well.
4. Have a running mate, preferably someone that runs at a similar pace as yours.
5. Stretch! If you don't, you'll get sore even faster and you'll be running less.

2. Playing Guitar



I can say I've played guitar for 8 years, but I don't have the experience of someone that plays guitar on a regular basis for 8 years. I've slacked off periodically after the first 4 years of playing. There a few reasons for that. As a college student, I've lived with roommates every year. I used to hate practicing my guitar around other people, so I wouldn't play unless they weren't around. Another is that I left my guitar in a guitar case hiding under a bed or behind a desk. These are excuses I've made for myself but didn't figure out how to get around them. I've learned to be comfortable with playing guitar around others over time. I've also gained a desire to learn songs I listen to a lot. For me that means learning to play all of the song, including the solos and riffs that are difficult to master. Why is it important for me to keep playing guitar? It's a way to express myself through the songs I play. It's fun to do and there is so much I can still learn. When people ask me to play worship songs, I can play them. Music is a great tool for worship. So if you're good, you should utilize it.

Tips for Playing Guitar:
1. Leave your guitar on a guitar stand. If it's plain sight, you're more likely to play it.
2. Replace your strings every once in a while.
3. If you can get someone to teach you, then do it.
4. Learn how to play music in the easiest way possible for you. Whether that's reading tabs on the internet, sheet music, or playing by ear.

3. Walking with God



What I mean by walking with God is seeking a relationship with him. I've always believed in God and everything in the bible, but a lot of times I didn't do anything with that. I just said I believed in him but I haven't always acted like a Christian. In my past relationships, I never had God in the center of them. In fact, I didn't think of God that often when I was dating other girls. I centered my life around having someone. I was more selfish in those days and a lot of times I just wanted to party and have fun. I've developed myself and my morals over the years. I want my next relationship to not only be about me and my next girlfriend, but to also be centered around God. To have moral virtues and for us to help each other grow in our faith together. I've also been lazy with praying and reading my bible. To have a relationship with God requires communication, and the best way to communicate is through prayer. And I don't mean praying by just asking him for good things to happen, but for your faith to build and to thank God for what you have. As for reading the bible, remember that it is not enough to only read it at bible studies or at church. As us folks at Cru like to call it, it's all about diggage. Dig into your bible as often as you can. There is always something new you can learn from it. Hebrews 5:12 says that "In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again." You have the tool needed to help grow your faith, and that is your bible. If you don't have one, please talk to me and I can help get you one. What has helped me the most with strengthening my relationship in God is finding time to pray and read my bible. I've prayed in my car out loud a few times and read my bible while working out.

Tips for Continuing to Seek Christ:
1. Dig into your bible. Not just at bible studies or worship events, but by yourself as well.
2. Keep your bible visible, such as on top of your night stand.
3. Don't be afraid to read your bible in public. I've even read my bible on an elliptical bike in public.
4. Pray when you can and pray often. Even in the bathroom or in the car. Just pray.
5. If your relationship is worsening your faith, you need to address it or end the relationship.
6. Go to church. If you believe the church you go to isn't good for you, go to a different church. Don't quit going to church because of one church.