Take A Walk in My Shoes

Europe

2005-04-15T09:41:00.000-05:00

By now I'm sure no one could possibly be checking this anymore, in fact the reason that I never update it is because, typically, my free time is only when I'm at home, with no computer or internet connection. Needless to say, I'm not that busy, but just busy enough to not worry about posting to a blog, and I figured I was keeping in touch with everyone through the mass emails that I send out (if you're not on the list, sorry, I had a bunch of problems with the email addresses, but if you would still like to be added, there will still be 2 to come out, so let me know).

So some basic observations about the Europeans that you all might find interestings.
- The negative sentiments seem to be stronger against the French than America.
- Everyone here speaks at least 2 languages, many of them more. I am proud to add myself to this category now. Ich spreche Deutsch (German), et aussi un peu de Francais (French), nowhere near fluent in French, but I'm getting there with German.
- The coolest country in the world is Sweden, at least that I've been to yet.
- With most of Europe having Socialistic societies, there poverty levels are not as high as in the states, but they still have some, just not as many and not as extreme.
- Hiking is done regularly by many, usually just day hikes on Sunday, particularly in Luxembourg.
- The Europeans actually enjoy there food when they eat it, and they also don't eat nearly as much, meaning that they, as a people are not nearly as obese as Americans, although the Greek people seem to be an exception to this rule.
- Many Europeans haven't been to all of the major cities in Europe, just like many of Americans haven't been to all of the major cities in America.
- Youth Hostels are one of the best things in the world, where else can you find a bed for less than €20 a night, that's $26.
- Here, it's not uncommon to live in the same house as did your great, great, great, great, great grandparents.
- Alcohol is not abused as much as in the states, although it is available and able to be consumed in public areas, I haven't noticed as many problems. Alcoholism is still a problem, so I think the main difference is in the Students use of it.
- Most of the music here is American. The reason: "everyone understands it" - Austrian girl from Innsbruck
- In Austria and Switzerland, more people know how to ski, than to read - (generalization, assuming that everyone knows how to ski, and only one person does not know how to read, and that person is 2 years old)
- Trains are a great way to get around, just make sure you've got a lot more time than it would take to drive to your destination.
- Finally, from Europe, the entire world is at your fingertips, Africa, Asia, the Arctic Circle, are all only a plane ride aways. And ... from here, you're allowed to go to Cuba.

But alas, I will never be able to say entirely that Europe is my home, with all of my ties to America, I still call it home.

So the moral of my story this time: For all of you who might read this and are still in High School or college, make sure you study abroad, it doesn't matter where it is, it will broaden your horizons. And for those of you who don't have this option available for you, find some time to get over here to Europe, stay in one city for a couple of weeks, and just get to know the culture, compare it to your ways at home, and I can guarentee that you will return a different person.

May God Rest His Soul.

2004-11-15T23:48:00.000-05:00

Last Friday, a friend of mine passed away. He wasn't very old, 22 going on 23. A college student just like myself, or at least he had just graduated. It's hard for me to imagine what that would be like, to have gone through that much pain and suffering and to still be the most optimistic person I've ever met. His optimism and strength to fight impossible odds are an inspiration to all. I can only pray that his family is able to find the peace within themselves to understand how many peoples' lives their son has touched. May God rest Michael Hayes' soul.

So, as you may be able to tell, my last week was a pretty long one, 4 tests, an extremely rough Wednesday where I had to take a call for the Rape Crisis Program. It's amazing how true the statement is that "when it rains it pours." Last week was certainly an example of that, but it really puts things into perspective for me and allows me to enjoy the days that I don't have two million things to do and three million more things to stress about, even more. This week, I'm a lot more relaxed. I'm trying to live with Mike as an example for me, and putting my priorities in the right order. It's just not important to continuously stress about things that we cannot change, or things that we don't need to change. Most of us have it really well off, and rather than take those things for granted we should live thankful lives because we've all been given the greatest gift of all... life.

So that's my message. Today take some time out for yourself, and not because YOU need it, but because others need YOU. If you stress yourself out to the point of a breakdown, you're no longer able to shine your light for others. And also, don't put things off til tomorrow that you could do today, cause you never know when there won't be a tomorrow, and then you'll regret it.

Do they understand???

2004-11-04T18:22:00.000-05:00

Today in my Accounting class, which we got out of way early on Tuesday to go to a speaker, we had a short discourse about the speakers. I was fairly unimpressed by them, they were just a multi-millionaire couple here to boast about their money and how they got all of it. Yeah, it was probably pretty stupid of me to even go to it in the first place. That wasn't the worst of it though. They're both around 40-45 years old, and they're RETIRED!!! Kinda cool, or it could be, but myself, curious as many probably were about how it felt to be retired at age 41 asked a question of them about what they were going to do with their lives now that they are filthy rich and have nothing but time. The Husband's Answer, "Well, I KNEW that someone was going to ask that question (in a relatively annoyed tone), I've thought about it a lot, and I think that I'm going to just relax, and maybe train for a triatholon." The Wife's Answer, "I don't really know, just whatever." (the quotes are certainly paraphrased as my memory is not THAT good.) Anyways, I brought that up in class today because they have the ways and means to make a large difference in the world and they're just building a cave around themselves to keep all of the money for themselves, really selfish if you ask me. The response from my class was just a bunch of gasps, they were all totally into that idea, I never realized how money-concious the people on this campus actually are, but that today, put a huge rock on that idea, so it's not moving now. I'm in school to learn some new skills so that in some way I can make the world a better place. I don't know how or where I'm going to do that right now, but that's the goal. I really don't see how someone can sit around with $200 million in the bank and do absolutely nothing with it. Are we teaching the students here that money is the only thing that matters in life, cause they're not all going to be rich, so it's really setting a lot of people up for disappointment. Maybe I'm a little jaded, but it really struck a nerve with me, and it was mainly the reaction of the class. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

Anyways, that's it for now ... I think

The Next Episode

2004-11-04T00:37:00.000-05:00

Lots Going On, lots done, and lots still to do. I'm a really busy guy if many of you didn't know that already, and I somehow manage to occupy nearly every hour of every day with something, and 90% of the time that stuff isn't much fun. I'm working on it though, trying to make sure that I take some time for me every day, it's going alright. I've now realized how hard it is to remember to post to this thing very often. Sorry.

Anyways, the election went just the way I expected it to. I did think that Kerry made himself look really good in the concession speech. The emotions helped as well, but he could have made the whole process drag on and on and on and on. So it seems we're going to have another 4 years of the same ol' stuff.

I've been doing a lot of traveling this semester as you all might be able to imagine. I've been to cleveland, columbus, back to camp, home a couple of times. Nothing too outrageous yet, but I may have something in the works. I'll have to see if I can come off with the time which would be difficult. Who knows??? I've got a lot of expenses and such headed my way pretty soon though with the whole trip to europe thing in January. I'm leaving the 4th and I'll be back May 11th. I'm staying in Luxembourg City about a mile from the center of Downtown, so it should be pretty cool. The family I'm with has a 1 yr old and a 6 yr old, and a dog! I'm pretty excited about it. There's still a lot of stuff that I need to get before I head that way to make sure that I'm prepared for anything.

I'm still not decided about next summer. RA training starts August 6th. (That's the saturday of the tear down weekend I think) and after the hit my grades have taken this semester from not having any time off this summer. I think I'll be taking at least week 9 off, and possibly week 8 too, to make sure that I get some time to chill out and relax for a little while.

Other than that, I think that's all for now. If anyone's got time and means to come to europe and visit me while I'm over there, you're all welcome, just let me know.

Hold Up

2004-10-20T20:48:00.000-05:00

Where are my weeks going, wow. Last thing I knew it was last week, now this one's pretty much over! Things at school are busy, but managable, it's keeping me on my toes. I started excercising again this week after 4 weeks off due to some doctor-related issues (there's a story behind that, $$$$ and false diagnoses). I'm feeling better about the whole "Matt's really bitter at the world," I'm really not, that was kind of a spur of the moment thing where I probably got woken up in the middle of the night or something, who knows.

Coretta Scott King was on campus today, that's the late Martin Luther King Jr.'s wife for all of you who may have raised your eybrows in confusion of seeing that name. She gave a nice little speech supporting freedom and getting out to vote, you know, all of the typical stuff. She also made one comment that really made me think. It was, (referring to the new possible constitutional amendment dealing with gay rights and all) "Constitutional amendments should not be created to limit freedom, they should be created to enhance it." I'd never really thought of it that way, but that's what our country was founded on, and they're thinking about compromising it.

Enough blabber about politics, it's kinda strange for me to even bother with that stuff. I've got opinions about stuff, but I hate the whole "best-friends club" thing that the politicians, and people in other organizations, do to get people to agree with them. Give me cold, hard, facts.

The decision is still yet to be made about my occupation next summer, I could land anywhere honestly, I'm tossing around several options, one of them being working summer orientation here at Miami, it would be nice to spend a summer a little closer to home, and also have 3 full days off a week. I could possilby feel relaxed and like I've gotten a break from school after that, and it gets over in the middle of June. Of course, there is Ransburg as well, I don't know what I would do though, I'm taking suggestions... let me hear what you all think.

Other than that, papers and presentations are screaming my name. Godspeed to all of you.

I've had enough of the world, and it's people's mindless games

2004-10-13T19:27:00.000-05:00

So, due to popular demand, I have decided to post again. The decision comes after possibly the busiest 2 weeks of my life (yes, even busier than I was at camp). 4 tests and a quiz one week with a paper or two due, and then another test this week with another paper or two, and then I've got some real big papers due next week, but that stuff isn't interesting for anyone else.

Lately, I've been dealing with disappointment in people. Roommates, friends, people just keep doing things to disappoint me. Then I wonder why in the heck I'm trying to live life as "cleanly" as I am because the vast majority of kids here in college do drink, and a lot of them do have sex, and they all swear, and they all .... and they all... I think you get the point, but I'm trying really hard to set an example for them but things just keep falling in my way, and all these people are so caught up in their lives that they can't even realize that I'm in a pool of quicksand. Don't get me wrong, things are starting to get better now, but for a while there it all sucked, and with me being busy every single weekend for the entire thing, and then not having a minute to spare during the week. This next one is going to be a little bit easier.

I kept my vigil last friday. That was a good experience, I still feel like there's a lot that I don't understand, like I should have been told more. The good thing was, my old scoutmaster from Troop 48, was my guide for the night, so it was really nice to be able to catch up with him and all that. I got to find out some more about the old troop, good times. The Breakfast that the OA Lodge bought me after the vigil was awful, but I got over it. Then it was parents weeked so after a very "long" night, I didn't get a nap, and had meetings and hanging out witht the parents all weekend. I finally got to bed at 10:30 pm on last Saturday night. A very long weekend. I think half of the problem is that I'm pushing too hard, but I should be used to that by now, who knows.

Anyways, this weekend I'm stickin around the Oxford/Dayton area (that means either school or home, I don't know yet). Then the next weekend I'm going to be up in Cleveland for the weekend visiting my sister and another friend of mine. From then on, I think I'll be spending some more time in Oxford, so if anyone ever gets the urge to blast over this way, give me a shout, it's an interesting town.

Anyways, that should be enough for now. No class on Friday, and 8.5 hours of it tomorrow, so I'm busy getting ready for the ordeal.

Peace

Public Service Announcement

2004-09-29T14:05:00.000-05:00

Hey all you from Ransburg. If you're going to be at the staff weekend this weekend and have ever participated in the Venturing Leadership Skills Course send me an email, or even better call me (937) 626-2815. The plan of attack for the weekend is to run that course, and I've never been through it before, and would like some help. I also have to leave around 5 pm on Saturday, so if anyone could give me a hand, it would be greatly appreciated..

Peace

Slowin down

2004-09-26T21:26:00.000-05:00

Well, a good weekend spent up in Kent, OH, just south of cleveland visiting my sister with the parents. Not a bad time, and to be honest quite relaxing because I did a lot of sleeping (I suppose I'm still getting caught up from the summer). Kent State's not a bad place, pretty comparable (except a little more modern) to Miami.

The semester is going well still, riding the wave right at the top, not ahead or behind it, but I'm finding that I'm having to make adjustments to the way I'm doing things so that I can do everything effectively. Of course, my body finally telling me that I need to slow down isn't helping that.

I will be headed back to Ransburg this weekend for at least friday and saturday, and maybe sunday as well. I've got a million people asking me to do a million things that weekend. Either way, I know I have to be back to Oxford by 1:00pm on Sunday, that means (for all of you from Indiana) that I would have to leave camp at 9:00am. Who knows how that will go.

Nothing much else is new, I'm really looking forward to playing hockey next week. I had to sit out this week because of Doctor's orders. I hope to be able to play next week!!!

Peace

Almost done!

2004-09-23T21:36:00.000-05:00

This has been a week to remember. A couple tests, a couple "quizzes," and me feeling like I got kicked by a horse in the chest the past couple of days (I don't know what that's from.) I'm still staying optimistic though, I think this weekend should be a good one. I'm headed home, or to my parents' home since I only live there 3 weeks a year or so. From there I may or may not head up North to Cleveland to visit my little sister who's a freshman at Kent State. That will be an interesting trip however it goes.

I'm getting really excited about my trip to Luxembourg that will commence on January 4th, 2005, and I'll be coming back sometime in the middle of May next year, the 15th maybe?? I don't really know yet, I need to go talk to the travel agent to see how much more each day over in Europe will cost me. That is only the beginning of the preparations though, I've still got to refresh my passport which expires next May, and then study up on the countries around there and such, so I can make sure I'm ready for a good time when I get there. Right now, I know a couple people that are going with me, but only as aquaintances, but I've been informed that I'll get to know the other 119 people that will be there really well. I'm not too worried about that though, I've been in situations like that before. The thing I'm really excited about is the travel. The two places that I would really like to see are Greece and Sweden. I've been around the rest of Europe pretty well, but those two countries are pretty far out of the way, I think they'll probably take the two longer breaks. Lots to think about and do!

I'm still strongly considering the Psychology double major that I dropped a management class for and then picked up PSY 111. It's a really interesting class, but the professor has trouble communicating to us. I hope that's not a sign of things to come. I'm really not sure where I want that to take me or anything, but with two degrees, one in General Business and another in Psychology, I've got a pretty wide spectrum of careers available to me and I won't have to make that decision right away.

All the other classes right now are busy, I'm learning that I'm going to have to change my style of doing the homework in them so that I can actually have time to get to all of the homework that I'm being given. It's a good thing I didn't pick up a job, otherwise I'd have a schedule even more packed than it already is. The only extracurricular I'm thinking about doing this semester is Alpha Phi Omega, national service fraternity sponsered by the Boy Scouts. I want to check it out at least, but so far I'm still a little skeptical.

I think that's probably enough for now. Leave a post for me so i can see who's reading. Otherwise, I think I'm headed to bed fairly soon.

What up World

2004-09-22T15:24:00.000-05:00

This is just a testing post to see how this bad boy works. And I'm sure no one knows that I have one of these yet.