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Today has been a sweeeeet day. Got up nice and early around 9(hey, that’s early for a Saturday!) and walked to Wal-Mart to pick up some creamer and sugar. Then got back to my place and made a breakfast of awesomeness!! Fried up some bacon and made some gooood coffee out of the beans Shari, Deanna and Amy gave me. I love bacon and I love coffee. And bacon and coffee together? Amazing.

The rest of the day was spent relaxin’ and chilling here…and enjoying not having to work for a day. Even though work did go awesome this week! I’m really starting to enjoy it. And right now, I just finished some dishes as I wait for my pork chops to finish baking. That’s right – pork chops. I fried up pork chops, potatoes and green beans and now they’re all baking and I can’t wait to eat it…since it’s one of my favorite meals! That’s the one fun thing about living by myself; I’m learning how to make all my most favorite meals!

Wow, this week has been great…good times at work, good times today making great food, and good times coming up tomorrow as I get ready for church. God is indeed an awesome God!!

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Update from Houston!! Don’t have a lot of time, because I want to go to bed soon..(At 10pm? Shocking!!!) I have work tomorrow, but thought I’d like to give everyone a brief update on how I’ve been doing! Houston is still pretty sweet, even though I must admit, I haven’t *quite* finished exploring it yet! Actually, I’ve mostly been working…it’s definitely different, having an 8-5 job! It’s not bad but I have to say, it’s not as easy and straightforward as school either!! Anyway, today was pretty awesome because I got to finally go to church today…went to a cool church called Bethel Independent Presbyterian…I enjoyed it much there and was happy to meet some people there. Looking forward to some good times hanging out with them!

And then this afternoon I just relaxed, talking to my family, talking to Rob G as he made his way back to Tally after Lindsay and Nick’s wedding in Gainesville(which I most sadly missed…)…and then watching the U.S. Open where Tiger made a sweet 15-ft birdie putt to force a playoff tomorrow. Awesomeness. And I was wearing my new red polo today(which I love because it’s bright…and red…and just plain awesome) and I thought it was cool because Tiger always wears his red polo on Sunday…so yeah, Tiger was matching me.

After the golf game, I made a hamburger and fries and relaxed a little more watching a couple of my favorite scenes from “What about Bob?” Sundays are awesome! So good to worship and rest! And now I must get my sleep.

Hope you enjoyed this brief update! From Houston…over and out.

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I have an announcement to make: James is now in Houston!!

And in case any of you wonder WHY I’m in Houston right now(even though you should know, because I’ve written it here before), it’s because my internship starts this week!! Orientation starts on Wednesday, but since I got here last night(on a completely unremarkable flight, which is a GOOD thing) I have a couple days to just chill in Houston! Before my real work begins…

Anyways, don’t worry – even though I don’t have anything to do, I’ve still not been just lying around in bed all day. I got up around 8 or so this morning to get the continental breakfast downstairs(which was quite good, so I was happy!) After breakfast, I relaxed for a while in my room, talking to various people via phone and internet. As the day went on, I realized I really didn’t want to spend my whole day in the hotel room, so I decided I was going to find a park. And play disc golf. And it would be awesome.

Thus begins the Great Disc Golf Adventure of today! I looked up the locations of several parks and found one that was right down the road from my hotel. Now, since it was “right down the road”, I thought I could get there quickly. Let me tell you something though…6.5 miles takes longer to walk than you think. As I set out on my adventure, I felt like a hobbit…walking down an unknown road…with the sun beating down on me…and dangers at every corner. But the analogy breaks down because I don’t think the hobbits carried Gatorade. And I don’t have hairy feet. Anyway, let me continue. As I got to about the halfway point of my journey, I stopped at Burger King for lunch(Hmmm, I don’t think Middle Earth had BKs, either…). After lunch, slightly refreshed and fighting the temptation to take a nap, I kept walking. And walking. Finally, I got to the intersection that I knew the park was at!! I saw a park off to my left, so I went towards it victoriously..only to find there was no disc golf course. Quite disheartened, I walked across the street to see if there was another park…and then in the distance, I saw the glint of the sun on the chains of a basket. Victory was mine!!!

The only problem with walking so far is that by the time I was at the park, I was a bit weary, so I rested for a while before I tried out my sweet new Star-Orc disc Rob had given me. The disc was up to the challenge. I however, was not in my top form. Still, it was great fun trying out a new disc golf course! As I finished the course, I realized a terrible truth. I had come a long way to play. And now I would have to go back that same way. As I walked(and walked and walked) back to my hotel, I felt even more like a hobbit. But if before I was setting off on a journey in the peace of the Shire, now I felt like I was Frodo trudging up the slopes of Mt. Doom, my legs leaden and my spirit weakening. Thankfully, I had something Frodo did not. The Bus. I rode the bus a couple miles before it turned off, but I had never so much appreciated a bus before. And I have never had a dollar so well spent.

As I finally approached my hotel, it was with a weary exultation! I collapsed on my bed and rested for a while before taking a shower(hot showers are AWESOME) and eventually grabbing dinner at McDonalds…

And thus ends the Great Disc Golf Adventure! I have to say, I have a much increased admiration for marathon runners…Walking 11 miles or so tired me out…I can’t imagine running a marathon. Well, at least not now in my current state of fitness.

And now, I am still tired. Well, at least my legs are. So I must call it a day. G’night all!!! And hope you didn’t mind reading this long(AGAIN) post. I really should try to shorten my writing…ah well. Farewell!

Good times in T-town!

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Wow, just realized I haven’t posted in a while…and I’ve had such an awesome past couple weeks too!! Well, I guess I should write about some of it now, because a few days from now I won’t have too much time to write…because I’ll be in Houston, YEAH! Rocking out in my [hopefully] sweet intern position and getting used to the Texas air…which apparently isn’t too different from Florida air. I’ll let you all know.

Anyways…a little more than a week ago I turned 21. Whoa. I have to say, that’s just a scary age to turn – awesome. But scary. I realized a few days later walking past the liquor store…”Wait, I can actually go in there and buy whatever I want now.” Not that I’m going to anytime soon(on a side-note…I’m still not sure what my first actual “purchase” will be, hmm..)…but still, just knowing it’s possible! But yeah, weird.

Ok, back to my birthday though. It was definitely different from most people’s 21sts. And definitely awesome. On Saturday me and my family went to our church conference where we had great fun hanging out with all the people from our church, singing, listening to good messages and just relaxin’. On that night, as me and my mom and sisters were chilling at our little villa, they all sang to me as the clock turned to 12. And then we ate popcorn and watched some Fresh Prince. I love my family so much…

The next day was more church conference and it was so much fun just being with all the people from church. After that me and my family went back home and we had a great relaxing afternoon as I saw my multitudes of facebook notes and got some cool voicemails from people. I got to say, I have some pretty good friends. That night we had Pizza Hut pizza and salad and again…enjoying being with the fam. God is good!!

Ok, now let’s skip a few days…partly because if I don’t, I’ll have the most massive entry of all time!! Anyways, on Thursday of last week, I got my license. And please, don’t look at me with those shocked faces…I know, I know. I’m 21 and I didn’t have my license yet. But hey, it’s a free country, right? Anyways, I rocked the driving test and now I can officially drive on my own. And it’s awesome. I’m taking full advantage of this freedom to borrow the parents’ car and take my sisters places, pick people up…etc. I love it! Now I just need a car…again, suggestions/free cars welcome!

Wow, this is going to be a humongous entry. Well, on Friday, I had some fancy company coming in to town, and by fancy, I mean Deanna, Amy, and Shari! They wanted to come the weekend of my birthday, but the church conference was on, so they came by this past weekend instead. So much fun because they got to all meet my family! Well, Amy already had, but Shari and Deanna didn’t, so yeah. We had my birthday lasagna dinner at home, played games(Pass the Pigs, anyone?) and ate ice cream and cake with Dave and Dream who had come over at this point. I got some sweet Seattle coffee(which I’m extremely tempted to try) from them and a sweet Star Orc disc from Rob(which I’m also extremely tempted to try and can’t believe I haven’t yet!). Anyways, after that, we just talked until about 2 or 2:30 or so…until we were too exhausted. They all slept in the girls’ room and the next morning we had an awesome pancake/bacon breakfast courtesy of Dad! And that morning we played some ping-pong and then went to Five Guys(YES) for lunch. Oh yeah, and I drove Deanna’s Accord, which is one sweet ride.

Wow, why am I writing so much??? Anyways, after lunch, we went over to the movie theatre to see Indy 4!! Dream and Dave joined us there and we partook of…well…Indy 4. I want to say it was awesome, but I can’t quite…it was interesting. I’ll say that much. I just don’t think it’s as good as the first three. But, I will say this. It was AWESOME seeing Indiana Jones on the big screen for the first time in my life.

After the movie, me and Shari grabbed the other Indy movies at Target and then we went back to my house and had dinner…and then watched National Treasure 2 with the rest of the fam! Fun times indeed…and then they had to leave. Most sad…because I probably won’t see ’em for the rest of the summer..but the times we had was so great…the friends that God’s given me are indeed most amazing blessings!!

Anyways…wow. This post is still going. This week has been sweet thus far, and I’ll end this post by saying tonight was awesome because Dream and her brother John came over and me and Maryanne and Laura watched Indy 3(Last Crusade) with them. Great times!!! I’m gonna miss these times when I’m in Houston…

And now, I really do need to close this post. If anyone read all of this post…You win my eternal adoration. Ok, not really. But you get major props.

To all of you, g’night!!

James HoganLeave a comment

Wow, I am so tired right now…I have definitely lost my college power of staying up late! But I guess I know partly why I’m so tired; me and my family spent a large portion of today at the beach!! It was a most awesome time of just being with my whole family and relaxing on the sugary sand, soaking in the beautiful water and enjoying the crystal sunlight. We had such a great time talking, splashing around, playing a little football…you know, I just love my family. So being with them was just awesome!!! After we got back pretty late(I guess around 8:15 or so), we made a few frozen pizzas and watched some American Idol…so life is good at the Hogan household. Now I’m pretty tired from all that sun and water, so I guess I need sleep! Anyways, this break has been pretty sweet thus far and I’m going to wager that this sweetness isn’t going to end anytime soon. G’night, all!!

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So I am BACK IN TAMPA! And it’s pretty awesome. A tad less excitement than in Gainesville, to be sure, but for now…I relish the downtime. No more homework, no more studying, no more late nights…yess, it’s the good life!! And the other night I found out that I got straight A’s this past semester!!!! Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!!! It’s so great to find out that all my studying and work this past semester really have paid off…it feels like it’s been such a long semester, but it’s wound down to a close at last.

These past few days have been pretty quiet, but again, that’s a good thing. I’ve been doing some re-organizing of all my earthly belongings(which I have figured out DO all fit in an ’87 Honda Civic…) and getting a lot of reading done. Now, it’s almost dinnertime, so I’m gonna go help put that together. I feel like writing something, too, but I don’t know what…story? Poem? I have no idea. But I have this urge…

And one last thing before I go…HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Mary!!!!! Hope your day has been full of awesomeness!!!!

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Ok, so I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night…but my room is now practically empty, barring this laptop, my backpack, my Bible, and my hat…oh, and a random kleenex box! Right now Rob and Galan are driving most of Rob’s possessions over to Steven and Liz’s place and then they’ll be coming back to pack his car full of my stuff. And after that, it’s off to Daytona area for a night! We’re going to Bekah(Hope) and Andrew’s church for a huge passion play that their church is putting on…it’s going to be pretty awesome because Hope, Andrew, John, Galan, me, Rob, Deanna, Amy, Shari, Bekah P and Laura G will all be coming too…so it’s our last hurrah before summer! And then tomorrow afternoon, me and Rob are driving to Tampa, home sweet home!

Anyways, for a brief recap of this morning(since I wrote a nice long entry last night!), me and Rob went to Northside Park and met up with Ryan, Deanna, Shari, and Amy for one last round of disc golf before we parted ways for the summer. So sad…but yet, it was awesome times! I played decently well, but the best part was just being with cool people and relaxing on the course…letting the morning breeze wash over us and the bright sun shine down upon us. We said goodbye to Ryan after that…I don’t know when I’ll see him again, since he’s going to seminary in Chicago, but I know God has great things in store for him!

And now, I have extra time, so I feel I should write more…but what can I say? Other than that I feel exceedingly blessed by God! Amen and amen!

And on that note, I think I will sign off. Gainesville, farewell for summer!

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Well, my third year of college has now come to an end. Wow. Sorta hard to believe that now we are SENIORS at the University of Florida!!!!

But on to today’s happenings – had two exams…but those were inconsequential. Me and Rob woke up early and cooked some nice crunchy bacon before his first exam, mmmm. That’s the breakfast of champions, right there! After that, I got a little more sleep(since last night I got little – hopefully my last late night studying for a LONG time!!). Went and did some errands around campus before my first exam started and still had some time left over, so I enjoyed sitting out on the Plaza of the Americas, soaking in the beautiful day…

Finally, had to go in and dominate my stats exam. After that, me and Rob made some sweet mac and cheese and reflected on what an AWESOME year it’s been! We’ve decided that for next year, our verse will be “From the rising of the sun to it’s setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!” from Psalm 113. Just so great to remember that no matter what happens…God is still there. And God is still to be praised!

And back to the day…I studied a little more for my materials exam and went in and took that. It’s yet to be seen how I did on that…

But after that, the fun started. Me and Rob grabbed Galan and we went over to Bekah P’s place to play some sweet volleyball. Mary and Deanna and Shari and Amy were all there too, and we tried to play at the sand volleyball court, but it was a tad dark…so we went on an expedition to find a new court. We finally found one at another apartment complex very far away and played some intense volleyball! I do so love playing sand volleyball…because diving to save a ball is just plain awesome. I have to say, we didn’t quite save the cars in the parking lot though. I think we hit quite a few of those…oh well! Anyways, it was just great times hangin’ with friends, no exams left, no cares in the world!!! After we finished around midnight, we walked and walked and walked before getting back to Bekah’s place and grabbing our car…

And now, I must pack. Because tomorrow, out of Gainesville for the summer!! There’s more going on this weekend, but hopefully I get time to write about it later. Now, it’s packin’ time.

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Ok, so I keep wanting to write an awesomely long entry about all the things that have been going on lately…but I never do because I know I have too much to write about. But really now…if I keep that up, I’m never going to write anything down. Because you know what? The awesomeness just never ends.

I’m really sad about this semester almost being over just because I feel it’s been such a great one!! I still can’t believe I’m almost at the end of my sixth semester at UF. Wow. And I’m also sad because I’ve gotten to know so many cool people this semester…and I’ve started to realized there is limited time left here! But enough of that…I don’t want to think about leaving UF yet!

Anyway, before I get too sentimental, let’s get down to details…I’m not sure how much I’ll write because I am rather tired tonight and tomorrow a bunch of us are going tubing down the Ichatucknee River tomorrow. And I’m not quite sure if I spelled that right…anyone that knows, feel free to correct. But yeah, today was our end-of-the-year Lake Wauburg bash with the Creekside crew…fun times!!! Played some sweet sand volleyball early on, where the guys beat the girls(of course…) and then we enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs, etc. After that was my favorite part though, because I grabbed a kayak and Dream, Laura and Bek got a canoe and we went out on the lake to just enjoy the beautiful day!! It was raining a little, but that just felt great. Sailing on the lake, enjoying the water, the clouds, the alligators(which we saw so many of!) just felt…amazing. So relaxing – makes me want to praise God even more at times like these!

So yeah, Wauburg was pretty awesome. I should write more about this past week, but I’m actually quite exhausted now. All else I’ll say was that we also had our last Creekside Wednesday last night and it was quite sad saying goodbye to the seniors…and imagining myself as one next year. Oh boy. Anyway, I’m tired. So to all, g’night!!

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I really should be studying right now, as this week is crazy busy.

BUT, I just had to write something real quick…that God is AWESOME. And of course that’s always true, but now I’m so grateful and thankful to Him because I found out I got the internship I interviewed for last week!!!! I can’t wait!! I definitely did a little dance after getting off the phone! I’m so looking forward to this summer…and I just have to praise God for his grace to me!! And I have to thank Him for giving me strength and wisdom during the whole interview process…indeed, we serve an awesome Father!!!! And just thinking about my family and all my friends that were praying for me this whole time…and seeing how powerful prayer is…is just incredible to think about! I am so blessed. Hallelujah to the Lamb! Amen and Amen!