NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

That’s right, once again, the Gators are national champs!!! Only this time, it’s football. Wow, an absolutely unbelievable game. 41-14. We didn’t just beat them, we KILLED them…our defense looked better than I’ve ever seen it. Our offense was amazing. And Ohio State looked lost. And confused. And very, very sad.

We sacked Troy Smith(Heismann winner, by the way) more times than he completed a pass. Leak threw completions his first 9 passes. And we just got another national championship.

Oh, and this is the first time ever…that a university has been reigning champion at both football and basketball at the same time. GO GATORS!!!

I watched the game at the Jungle II with Rob, Nicole, Javier, Alicia, Eric…and the rest of the Jungle people…we were stunned when the Buckeyes returned the first kickoff for a touchdown. But we were sporting delirious smiles for the rest of the night. After the game, Gainesville went nuts. We lit a Christmas tree on fire in the middle of the parking lot…ok, maybe that was a little bit dangerous. But we were NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. Ran out to University Ave. after that – so crazy with so many people yelling and screaming and dancing and singing…like they say, “It’s great – to be – a Florida Gator!!” This is the one time when it’s acceptable to hug and high-five everyone you see and just go CRAZY! Even the danger of stampedes and getting run over by fire trucks didn’t dampen our spirits…although the thought of having a class the next morning didn’t make me too happy. Eventually, I made my way home…and got some sleep.

Unfortunately, had to get up at 8:30 this morning. Had an awesome day just remembering all the great moments of last night’s victory. Rob recorded the game on his computer, so we’ve been watching that again and again. I bought the official national championship shirt and happen to be wearing it right now. Maybe I’ll wear it tomorrow too! And tonight I was at the basketball game against Arkansas. A great game in its own rights, but at halftime…the football team came out onto the court, and the ODome erupted. They brought out the championship trophy..so beautiful! The basketball team came back on and started congratulating the football team. Amazing to have two championship teams in one place, let me tell you that.

Ok, this is a really long entry, but I guess I might as well say, despite my glee over our win and championship, it’s never good to put your hope in football teams…they may be amazing at times, but they can fail, too. But God never fails, and I hope this Gators dominance works out for His glory. Actually, I know it will.

And one more time.

GO GATORS!!!!!!!

So, I’m back in Gainesville – already been to two classes, but still not in the school routine yet…mainly because of what’s going on tonight.

The Gators are playing the Ohio State Buckeyes in the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!! I’m so hyped for the game, it’s going to be amazing. Been 10 years since we were last in the title game, hopefully it won’t take that long for our next one!! So, to all you Gators(and even non-Gators), root for Florida!!

GO GATORS!!

Merry Christmas!!

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.” -Luke 1:26-35

Indeed, this is why we celebrate. What wonderful words!!

Merry Christmas, one and all! I pray that all of you may have a wonderful Christmas Day and coming new year!!!

I got straight A’s this semester!!!!

Wow, I’m still sort of in shock that I pulled out an A in Statics…Praise the Lord – I must have aced the final!! I’m just so happy and so thankful…this is my first semester that I’ve gotten all A’s. Thanks to God, I’ve done it.

Now, to enjoy a long and – dare I say – well deserved Christmas break…ahh, to smell cookies baking every day and have all the time in the world to read the books I want to read. Life is good.

I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You. I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name. In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul. -Psalm 138:1-3

Winter is here!

It was nice and cold today, the coldest it’s been so far at school this year! And the trees were colorful with the leaves of fall, and it was sunny and clear…pretty much the perfect day. Alas, I had to spend most of it indoors studying for my final statics exam, which just happens to be tomorrow. Surprisingly, even though it’s my hardest class, I’m feeling confident for the final. I think part of that confidence has to do with the fact that I actually had an organized study plan. I started studying for statics on Monday and have been studying almost every day since for it. Even in my idle thoughts statics problems pop into my head! Yes, I’d admit that’s strange.

But, I’m done with my studying for tonight(before 10? Shocking!) and now I’m going to go for a walk(Rob, too) in this beautiful winter night. After tomorrow’s exam, I’ll be done with school until January! Hurrah!

Life is good.

I just took an exam in Matrices and quiz in Engineering Economy, and now only one more lecture until the weekend arrives!! So good to finally be able to relax and unwind. I called my dad and he was telling me about the play at GHS – reminds me of fun times there – my sister Katharyn had one of the leading roles…I wish I could have seen her, because she must have been awesome. The weather is so beautiful here…nice and cool. Of course, it could be colder. But it will be. And I’ll be here waiting for it with arms outstretched! I think I’m going to go grab some lunch now before my last class of the week! Huzzah for living!

Sweet football game today – we played UCF and soundly trounced them, 42-0. Now I’m just chillin’ in my room while Rob’s playing Battlefront on his computer. In his words, “It’s ridiculous”…that’s what he said right now, haha. Sharapova won the US Open!! Woooo!! I wish I could have seen it, but I was still at the game. Oh well, I’m just glad she won. Tomorrow Federer plays Roddick. Should be an awesome match.

There was a smile
made of the purest light
holds the world together
never stops its glow
of beauty forged in fire.

There were flowing tresses
black as starless night
rippled with buoyant waves
shining with the eternal
light of stars above.

There was a laugh
ringing of silver bells
sweet as the cherry blossom
bringing an inner warmth
of sun and joy unheard.

There were the eyes
sparkling with fun
dancing with love
soaring through the night
and never looking back.

There was a girl.

In a few minutes, going to leave for Statics, my last class of the week!! And then after that, off to Plant City with Rob and the gang…it’s gonna be a rocking weekend! I’m sorta sad I’m going to miss the first UF game though – I gave my ticket to Dirk, so at least it’s not going wasted. But the first game is always so exciting…we should win, as long as we don’t get too cocky.

Having fun watching the US Open this year…watched an amazing match last night, Agassi won in five sets after losing a big lead. I guess it’d be cool for Agassi to win, but I don’t care too much about the men’s bracket. I’ve just been watching Sugiyama play Henin-Hardene, and Sugiyama is VERY impressive…I think I’m going to root for her now. Along with Sharapova, of course!

Ok, enough of tennis, I’m going to finish packing and get to class. Have a good weekend, all!

Wow, it is very late. Well, not that bad. But for a Monday night when I need to be waking up at 7 the next day..not good. Had a long class day and then tonight went and watched Da Vinci Code at the Reitz. That movie was horrible, I thought. And I’m not saying that from an ideological standpoint, but just from a movie standpoint. It was the worst job I’ve ever seen Hanks do in a movie…oh well, at least it was fun hanging out with people. Afterwards, me, Nathan, Leila and Dream hung out for a few hours just talking and talking..which is why I just got back a few minutes ago.

Cold inside and fire fading,
Why can there be no light
when there is the stars
and moon to guide?

Cold outside and fire gone,
Why can I not feel warm
when there are friends
that care and love?

Colder by far
than in the morning
Now I wish the stars
were closer