Tag: journal

James HoganLeave a comment

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!!!!

James HoganLeave a comment

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!

James HoganLeave a comment

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.

James HoganLeave a comment

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!!

James HoganLeave a comment

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!

James HoganLeave a comment

Well, in a few minutes I will be leaving for Jacksonville and from there I will be flying to Houston! I’ll be in Houston for a day interviewing for an internship position this summer; it should be a pretty awesome time. It’s definitely amazing though, thinking back to all the time I spent applying for internships and interviewing, and I never thought I’d be flying to Houston at this time. This will be my second interview with them(Cameron International) and while I certainly would like the position, if I don’t get it, I know God has something better for me! It was pretty neat last night at Creekside college group – so many people knew about this interview coming up and I have so many people praying for me…it’s just ridiculous. I feel so undeserving and blessed, all at the same time. I just can’t wait to see God’s plans for me…

And now, need to do my last check to make sure I have everything I need for the trip. Farewell!

James HoganLeave a comment

Well, the Great Spring Break of ’08 is drawing to a close. And what a week it’s been! I’m absolutely exhausted right now though. A few minutes ago I was lying down, ready to fall asleep before 9:30! I wish I was more coherent now so that I could write more, but I promise a longer post later. And you probably think that’s an empty promise but I actually do have some thoughts written down on paper(from one of the first nights of our Sarasota trip). So eventually(hopefully soon!), I’ll transcribe that onto here. But before I get too far ahead of myself, I think I’ll give a brief overview of this break. On Friday afternoon(a week ago), me, Rob, Bek Cobb and Amy all went to Sarasota for sweet times with Rob’s grandparents. I’ll talk more about that later, but I can summarize it in a few brief words: three days and three disc golf courses. Awesome times.

After the Sarasota trip, we came back to Tampa on Monday and I hung out with my family for a few days. So great seeing ’em all again after so long away…sad because Katharyn’s still out in California at college, but I got to see the parents and Maryanne and Laura at least! So blessed to just be able to be with them and relax at home!!

Alas, I did not have long at home. On Wednesday, my mom and I left for the Ligonier Conference in Orlando! And since most of you will probably not know what that is, feel free to look it up at ligonier.org online. It’d take too long to explain their ministry now! Anyway, it’s basically an awesome Bible conference that’s held yearly. I’ve never been able to go before because of school. But finally this year, I had spring break at the same time! So me and my mom got to our hotel on Wednesday, met my aunt Linda there, and the conference commenced on Thursday and ran through Saturday.

My comments on the conference would run forever if I were to simply open up my heart and let it flow, so I will spare you all. Let it be said that it was indeed a time of great joy! You may think that going to a “Bible conference” sounds exceedingly boring and that listening to multiple sermons a day would be dreadful…but being around so many like-minded people(around 4500, I believe) and being fed by such great preachers…amazing. It’s really hard to describe if you haven’t been there…just suffice it to say I loved it. And ending today singing the Hallelujah chorus in front of thousands of people…a little slice of heaven.

Now though, I feel that my body is crashing and I need sleep. Tomorrow I’ll be back in Gainesville and back to the school routine. But indeed, the Great Spring Break of ’08 has been a rousing success! Thanks be to God! G’night, one and all!

James HoganLeave a comment

I have learned something about myself recently. I could never be a politician. When I meet people, when I talk to people, I want them to know the real me. I want them to know what I’m really feeling and thinking. Obviously I’m not going to just spout out my innermost feelings all the time, but I absolutely hate it when people think something about me that’s not true…being deceitful is something I just really abhor and cannot stand in myself(or others, for that matter!)

And this may seem like rambling(ok, I guess it is!) but it’s just something I’ve been thinking about…

On a completely different note…this past week has been rough, but it’s ended up pretty awesome. Had a nice relaxing day today going to my last two classes before spring break!!! Had an awesome lunch outside, in the Union amphitheater soaking in the sun and having sweet conversation…enjoyed good times with Rob making an absolutely SWEEET dinner. We made pot roast…great roast beef, potatoes, carrots, onions…with chocolate chip cookies on the side. A grand cooking adventure! Deanna, Amy, and Shari came over for dinner and we had good times indeed. How great is the Lord to bless us with such great friendships!! We ate dinner and then watched some Brian Regan as we chowed down on chocolate chip cookies, mmmmm… I much enjoyed today and am so thankful for God’s amazing goodness and forgiveness. And now I’m relaxing before the Great Spring Break of ’08, watching some of “Mr. Smith goes to Washington” before I drift off to sleep. How great is our God!

James HoganLeave a comment

Today was a pretty good day, despite being a Monday and all – it is sort of sad to start the week again, though, after such a great weekend! Anyway, I didn’t get much sleep last night(was watching management lectures), so I was tired much of today. I went to a few info sessions for possible internships and then I made AWESOME chili. Mmmm, was that ever good..I used my mom’s recipe and it turned out surprisingly good for my first attempt. Can’t wait to have the leftovers tomorrow. And now, even though I have homework that’s due soon(Wednesday)…I am tired. My bed calls my name. Good night!

James HoganLeave a comment

Today was a pretty sweet day. Just gotta get that out there.

Such a beautiful, beautiful day! Was rather chilly this morning(but I still loved it!) but it warmed up as the day strolled on. Even though I had my two two-hour blocks today, I still didn’t mind them that much(well, I can say that now that I’m not sitting in them!) since I didn’t have anything to worry about turning in – I could just sit back and soak in knowledge. After my first class(Materials) I went over to the “Meet the Faculty” luncheon for ISE; ate some great Sonny’s and hung out with people there. Went to my stats class after that, but before that, I had a few minutes to just sit outside and marvel at the perfectly blue sky and wonderful winter air…and wrote a short little poem – thought I’d share it with you, despite it not being terrific or anything – will give you a glimpse of what I was thinking…

I look up

see the gold rays

of the sun

piercing through the

Spanish moss.

I look up

breathing deep of

wind-chill air

blessing my soul.

I rejoice.

Stats class went…as usual. I think I semi-understood the material! And the rest of the afternoon was just awesome, getting to hang with fun people and having good times! How great God is for his many blessings on us…what have I done to deserve all this?

Have a great Friday, all!!