Tag: journal

James HoganLeave a comment

Sweet day. Despite being super busy and not getting any rest, I enjoyed today greatly. And now I’m very tired. But I’ll try to give a quick summary. Had my 7:30 MicroP class today, which was mostly good, even though my prof packed so much material into our heads, it was ridiculous. After that, met up for breakfast with John to debrief on our bible study on monday…it was great hanging out with him, since I don’t see him all that often. After that, went back to Keys and then to the BCM to pick up my Tennesee football ticket – our seats are high up, but about the 50-yardline, so that’s good. That game is going to be intense – can’t wait!

Came back from the BCM to Keys and then went right over to Weil to do my MicroP lab with my group…it was a weird lab that messed with our heads, but we pretty much figured it out. Then, came back to Keys and then went to what was supposed to be our first flag football game of the year! Sadly…there was much thunder. And lightning. Soo…our game was definitely canceled. But did we care about the storm? Nah…we definitely scrimmaged with the other team for an hour or so. And after that, came back to Keys(for about the fifth time), showered, and went over to Mary’s house for a sweet movie night…we watched the original Batman, which was awesome. So different from Batman Begins, but I loved it. So colorful and hilarious and weird and amazing. And now…I am tired. And should probably do some kind of homework. Sadly enough.

Farewell!

James HoganLeave a comment

I really do like Tuesdays. It seems weird, but my favorite classes seem to be my 7:30 ones. Last semester, I always enjoyed my 7:30 Friday accounting lab. And now that I have my two hour 7:30 Microprocessor class, I’m loving that too – the material is pretty sweet stuff. Gotta love that Boolean algebra. Maybe it’s just the fact that in all my early classes, I have coffee. Yep, that’s gotta be it. Coffee just makes class more fun. Proven fact. Well, in my head at least. And I need to find a buy a good coffee machine and buy some awesome coffee – I’ve come to the conclusion that it will be cheaper in the long run to do that than buy coffee from Java City twice a week.

And to more serious matters…today is September 11th, 2007. So odd to think that six years ago today, I was in my freshman year of high school while four airliners were hijacked by terrorists. While I was in my microprocessor class today, around 9:00 or so, I remembered how six years ago, I had just found out about the attacks while in my second period computers class…how strange it is to think a moment like that is frozen in my memory forever. That day is still clear in my memory, but not as vivid as it used to be. I wish I’d taken the advice of my history teacher in sophomore year to write a detailed account. He told us that we had witnessed history and should record our impressions. I thought of it as schoolwork(thus didn’t do it) but now wish I had. I did write something for a messageboard(BZPower) back in 2002, so thought I’d post that here now(unedited).


Written 9/11/2002

I can still remember that day as if it happened yesterday…

I went to school as normal, my 1st period English progressed like it always did, and then I went to 2nd period Computer and Business Skills; we were pounding away in the typing program when, sort of subconsciously, I saw a teacher come into the room and whisper to my teacher.(This is around 9:00 Eastern Time) Then my teacher told us that a plane had crashed into the WTC and she turned on the TV.
To tell you the truth, I didn’t really think it was that big at first. I thought that it wasn’t that big of a deal, some small plane had accidentally crashed into the WTC, and I thought, Well, that is really sad and probably a few people died, but at least, probably, not too many people were hurt.
For the rest of the period, we watched the TV, but I didn’t really get what was happening. The next period, Team Sports, was outside, so no TV, but in that class, people were saying how the Pentagon had been hit, the White House exploded, and the Capitol had collapsed.
That was when I began to realize it was much more serious. I could not fathom all those landmarks going up in smoke, and I knew this would be a turning point for America.
The next class, Spanish II, was in a portable classroom, so there was no TV, and I still did not totally know what was going on. After lunch, I arrived in 5th period Physical Science and I asked my teacher, “WHAT happened?”
She then told me how both towers had collapsed, the Pentagon had been hit, and a plane had crashed in Pennsylvania. For the rest of the day, I was in shock.
I went to my last class, geometry and for the first time(but not the last) I saw the video of the towers collapsing. Finally, I got to go home. I walked home, like I usually do and saw my family around the TV. We had planned to have a big turkey dinner with one of our friends, an Air Force Reservist, but no one was hungry. Our friend was crying over what had happened, so we tried to comfort her.
I will never forget that day.
And I know how most of us hate Osama bin Ladin and wish he were dead, but I say we follow the the words of Jesus and “Love our enemies” and pray for him.
I will never be the same and I know most of us never will be either.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!
-James Hogan
Sophmore, Gaither High School
Tampa, Florida, USA

And on that somber note, I am off to get ready for Arredondo Room…mmm, beef stew. Haven’t eaten breakfast today, so I’m starving. Hope everyone has a great day!

James HoganLeave a comment

Weekend AT LAST!! It’s been a bit of a tiring week – homework has finally started rolling in. Tonight Rob has some friends from Tally coming, so we’re going to Gator Nights to see a movie…we’re waiting for them to get here, so I figured I might as well post a quick entry…

The other day, me and Rob got up at 4:30 in the morning to go sing(no, not sing, but Rob’s singing, so I just typed that..and yeah, I’m too lazy to backspace)…so yeah, we went to sign up for our flag football league. It was our fourth time doing it…so we’re sort of used to it…we knew to bring pillows. There were about thirty other people in front of us(some with tents!). Anyway, after that, I was dead tired and fell asleep until my 10:40 class(Facilities). And I sure have posted a lot of parentheses in this paragraph.

Besides that, I haven’t done much…except my muse finally came back to me. Don’t know if that’s a good thing, but wrote a couple poems last night. I actually wrote with paper and pencil…first time I’ve done that in a while. And then in classes today, I wrote three more. Anyway, not going to post any of ’em now, but just thought I’d share that. Yes, I tease.

Anyway, we’re about ready to walk out the door. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Stolen from Becca!

James HoganLeave a comment

1.Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4.
“…and was used to indicate the legal repayment or cancellation of a debt or the…”
(Ephesians commentary)…my facilities textbook was about equally close, but I like this one better.

2.Stretch your left arm out as far as you can.
I can’t touch anything…I’d fall out of my chair. But my blue curtains/window are that way.

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?
Um…probably one of the US Open matches. I think it was Serena Williams getting whipped…

4. Without looking, guess what time it is:
10:15?

5. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time?
10:00…eh, I was sorta close.

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
My roommate and friend talking and one of them strumming a guitar.

7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
Last time I went outside, I went to a two hour class, then straight to Wednesday night Bible study…just got back a few minutes ago.

8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
Something on Facebook, probably(besides Becca’s blog, of course)

9. What are you wearing?
blue jeans and a Michigan State shirt

10. Did you dream last night?
Probably…I remember it was weird, but don’t remember the details.

11. When did you last laugh?
Walking into the apartment and commenting on the random smell…and discovering it was my roommate’s 2 week-old leftovers…

12. What are on the walls you are in?
Actually nothing right now…I haven’t put up my posters yet. So my walls are nice and clean…

13. Seen anything weird lately?
Not particularly…besides my Microprocessor notes I’m trying to study for a quiz tomorrow!

14. What do you think of this quiz?
It’s weird and has no logic…but it’s fun!

15. What is the last film you saw?
Um…last night I was watching Attack of the Clones while doing homework…last new film would be Shrek 3 though.

16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?
Give a lot of it to my church and family and friends, buy lots of books and then put the rest in savings so I wouldn’t have to work and could devote my life to ministry…

17. Tell me something about you that I don’t know.
I’m not Jewish…despite my many user names with “Israeli” in them…

18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
I would remove people’s desire for power…but I don’t think I could do that.

19. Do you like to dance?
Do I like to? Yes. Can I? Well…that’s a different question…

20. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
Well, that decision isn’t all mine…but I like the name Alex/Alexandria.

21. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?
John.

22. Would you ever consider living abroad?
Yes, definitely.

Posted this on BZP first…thought I might as well post it here too! Feel free to steal..

James HoganLeave a comment

Well, I really should be doing homework now, but I don’t have class tomorrow and I figure I can get some of that work done then. Yeah, not the greatest plan of attack, but I want to write about this weekend while it’s still fresh in my mind. Let’s just say that my sweet weekend was definitely worth all the homework I’ll be doing these next couple days.

Rob has a family reunion down in Plant City every Labor Day(not sure if I talked about it last year), and I went last year too. So Friday night after his class finished, we drove down to Plant City and listened to some of his music and then a great Relient K/Switchfoot/Skillet CD I’d just mixed. We got there after ten because we took all the back roads to get there, through all the little towns(his car is an ’87 civic and doesn’t do so well at high speeds). Anyway, we got to his uncle’s place eventually and hung out with his extended family for a while…it’s so cool that even though I’m not part of his family, they all love having me there and we’re all able to just be ourselves. Later that night, me and Rob and his younger cousin Nolan went over to his older cousin Andy’s apartment, where we were going to stay. We played some video games(Mario tennis, anyone?) before going to bed.

Saturday morning, we all had to get up early because Rob and his dad and uncles were going golfing. We had a yummy breakfast of sausage and biscuits at the uncle’s house and after that me and Andy and Nolan went back to the apartment and did more gaming…for the rest of the morning. We then went back to the house for lunch, where the rest of the guys had returned after golf. Unfortunately, Rob didn’t win. Anyways, after that, we watched some tennis(Maria Sharapova got beat in the third round sadly) and then played around in the pool. For maybe four hours. I don’t remember exactly, but we were in there for quite a while! I actually wasn’t going to go in at first because I didn’t have a suit, but I got splashed by Cindy(Rob’s sis), so just went in anyway.

That night, me and Rob, Andy and Nolan went to the USF game! It was great because I’d never been to an USF game before OR been in the Raymond James before. We had great seats…unfortunately, the game wasn’t that great, even though they did win pretty handily. USF needs to get better if they want to have a good year. On the way back to Plant City, listened to Beatles music almost the whole way…nothing better than just chilling in a car listening to “Hey Jude”…

That night at Andy’s apartment…well, let’s just say I didn’t get much sleep. We played MORE video games(honestly, I don’t usually game this much!). We played James Bond: Nightfire the most, which was awesome. Guiding rockets in at enemies…doesn’t get much better than that. Due to the extreme lack of sleep which the gaming induced, me and Rob were pretty tired in church the next morning – I felt really bad about that. It reminded me of why I always want to get a good night’s sleep before church.

Anyway, as soon as we got back to Uncle Rob’s, we collapsed in the living room. Rob slept on the floor for about seven hours or so…we didn’t wake up until dinner. I didn’t get quite as much sleep…I woke up for a small lunch and was trying to sleep on the couch, but Cindy was there so we just chilled and talked for a while(i.e., all afternoon). We had a great meatloaf dinner(at which Rob was finally awake) and then we all played cards(Scum, woo!) That night back at Andy’s place, after a little gaming, I fell asleep at eleven while they were still playing. I didn’t wake up until nine the next morning!

That morning, we went back to the house for breakfast, but then me and Rob got on the road again, to Tampa! Stopped in and saw my family for a little while and had a spaghetti lunch. So glad I got to see them again, at least for a little bit! Also called Katharyn and talked to her for a while…she’s really enjoying herself at The Master’s College – she just loves California.

Me and Rob then drove back to Gainesville because there was a Creekside college event going on at four(Lake party at the Moninger’s house!) And it was a sweet house indeed…they had a great dock complete with jetski and boat and tubes and an awesome yard and treehouse and volleyball net…pretty much everything one needs to have fun! We played football for a little while, which was great fun despite having so many people playing. The only touchdown scored was a defensive pick returned for a TD. Well, at least my team won. It was so much fun playing games and hanging out with the people there…and enjoying the awesome spaghetti dinner and ice cream, mmmm.

And that was this afternoon. Just got back a couple hours ago and have been cleaning my room and getting ready for the week. Now, I’m probably going to do some more homework, but just wanted to write all this down. I wish all weekends could be as sweet…

Goodnight, all!

James HoganLeave a comment

School is still rocking! It feels like I’ve been here for a while even though we’ve only had classes for a week. Anyway, leaving tomorrow to go to Plant City with Rob to hang out with some of his family for the weekend. And since Monday’s Labor day, and my only class on Tuesday got canceled, I have a four day weekend. YES.

Last night, we had our first Creekside college group Wednesday night meeting. Such a great time being with everyone again and worshiping Christ together. Today has been super busy, even though I only had my one 7:30 class(which is soo early, but coffee keeps me going). Tonight Rob and I were watching a couple of the US Open matches…some really good ones! Sharapova dominated her opponent, 6-1,6-0; it was very sweet to see. And the one that just finished up, between James Blake and this guy called Santero, was epic. Five sets and it just kept going and going. I have to say, the announcers were hilarious. Obviously biased towards Blake, they called Santero “a piece of gum on the bottom of your shoe that just won’t go away” and “a pesky foe”. Awesome. And yeah, Blake won, FINALLY.

Ok, I need to get a little more work done tonight before the weekend and then I need my sleep. Because I’m already tired. Maybe I’ll grab a Mountain Dew now to keep me going for a while. Yep, sounds good.

James HoganLeave a comment

Well, I’m at the Union right now and have about 20 minutes before class, so figured I’d just write a quick entry. Yeah, basically, I couldn’t think of anything else to do. This morning I had to stop by Criser to check on my financial aid, because for some reason my National Merit scholarship money was not showing up on the website…which was not a good thing. Anyway, they must have just updated it between last night and this morning, because the woman at the counter showed me that my scholarship was there after all..woo! I was pretty worried earlier, thinking somehow I’d forgotten something and lost my scholarship.

And then I came by the Union to check on some internship opportunities, which I did, as well as sending an email to Rockwell Collins. We’ll see what they say…

I don’t want to go into the heat again(it’s just brutal out there) so I’m spending my last few minutes before class writing this. I have Facilities Planning and Operations Research 2 today; it will be fun seeing what the classes are like and hanging with my IE buddies. For some reason, I could not fall asleep at ALL last night, so even though I went to bed at a sort of decent hour, I feel really tired today. And I doubt I’ll get any more sleep tonight…ah well, the life of a college student!

I realize that I’ve been posting a lot more lately…I don’t really know why, but I guess it’s a good thing. I’m actually remembering I have an lj instead of just stumbling across it every month or so! And now I’m off to Facilities.

James HoganLeave a comment

Well, today was the first day of school. Woo! Or..not really. But still, it wasn’t that bad. Only had one class(Microprocessors), BUT it was two hours. And started at 7:25 in the morning. I have got to find a place to get coffee before I go there, otherwise I’m not going to be able to pay attention. But after that class, I was free for the rest of the day! I stopped by work to check in and see what I needed to start on and after that, went to the BCM noonday with Dream and Rob for some sweet food and fellowship with people I haven’t seen all summer. It was weird remembering my freshman year and the first time I went to the BCM for a lunch and how I didn’t know anyone but Dream. Now I feel so old!

Anyways, after that, we walked in the incredibly hot sun to get some books for Dream. After that and my lack of sleep, I had to take a nap back at Keys. When I got up, me, Rob, Rach, Laura and Dream all went to Publix to do some shopping since we all needed to stock up on food. It was sort of cool, my first time doing all the real shopping for myself, now that I have a kitchen and a will to cook(and eat, haha). Me and Rob made spaghetti and I made the inaugural salad of the year. Truly a glorious event!

And tonight, Danika and Devin came over and the four of us played Lord of the Rings Risk…been so long since I played it, took a while to acclimate to the map again. We also watched Return of the King(Extended) on Rob’s laptop while we were playing, so we kept getting distracted by the marauding Orcs and glorious Rohirrim(Forth Eorlingas!) So we never did finish it(I think Danika was winning), and now I probably should get to bed. Thus was my first day of school. Farewell, all!

James HoganLeave a comment

Ok, posting an entry I actually wrote a few days ago, on the 18th. But the Internet wasn’t working then. It is now, FINALLY. I don’t really feel like writing much now, but tomorrow’s the first day of school…and I wish it wasn’t here quite yet. Here’s the entry:

I am writing this on Word right now because for some reason the Internet in here is being stupid and refusing to work. And where am I right now, you might ask? Well, I’m in Gainesville, YEAH! That’s right, the boys are back in town. And today has been such a long day; I really should be sleeping now. Nah.

So I woke up this morning at 3:30 AM. Yep, a little early. Katharyn had a 6 AM flight to California(she’s going to The Master’s College there), so me and my mom had to take her there. Her suitcases were ridiculously heavy, but we got them(and her) to the airport all in one piece. After getting home, I collapsed for a couple hours before getting up around eight to finish packing.

Said goodbye to my family and drove up with David to Gainesville! It was so great seeing the city and campus again – every year I’m here, I just love it more. I got to my room at Keys(which is an awesome apartment style dorm; we have our own kitchen/living room and two bathrooms and private bedrooms) and relaxed for a couple hours as I unloaded what I brought with me. Dad’s actually bringing most of my belongings on Tuesday, so I have to survive until then with my two bags of stuff.

I called people(like Dream and Rob) but no one answered until finally Rob got in town! It was so sweet seeing him again. We unloaded his car and then went and played disc golf with his dad and Liz. I haven’t played all summer, so I was pretty rusty, but it was still great fun. After that, me and Rob stopped by Taco Bell for some sustenance and then just chilled in our awesome pad(where he gave my birthday present – just a little late – Return of the King extended edition..so awesome!) This is going to be such an amazing year – I can already feel it. Our third year at UF…a great adventure is continuing! Hope everyone is doing well…I can’t post this now(stupid Internet), but I will probably post this as soon as it’s restored.

James HoganLeave a comment

Ahhh, I’m so frustrated right now. I know I said I was tired a few minutes ago, but I really really wanted to get some writing done(hmm, maybe I should have been packing instead), but for some reason I just CANNOT write a poem to save my life. I know the subject, I know the feeling, I know the passion…but for some reason, my fingers cannot express the words that my mind feels. Ah well. I guess it’s just not meant to be. At least tonight.

Anyway, while I’m up, just thought I would express a few thoughts on my upcoming third year in college…first of all, it’s just so hard to believe that I’m actually entering my THIRD YEAR. Whenever I met a new coworker at Sweetbay(mostly high school students) and they found out I was already in my third year of college, I received surprised looks at being so old and “advanced”. I was reading through some of my old posts from back in 2004, my senior year at Gaither, and I can’t believe that I’ve already gone through two years of college. In some ways, it’s sad, because I feel I was so much more innocent back then, but I’m also grateful for all the things I’ve learned these past few years, for all the growing(emotionally, mentally, spiritually) that I’ve done. But still, I’m twenty now and I have the feeling that more is expected of me now. I’m not just a high-school student. I’m not just a college newbie. I’m expected to learn how to make my way in this world we live in. Scary, yes. But also inspiring. Because I know I CAN do these things. Sure I’ll struggle(and I already have) but by the help of God I will do amazing things in my future.

And I wonder, what will three more years bring? Three years ago, when I first started this journal, I had no idea what I’d be like in 2007. I had no idea what my direction was or who my best friends would be. But now I know what I’m doing, know that I want to be an industrial engineer, know that I have some awesome friends in my life, people I didn’t even know three years ago. But it’s what I don’t know now that intrigues me. Three years from now, where will I be working? Or will I be working? Will I still be in school? Will I have someone special in my life? I can sort of foresee the answers to at least the beginning questions, but as to the last one, I have no idea. Sort of fun to wonder though.

And that’s another thing that I’ve been thinking more about lately, about having a girl in my life who would be my friend, my love, my future…I know it sounds a little mushy thinking like that, but I do get lonely sometimes for that kind of relationship, despite all the great friends(and great God) that I have. And I wonder what my future holds in that regard. And I pray.

But enough of all that, and back to the future. Or, er, the present. I really am getting rather tired and suppose that I won’t get any writing done now. For real now, goodnight, all!