Tag: life

James HoganLeave a comment

Why am I writing…I don’t know!! I just thought I should, since I’m in the Christian Study Center right now, and it seems I do half my entries from here. Maybe it’s because I’m trying to escape my homework. Yep, I’m sure that’s it. Even though my homework right now is pretty fun. I need to write about a “first” of my adolescent life in either a short story or poem…I have no idea what to write about. Any ideas??

And in other news, the weekend was pretty sweet(as always!!) Last night after Prayer and Praise(in which we did NOT watch the Super Bowl…didn’t really care what happened there), me and Rob and Drew came back to our place and chilled, watching the Ten Commandments. Epicness. Yes.

Ok, I really actually want to write a long post just about the nature of life and emotions and random stuff like that…but I think instead I will pour my muse’s energy into doing my lit homework. Once I think of an idea…hmmm….

Back to staring out the window into the rain. Farewell, all!!

James HoganLeave a comment

Such a great day!!! I am going to sleep soon, but I just had to write a few lines on how lovely today was!! Woke up today and made some bacon and hot chocolate…and then me and Rob and Andrew just chilled at our apartment relaxing and NOT doing homework. Then for some reason I felt pretty tired…so took about a three hour nap. GLORIOUS. After that, I felt so awesome…apparently, I really needed the sleep!

Later this evening, went over to the Lebos house for Mrs. Lebo’s 50th birthday surprise party!!! It was great times(and she was indeed surprised!!). I had a most enjoyable time…meeting a bunch of the Lebos’ cousins, hanging out with tons of awesome people, drinking way too much coffee, playing Assassin, watching crazy homemade videos, making more crazy videos, dancing in the kitchen…fun times or WHAT. I am indeed blessed to have such good friends!!! God is so good to me…He always has been and I am confident that He always will be. Have a great night, all!!

James HoganLeave a comment

Another lovely week has begun! Well I guess it technically began on Sunday, but we didn’t have school yesterday(MLK Day) so this feels like the real first day. It’s already been a pretty sweet morning; we had a good class in Adolescent Lit(turned in my homework for that…the homework was to write a poem…WHAT. How awesome is that!) I’m also very happy today because it’s beautifully cold outside…that always makes me happy!! Oh and the coffee I made this morning was good too…I definitely needed that because I DID NOT get enough sleep last night…so waking up this morning around 5:40 felt terrible. Class was fun though so it was all worth it. I love having an early class that I enjoy going to!! I may post my poem I wrote for homework here eventually…I want to see what the prof says first!

Oh and I don’t think I mentioned it here yet…but the Gators definitely won another football championship a few weeks ago…yeah, definitely my fourth championship here during my four years. Wow. Oh and one more note on that. I WAS AT THE GAME. And it was AMAZING. We beat the Oklahoma Sooners 24-14 YES.

And now I think I shall go outside(currently in the computer lab doing homework) and enjoy some of this awesomeness that is January weather…so great to remember the God that made all of this and is so loving and gracious to us all!! What a mighty God we serve!!

James HoganLeave a comment

Once again I am chillaxin’ at the Christian Study Center…it seems this is my best time for posting lately!! I had a very nice early morning(Ok, 9:35 is moderately early) lit class…I love that class so much because it’s such a sharp departure from my engineering classes. Most refreshing to be talking about books and their mirroring of teen culture rather than discussing the best way to have a lean manufacturing plant(not that that’s bad of course, seeing as that’s what I’ll be doing once I step into the “real world”!) Anyways after class, I ran into Chris and Andrew…great seeing them for a few minutes! Then I meandered on over here and have been enjoying the beautiful day ever since, drinking hot chocolate out on the front porch while reading the paper…the simple pleasures of life!

Anyways, what else should I say…I don’t have class for another hour, so feasibly I could write the whole time and have the most MAMMOTH entry ever. That would be awesome. But of course half of it would probably be rambling nonsense…ohh, I know what else happened today. We got a sweet assignment in my lit class – we have to watch a short film online and then “creatively respond” to it with either a short story, poem, comic strip, or essay. Seriously. That is awesome. I have never had an engineering assignment in which I get to write a poem. Of course, a poem involving time studies and differential equations would probably be most dreadfully dull. I think I’m going to try and write a poem but if my muse won’t help me out with that, I’ll just write a short story. Anyways…enough of talking about lit!

On another note, I’ve been looping Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” on youtube while writing this…it is probably really terrible that that’s been stuck in my head lately. I’m considering buying her latest album just because that song’s so awesome…and yes, I’m a terribly hopeless romantic. I can’t help that! Well, at least most of the time..

And now I need to get ready for class in a few minutes…but I’m just enjoying sitting here sipping my coffee too much right now. I have to say, it’s so weird thinking this is my last semester in which all I have to do is go to classes and hang out with friends…I still can’t really comprehend that my college career is almost over! Even weirder is to think that I started this livejournal account more than four years ago now…when I was still in high school and so ignorant of what my college years would contain. I remember thinking about college and knowing that it would be a grand adventure, but I don’t think I really understood how life-changing it would be. I’ve changed SO MUCH since my high school experience. While high school was super fun…I think I lived my life almost in separate spheres during my high school years. I had my school life and my school friends…and then I had my church life and my church friends. I think I can safely say that I was almost a different person in each of those spheres. Thankfully by God’s grace, these past four years I’ve learned that my true identity is in Christ. These past four years, I’ve become less dependent on man’s praise while I’ve looked ever more to God and His glorious righteousness. Might I always seek to serve God and in serving Him, love my fellow brothers and sisters and the rest of the world. Might I never look to my own glory and pleasure, but always to the glory of God! All that I am is His, because He made me who I am. Sometimes I despair in myself and foolishly wonder what’s going to happen in my future…but why do I forget the goodness of the Lord? Why do I doubt His mighty Hand?

And as I really do need to get to class, let me leave you with one of my favorite verses:

Therefore prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit and fix your hope completely on the grace to be revealed to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. -1 Peter 1:13

Hopefully y’all didn’t mind this rambling post too much…it felt good to just talk and talk and talk…and remember, if anyone did read this all, you get a cookie. Made by me. Which means it is awesome.

Now I am off into the cold. Farewell to all!!

James HoganLeave a comment

Right now I’m chilling at the Christian Study Center enjoying a delicious mocha…and just reveling in the beauty of the day!! Cold weather has arrived again and I absolutely love it!! This morning I woke up feeling quite cold and after my shower, I enjoyed the most amazing mint-flavored hot chocolate..mmmm…

Later, I went over to the Lebos’ place for lunch and then a sweet game of disc golf with Mrs. Lebo, Laura, George and Becca. I have to say, it was PERFECT disc golf weather…or really, it’s just perfect weather to walk around outside in!! Now I have one more class(senior design) before my academic day is over. I probably should start walking there now, but I’m enjoying sipping on my mocha and looking outside at the bright blue sky and palm trees slightly dancing in the breeze…

Hope y’all are having a great day!! And now, I’m off to class.

Another survey…what.

James HoganLeave a comment

I’m having a most relaxing Saturday morning drinking coffee and chillin’ with the fam…maybe later I’ll post a deeper entry. We’ll see. Anyways, survey time!

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Worked a regular 8-5 corporate-type job…weird and great experience.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions for 2008? Will you make more for 2009?
I don’t know if I’ve EVER made New Year’s resolution.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Um…no. What’s weird is to think that in a few years that’s all gonna change…everyone’s getting married, eeek.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
Um…does Texas count? It’s sorta like another country!

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
I honestly can’t think of anything in 2008 that was lacking. Is that bad? Maybe more discipline. That’s never a bad thing.

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Oh boy…too many to think of. Spring break awesomeness in Sarasota. Hiking in the Panhandle with Rob. Two of my top moments from a year full of ’em.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting my first job offer. And becoming more like Christ. Not in that order.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Mmm…can’t think of anything groundshaking, but I wish I could spend quality time with all my friends all the time…it’s something I’ve come to realize just isn’t possible though…

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not really. I’ve been remarkably healthy this year!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Um…my new laptop? That was actually near the end of last year, but I think it still counts. Can’t think of any other big purchases I made.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My whole family, just for being awesome.

13. Whose behavior made you mad and ill-willed?
It’s hard to think of any and even if I could…would I write it here? No.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Haha, food? Yeah, probably food. Oh, and car.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Hangin out with friends this last year of college, ahhhh!

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Stealing from Kady…”Low”…I got addicted to that song this year. And “Violet Hill”/”Viva la Vida” by Coldplay..

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: happier or sadder?
Mmm…probably both actually. Happier because this past year has just been awesome and I have a job to look forward to. Sadder because I know I’ll be leaving basically everyone I know behind when I do start my job.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Prayer, probably. I could always do more of that.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Dwelling on what cannot be. Thinking about the future when I could be living in the present. Very vague responses I know…;)

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Spent time with the fam…ate cinnamon rolls…enjoyed life.

21. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
Started it on St. Joe’s Peninsula hiking with Rob…finished it in Ormond with some of my best friends partaying it up around a bonfire.

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Nope…I’m too young for such a thing! Hehehe…

23. How many one-night stands?
None, thankfully.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Lost…YES.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Um…I don’t hate people. At least I try not to. It’s counterproductive.

26. What was the best book you read?
Mmm…I just started the “Wheel of Time” series by Robert Jordan…that whole series has been awesome…and I’m almost done with it now. *sadness*

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Coldplay. I always figured that since they were popular they couldn’t be any good. I will admit, I was wrong.

28. What did you want and got?
I don’t understand this question…a job, I guess? Good times with friends?

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Mmm, two answers. The Dark Knight for pure awesomeness. And Death Race just because.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 21…whoa. And I spent it with my fam. Nothing better.

32. What’s one thing would have made 2008 immeasurably more satisfying?
Nothing. 2008 was what it was. And what it was was awesomeness.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Um…jeans and t-shirt? What it always is? I don’t really have a fashion concept. I wear comfort.

34. What kept you sane?
God. As He always has.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Haha, probably the different situations in Israel. They always get me the most passionate…oh and the whole little Russian invasion into Georgia. That was sorta interesting.

37. Who did do you miss?
My friends from high school who I don’t to see half as much anymore…it makes me sad.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met lots of cool new people this year…so no comment.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
I’ve learned lots this year…maybe the biggest is just to enjoy life in the present instead of worrying about the future.

Man…2008 was a good year. 🙂

James HoganLeave a comment

Hmm…I just realized I haven’t posted in here since I was in Gainesville!! Well, I most certainly am not going to say I’ll post every day for a week again, because clearly I’m incapable of remembering to do so! I can’t even blame business, because all I’ve been doing for the past few days is relaxing and having fun with the fam!! Today is Christmas Eve, so I finally got all my presents wrapped(ok, I actually started wrapping them today…) as I rocked out to TSO. I like TSO almost anytime, but it’s even better when it actually is Christmas time!!

Today has been pretty relaxing besides the Christmas wrapping(ok, ok, I guess that was relaxing too)…I woke up early to take Laura to work at Wright’s, then had a nice relaxing morning with my coffee and reading. Now I’m listening to beautiful Tallis Fantasia as I type this, waiting for the yummy dinner of steak and fettucine, mmm…and speaking of yummy, I just made the salad for tonight and I just could not resist eating the lettuce as I went. The steaks are almost done and it’s almost time for dinner! And since I didn’t post all of my poems last week, here’s another one, written on December 10th, 2008 as I sat on campus enjoying an absolutely marvelous day:

The water ripples
before the unseen breeze
and the leaves come
floating down.
And the campus quiets.
The clouds swirl in
awe and wonder
and the leaves come
tumbling down.
And the campus stills.
The grass quivers
in joy and light
and the leaves come
dancing down.
And the campus bows.
To our King!

And that is the end of my recent poetry spree – most of it was pretty spontaneous so I hope you weren’t expecting anything of technical genius, but writing them encouraged my heart. And now, dinner time!! Merry Christmas Eve to all!

James HoganLeave a comment

Ok well, I know I promised to write in here every night this week…but let’s just say last night was spent studying madly for my circuits exam which was 7:30 AM. Ugh. Terrible. And the exam was actually not that bad…because out of four questions, I know I got at least 2 right!!! (For circuits, for me…that’s very impressive. I may pull out a B after all!) Anyways, after that, Katie, Corey, Trisha, Rachel(all peeps from class) needed to just forget circuits…so we went to Einsteins and got breakfast and then ate it in the stadium in the beautiful early-morning Florida weather!! It was sooo fun…and also sorta sad because today was Katie’s last exam EVER!! She graduates on Saturday. I’m gonna miss her…

But off that subject, after that I picked up my voucher for my ticket to the BCS TITLE GAME IN MIAMI THIS JANUARY WHICH I AM GOING TO. And yes, that deserved all-caps. Florida vs. Oklahoma, winner take all! I CAN’T WAIT!!!!

Anyways, back to today…following my ticket pick-up, had a sweet disc-golfing adventure with Deanna, Shari and Jamie…such awesomeness!!! It was the perfect follow-up to terrible circuits…just walking around on the beautiful course at Northside Park. Yes. Incidentally, I also had one of my best rounds ever. Not that I’m bragging or anything….ok, maybe I am a little. But hey, I’m allowed to do it. On my own journal!

Again, coming back from off-topicness…once we got back from disc golf, Mr. Lebo and George came over for our epic Finals Week Risk Tournament Extravaganza. And yes, it was quite epic. We started the game around 2:30 and didn’t finish until 10. PM. Ridiculous. We did take a break for dinner(me and Rob made chicken parmesan, which was DELICIOUS…we made two whole pans and we still ate all of it). The game(LotR Risk) was awesome but as always, I ended up getting bored and just going on a rampage of which the end result was me being the first to be eliminated. Ah well. Rob got out next(serves him right for killing my best armies!) and Galan eventually ended up winning…

And now, I’m quite tired. But it is time for the next poem in this week’s series. Enjoy.

The lake, it beckons to me.
Darker than night,
devoid of light,
the lake, it whispers to me.
Unbroken glass,
forgotten past,
the lake, it croons to me.
Burning with fire,
lighting my pyre,
the lake it dances for me.
Oh, I want it!
Oh, I need it!
And I stare into the lake.
For all it wants is to take
my soul.
No!

James HoganLeave a comment

Well, right now I’m at Library West, just finished studying for my circuits quiz which starts in an hour. I’m hopefully ready..but we shall see!! All I can say is that I can’t wait for Wednesday night!!! These next three days are ridiculous…simulations project due today(which is DONE now and I am so exited…that project has cost me so many hours of sleep lately), circuits quiz today, supply chain exam tomorrow(which I start studying for tonight), myth exam Wednesday(which I start studying for tomorrow night) and then our simulations project presentation on Wednesday as well. SO MUCH TO DO! And so little time….

Of course, part of the reason for the little time is all the awesome things that I’ve been doing lately! Friday, a bunch of us(Amy, Deanna, Shari, Jamie, Galan, Cath, Rob, me) got to relax after our long week by going to Las Margaritas for dinner…most satisfactory food, I must say! Good times just chatting and enjoying the utter LACK of school! Saturday was busy…but awesome. I got up relatively early for a Saturday and made Christmas cookies! Classic chocolate mint cookies…which turned out not too shabby, if I say so myself! Then I went over to Katie’s place to watch the SEC title game vs. Alabama!! One of the most nerve-wracking games all year, but we pulled out a victory, 31-20 so we are SEC CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!

And even better…we are now going to another TITLE GAME!!!! We’re going to play Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship game in Miami. I’ll try to get tickets…that would be so incredibly sweet if a bunch of us ended up going!!!!!!! I have to say, this will be the fourth title game in four years…we are quite spoiled. Honestly.

Anyways, after the jumping up and down and celebrating, I left Katie’s and went over Dream’s place for her annual Christmas party…good times dancin’ and singin’ and eating’ and just having fun!!!! I’m so gonna miss these times when I move ever so far away next year!

Moving on, Sunday was sort of a crazy day, too. Trying to work on my simulations project…going early to church to do the camera-work for the service. Decorating wine-glasses for APM…and then the best part of the day, Shari’s Danza show!!!! It was incredibly super sweeeeet!!! I’m not a huge dance fan, I must admit…but when Shari’s on, I love it!!! She was in quite a few dances and even had some sweet solo parts!! Best part of the day, by far!! Afterwards we celebrated her rocking performance by partying at the Gelato Company! We also found out that she’d jammed her toe in the very beginning but still danced the whole time…and NONE of us could tell anything was wrong. Hardcore.

Well after that, I had to work on simulations project more and ended up staying awake until almost 3. Ugh. Woke up at 8 to study for my circuits quiz today, so I am still quite tired now. When I was on the bus, started getting dizzy and I realized I hadn’t eaten anything substantial since around 5 yesterday! So I got some Subway and ate it outside Anderson Hall…such BEAUTIFUL weather we’ve been having!!! And now I am cooped inside the library, but I am done studying for and will now dominate this circuits quiz.

Hope this update has filled y’all in on what I’ve been up to lately…I’ve been a bit stressed with all I have going on…but God has given me the strength to keep on keepin’ on. What a mighty God we serve!