Tag: life

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!!

James HoganLeave a comment

Oh boy, tomorrow is my math stats 2 exam…am I ready yet? Nope! So until I fall asleep tonight, I’ll be going over practice problems inside and out. Sounds fun, eh? But enough of that…

Today has been an awesome day, if I disregard everything statistics-related! And why is it so awesome today? Because it’s Dream’s 21st birthday!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DREAM!!!

It’s been such a joy having you as my friend for the past seven years…I can’t believe the time’s gone by so fast!! May God continue to bless our friendship in the years to come…hope you’ve had a marvelous birthday!!

And sorry Dream, but now…I must do statistics.

Hope everyone’s having a great night!

James HoganLeave a comment

Whoa, I’m tired…just got back from my last class. But most of this morning, was chatting it up with the recruiters at Career Showcase. I got to say, it was pretty fun being there and talking with them, but now I’m just worn out! Having to wear a tie for about seven hours probably didn’t help, either! I don’t have any definite prospects, but I did have some pretty good talks with few recruiters, so we’ll see if I get offered anything…

Also had some sweet Arredondo today(spaghetti, meatballs and breadsticks, woo!) with Rob and Laura, which was a nice break after career fair. I have a couple more info sessions tonight and I need to apply to a few places online by tonight if I want interviews. Oh, and I have an online management exam to complete sometime today! So my day’s not over yet…

Hope everyone’s having an outstanding day!!

James HoganLeave a comment

Such a beautiful morning! Went to my class this morning before eight – nice and chilly…just the way I like it! I much enjoyed walking back from my class in the early morning sunshine, looking up at the perfect blue sky and just marveling how great God is to bless us with life. How great thou art!

Alas, I can’t spend all my time enjoying life as this week is going to be very crazy, with career fair going on this Wednesday. I also have multiple info sessions to attend(three tonight!), so this week is pretty important for me as I try to obtain an internship for this summer. And of course, I also have school, which is heating up rather nicely about now…

So, should I do some homework now or take a quick nap(since I had minimal sleep last night)? Hmm…decisions, decisions.

Hope everyone is having an awesome day!!

James HoganLeave a comment

The last couple of days have just been awesome.

I almost don’t want to talk about it, but I guess I can’t just leave you guys hanging! Pretty much today was Creekside day, which was incredible. Went to church and had a great time there, listening to PR talk about worship, which was very encouraging and convicting. Afterwards, had a fun time chillin’ with people(literally – it was in the 30’s this morning!). Got some work done this afternoon then went and grabbed dinner with John while we planned out our Bible study for the semester(it’s going to be over the crazy life of David. I can’t wait). After that we had prayer and praise, which as always, was marvelous. Singing to God, praising God, praying to God…in a fellowship of my closest friends. Nothing better. And after that, it was time. Time for some awesome night games!

Of course it was still freezing outside, but I was well protected with my multiple layers of clothing. We played a couple of games of Capture the Flag(my team lost BOTH, with me diving into the pavement barely missing Ryan as he escaped with our flag. Ah well). After that we played multiple games of Manhunt before we decided it was hot chocolate time…

As we warmed up inside, we sang even more…I’m so grateful God has given me times like this where I could worship Him with my heart and soul, as my friends sing beside me…we sang some of my favorite songs, like God of Wonders, Amazing Grace, and Come Thou Fount. I am so incredibly blessed.

And after that, I don’t know how I can top it with the events of the previous days, but I will say that on Saturday we hung out with the Lebos for most of the day(played LotR Risk as it stormed outside, woo!!). And on Friday I got to hang with Chris and see a few episodes from season 3 of Lost – Season 4 is almost here! And also on Friday got to go to Amy’s rocking birthday dinner/party, which was sweeeet. Good times eating, talking with friends, eating more, playing games…just hanging out with people who are awesome.

And because it is getting late, I will end this now…and the pizza Rob put in the oven is almost done, so time for…a very late dinner.

Good night and God bless!