Post Grad Thoughts

I am drowning in a sea of my own thoughts right now. Thoughts of friends, places, and even smells of campus are still a foot in my mind. Most have only 4 yrs and go home during winter and summer breaks to help to break the attachments. I didn't have those...i was there 5 yrs and seldomly leaving campus for only a week or so. i feel like a very important piece of my life has been ripped from me and i feel bit empty inside right now.

The prospect of an unknown future is also a bit unsettling to me right now, as well as not being able to see Ashley everyday...these are things that not the easiest to cover come right now. All i have are my prayers and my Jesus for now...

Trans Siberian Orchestra and Trans Siberian Driving

Well I went to see Trans Siberian Orchestra last night in Buffalo with Ashley, Aaron, Toaster, Mike, Pat, Kyle, and Andrew. The Lights and sounds were truly a buffet for the senses; easily the finest concert I have ever seen. My favorite of the performers was Alison Zlotow, a wicked violinist. She played so fast and broke so many bow strings it was great; a gifted musician indeed. After stopping a local pub for dinner afterward, we set out for home about 12:30am. For the next 2-3 hours the weather was awful. A complete whiteout. We were the only ones on 190 and 90 at all, going no more than 20 mph and not being able to see beyond the end of the hood it was really scary. At 1 point we were ready to stop for the night at a hotel, we would have if our prayers had not been anwsered the snow stop in the last leg of the trip. We were completely safe by the grace of God. This Trans "Sibera" snow storm is one i'll not forget soon....

Catching Up and Appreciating Things

So as i was updating facebook when I saw i had a blog, which i forgot I had until now, lol. I thought it be nice to update and reflect on things in life some. Since Thanksgiving is soon, I have been pondering what am i thankful for?

John Adams once said that "there are two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live." As my undergrad education begins to come to a close, the obvious question of 'what's next?' is the obvious response i think. From Pre-school to College, which is 19 of the 23 years of my life, I have been preparing and being prepared to make a living as well as learning how to live through out it all.

There is little doubt that Christ has been the one who has taught me how to live, especially, in recent years. However, the question of what kind of living will i be making in the next few months has been close to my heart for obvious reasons. In less than 4 weeks, the world i have know for 5 1/2 years will be closed off to me, with only a piece of paper my only consolation. And, not having found a job yet as well as not having heard back from any law school has been difficult for me. I am the kind of guy who likes to know what will happen next. But I take comfort in my other education. For Christ has taught me he is certainly the God of the impossible, and that is where i want to live and dwell. I am Thankful that Jesus is showing me how to live as well as where to work. I just need to be patient and pray.

I am also so very thankful for my Ashley, and today reminded me of the fact, she is my dearest friend and most chariest helper. As I have been sick the last few days, she came over and did my laundry and dishes while i was resting. She has a servant's heart and a prayer warrior's spirit.

Lastly, as i am leaving soon, I have been thinking about all the friends i have made since college and how much they have meant to me. Not having a lot of good friends before college, i am grateful for my community, my brothers and sisters in Christ, and my fellowship. When I first became a Christian and got one of those big study bibles, I began to write the names of all the people i cared about, so as to not forget them later on in life. All of these ppl have shaped my faith in some way and for that i give thanks and am Thankful.

Here is a list of the friends that impacted my Christian Walk in some way while I have been at Behrend these last 5 1/2 years (This isnt an exhaustive list, so i am sorry if i missed some one, i am only human can't remember everyone and I used the married names for any married women on this list)

Tim Perkins
Josh Martin
Cassie Rummel
JR Rummel
Dan Martin
Tony Undercoff
Matt "Swany" Swanson
Rob Kerns
Liz Kerns
Nate Sumi
Amanda Hovis
Ben Riser
Andy Geibel
Todd Fitizic
Will Kohler
John Wagner
Mark Carrier
Scott Crossley
Aaron "Unlce Llama snugglepants" Wood
Dan Kubacki
Andrew C.
Justin McKinney
Abby Larid
Amanda Perkins
Adam "bear" Galiger
Tom Kronenberg
Nate Sackel
Brian Mitchel
Kristy Waterloo
Jon "Fanman" Parise
Evan Bell
Kristen Dunbar
Kristen Parise
Sarh D.
Tony "80s" D.
Steph Macek
Adrian Laird
Louise Van Mook
Rein Reed
Matt Lawerence
Patt Harris
Steve Kallback
Steve Brawn
Kory Blose
Adam Esbenshade
Joe Previte
Michelle Previte
Andy George
Paul Hassel
Jesse R
Amanda Adams
Jen Freer
Kristen Copeland
Marlena Rilley
Joe Pistone
Denis Pistone
Mike Milk
Cheryl Prez
Leo Prez
Vaughn Gorton
Mary Ellen Gorton
Franando V.
Raymon V.
Leon Benezra
Alica Klinvex
Brianne Lilly
Tell Victors
Andrew Law
Kelly Allhouse
Ashley Loker (my fav)
James Price
Amy Laird
Mike Knabe
Mike Horning
Katie Knight
Blair Henry
Meg Marong
Pat Mentzer
Amber Thompson
Rechelle Neyman
Cori Pinka
Liz Ellis
Amanda "Toaster" Placek
Sally McKinney
Nikki Kochmanski
Megan Gearheart
Pat Extein
Andrew Makepeace
Casey Robinson
Kyle Blazek
Mike Wargo
Elliott Epstein
Erin Kiesel
Zack Mentz
Mike Roddy
Don Lee
Jason "Seamus" Kohute
Molly Eberly
Brad Sick
Rose Skiba
Keith Estelle
Ellie Repkova
Mary Tyron
Aeriale Krammer
Michelle Curren
Dan MacAdrew
Annie Micheals
Ryan V
Doug Stefnoski
Jaryn Ha

Introducing the Cast

As Shakespeare wrote in 'As You Like It' through character Jaques says: "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts".

With that little tidbit, I hope to use this blog to share some of the 'many parts' i'll be participating in over the course of well my life...or a least until blogging becomes unpopular and something bigger and more fancier hits the internets...

Any who...I am Brad, welcome to my world.

Some of the cast, of whom i maybe writing about periodicilly include:

Jesus Christ: My Savior and Lord, King of kings and LORD of lords. what more can i say

Ashley: My Love and Best Friend, 2nd only to Jesus.

Andrew: roommate and most likley to win a noble prize in physics

Pat: roommate and M.E.

Mike: new roommate, more info TBA

Kyle: sudo roommate, who likes to visit and lot and bring stuff to make me fat.

Jason: friend and likes to 'crush it' a lot as well as tea

James (fred): BBQ, Dota, on fire, and a good friend, what more can i say

Aaron: he is a llama and older than me.

.....and others to follow in time most assurely

The Pilot

As my 1st of, hopefully, many blogs, i want to begin just by saying hello to the blogging world. Hello!