College Salutations

We just had fall break. Monday and Tuesday were ours to do with whatever we wanted. It was nice; I hung out with the family and some "old" friends. Zac and I traveled back to UNK last night. We left kind of late, and usually you don't find parking spots after 9ish.

Somehow, I caught a spot fairly close. Quickly, Zac snagged it. It was cold and a bit rainy. We got all of our crap together. For me, it was my backpack, duffle bag, and laundry. I had my hands pretty much full. Zac had about the same, but minus the laundry and had another duffle bag. As we walked up to CTW there were people outside smoking. Not a big surprise.

Ignoring them, we were shoving through without touching anyone. Somehow, we were looked at weird for trying to get inside. I managed to open the door, God only knows how, and I hear a voice behind me, "Yeah, it's nice to see you Keygan." Not wanting to be rude, I turned around and backed into the door holding it open as Zac walks in. It was someone who is in the FAB quite often that I occasionally talk to. I smiled, "Oh hi how was your break?" They stared at me for a bit and said, "No f--- you, I don't care." Confused, I shook it off and backed into the building. Zac was laughing as I caught up with him. He heard.

That didn't bother me all that much. Whatever, I thought. Why should I care what they think of me? There's only One that I care what they think about me, and He is much more important and powerful than anyone else.

However, I have an 8 o'clock class on MWF. This morning when I woke up it was cold and rainy. I got back from my morning classes about half an hour ago. I'm not as wet as I was, but still pretty damp...

Slapped with Solace

Zac and I had a short but sweet conversation tonight about finances, because let's be honest, us college kids aren't the richest on the planet. However, he said he likes it more when he has nothing. He enjoys being broke. This confused me, a lot. If I don't have much money I worry about it and freak out because I don't know what will happen. I told Zac this and he relied with, "exactly."

I gave him a puzzled look; he explained. "Now that I don't have any money I have to rely on God because there's nothing else I can do. I don't or rather can't worry about what will happen because I can't do anything about it. It's up to God. I have to let Him decide." That makes sense.

I then explained to him about my financial concerns. I don't have a job right now and my graduation money/savings bonds are dwindling down, and I really want to march drum corps this summer. My parents aren't going to pay for it all, I know that. I'm trying out for Troopers and expect myself to get in, as well as paying for at least half of it myself. Right now, if I wouldn't be possibly doing that this summer, wouldn't be as worried about finances as I am now.

God kind of slapped me in this face and calmed me down. As if to say, "I got it. Don't worry about it. If I want you to march with Troopers this summer, you will. I know how badly you want to."

It was the most comforting slap I've ever received.

Bigot Ball

He kicked another one from the right side. It was a far distance and his right side was his weak side as well. It bounced off the left goal post. Frustrated, he jogged after it. It was 11:30 on a Saturday morning and Brett had been up since 7:00 practicing. His team had managed to make the state tournament and being one of the senior leaders, he wanted to give his team the best chance possible to get as far as they could. Maybe even win it all.

Brett put the ball in the same place and tried again. He knew he had to pull it back to his right a bit. He did so, but too far. The ball hit the side of the goal. He got it and put it in the same spot again. This time he knew how to get it in. He vaulted it with his foot and the ball met face to face with the back of the net. He did it twice more to make sure he could do it and it wasn't a fluke.

Pretty soon, his friend Alex showed up. He was going to go grab some food together. Alex was on the JV team; he wasn't the greatest player. Partially because he didn't practice, but he also wasn't as passionate about it as Brett. Alex walked onto the field. "You ready to go?" he asked Brett. "Almost, I just have take a couple more shots." Brett launched the ball towards the goal, it went in. "Nice," said Alex. "Thanks." Brett moved on. He took another shot from almost midfield. It hit the top crossbar of the goal and bounced back towards him. "Do you always do that when you take a shot?" Alex asked.

"Do what?"
"Right before you kick it, your arm comes out."
"I do it for balance. Don't want to fall over you know."
"Oh, well, I guess not."

Brett set up the ball to try the shot again. "It just seems kind of unnecessary," added Alex. Brett ignored the comment and kicked it. This time, it went in with ease. "Alright, I'm done."

As they walked back to the cars, Alex wasn't satisfied. "It's just, when I practice, I don't do that." Brett looked at him, "You practice?" "Of course I do," said Alex. Brett gave him a suspicious look. "It doesn't seem like it." "Just because I'm on JV doesn't mean I don't practice at all Brett. Give me a little bit of credit." He backed off, but Alex didn't. "You think that because you're starting varsity, you practice a lot more than I do?" Brett remained quiet. "I work just as hard as you do. I practice every day." Finally, Brett piped in.

"But I can't see it."
"See what?"
"The practice; I don't ever see you practicing and I also don't see it when you play."
"You think you're better than me."

Brett bit his tongue, hard. Alex stared at him. "Well, I am starting..." Brett said. Alex peeled away. He's the expert on soccer now Brett thought. He doesn't know the hours I put in. He doesn't know the things I've sacrificed. He left a ball on the field. He ran at it with frustration and kicked it. It veered right. Brett slowly begin jogging to get the ball and try again.