Differences In Guys & Gals

Why is the communication between guys and gals so different? I am really thinking men are from Mars and women are from Venus. Now guys say to girls "you are acting like a girl" and girls say to guys "you are such a boy"...but would we really want it any other way? Is this not why opposites attract?

Communication is key to any relationship and it is seriously hard. I am learning more and more every day how necessary open lines of communication is. And I fail pretty bad at it at times. I was raised in a don't speak, don't share, don't feel family which pretty much has carried over into my adult life and the fact that I try and keep stuff inside and think either I can fix things myself or they will just go away. However...that rarely holds true.

One area of life that I think guys and girls are different is their need for alone time. I get in this mode every few months where I get pretty much tired of people in general and just want to retreat to myself. Read a book, watch a movie, journal, go for a drive, take a trip alone, sleep...whatever it may be. This may be selfish on my part and you may think I am anti-social but it is really something I need for me. In talking to other guys they seem to agree that alone time is healthy and too much of a good thing (AKA spending time with people) can be bad at times. Maybe this is just a guy thing. Girls seem to be very relational and they would rather spend time with people and if they feel like they have a lot going on they would rather talk about it then spend time alone. Girls feel pushed away when guys just want to spend a little time to themselves. Does anyone have any explanation for this and why the two are so very different?

Maybe this is a life long mystery and the two were never meant to understand each other! I sure hope that when I have children I don't have all girls!!!

Calgone Take Me Away

Not sure how many of you remember the commercial that said "Calgone Take Me Away". I am not even sure if that commercial still even exists. Well, today seemed to be one of those days. Wasn't a bad day but I just wished I could be far away on a tropical beach reading a book and sipping on a beverage.

The morning started off very interesting. I feel bad to say I received some news that made me very happy. If you are reading this I don't want you to think I am a horrible person, however I got news that a co-worker turned in their two week notice today. I get a long with all of my co-workers except for this one individual. This person I generally avoid like the plague. For some reason we just don't get along. I know that this person talks to others about me behind my back. And I think it might be that I question this person at times and they don't like that. For the position that this person holds I just feel like they are not the best candidate. There are other staff who feel the same way as I do...so for some this announcement today came as a shock, some were sad, and others were ready to party. Out with the old and in with the new in 2007! Haha! Some good news is that there may already be a replacement candidate in the works that I like very much and really get along with so I m keeping my fingers crossed!

The day progressed and I realized just how much work I must get done before I leave for training in 8 days. I will be gone for 6 days for a regional training event. I then return for 3 weeks to leave for Texas for a national training event. Just when you think things calm down after the holidays I have to kick into high gear for the next semester. Something I have come to realize is that regardless God is in control. I used to get so stressed that everything had to be perfect and now I realize that everything always works out regardless so no need to stress!

This afternoon I attending a funeral for my roommate/best friend's grandfather. It was a nice service and reception. Many spoke of the 78 years of amazing memories that they had with this man. It made me sit back and think a little...What are people going to say at my funeral? When the day comes that I pass on, are people going to speak of good things that I have done? I don't think I am a horrible person but I have always wanted my funeral to be a celebration. Many probably think I am morbid at the age of 23 speaking of my funeral. But when I die I want people to be happy and to laugh at all the stupid things I did and smile as they remember me. I guess the motto lives true...Live Each Day As If It Were Your Last. I want to make lasting impact on the lives of people and I need to look at each day as a new opportunity to invest in others.

Now my evening concludes with relaxing at home...doing some chores...maybe reading a book. These past few days I have just felt different. Felt like I needed some alone time. Seems as if I have been reflecting a lot on the past and where I want to go in the future. Maybe I am being anti-social...maybe it is just that phase of the month where I just need to rest and enjoy life.

Until next time...
Derek

Feeling Old...

I am really starting to wonder what is it with the weddings all around me? I have had this conversation with my good friend Becky and it is just crazy that it seems everyone and their mama is getting married! She counted some crazy number like she has known of 17 engagements in 12 weeks. I can't say I know of that many but there has been a bunch! I am going to need to get a raise to afford presents for all these weddings I will be attending in spring and summer! Haha!

What put the icing on the cake (no pun intended) was last night I came across the my space page of one of my students that was on my student leadership team in 2003-2004. He is 20 years old and is engaged! There is a countdown on his page...155 days until he gets married! I officially feel old knowing that one of my students is getting married before his adult leaders! Crazy times!

Well, I should probably get ready for work. Adios for now!
D~

Quote of the Day: "Marriage requires a person to prepare 4 types of "Rings": Engagement Ring, Wedding Ring, Suffering, Enduring"

Waffles & Spaghetti

Today I was talking with a co-worker about the differences between women and men. He told me that one time someone broke it down to him like this...Men are like waffles, they like things to fit with in the box, they compartmentalize things into little squares...work, recreation, dates, appointments, etc. Women on the other hand are like spaghetti...everything is all intertwined, and everything that happens in life can be related to another area of life, they can't turn things off and on like men.

I began to think of how true this really is. I have known for some time that men are very black and white and women are every shade of the rainbow. The question that perplexes me is how the world do you make both man and woman stay on the same page without killing each other? I stand by the saying "Women, can't live with um, can't like without um!"

When I Google searched waffles and spaghetti...what to my wondering eyes did appear...a book! Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti. I am thinking I need to check into this book and see what it has to say. Maybe it will answer the life long mystery of questions on the inter-workings of the male and female species!

Yesterday was an interesting day. I went to the beach with Ashley and Kristin and it was a ton of fun. But after 13 hours with two females the male inside of me was really wondering how the heck guys and gals can be so different in how they process things. In the end I realize that I have no answers, we really are just wired differently! (Oh and at least I concurred climbing the massive rock in the ocean.)

Adventure is not outside man; it is within. --George Eliot

Finish the sentence...

Thanks BK for allowing me to waste time!!!

Finish the sentence...

I don't know...what I ultimately want to be.
I talk...too much at times and not enough at others.
I love...naps!
My best friend...is getting married in May. He also is one person that really knows me well.
My first real kiss...I wish didn't happen.
I hate it when people...are rude.
Love is...hard yet worth it.
Marriage is...happening all around me.
Somewhere, someone is thinking...that they need God's help.
I'll always...enjoy being lazy.
The last time I cried was because...I was upset.
My cell phone...needs to be switched to my new phone.
When I wake up in the morning...I wish for 10 more minutes of sleep.
Before I go to sleep at night...I put in my retainer.
Right now I am thinking about...upcoming trips out of town.
Babies are...ugly when they are first born, but truly a blessing.
Today I...had lunch with some awesome friends.
Tonight I will...probably go to the movies.
Tomorrow I will...be in Pismo.
I really want...to know what my future should look like.

Sick @ Christmas

I officially think being sick at Christmas stinks! I started feeling like I was coming down with something Wednesday night and it has progressed each day. Today I spent the majoirty of the day asleep. Due to this dumb illness I have already had to miss college group with Ashley, a party with friends, miss spending time with my grandma who was here from out of town, and miss hanging out with one of my good friends. I was already to have an awesome five day weekend with friends and family and instead I have spent the begining of it in bed. I hope that I start feeling a lot better soon so I can enjoy the rest of the holidays.

Well, that is all for now. Have a very Merry Christmas!
Derek

Random Fact Of The Day:
I have not shaved in five days and I now have an almost full beard. Probably time to shave.

I Say Grrrr 2 Technology!!!

Wake up at 8am...alarm on cell was set for 6:15am but failed to go off! Freakin blackberry...grr!

Turn on laptop at 2pm and totally screwed up! Had to uninstall and reinstall a bunch of stuff...grrr!

Tried to print some pics for Christmas gifts and photo printer first wouldn't read my flash drive and then once I got the thing working it was out of ink! Grrr to no ink!

In the process I realized I lost my digital camera...in the moment grrr. But I got home and finally found it!

Sometimes I question is technology helps or hurts us? I feel like I wasted a lot of time because of technology today!

Good night...D~

Pic I was trying to print...me and sissy with Santa.

Da Bomb Dot Com

One of my more recent sayings is "That is da bomb dot com" (aka dabomb.com) So, what exactly is da bomb dot com? It is similar to my other favorite sayings "That's tiz-ight!" Basically they both means pretty freakin awesome!

This weekend was pretty da bomb dot com in my opinion. I spent a lot of quality time with some of the most important people in my life. I know one of my struggles in life has been putting work before play and this weekend I got to spend a whole lot of time in play which was awesome. If we don't make life fun, then what is life worth? Friday night was fun times with Ash. Saturday more fun times with Ash as we Christmas shopped and then car shopped as Ash bought her first new car, and then I got to meet her cousin Josh who is pretty awesome too. Today was great with church, lunch with my new church family, and then to the movies to see "The Presuit Of Happyness" (Yes that is a Y, not an I). The day concluded with working a little and doing some wrapping of gifts. All and all a da bomb dot com weekend!

So, in seeing the movie today I had a chance to step back and ask myself what is happiness and how exactly am I presuing it? I think so often I short-change being happy. For instance, tonight I got home, had stuff to carry in from my car, and someone was parked in my parking spot, a covered stall that is reserved for me...well me or my roomie. Someone had the nerve to part there. I got all pissed off that someone parked in my spot. Seriously, something lame to get mad at right? Why did I sacrafice my happiness by letting someone make me mad. Maybe whoever parked there needed that spot just for tonight? This year it really does not seem like Christmas. It is hard to believe that Christmas is in one week. This week will be nuts with Christmas parties, wrapping gifts, purchasing last minute presents, and the joy of seeing relatives I hardly see throughout the year. One thing I have been trying to tell myself this Christmas is to remember the real reason for the season. Yes, I admit that can sound a little cheesey. But really, Christmas become all about the gifts, the long lines, the lack of parking, the obligations. Really the only gift that matters came over 2000 years ago and I would never want to consider the gift of Jesus Christ entering the world as an obligation.

The challenge for me this week will be to remember the real meaning of Christmas and to persue the happiness that can only be found in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Have a great night and amazing Week Before Christmas!!!

In Him,
Derek

Today in a nut shell....

was pretty good. I am tired. I got up at 5:30am to take a friend to the train station, luckly I came back and crashed again. But I still don't feel fully rested...I have been tired all week for some weird reason.

Had a yummy lunch at Olive Garden. It was a strategic meeting for our high school ministries. For some reason I just feel uncertain as to the impact of our clubs and what direction they should be going next semester and in coming years. Lots to ponder.

Other highlights of the day...My mom officially got her promotion at work! I am way excited for her. I went to see a specialist about the pain I have been having in the area where I had surgery just 11 months ago. Everything checked out fine...nothing torn or injured...just soreness around the area of scar tissue. Basically I just have to live with it which is fine as long as I don't have to have surgery again! I also got to catch up with my awesome buddy Kevin today! We try and talk about once a month or so but its been a while, he lives in Michigan. Kevin and I roomed together at Summer Institute in Indiana and made a YFC relationship and a deep friendship. It was great to talk! I am looking forward to seeing him in January as he will be in Southern California and then we are rooming together again in Dallas at Mid Winter in February! Super excited to see him again. My day will continue to be amazing as I get ready to go hang out with my amazing girlfriend...it has been a hectic week and we are looking forward to catching up, eating some pizza, and watching some movies.

So...with that said...have an awesome night my friends!!!
D$

Wow...It's Been A While!!!

So, I found out a few days ago that my good friend Becky created a Blog Spot. And it made me stop and think...oh wait, I have a Blog Spot! Today I decided to log in and was in total shock that the last post was from August of 2005! Over a year and four months ago! Many changes have taken place since my last post...I thought I would follow up to "The Unknown".

So, I recall that I didn't pass the challenge exam I was referencing...I think I got a 78...just two points short. I was majorly ticked off and I tried to challenge the questions on the exam but was shot down by the Dean of Academics! However, I did end up taking the classes I needed and ended up graduating on time from Heald in January. I have since returned back to school at Colorado Christian University...taking all online courses!

The question of should I return to volunteering with Campus Life cracks me up! I forgot that I was debating it! Little did I know at that time I would return to volunteering and end up on full time staff!!! Nine months after that last post I accepted a position with Youth for Christ! I am lovin it!!! That also answers the unknown quesion about my career. I ended up leaving that job, going to work for another company...hating it...and ended up at YFC!

I assume I eventually felt better from my illness at the time or I probably wouldn't be here writing this today...some 16 months later.

I ended up staying with my old roommate through the summer of '06 and then moved out of my condo and in with my best friend, Brad. Just last night we were talking about how crazy it is that we have lived together for 6 months. Now he is getting married in 5 months. Freakin weird!

Shortfalls are continual. That is one thing I have learned. We are NOT perfect. I fail every day. It's learning from my failures or my mistakes which is key. God has continued to bless my life and teach me new things both personally and in respect to relationships with others.

So, I think I touched on a responce to the unknown...which has become the known. Haha. Change of job into full time ministry and returning to school were two big changes in life. One new change is that I have an amazingly beauitful new girlfriend, Ashley. The Lord has truly blessed me by providing this fun, caring, challenging, awesome, woman of God. I posted a pic of us below.

Well, I shall put this post up and make it an effort to post other random thoughts from time to time. Thanks for reading this...if anyone other there is reading this...hahaha. God bless and Merry Christmas!!!

DeReK