Withdrawal...already. i know.

Withdrawal, you ask? From what? Well, today I discovered my biggest time-suck over the last few weeks. Other than work, of course :) I have been watching the endless array of movies they cycle on satellite TV channels nowadays- I guess during the summer they have no regular programs, so they play tons of movies. I didn't know that, because I wasn't at home last summer, and my parents just got it when I went off to college. Go figure. So, now that I'm at home, trying to productive with my shortened supply of free time, which is gradually narrowing, I'm still finding myself spending more quality time with Bruce Willis and Pixar than with Mom and Ryan. Dad's been busy the last week helping at Mr. O's fireworks stand, but that's another story. Anyway, as is my custom with dealing with addictions once I realize they're developing, I go on a fast to practice discipline and use the time for more important things. And hopefully I spend far more of the time focusing on God than on too many other things. So here we go, a week-long fast. Today's Day 1, and I'm already craving a good action flick.

By the way, I didn't mention- if any of you all REALLY want to read the other posts, however fruitless and boring they were, let me know and we'll work something out.

Back to work. From yesterday, of course. I'm getting a nice farmer's tan going, by the way.

I'm also getting to work with regular old, average guys, just trying to provide for their family. Blue collar workers instead of highschoolers looking for a better paying job than Braum's. And that, in and of itself, has been quite the experience. I came in, expecting to work like a dog, just trying to keep up, despite my prior lawn mowing experience. And I came to realize, even though it is tough work, and even though they as Mexicans work hard, there's no incentive to kill themselves when they're being paid by the hour. They're still managing to stretch the hours, to do the minimal work necessary such that no one complains. And it's not like anyone can expect any better- the work is hard enough as it is, and their bodies are wearing out with the work and poor nutrition- They have burritos or tacos made of tortillas and meat every day for lunch. They have little water if any- it's usually beer, coffee, tea, coke. One of them hates the taste of water. Several of them chain smoke, and I'm sure some of them smoke all kinds of illegal stuff. Good times, I tell ya. :) The thing is, I want to look at my work and know that I've done a good job. But all the stuff we do just ends up feeling sloppy. I honestly think we do a good job, compared to the other crews we see around. So it's probably just the business in general.

All that being said, I know at this point I couldn't do this job for any extended period of time. I dunno- maybe I'd get used to it, and maybe it was initially the 630 wake-up call, but I really think I couldn't do this for several years, not like they're doing. Just too demeaning- I wouldn't feel the sense of accomplishment like I do normally.

But it's a good summer job for a college kid. I enjoy the perks, whatever they may be :) It's already taught me in some ways more about the "real world" than Spain ever did. And it's going to be good motivation for college, for once!

Anyway, I gotta get to bed. Always keeping the schedule now, I know. No fun at times, but I let myself off the leash on the weekends. God, guide us day by day.

A New Season...

Well, I decided to begin a new chapter in the storyline of my life, and accordingly leave behind the old one. Who knows what it'll bring?

I apologize to those of you who are going to want to finish the monster of a blog I put up. I didn't honestly expect anyone to keep up with that much reading material, but I thought it would be something I could look back on. So I did. I kept writing. And I think more than anything, I amazed myself at what genuine inspiration, relaxation, and time could bring. I'd obviously never done any sort of free writing before. And just like writing music, I've discovered it incredibly refreshing. Enlivening. And always original. Just to, well, create something is enough for me.

As far as the old topics I've left behind, I'm sure I'll find myself twiddling my typing thumbs a time or two, so I'll be sure to revisit and venture on in what happened while I was there. And no, the ridiculous influx of blog-worthy thoughts has not stopped- and thanks to the rest and carefree spirit I caught while abroad, it's exploded- which definitely isn't a bad thing! :) Thanks God. It's definitely an obvious way He's working in my life, day by day.

Ok, where to begin? How about what I did today- because, obviously, my schedule has changed a wee bit from the carefree European lifestyle. Today I rose as usual at 630. yes. AM. and I packed up my stuff and raced off to work. This summer I am working for a landscaping company- and no, not for Mr. Brown, but a full-time company. Yes. With Mexicans. Which is so AWESOME!!! Now, the irony of my job is that my boss' big pet peeve is...being on time. If you even remotely know me, I have a horrendous habit of showing up fashionably late to everything. I was even late to personally interview with him initially, and he warned me afterward, which made me almost want to skip on to the next landscaping company. But, as good ol' Dad said, maybe God's saying it's time to grow up. ya. thanks, dad. So, he wants us there from 730-745 each morning- yikes! And you may wonder, how are even keeping this job, Chris? I credit my newfound emphasis on rest (which I learned last semester) and probably more importantly, the fact that his time sheet clock is about 15 minutes late. yes. no joke.

So I'm getting a second semester's worth of Spanish-speaking immersion. So awesome. And we work until at least 5, with 30 minute lunches, so I get gooood hours.

Ok. I still got lots to do before I go to sleep, so I'll continue tomorrow. Love you guys and I still miss you all!! God, guide us day by day, in the good, bad, and monotonous.