Summer Has Come to a Close

If you were up and on the road before gas stations open on the weekdays this summer and happened to be driving down the interstate from Atlanta to northeast Georgia, there is a good chance that blue and silver bullet you saw on the highway was Ole Blue. Those who know me realize that calling my truck a bullet would suggest that my truck and me may travel even somewhat fast. That is a loosely-worded suggestion.

This summer I completed my first of two fieldworks (or an internships for you non-OT people) towards my occupational therapy degree and was lucky enough to be at Peachtree Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (POC) in Dunwoody, an outpatient clinic.

POC is the official orthopeadic company for the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks, which all is good and fun to say but to those of you about to ask, do you think Braves General Manager Frank Wren would let a student rehab his players? You know better. The Hawks and Braves have their own therapists that go to the players anyway, but it was a tremendous learning experience nonetheless.

My fieldwork educator was Missy Thurlow, a well-respected hand therapist in Georgia and throughout the Southeast. Not only was she able to guide me through the summer and provide instructions from how to fill out charts to dealing with problem patients, but she will hopefully serve as a huge resource as I set out on the hunt for a job this time next year. She deserves all my thanks for taking me under her caring wing for the past three months.

Missy and one of her more famous patients,
 the world's No. 1 golfer Rory McIlroy.

While at POC, I was able to see everything I could have possibly wanted to. I followed a doctor around in the office to see what an initial visit looks like before we OTs will ever see them. I saw multiple days of surgery, which was much more interesting than I could have ever imagined. So much so that I have talked to some of the new first year students about joining in on some of their cadaver labs so I might can perform my own surgeries.

By the end of the summer, I had my own case load and was acting as a full-fledged therapist, except for having to have my documentation co-signed by a licensed occupational therapist. I even  joined a hand therapist professional group, the Georgia Hand and Upper Extremity Special Interest Group. 

I can also say that I have been one of those miserable rush hour commuters in the Atlanta area. Never again. Not saying I would never live there, but I will not commute in-and-out everyday. You know how I know Georgia Tech's Engineering School isn't all it is cracked up to be? Atlanta traffic.

As busy as I was I still had time to go and vacation a couple of weeks, to Passport with the youth from FBC Gainesville, a beach trip with the family, moving across town, and a trip to Arkansas. The summer was busy, but undoubtedly better than school.

Now that I am not waking up before the sun every day and commuting to Atlanta, much of my effort will be focused on school and my thesis. Only one more year -- and passing grades-- remains between me and a Master's of Science in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University.

On top of conducting research and eventually writing a 200-page paper with three of my new best friends, I continue to find things around the Poultry Capital of the Word (Gainesville) to keep me out of too much trouble. As some of you have seen or read, I have joined the staff at ArkansasExpats.com, a website devoted to the Razorbacks, and will produce a weekly column, which will run on Fridays previewing the upcoming weekend.

On Friday nights, you can come watch high school football with me as, different from last year when I was in the newsroom, I will actually go to games, sit in the press box, and write a story for the local newspaper The Times in Gainesville.

Then Sunday mornings will be filled with the inappropriateness of seventh and eighth grade boys in my Sunday School class. Big weekends in store for this fall.

When I was in Arkansas, my grandmother asked, "So your writing a weekly column, covering football, and writing for your own blog, and you're going to be a therapist?" My response, "Yep." It is a way for me to scratch a new found itch that I love, but I know could never make a career out of it.

I also learned that my grandfather was a paperboy when he was young, my old man was a copy editor for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and now I am just keeping the family tradition going.

With that being said, I have to go to class. It's my last first day of school.

The four of us in Gulf Shores

Honey Badger Didn't Care, Saban too Tough, Howard Happy, My New Home

Matthieu will have to look elsewhere to play this season.

There has been a celebration in the South. In small towns all over Alabama and Arkansas, chocolate fountains have been working hard, and there is a shortage of all-you-can-eat and cotton candy supplies at Golden Corrals in light of recent news out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

As we know, Tyrann Mathieu was dismissed from the LSU football team on Friday for an undisclosed violation of team rules, which will help the entire SEC West in their respective journeys to the SEC Championship.

Reports say that the Honey Badger could not stay away from hitting the pipe. His decision have cost selfish player playing time for the Bayou Bengals in the past, leaving coach Les Miles no other choice but to dismiss the Heisman Trophy finalist. Does this sound like someone you would want to hang out with?

On his Twitter feed, the 2011 unanimous All-American wrote, "The realist hearts have been through the most pain!! I'm out!!"

By horrifying the LSU English department, Mattieu showed again that he simply does not get it. He does not understand how actions have consequences and when you break rules -- over and over again -- you will be punished accordingly. He does not demonstrate an understanding that the game is not all about him. Now he will learn this lesson at a FCS program (reportedly McNeese State in Lake Charles, Louisiana).

As a fan of college football, it is sad to see arguably the most exciting player in the game no longer able to compete with the top talent. What is worse is when an individual with his talent, who has the chance to set an example for young people, can not get his act together though given multiple opportunities.

ALABAMA TRANSER TO TRANSFER: After four practices under Nick Saban, cornerback Travell Dixon has completed paperwork to transfer from the Crimson Tide. The junior college transfer was expected to see significant playing time, but reports from Tuscaloosa say that Dixon was experiencing, "a little overload."

Call me crazy, but isn't that what is to be expected when you commit play for Saban? Isn't that what makes playing against the Tide's defense so good and so dang difficult for opponents? Isn't that what makes Alabama players NFL ready as soon as they are drafted?

The good news is Alabama will, like LSU with Mattieu (though his back-up Tharold Simon also missed games last year because of drug related problems), fill in their new loss with another speedy monster on the depth chart.

Howard at his Laker press conference.

HOWARD APPEARS TO BE HAPPY, FINALLY : Dwight Howard was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Los Angeles Lakers this week in a four-team deal. Just go look at Y! Sports site if you want to see all of the players involved. Blogger will not let me have that long of a post.

It only took the Magic two years, a Howard agreement on an extension, and a two better offers turned down. Yes, Orlando got rid of the best defensive player in the game, and they got the fourth best player of all the teams and no one to fill Howard's void. Thirty-year-old Magic general manager Rob Hennigan has plenty of work to do. On the bright side, because of his age he has plenty of time to do it.

Keeping with the franchise tradition of big-time big men, the Lakers again stole the greatest big man in the game from Orlando as they did with Shaquille O'Neal in 1996. Other similarities include their draft position (No. 1 overall) and nickname (Superman). Remember how these two bicker about how different they are? And how Howard said he does not want to follow O'Neal professional career?

Now the Lakers are the team to beat in the Western Conference because they have the most complete starting lineup with room to add a few wiley veterans.

Some things change, but Ole Blue remains the same.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE: I would like to apologize to all three of my readers for not posting more often lately. There have been several events that I would have loved to share my opinion on, but I have been moving into a house from the south Hall County Georgia to the northern parts. The move has cut down on the time I have been able to sit down and write. However, because of the move, I now I have a beautiful new desk, a better view from my desk, and the improvements in overall quality of life that come along with moving from an apartment to a house -- like a quite night's sleep and a new pillowtop mattress, which will change your life. All are welcome.

Passport 2012: Life Together

Some people say they can feel the presence of God the most at the beach, in the mountains or in a church. One of the most important places for me and the transformation of my own faith is located in at a small university in Wingate, North Carolina.

I got to go back to the same kids mission site I worked in 2009,
where some of the children even remembered me.

Passport Inc. has a youth camp that meets each year at Wingate University during the summer. I have had the chance to attend as a camper, bible study leader and chaperone at Passport's Wingate location.

I told a version of this what this place means to me and its importance to my own walk with God to the FBC Gainesville Youth on Thursday night last week at camp.

In the summer of 2009 I had the opportunity to work for Passport as a bible study leader (BSL). For those of you who know me and know the role of a BSL at camp, know that taking on this adventure was taking a step outside of my comfort zone.

On our way to one of the nightly parties.

For those of you who have never been to Passport and seen a BSL in action, they are the ones on stage leading games, dances and all-around acting a fool to keep campers laughing and spirits high, along with leading bible studies and directing mission sites for campers, the latter of which is much more up my alley.

Looking back, I can assure you it was the best summer I had in college. Not only did I learn a tremendous amount about my own faith, but relationships were formed that would last and pay dividends down the road.

That summer I met Chris Burns, the youth minister from First Baptist Church Gainesville and a good friend of my own youth minister, John Uldrick in my hometown of Rome, Georgia.

It was a brief meeting, as was all of my free time that summer. We talked for a few minutes and I did not think about it again for another two years, when I moved to Gainesville to attend Brenau University for my Masters in Occupational Therapy.

Burns leading church group devotions

To make a two-year-long story short, Burns asked me to go with the FBC Gainesville group as a chaperone last year. It was an introduction to the youth group of sorts, a chance to meet some of the students before I would work as a youth intern over the next school year. 

I shared on the last night of camp last year how I felt I was well on my way to becoming a part of this family.

Fast forward 365 days and I found myself back in the same room, with much of the same group, on the last night. I told the group how they, over the past year, have exemplified this year's theme and followed Jesus' call to live 'Life Together.'

I have attended everything from ballet concerts to basketball games as many of these youth and their families have welcomed me into their homes, and ultimately their lives.

Eating oranges... with the peel.

Because of these experiences -- and the fact that I am a male in an all-women's cohort at Brenau -- I would much rather spend a weekend with these youth than most others in Gainesville.

I am beyond thankful for my church family at FBC Gainesville and for the good fortune brought about because of a camp at a small university 30 miles east of Charlotte.

Another bonus to my week is I as able to take a old college friend, Kris Roberts, to camp for the first time as a chaperone with me. For an account of his experience here is the link to his blog.

FBC Gainesville chaperones

Kris and I got to drive the "Dale" bus all week long.

Demonstrating my low aptitude for double dutch.

Passport 2011: Ask. Seek. Knock.

Demaya finally talked to me at the
end of the week (after I made her
America glasses).

This time last week I had the pleasure of being back in Wingate, North Carolina. I was a chaperoning for a group of youth from FBC Gainesville. I have been able to become much more involved with the youth group here. Over the last few weeks I have gotten to know many of them and have begun to truly find a church family other than that of my home church, FBC Rome. With last week under my belt I also completed the trifecta of Passport Camps: camper, staffer, and chaperone.

There is nothing like living in a room with ten seventh and eighth grade boys to welcome you to the group, trying to control sugar/caffeine intake and waking them up in the morning. The one redeeming part? I was bigger and stronger than all of them, thus resulting in me being the wrestling champion every night. 

Creft Park-where I played Kobe and
everyone else was LeBron

I got lucky and was placed as a chaperone at one of the kids mission sites during the day. At these sites we went to local parks and YWCAs and play with the children, sing silly songs, and tell Bible stories. I was on a kids mission site during my summer staffing Passport and it was good to be back. Another adult at the site with me was one of my best friends from Rome who came with FBC Savannah. He worked camp the year before I did and we walked around striking fear into the bible study leaders as the dreaded former staffers. Ok, so not that much fear... the camp was run fantastically for Week 1.

Being a little older, not a camper and not worrying about logistics as a staffer, gave me a new perspective of camp. I was able to take a step back and watch the youth work through the week. The theme was "Treasure," with an emphasis on Luke 11's "for everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." We are God's treasure, unique and special to him, and he is our treasure, a gift that we must share.

Forgot how much I love four square... and big ball.

A Mountain and a Job

As low key as the first few weeks of my summer were (many days by the pool, on the lake, and fishing), the last week has been all but slow. I had plans everyday of the week. Even one day of plans during the first three weeks was uncommon.

For those of you who do not know I was hired at The Gainesville Times with the official title of Sports Clerk. I am now employed by the local paper and will have my works published in print here and there, more so when the sports world picks up a little bit. Either way, it is fun to say I am a member of the media, can get press passes, and have access to the Associated Press wire. Even the lowest member of the totem pole at a small paper (me) can acess and do some of the same things as the guys on TV and the biggest papers. It may not seem impressive to most, but I think it is pretty cool. Now I am taking suggestions of themes for my cubicle.

In field trip news, I was asked to be a chaperone a trip with the FBC Gainesville youth to a classic Georgian destination, Stone Mountain State Park.(Earlier in the week I was asked to also go with the youth to Passport, the same camp I staffed two years ago.)  I have called Georgia home for 11 years the youth could not believe I had not been to see the South's proud version of Mount Rushmore. It was a lot of fun and as always, a reminder of how much you change from high/middle school through college. Still at heart though, no worries. I tweeted of how the laser show is sort of like a glorified PowerPoint presentation, but a good one. One that will make you proud to be a Georgian and American, two things I do love.

How 'bout them generals, fireworks, and lasers? Woo!

Disciple Now

Last weekend I had the opportunity to help lead the 7th and 8th grade boys for the Disciples Now at my home-away-from-home church, First Baptist Gainesville. For those of you that may not know exactly what a "Disciple Now" is, which was me before last weekend, here is a quick rundown.

Friday- The kids gathered at church for worship and games. Travel to a home of someone in the church (where you will spend the next two nights). Bible study and a game of Try and Tackle Graham.

Saturday- Wake up. Bible study. Head to the church for games and worship. Go into the community for mission projects in the afternoon. Back to the host homes for another three hours of video games and Try and Tackle Graham. Head back to the church for dinner, games and worship. Back to the host home for bible study and a game of Try and Stay Up All Night.

Sunday- Go to church for breakfast and a final devotion. Leave a little early and warm up the pipes for choir. Back to my apartment, try and stay awake to watch the Duke game. Fail miserably and sleep away the afternoon.

Tiring? Yes, but it would be hard for me to find a better weekend I have had since moving to Gainesville. It was like a glimpse of being a bible study leader back at PASSPORT for a weekend (one of my best summers ever). Speaking of... the pastor for the weekend was the pastor the summer I did camp. It was great to get together and catch up on life with him. It was like the two year hiatus never happened. 

I had a great weekend, and I was able to share with some boys about how good our God is. All the while they were teaching me patience (obviously) and how God takes care of us through our most difficult trials, such a comforting feeling and one I hope I am able to pass to others who do not know the love of God.

Therapeudic Nature

I am not sure how the weather could have been better yesterday in Gainesville.

When I opened the blinds this morning I knew I had to get outside, even if there was a pretty stout college basketball schedule on TV. I went for a run. I took the roads I usually do when I run outside. I have noticed a trail into the woods a number of times, but because I usually exercise later in the day I have not taken the trail, not to mention I had no idea where it leads to. But yesterday I was running around noon, and the sun was shining brightly so I took the trail through the woods. After some time, I ran up a small ridge and found a beautiful pond. I sat down for a minute, not only to rest, but to thank God for giving me all that he has given.

The run was much like what my life is like. I am running around, not necessarily feeling endangered, but oftentimes I feel lost in a new world to me. I serve a gracious God that no matter how much I want to run around by myself, He will always comfort me in times I feel alone. He is there with me even when I am not paying attention or not expecting it.

Nature can force us to be quiet and get away from the busyness with which we normally surround ourselves. You think there is a correlation in my grandfather's love of the woods, after working in them all of his life, and him being one of the strongest Christian men I know? Makes a lot of sense to me.

Needless to say, I have a new favorite trail to run. One that will be a constant reminder of God's goodness.

End of January

When tomorrow comes to an end the first month of 2011 will come to an end as well. Hard to believe January is already done. Looking back on the month it has been an eventful one. Since coming back to Gainesville I have:

Survived a snow storm- See my previous post for a closer look but this was a time in which we as an apartment were forced to have some bonding time. The bonding time has made for a much more comfortable living situation.

Started P90X- Wow... what a program. I have started to see results from working out everyday. By doing the program I am now starting to feel a need to workout everyday. I physically feel better, sleep better, and feel more productive about my days. I still have 60 more days to complete but I can say that I am looking forward to them.

Joined First Baptist Gainesville's Sanctuary Choir- This has been one of the best things I have done since moving here. As sort of a New Year's resolution I wanted to become involved in a group other than my classmates. I am still struggling with names of people but everyone has treated me like one of their own. The hardest part about the choir? This is the first choral group I have been a part of since 6th grade chorus that isn't led by my father.

UGA basketball game- Again, check out the previous post for a breakdown but I had a great day in Athens roaming around with my sister. She's cool and makes me look hip and trendy when I am in downtown Ahhhhhthens. But really, it is always fun to go to see someone else's environment. Now I am expecting a visit in return from Ellen to show her all the fun here in Gainesville.

Started my second semester of occupational therapy school- Yeah... so when I am not busy I do this thing called graduate school. This semester is all about Neuroscience and Pediatrics. I am learning a lot and am not too far behind from the registration fiasco that took place for the first two weeks of school. I am doing my fieldwork in Lawerenceville, Georgia at All About Kids. Being in the clinic is so much better than the classroom. I am really looking forward to doing it on my own in a couple of years.

Life is good here in Gainesville.

Snow Break 2011

Snow Break has come to a screeching halt and class is back in swing like we nothing ever stopped. Professors expected us to continue chugging along like we were back in the swing of things. Needless to say, after a full Christmas break and two days of class before our ten day break my class was not ready to be back in the swing of things. I had class yesterday from 8:00 until 6:45. Granted, Tuesdays are my groups “tough day,” it was like immersion therapy. After a full day of class, a workout, dinner, and some homework my body could not even stay awake long enough to finish the Kentucky-Alabama basketball game in which Alabama pulled off the minor upset. I had not been that tired in a while so I slept better than a newborn and was up in no way tired when I was up and at ‘em by 7:45.

Back to the break, those living in 2912, who through the first semester had not grown that close together, but because we were forced to be together for 10 days straight I must say we are all better friends. With P90X and cooking dinner the only activities to break up the monotony of watching TV, we spent a lot of time in the living room and have become better friends because of it. I am feeling much more comfortable here in Gainesville and it is starting to feel more like where I am supposed to be.

These are some pictures from the Snowmageddon that took over north Georgia last week.

Ole Blue's bed was filled to the brim with the white stuff

One of the parts of the weekend we all looked forward to (other than getting out of the apaprtment) was the Atlanta Falcons game on Saturday night. This excitement lasted all of about an hour and was completely gone by the second half in which the Falcons were owned by the Green Packers. I feel as if I pull for a team they are doomed to win the big game. Now that my favorite football teams are done for the season it is on to basketball and following recruiting for next season.

Some of the decor for the Falcons game in the living room Saturday night

Back to Gainesville

I am back to Gainesville after Christmas break filled with a lot of KHGE being together, my favorites. A new year has begun and we spent it all together for the first time since spaghetti at IHOP. I have a couple of things that I am trying now that I am back to school; things to make my stay here feel a little more like home. I am signed up to begin singing with the Sanctuary Choir at First Baptist Gainesville, a way that I can keep scratching my music bug and get involved more with a church.

I have also begun the journey through the P90X workouts. I can say I have successfully made it though a week and a half. I can barely move some days when I get up, but I know it will get better. Maybe when it is all said and done I will be able to do more push-ups and pull-ups than my 73 year old grandfather. I am looking forward to being in better shape just in time for Spring Break. No worries, I will not post before pictures but when I am ripped and huge at the end of 90 days I am not making any promises… Yeah right.