Save the best for last: The year in review

I think back to a year ago and where I was. It's almost a night and day difference. Let's take a look back.... all the way to the year 2006.

In January I was still in college getting my Masters degree in Sports Administration. I wasn't sure if I wanted to even use my degree for what is was meant to be used for. But I persevered. I'm not sure if I wanted to get a Masters to help on the job front or if it was the fact I wanted people to call me Master Kent. Either way, the year of 2006 was meant for me finishing up my college experience once and for all. As I stand right now, the only thing left for me to do is walk across the stage one last time.

I started 2006 much the same as I did any other year: single. I had a few promising experiences but to no avail, well, maybe most were not so promising. 2006 was filled with frustration and loneliness. I look back on those experiences and thank God that He didn't let me do what I wanted to do. Not to say I regretted those experiences but it allowed me to meet somebody else. Just who is that somebody else? Well, maybe one of these days you might find out.

I also got to see some of my favorite musical groups. In the early part of the year I got to see Mute Math. And from that concert I enjoyed the musical concoctions of a group I now very much like: Radiant. I also got to see Third Day and David Crowder Band. But the most enjoyable experience was at Winter Jam in Norman, Oklahoma in March. There were several bands there, just like every Winter Jam. The headline act was the Newsboys. In fact, I got to meet all of the band members and even got an autographed poster. The concert was great, but mostly because I got to sit front row center. It only takes standing in line for 3 and a half hours before the doors open to be able to accomplish that. Well, that and pushing 10 year-olds down stairs so you can get there before them.

I also had a chance to go to New Orleans in May for missions work. I went with a group from Ada and another group from SWOSU. It was a great experience. I got to meet several new people from another college. But the most I got from the trip was the actual mission work. I got to see a city in ruins and it's inhabitants left to build it themselves. I was amazed at how much the city was devastated. What you saw on the news didn't come close to showing the situation in New Orleans. We helped work on a couple of houses during the time we were there. It made the whole trip worth it when we met the owner of the house. She was so appreciative and thankful. I am planning on going back next May.

But perhaps the biggest news of the year came on Tuesday, July 18, when I accepted a job offer to become a teacher/coach at a local public school. My life changed completely from that moment on. I was starting adulthood in my mind. More on teaching later.

With news of the new job, I decided it was time to go look for a house. It was strange to be doing this. So, I looked and found a house. I got a few roomies. But it wasn't that easy. There were problems right off the bat with the house and the owners. So, I decided that getting that house (and a house period) wasn't the best thing to do. Instead, I just stayed where I have been living, which was just a few minutes from the school. It made much more sense.

Also, due to the new job, I figured it was time to update a few things in my life. I decided to get a new truck. So, towards the end of October, I bought myself a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado. So far, I have invested around 1400 miles and way too much gas money. But I love and hope to love it for several years to come.

Teaching has been my life since August. And it flowed just how others said it would: very difficult at first, but then you get in the groove of things after a few months. And that's how it happened. At first I was a nervous wreck. I didn't know what I was doing at first. And heck, these kids were only but a few years younger than I. Was I going to know the material well enough? Was I going to be able to related to them? Would they like me? Hundreds of questions raced through my mind. But I got the hang of it and now I like it.

But coaching has been my on again off again joy of the job. I love the girls that are in basketball. They are a joy to be around and I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls. As a coach, I realized that I didn't want to win. I wanted THEM to win. It wasn't about me. And it still isn't. I want those girls to have everything. I guess I kind of feel like a father to them, which sounds unbelievably strange to hear me say that. I feel like I need to protect them so nothing bad will happen to them. But I love coaching. A lot of it probably has to do with the quality of young ladies I inherited.

But 2006 hasn't exactly been the best of times. There has been a little controversy with a few people that I used to hang out with. It was difficult for my friend who had to go through this. Plus, it was hard on his friends too. It was a time where some people almost had to choose their side. There was division among a group that I associated myself with and it was strange and heartbreaking to see it happen. It lasted for well too long. And when you thought it was over, other people became involved and made it last longer. Of course, I didn't help matters much, but I couldn't stand to see a good friend's reputation and name damaged because of what one person is saying about them, true or untrue.

Quick Hits: Other notable things that happened to me this year:

• I got a score of 214 in bowling, twice.
• I quit drinking carbonated beverages (since February 22)
• Made a list of qualities I want in a girl.
• Joined a church.
• Payed $80 for a pie, and only ate $50 of it.
• I was an usher at a wedding, again. I can't move up to best-man status, ever.
• Kissed a carney.
• Played stickball.
• Attended an NBA game for the first time .
• Changed my blog's template to something I like.
• Saw old lady boobs at the "speedy checkout" at WalMart.
• Hit somebody in the face with a bowling ball.
• Played drums at Falls Creek.

A lot has happened this year. Some good, some bad. But, I believe I am a much better person because of everything that has happened. I am truly blessed to have the people in my life. I have wonderful friends, a good job, great family, and a freakin' sweet truck.

So, what is in store for 2007? I'm sure I'll look back a year from now to this time in my life and think, "Wow. A lot has changed since then." Hopefully it will be a change for the good.

So, until next year, vaya con Dios. Happy New Year!

Fountain of Youth or How to Lose a Guy in 20 Items or Less

Setting: WalMart
Time: Saturday, December 23. Aprox. 5:30 p.m.
Mood at the time: I'd rather not use profanity.

I'm a guy, so it's built in my DNA to procrastinate when it comes to Christmas shopping. I was fulfilling my genetic code on Saturday to a little place called WalMart. I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but it's kind of hectic this time of year. It's filled with guys like me. At this point of the shopping season, guys are nervous, sweaty, and downright ready for war. The lines are long and only half of the checkout stations are occupied by "qualified" employees.

I proceed into the store with two things in mind: 1. get in, 2. get out... fast. On my shopping list was a DVD for my sister (Season 1 of Robot Chicken) and a dirty santa gift that was to be determined later. So, I find the aforementioned DVD and then attempt to look for a $10 to $20 male (or "dude") gift for my family's annual Christmas hoopla. After several minutes of the guessing game, I decide on a gift. It was something like shower gel, deodorant, and a travel bag for it to go in. Great! Let's go pay for it now and get the heck outta hades.

Now it's time for everybody's favorite endeavor: The Checkout. Keep in mind, this is next to last shopping day of the season, so the lines are going to be long... which is an understatement. Every line looks rediculus, so I just choose the "Speedy" Checkout closest to the nearest exit, knowing that I'd have to wait.... and wait....

Standing in line, I look at all the registers. ONLY ONE REGISTER WAS OPEN! Nobody occupied the other 3 "Speedy" checkout registers. Now how can you explain only one register being open two shopping days before Christmas? You know, that might just help out on the whole "long lines" issue. I might add that the people in front of me were pushing the 20 item limit. I wish I had enough you-know-what to go up to them, count the items they have, and discard anything over the max. That would be a top 5 moment.

Anyway, I'm waiting and waiting until it's finally my turn to pay for the merch with cash already in hand. She scans the first item. Good. She scans the DVD. Problem. The cashier says, "You have to be 17 or older to buy this... and you may not look old enough, so can I see some I.D. to be sure?" Keep in mind, I AM 25 freakin' years old! Now, this was a problem because I didn't have any I.D. on me.

So, all I could tell her was, "Well, I'm 25. I just shaved, so I guess that's why I look like the kid from Home Alone. But do what you have to do." She kept it. I couldn't buy it without I.D. I was angry... at first. Then I thought about it. Do I really look 8 years younger? Does a little face dirt make that much difference?

I wish I didn't have to go back to WalMart the next day and punched her in the face.

Just kidding.

Until next time, vaya con Dios. And happy New Year!

So this is Christmas

And what have we done?

Get the reference? The song? Anybody?

It's late. I need to sleep. But for some reason I felt the need to punch my keyboard twice and blog.

Tomorrow,... or today I guess, I am going to an X-Mas get-together with some friends I haven't seen in well over a year and a half. It will be weird seeing them again. But I have a reason to believe that it won't take long for it to feel like old times. I used to hang out with them so much. But things change. People get married. Life. I think it will be fun though.

Since the last day of the semester I have done absolutely nothing. Well, that is a bit of an exaggeration. I have done a few things:

• Slept in
• Stayed up late
• Bought a Playstation 3
• Played PS3 games
• Watched Nacho Libre (interesting film...)
• Had very meaningful conversations with the most beautiful girl I know.... everyday. Too bad I haven't seen her in a long time.
• Did a little bit of shopping
• Added Action Figure Jesus to my friends on Facebook
• Threw darts as hard as I could to see how many holes I could create in a wall
• Blew up the Death Star
• Talked to my sister.... which doesn't happen very often
• Made a stupid list of things I did during my time of slothfulness

I can't believe it's already nearing the end of 2006. Perhaps I will do a Kent-year-in-review blog. I know you are eagerly waiting in anticipation. All three of you.

Until next time, vaya con Dios. And a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Fore!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 4 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

It's smoking season

Heading into the break, my team is a whopping 7-1. We played a game today at 12:30 against, I guess, a rival of sorts. It's the third time we've played them this year already. It's probably the best game we've played all season so far. Plus, everybody got to play. When you get everybody in the game, that's means either you are getting smoked, or you are doing the smoking. Fortunately, we did the smoking.

I am very proud of "my" girls. We have roughly 20 girls that came out for basketball, and there is only 15 basketball uniforms to hand out. So, if you did the math correctly, some girls don't get a jersey. I'll admit that one of the worst parts of coaching is picking those who gets a suit and who doesn't. Sometimes it would be easier to just flip a coin. But, today I asked if anybody would like to forfeit their suit so somebody would have a chance. And a girl who has gotten a suit for every game so far volunteered her suit to somebody else. Not only was it just her, but another girl did the very same thing. That act of kindness will not go unappreciated. What they did was allow somebody else a chance to play. It meant a lot to me and I'm sure it meant a whole lot to those that got to play.

I'll say it again. I am truly blessed to have this group of girls. They keep me loving my job. I don't know what else to say... I wish they would stay this age so I can coach them every year.

I only have one more thing left to do in my college life. It's a final paper that is due Friday. I'll probably do it late Friday night. Once a procrastinator, always a procrastinator.

Until next time, vaya con Dios.

It's over... hopefully

I shouldn't talk bad about people. My morals and ethics are in jeopardy when I do such things. I don't represent who I am and what I stand for when I act in such a way. I love my friends very much. My life would be empty and incomplete if it wasn't for them. I get upset when somebody tries to slam one or many of my friends. I feel is it my obligation to stand up for them when they are attacked.

I know a lot of crap has happened. Let's just move past it. Move on. No more stuff written about each other online. It's over. It's finished. You don't like us. I can live with that. You do your thing... whatever that is.... and we'll live our lives.

Dumb bunny.... smart a$$