Adrenalin

State of the union

2006-02-01T07:07:00.000-08:00

President Bush's State of the Union speech set an optimistic tone for the the coming year. He said,

“we have proven pessimists wrong before and we can do it again".

He covered all topics - from the war in Iraq to health care. It's been an exciting year, from fierce hurricanes in Louisiana to "earthquakes" in the Senate confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominees. Bush also managed to pass prescription drug benefits through Congress. The next year will bring new challenges to face for the American people. Mr. Bush hopes that we will stand behind him and the Republicans in the elections this November.

Mr. Bush believes that the war in Iraq is going well and that we should stay the course. Giving up now would allow these small cells of terrorists to halt the advance of freedom and democracy. Mr. Bush believes a good turnout for the Iraqi elections showed the other Middle Eastern nations that democracy will always triumph over terrorism.

Health care was one of Mr. Bush's key issues from last year. It will be one of his central issues in the coming year. Prescription drug coverage last year enabled older people to get coverage for their medicine that they previously could not afford. But is this the role of government? I don't think Mr. Bush should press drug coverage much more because it gives more power to the federal government. Is funding of health care the proper role of the federal government?

Mr. Bush is also putting pressure on congress to make the tax cuts permanent. The President sai that by the year 2009 that the government will have giving back to the tax payer over 14 billion dollars. Mr. Bush said that we should help immigrants who want to come into this country legally. President Bush that hopes that in the coming year that democrats and republicans can put away their partisan politics, work together and lead this country into the next generation.

Will you be watching?

2006-01-31T09:50:00.000-08:00

Tonight is the President's State of the Union address before Congress and the nation. Will you be watching? Thankfully, orchestra was cancelled tonight and will not interfere with my ability to watch the speech. I hope to write a post for tomorrow.

God's Creation

2006-01-28T06:39:00.000-08:00

Isn't it amazing how the busyness of life, work and school can sidetrack you from God's beautiful creation? Everyday when you wake up you expect the sun to rise (or have risen depending on how long you sleep).

Did you know that if the earth was just a little closer to the sun we would all fry? And the earth was just a little farther from the sun; we would all live in a place equivalent to the North Pole.

Every year you expect your flowers and trees to grow and bloom. But really there's a very long process which takes place to make that happen.

So what makes us so bogged down that we forget God's creation? I think we are sometimes too focused on ourselves and school, work, etc that we forget why were are and what is around us. I think that if we just take a step back from life, we will enjoy God's creation more.

She's out of here!

2006-01-27T09:33:00.000-08:00

Spunky Homeschool (aka: Mom) is going to a homeschool convention for the weekend...YAHOO! Last time she went to a homeschool convention, my dad bought us lots of candy and rented some movies for us to watch. Even though I will miss her I will get more computer time while she is gone, thats if my sister Kristin dosn't hog it all.

I'm....

2006-01-26T12:22:00.000-08:00

...back again. And this time it's FOR REAL! I hope to blog a little more often now that school has started again.

Expect more from me soon...

Merry (Belated) Christmas

2005-12-26T07:50:00.000-08:00

Christmas was pretty good. I got lots of cool gifts. I also got a hilarious card from my brother Josh.

It was white and had nothing on the front. I opened it and found this message: Dear you, from me.
Merry Christmas
I have never laughed so hard in my life.

Thankgiving, snow, birthdays and keyboards...

2005-11-24T07:12:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers (if I have any that is)

Last night, we got dumped with about 4 inches of snow...yeah! This means SNOWBOARDING season is here! I love snowboarding...it's so fun to be gliding down huge hills. I'm hoping that I can go to Boyne Mountain with my big brother Stephen this winter...but he's getting married so we'll have to see.

And yesterday was my 15th birthday! Yep, my birthday was the day before Thanksgiving and next year, it actually lands on Thanksgiving. I got an air-soft gun from my brother Josh, snowboarding gear from Stephen (the same guy I mentioned above), candy from my younger sisters, drum cases from my parents, backpack; stero set and a few other things from my grandparents, and my lame sister Kristin hasn't gotten me anything yet.

The REAL news, however, is the fact that my keyboard finally came yesterday evening! I've been waiting for it since the beginning of October. It's sooooo awesome. It has a million different features and it came with cool headphones. I also bought Cakewalk (computer music program) and I'll be downloading it as soon as Thanksgiving's over.

Have a wonderful holiday!

I'm Back

2005-10-28T09:48:00.000-07:00

Finaly after a long plane ride I'm back from Australia. I spent two months in the outback, deep in the jungle. I saw so many unique animals that I don't know were to start. First there are kangaroos everywhere: in the jungle, on the beaches, even sometimes on the highways. The water is filled with jelly fish and stingreys, most of which kill instantly. For the first three weeks I stayed in a upper class hotel in Sydney, but after that we (our adventures group) hit the jungles. Over all it was a fun trip filled withe fun and adventure. Except for the time my buddy Mark got injured by a huge Jaguar. He's doing okay now.

I'm glad to be back.

Sorry

2005-06-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted. I have been so busy. I have been cutting grass like crazy so I could pay for the rec-pass that I got my dad for Fathers Day.

Memorial Day

2005-06-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

This past Memorial Day our Young Marine group went to Milan and marched in a parade and to Bellville for a ceremony. The parade was fun but I liked the ceremony best, which is where I gave my first political speech.

Veteran Appreciation

2005-05-27T09:12:00.000-07:00

This Memorial Day, I would like to thank our veterans (past and present) and for serving our country with courage and honor. You have impacted my life greatly and I hope to attend the Naval Academy.

Thanks for defending our country!
Semper Fi

Jason

2005-05-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

RE: Drummers Life

2005-05-02T18:42:00.000-07:00

First, here's a message to Michael: I play trumpet. I actually have been playing for 5 1/2 years! Although I play trumpet, I've also been playing drums for 3 years. I don't think either is superior to the other.

Blestwithsons asked if I used any earplugs when I play. No, I don't. Personally, I don't think that it will damage anything (but I don't have a Dr. next to my name). Yes, drums are very loud, but you'll get used to it. If any questions about where to get a good drum, let me know.

A Drummers Life

2005-04-20T12:19:00.000-07:00

In my spare time I like to drum. Drumming is fun but it's also challenging. I have drummed in orchestras, bands, as well as Civil War re-enactments. Each is enjoyable but in different ways.

In the orchestra I am the only percussionist. I play the tympany, cymbals, and snares as well as other auxillary percussion. We play mostly classical pieces but I had the opportunity this season to play in the Wizard of Oz.

As part of the concert band I play a drum set. I share this responsibility with one other drummer. We play a wide variety of pieces ranging from classical to contemporary.

I also play a period snare drum as a Civil War Renactor. The drum is used for calls, songs, and keeping the soldiers in step. There are usually about 20 drummers and 6 fifers who will play together.

Playing all these parts have taught me all the different aspects of percussion. I hope to become a percussionist and the activites have encouraged me tremendously.

Here's what I've been doing

2005-04-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

I play the drum set in our orchestra. This past week we played in the pit for the Wizard of Oz. A pit is a hole in the stage where the orchesra provides the music for a play. We had 7 performences. It was a thrilling experience. I had to do all the percussion by myself. My brother played the violin. It was fun but I'm glad it's over.

Jason

It's official

2005-04-15T05:57:00.000-07:00

I am now a taxpayer. I was going to blog about paying Social Security Tax for the first time but my mom beat to it. Here's the scoop

One of the common misconceptions of home educated kids is that their "sheltered" from the real world Well, you can't get more real than April 15. That's tax day as you know. And my 14 year old son just got a major dose of reality when he had to pay Social Security Tax on his meager earnings last year. He payed about $70! That was 15% of his paper route earnings and since the paper is required to fill out a 1099 form on him he must pay taxes. What's ironic is the cut off was $600. If he had made a little less than $600 he actually would have come out ahead.

What's funny is I actually got a slight deduction for having my sisters pull the wagon!

I'm still here

2005-04-15T05:43:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Life has been busy. I hope to post soon!
Jason

Online Homeschool Convention

2005-04-11T09:21:00.000-07:00

My mom is hosting an online homeschool convention. To get the full scoop, click here. Spread the word....please tell everybody you know who is homeschooled or homeschooling.

Jason

More thougths on obedience

2005-04-02T08:33:00.000-08:00

Outward appearance: Do your clothes and overall appearance show that you are in submission to authority or choosing your own path.

When you are cleaning or working with your brothers and sisters, and they are not working do you choose to still work or do you join in their disobedience.

Taking Initiative
When you see a job or need that you are able to fill do you take the initiative to meet that need or do you assume that someone else will do it? For example, when you go to throw something in the garbage and you notice that it is full do you just cram your stuff on top or do you take the time to do the whole job? When you see that your mom or dad is busy working on something and your younger siblings need someone to play with. Do you busy yourself in your own tasks or do you take the time to play a game with them? Also, if you see that your mom is vacuuming or doing dishes and you are just playing around do you offer to help her with her work?

Obedience and Submission (Part 2)

2005-03-29T15:22:00.000-08:00

Submission when no one is watching.
When your mom teaches you your math or any other school subject and then leaves the room do you continue to do your work or play around and doodle on your paper? Do you do the things that you know are your responsibility each day without being reminded? For example, do you clean your room each day because you desire to obey or do you wait until someone gives you that instruction again and again?

Jason

More on submission

2005-03-29T11:44:00.000-08:00

Showing true leadership is not necessarily being in a position of authority even though that is possible as well. True leadership comes out when you are under authority and those who look up to you see your example. That is a form of leadership. You may not get the glory position but it's still leadership.

As a son, this is a test of my leadership skills. Am I humble and willing to take direction? Lot's to think about for sure.

Jason

Obedience and submission (Part 1)

2005-03-28T19:04:00.000-08:00

All teens struggle with giving up the authority they think they have. We want control but God wants us to learn to submit to others. Here are some of my thoughts on submission.

Submission when someone is watching.

Tone of Voice: When you speak to your parents does your tone of voice show that you respect them and want to hear what they have to say? When your parents ask you to do something do you grumble and complain about the work that they give you or do you cheerfully go and do what is asked. Let’s put it his way…when your parents tell you can go play a game or basketball do you grumble and complain? Put the same earnestness as you would in a game into your chores and schoolwork. That brings me to my second point.

Cheerful Obedience: Do you cheerfully obey the first time when you are given an instruction? It is not just enough to cheerfully tell your mom your going to do it and then go out and play. Or in the same way it is not acceptable to grumble and complain while you are doing the chore. So the two link together.

Attitude of Obedience: Rolling of the eyes and comments like “Okay. If I really have tooooo!” communicates a lack of willingness to obey and a desire for control.

In future posts I will be discussing obedience when no one is watching, as well as leading by example, initiative, and the rewards of obedience. Stay tuned.

Jason