"Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between reslessness and exhaustion. Then, when you're no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn't just a means to an end but a unique event in itself. This leaf has jegged edges. This rock looks loose. From this place the snow is less visible, even though closer. These are things you should notice anyway. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top. Here's where things grow.

But of course, without the top you can't have any sides. It's the top that defines the sides. So on we go... we have a long way... no hurry... just one step after the next." - Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

I didn't blog yesterday because there really wasn't anything I could think of to blog about. However, I realized that that's not entirely true and I talk enough, so I should be able to put some words down. So here we go.

Every morning I wake up and change the countdown date for my trip to Philadelphia, to visit Nabil and see New York City. It's safe to say that I'm pretty excited to see a cute familiar face, and to tour the city that never sleeps. While sitting in art class, I was talking to the kid next to me, and found out today was his birthday. I then realized that my birthday is also coming up and I had completely forgotten. I had been so preoccupied focusing on my trip to even notice what was before me. It really isn't significant, but it reminded me of this passage from ZATAOMM, which I posted above. I don't even really know how I stumbled across the book, probably because I read too many classics and liked the title, but it is one of the most though provoking books I have read. Just like climbers solely focused on the top of the mountain, we all too often miss the sides, the part of the mountain that actually sustains life. That's all I really have, besides pictures. I hope your Monday isn't rainy, windy and ridiculously cold like it is here.

This picture is just adorable.

This picture reminds me of my mom and the time she had sushi with Dad when they were dating. Technically, we're never supposed to bring the story up again, but I'm in Colorado, so there's not much they can do. Hee hee :)

To be known

I think, no, I know that it is in human nature to want to be known. To be acknowledged and recognized is part of our social desires, and being in a place where nobody knows you by sight is a tough thing. Having hung out with a lot of other out-of-state students, this seems to be one of the biggest parts of adjusting to a new life in college. I've been fortunate enough to find a fun group of kids who are all so different from one another but are part of the crucial community that I have become a part of. Last Tuesday night, as I went to Young Life on campus, I got the opportunity to spend my weekend at Crooked Creek Ranch, a gorgeous Young Life camp in the mountains, directly west of Denver. Although I was the only one from my group of friends who went, I was quickly pulled into the group of people who have dedicated their lives to helping spread the love. Although it felt nice to be back on campus, it feels even nicer to be part of another great community.

This is a video I captured during the ClaimJumper, a huge swing we went off of. Obviously the camera didn't stay like I had it, so if you put your right ear to your right shoulder, it makes a little more sense. Haha, basically proof I did it :)

So it goes.

This last week has been crazy.

Not only have classes moved beyond the syllabus readings

and standard protocol procedures, but more meetings,

gatherings, info sessions and registrations have kicked off.

Right now the western sky is bright, while to my east it is dark,

and lightning jumps between the divide while people cheer in the arena

for their fighting Rams, the football team that's not favored to win in the

traditional showdown between neighboring schools.

My eyes are dry from staying up too late watching Little Miss Sunshine,

a favorite movie of mine that I'll never turn down,

and my legs are too tired from walking to go moisturize them with eye drops.

As I get into the real swing of things, I can say that college isn't bad.

My workload is heavy at times, but does is my want to do well,

so they are evenly matched.

The weather is a pleasant consolation for the days filled with homework,

papers, practice problems and studying. The scenery isn't bad either.

In a little over four weeks, I'll be on the east coast, and I couldn't be any more excited,

although I have a feeling the city will only call for me to change my mind, once again.

But in the end, I'm going to go wherever I go and enjoy it for all it's worth. City or not.