Currently Listening Third Eye Blind By Third Eye Blind see related

Blessed Be God!!!

Well look who is finally back from a three week hiadus or however you spell it. Great three weeks of soul searching.

My first week I went out walking with Crossroads. It felt like I never left it! In 4 nights I walked 62 miles so I'm pretty pleased with that result. A couple things happen to me in that short span of time I was with them that didn't happen to me the entire time I was walking last year across america. First, walking in the rain. I mean RAIN, and Dan and I walked in it for about 7 or 8 miles, I stopped b/c I got a little fearful of the lightning, but I was soaked to the bone. This happened on the first night I was there. Then the second thing was blisters. Now I did get some last year, but only three. Just in those four days I got 12!!! Big mammoth ones too! But it was a great week.

Then I flew down to New Orleans for the Alive in You. The first week I was in New Orleans and I was asked to help run a small group to help with the relief effort. We worked at Ressurection of Our Lord Catholic Church and School. The school/church is about an hour drive from where the Levey broke. Water levels there were easily 8 feet. We helped paint the Cafeteria, walk way, and lay sand down on the football field and level it out. It was a great experience for me to know that I along with 250 other kids were helping rebuild New Orleans. Then just went tooling along the city and hung out in the French Quarters.

Then last week we were in Jennings, LA which is about 40 miles east of Lake Charles. This is where Hurrican Rita hit. Unlike Katrina, Rita hit hard and fast. A 12 foot wall of water came crashing through parts of Jennings and whole neighborhoods were wiped out. This past week however I helped pay with Remnant and going to the different sites. It was great to see kids from literally across the Country giving up their time to help out the community of Jennings, LA.

Now I'm back at work and just counting down the days until Washington, D.C.!

Until next time kids

God Bless
Jason Gregory

If you would like more information about Alive in You and it's work camp and conference please visit www.aliveinyou.com

Currently Listening Live in Chicago at the United Center 12.19.98 By Dave Matthews Band #41 see related

Blessed Be God!!!

You may say "Mass is too long" and I would quickly reply "it's because your love is too short". -St. Josemaría Escrivá

Anything that does not lead you to God is a hindrance. Root it out and throw it far from you. -St. Josemaría Escrivá

Such a great quotes. The first one I'm not quite sure it's a direct quote but it's close enough to get the point. Fr. Stan has a similar New York abbrevation of the first quote. He says, "Mass isn't boring, you're boring!" How true that is. How we take the mass for granted, and you can put me in that category because I have several times been there. Fr. Stan's quote hits close to home for a lot of us because if I had a nickel for everytime I hear a teen say how mass is boring and how they wished a Catholic Mass would be more like a Protestant service then I would be might wealthy. But the fact is this, Protestant services as great as the music can be and the light shows, and the smoke machines it's all to feel the senses. Which if you want to take the senses feelings alone then I'll go with Gregorian Chant, Candle lights, and Ensense* everytime! But the mass has been done for almost 2,000 years. It's as Matt Maher says, Heaven kisses earth when the bread and wine becoming the true body, blood, soul and divinity is taking place at every mass. I was talking with Becky the other night about this, and I remembered Fr. Juniper's first mass in New York. I remember him physically and visibly quivering and slightly shaking when he raised the bread and chalice. It was so beautiful b/c he just as all of us witnessed how much God loves us. The CFR's will pray before the mass and the priest alot of times will say, "Let us pray that we will take this mass and think of it as our first, our only, and our last one." When you really think about it if we as Catholic realized that this coming Sunday was our last mass we would ever have here on this earth would we take it more seriously? I know I would, and that's how we should think everytime we go to mass because we don't know when we may recieve again. Places in third world countries may get to recieve the Eucharist only once or twice a year. You better believe they take it seriously, but here in America we can't make it to a single mass during the weekend when we have on average 6 masses in one church on Sat. and Sunday and there are usually in some places more than one Catholic Church in driving distance. So let us take mass much more seriously and with much more appreciation and love.

Ok so my "boring" life. (esp. when compared to mass  ) Since I've wrote my last entry I have realized how much music has shaped my life. I remember the first cd I ever bought, well actually my dad bought for me. Can you guess what it is? Never gonna get it. It was the Batman soundtrack. I got it because it was Batman and it had a cool cover. Luckly for me my taste grew. Music is something my Mother always was in. She sang in chior all through Jr. High, High School, and then in the Church Choir. As soon as I can remember stuff as a little kid I remember my Mother singing to me. My Dad loved music too, but he was a listener and I too became a lister of music. I grew up with a rich music family with the 45's, 33's, 8 track tapes, cassets, cd's and now MP3's. Then when I was 9 I found a little band by mistake that turned to be the best thing for me. I was trying to get a John Popper cd b/c I heard his harmonica and I thought that was so cool. So I thought this cd was it, Remember Two Things. I put in Grandparents car and we listen to it and it starts with a snare just banging away to get a tempo and good mic quality. The funny part was it did that for 15 sec. and I was thinking, "Is this cd already scratched?" but then when the Violin and Sax came in and that ever distinct voice I feel in love with this great band, if you don't know by now then you don't know me and that's why I'm writting this. It was the Dave Matthews Band. I have got to see them twice in concert and it was great. Ever since then I have been a firm follower of DMB. I have days worth of music from them. I have every cd they have come out with and some stuff they haven't come out with. Leroi Moore is the reason I wanted to become a Sax player! Dave is the reason I wanted to play Acoustic guitar and the band as whole help me understand what a great band is suppose to sound like and help me find what kind of music I prefer. The other big thing too is that was the first of many bands I had began to like before they made it big time, and I like that. Bands like Switchfoot, Jason Mraz, and Tristain Prettyman. Music is in my blood and soul. My confirmation saint was St. Gregory the Great, Gregorian Chant! He has def. been there for me, thank's Gregory!

I haven't done much this week yet yesterday was my bombshell and the reason why I'm writting. Oh before I get into yesterday today I did get my new camera! Hopefully I will be able to put up some pics I've taken with it. It's really nice and I know I will have a great time with it and was def. a worth investment. And the Mavs lost the Series which was sad, but it just wasn't meant to be, and now I found out US are out of the World Cup, double bummer.

Ok so Yesterday was turning out to be just another long and boring workday/night. I was debating of whether to go to the Rangers game and Becky talked me into it so I was getting ready to do that when I got a call from Martha at Crossroads. For those who don't know I walked across America for Pro-Life with a group called Crossroads, and yes across America. I talked to her earlier in the year about housing when they walked through, and I thought that's what she was calling about. Well turns out that the Southern walk is a little behind, and when I say a little I mean ALOT! They are scheduled to be in Abline, TX and they are still in New Mexcio. Now granted I know the toughest part of the walk was going through New Mexico, but they have an extra week this summer than we did last year. So Martha asked if I could walk for a week or two! I had to make so calls and talk to some people, but it's looking like I will be walking all next week! I'll be out in Lubbock this weekend so luckily I'll be in Far West Texas. This is also the reason why I'm writting now because I will be gone all next week and then a week from this Sunday I'll be on a plane with Angela, Sebastian, and Max to Louisiana for the Work Camp and I'll be down there for two whole weeks come back and for three days and then leave with Becky to Washington D.C. for about a week so as you can see I'll be having a busy next month.

I'm super stoked about walking even for just a week. The only sad part is that I will not be going to see Tristan Prettyman in concert next thursday with Becky so if someone would like to go in my place with Becky just let her know. Please pray for me because I will def. need it! Hope you all are having a great Thursday/ week and if I don't get to write for a while keep each other safe and in each others prayers.

God Bless
Jason Gregory

Currently Listening Live at Red Rocks 8.15.95 By Dave Matthews Band see related

Blessed Be God!!!

What a crazy last couple of weeks I have had including last week. Since I have some time now I can write about the adventures I have had.

This past whole week has been 90 to nothing in my office. It's interesting when only 3 people are in the office trying to make it run smoothly, and when your's truly is the only one up in the front that knows almost everything that is suppose to go on around here. But I shouldn't be complaining because I did get to have extra hours last week, so I worked eight hours everyday except Friday, I got to leave at 2.

Then I got to sell my camera to be able to buy a better camera. I was stoked about that, but a little sad just because that camera has been to a lot of places and has served me well. BUT my new camera is BADASS! lol. I had a rollercoaster of a ride this week. With a quick high then come crashing down only to end on a pleasent high note. One of the lowest points was probably Thursday. I was waiting so patiently for my check to finally come in and to be processed so I could buy my camera. While I was waiting for that I was checking out finally prices online. Usually when you go to checkout prices for anything online it'll show you the total final price and then ask you if you want to submit the order. Well luck would have it for me that one of the websites didn't do that soo I had submitted an order which I did not have the money for! I was freaking out. So I hurried to call them. First time got disconnected. Second time I finally reach the right person and I got it all out and I heard him say back to me that I wanted it canceled and then I was disconnected again...(or so I thought) So just to make sure I called back the guy and apologized for calling so many times but I just needed to make sure that my credit card wasn't going to get charged 300$ some odd dollars and in a very short and RUDE tone he goes "It's been canceled" *click* just like that. I was ticked. Called back and asked for the manager and said yes you have the lowest prices but you have the lowest quality of service and he lost a costumer.

Now I never really do that at all, but when those type of people in that line of work their goal is to kiss the customers butt or at least for me show me the curtosey, they didn't, so now I bought my camera from a different company. Yes it was a little more, but I got the service I was looking for. Later that same day I was working and I was heading back to my desk and I saw one of our students in our office, an older gentlemen leaning over trying to obviously find something. I have seen this guy a couple of times before and when you have seen people in our office as much as we do we tend to be a little less formal. So I asked him "Hey can I help you out buddy?" nothing threating or mean just using the word buddy instead of sir or his name. Well this just set him off. After his test was over he goes to our assistant director's office and complain's about me about how I treated him and I was slamming him for a half an hour! How ironic huh? I go and complain and then I get the same thrown right back at me. Well our office gathered to talk about it and nothing happened. My boss and her boss and everyone there had my back and said not to worry about it.

You would think the day was over right? wrong. Then later as I go and deliver tests I call my mom tell her of the day I have had. Well later my dad calls me and says, "Do you want your to get any worse?" I cringe..."what now?" I said. It was the I.R.S. and about my taxes. Apparently there was an error BBBUUUUUTTT this is when the rollercoaster takes it's upward motion. The error was in my favor and I'm expected to get a check for $268! I was stoked to hear that.

So Friday I ran home getting ready for Becky's suprise birthday party, which now we are dating. That is a long long story of my rode to get to there which I will write down someday but not right now. This entry is already long enough and I'm sure you all are bored with this by now. All I can say is God put a good friend and said the words I needed to hear to make me take that step and be with Becky in a much more personal level. It has a purpose and this road is going to be an adventure that I am looking forward to. Please pray for us that we can do this with Faith, Hope, and Love and live out a holy relationship. Ok back to Friday, ran home and cleaned the house for her B-day party. She had no idea which was sweet. I had been planning it for some time and I had her thinking we were going to dinner. So then I had to go to James Avery for her gift and then to University of Dallas for a Pro-Life retreat Remnant was playing for that night. A word of advice never never NEVER take 121 on Friday evening, not even later in the evening. I left at 6 from Denton and didn't reach Frisco till 7:30! Luckly I reached UD in a much quicker time and had a good time there playing, talking a little about Crossroads, and then watching Sebastian. Got home pretty late Friday night.

Sat. was the big suprise party. Lots of calling and answering the phone. It was a small turnout, but it was a good turnout. Thank you all for those who came, thank you to those who answered my messages but just weren't able to come and if I didn't message you then I'm apologize, maybe next year ; ). She was suprised and we had a great time eating, laughing, and throwing the frisbee. Watching the lighting storm show and watching the rain fall is one of my favorite pass times, which right now in TX is a rare thing to see.

Sunday was just getting up, watching some World Cup and then going to Mass and then Home to see my dad. Love that man, he will never know how much he means to me because I will never be able to tell him in what I say or do. This was a long entry and I thank you for reading this...if those who survived reading this. I'm trying to write more like Tristan Prettyman. Not everyday but every so often and make them nice and long and draw you into my experiences and to show you my little life. One random comment of the entry is how I enjoy watching shipping progress. Since I ordered my camera and memory card they give you a tracking number to watch where it is being delivered. It's fun to watch where it started to it's destination. It first started in Jamacia, New York to Rockford, IL, to Dallas, TX to Denton. It was shipped out of Denton at 7 this morning so it should be arriving in min at my doorstep. Fun little ways to keep me entertained.

Ok well thank you you all and until next time I'll keep praying for you all.

God Bless
Jason Gregory

Currently Gaming PS2 NBA 2K6 By 2K Games see related

Blessed Be God!!!

Hmmm so this weekend I did NOTHING and it was WONDERFUL! lol. Slept In and took it easy. Friday got off a little earlier and hung out with Becky for the night getting some more stuff downloaded on my iPOD and watched That 70's Show. Then later I watched Glory Road.

Sat. I woke up around 11:30. It seems whenever I sleep in I wake up at 11:30 no matter how much I would want to sleep in later...of course that's late as it is. Anyways, woke up and realized how long my hair is. Usually when I wake up I have bed head but this was BED HEAD. I mean crazy go lucky hair all up in the air kind of due. So what do I do? just put on a hat. Watch some World Cup Soccer and decided to head out with Michael and Willa for some errands, one being Fry's. Now if I had known that I'd be out for about four hours I might would have changed my mind, but I did get Ocean's Eleven and Twelve both for under $20 so that was a steal AND got a meal out of it so I'll take that any day. Also, Michael got another guitar for guitar hero so we can play heads up. Then drove back and stayed up to watch Ocean's Twelve.

Went to bed not too terribly late but yet again woke up at you guessed it...11:30. Played NBA 2K6 for about 4 hours with Michael and went to mass. I really can't stand alter gatherings during the concecration of our Lord, and how people will stand and chit chat really loud in the chapel where people are trying to play. The door is not 20 steps infront of you and there is the outside...just some things to vent out. Went back to the Kemper's to watch the game last night. Stackhouse is the best 6th man in the NBA and the Mav's own the Heat right now. It would be so freak'n sweet if the Mav's sweep the series, and those who say that can't happen, then show me how the Heat are going to change this around b/c I can't see how. Went to bed way late and now I'm at work till 2. Afterwards going to get my tags renewed and then probably run on the treadmill.

God Bless
Jason Gregory

Currently Listening In Between Dreams By Jack Johnson see related

Blessed Be God!!!

I haven't been getting GREAT sleep, but it has been sleep. Last night the MAVS WON!!! Boo Ya! I fear for the Heat.....NOT REALLY! Last night I was able to sleep HARD and dream for only 4 hours of sleep which really suprised me. The past couple of days I've been working on a lot of personal things which is good.

Change of some plans for the Summer trip. To keep a long story short, we are planning to go to Washington D.C. instead of San Diego. It's a little sad but there are many more advantages that out weighed to going to S.D. esp. for Becky.

ummm just working and trying to spend as little as possible and save up. Baris is probably one of my favorite places to eat in Denton. That is all.

God Bless
Jason Gregory

PS Happy Late Birthday and Father's day to my father. I love you dad!