Saturday, November 15, 2008

I think...


Wow, so much I'd like to say... but honestly I can't type this out in vague statements open to speculation, that just leaves it way to open for people to figure out what I mean. We need to cut through the crap and do some "straight talk" (lol! John McCain!). Oh wait, that's vague isn't it! Oh well...
That's a picture of me and my sister at Starbucks over the summer! Awesome pic eh?!

I am tired now... maybe I'll just go to sleep.

Jonathan

Friday, November 14, 2008

I don't see what anyone can see in anyone else but you

I am in a fairly good place at the moment. No complaints today. I went and saw the new James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace out in the theaters now! It was very cool. We naturally got there 30 minutes early, yet still everyone and their mother showed up before us.

We got stuck sitting in the front row! Awesome fun! Honestly though, my eyes adjusted to the screen and I enjoyed the movie. Lol, my eyes are having trouble readjusting back down to normal! I feel like they are bulging out of my head slightly. But... I digress.

Here is a picture of my mom enjoying some Greek Coffee while we were in Rhodes over the summer. My sister and I had decided we wanted to trek off into the old city, away from all the tourist traps. We walked for ten minutes down narrow cobble stone streets, where people left there doors and windows wide open to the summer breeze. Dogs slept on the sidewalks and motorbikes were parked outside of homes. Eventually, we came upon a cafe, open to the air with a tree over hanging a little garden. We stopped in and just took in the view for a bit. I thought the cups were super cool, and insisted on my mom posing for the photo. (That involved me saying "look over there!") I left Greece with a feeling that one day I'd like to come back, and stay a while longer. Life just seemed to move to a different beat over there.



Today I am grateful for:

Good Greek Coffee
My mom
My family
My friends
My kitty cats
You for believing in me

Jonathan

Enjoy the light of the day....

Thursday, November 13, 2008

One day at a time

One day at a time. Seems to work for me. Sometimes it is more like one hour at a time, getting through something which I may be "grasping" on to. Today, there was very little grasping, and more acceptance.

Faith without works is dead... I have faith today. But... I also have works. This week I have been very active in the groups, and reaching out to other alcoholics. My sponsor is huge on helping others. I wish, in this respect, I was more like him! I think the seventh step prayer from the big book is applicable here:

"My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen "

Thy will be done... Man, I am just gonna go ahead and qoute the Third Step Prayer from the Big Book of AA!

"God, I offer myself to Thee--to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life.
May I do Thy will always!"

The third step prayer to me, means acceptance! Accepting God's plan, not Jonathan's plan! God's plan is for me to do his will, and his way of life. Not mine.

Any how, not really sure why I am qouting the big book today, just wanted to throw thoughs out there for anyone who is looking for them! On another note, how about those Alabama Crimson Tide??! Can I get a Roll Tide? We are finally number one and have a shot for the big one this year. It's about time. I haven't been back to Tuscaloosa in a number of years... I miss that school man.

Soooo, good night my friends! Hope everybody is well, enjoy the light of the day!

Jonathan

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

I am...

I recently realized how the other day, I got down over a B+ on an exam. I feel like if I don't do well (B as opposed to A), then that makes me somehow less than. Well, not consciously anyways... it's all in my head, like underneath... When I don't perform to a set standard, I beat myself up. I think this is very alcoholic of me, and needs to change. Perfectionism... not a good thing! Acceptance is the answer to all of my problems today...

That being said, I thought I'd think of some things that I am:

I am a friend...



I am a brother...

A silly brother...


I am a son...


I am a grandson...

I am a cousin...


I am an Uncle!
I am a loving cat daddy!


I am a dork!


And I just might be your doctor one day!



Any whoo, I just wanted to have fun with some pictures and count the blessings I have today!

Today I am grateful and thankful!

Jonathan





















Monday, November 10, 2008

Robert Frost: God's Garden

A treat for yall! I went to Turkey with my mom and sister recently, here is a pic or two!








Me and sister in Greece, up to no good naturally! Look at those evil smiles!
And a poem by Robert Frost...



God made a beauteous garden
With lovely flowers strown,
But one straight, narrow pathway
That was not overgrown.
And to this beauteous garden
He brought mankind to live,
And said: "To you, my children,
These lovely flowers I give.
Prune ye my vines and fig trees,
With care my flowerets tend,
But keep the pathway open
Your home is at the end."

Then came another master,
Who did not love mankind,
And planted on the pathway
Gold flowers for them to find.
And mankind saw the bright flowers,
That, glitt'ring in the sun,
Quite hid the thorns of av'rice
That poison blood and bone;
And far off many wandered,
And when life's night came on,
They still were seeking gold flowers,
Lost, helpless and alone.

O, cease to heed the glamour
That blinds your foolish eyes,
Look upward to the glitter
Of stars in God's clear skies.
Their ways are pure and harmless
And will not lead astray,
Bid aid your erring footsteps
To keep the narrow way.
And when the sun shines brightly
Tend flowers that God has given
And keep the pathway open
That leads you on to heaven



Going for a swim in Turkey...




















Sunday, November 9, 2008

Kitty Cat

So my cat broke her leg recently :( Here is a nice video for those interested!



Besides that, not much else new to report. I recieved an 87 on my Organic Chemistry exam... that really boiled my blood for a few minutes. My teacher is sorta vague on what he wants to see in the test, so he took off for some stupid stuff. But I digress, I am giving that over to God and letting go. Plus, he is reminding me that I can do better. So I need to do some more studying and move along!

Sobriety is going great. I honestly have no complaints. I have a big group of friends, a couple close friends, a sponsor, and I go to a lot of meetings. Life is challenging at times, and I can get down. Most of the time I am pretty darn serene.

Ok, so I am gonna say it. I think I like someone in the program... messed up I know. She is older than me though, so I am unsure of her interest level. Not sure older girls are much into younger guys... You know, I think I made it kinda clear I was into her... I think... I mean, I did ask her to hang out once or twice. But... I got a fairly luke-warm, so-so response. I am the type of guy who does not waste my time chasing chicks that are not interested in me. So I think I may forget about it. I kinda felt shot down... but it's cool, I am happy being friends. My sponsor says I should be honest and ask her out. But man! Screw that! Haha! If she is sending me let's be friends signals, then I am picking them up and tuning in. I am not an idiot, and naturally wouldn't want to make her feel weird around me in the future. Of course, my sponsor said it's fear and I should face my fear of rejection! Maybe I should. Or maybe girls should pick up on our signals better! And maybe girls will also one day stop dating guys that just aren't into them. And stop dating jerks that just want sex. And maybe pigs will fly, and maybe one day a girl will come along who wants a relationship, just like I do, and we will live happily ever after! :) Lol, Jonathan appearently is feeling rejected... hehe! That's ok though, life is good today. END RANT!

Moving right along... We are totally still having Sunday dinners, Sunday breakfeast, Saturday Dinners, Friday dinners, and starbucks at just about any time of the day. I think that is prettty cool, being able to do all these things in Tampa.

Random stuff, this is more of a journal entry tonight than anything....

Now I am up at school typing the remainder of this post. School is tough. I have lab reports to write, outlines to write, tests to take, quizes to take, and homeword to do. It's like you work hard to get one thing done and bam! More stuff! I feel kinda sorta like that today... I want to go up to Pasco County tomorrow to visit a doctor friend of mine, so I gotta do some extra studying tonight...

My roommate went out of town today, so I get to care for the dog for the next few days as well! Awesome fun! He is a cute dog, I look forward to picking up large pieces of pooh for the next week! The highlight of my day! :)


Today I am thankful and grateful for:

Picking up pooh
My roomy
My family
My friends
My health
AA
And my health again!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Good day!

Nothing new to report! But, I did do school shit for a record 12 hours today! On top of that, I fit in a meeting at 7:00 at Bayshore, which I consider to be my most favorite meeting in all of South Tampa!

I saw Jeff and Tom there, among some other folks.

Such a busy day, and not even done yet. I should probably finish my lab report tonight, but I am tired and will probably just do it first thing in the morning...

I am so glad to have seen W. today too, he is just so spiritual... you know, when he talks it's like... damn, I want what you have man! So I listen intently and try to apply the things I hear into my daily life. Tonight, I will probably end the night with a quiet mind, which is always a good thing!

Jonathan

Today I am grateful... for my cat who is totally bugging me while being cute at the same time!

And of course being sober