Day 2 at CF

Aiight. So it's Day 2, Friday, and it just might be my worst school day. Why you ask? Because when I get out of class at 4:30, there is no ping pong and no food. AND the student lounge is closed. So I'm sitting here in the cafeteria typing this. Class got out a little early today. I should be doing my homework, but I'm too overcome at not being able to play ping pong or get food on Fridays.

So math class. The teacher is alright. His mom is African and his father is Italian. He lived in Paris for many years of his life, so he has that French accent. The room doesn't have comfy chairs though. Actually there's no padding at all, just a plain ole' chair. So that stinks. But, he seems like a decent enough teacher, so I think I'll live.

We do get 2 breaks though, so that's pretty tight.

Eh, it's hot and muggy outside. I guess it rained while I was in class. So I suppose I'll stay in here and get my homework done.

Central Florida College -- First Day

CF is pretty cool. First day was a blast. I got there a little early, but I just stayed in the building where my first class was. First class, Humanities. Not bad. It sounded like it had some interesting things in it, sounds like it goes a little deeper than other classes. Instructor, not bad. The room is completely full with about 90 students. BUT, you get to sit in nice comfy chairs.

So, my class ended at 11:50, and I had until 2:35 until my next class, World Civilizations I. I was hungry, like always, so I went to the cafeteria. Let me tell you, they have some GOOD food compared to high school. Like they had hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, pizza, wraps, salads, you name it. So I got myself a chicken basket. Then I found my once-upon-a-time co-worker, Mr. Mark. He used to work out in the yard at Sparr Building & Farm Supply, where I work. He left to become a forest ranger.

Anyway, after eating, I saw some kids playin' ping pong. So I played that for over an hour or so. Then I just chilled and enjoyed the freedom of being able to go wherever I wanted. It felt kind of weird being able to take my iPod out and my laptop, and listen to my iPod and play on my computer. You just can't do that in high school.

Then it was time for my second class. Geez how I'm going to hate this class. Even though I only meet once a week (it's a hybrid course), the instructor is horrible. We spent the better part of the class helping him work his computer. Anyway, the class sounds interesting enough. I'm a HUGE geek for ancient civilizations like the Romans and especially the Greeks. I'm really interested in learning more about them. But I saw that in the beginning we would be studying Evolution, which he calls "prehistory". To put it simple, Evolution is a belief. I feel so badly that I want to go to a Christian college. I believe so strongly in God and his Word that it pains me to be forced to learn all of this stuff just for a grade. I'd really love to go to a Christian school that doesn't just have preaching degrees, like a degree in physical therapy, the field I'm interested in.

But one cool thing about the class is that it has weekly discussions online. The instructor will post a question and we must answer, or respond to another person's post. That is something I absolutely love. I had an online teacher a few years ago, I forget what subject. But there was this extended answer question on a test that I had to answer. The teacher said he had never given full points to anyone for that question. He stated that I gave one of the best answers to the question he had seen thus far.

Anyway. I love debating and having intellectual dialogs with other people. I am a Global Moderator on an online forum called Chaos Coalition. I have debated and "spoke" with many intellectual people who have asked many difficult questions. It certainly sharpened my skills in debating and having a conversation purely with text.

Overall, I'm pretty excited still. I have a math class Friday for 3 hours that I'm not looking forward to, but I think I'll still love going to CF the remainder that I'm there. 

Relation of Martial Arts and Christianity

I've been thinking a lot on how Martial Arts and Christianity can build on each other. I want to teach martial arts at my church, and a few people at my work are interested in lessons as well. I love my karate deeply. I love my God deeply. So how can karate help make you a stronger Christian?

Discipline is an almost obvious one. It takes great endurance and hard work to become excellent at martial arts. You have to discipline yourself so that you remain in good physical shape and flexibility. You can get nowhere if you don't try your hardest and force your body to do things it obviously does not want to do. Christianity calls us to go further than we want to go. It requires much effort if you want to become like Christ.

The mindset is another example of how karate and Christianity are linked. It almost takes a special kind of person to be really good at karate instead of just ok. I cannot stand it when a high ranking martial artist does not try his hardest, and I can tell. Martial Arts is the type of "activity" that requires full dedication. Christianity is the same way. It is not meant for the faint of heart. It does not want lukewarm "members". That's not what martial arts is about and it's not what Christianity is about.

Physical training is of some value. Martial Arts can train you to know your own body. Christianity transforms you to become Christ-like.