More HP. The line between VW and Audi is getting blurred. And 17″ rims? They decreased the stock size? All in all, looks good. Keep it up VW. DAS AUTO!

Via VW

Lakers & Celtics, Yankees & Boston, Dodgers & Giants, Redskins & Cowboys. These are just some of the greatest rivalries in the history of sports. But these pale in comparison to the bitter rivalry between the two campuses of UCI and Cal Poly SLO. Never has there been so much at stake when these two schools come together in sporting glory. Their annual matchup in the Big West Conference has been deemed El Clasico. There has been a dryspell the past couple of years for the mighty Anteaters, but 2013 was our year. Thanks to #20 and #3 (what good are names anyway?), UCI will once again be the new home for the 700lb El Clasico trophy. FINALLY! You fallen alumni may rest in peace now. Go now into eternal slumber with the El Clasico trophy upon thy shoulders! FREEEEEEDOM!

Imagine Michelangelo, beginning a new sculpture. What he is sculpting, is a gift for you, but you are invited to watch the process as well. While you’re watching this you start asking questions. They’re very innocent at first.

“How long does one usually take?”
“What tool is that called?”
“What is that used for?”

With each question, Michelangelo has to stop his work to answer you. But as time goes by, the questions become more doubtful.

“Doesn’t that arm look bigger than this one?”
“Are you sure this looks realistic here?”
“You’re going to make sure to buff this part out right?”
“Why is it taking so long?”

Now imagine it’s not you asking these things, but some other stranger, but you’re also in the room with the full knowledge of who Michelangelo is. The master sculptor who created pieces like the Pieta or David. Would you be in agreement with this guy or would you scream out “JUST SHUT UP! CAN YOU LET THE MAN WORK? DO YOU KNOW WHO HE IS?”

This image was put in my head this morning as I was contemplating on so many prayer requests I currently had. I found myself getting a little annoyed with God. Getting anxious. Regret started to seep in. Human logic started taking over. Thoughts of “I should’ve done this” or “It would’ve been better if I went this way” were filling my mind.

That’s when I heard it. Not the part about shutting up, but just the end: “Do you know who He is?” I had forgotten. I had made prayer the equivalent of Google. Car problems? Just Google it. How do you make the perfect cheesecake? Just Google it. It’s fast and it has become the next logical step to problem solving in today’s culture. Prayer had become the next logical step in my Christian life. And when Google fails, you’re done. You’re frustrated, and you move on. When prayer seems to fail, I’m done. I get frustrated, and I move on. Why do I move on like it was one option out of many. Where’s the trust? The faith? I’ve tried it, nothing happened, now what. I had forgotten.

But every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights. I wish I didn’t have to wait or even hear a stern, “No”. But who am I to question His ways? When did I become the annoying person, constantly asking these questions, and interrupting the Creator of the universe (although He doesn’t see me that way)?

So back to the original image of Michelangelo working. What would I really do in that case, knowing who he is? I would honestly just sit there. I would watch him work. To have the opportunity to see a great man like this, work on something is a gift in itself. To see the care that goes into it and all the fine chisels. And since I know who is making it, I would not dare give him advice. Instead, I would be filled with joy the whole time, no matter what since this is mine. So with that same mindset, I do hope I can just sit here with the full knowledge of who is working on it, filled with the joy in knowing I have a Father who hears my cries and answers them. To be still, and to even enjoy it, with no interruptions.

Via Uncrate

I came downstairs yesterday morning and saw my dad watching a soccer match between Korea and Mexico. I asked if this was live and he then told me that this was the Olympics. What the?! Already? But then, he reassured me soccer requires more than the time allotted for the Olympics so they started a day earlier. That’s when I realized I had totally forgotten about the Olympics this year and at the same time excited that the opening ceremony is today. It’s always an exciting time because of all the stories that come out of these games. You just can’t beat drama in sports. You can’t make up this stuff some times. Once I got into work, I started watching highlights of the few soccer matches that have already ended and I already felt the pride in seeing the US women’s soccer team beat France. I can’t wait to start yelling “U-S-A!” in all the matches to come. By the way, best chant ever. So simple, yet so satisfying. I wish I could ride on an Eagle and drop some FREEDOM bombs while chanting that. I digress. Not only is it great seeing your own country go for gold, but I actually do enjoy cheering for the host country as well (most of the time). This is probably the ultimate high in sports. Playing for the glory of your motherland in front of your fellow countrymen. I can’t even imagine how that must feel, but I wish I could get a taste of that. I also watched the highlights from the Great Britain match against New Zealand, and seeing them win was pretty awesome. To see people in the stands so exuberant and proud of their team. The crazy thing is that the Olympics haven’t even started yet. Here’s something to get you pumped up.