I Wish You Could See This

Are you missing Stu yet? If you are, here is where I am at this very moment:

This is a picture taken outside of a coffee lounge where they make fantastic drinks with even tastier after-dinner treats. You see the moon in the background? That is because it is 9 o'clock at night. I am writing on the patio of this lounge of which I am enjoying this pleasant 84 degree weather. "Wait a second. Stu, I thought you were in Ohio? I didn't know this town you lived in was so unique that it had gorgeous backdrops with fascinating architecture around every corner!" You better believe what you are looking at because my phone does not have the capabilities of taking great pictures by itself. 

There is one thing I can tell you about this town I have lived in for the past four months. This is one of the great cities in the country that was not built from negative people. Columbus is like a sponge where it absorbs people for college, sports (Columbus Crew, Columbus Blue Jackets, Columbus Clippers and who could forget, The Ohio State University), and that big city-small town feel. Positive acts are what keep Columbus alive and thriving. Negativity does not fair well in this city, or in any city for that matter. Keep negativity away from me as well. Because I can see myself grow right before my eyes and it is exciting for me to see what I am able to do in such a place as Columbus.

This goes for anywhere you are in the world. Take the positives out of everything around you because negativity does not lead to prosperity or happiness. I'll take the positive path without negativity, thank you very much. My lifelong dream will become a reality as a result. This town has given me an aspiring feeling to become someone my friends and family will be proud to know and love. I can feel the potential growing inside of me, and it is helping me gain my self respect. With that, I can bet there is more to come from this boy slowly becoming a man. Be patient world, just like I have been patient with you. I hope you are watching.  

Three Tips To Becoming A True Newcastle United FC Supporter

Newcastle United FC: A club with magnificent history, passionate fans and a team that has topsy turvy performances year after year. One moment we finish close to the top of the Premier League table and the next, we are in a relegation battle. But if there are any Geordies (Newcastle fans) reading this, fear not. You are not alone in supporting the greatest club on the planet! There are fans around the world, including myself (currently residing in Ohio, U.S.) watching my beloved club every day and just waiting for their reign to spike again. But Newcastle United will always be my team, and is one of the many reasons I love this game so much.

I’m sure you all want to become a true fan of Newcastle United, right? Here are my three tips on becoming a Geordie.

1. Represent The Toon

Newcastle United FC lives because of the support from its faithful fans. Newcastle United would not be a phenomenal team if it was not for us. So wear the black and white with pride, and don't take any offense from another supporter. And you will get this. This will show the passion that you have for the club, especially during its difficult times. No fair-weather fans are allowed in the black and white! When Newcastle United wins a title, the feeling of victory will be that much sweeter when you stick with them through thick and thin. This leads me to my next tip…

2. Try Not To Be Surprised By The Show

This club is a roller coaster, plain and simple. The colors are a great representation of the club, in that we are either here or there. Black and white, nothing in between. The players are giving their all, or not giving anything at all. We either love the coaches/owners, or despise them. The antics that happen around St. James' Park will always rev our engines but at the end of the day, we will always say the same thing: "Ho'way the Lads." (translation from Geordie dialect: “Come on, boys!”)

3. Remember Why You Support Newcastle

Older players may have sparked your passion for the club such as the great Jackie Milburn, Malcolm Macdonald or David Ginola. Alan Shearer was the best player for Newcastle from its most recent times. Or you may have started watching the “toon” play during a fantastic era, such as the early 90’s when they were nicknamed “The Entertainers.” I started watching Newcastle in the early 2000's, and we definitely had a rocky period around that time for many depressing reasons. But the special people around you might kick-off your passion and continue it as well. My father has also been a fan for his whole life, and we fuel each other's fire when it comes to the supporting this great club. There is nothing more valuable to someone than a shared passion, especially with a parent. Newcastle makes our bond stronger. The day Newcastle wins a trophy, I am celebrating it with my Dad. Because he was the one that gave me the feeling of devotion to this club.

All of us fans support Newcastle in our own ways, but the fact remains that the common denominator is the love for this club. That is something to be remembered while we are still alive to watch this club continue to grow and improve. And improve we will! We all know when we have a bad run of form, a great run of form is just around the bend. And now, I will leave you all with a piece of our unofficial song of Newcastle United. I hope to hear you all sing this song loud and proud very soon.

Blaydon Races

 Ah me lads, ye shud only seen us gannin',

We pass'd the foaks upon the road just as they wor stannin';

Thor wes lots o' lads an' lasses there, all wi' smiling faces,

Gawn alang the Scotswood Road, to see the Blaydon Races.

Run, Forrest. Run

Being in Ohio has made me realize something. The new places and cities we visit help us grow as people. Travel is what grows us. Whether it is Ohio, Florida, or travelling to Thailand for a few months, those people come back with a better knowledge of the world and themselves. Going to a new place with no prior knowledge of your surroundings helps you realize how beautiful this world is. To do this, you must be able to leave your "home" and everything that is associated with it.

My advice to anyone who is reading this is do not let anything hold you back from what you want in life. If there is something that is not letting you be who you are, cut ties with it and move on. Because in the end, the most important thing in life is yourself. Like Charlie's "Golden Ticket" in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, keep a hold of your dream and don't stop until you get it. Because your aspirations and your well-being is more important than something that does not let you reach them. But keep in mind, don't forget your home and the people that sculpted you. They will always be there for you and love you until the very end. And you will be able to celebrate your accomplishments with them, so you will realize how far you have come.

So, run Forrest. Run.

The MLS Youth System

I am ecstatic about the future of soccer in this country. The academies, clubs, and developmental programs are gaining more players that are going on to play in college or even on professional teams. February 5th was the Columbus Crew Youth's College Signing Night and it was evident that the coaches truly believed the players would go on to bigger and better things. These kids were something special, because they went through adversities early on in their careers and they grew from their challenges. I can relate to them and I know I will be able to make my dreams come true. We are all in control of our own destiny and it all hinges upon our choices in how we handle challenges.

The opportunities that these players gained from progressing in the youth academies at the Columbus Crew were magnificent and something of which I could have only dreamed. Taking the next big step to push themselves in college (and many of them are going to Division I schools) is the best choice. It was an event that I was able to look upon and wish that I had the same opportunity as them. But my goals have changed now. I want to be a part of the development of youth and use soccer as an avenue for their success. The development of my favorite sport in this country is my passion and I want to spread that passion to others. Spreading the love and bringing the best out of people are what leaders do best. And I believe that the best human beings are coaches/leaders. Because they do things to their players that are unbelievable at times, they turn players 180 degrees for them to fully realize their potential. They are a special breed. It is an art to become a leader/coach and it will take a lot of work, but I believe I am up for the challenge.

Columbus Crew College Signing Night

Places To Go, People To Meet

I am beginning to love this town. There are so many places I have seen and many times I have gone out with on the town, but there are still so many great things to do! For example, this time next week I will be going to the Ohio State vs Michigan basketball game here at the Schottenstein Center (The Schott)! This is a big rivalry between the two schools and they only play each other once during the season. This game is going to be nuts! Both teams are nationally ranked as well, so it is being set up for one heck of a match-up. There is nothing I love more than highly competitive games between two teams that just do not like each other for the mere fact that they are located close to one another. However, I still need to get some Ohio State gear to rep this hood ( <--I know what you are thinking, "I didn't know Stu was a G?" ). But with concerts, sports games, the Short North (part of downtown,which I have yet to experience at night), and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I will never get bored or run out of things to do. Not to mention all of the things I have not heard of yet.

O-H-I-O

You Can Have Whatever You Want, When You Realize That It Is No Big Deal

There is this idea floating around that when you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. If everything else in this world is not true, then that statement will always be correct. Think of the pedestal you want to reach up to and think of how many steps it will take to reach the top. What kind of steps do you have to take? How many steps were you thinking of skipping before you clip your foot and fall?

Remember when you thought those stairs going up to the tallest roller coaster were so daunting, it made you not want to ride the roller coaster at all? When you realize that those steps are not as high as you once thought and you forget what everyone told you about how tough it is doing what you want to do, then the steps become simple. One by one, you are reaching the top and you are closer to where you want to be. With every step, you become wiser and grow into the person you want to be and by the time you make it to the top, you feel like you can accomplish anything.

To give you a different idea, I will give you an insight on a joke I heard from a comedian recently that changed the viewpoint on my life and how I live it. Bo Burnham is a comedian that is about my age who is extremely bright and hilarious, he has become one of my favorites. During one of his songs called "From God's Perspective", he jokingly sings about how God thinks its funny that people try so hard to make it to heaven. "There are a trillion aliens cooler than you" is one of his points. But then he goes on and says that maybe life on Earth could be heaven, rather than hoping life after death will be better than life itself. I am not religious by all means, but I found this to be very enlightening when pursuing your dreams. When you realize that living is the best gift you could receive, then life seems way more valuable and there is no point wasting it. I hope the rest of you can do the same, whether it be from this post or in other ways. But I hope you all pursue your dreams with excitement and live your life to the fullest with a smile.

Big Boy Job? Not Quite Yet

I had orientation for my new part-time job this afternoon at the Plaza Restaurant in the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Columbus right next to the State House. I will be serving as I was back in Colorado, and hopefully I will be making some good money for the time being. The hotel and restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. As you can see from the picture,(which I stole from Google, unfortunately it is not from my own camera) the restaurant has a giant window that lights up the entire room and the view is of the State House. Magnificent setting for a high class hotel. Oh, and we get half-off coffee at Starbucks which is in the hotel. Pretty nice, huh?