Thats 90 on each side btw.

Floor Press: 135/10, 185/6, added 1 chain/6, 6

20 mins cardio

Felt strong today and feeling healthy. Glad this training week over so I can rest and eat for Monday's throwdown. I figure this will be a good opportunity to see how tough I am mentally to grind through 20 reps on the squat.

Well, Christmas is here and I'm counting my blessings and thanking God for the small things and victories and gifts I've had over the year. Being safe coming home at a sketchy hour on the CTA, passing my summer and fall classes, competing and doing well in powerlifting, having good friends and training partners, family, and roof over my etc. I dont get gifts from others, and the holidays havent been the same since my mother and grandfather died. I have great memories of Christmas though and those will stay with me forever.

At my age, just like my goals are always being refined and evaluated, Christmas does also. I definitely believe in the reason that it's celebrated but not the commercialism. If your'e hung up on the gift your'e getting and giving, then, just like I heard at a sermon a week ago, you are liable to miss Jesus. If you don't believe n Jesus, then you miss the point of the holiday.

Call me naive but I still believe in peace on Earth, good will towards men. Not the "Save 50% at Best Buy", which I won't lie is nice, but not the point of the holiday.

ATTN: The next two to five sentences take a spiritual tone. Don't like it? Too bad, just skip to the next paragraph!

The point of the holiday, and yes I'm going there, is to celebrate Christ's coming into the world. I am thankful that i have his grace and mercy everyday, even with the fact that I may say and do things that are displeasing. For me and other Christians who celebrate, thats the reasons. AND IT'S NOT X-MAS!!!!!!!!!!!

And if we really look at it, Christmas is a year round thing. You give to people an ear, encouragement, friendship, love and much more. You may get the same thing, but if you're caught up in the superficial and not thankful for the little things, you're going to have a very shallow life.

Well, off my soapbox. Time for some leftover food and a bit o videogames. MEEEEEERRRRRYYYYYY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

ps. Uh, Santa........if you could leave a job and a subsequent trip to the Arnold Classic in March to see Branch Warren Win, I'd REALLY appreciate it. Thanks!