live life.

       Losing someone is a life-changing, world-shaking reality. It isn't easy to lose people close to you and those are the times where we realize that we should never take things for granted. Just recently, a Delaware student had taken her life and it seemed like students all around the state came together in some sort of unity through social media. I'm guessing that no one really knew what the student was going through. Sometimes it's easier to hide the hurt and pain inside instead of sharing it with others. Sometimes it's easier to act like you're okay when really you aren't. I would know because at one point in my life, that's exactly how I felt. Too many people relied on me and I couldn't show my times of weakness. Although people act like everything's okay, for all you know they could be going through hell inside. It's easy to judge and make fun of people but it isn't easy to take back harsh and hateful words and actions against someone. One word can change someone's life and one action can alter someone's world. It's easier to live a life of positivity and kindness instead of living one full of hate and regret for actions that you can't take back.
      2016 has surely been a year of losses and it's easy to question why the man up above is taking kids that are so young. It's easy to question why the man up above would take away people who had some much more ahead of them. Life is too short to be wondering why things happen. Life is too short to live in pity and sadness. There are times for mourning but today is the day to live your life. Nothing is ever guaranteed and we can't expect to wake up every single morning just fine. Often times it's easy to take life for granted. We tell ourselves that we'll do things the next day. We tell ourselves it's okay to keep pushing our goals back because there's always another day ahead. Nothing in life is guaranteed so you have to live every day like it's the last one you'll ever have. Live life without regret.

"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest"- Matthew 11:28

college or nah?

       After 3 long years of high school, we're finally here. The last year. Now that it's finally the last year, college application season is already in full swing. It's almost the time that everyone's been waiting for. The time to leave beloved Delaware. Sometimes we get caught up in the motions and we forget what the real purpose is. College is a time to leave boundaries. College is a chance to gain knowledge to change the world. College can also be a fresh start for some people. Despite all these great things that college can bring, there are countless stories of people who've become successful without going to college at all. In most households, it's kinda an expectation to go to college. It's a societal expectation to go to college and to get a degree. Most people believe that if you don't get a college degree, you can't contribute to the world. But I think that's wrong. Society just hasn't grasped the idea that college is not for everyone. For a while, I thought about not going to college. Maybe I would be the next great YouTuber or maybe the next Mark Zuckerberg. Just kidding that's most likely never gonna happen but some people just aren't fit for college. Some people just don't like the idea of being stuck in the strict education system for another four years. So I guess the point of this is that college surely isn't for everyone. Some people were just destined to be great without a degree. Whether you go to college or not, you're taking big risks in life. Whichever one you decide to choose can change the course of your life in a positive or negative way.

election 2016: quick thoughts

This year's election has proven to be one of the most heartbreaking ones in the history of our country. Though we are supposed to unite, the outcome of the 2016 election has created outrage and division between everyone. Ever since Donald Trump has been elected president, there have been countless stories of protests and racist acts in the news. By no means am I a Hillary supporter nor am I a Trump supporter but I am an America supporter. I believe that Trump was elected for a reason and that you can't judge a book by its cover. Though people trash Trump for his hate against countless races and denominations, the hate stirred within people in Trump's elections is insane. My parents have always taught me to give people chances no matter who they are. I don't support the harsh words Trump says but I do respect that he will be the president for the next 4 years. People have so much hate for a person who they haven't even given a chance and that's what disappoints me. I'm disappointed in a country which supports democracy but falls apart when they don't like the elected. If anything, the country needs to find unity more than ever and it isn't gonna happen if people can't stand by the one who has been elected. I believe in giving people chances and I think people should find it in themselves to give the president a chance also.

Coke vs. Pepsi

      Most people have probably heard of the term "Battle of the Bands" but most have probably never heard of "Battle of the Brands." Throughout history, there has never been a more controversial topic than that of Coke vs. Pepsi. Chances are that the split for either side goes about 50/50. As for which I would personally choose, Coke takes the dub over Pepsi. I don't know about you but I can't find that many reasons to support either product, but others think that there's some psychological connection to a topic as controversial as this one. Some people refer to this battle as the "Cola Wars." Honestly, I would rather choose Coke because I've had it way more times than I've had Pepsi. If you're looking for an in-depth analysis on the taste and opportunity costs of Coke and Pepsi, this isn't a post where you'll find those answers

life goes on.

      Often times in life, we get caught up in the fact that when one thing goes wrong, everything else is going down with it too. I remember back when I was younger, everything seemed to be so much more fun and simple. No kid had to worry about who the president was, how many hours to work during the week, what friend was backstabbing you, and even what clothes to wear to places. These things didn't matter because we were more focused on enjoying life instead of worrying about all the outside factors we believe lead to a better life but actually don't.
      Most people in America would consider this year's election one of the most important ones that we've ever had in this country's history. People don't wanna vote for a womanizer like Trump but at the same time, people don't wanna vote for a liar like Hillary. Everyone's getting caught up in scenarios they make in their heads of what would happen if either candidate became the president. We're so concerned about what we think is gonna happen when really, it's affecting how we live life in the now. These problems go even farther than just America too. The president of the Philippines announced that he wants to cut all ties with the US and make allies with China and Russia. There's so many life altering events occurring all at once and many people are fed up. But the reality of all of it is as simple as 3 words. Life. Goes. On. We're so caught up in scenarios of what would happen when we should be living our lives to best we can regardless of the things happening around. Just because Trump potentially becomes the president doesn't necessarily mean the world is gonna end. Same with Hillary. Instead of worrying so much about what's gonna happen in the future, people should continue to live life to the best they possibly can. It;s not bad to look ahead into the future but life goes on whether you like it or not. As long as you keep on moving, everything else will follow.

top songs of the week: rap/hip hop edition

1. Angels: Chance The Rapper
2. Fetty: Playboi Carti
3. Like Dat: Kodak Black
4. Come Up: Lil Yachty prod. White Diddy
5. Thunderman: Xavier Wulf
6. Water: Ugly God
7. Broccoli: D.R.A.M. feat. Lil Yachty
8. Look At Me!: XXXTENTACION

spirit week 2k16

        As the week pretty much wraps up, it's arguably been one of the best spirit weeks in NCHS history (although it was also the shortest one). It goes to show how we've progressed as a school and how people take pride in their school. With everything that's been going on recently, it kinda seemed like everybody lost their patriot pride. But this week proved that notion wrong. Whether it was Hawaiian Tourist Day or Patriot Day, people went all out and it was surely a sight to see. With all that said, it's pretty surreal that it was also the last spirit week for the Class of 2017. It was the last hurrah for our class and I truly believed that we've set the tone for the generations to come in the school. As the first high school class, we've built the tradition from the bottom up and it's inspiring to see how far the school as a whole has come. The pep rally was pretty sub par but seeing the teachers battle in different ways was definitely something memorable
        The last ever homecoming game for the Class of 2017 was legendary to say the least. A memorable week was capped off by a costume themed homecoming volleyball game (where we took the dub). People say they hate Newark Charter and that they've lost all pride in the school. But one thing I know for sure is that the student body has been unified these past few weeks. No matter what people say, Patriot Pride is alive and well.

#SitForTPru

        It's been a roller coaster of emotions for everyone at Newark Charter this past week. And it's pretty crazy how an "altercation" between a teacher and a student could bring a whole student body to stand together in unity. For the people who don't know the story, it's okay to not know the story because really, we don't know the actual story right now. As unpopular this opinion is, right now it isn't fair to put anyone at complete fault. But even after all of that, the incident is not the most important part of the story, it's just a key portion that started a Newark Charter "movement." At our school, people are divided into specific cliques and barely interact with people of all grades. But today, we changed. This morning at school, around 200 students of all (most) grades took part in a sit-in inside the school cafetorium. It's insane how one tweet (and hashtag) can start such a big event. It goes to show how big of an impact social media has on society today. 

        I haven't taken a side because I don't wanna be the one who creates an opinion off of a variety of different accounts told. But what I do know is that today, we came together as one family to voice our opinions (which rarely happens). One event brought a divided group into one united group. People talk about how they hate going to Newark Charter because it's so dry. Sure, it's dry but there's no other place where everyone can agree on a standpoint to stand for what's right. To all the people who were afraid to come support or to the people who felt like they had no connection to the event, it wasn't about taking a side. It was more about coming as one to show unity and support in the midst of so much turmoil. Especially with the shootings and presidential race which have caused much divide and controversy, it's great to see how a body of divided students come together despite all of their differences. Some may think it's corny and some may find encouragement in this, but I'm confident that in the midst of this situation, good has already come out of something that should've torn us apart. Oh yeah, we made it on DelawareOnline so if you wanna check it out then click this link: Students hold 'sit in' after 'incident' at Newark Charter

        Side Note: Though you may have your different opinions on who was at fault, it isn't right to attack the person out of hate and anger. No good comes out of adding more negativity to the situation. All the anger and hate comments in the world won't help the situation at hand so choose to be the change and not the one to judge quickly. 

Forgiveness overcomes hate.

weekly thoughts: philippines war on drugs

         On May 9, 2016, Rodrigo Duterte was elected the president of the Philippines. He promised the filipino citizens that he would take a stand against drugs in the Philippines. Drugs had been a major problem in the Philippines for many years. On June 30, 2016 the Philippine Drug War began . Ever since the beginning of the war on drugs, thousands of drug addicts and drug distributors have been killed. Recently, the Philippine war on drugs has received much attention and criticism from countries worldwide. But here's my take on it.
        Surely, Rodrigo Duterte is not the best with words. He's cussed out the EU and Barack Obama for criticizing the death toll of the war on drugs. But with that being said, I do support what's being done in the Philippines. Though they don't always kill these criminals in humane ways, they're still making a change in the Philippines. Drugs have negatively impacted the Philippines through these past years and finally someone is willing to take a stand. Duterte is doing what most people wouldn't do. Sure, he knows he's gonna face criticism but his passion for the country and for a change outweighs the adversity he's facing. What he's doing in the Philippines can be described as "radical" but people can definitely see the change it has made. He may not be the best with words and he may be doing radical things in the Philippines, but I give props to Duterte for taking the road less traveled in the hopes of turning the Philippines back to greatness.

chill playlist of the week

1. This Empty Room: fiance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J77iydBN_1E)
2. Still Sound: Toro y Moi (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gqh4e1S6j0)
3. Blessings 2: Chance The Rapper (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLFD1b1kKaI)
4. Celophane: Miami Horror (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIPDdWlQ01o)
5. Atlantis: STRFKR (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EL03Pl4oL4)
6. Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second: STRFKR (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z8oYH_bhnA)
7. Ellie Alice: Local Natives (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=local+natives+ellie+alice)
8. Cancer: Twenty One Pilots (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw6i1SAHetc)
9. La Belle Femme: HUNNY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t14F9LNaK-U)
10. Roslyn: Bon Iver & St. Vincent (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LKbYhEwUoE)

philadelphia eagles: week 1 reflection

        A week before the glorious 2016 NFL season rolled around, the Eagles sent their "proclaimed" starting quarterback Sam Bradford on a plane to Minnesota. It was an unforeseen move as the eagles traded away their starting QB for a 1st round pick in 2017 and a 4th round pick in 2018. Though most Eagles fans never really jumped on the Bradford bandwagon, it was a crazy move that took place just days before a matchup with the Browns. Most people would've thought that the next person in line would be Chase Daniel, but we were wrong. Instead of starting a safe bet in Chase Daniel, the Eagles made the ultimate decision to start their rookie quarterback Carson Wentz. A lot of people were skeptical about this move not only because he was a rookie, but also because he was injured in the first preseason game. But surely, Wentz was not the 2nd overall pick for nothing.

     On a sunny day in Philadelphia, Carson Wentz surely showed up to perform. In the first drive of his career, Wentz showed all the haters that he was worthy of the 2nd pick in the draft. He led the Eagles downfield as smooth as a knife through butter. The drive ended in a perfect pass to the homeboy Jordan Matthews for a 19 yard over the shoulder touchdown. Though Wentz started to slow down a bit afterwards, he finished the game strong with 278 passing yards going with 2 touchdowns. A good amount of longtime fans (like me) questioned his readiness but soon enough, we'll all be settling in Carson City via the Wentz Wagon. He has made skeptical critics into believers and has given the city of Philadelphia hope in a championship run during his tenure (hopefully long) in Philly. But then again, we're all hoping that he isn't just a one week wonder. All aboard the Wentz Wagon. 



stay for a while (closure?)

        In no way am I the person who's an expert on relationships or life advice but I figured I would share a little something from my life. Maybe some way and somehow it'll benefit you. If it gets a little personal towards the middle then bear with me because it'll all make sense towards the end.
     
        I don't know where to start really, so I guess I'll start this with a flashback to summer 2013. I guess you could call it the story of us.

summer 2013/2014

So around that time, my church was having its yearly Vacation Bible School. To be honest, it was really just an ordinary week, until my friend's cousin came at least. At the time, I would probably describe her as a scrawny filipino girl who wasn't very talkative at the time (that's changed) a lot. She had come from the west coast to spend time with her cousin that summer, and somehow I hadn't met her until that week of VBS. Really, I never actually had interest in her to begin with but I guess once you're around people for a good amount of time, you start to see more than just what they are on the outside. She was smart, bright, and a "bundle of joy" if you wanna put it that way. When she left a few days later, we kinda decided the interest was mutual but it was too late. To speed up the story, the same thing happened the next year when she came except we did get a little closer. But this time around, we did stay in contact when she left for Seattle. A few months passed and you could call it a "casual relationship"; we weren't actually dating but the feelings were mutual. It was crazy because out of nowhere, she kinda just cut me off because her life was getting a little too stressful (since it was her first year of high school that year). Sitting there a little heartbroken, I did accept it a few weeks later. Months passed and I guess she noticed that pushing me away didn't bring her much good once school settled. She resorted to things that teenagers typically resort to in times of stress and anxiety. Sitting in little Delaware, I couldn't do anything. I cared so much but it didn't seem to be enough at the time. Her life hit the lowest point and I couldn't do anything about it. It's kinda just that feeling you get when you wanna help someone but can't do it. It hurt. But soon enough she did find some of her happiness again even though some of it may have been just artificial.

summer 2015

        That upcoming summer, she didn't plan on coming back to the east coast, partially because of how things went down the previous year (maybe). But she came back. I was still somewhat hurt deep inside but she did apologize to me. And it was genuine. At least it seemed genuine. I told myself that I wouldn't get myself into the same situation 3 years in a row. But I did. And it was great. Things went so well that summer and it felt like nothing could stop us. So many thoughts were going through my mind. Is she the one? Is she gonna cut me off again? Is this right? Those are just a few of the questions jumping in my mind. At the back of my mind was the thought that I would get hurt yet again. But time and time again she reassured me that she's changed and that it won't happen this time. And I believed her. By the time she settled back in Seattle at the end of that summer, we seemed unstoppable. She already had plans of going to UD for college so of course it's meant to be right? Wrong. After so many words of reassurance, she cut me off yet again. For what reason? I don't know. And yet again, I was left hurt, broken, filled with anger and hate and regret. Why wouldn't you be mad? You believe the same girl for 3 years hoping that she changes and countless times she breaks you. It took me around a month to get myself together. And I was pretty darn good at hiding it all (at least I thought lol). And you would ask, how exactly does your long sad story help me? 

      

 still here.

        I don't know where you're at in your life right now and maybe you could care less about everything that was said in this whole post but maybe you'll get a little something from this. Maybe you've been hurt by someone you thought would be your person in the many years to come. Or maybe you just need a little something to help you in a bad relationship. I'm no expert but what I do know is that harboring all your hate, regret, and anger inside will only make your situation worse. I've grown to learn that you need to hit the valleys (low points) in your life so that rejoicing at the mountaintop (high points) will be much more sweeter. All of the hardships you face now will slowly but surely shape the person you'll become in the future. Sometimes we're quick to pinpoint all the bad things about someone. Sometimes we're quick to hold grudges against people who've done you wrong but what's the point? At the end of the day, the past is the past and you have to keep moving. In this situation, you could block the people who've done wrong against you but reality is, no one's winning that battle. I've found that it's easier to forgive someone instead of living a life of grudges. Instead of kicking that person out of your life, you can be a positive influence in their life. It's better to be a positive influence in the lives of others instead of completely avoiding them. You may be just what they need in their low points too. The forgiveness and grace you show others will come back around someday. It's important to find yourself and get back up because it's never time to have a pity party. It's corny to end with a saying so I'll just end it like this

f i n d i n g   glen 

philippines 2016

This past summer, I had the opportunity to go back to the Philippines (the homeland) after 15 years. It was a pretty emotional experience to say the least. Being able to see all your relatives is something that you can't ever put a value on. But even though I got to see family and all the sights around the Philippines, it was also a reality check for me too. You never know how blessed and fortunate you are until you see the lifestyle and need in a third world country. Everything is different and maybe yeah, things aren't as grand as they are in America but it still felt like home. Yeah, the streets are crowded and it isn't as clean as it is in America, but the people are genuine and welcoming. Even after all the hardships they face, they still find a way to be hospitable and grateful with what they have. They're hard workers who don't need technology to satisfy them. Kids there play in the streets and explore the world outside. They don't complain when they don't have wifi. They don't need a new Xbox 1 or a new PS4 to satisfy their needs. They find whatever they can to play with even if it's playing hacky sack with a rock. They find joy in everyday life because every little thing they receive is a blessing to them. I'm not bashing people here in America in any way, but what I am saying is that maybe we just need to step back and reflect on how we're really living life. Our happiness shouldn't rely on the followers on our social media's or even a new video game that we get. Once you find joy in all the little things in life, then I guess you can say you've found the true joy in life (maybe?). A popular saying is that "You never know what you've got until it's gone". It's not too late to appreciate all the little things in your life. It's not too late to start living again. I've definitely learned a lot from the trip this past summer to say the least. Also a huge shoutout to the worship team at Presence of God Church in Arayat, Pampanga. Thank you for showing me what true worship looks like and for being the light in a community where the word still needs to be spread. You guys are were a huge encouragement and I can't wait to see what else is in store for you guys in the future. We should all feel fortunate to have the life we have here in the US because it's really different. But anyway, if you wanna see a bit of the Philippines through my eyes, go ahead and check out a YouTube video I made a few weeks ago: https://youtu.be/lyxlEtPhcXA   Summer 2017, I have the chance to go back to the Philippines for a mission trip with my church. It's something I'm praying about and looking forward too but it costs soooo much (so we'll see where I get that money from). I've seen a bit of the need in the Philippines and I think it's about time that we stand up and make a change. But anyway, I guess I'll end with this quote by Augustine along with a verse:

"Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure; Where your treasure is, there is your heart; Where your heart is, there is your happiness." -Augustine

"Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart" -Psalms 37:4

meet em': eleonor mae

Well this is new, but weekly (or every once in a while) I'll probably have this "segment" where I basically introduce someone important in my life. And it'll give you a chance to get to know them/meet them too. Really, I only started this meet em' segment because my cousin (pictured above) wanted some attention (maybe). But anyway, this is my cousin Eleonor Mae but I call her captain sungit. First time I actually knowingly met her was this past summer in the Philippines. Actually, when you meet people you haven't really known all your life, you kinda don't know what to say or you stumble with your words. That's how it was starting off, but she's grown to be one of my favorite people. She's really sassy and crazy sometimes but I definitely appreciate the person she is. She has a daughter named Mikaela (or just Mika). I gave her my favorite hat (the one in the picture) which should mean a lot actually. I miss my cousins lots and it sucks that they live in different countries all around the world. But anyway, if you're reading this (captain sungit), thank you for the person you are and for being the annoying older sister that I never had (never wanted?). Love and miss you lots !!

about me: e x t e n d e d

Woah, okay so I've posted like 3 blogs by now but I haven't had the chance to tell you guys more about myself (not that it's super interesting). Well I guess first things first (im the realest), my name is Glen(dale) Manio and I'm 17 years old. I'm also a senior at Newark Charter High School (aye class of 2017). I live with my mom, dad, older brother (MJ) and my little brother (Jonathan). My older brother is in his first year at DelTech while my little brother is a freshmen at Newark Charter. My parents were both born in the Philippines, but I was born here in America (New Jersey).  As of my interests, I play lacrosse but I'm mostly a football and basketball fanatic. I really like talking about sports but it's definitely not gonna be the main focus of this blog. If any of you were curious, I'm also a (proud) christian. It doesn't mean that I'm super religious or perfect. It doesn't mean that I'm gonna hate you for "sinning" or that I'm gonna bash you for not believing in what I believe in. And it doesn't mean that I'm gonna yell at you with bible verses for every little thing you do. It means that I'm an imperfect human being striving to serve a perfect and worthy God in everyday life. If anything, I hope the one thing you get out of this blog is encouragement and relativity. But on another note, I started this blog mostly because my english teacher told us we had to keep a weekly blog. At first it felt like an obligation but it's starting to slowly grow on me. Anyways, I hope that you bear with me because I'm not the best blogger. I guess I'll just leave you with this quote

"You might be flawed, but you are chosen." -Rich Wilkerson Jr.

newark charter: a (beginning of the year) reflection

     Looking back at the past 4 years, it's crazy that everything has gone by so fast. Just 4 years ago I was a freshmen lost in a sea of  people who had known one another since elementary school. In any other high school I would've been an outcast but here, it was different. People were really open and approachable. Even though everyone had known one another already, I found a home here, at Newark Charter. Throughout these past 4 years I've learned a lot of lessons not only about being a better student, but also life lessons. Coming from a public school which assigned little to no work, it was a pretty rough transition, but I found my way soon enough. I remember in eighth grade, I had attached a letter to my application to this very school. I don't know if the administration had read it, but inside was a promise from a little 8th grader (me). I had promised them that I was not the best student, but that I would do my best to be a straight A student. I told them that I would not be the best student, but that I would strive to be the best student I could possibly be. I surely did not live up to the expectation I set for myself in that letter but one thing I got from that whole experience could be summed up in one word: chances. In no way was I the best candidate to be a student at Newark Charter, and towards the start of the school year (9th grade school year) my placement on the waiting list made me lose hope in attending one of the top academic schools in the state. But surely enough with chances and prayer, I was accepted the day before school started. The past 4 years has been a roller coaster ride of emotions and confidence. I've had my highs and lows, but in all my failures and success I have learned more than I knew I ever could here.
     No matter how many times I/we rant against Newark Charter and what they don't have, there's so many things to be thankful for. In my times of negativity I've found the motivation for positivity. Sure, we don't have a football team. Sure, we learn in a warehouse. Sure, we have one of the worst school lunches in the state. And sure, the staff isn't always perfect. But in all the things that we find flaws in, there's gotta be some type of silver lining. And of course at the end of the day, we choose to come back even though if the motivation to come is as small as a mustard seed. I've grown to learn that the school I attend is not perfect, like all schools worldwide. But in the imperfections we find, there's something amazing waiting on the other side. It's only the beginning of senior year and it's already rough, but soon enough we'll be walking across the stage at the Bob to get our diplomas. After that, it's all over. The pains and joys of Newark Charter will be gone after this (Newark Charter College 2021?). It'll be bittersweet but it's not too late to enjoy and appreciate the school that's sacrificed so much for our success in the future.
     I am truly grateful for the chance that Newark Charter's given me these past 4 years. I'm grateful for the chance to learn in these classrooms, battle on the lacrosse field, and for the chance to be the best student that I could possibly be. I'm grateful for all the genuine people in the Class of 2017 and it's truly been a joy spending the past couple of years here. I could go on and on but it's not over. It's not over just yet. Class of 2017.

a generation like ours

Often times, our generation is referred to as the new "lost generation". The last time a generation was considered lost was when the United States fell into the Great Depression. In an age where technology has taken over completely, we're constantly surrounded by distractions from the things that really matter in life. And even this year's election has brought about much controversy between two very flawed candidates. Wars are happening everywhere between countries and between people in their own countries. Inequality whether concerning gender, race, etc, has soared to an all time high. Instead of tweeting #BlackLivesMatter, when will we take it to the streets? Instead of worrying about the likes and retweets on our social media's, when will we worry more about the lives of others? With all the chaos happening around us, a generation willing to stand up for change is needed more than ever. With all the odds against the millennials of this day and age, the stereotypes have to be broken. Change only starts when it is recognized and accepted that change is needed. There will never be a generation like ours. It's in the hands of you and me to choose whether we'll be remembered for the change we made, or instead for sitting around waiting for a change to be made

new season, new me

As the school year starts up, for a football fanatic, it means that the glorious season ahead is only a few weeks and days away. The anticipation and excitement built by training camps, the preseason, and even roster cuts further builds the ultimate climax for a thrill filled season ahead. A LOT of questions come to mind like, "Will my team win a Super Bowl this year?" or "How many weeks will it be until Romo gets injured again?" (not many). The season is near.