Sanctified and Sleep Deprived

February 5, 2013:

I'll admit it, the semester is getting crazy, and I'm already falling behind with blogging this semester.

I sorry :/

Anyways, last week was "renewal week" here at Loma. Yeah, my school puts an emphasis on prayer and renewal. Be jelly.

And now it's the beginning of week 5! Eleven more to go!....Hurry up Spring break. Seriously.

I don't know about you, but I've been finding myself putting homework off until...11 at night? Loads of homework equals periods of vampirism (vampire-ism. My word, don't hate). I'll catch up soon. Hopefully...

Other causes of this craziness:

• NORO-VIRUS is upon us! Okay Loma, thanks for the mass E-mail. You have now got a majority of the student body fearing for their academic lives.
• " Dividing hall mates, classmates, and friends. Causing them to swear each other off in order to protect themselves against this dreaded virus."

Okay, let's be real guys. It's the flu. Not the black plague. You. Will. Be. Fine!

• ASB Election chapel is tomorrow! Let the free handouts (bribery) and cheesy campaigns commence! Just kidding. But seriously, all you hipster kids need to vote! Let your voice be heard and all that jazz. 
• This is your school. You can make a difference. 

Alright. I'm now done with all of my campaign crap. I guess you could say that helping some friends prepare for the elections has gotten politics on my brain. 

Ew. Get them off.

Well, I'm off to finish my homework in this dreary and gross non-Loma like weather...

Remember to talk about SEX tonight at 8 in Brown! You know you want to, and apparently so does Loma.

Until next blog,

Peace, love, and sleep.

-Em

#MyLife@Loma

 

New Kids On the Block

January 22, 2013:

Okay so I'm already lagging this semester... Bite me.

I've actually not been really busy with homework yet, it's just been kind of slow here at Loma. Everyone has their friend groups situated, everyone SHOULD have picked out all of their classes, most everyone changed their meal plans (uh yes!), and everyone knows the drill here by now: study, chapel, study, eat, chapel, sleep, repeat. Seriously.

This week/weekend has brought a few surprises to campus...

1) MLK weekend! Sun! Literally EVERYONE and their dog went to the beach over the weekend. Who could blame them when the temp was in the 70s all weekend! Haters gonna hate, but we knew what we were doing when we chose this school. I hope everyone had a memorable holiday whether they were here on campus, or somewhere else. I for one had a very relaxing weekend!....Too bad it makes it that much harder to do any type of homework. Including RIGHT NOW! Four words. Eclass. is. a. joke. So  frustrated!

2) Encuentro. Go Point Loma for increasing diversity! I feel like Nease was the only dorm hosting them.... It was cool...and different. If you live on a floor in Nease that had students, you know EXACTLY what I mean. But hey, the caf had a pretty sick taco bar this weekend...

3) And finally, COED DORMS! Yaaay. I can hear all of the parents gasps and comments of distaste now. Let me just say this:
Congratulations freshman class of 2016! You got the first ever school dance (rave) AND next year you will have been the last freshman class to have known Hendricks to be the only coed dorm. Good luck class of 2017, Nazerene colleges as you know it have now changed. Not much will change for me next year. My options are all girl dorms or Young. Yeah right. AND my dreams of living in Klassen have officially been crushed. Point Loma Nazerene University, crushing dreams since 1902. Kidding....Kinda.

Well I'm done ranting for now. I hope that everyone is well here. Enjoy that sun while you can!!* cough cough* the rain is coming*

Until next time,
Keep it classy Point Loma
-Em

#MyLife@Loma

When A Long Winter Turns Into Spring

January 8, 2012:

And just like that winter break was over, and spring semester has begun.

I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed my break. I am going to miss:

• 24 hour caf -AKA my fridge.
• My own bed that doesn't remind me of a summer camp bunk bed.
• My. Car.
• No alarms needed. Ever.
• Access to a gym that didn't frustrate me more than the workout itself.
• MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS FROM HOME.

But, alas, all good things must come to an end. *tear*

On a brighter note... SECOND HALF OF FRESHMAN YEAR HAS BEGUN! New classes, new classmates, new material, and new chapel attendance to be filled! Come on, you know you're excited. Plus, all of your Loma family is here to catch up with. Now those are some people that I desperately missed over break.

Upon arrival back to my lovely home away from home, I've been met with a few new things:

• New students? What?! Transfers, returners, NSOhmy!
• The...caf? Cool setup, but I for one can't work those gosh darn soup pot container things.
• The weather. Is freezing. Now you colder region dwellers don't get mad at me. I'm strictly speaking "sunny San Diego" sterotypes here.

Well, I'm off to finish my homework...
Home work on the first day? Lucky me!

Peace for now Loma,
Em

#MyLife@Loma

Here, all is okay with the world.

#20: Conclusions

December 14, 2012:

And just like that, the fall semester is over.

For those of you who had six finals (like me), job well done.

And for those of you who didn't have all six, still job well done because FINALS SUCK. And they are over. Yay.

This has been one heck of a 16 week/112 day/2,688 hour/ 161,280 min./ 9,766,800 second filled semester.... Yes, I did that math. Last math until next year!

The silence has officially broken, papers and books have been returned or recycled (sustain PLNU y'all!) , and clothes have been packed (or in my case spacebagged!)! Because you shouldn't expect anything less from me, I would like to list some memories, highlights, school experiences that really stood out this semester....

* (Because I just got out of my writing final) I MADE IT THROUGH EVARKIOU'S WRITING 110 CLASS! Evarcuties, congratulations. You made it.
* Being a Freshman and making it through my first college semester, duhhh.
* Living in a hall. With 30+ other girls... And not killing each other. And actually liking them ;) Just kidding, definitely got blessed in the good hall category.
*Cross country. I may not have finished, but I'm thoroughly blessed to have had the experience. Great girls, great coach, and messed up legs. Yes. Pain.
* Fashion Merchandising! Four years with that group of ladies will be interesting. And fun. Lots of fun.
* Lomativities! All of them, movies in the Greek, musoffee, GLOW WITH THE FLOW, six flags, lomapalooza, December nights, and all of the other events like swing dancing, sporting events, homecoming, and powder puff. Congratulations of keeping us busy Loma.
* ASB! So glad that I joined student congress, definitely a keeper activity right there. Here's to running for ASB Exec Secretary next semester! #excited
*Random car rides with upperclassmen...or freshmen with cars... :)
*Learning to cook with what you have in one of the dorm kitchens.
*Having my classes picked for me....JUST KIDDING. That was terrible.
* Countless Cali burritos.
*Open dorm hours. Again, kidding.
*The weather, views, and other "Loma bubble" phenomena.
*Inspiring Time-Outs
*The laughs, cries, and frustrations shared with new friends, best friends, professors, and especially roommates. They are a category all their own. I personally adore mine. Keep on trucking little one :)
*Last, but not least, being able to walk anywhere on campus and see at least one person that you know, smiling, and then feeling that much better about your day then you felt before.

These are just the few that I could type in the short amount of time before my dad gets here. Which will be soon. Then, I'm off on a road trip to Oregon with some of my closest friends here at Loma. Who says you don't make life-long friends in college.

Pushed academically, encouraged spiritually, tested physically, and strained mentally, the good always outweighed the bad.

Before I get all mushy,

Peace for three weeks Point Loma. We will be back for more next year.

-Emily

#MyLife@Loma

#19: FINAL Countdown

December 6, 2012:

Mood: excitement.

That's right folks. In just 7 short days, we will all be officially done with FALL SEMESTER! That feeling of sitting in a class for the last time is pretty awesome. Okay well we will have to go back one last time to take a test, but that is just technicalities....

You may realize that I haven't posted in a while. I actually went back home again this past weekend to surprise my mommy for her birthday. If I had to throw out just a few words to describe my entire weekend it would be these: love, family, relaxing, stressful, productive, and vacation. But with that great extra time at home comes these words: sadness, laziness, and, if there was a word for it, so over school. Maybe it wasn't a good idea because I seem to have had so many last minute assignments thrown at me this past week. It wasn't all that bad because it gave me the opportunity to go out with some old and new friends to a 24 hour coffee shop named Lestat's. Besides the CRAPPY wifi connection, it was a very productive place to work. The first time experience was worth it in and of itself.

And now, it's time to enjoy all of the festivities that Loma has to offer. Dorm Christmas parties, karaoke night, and Christmas swing dancing are just some of what has been offered here this week, although I haven't attend many myself. I just spent the last 5 hours cooking probably the most ghetto birthday dinner with some of my greatest friends here at school. And by ghetto I mean that it was college adaptability at it's finest. We are talking steak lemon pepper pasta, buttermilk mashed potatoes, salad, and "garlic bread" made with cookie sheets as pot lids, container tops as cutting boards, and cutting boards as plates. And at the end we all held a lit candle so the birthday boy could blow them out. Oh and shared some ice cream. Yes, you could say that if they gave a final on "life", we would do very well.

Speaking of finals, WHY MUST ALL OF THE FACULTY AT POINT LOMA TRY TO SCARE US WITH FINALS!? I mean sure they are a longer test, but all of this talk about stress relief dogs, extended library hours, massive amounts of studying, and late nights is all a bit scary. WE WILL BE FINE! I mean heck! There aren't even classes, so we have 12 hours tops of test taking time in our entire week. We can do this!

Also a quick thing that I learned in my FCS 101 class this week...
Treat Yourself Right
Set Goals
Eat Healthy
Be Active
Sleep
Get Involved
Prepare
Peaceful Place
Manage Time
Make Right Choices!

Just remember that in this upcoming crazy week.

Well, I should get to sleep now. Or at least do something productive...

I'll probably post one more time before the actual end of the semester. Oh freshman first semester...

Until next time Loma,
Peace and good luck!
-Em

#MyLife@Loma

#18: It's The Most Stressful Time of The Year

November 28, 2012:

Long time, no post. Who could blame me though! It's been a week full of breaks, relaxation, and homework catching up. Just kidding on that last one. On a serious note, the Thanksgiving break was awesome. I don't know about you, but the first long break of Freshman year has been the hardest for me. Being home for more than a weekend is awesome; therefore, going back to school after not being there for more than a weekend is the complete opposite of awesome.

Word.

Since there hasn't been much class activity, it has just been a lot of getting back into the swing of "college life". You know, like DECORATING FOR FREAKING CHRISTMAS! I don't know about the other dorms, but Nease has gone above and beyond my expectations. We are talking wreaths, decorated trees in all of the lounges, Christmas lights EVERYWHERE, and there is even a "days until break" countdown at the front door. Plus, all of the halls have done what they can to make their hallways festive. My hall just put up our decorations yesterday. Can you say tree scented hallway? (thank you Bath and Body wallflower!)

All in all, I think I speak for everyone when I say that, although it's been three months, these next three weeks can't go quickly enough. These finals are going to be great...

Yeah right!!

Anyway, at least there are a lot of festive activities to choose from from now until that dreaded week. (Uhm free food? Enough said.) Like :

-Holly Jolly Jive

-Roots of Giving

-Cider Celebration

-Handel’s Messiah

-Christmas Karaoke Musoffee

-Balboa Park’s December Nights

Go to them. Just go.

Well, I had better get to my interview. Campus tour guide. School spirit. Lots of talking. School pride. Oh. Yes. Plus, I need to get out of here. Here being my new favorite study spot. Where might you ask? Not telling, but here's a hint.

It starts with "R" and end with "room"... Well it used to anyway.

That's all for now Loma,

-Emily

#MyLife@Loma

#17: Tide to Our Pride

November 19, 2012:

Well it's here! THANKSGIVING BREAK IS TOMORROW! Who's excited? EVERYONE.

Bags are being packed, driving arrangements are being finalized, and laundry bags are growing. Now, not everyone is going home for the holiday (thank you stingy Point Loma for the 3 days. Really.). Those not going home are getting creative and making their makeshift plans for Thanksgiving. Thanks to all of the wonderful professors here at Loma who are all opening up their homes for the holidays; they're great. I'm almost tempted to try that out sometime. Who knows, maybe I'll go to my lovely writing professors house, just to say that I survived. All you Evarcuties out there will understand the joke.

Speaking of writing, RESEARCH PAPER DONE BEEZIES! Most of you guys in Writing 110 understand this relief. Congratulations guys; it's all downhill from here! :)

Now I'll just recap the weekend for all of you who were or weren't there for our "Tide to Our Pride" homecoming extravaganza 2012.

Wednesday- Powderpuff. Hah. Haha. Cue nervous laughter for this one much? First off, I'm so grateful to have been a part of such a cool and fearless Fr/So team! Putting in all of those hours of practice and prep for it all to come down to a short 40 minute game is ridiculous. I hope that we can continue playing throughout the year! If you haven't gotten the message by now, my team was slaughtered. On the bright side we got tacos churros, and a WHOLE bunch of junk in the caf after! Yeah Point Loma, reward us with food. Oh and I could never forget the halftime performance. Definitely freaking HILARIOUS! Well done guys, well done. And I really dig the highlighter shorts. Shout-out to my good friend Drew, you were the best male-cheerleader out there ;)

Thursday- Concert band. Okay I heard so many good things about this! But alas I was not there. I was off gallivanting around the Mission Mall area waiting to see BREAKING DAWN PART 2! Thanks to the great line watching employees who wouldn't let us line up when we got there. Whatever. Experiences and whatnot. All in all it was worth it and my hall mates and I had a great time. Personally, I slept like a baby when I got back. So much so that I slept right through chapel. Whoa wait, did I say that? I mean.. duh I went to chapel. Yay, homecoming chapel...?

Friday- CORONATION and variety show! Two words. Revolving. Stage. Yes, be jelly. All the the homecoming court looked AMAZING in their formal wear, and the stage setting was super pretty too! The variety show itself didn't disappoint either. Point Loma has mucho talent (who really thinks that I know how to say talent in Spanish, I mean come on.) Chip and his brother's Emceeing was really funny and pretty cooligan. You don't get the reference? Shame on you for not catching on. Shout out to my lovely Hawaiian hall mate Kaili Kinoshita and my fellow fashion merch major Marissa Hernandez for performing! They were both AMAZING! It was a great school pride kind of night. And the night didn't end there for me. After all of that I went with a few friends ....downtown. To this place. With music. And dancing... Yeah it had dancing, sorry Point Loma. Late night take two much?

Saturday- WAS THE BIG HOMECOMING GAME! Green and gold for days on Saturday. The caf was decorated with school pride to the T. It was my first really school pride type of experience so I was a little shocked and how into it people got. Alumni and current students alike enjoyed all of the pregame festivities that the caf had to offer. It was actually really cool to see the wide array of ages represented. Once a sealion always a sea lion I guess. And a question to all of the people who thought it was cool to paint their whole faces, was it a fun time when you had to get all of that off? Thought so. First the women's team played and then the men. Let me just say that Point Loma isn't exactly a athletic based school. Good thing we are smart AND talented. Nice try guys, solid effort. Oh, and we can't forget halftime! Oh Loma cheerleaders... Quite possibly one of the coolest stunts that I've seen from them was lifting up the mascot Roary so that he could "swim" across the court. Very clever girls. I can say that it was all pretty entertaining. And being immersed in the green sea of students on the bleachers, yelling (sometimes unnecessarily...), booing with news papers (kudos to the older people who thought that they were for reading during the game), and pointing in unison was a pretty awesome experience. Even though they won in points, we definitely won in spirit (haha double meaning right there!).

So that was homecoming week(end) in a nutshell! Now, the posters/banners/decorations are gone, and everyone has put away their ridiculous green and gold. All is normal again.

And with that I am off to correct my final draft of this gosh darn paper.

A fond farewell to all of my pride (get it? Sea LIONS? Pride?). Okay I'm done now,

-Emily
#MyLife@Loma

 (Photo creds to WIll McNeill Photography. Will is awesome by the way.)