The Beginning of the End!
It’s here everyone! The end of the semester is nigh, and you all know what that means… Christmas approaches!
I’ll admit to being a holiday enthusiast, and Christmas is by far my favorite. I am currently sitting here on my couch listening to Christmas music as I gaze admiringly at the decorations hanging in our apartment. I love this time of the year. In the midst of finals, it is nice to be able to listen to crooners such as Michael Buble and Harry Connick Jr. sing about snow, cheer and reindeer.
One of the things I love about Christmas time is its nostalgia. It gives everyone even more of a reason to be loving and generous. As we near the end of another semester and approach a new year, I find myself in an especially nostalgic mood. I love to look back and remember the best things that have occurred so far in my second year at Cal Baptist.
Here are a few things that have contributed to a wonderful fall semester:
1. A New Living Situation: Living with new people is always an adventure. There are always feelings of excitement mixed with anticipation as you prepare to settle into a new home. I can honestly say that over the past semester I have learned so much from my three roommates and deeply appreciate their presence in my life. To each of my roomies, let me express my thankfulness for you and my excitement to live with you through the next semester! I can’t wait for more impromptu dance parties, coffee breaks and meaningful talks. I love you all.
2. Antiques and Oddities: This semester, like others before it, has brought so many opportunities to try new things. I frequented the giant antique store in downtown Riverside this time around, and discovered the weird and marvelous treasures within. I once found a gorgeous copy of Millay’s collected sonnets along with a replica of an alien from “Men In Black.” That store truly is a wonder.
3. Rock Climbing and Future Plans: I tried rock climbing for the first time in years and actually enjoyed it more than expected. The first time I tried it was at a church camp when I was about 11-years-old. Let’s just say it was not exactly a magical experience. I may or may not have failed miserably. However, sometimes it just takes a second try to discover the greatness of something, and after rock climbing again, I found that I love it. So naturally, I was ecstatic to find out that Cal Baptist’s new recreation center has rock climbing and bouldering available for next year. If I ever go missing for a few hours, you’ll know where to find me.
4. Beaches: Another thing I got to experience this semester was Laguna Beach. I hadn’t particularly enjoyed trips to the beach last year, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover that not all Southern Californian beaches are terribly crowded. I went to Laguna a handful of times this semester, admiring its beauty and charm each visit. I ate the best Acai Bowl I’ve ever had, as well as obtain a horrible sunburn (sorry Mom… I forgot about sunscreen).
5. Concerts: I had the opportunity see a few concerts this semester, some in intimate coffee shop settings and others in large arenas. A few of the artists I saw were Needtobreathe, Manchester Orchestra and My Double and My Brother. CBU also offered us a FREE Switchfoot concert during homecoming! Dreams really do come true, kids. Each show was phenomenal, and I hope to make it to many more in the near future.
On top of having an amazing home and great experiences, so many people played a huge part in my life so far this semester. I am thankful to those I met and spent valuable time with since the beginning of the semester and those whom I reconnected with. You all continue to bless me richly by showing me Christ’s love and respect. I count each person I know as a valuable aspect of my life. Thank you for going through life with me, figuring things out as we go along, and for coffee talks. This fall semester at CBU has turned out to be one of the most eventful so far and has encouraged so much growth. I believe that once we get through finals and the chaos of it all, I’ll have much more to say about how this semester ended with a bang!
The Christmas event is yet to come, and I might burst with excitement and joy. As for now, back to my remaining research papers!
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