Monthly Archives: February 2014

This past weekend was packed with bus rides, concerts, and staying in strangers’ homes. This weekend was mini tour with the University Choir and Orchestra. What is mini tour, you ask? Mini tour is a weekend where UCO traveled to Arizona and put on a weekend of concerts. Mini tour is just a quick version of the two week tour the choir takes at the end of the school year, hence the name mini tour.

UCO left for Arizona on Friday morning, making only one lunch stop along the way for the five and a half hour drive. You may be thinking, five hours on a bus sounds awful. The ride really isn’t all that bad. Sure, sitting on a bus for hours can get uncomfortable but spending hours on a bus allows for many things to happen. I personally like to read when I am on the bus and since I finished all my homework before tour started I was able to do some reading for fun. With a heavy homework load I never get to do my own personal reading but hours on a bus allows me to finish almost finish two books. There are also movies that are played on the bus and a lot of sleeping going on, traveling is hard work.

Throughout the weekend we performed a total of five concerts: one on Friday, one of Saturday, and three on Sunday. Each concert was unique and incredible. We have the amazing opportunity to minister to a multitude of people, young and old. Some of my favorite memories come from the young members of the audience. From the little girl raising her hands to the little boy with his hands rested behind his head enjoying the concert.

At this point you are probably wondering where we stayed this entire weekend, especially since I mentioned something about strangers’ homes earlier. Well, during tour we stay in host homes. Families in the church volunteer to take in all of us. We are randomly paired off with other members of the choir and then randomly placed in a host home. We always joke that it is like we are being auctioned off. Getting placed into host homes is always slightly nerve racking because you never know who you are going to get.

During this tour I was blessed with two great homes. The first night I was with an extremely down to earth family that joked and laughed with us the entire night. The second night we ended up spending an extended amount of time with the family because our concert on Saturday was in the morning. That night my host family had planned a barbeque with four other families that allowed us to hang out with other members of UCO. Staying with host families also allows you to get to know other members of the choir better, which is always great.

Mini tour was a crazy, packed weekend. It was great getting to know people in the group better and getting away from campus for a few days.

There are several things in life that prove to round each of us out and make us who we are today. These things include defining moments and experiences as well as each interest and passion. Some of the biggest things to enrich and shape my outlook were astounding mentors, reading the Harry Potter series with my dad, discovering the unending goodness that is British literature and television and finding out that the world is much bigger than my small town had led me to believe.

Being a student at a university is one way that life expands and becomes all the more expansive. Since embarking on my ongoing journey at CBU, I’ve acquired more knowledge and experiences that have further enriched me and that I know I will look back on later and recognize as huge blessings. So, for my time thus far at CBU, here are snippets of the best of the best.

I learned that the world is (still) much bigger than I can imagine. I remember at first being astounded by the sheer number of genuine individuals I encountered. We all had a free pass to start fresh and come into our own. So many people from all over the place come here, and each one has a rich history and ongoing story to share. I find that each person I encounter has an unbelievable amount of depth to them, and this notion continues to strike me and inspire me daily. All people are sacred masterpieces – our job as believers is to treat them as such. This is something that can only be learned when immersed in a completely new environment, and university life has been so apt at doing so.

A Godly community reminds us of the only constant things. I found so many authentic Christ followers at this school; I wasn’t even sure that this many existed in one place, as I hadn’t seen anything like this type of community before. Plugging oneself into friendships, mentor relationships and group scripture studies is key to personal and spiritual growth. It reminds us that God is constant in an ever-changing world, and that he is the best thing we could strive for. Stumbling closer to his company and following him in service is so much more possible when done with others who are along for the ride. Share the difficulties, the heartache, the triumphs and exclamations of praise. Life is greatly enriched when it is shared.

I realized the importance of seeking out each and every opportunity. Education is a privilege, and one way to take full advantage of it is to extend your learning outside the classroom. Get to know your professors and keep up with them when class is over. They can cue you into all kinds of events and advice that will take your learning experiences farther than if you leave it all in class. It’s no surprise that we become more like those we surround ourselves with, and I tend to see the truth of this repeatedly over the past three years. Check out the clubs and the volunteer opportunities, and cling to those who share and deepen your interests.

As I have said countless times, we are at a time in life where the decisions we make now will come to shape us later on. The habits we build, relationships we make and opportunities we seek will affect us years beyond now, and it’s best to dig our wells as deeply as we can during this time. CBU has provided me with countless avenues of doing so, and I find the need to continue to invest more fully with each moment I have left. After all, life is short, but so much beauty can be packed in.

When I learned for the first time that a college student only has, on average, three hours of class every day, I definitely romanticized that to mean that they must have so much free time. In fact, I was almost worried that I wouldn’t be able to fill all of that time with productive activities.

Looking back now I say… ha ha ha.

In an earlier blog, I wrote about “my 18 pairs of shoes” – all of my different commitments inside and outside of school that keep me plenty busy. But as I’m learning, the average student at CBU has the opportunity to own 18 pairs as well, just within the school itself!

My Residence Assistant for example, is not only an R.A. but she is also a member of CBU’s worship team and works some hours in the International Center. I’ve heard a couple of people say, “I feel like I’ve seen her everywhere!” So opposed to what the rumors may say about limited on-campus jobs in college, CBU definitely offers a plethora of job opportunities to keep their students busy!

But if you’re not someone looking to work, there are so many other activities to keep students busy. If you’re an athlete, recreational sports teams are being formed all throughout the year for different sports and seasons. That’s a fantastic way to get out and meet people with similar interests as you! I just realized last week that I missed soccer signups, which was a definite bummer, but I’m sure I’ll be out to watch a few games!

If you wouldn’t necessarily consider yourself an athlete but enjoy working out and staying fit, the Rec Center could become your new home! My roommates and I have a magnet on our fridge with the daily classes offered by the Rec Center. Every day, at least once if not twice or three times, the center offers group classes such as spinning, and you can also request a personal trainer for no additional cost, who will work with you throughout the semester. All of these services are already included in tuition, so be sure to take advantage of them!

Perhaps you’re not job-hunting, an athlete or someone who particularly enjoys trips to the gym. Well, outside of all of these are CBU’s nearly constant social events. Just last Tuesday, ASCBU hosted a movie night out on the lawn to kick off elections for student offices. Students were invited to come watch “Monsters University” together, and stands were set up with coffee, popcorn and Krispy Kreme donuts! What better way to bond college students than to serve them food?

Also last week, Tower Hall hosted a spaghetti night for Valentine’s Day. Tables were set up out front on the Tower Hall lawn, students came dressed in formal wear to enjoy a fun meal together, and sweet Italian music filled the air. The ambiance was a beautiful spectacle to see!

Even outside of all of these are the academic and spiritual seminars CBU offers nearly every week. If students are looking to be further spiritually replenished after chapel, CBU often brings in speakers to give talks on faith-based subjects such as dating, manhood and womanhood, and so on. I receive emails nearly daily announcing yet another academic seminar of some sort, covering subjects such as choosing a major, finding internships in your field, balancing academics with your social life…

And, the list goes on, and on, and on.

No CBU student ever has any excuse to be bored. CBU keeps on its toes, every minute of every day, so that students will receive the best that this education and atmosphere have to offer. So, get out and take advantage, Lancers!

I’ll be honest and say that lately, I’ve been feeling old. All too many mornings now begin with the consequences of waking up after a night of staying up an hour later than I should have – including a sore back, head and seeming inability to move. I also find my days filled with hurried trips from one place to another, hair a wreck and coffee stains on my jeans, unable to cram 24 hours of stuff into a short 14. Too often now, I find sleep is an unbelievable blessing, and my idea of a great time is a night in pajamas with a movie for company. I am not exaggerating when I say that I am beginning to feel legitimately beyond my years. I thought for certain this wouldn’t happen until much later in life, but I’m seeing symptoms of overstretching myself already.

Given all of this, I must say that being a 20-something has proven to be one of the biggest adventures for me thus far. As with any era, there are both perks and downsides. The perks include fresh passions, an ability to study what we love, and a world of possibilities. We have our entire lives ahead of us – which brings me to the responsibilities that can be daunting at times. With so much ahead, we constantly ask ourselves what we “should” be doing, or what we “can” or “cannot” manage. Life begins to move so much more quickly than it did before, and we may have a tendency to see this as a negative rather than a simple change that can be embraced. As my life continues on in a flurry of events, I’ve been reminded of the key elements that continue to make this time of my life so impacting.

1. My parents really do have the answers. They are also unbearably cool. It is one thing to grow up knowing that parents care and are there to support you, but I’ve seen this so much more clearly upon entering college life. I got the chance to see my family this weekend, and I was reminded again of how much I can learn from the people that raised me. They have wisdom to offer and a constant willingness to talk me through any obstacles I may encounter. They’ve gone through this stage before and readily offer help because they want me to thrive. Blessings abound through these people on all levels – from spiritual and emotional support to choosing to buy the groceries for the month. Oh my word… such goodness.
2. Post its and To Do Lists are my best friend. When life picks up, it becomes so hard to keep up on everything I need to. We juggle work, school, friends, chores, errands and whatever else life throws our way. All of this is so much more manageable if a few minutes are taken to write everything down. More gets accomplished when time is budgeted, and this leaves more room for peace of mind. Also, I am convinced there is no greater feeling than that of crossing an accomplished task off a list.
3. Focusing on what is directly in front of me saves a world of trouble. Yes, life picks up and does not wait, whether we’re ready or not. Schedules are filled quickly, free time is limited and it’s easy to miss the ease of simplicity. I’ve noticed that the best way for me to gain it back and keep myself sane is to focus on the beauty of the here and now. When I do grab lunch with people, I invest fully in that time. I put homework, grocery lists and that exam I didn’t do very well on out of my head and try to share fully in the company I keep. This allows me to enjoy things more, so that I can study feeling refreshed and able to focus on what needs to be accomplished.

I know life won’t stay perpetually busy, but it does increase with the current times. While in this moment, it’s so helpful to remember that we’re not alone, this, like all things will pass, and there is still beauty and wisdom to be found in the midst of the time that seems to be constantly speeding up. Friends, we will make it, and it will be worth it. For now, invest fully, bless God, and enjoy the world he put us in.

Intramural Co-ed Competitive Soccer. It’s strange to think that I’ve actually been anticipating this 2014 season ever since my first exposure to the league last year. Growing up in a third world Latino culture where every young boy is brainwashed to believe that they will lead their national team to the next FIFA World Cup, I can confidently say that soccer has always been a huge part of my life. I joined a team my freshman year with that same drive to represent Peruvian soccer to my best ability and bring glory to its name. After the first couple games, I realized just how unprepared I was to achieve such a dream. My classes conflicted with the game times, my team did not share my competitive vision and my “freshman 15” literally held me back from my peak performance. Now I made some great friendships through the team and had a blast playing each game and watching the finals, but I knew that next year would be different.

I started recruiting for intramurals early on, starting with my good friend Derek Kouns, who was the doubles ping pong partner I mentioned a few posts ago. He’s a solid defender and, with his helpful study sessions and late-night donut runs, easily became my co-captain. The rest of the team came together through the fall semester as I randomly brought up the idea to individuals who looked like they could kick a soccer ball. My main goal as a captain was to avoid becoming the annoying, ultra-competitive guy who only cared about winning. Obviously, I would like to someday hoist the Lancer Cup after a close final match, but that wasn’t why I joined intramurals. If I made someone on my team feel like they would rather be somewhere else, then I would have failed as a captain and friend. I like to play soccer and playing with others who are having a fun time makes it that much better.

After a captain’s meeting and receiving the Peruvian flag from Community Life, team Peru was ready to go. Our first game of the season was on Monday, and I was a bit nervous. Our team had practiced just once before the game and that was only with half of them. Derek had class, too, which left my defense lacking. I even showed up early just to find every other team that had a game at 3 p.m. already practicing. By kick off we had enough players to start, and I met two of them only minutes before. We were up against Ivory Coast, and, as I recall, they destroyed my team last year. Maybe this would be different.

And, surprisingly, it was completely different. In the first half, our team organized a strong defense and set up a few good through passes in the offense. Then early in the game, Cody Clark, our striker, took a throw in and threw it right at their keeper. The ball bounced off her finger tips and went right in the goal, followed by my shout of excitement. The ref quickly crushed my spirits when it was called a goal kick instead, and then Ivory Coast scored before half. Luckily for us, the call wasn’t final, and the head ref called the captains over at half time to discuss the call. According to the rules, it should have been a goal, and we were awarded the point which tied the game at 1-1. That psyched up the team for the next half, and it showed. Our offense turned up the pressure, and Austin Leonard, who I recruited simply because he wore Adidas sweat pants and an Arsenal FC jersey in the caf once, scored the deciding goal. Our defense held off the attack, but most of the credit goes to Taylor Parker for sure. She asked me if she could play goalie before I even knew her name, and she dominated. At one point it was a one-on-one situation between her and the opposing striker, and she showed no fear. I don’t think anyone else on our team would have committed to defending the goal at that point, but she accepted the shot and blocked it accordingly. MVP for sure.

Team Peru won the game 2-1, and we all felt excited about the season. I couldn’t have been more proud of my team. This could be the year…

As a future teacher, many of my courses require me to do observation or tutoring hours. I am required to do a mixture of both for a total of about 15 hours this semester. I have been working with sixth graders the past few weeks, tutoring them in math and language arts.

When I was told I would be working with this group, I thought I would have a difficult time. I honestly thought that these students would not want to work with a tutor and would be difficult to get them to cooperate. However, I have been blessed with students who are excited to work with me. (Although, I think they are just excited to be able to work with a college student.)

This past week we were working on how to cite sources when my heart just broke for these children. While we were working, the students began to ask questions and engage in more off-topic conversations than normal. A few of them had already made comments like, “She knows a lot since she’s in college,” or “She probably does this all the time since she is in college.” I tried to engage them by telling them learning how to cite now is important because they will have to do it all the time when they go to college. One girl told me her brother had already been accepted to colleges, but she did not want him to leave home.

The students were doing quite well at getting off-topic during this tutoring session. However, it was this next portion of conversation that was absolutely heartbreaking. The students then began asking me what college was like, how many roommates I had, if boys were allowed in ourrooms/apartments, and if boys were allowed to live with us. I told them a little about my three roommates and that boys could not live with girls, but they were allowed to visit at certain times, all while trying to get them focused back on citing sources.

Then came the question, “Do you go to a lot of parties, you know like the ones that they have on TV and in movies?”Of course, I said “No, I don’t go to parties like that.” They asked if I ever have parties at my apartment. I explained to them that I can have parties at my apartment, but they are not like the ones you see on TV.

Throughout this entire conversation thoughts were flowing through my head: “why are your parents allowing an 11-year-old to watch these shows?” Then the reality hit me. This is the world that we live in. This is the world that I will be teaching in. However, another reality hit me, a reality that is a little bit more difficult to cope with. As a teacher, I can never share my beliefs with my students. In the situation that I just recently encountered, the most I can do is tell them that I do not party like in the movies,because it’s a bad thing to do. How lame does that sound?The question I constantly ask myself is ‘how can I be a light in a place that is so dark?’

The most I can do is love my students and show them the love of Christ through my actions. The reality is we live in a broken world, full of broken people who just need to be loved. Although this thought is a little frightening, it is also an exciting challenge and a constant reminder that this world needs Christ and the hope that He brings.

A while back, I stumbled across a fantastic blog called Humans of New York that I still keep up with to this day. The entire concept centers on a photographer who captures pictures of people as they go about their daily lives. He then posts these photos, with permission, and shares a bit of the conversation he had with the individuals he encountered. This blog focuses solely on individuals, with their talents, regrets and simplest to most profound thoughts. Viewers may come to realize the sacredness and value of each and every person and may find anything from humor to solace in a documentation of a simple encounter.

Inspired by this, I have decided to tackle this in my own way. Call it an exercise in focusing on the value of human interaction and the uniqueness that may be found in the community that binds me with my fellow students. To start this challenge off, I caught a few moments with Cassie Hanlin and would like to share a bit of her perspective that always proves to be edifying.

Ladies and gents, Cassie Hanlin.

Brief intro: This woman is a riot. She has an amiable nature, fluency in humor and sarcasm, and desire to love God and His people. She’s a third-year student hoping to go on to graduate school, and she is also an intern for the Office of Mobilization. We caught a few moments to talk while grabbing coffee from Wanda’s before moving on to our next classes. We got to catch up on how we’re doing with homework, ISP, leadership applications and the like. It was then that I decided to pick her brain about what her life is like as a student, specifically at CBU. She responded with insight that is only fitting to share.

When I asked about one difference from high school to college life, Cassie mentioned the variety of relationships formed. “I’ve been surprised by how you can have more personal relationships with older people, being at a university,” she replied. “It’s not weird to want to get to know your professors – you can actually enjoy seeing them after class.”

I then asked how she feels that she has grown since being here and what it was that sparked that. Her answer was, “I’ve honestly experienced an entire shift in worldview. When I came here I had to come to terms with why I needed God for the first time in my life. Meeting people here and interacting with the MOB Office encouraged me to really understand truth and gain my own knowledge of what that is.”

As our time ran out and we hurried off to class, I asked her what piece of advice she would give to a large group of young people. She laughed and stopped a minute to say, “It’s funny, because we have a lot more responsibility than you would think. Right now I’m realizing exactly how important it is to budget. So stay on top of finances. Also, I’m realizing how important it is to think outside of myself. The world’s needs are bigger than my own, and that’s good to remember.”

I’m always amazed by the value of happenstance conversations and the necessity in swapping thoughts, ideas and emotions. There is always something to be gained from even the briefest of encounters, and I hope those pile up into a world of good as I leave you for now. Readers, I will see you next time.

Every year I most look forward to one event that residence life puts on: Woofest. Since freshman year it has been my favorite event to attend. I mean, who doesn’t want to get dressed up and get “wooed” by the boys of CBU? Woofest has never disappointed, and this year was no different.

This past Friday, Feb. 7^th, was the date for Woofest.  This year was slightly different for me, though. As an RA (resident advisor) employed by Res Life, I helped to plan the event. I was placed on the committee, and we started planning. Everything was delegated, and each living area was in charge of taking care of something specific. The weeks that led up to Woofest were filled with creating flyers, making paper owls for advertisements and getting little things together for the big night.

Friday morning started the big preparations, preparing the gym and business building breezeway for the night. We started in the gym. Pulling out chairs, perfectly placing the center stage, perfectly placing the chairs so that everyone could see each stage well. The main stage was set up, and the entire morning was spent getting the gym perfect for the performances that would take place the rest of the night. Then we moved to the breezeway. The trees were decorated, trash cans were decorated, umbrellas were hung, tables were set. We were finally ready for the night to begin.

Woofest is an exciting time. Everyone puts on their best dress and best suit; they dress to impress. The night started in the breezeway where hot chocolate, popcorn, and s’mores were served. People packed out the breezeway taking pictures and talking to friends as the notes of a live band danced through the air.

Then it was time. Everyone funneled to the gym and got ready for the show. The boys did not disappoint. They sang, they danced, told jokes, and there was even a magic act. One of my favorite acts was when the guys of Res Life danced at the end. I loved seeing these people that have become like family let loose and have fun on that stage. It brought out a side of some of those guys that we had never seen before, and it was great. It’s extremely difficult to choose a favorite act because they were absolutely phenomenal.

Once the show was over, we quickly started taking down the gym, and soon the magic of the night was put away until next year. Like I said before, Woofest has always been my favorite event of the year at CBU, and it did not disappoint this year. Woofest was a blast! Being able to hang out with friends and enjoy the night with my staff was more then I could have ever asked for.

When rivals face off, those watching cannot help but feel the thrill. Although they may disagree, Azusa Pacific University is CBU’s main competitor in Division II athletics. Even before the switch from NAIA to NCAA, the Lancers have been facing off with the Cougars for years now, and the same drive for domination persists even to today. Lancer basketball was the arena this time around, and I witnessed the best and worst of outcomes.

Our first battle against APU was at Azusa, and everything was going against us. I caravanned over with some friends, wore my ironed CBU Crazies shirt and felt pumped to see our then undefeated team completely annihilate these guys. There were a good number of CBU students as well with our Crazies leading the cheers like a home game. The APU homeside, however, made it nearly impossible for us to cheer above their own chants. “The Zu,” as they are now called, filled the stands and upper levels and held the most random posters of players and celebrities faces. Upon walking in, a man from the CBU athletic department handed me a whole pizza, which sparked my CBU pride instantly, but I couldn’t keep it up for the whole game. None of our players were playing at their top level, and the Zu kept up the badgering and jeers throughout both halves. APU tainted our winning record. That wouldn’t be the end of it.

With that defeat in mind, the week leading up to the rematch kept me on edge. It would be a home game, and our team had won every game since losing the game to APU. Anticipating a sellout, the school even handed out tickets early in the week for those loyal fans who wanted a guaranteed admittance. There was no way that I was missing another home game, so I grabbed a ticket and guarded it with my life. That ticket did not leave my green folder, which is always in my back pack, which is always on my back, for the five days leading up to Saturday night. Even when a group of my friends tempted me with a trip to the Van Buren Drive-in Theater, I had to stay true to my Lancers.

I walked into the gym by 7 p.m. and found the stands packed with a more punctual fan base than I expected. I wasn’t leaving, though, which resulted in standing on the staircase leading to the upstairs office for a nice aerial view. Compared to Azusa, our home game environment felt much friendlier, even with our home team cheers. I’m not being biased either. We keep it classy but competitive. Our players responded well to that, too, since we were on fire all night. The team jumped ahead early and kept it that way throughout the whole game. My friends and I even found seats in the middle by half time and kept the crowd energy going from the inside. Our Lancers won with about the same difference in score as the last game, except switched. With that victory, our team is now 20-1 and ranked 8^th in Division II. It’s a good time to be a Lancer.

One of the things I pat CBU on the back for most is its constant effort to provide students opportunities to be exposed. Now what I mean by this is that, often times, private schools carry the reputation of shielding their students; keeping them inside a bubble, far away from the “real world,” where they’ll be safe and comfortable.

Here’s the thing, though – once those shielded students graduate and leave that bubble, how safe and comfortable can they possibly be, having had no preparation for or exposure to the authentic everyday struggles of our world? The answer is simple: not at all.

I wrote in an earlier blog about how grateful I was to one of my design professors for exposing his students to the “real world” of digital media, and how it is continually finding new ways to degrade women and thereby devalue respectful relationships. Rather than just bragging all semester about how we have chosen the best field, how graphic designers have the most fun (which might be true), and so on… he went into detail about how digital media is in many ways failing our society; and to supplement this, how we emerging Christian designers can survive that impact without contributing to the failure. From this, I became inspired to come to a full understanding of both the positives and negatives of my chosen career path.

But CBU does not only encourage the knowledge of reality within our individual fields of study; rather, CBU encourages a broad understanding of the world’s reality. Each summer, as a part of CBU’s mission to help students “live their purpose,” the school sends off hundreds of them to various states and countries around the world for mission work to spread the Gospel. This program is divided into USP (U.S. Service Projects) and ISP (International Service Projects).

Students in the past have been sent to the east coast, Asia, Europe and so many other places around the globe, each individually equipped to serve in entirely foreign cultures.

Unfortunately, due to a conflict of scheduling, I will not be able to attend an ISP or USP trip this summer. One of my roommates, however, is going through weekly training for her trip in May to Asia, where she will serve on a “coffeehouse” project.

A couple of weeks ago, every ISP and USP participant was required to attend what is known as “Intensive Training Weekend.” During this weekend, CBU plans back-to-back training activities that are meant to expose each student to the culturally shocking realities of the places they will be traveling to.

Although she is not allowed to share details, in order to keep everything secret for next year’s participants, I could not help but notice her absolute, uncontainable thrill when she returned to our apartment afterward. From what little she did say, I am confident that CBU did a fantastic job of both alarming and then exciting her for what is to come. So far as I can tell, she, and every other participant, was very well exposed.

So again I say, CBU deserves a pat on the back for its ability to provide such incredible opportunities. When we Lancers leave this beautiful place, not only will we be molded with a firm understanding of what awaits us in each field, but we will also be culturally and internationally aware of the world around us, and all because we have been exposed.