by aubreymacmillan

Friends, this past week I had my first encounter with an acquaintance of mine who is feared by many and known widely as “Zombie Aubrey.” This figure emerges when I have neglected sleep, have not had an adequate amount of strong coffee and have spent entirely too much time buried in a textbook or glued to a screen. Think Jekyll and Hyde, or a less green Incredible Hulk, and that should give you an accurate picture of what happens to me when conditions are less than ideal.

Right about this time each semester of my college career, I have seen the dangers of wearing oneself thin and am reminded of three very important things:

1. Sleep
2. Leisure
3. Community

By this time, I know I am not alone when I say that the homework has caught up to speed while many of us may still be fighting off the last traces of Summer Brain. I find that many of us begin to find the need to prioritize. I have discovered that my junior year has brought several classes that are less than easy, and I have decided to refer back to my tried and true methods that keep me functioning like a normal human being and keep the Zombie at bay.

I first have to emphasize the importance of rest. Granted, a large part of college life includes staying up ridiculously late, and this is a wonderful part of the experience. However, too many sleepless nights can be detrimental to functioning like a normal human being. Please, dear Readers, do not do this to yourselves. While you will have a lot of work to balance with fun, schedule your time so that you are not forced to get stingy with sleep. Sleep is very, very important. Not only does it allow you to continue to function normally, it also keeps you healthy and able to tackle your assignments with vigor.

As you strive to remain rested, add a healthy amount of leisure time to sleep. Find something that you love and make time for it, whether that is heading to the Rec Center to climb the rock wall, reading a book purely for fun, or catching up on Doctor Who. Always make time to unwind, if even for a moment, as it’s amazing what a few simple pleasures can do to enliven a person.

Accountability is also imperative to keeping oneself sane when things get hectic. Whenever I get the chance, I try to steal a moment to have a meal or quick cup of coffee with a friend to remain connected and talk through life. I am blessed to have friends at CBU who are, truly, saints. They are available to pray with me, laugh hysterically to ward off stress, or to simply talk about whatever might be on the mind. Taking moments to commune with close friends is the surest way to remain positive, stay on track with life, and remember what is most important to you.

While the semester gathers speed, don’t panic. You can avoid becoming zombie-esque. Just remember that this is a season, and we will ultimately learn so much from it all. Until next time, safe sailing everyone!

I absolutely adore books. Not only do they prove to be informative, imaginative, and insightful, they have the ability to touch places within me that resonate for years thereafter. As Josh Riebock so eloquently puts it in Heroes and Monsters, “I have a crush on words.”

I was blessed enough to spend a great deal of time over the summer becoming acquainted with a variety of different stories and “crushing” on each of them in their turn. From Victorian novels, young adult literature, science fiction tales and everything in between, I found for the umpteenth time exactly how powerfully books can speak and how they can effectively inspire me to action. I believe that God uses both information and stories to move us to personal enlightenment and to inspire us to improve upon the world around us.

I found an example of this as I sat through chapel this week and was challenged to take a leap of faith and a larger act of service. We viewed a presentation from the CBU Office of Mobilization and were encouraged to apply to serve on an International Service Project (ISP).  This program allows students to raise the funds to travel to another country and do short-term missions in the hopes of bringing both help and hope to individuals encountered along the way.

As I sat through this presentation, I sensed the innumerable doubts that people around me might have in deciding whether or not to join a project. I know that, personally, my biggest fear when it comes to missions is the fear that I would not be able to do enough in that period of time to make a strong enough impact. How could I possibly hope to effectively serve another person whom I will only get a few weeks to be with?

I quickly answered my own question by thinking of a quote from a novel I read just weeks before the semester began.

In the story, a man had determined to abandon his previous career to become an abolitionist during the days that slavery was prevalent throughout the world. He imagined the arguments that others would provide to discourage this new path and responded with such simplicity and clarity. Another character frankly told the character, “Only as you gasp out your final breath will you realize that your life amounted to no more than one drop in a limitless ocean.” The new abolitionist responds with, “Yet what is any ocean but a multitude of drops?” (David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas)

In the novel, I saw how the power of stories gives clarity to my own life. The character in the book addresses that, while the world has many problems to tackle, each person, each drop in a vast sea makes a difference. Each part helps to shape the whole.

I realize that while ISP is just one small way that we can be of service to others, it is nonetheless a valuable opportunity to make some mark on another person or group of people. No amount of time spent in service is too small and not one day spent loving others is too short. Every bit of energy placed into helping other people is certainly not wasted. One need only take the opportunity to serve and give their all to showing love in that service.

I am no more than a young American woman who has determined to live a life pursuing truth and service to the Creator and His people. I have nothing more than what I have been given, but I am constantly learning how my gifts can be used to contribute to the world. We can all act upon the opportunities we are given and use our knowledge to serve in whatever means possible. While this certainly is a big endeavor, the words of the character in David Mitchell’s novel communicate the truth that God values all of His people, and He will use us to make an impact on the world.

Service, in my eyes, always begins with an opportunity and a willingness to seize it. We have been born into different families, situations and economic statuses, yet we all have unique abilities that can and should be used for the benefit of our fellow man. God has created (and commanded) us to serve each other, and in this service we are to show others the same love that we believe the Creator has for each of us. We can all be used in any number of ways to achieve this goal, and we all have to begin somewhere. Let us use our single drop to benefit the multitude.

Welcome, Readers, to my little corner of the Internet in which I get to tell you about my life as a student at California Baptist University! I hope that in sharing my thoughts and experiences, I will be able to give you an accurate picture of what life is like at CBU. I can assure you that there will be countless high points, several random excursions, and undoubtedly, an innumerable amount of lessons to be learned. So buckle up, grab a cup of your favorite caffeinated drink and let’s get started!

For those of you whom I have not had the opportunity to meet, I naturally have to begin with an introduction. I am now a junior at CBU (how’d I get so old?) and am studying English and Film. My homework mainly consists of reading books and watching movies, and then writing about why I love them and how this applies to my life, faith, and future. My area of study truly brings me an inexpressible amount of joy; I get to learn about the things that I love! In addition to studying books and movies, I also adore coffee, cats, British television, indie folk music, and long conversations with lovely people. That, friends, is me in a nutshell!

I consider myself to be a passionate student seeking to honor the God I serve in my studies and future plans. One of the reasons I originally chose to attend CBU, and what makes it a joy to return, is that the community offered here is honestly one in a million. The start of each new semester reminds me of just how fortunate we are to be on a campus that empowers us to pursue faith, engage culture, and simply “stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24 ESV). The minute I set foot on campus, I feel welcomed and at ease. After four months away, I cherished my return and am reminded of the countless things to be thankful for.

While the end of summertime brings with it homework, busy schedules, and limited television time (unless you happen to be a film major), it also brings an entirely new set of adventures to embark on. Returning to college after a long summer away is a sort of homecoming, as we are all reunited with our friends and professors and get the opportunity to catch up with each other. We also get to see new faces and facilities, and these provide the promise of countless new memories to be made. Life at this marvelous university enables me to enjoy all of the above and consistently reminds me of the goodness of our Creator in his faithfulness and persistent love for us. In a reunion with roommates and classmates, He has showed me love abundantly and reminded me that life is an adventure to be had in community with others. Each new passage of life never fails to remind me of the blessings I have received in my life, and I pray that this year brings growth both academically and spiritually for all of us.

As we begin our new year at school, let’s try our best to keep in mind the privilege it is to study here with our friends and strive to learn all that we can from each other. Be sure to enjoy the late night roommate sing offs, the Fro Yo breaks, and, of course, the unplanned deep discussions over tea.  I never cease to be amazed at my own journey through life at CBU, and I am excited to share with you all and give you a glimpse of the excitement and beauty of collegiate adventures. Enjoy the return to school and soak in as much as you possibly can. Until next week, Readers, here’s to the return of naps, last minute trips to In n Out, coffee after five o clock, and so much more to be learned!

Friends, we are coming amazingly close to the end of yet another fabulous year in school. What does it feel like, you ask? I’m still caught between euphoria and disbelief. On one hand, I am ecstatic to complete another semester and spend some quality homework-free time with friends and family. On the other hand, I am dazed at how quickly my sophomore year has flown by. So much has been packed into this year that I had convinced myself that it will never end, and now I am trying to get used to calling myself a soon-to-be junior in college.

While I am in the midst of finals week, I am immensely thankful for a few moments I get to spare spending time on my couch, listening to Simon and Garfunkel, and reflecting on how richly I have been blessed over the course of my second year at CBU. While I have encountered difficulties as well as triumphs, I can honestly say that I have learned so much this year and am so thankful for each new experience.

In summary, I would like to point out some of my greatest highlights over the course of the past year.

• Living in an apartment was an entirely new experience. For the first time in my young adult life, I felt like a grown up with a place away from home to share with roommates. Living in the Colony on campus meant community, a kitchen, and more room to decorate. While there were these perks to apartment life, it also meant needing to buy our own cleaning supplies and toiletries, but that is something we all have to learn sooner rather than later. Overall, I have adored living in the on-campus apartments and with three wonderful women I am proud to call roommates. We studied together and burned cookies together, and those are moments I will not easily forget. Roomies, I will miss you so much over the summer, but there will be visits, I promise! I love you all and thank you so much for adding so much to the goodness of this year.

• I really dove into my major classes this past year, and learned so much from each of them. I did not think that it was possible for me to become more passionate about literature than I already was, but after learning from some incredible professors, my passion has increased tenfold. My professors have even helped to awaken new passions in me, as I have recently declared a minor in film studies, which I am ecstatic to dive into. The classes offered at CBU and the caring, intelligent professors heighten the university’s integrity, and provide students with opportunities to grow so much in their academic abilities. I am so excited to continue my education here next year and in the years beyond.

• As always, I have to express my gratitude for the people I have met at CBU who have provided me with incredibly edifying friendships and have pushed me constantly closer to the God we serve. I have made priceless friendships with like-minded people who are all passionate about learning and growing together, and I know that this year would not have been nearly as wonderful without them. My friends are responsible for countless great conversations over many a cup of coffee, and for side-splitting laughs that helped us to relieve stress and remind ourselves that life is a beautiful, enjoyable endeavor. Over the summer I will miss the concerts, the trips to Late Night Briscos, the movies, and the constant companionship, but I cannot wait for more to come. Next year, I know I can continue to grow, laugh, and learn with all of my wonderful friends, and I know that together we will continue to make the most of our experience as students at CBU.

This past year at CBU has been extraordinarily wonderful, and as eventful as I could have hoped for. God continues to bless me with opportunities to serve, learn, and experience life here, and I have really adored the wonderful ride that my sophomore year has been. Readers and friends, you are so valued and I pray that the end of this year brings with it as much blessing as was brought throughout. Thank you for enjoying this beautiful life at CBU with me!

Looking toward the future is something young adults encounter often, especially while in college. We question “Is this the right major?” “What career do I want to aim for?” “What should I do with my summer time off?” “How is what I’m doing now contributing to the life I hope to live after school?”

These questions seem to pop up increasingly toward the end of every jam-packed semester, leading to several late-night discussions with friends and roommates.

I am well aware of the weight of these questions. While they help set goals to aim for, they can also add unnecessary amounts of stress. It is best to address these appropriately, then use the time given in college to explore them while focusing on how to be your best in this present moment.

I demonstrated a practical depiction of what has been going on in my head earlier this week. Thankfully, it alerted me to my need to be aware and serve my God with all that I have in each day I’m given.

Okay, here’s the story: As I have said before, mornings are not my friend. However, a couple mornings ago, I muddled my way to class, coffee mug in hand, and concentrated my efforts on making it where I needed to be. I gazed directly ahead of me as I plotted my route to class and eventually succeeded in making it there.

It wasn’t until later that same day when I bumped into some friends of mine that I realized I had walked past at least two of them without waving on my trek to class. Apparently, my friends had waved emphatically and called after me to say good morning, and I had absolutely no clue they had done so. I continued on my merry way, totally oblivious.

After this happened, I realized exactly how much I have let my thoughts take over. Even though it was a groggy morning for me, I couldn’t get out of my head and notice what was right in front of me. This made me realize that I really must pay more attention.

While I become single-minded in accomplishing simple goals, such as making it to a morning class, I also tend to be very futuristic. This does come in handy when it comes to studying for finals, writing research papers and making summer plans. However, I am once again realizing the importance of focusing on the present time and making the most of it.

As all CBU students are well aware, the end of the semester is nigh and summer rapidly approaches. In these final weeks, try to use the time to strive for excellence in each class, tell your roommates you appreciate them and invest time in your friends. We all know exactly where each other are at, and we can serve each other in love until we meet the end of another wonderful year at this university.

It is that time of the semester once again. Deadlines are looming over us much too close for comfort. Scheduling for next semester’s classes has arrived, and summer approaches must faster than it seemed possible.

However, I am so glad I have experienced all this before. Now I have the opportunity to prepare myself for what lies ahead. I wish I had the opportunity to tip my past self off so that I could have better prepared for the ending of my first spring semester.

Since, unfortunately, I cannot go back in time and share insight with my younger self, I might as well share it here for all who may be interested in a few tips that have worked for me in past experiences.

1. Catch up on sleep on the weekends. The end of the semester is really busy. There is a temptation to power through all of your assignments and skip sleep in the process. However, it is much better to work ahead. If faced with the decision to stay up studying rather than sleep, be sure to sneak some naps in and catch up on sleep over the weekend. It is not worth risking your health and becoming absolutely miserable to take finals while not feeling your best.
2. Talk to your professors. Our professors are wonderful. They are absolutely the best. If you have any questions about a project or an upcoming exam, go by their office and ask them. Professors would love to talk to you and spend the time helping you succeed. Also, if you find yourself unsure of which classes to take for the next semester, your professors would love to walk you through all of your options and help you decide.
3. Call home. The summer is coming up quickly, and with it will bring a lot of changes. If, like me, you are planning on moving back home for the summer, your schedule will drastically differ from what it includes now. It is valuable to talk to your family about your plans, goals and expectations for the summer so that you can both plan more easily. Also, contact your friends and begin to make plans. This will give you something to look forward to. Plan on starting a Bible study or accountability group so that your time together will be edifying. Being in constant communication with your family and friends about your summer plans will help all of you to make a smooth transition into summer life.
4. Send out the troops. If looking for a summer job, your family or friends from back home can send out feelers to let you know might be available. This will allow you to gather options and decide where you might want to apply.
5. Consider taking summer classes. This is pretty straightforward. Summer classes can propel you closer toward graduation. They are also great ways to fill your time and keep you productive year-round.
6. Do not panic. The end of the semester should be a time to remain focused and enjoy learning in your area of interest. Do not let stress replace prayer, and take breaks when you are feeling overwhelmed. Remember why you are here, and gather up your energy to finish the semester strong.

The end of an academic year need not be a cause for panic. Take the time to enjoy the days that go by, and invest in the company of other students experiencing the same thing. We are here for each other, and we can tackle the upcoming days together.

I hope my checklist will be of some use to you. Just remember: all seasons pass and all are meant to be fully lived. Make it a great week, and let us make this semester go out with a bang.

I count myself considerably blessed to attend a university that challenges me to pursue Christ, even in the midst of a 90-minute morning class. Personally, I find it difficult to stay alert in morning classes, let alone find exhortation in them.

One might say that I am not a morning person. Okay, that was an understatement. In the mornings, I am a barely-functioning zombie of an individual. My mornings generally consist of me struggling to prepare myself to enter the outside world and present myself as a sane person. I begin by treating my alarm clock with unnecessary animosity, and then start the long process of sliding myself out of bed and gradually onto the floor in order to doze as long as possible. I generally don’t find the motivation to move until one of my roommates steps on me. I then ready myself for the day in slow, sleepy steps and do not speak to anyone until I have at least a full cup of coffee.

It’s safe to say that morning classes have always been rough for me. While I love lectures and could happily sit in a classroom all day, I have a hard time fully participating in class until about 11 a.m. (A tip for those of you who have the same problem: eating an apple in the morning helps you to feel energized, and it also helps to bring a mug of coffee to class. If you’re accident-prone like me, bring a lid.) One can imagine, then, that I struggle to remain alert in my 9:30 Global Studies course.

But I digress!

During class time earlier this week, I struggled with fatigue when my professor managed to grab my attention. I was brought to full awareness as he discussed the Great Commission and how we as Christians should respond to it. You all have heard the verses:

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)

Immediately my ears perked up, and I rejoiced at the fact that I get to learn and discuss these things in the classroom! My professor was bent on reiterating this command to us. He went into a discussion of its practical application and implored us all to live on purpose for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. The Lord has saved us and given us the opportunity to share this Gospel with others. CBU is especially focused on missions, as students and staff take the Great Commission seriously and live it out. What a way to turn a morning around!

Despite my morning stupor, this subject never fails to grab me and leave me in awe of God’s plan for His disciples. It was so refreshing once again to see how the faculty at CBU shares a common goal in encouraging students to seek and follow Christ. It takes statements of intense purpose to wake me up, and I pray that Christ’s commission will continue to wake up sleepers as he uses His disciples to reach the nations.

I’ll be honest in saying that Easter caught me by surprise this year as I’ve been enjoying this ongoing thrill ride of life. I feel like a giant Easter Bunny has stalked me from behind and then leaped out suddenly, throwing peeps and chocolate eggs at me while enjoying the surprised (and disturbed) look on my unsuspecting countenance.

I’m sure I can’t be the only one who feels this way. After all, Easter seems to unfortunately fall by the wayside in comparison to the societal hype surrounding Christmas. While Easter observance is a yearly celebration of the resurrection of Christ, it surprises me that many, me included, seem less excited about it than we should be. While the Resurrection is something to be excited about year-round as we let the power of God shape our lives, I think it’s valid to meditate deeply on this subject during the upcoming holiday. Let’s try our best to forget about whatever else we have going on, and focus in on what Christ did on this day years ago.

I received some wonderful encouragement to do this during a moment I didn’t expect. I had just entered one of my literature classes on a dreaded test day. The tension in the room was tangible as I took my usual seat and pulled out my notes to do some last-minute reviews of authors and terms. My professor soon gathered the exams at her podium and asked us all how we were doing with an amiable look on her face.

Insert chirping crickets here. We all were, of course, feeling the pressure of our exam, and I assume many of us were also sleep deprived and overly occupied in thinking about the assignments we had yet to complete after the exam we were currently taking.

Sensing this tension, my professor told us how the test would work and then asked to pray over us. The class, of course, nodded and settled into the usual, habitual “prayer pose.” Our professor proceeded to converse with the Lord, and her prayer was so resounding that it helped to set the tone for my entire week. The prayer went something like this:

“Almighty God, I know that these students work hard and that they want to do well on this exam. While I ask that they do well, according to what they’ve learned, I ask more so that You would remind them of how insignificant this little test is in comparison to who You are and what You’ve done for us. As we prepare ourselves for the upcoming Easter celebration, I ask that you would astound us and remind us of Your greatness and how much more important You are than anything else we could ever concern ourselves with. Guide us and bring us closer to You, Father. In Christ’s name, amen.”

Talk about unexpected conviction! After taking the exam, I could not thank God enough for CBU and for the professors who offer this type of encouragement in the classroom. Not only are students offered the ability to learn from the best and the brightest, but we are fully encouraged to keep our focus on what matters most in life, and that is the glory of God.

This prayer was exactly what I needed to wake myself up and be reminded of how I can become so focused on miniscule things and lose focus. As we enter into Easter observance, let me encourage you to remember what God has done for us. He has shown His redemptive work throughout history and continues to move in powerful ways. He is the very definition of love and goodness, and apart from Him we have no thing of beauty. In the act of sending His son to die and be raised from the dead for us, He shows us the ultimate act of love, which enables us to come to know Him and worship Him in all that we do.

While it is easy to lose enthusiasm for the things that matter when we are bogged down with distractions, God will always manage to break through our barriers and bring us back to Him. I thank Him for that as I continue to prepare to give Him all I’ve got in worship this Easter, and in all the days after that. I hope that we all have an exceptionally blessed holiday, and that we keep our focus where it counts. Happy Easter!

After my recent trip home for spring break, I was reminded of several things. First, I was once again prompted to discover the fact that airports are very interesting places. People either love or hate air travel considering the rush involved and the many elements keeping you on your toes.

I love flying, and my airport escapades tend to remind me that God is astounding. A happenstance conversation during my spring break flight reminded me that college is a useful time in life that allows us to worship the Lord.

As I said before, I love air travel and everything about it. I love getting through security and settling down to practice my people watching skills at the gate. I adore the feeling of being able to skim through books while soaking in the thrill of travel. I also love boarding the plane, interacting with friendly flight attendants and hoping to score a window seat.

This time, I did have the pleasure of boarding early enough to sit by a window. This seat not only allows for the optimal views, but also ensures that you will not be stuck in the dreaded “middle zone.” You know what I mean: the middle seat that is, in any form of transportation, never a coveted spot. There is a tendency to feel claustrophobic, and this awkwardness only rises on crowded planes when you are stuck between two perfect strangers.

On this particular flight, I discovered a bright side to the middle zone — meeting a brave individual who was exceptionally friendly and talkative. We ended up having a marvelous conversation that lasted the entire length of the flight. Who does not enjoy that in a row companion?

My middle seat friend was a high school senior who had just finished a weeklong stay at a Christian university near California Baptist University and was trying to decide which school to visit next. I jumped at the opportunity to emphatically recommend CBU, and successfully sparked her interest. In our conversation, I was able to answer any questions she posed about college, leading to a wonderful discussion about living college life and clarifying the purpose of going to school in the first place.

Every decision we as Christians make is affected by our decision to serve God and accomplish his will for our lives. My middle seat friend is currently in the throngs of nearing the end of high school and deciding where to go next. She maintained a tangible desire to serve God and was trying to decide how best to use her intelligence to glorify him after high school.

It is my firm belief that attending a university is a wonderful way to worship the Lord. Going to school, especially a biblically rooted school such as CBU, allows students to sharpen their skills and become well equipped to serve our creator using the gifts He gave to us. Utilizing these gifts is a very worshipful act and allows us to boldly take our faith into the world to change it for the glory of God.

College is a unique time in life that allows young men and women to explore their skill sets and discover more about what God has in store. Sharpening the skills we were created with at a university should be done with the intention of using them to serve the creator all our years after we complete our education. It is a privilege to be allowed to serve God with all that we have and all we accomplish, and it leads into a wonderful adventure in pursuit of our redeemer’s honor.

I would like to take up a little bit of time to talk about the importance of being genuine. Allowing yourself to be completely raw and real with someone really opens the relationship up to honesty and productive growth. Sometimes, this growth has to come out of a not-so-pretty period of time, but sharing something honest and uninhibited with another person creates a closer bond and leads to faster edification.

Allow me to provide an example of how one shared, honest experience can bring two individuals closer in a very short period of time.

If you have been around with me long enough, you will recall quite clearly my fear of – no, despise for– insects. I’m not entirely sure what brought this fear about or why it is so deep-rooted, but I know for a fact that when I see a bug larger than a few centimeters, I transform into a useless bundle of terror. So buckle up, readers, here comes the second written segment of my ongoing battle with the insects.

My roommate Molly and I were having a leisurely Saturday morning. We slept in, made coffee and tea, and bummed around in the living room until the early afternoon with the screen door open to enjoy the mild weather. Oh, the joys of college life in Southern California. At the point when we finally decided to start being productive, Molly left the living room briefly to grab one of her textbooks while I scrolled through a syllabus on my laptop. Unbeknownst to me, something terrible was about to go down.

When Molly reentered the room, I heard the sudden halt in her footsteps and a sharp intake of breath before hearing the dreaded phrase, “What… is… THAT?” I slowly raised my eyes from my computer screen to fixate on a two-inch dark blob of matter that had materialized in the middle of our living room floor. Fear welled up inside me before rolling up my throat and bursting out of my mouth:

“COCKROACH!”

Okay, full disclosure, this was not actually a cockroach. CBU maintains the campus very well, so our apartment was never actually under threat of infestation. This beast was actually just a ginormous beetle from Hades that had wandered in from our open door when we weren’t watching. I in my terror, however, did not care to differentiate between the species of insect and merely attributed a name to it in a moment of sheer panic and frazzled senses.

What happened next is purely a battle between human and nature. Molly, as it turns out, was almost as afraid of the thing as I was. She was able to think fast and throw a little cup over it before it could run away, leaving it temporarily trapped in the middle of our floor. What ensued shortly thereafter included a lot of babbling, shouting, deliberating, and yes, even a little bit of crying.

Molly and I did not know what to do with this giant beast in our apartment! We eventually came up with a master plan of attack: call every male we know and ask them for help. Unfortunately, no one was available at the time. After further minutes of panic and deliberation, we decided that there was no other way to go about this, and we had to battle the thing ourselves.

After the whole event with the beetle, Molly and I sat on our couch, severely shaken but laughing constantly at the fact that we were able to tame the beast. This was a serious coming of age moment, you see, and we got to share it with each other and recount it to others.

When Molly and I battled with the beast, we were not worried about our behavior. Our reactions were perfectly honest (if even slightly dramatic), but they were uninhibited. This is how everyone should be more often with each other. We should act in honesty and share our genuine fears, concerns, and eventual triumphs. A large part of college life includes finding like-minded individuals who you can grow with and learn from, and this process is helped along by honesty.

I sincerely hope that it doesn’t ever take a terrifying insect to bring you to a realization of the importance of honesty. I do know, however, that all shared experiences lead to new levels of bonding, and ultimately make memories that will last long after college ends. I know for a fact that I won’t be forgetting this adventure!