Mornings with Friends

So this semester has been a great blessing...I know that I have said that several times in my blog, but it is true! One of my favorite parts of it (aside from the fact that I have 12 credits) is my Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

My roommate, my cousin Lexi, and my Maid of Honor Natalie all come up to our room for tea and coffee. Not only that, but Natalie, Kathy and I attempt to go to the gym before that (it doesn't always work - we like to sleep). It is one of the best times for the fact that it is a solid time to get together with my favorite people! When it comes to the schedules of college girls, things can get a bit tight. Between each of us working on campus, me with the musical, and wedding plans we are pretty busy.

Both Lexi and Natalie are pretty amazing (not that Kathy isn't) because they are two of my bridesmaids. They are planning a wedding shower for me right now, and actually they are being really understanding about my moodiness/whining. All I wanted was a big shower in Waynesburg to celebrate with all of my friends, including the ones that I can't invite to the wedding. Well it turns out that they are having multiple to accommodate my wants. So, I love them.

The funniest part about our mornings is that it is nine am, and we are ridiculously loud. We chat like girls do, with giggling and too much noise. A lot of the noise comes from Lexi, she is my tiny cousin who is highly affected by caffeine. A few weeks ago I gave her a LARGE cup of coffee, full on caffeine, and she had issues the whole day! She had the shakes, and giggles, even more than usual!


These are the girls that I like to spend most of my time with, Kathy I'm stuck with, but I'm okay with that, and I love them all! We have too much fun together, and I will definitely miss this next year!

Until next time!

Jubilee!

This was the view from the 24th story room that I shared with three other girls on Valentine's Day weekend while at the Jubilee Conference in Pittsburgh. This is the third consecutive year that I have taken a weekend to go to Jubilee, put on by the Coalition for Christian Outreach. Jubilee is always packed to the brim with college students who are yearning to learn about incorporating their faith into their learning as well as into their life as a whole.

The most influential part about Jubilee this year was seeing Teach for America there. If you haven't read my past blogs, I just interviewed with Teach for America, a secular organization committed to eliminating educational iniquity in America. Though it is a secular organization, the ability and openess for them to come to a christian conference blew me away. Not only were they there, holding breakout sessions, but they were also one of the largest sponsors this year!

There seemed to be an overlying theme of reducing the gap of iniquity between suburban upper-class America, and our lower-income areas. I was extremely encouraged in seeing this for the fact that the direction my life path seems to be taking at this point is continually reassured by events like this. Through my experience here at Waynesburg, I have been shown what it means to incorporate my faith in every aspect of my life. It seems as though the Lord is guiding me every step of the way, and I am seeing the ways that He want me to work, and where. I have watched my faith grow so much as a result of coming to Waynesburg, and I cannot imagine the path I would have taken had I gone elsewhere.

I seriously believe that God has a specific path for each and every one of us, though it may take us a while to figure out where He wants us. I think about how different my life could have been...I would never have met Ryan, my fiancee, I would have never formed the deep relationship with my aunt, uncle, and cousins who live in town, and I might not have come back to the Lord had I not come to Waynesburg. It is for all of these reasons and so many more that I am thankful to no end for.

Waynesburg or the Tip of Florida During a Hurricane?

I have never seen such odd weather in Waynesburg until this week. Who knew that we could go from five degrees to SIXTY EIGHT in one week. I guess the weather, or God really, is unpredictable like that. Last week I was under the impression that we were going to get about five feet of snow, not that I actually believed it, and now this week I am hoping that Spring will come soon. It's not fair for the weather to tease us like this with beautiful days of warm weather and sunshine - in FEBRUARY.

Maybe it was on account of the temperature changing so drastically, but Wednesday night was a night to remember. There I was, sitting in Stover after just recently walking the 30 stairs from the library when it was warm-ish and beautiful outside. I was chatting with a few of my girlfriends, and it was 7:22, time to get up to walk down to the GPAC for musical rehearsal. As I stood up from the table and took two steps towards the hall, the lights went out. This was no 'lights flickered out for just a second and it's okay,' but it was what seemed like an extended momentary blackout, and it was PITCH BLACK in the Bee Hive. I stood there, frozen in my lack of sight, and waited for the lights to come back up. 1...2...3...Phew! They came back on. So I continued on my way down the stairs and towards the front doors, and I hear this loud noise, which at this point I had no idea what it was. Keep in mind that just minutes earlier the weather was beautiful and clear. As I got closer to the door, I realized that the noise was wind and water POUNDING against the double doors! It was blowing so hard that the water was coming through the crack between the door in a frenzied sort of way. Unfortunately, I was getting closer and closer to being late for rehearsal. So what else could I do but take off at full speed into the rain? I walked closer to the door, paused to prepare myself...I hid my script inside of my vest, pulled it tighter around me, and now I was ready. I put my hand on the door and pushed...and pushed...and pushed! It took me probably thirty seconds to get the door opened because the wind was blowing so hard! I got out the door and was immediately drenched. This was no light rainfall, this was buckets of water coming down and being poured directly on top of my head. I took off sprinting towards the GPAC, across the street where I stepped in a river...I hit the stairs in Johnson Commons and by this point I was having such a hard time seeing because my contacts were being smashed about my the water (there was no squinting to protect your eyes, it was all or nothing!) I ended up stumbling, barely making it down the stairs without falling and I heard a crash to my left, and the lights in the commons went out...by this point I was so focused on getting inside that I didn't realize that no matter how fast I got there, I was already soaked to the bone, so it really didn't matter. I finally made it down the elongated concrete steps, and took off sprinting down the last leg of my journey. I was hoping that I was running straight, because I closed my eyes (afraid I was going to lose a contact) and just followed the voices yelling, "RUN! RUN! YOU CAN MAKE IT!" And I did. As I entered the foyer of the GPAC, streams of water were flowing down my legs, my hair was dripping wet, and I had puddles in my shoes. The important thing though is that my script was safe inside my vest, it did not get wet.

It wasn't minutes later that the rain let up to a light sprinkle, and the next people to come in were just a little bit wet - that's okay, my story was more fun than theirs. Following that front was elevated wind that lasted through yesterday as well. If I were a fisherman or a sailor, I might say it was 'so many knots.' But I am not, so I will just say that it wanted to blow me around...I tell you, it was saying to itself, "I am going to throw Emily off of the path she is walking," and it did succeed. Though it was entertaining for a few days, I am happy to report that I am watching the sun rise right now, and the trees are still. The worst part is that it is supposed to get cold again this weekend...bummer. Guess it's six more weeks of winter...too bad.

God Bless!

Music to My Ears

I have always had a great love for music...and second semester last year a good friend of mine, Erin Crawshaw, invited me to be a part of a student-run Beauty Shop Quartet. There are four of us, hence quartet...



Meet Erin Crawshaw...she is our fearless leader:) She and I met my first year at Waynesburg during the fall production of Macbeth...we were both witches...no truth holds in that casting! Erin is a very talented musician, and I am extremely blessed to have her in my life. She has been an inspiration to me in many ways, and I am looking forward to June 6th when she will sing in my wedding. Erin is a senior communications major, and is therefore overextended, and has meetings like you wouldn't imagine! My mom didn't believe me when I told her Erin has more meetings in any given week than I do. Erin's voice is B-E-A-UTIFUL. If you have a high note you want her to hit, she can do it.


Meet Katie Simpson...She is the newest member of the quartet. Katie sings the lead (which is typically the melody in our songs) and stepped up last year after Sabrina Ainsley graduated. Katie is a blooming woman, and is always very cheerful. She is a sophomore marine biology major, and apparently loves it. All I know is I am glad that I began as a chemistry major, and switched out! Katie was our 'Waynesburg Idol' winner this year, and no, that is not why we chose her. Katie has an amazing heart, and I am very excited to see her progress in life as she takes on new challenges, continues her ministry with the Chapel Worship band, and becomes as involved/busy as Erin and I are:)



Meet Sarah Hulyk...She is our 'tenor'...I love how we label our voice parts, but they don't exactly apply. Sarah is phenomenal! She is currently a part of the WU Lamplighter's Choir, the WU Band, and a part of Alpha Psi Omega (our honorary theater fraternity). When I first met Sarah, I thought she was very shy and quiet. I wasn't quite sure how to act with her. Now that I have gotten to know her, though she has a quiet demeanor, Sarah's personality is wonderful! She makes me smile all the time with her subtle jokes...I know that she is going to flourish as our only surviving original member of the Beauty Shop Quartet next year.



Then of course there is me...I sing bass in our quartet...it's amazing! I love to be the token low-voice, which is typical because I can sing along with most of the note the boys can, and more sometimes.

We have assistance from Micheal Bruno, an adjunct music teacher here at the university. He does a wonderful job at bringing out the best of our musical abilities. In many ways, Micheal reminds me of Robert Page, who has been in music for over six decades, and is entering his 22nd year as the director of The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh.

During the last few weeks at Waynesburg this past Christmas season, we sang Christmas grams as a fundraiser for our efforts. If you'd like a small preview of our performance, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lnT6sWnnsc

I mention the Beauty Shop in my blog this week because it has been an AMAZING experience for me...for the first time, I have truly enjoyed an organized vocal group. Being that it is run by the four of us, there is next to no pressure on us to do things we don't want to, and if we need to skip a practice, it's OK. I love the girls I sing with so much...we sang the National Anthem this week for the two basketball games, and it was so beautiful! I was very touched, and I really want my ladies to know how much I appreciate their efforts, their knowledge that they have shared with me, and their hearts. I am really going to miss this after I graduate.

God Bless!

Sick of Being Sick!

Why is it that we all inevitably get sick during this time of year? Yes, I know it is cold, and we have nasty weather, but why!? The worst part is when one day you feel just fine, and the next, you wake up sick.

Yep, you guessed it...I woke up sick on Monday morning, and it was a baaaaad start to day. Not to mention the fact that I had tossed and turned all night, hardly getting any sleep, and had terrible dreams. Here it is, Friday morning, and I am finally starting to get over this cold.

Of course when a college kid gets sick, he or she will not:
1. Want to go to ANY classes
2. Want to go to any meetings
3. Want to do anything but sleep
4. Have mom around to get chicken broth, do the dishes, or clean up the room

All of these are not exactly conducive to a studious atmosphere. Lucky for me, I was motivated enough to go to every single one of my classes this week, I went to all of my meetings, slept between classes, and even found the energy to work. Unfortunately, that dreaded number 4 snuck up on me...I made food for myself all week, but did I want to clean up? I think that this photo says it all...



On another note, the musical is cast! I am so excited for this show, mainly because it is a super fun musical to be a part of, I'm assuming it will be anyways. I was cast as the ever enticing "Appasionata Von Climax," General Bullmoose's classified secretary. Intrigued? Plan on making a trip to Waynesburg the first weekend of April. The show opens on April 1st. Contact Eddie Powers at EPowers@waynesburg.edu for show information and seat reservations.

I don't remember the last time I actually saw Ryan this week. I think that it was Wednesday in the mail room where he works on campus. With our crazy busy schedules, it is hard to find time during the week to even have lunch! Lucky for me, I have a fantastic fiancee who brought me and my roommate flowers last week, just because. They are doing "Choose to Lose," a six week weight loss program on campus, together, so he brought her some to say, "Good Luck!" So I have had a little reminder of him in my room even when I don't see him often.



Beautiful. Until next time, God Bless!

Like a Merry-Go-Round...

It seems as though my life is like a merry-go-round...it keeps getting faster and faster until I don't know what to do with myself but sit back and enjoy the ride.

I am already two weeks into the total fifteen of my last semester of my senior year...and I don't know how it happened! It seems like I just got back from Jamaica, and the thing is that it also seems like I have been back for a month! Two weeks down and thirteen to go...WHAT?! I guess that as I write this, it is hitting me more and more that I will be graduated in less than four months!

Thankfully, there have been a few good opportunities that have presented themselves to me in terms of post-graduate jobs. I think right now the most promising, and exciting for me, is with an organization called Teach for America. They take recent graduates, who don't have education degrees, and give them the training they need to teach. Even better than that, they place their employees in areas that are in need of good teachers. Teach for America's mission is "to build the movement to eliminate educational inequity by enlisting our nation's most promising future leaders in the effort" (teachforamerica.org). A friend of mine from California casually mentioned the program to me while we were visiting, and it seemed like things began to fall into place! I went home, looked them up online, and applied the next week.

One of the other opportunities I have is working with the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO). Their motto is "Transforming college students to transform the world" (ccojubilee.org). They work on and around college campuses to mentor students and to challenge them to integrate their faith with their learning and beyond that. We have several CCO members who work with us here at Waynesburg University, and they have made a grand impact on my life. I was able to participate in a summer trip with them two years ago, called Leadership and Discipleship in the Wilderness (LDW). It was an amazing experience! I was in the middle of the Georgian Bay in Canada for a month with 15 others. We sea kayaked, and did a lot of looking into ourselves. The trip completely changed my life, and how I approach many situations.



Well, back to the present...Auditions for Lil Abner, the spring musical, took place this last week. I am super excited to find out about the results of the auditions, which will hopefully be up today...and if not, Monday. I am ready for a nice weekend, which is very uneventful, and that is fine with me! I plan to continue reading the Twilight series! I finished the third book last night, and I am ready to find out what happens next!

Tune in next time!

Back and Ready to Go!

This year, after a nice, long, four-week winter break, I am content. I was ready to come back, it wasn't too short, AND I got to go to JAMAICA!

Waynesburg University puts on several service trips throughout the school year, and along with sixteen other students I traveled to Montego Bay, Jamaica. We worked with Mustard Seed Communities (www.mustardseed.com). The community, Blessed Assurance, is one of several that are built and supported by MSC. They house and care for physically and mentally handicapped children, children with HIV, and teen mothers. All of these children are orphans, and they all needed our love.





We were there from January 3rd through the 10th, and worked hard to continue progress on the property. We painted an entire building (just about), built bunk beds, and some other small things around the property. It was exhausting, waking up at around six and going to bed around eleven. We experienced a lot of cultural differences as well, mainly the food. Jamaica's main dish is Ackee
- a type of fruit - and salt fish. Fish, a lot of fish in the morning, which was hard to get my head around. Fortunately, I went on this same trip last year, and I was prepared for the food because I had experienced it before. Other students did have a hard time. All of their dishes that had either chicken, goat, or beef were full of bones. A luxury that we have here in the US is not having to use every single part of the animal, including the bones. We also have a butcher that we can go to down the road and buy a nice cut of meat. It is not that easy in Jamaica, and the fact that MSC operates solely off of donation makes funds tight.




The residents, whose ages range anywhere from 1 to 28, are all so amazing. It breaks my heart when I think about each of them in their fragile state. Two boys, Romaine and Romar who are twins, were there last year as well. They have the brightest smile, and I loved to simply love on them! We tried to help the staff as much as we could, and I am so impressed at the mountains they conquer. With a total of 37 residents, they have a lot to handle. The aides bathe the residents twice a day, clothe them, feed them, AND they do the laundry, clean the cottages twice a day - end up with urine or other bodily substances on them - and it is all for the love of God that they stick it out. The pay that they receive per month is about 18,000 Jamaican dollars...which in US dollars comes out to roughly $236. Like I said, it is all for the love of our Lord.

Working with MSC was an experience of a lifetime, and I am so happy that I was blessed enough to be able to go. With all of the trips that go out from Waynesburg U, I am sure that there is a trip for everyone.