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.

Eight Days and Counting...

It's a very strange feeling to know that in about one week I will be less than six months away from graduating - moving on to the real world, what's that? For the majority of my life, I have been conditioned to go to school, have the summer off, and then go back. So what about when I DON’T GO BACK? Wow, that just doesn't seem right. Don't get me wrong, it's exciting, but it just doesn't sound right. So what then? Where do I go? What do I do? Well, I began that thinking process in the beginning of the year, and just yesterday had the first solid action towards my future: my first job interview.

I interviewed with the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO), and it was a good experience for the first of many to come. It was relaxed, but not unofficial. The CCO is an organization that is dedicated to 'transforming college students to transform the world' (www.ccojubilee.org). The organization works on several different college and university campuses in the north-east area of the country to help mentor and guide students to maturity in Christ. What an opportunity! But at the same time, I keep thinking, what is the plan for Emily? Where is it that I am truly meant to be? That is the million-dollar question of the century!

It seems that most college students don't really know what they want, even if someone if an education major, half the time he or she doesn't want to teach. So how is it that we, as college students, make it so far in our college careers and have NO IDEA where we are supposed to be? In addition to that, how can we get from 'NO IDEA' to 'SOME IDEA' or maybe even 'OUR CALLING'? To anyone who asks, I can inform them of my ideas to teach, work for the CCO, or possibly go right into a masters program, but then I have to follow that up with the fact that I need to be where God wants me to be. I need to follow His will first and foremost, and then I can consider the thoughts that I have and that others have for me. There is never any time frame that I can put on 'my plans,' and that goes for everyone else who has ideas to share. That is all they can be, is ideas, that can be shared, but it is all God's doing that one door opens when another does not. In that case, all I can do is pray, love, and work my hardest to continually have my eyes OPENED to the possibilities that will come up.

With all of this serious talk and consideration going on, there is no way that I could survive without a bit of light-hearted fun and family time...here are a few pictures that show those spirits...




This is me being attacked by tape...we were doing our Christmas decorating!


My family is the most important thing to me, and all of these photos really show the uniqueness of us when we are all together. I hope you all can be with your families in times of stress, and enjoy the holidays together!
God Bless!

It's That Time of Year!

SNOW! SNOW! SNOW!

I am so thrilled to have white flurries EVERYWHERE this week! It has been so beautiful on campus...I think it is actually one of my most favorite times on campus because it it so pretty.

To make the season even brighter (not that it can get much better with break beginning at one o'clock tomorrow) we had Thanksgiving dinner last night! It is an annual tradition that we have a HUGE Thanksgiving dinner in the Caf, and several of the University's faculty and staff stay late in the evening to serve us. It is probably the only time of the year that there is a line clear into the commons from the doors of the Caf to get in, AND that the Caf is JAM-PACKED with almost every soul on campus! We enjoyed turkey, stuffing, PIE...all the usual Turkey-Day foods. It is one last chance to get together with all for your friends before Thanksgiving break.

I am so excited for the winter to finally be here. It seems like the weather can't make up it's mind - it's cold, it's hot, rain, sleet, snow - AHHH! Pick one! Either way, the Holidays are coming, and the one thing that I love so much about Waynesburg University is how it has taught me to serve others, especially during the Holidays. One of the greatest ideas that I have had for a Christmas gift is donating money on behalf of my mom. World Vision, a non-profit organization that creates relationships between people here in America and children around the world who are under the age of 18 and poverty stricken, offers a gift catalog to people who would like to give a gift to those children in honor of a loved one (Please visit: http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwvibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10024 to view the catalog).


We have SO MUCH here in America, and honestly, there is no material thing that I need at this point in my life. The entire Holiday season, we spend so much on people who HAVE and it seems as though we forget about the people
who HAVE NOT. We lose the reason for the season in the hustle and bustle of the shopping malls and the Christmas tree lots. Giving a gift, such as a goat, or two chickens, in the name of your Mom, Dad, Sister, or Brother, is a lasting gift that provides for a family across the world. Some of these gifts cost less than a video-game...and they are saving lives. The World Vision Website says about this young boy and others like him, "The early-morning bleating of a dairy goat is a happy sound for children in countries like Haiti and Kenya — they know it’s ready to be milked. A goat nourishes a family with protein-rich milk, cheese, and yogurt, and can offer a much-needed income boost by providing offspring and extra dairy products for sale at the market. It even provides fertilizer that can dramatically increase crop yields!" (http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwvibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10024)

Please remember ALL of God's children this Holiday Season, not just your own. Waynesburg has really taught me to reach out to those in need, across the world, and around the corner, and we are all called to spread that awareness and love.

Live and Love in His name and glory!

Until Next Time...

Phew!

Finally, I feel like I can breath! This entire week I have had time to relax, get my work done, and keep my feet underneath me. Thank Goodness! We had a cold weekend at the football game, but it was well worth it. The boys ended up getting the highest score of the year with a 50-34 victory! Now this Saturday we have the last, and biggest game of the year - W&J...the enemy...the team that Waynesburg has only beat about 5 times out of the near 50 times that the two schools have met on the field. We need all the support we can get, so come out if you are near!




It is surreal that this is the last game of the season. Every weekend for the past two months I've been there cheering - my friend Kyley says I'll be a great soccer mom, and my mother says I have quite the pair of pipes on me - needless to say, I AM LOUD! And I love to be loud! It will be sad to see this last game...not only is it the last game of the season, but it is Ryan's last game EVER. After nine seasons of playing, he doesn't know what it is like to not be getting ready for the next year. He's excited for the next stage in his life, but at the same time slightly anxious about where to go from here. Today is his last practice, and I pray that all goes well. More importantly, I pray that the team gets their heads together to BEAT W&J!!! This is possibly the most important game of all, and it would be A-mazing to end on a good note.

The weather doesn't know what it wants to do yet either. I keep saying, it's NOVEMBER! GET IT RIGHT! But it seems that the air is not quite ready to stay cold. Waynesburg is the greatest area to be outside running, or biking, but when it gets cold, I get stuck in the fitness center. Lucky for me, I was able to go on an hour long bike ride with good friend, and fellow actor, Matt London. Do make a note though, our campus seems to be at the top of a hill, especially my dorm. So the ride out is great, but the way back is torture!

Fortunately, I was able to go back to my room, and take a load off. That has been the theme of the week - breath in, breath out - lay down, relax!!! One more week of classes, and I can continue to relax over Thanksgiving break! YAY! Family, friends, my little niece who I get to see for the first time, and great food - you can't go wrong with Thanksgiving. PLUS, my birthday is the last day of break, so it just ends on a fan-TAS-tic note.

Busy, Busy, Busy

What a great, crazy week it has been! Last weekend was the end to the show, and it was fan-TAS-tic! My parents were both able to come out, and also Ryan's parents were here too!
The five of us had a blast at the football game, Mom and Susie got to chat, my father being the amazing, nerdy papa he has always been, and Evan (Ryan's dad) with his peanuts and questions. Even though the boys didn't get the victory, it was a great day for Ryan. I can't imagine the joy he felt when he looked up and saw his Grandfather in the stands, along with his uncle and cousin. They came all the way from New York to catch his game - what a blessing!


Ever since my first show at Waynesburg University, and my role as a witch, I didn't know if I would ever have another part that would live up to the FUN that I had with that one. But alas, I was proven wrong as 'Tituba' in the Crucible. I was able to branch out, use a Barbadian accent, be really, really dirty as a slave, and also be slightly insane.
I guess I would say that I love those unique roles that challenge me, whether they are small or large, they are always the best! I also love to see Ryan's expressions with each show that he sees me in, or that we go to together. That is one thing that I have grown to love more, and more is going to see shows in the theater. Waynesburg is unique in that it offers SO MANY opportunities to see the arts for an inexpensive price. We are blessed here with a great activities program, and honestly no one can say that there is nothing to do on any given night.
It is great to have things to do on campus, but it seems like this past week, even though the show is over, I still don't have time to do them! It is soooo close to Thanksgiving, and I know that everyone is feeling the anticipation, and stress, of being done. I wrote a list on Monday of everything I have to do, and it seems like I keep crossing things off, but at the same time adding to it - let's say 2 things to do for every 1 thing I get done. Needless to say, I am slightly overwhelmed, and keep praying that I get caught up some day soon.
My job as a resident assistant usually doesn't help with my stress level, more likely than not it adds to it. But, last night we had an all staff meeting - it is a more casual event than you might think. Adam Jones, Resident Director and friend, lead the meeting. His topic was finding time to relax. So many of us get caught up in saying we are 'sooo busy' that often times it ends up being the main thought of our days. This mindset will keep taking away from our positive, God-loving attitude, and might end up driving us insane! So, my goal for today, and the rest of this semester, is to make sure my focus and my drive is in the right place. God is really, truly the only way to make it through our 'hectic' lives, and finding time to spend with Him is key.