Before I make my way to the interview process of being a summer RA!
Positive thoughts. :)

Blog #4

10 Ways to Have a Successful First Date

It is that question many single people ask themselves. The one that make people hopeful that maybe, just maybe if they nail the first date everything will fall into place just the way they wish. Well, it is true to some extent in that you can never re-do a first impression. The way that first date plays out will determine if a person will get another chance to go on another date. Now before reading this it is important to understand that nailing all this points does not guarantee a future date. However, the benefits of it include being a great date and showing that you are somewhat worthy of seeing again.

1. No Techno- It is no secret that technology has increased dramatically making it easier to access the Internet and communicate with people. However, accessing technology is a big no-no when it comes to being on a date. Do not text or answer any phone calls unless it is an emergency. It is impolite and shows that you are uninterested.
2. X Out The Exes- Unless either party asks do not bring up details of past relationships. And, even if the topic is brought up be selective in the information you share.
3. Shut Yo’ Mouth- It is common table manners to not chew with your mouth open. This is a major turnoff for both parties. For more information on the DO’s and DONT’S for table manners view the following website: http://whatscookingamerica.net/Menu/DiningEtiquetteGuide.htm
4. R-E-S-P-E-C-T- It is important to create a foundation of trust and respect. With that said do not flirt with anyone else while on your date especially, the waiter.
5. Avoid Foulness- Do not cuss. Cursing shows a lack of intelligence for expressing one’s feelings. It is also impolite and disrespectful.
6. It Is Not All About You- As the saying goes, “It takes two to tango.” With this said do not be the only one to do the talking. It is important that one makes sure to not cut another person off when they are talking.
7. Do Not Forget Your Wallet- To both ladies and gentlemen this goes for both sides. As tradition has it men are usually required to pay on the first date. However, ladies this does not excuse you from offering to pay. Both parties should be prepared in case of an emergency.
8. Preparation A- In order to be socially successful one must always have a set of topics to talk about just in case all the “get-to-know-you-questions” has been answered.
9. Do You See What I See?- Eye contact is key when conversing. It shows that you are respectful and interested in what they have to say. Even if the topic does not necessarily excite one person in particular be considerate of each other’s feelings and ideas.
10. Give Thanks.-Thank each other for making time to spend with one another. Showing appreciation is one thing that many people yearn for and are glad to see especially after a date.

Well, there you have it ten ways to have a successful date! As stated in the introductory these tips will not necessarily guarantee a second date. It is up to the either “dater” to decide if their personality is similar to what they are looking for in a person. If a second date does not take place do not loose hope. There are plenty of other people who would be more than happy to have a date like you, especially with your exceptional date etiquette! For more tips on being a successful dater view http://www.topdatingtips.com/dating-etiquette.htm.



**written for JRN 412

Blog #3

This year’s theme of 4,105 Balloons represents all of the students that are apart of creating a legacy at CBU. Each student has enrolled to this university with some goal in mind, whether it’s to become a doctor or just graduate with a bachelor’s degree. Whatever the reason for attending school each student is a part of the process of another year in CBU history.
Since day one of enrolling to CBU it has been my dream to become a sports broadcaster. With that said I declared a major in Journalism with a minor in Public Relations. Another dream of mine has been to influence as many lives as I can to bring others to Christ. It was not until this past month that I have honestly truly dedicated my life to doing whatever it is he wants me to do. I have laid down all my own desires and have realized that there is more to life than achieving our own personal goals. These past two months have been such a wonderful journey being fully devoted to God. The beginning of the year was a rough time for me that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The pain that I experienced forced me to lean on God. It is incredible how God uses us our pain to achieve the plan he has for us. Upon this growth process I was baptized and became involved with training with my church so that I can be involved with a ministry in the future. This training process has opened my eyes so much to God’s beauty and how much I want to live for him. I have never felt this type of happiness. I have learned that God will use you in anyway if your heart is willing. Through this training of becoming a leader I have realized my passion. My heartbreaks for girls and women who are just broken whether it’s from relationships, homelessness, abuse, or anything else. I have become so in love with God that I would be willing to take off of school wherever he calls me to lead.
My training leader and I have discussed possibly starting a ministry for women who are broken. Starting this ministry would be my ultimate dream. I am still pursuing to become a sports broadcaster but if that does not work out I will not loose hope that God has something better in store for me. Through my growth process I realized that God has created me to create relationships so that I may bring others to feel his love and joy. It is my prayer that they may see Christ through the way I live my life with the words I speak and actions I make.


**written for JRN 412

blog #2

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

It was a cold wintery morning as Kelly laid in bed waiting for the heater to turn on. Confusion, dizziness, and a slight case of amnesia filled her as she attempted to remember yesterday’s events. The only thing that she recalled was getting ready for Anna’s birthday with some of their closest friends. Kelly winced as she propped herself to sit up. It was the touch of her hand on her hand that gave her an outline of what happened the previous day.

Kelly had a happy go lucky life. She was blessed with many things, a great education, wonderful friends and family, and good health. Everything was running smoothly in her life. Sure, there were minor bumps here and there but overall life was wonderful. This was all true until yesterday, January 15^th rolled around. It was a day that Kelly was looking very forward to, as it was a day of celebration for one of her best friends, Anna. In honor of Anna’s birthday five of her closest friends were going to hit the hottest dance club, which was located in Hollywood. It was just going to be a fun, clean, good, no-boys night on the town. Little did anyone expect that this fun night on the town would result in one of the most tragic events in their life.

The girls met up at Tina’s place in Long Beach since she lived the closest to the club. The girls planned to come back to Tina’s to spend the night. The girls laughed, sang, and squealed in excitement for the night’s agenda. It was a few hours of beautifying themselves before they decided that their look and attire was as good as it was going to get.

Natalya, one of Anna’s other close friends took reign of the wheel because she had the biggest vehicle, a raised Toyota Tundra truck. Anna took the shotgun seat as Kelly, Tina, and Shyra piled in the back. It was a good 30-minute drive to their destination without any traffic. The girls were having the time of their life as the music blared their favorite Kelly Clarkson song. They were filled with so much joy, happiness, and excitement. Nothing could steal away this moment together until, “BAM!” The truck began to spinout. The girls’ shrieks were no longer of excitement but of terror. Natalya attempted to gain control of the wheel but it was too late.

All five girls were taken to the nearest hospital and checked in as being in critical condition. It was not until earlier this morning that Kelly found out what happened. To the description of an eyewitness, Natalya apparently missed her turn and made a U-turn. As she was making the U-turn the driver from the direction she was turning had dropped his phone and reached down to grab it. The driver looked down a second too long and nailed Natalya’s car. It was pronounced this morning that all of the girls died except for Kelly.

**written for JRN 415

my favorite day

I love Wednesdays because:

--I work for the athletic department.--
--Chapel.--
--Baseball game.--
--A lot of relaxation time.--
--GENERATE!--

Verse of the week:

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."- 1 Corinthians 2:9

my testimony.

Christianity is a very important thing in my life. Throughout the course of my nineteen years here on earth I have been reminded time and time again that it is impossible to live a life without Christ in my life. I have attended church for as long as I remember. The memories of going to Sunday school every week still replays in my mind every now and then. Though, I had been going to church since my childhood days it was not until my freshmen year in high school that I realized what it meant to truly have a relationship with Christ.
I have gone to a private Christian school for all of my academic career with the exception of third grade, of which I begged my parents to let me “try it out.” I hated it to say the least. Being an attendee of a Christian school for almost all of my life I thought I knew everything I had to in order to be a “superstar Christian.” This mentality that I held however was changed once I attended my first chapel service at my high school, Linfield Christian.
I remember to the tee my experience of my first chapel there. The worship team was incredible. The passion they had for serving was so intense that I could feel their enthusiasm for the Lord. The students seemed overly excited. The first few friends I made were solid Christian girls. I am forever grateful that I sat next to them because the way they worshipped forced me to stop and think how exactly a “Christian life” should look like. It was in the middle of a song that one of my friends began to lift her hands up and just shout praises for God and sing her heart out. I will admit I felt a little uncomfortable at first because never in all of my 14 years of attending church had I ever seen anyone so passionate about Christ. I was so amazed! From then on I became more observant of how these girls led their lives. I looked up to them even though we were the same age.
From the summer of my freshmen year to recently has been a rough time for me as far my family life is concerned. Long story short, home was not so sweet. As a freshman I was swimming in a pool of emotions unable to figure out what exactly was going on in my life and how I could possibly get through it. I am the type of person that does not like to ask for help especially with emotional issues. However, it was not until I could not take it anymore that I decided to talk to one of my teachers about it. His name was Melvin Cratsley, one of the most favored teachers at Linfield. Mr. Cratsley changed my life immensely. He guided me in finding hope in Christ by mentoring me during this difficult time. If it were not for him I honestly do not think I would have made it this far.
It was the beginning of February at a winter retreat that Linfield holds yearly that I made the decision to recommit my life to God. It was one of the best feelings I have ever felt knowing that God through all my failures sent his one and only Son to live a perfect life and die for my sins just so that I would have the opportunity to live eternally with him. I decided that the best thing that I could do in return for him was life a life that honored him and constantly gave him glory.
Since that day, I have been dedicated to live a life that illuminates his love. There have many times that I have failed but this has not stopped me from standing for his name. Until the day I die, I will be forever committed to him.


**written for JRN 412

God is love.

“Each person is meant to love a person or more than one. Maybe we were meant to happen. All the small cracks allowed me to realize he was truly for me.”


And there’s that crazy thing called love. With love you learn to trust no one but yourself. Let people in but give them limited information. You learn from the past and avoid making the same mistakes because it scares you more than anything to experience the same pain. Never settle for less than what God made you. Stick with your values and morals. Don’t ever compromise them because as Dr. Seuss once said, “Those who mind don’t matter, lives those that matter don’t mind.” Be careful how much you give of yourself because in all reality no one stays content forever. You give a little and we ask for more. The number one thing I have learned is that the only way you can truly love someone is by experiencing the love of God. God is love and blesses us with people in our to love us and for us to love. We all need love, whether we admit it or not. No one in their right mind wants to live alone and unwanted. God is the source of love. Love is a blessing not something any one of us deserve. He demonstrates His love for us through the people we love and who love us. However, when a break up does occur it doesn’t mean that he loves us any less or is abandoning us it is usually a consequence of our selfish desires and unwillingness to abide by his “rules.” These rules are not meant to be a debby-downer in our lives but, instead to prevent us from experiencing pain and heartache. He does it out of love. It’s like a parent telling their newly certified teenage-driver to not drive late at night. They don’t tell them not to in order to keep them from having a good time but, for their safety. They may have an idea of how dangerous it can be out there and how risky it is to drive late at night but, they don’t fully realize how careless other drivers may be.
Lately, I’ve been guilty of being such a worry wart especially when it comes to the topic of relationships. I get worked up about what may happen in the future with the relationship I’m in but God manages to grab a hold of me and bring me back to sanity. He reminds me that whatever happens in the future will eventually come whether I agree with it or not.

Proverbs 16:9: “In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.”

Therefore, I must love as much as I can and demonstrate His love through thick and thin. Even when they’re moments when I just rather walk away from the situation I must stay strong and continue to love just as Jesus did to his enemies. Of course there’s always that question: “Well what happens if I show all my love and they don’t or, we end up breaking up?”…Well, I wish I could give a precise answer but at the moment I’m figuring out an answer to that question as well. Until then, just live and love with the mind set: “Love as you would want to be loved and, love as if it was Jesus.” While dating, make decisions that are profitable in your relationship. In a book that I’m reading, “Dating with Pure Passion” it explains the importance of making decisions that are profitable to relationships. This means making decisions that benefit or improves it.- “The more sensual your activity together, the stronger your bond will become. However, if you break up, you will damage your hearts as your rip them apart(153).”