Tuesday, August 16, 2005
New places, new friends, new memories
Hey everyone! I hope everyone is as excited about starting college as I am!
This is going to be a completely new experience for me and I can’t wait to meet new people, see new places, and make new friends and memories. In just two weeks, my journey begins 1,500 miles away from home! There’s so much I still need to do (and so little time).
Speaking of things to do, I still have to pack my entire closet (I’m kind of a shop-a-holic) and say good bye to my family and friends in Cali. I already checked out the area online and I like what I see.
The next four years are going to be amazing for me, and I can’t think of a better place to spend them than at OC!
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Mmmmmm…warm
Before I say anything, I would just like to apologize to everyone for not keeping up with my blog entries (I was having a little trouble figuring out all the technical aspects of blogs).
I don’t know if I will ever get used to Oklahoma weather. Coming from Sacramento, California (where the occassional pea-sized “hail storm” is about the most exciting weather occurence) to humid, stormy Oklahoma was definitely a hard transition. This morning, it was raining, so it was very cold. However, us bloggers still had to take pictures outside. To make matters worse, I got bit twice by a stupid mosquito while I was taking my pictures. (For all of your information, I’m allergic to mosquite bites and I swell up pretty badly when I get bit).
But don’t get me wrong. All of this took place in only the first couple of hours of my day, and my day did improve. After, taking the pictures, we all headed over to Panera Bread for some coffee and chit-chat, and this was the hilight of a pretty bleak morning. After freezing in the rain all morning, the warm atmosphere and delicious “bowl” of hot cocoa were a welcome change to me.
In addition to having the privilege of getting my degree in a brand-new setting, another thing I know I will definitely appreciate about Oklahoma is that I get way more product for my money!
Peace out and God Bless
*elaine*
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
I just love children
Kite day. When I heard the these two words for the first time, I had no idea what to expect, but after watching a very informative video about Kite Day, I thought I knew exactly what this event would entail…boy was I wrong!
Many freshmen that participated in this event had a grand old time with their kids, but I was not one of these people. The event started off normal enough. We picked out an awesome Bart Simpson kite and got the kite in the air after a few minor glitches. Then, things took a turn for the worst. The child that was under our supervision was uncooperative, rude and violent. He wouldn’t listen to us and kept acting up, but we tried to make the best of a bad situation by using kind words and smiles. Did it work? Not at all.
it’s ok, though. Although the kid wasn’t the most well-behaved and I was attacked by a tarantula, I still had fun. A lot of those children were very cute and could dance very well. All in all, the day had its ups and downs, but I learned that experiencing disappointments makes the good things even sweeter.
Peace out and God Bless,
*elaine*
The Superb Summer Singers
“I spread my wings and I learned how to fly…I don’t wanna be anything other than what I’ve been trying to be lately…glory and honor, worthy is the Lamb…” These are a couple of phrases from only some of the songs the extremely talented Summer Singers sang at their concert at Dry Gulch. When I heard they were giving the freshmen class a concert, I was bubbling with anticipation.
Earlier, I mentioned that experiencing letdowns makes the good events even better, and I still stand by this statement. Although my day did not start out too well, it ended on a perfect note (literally). I spent the entire concert screaming, rocking out, dancing (I mean executing choreography), and singing along with the band members to some of the best songs. People were crowd surfing left and right and the entire hall was loving the entertainment.
I loved all the songs they sang at the concert (especially Raymond Mobley’s rendition of “I Don’t Want to Be” by Gavin DeGraw), but my favorite medley was the last one sung. These six very gifted performers refused to take all the credit for their talent and instead gave all the glory to God. In a beautiful a cappella style, the band made sure every person knew where the praise was to be directed when they sung “Glory and Honor.”
Even though my voice began to die on me due to all the singing and shouting I did, tonight was one of the most fantastic experiences I ever had. This, for me, corroborated that with God’s guidance, I made the correct choice in deciding to come to Oklahoma Christian.
Peace out and God Bless,
*elaine*
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Cockaburr!
Ok…so I have no idea how to spell cockaburr, but I’m sure you all know what I’m talking about. I know for sure that Mitch Wilburn got his point across loud and clear. This man is more than an everyday motivational speaker, he is a powerful conveyor of the Lord’s message.
To be completely honest with all of you, by Thursday night I was worn out from all the thrilling but exhausting activites from throughout the week and was a little wary of having to sit through another speaker (I have the attention span of like a two-year-old. If you ask my older sister, Elizabeth, she’ll confirm this statement). However, I was immediately blown away by Mitch after listening to him for five minutes. He was able to grab the audiences attention very quickly and held on to it throughout his entire lesson.
His story about a cockaburr getting lodged in his throat was absolutely hilarious, and he had the entire room in stitches by the time he reached the end of his story. However, he was able to switch the tone of his message from lighthearted to serious in a quick minute. In the end, he had everyone believing we truly could accomplish anything if we just trust God and remain united.
Mr. Wilburn is an incredibly gifted speaker, and I’m grateful that I had the privilege of listening to his wisdom at Earn Your Wings 2005.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Weightless
Aaaahhh! That was the only sound I heard on many of the rides at Frontier City, which is a mini theme park in Oklahoma. Out of all the attractions at the park, by far, Eruption (a bungee style ride that fits up to six people) and Diamondback were the best. Both of these rides made me feel as light as air. As a bonus, when I went on Eruption, I got a see Oklahoma illuminated by a beautiful sunset from a bird’s-eye view.
The Diamondback was this super short roller coaster that took you upside-down going forward and backward at an extremely high velocity. Going upside-down backwards was a new thrill for me and I loved the feeling it gave me.
In addition to the pure elation I felt from the exciting attractions, I also felt a peculiar sense of unity with my fellow freshmen. I often found myself inadvertently looking for the bright green “Dry Gulch” t-shirts we were all wearing everywhere I went in Frontier City and was happy whenever I happened to spot one (regardless of whether or not I knew the person).
This past week definitely has been exhaustingly exhilarating for me. In just five short days, I met many wonderful new people, had a whole lot of fun, and
established some great friendships. Major kudos to everyone who made Earn Your Wings a truly memorable experience for all of us!
Peace out and God Bless,
*elaine*
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Fellowship With One Another
OC is blessed to have such an amazing church right on campus. Memorial Road Church of Christ is about thirty seconds from my dorm (Gunn-Henderson) and has an early and late service (which is convenient for those of us who aren’t morning people). The members are open and friendly at Memorial Road and do their best to make the university students feel at home.
Memorial Road is not the only church in the area, though. Numerous students that attend services at Edmond Church of Christ, Wilshire Church of Christ, Quail Springs Church of Christ, and many others. There are so many options from which to choose. Thus, no one can make the excuse that he/she cannot find a church that suits him/her.
I encourage every one of you to find a good church home and attend regularly. Attending chapel everyday is not enough and neither is just attending church services on Sundays and Wednesdays. We need to fellowship and worship with each other as often as we can so that we may grow closer to God and one another.
This is a picture of me (not paying attention), Elizabeth, Benjamin Hobbes, my little sister Estelle and Ruthy at our church in Sacramento.
Peace out and God Bless,
*elaine*
Rules, Rules…and more Rules
It seems as if there are a bazillion rules here on this campus. The rules consist of everything from how we are to dress and behave to what time we have to be in our dorms at night. I was very overwhelmed by all the do’s and don’ts at OC, and so were many other new students.
Although it might take me a while to get used to all the new rules, I will do my best to uphold them and respect them. It will take some time for us newbies to get acquainted to all the rules, but we must remeber that the administration staff at Oklahoma Christian have these rules in place because they are looking out for our best interest.
Even though I might not agree with all the rules, I have to remember that God tells us to and obey and respect authority.
Monday, August 29, 2005
First Day of School and Already Tardy
Like most new students, I was apprehensive about starting college (especially at a university 2,000 miles away from home). Although I was very excited, I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect from any of my professors and classes.
As a result of my first day jitters, I made an extremely stupid mistake: I was half an hour late to my Bible class. What was ironic was that I checked my schedule about fifty times before my class and thought I knew at what times all my classes were. However, somehow, in the midst of all the mayhem, my mind got mixed up, and I thought my class was an hour later than it actually was.
Of course I didn’t realize my mistake until I reached my dorm room and double-checked my schedule (it was about ten minutes into class by then). After freaking out, I hiked (yes hiked) all the way across campus to the Harvey Business Center and then spent even more time trying to find the class. Thankfully, my professor was very gracious about my tardiness and didn’t kick me out of class or embarrass me.
From all of this, I learned a very important lesson: in the midst of a hectic day, take the time to slow down and pay attention to the small details…it may save your neck! 
Peace out and God Bless,
*elaine*
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do
I have chorale tryouts tomorrow and am very nervous about them (even though Elizabeth, who has an amazing voice, told me not to be nervous). Ever since I visited OC for Spring Sing 2005 and got chills when I heard chorale sing at the dedication ceremony, I felt a strong deisre to be a part of such a talented group. Now that I ahve the opportunity to do so, I am not going to pass this up.
Seeing as how I have zero choir background and voice training, achieving the goal of becoming a member of the choir has proven to be an extremely daunting task. Four other girls and I have been practicing nonstop with each other and solo these past couple of days. However, some of us lost our voices from the crazy week at Earn Your Wings and have been drinking hot tea to help soothe our sore chords.
In addition to practicing and drinking hot tea in ninety-degree weather, I have also been doing a lot of praying. In Ephesians 6:18a it says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests,” and so this is what I have been doing.
However, my prayer is that God’s will be done even if it is that I do not make chorale this semester. I might be disappointed if this happens, but I know I trust that the Lord knows what is best for me. Therefore, pray for me everyone!
Peace out and God Bless,
*elaine*
Freshmen Fanfare!
So, we had our first Freshmen Fanfare meeting today and it went pretty well. We learned new lyrics to popular songs and signed up for individual acts. I can already tell that Freshmen Fanfare 2005 is going to be awesome because we have such a spirited class.
I was kind of apprehensive about our theme because it is so cliche, but my friend, Chelsea Teague, put a surprising spin on it, so I know it’s going to work out perfectly. Everyone is super excited about performing for our friends and family. I want everyone to come out and watch the Class of 2009 shine (that sounds so corny).
Want to know the theme? I’ll give you a hint…
Sorry this is such a super short entry, but I don’t want to be redundant to just take up space.
Peace out and God Bless,
*elaine*
Friday, September 02, 2005
God’s Will
So, here’s an update about what has gone on these past couple of days:
I made callbacks for chorale tryouts, but I didn’t make chorale. At callbacks, I could have cut the tension in the Recital Hall with a knife (a dull one, at that). Every girl that was trying out for chorale was filled with butterflies, including me.
It was very nerve-wracking having to sing in front of complete strangers and current chorale members. Many of us in the room were sick or recovering from sickness, and that didn’t help our nerves much. However, the vocal range was as wide as the talent, and every girl sang her best.
My voice had been coming and going throughout the entire week, and yesterday, it went. To add insult to injury, I was trying my hardest not to be nervous, but as Dr. Adams got closer to hearing me sing, my stomach was doing back handsprings.
Today, when I checked the roster sheet for the 2005/2006 chorale, I suffered a pretty big disappointment. I’m not going to lie and say I was ok with not being accepted into chorale, but I’m not angry, bitter, or depressed over this fact. I talked with my friend about it and we discussed that it wasn’t God’s will that we make chorale this semester. As of now, I still don’t understand completely what His will for me is, but I will keep praying that I listen to Him.
Although I was sad about not making chorale, I am extremely happy for those who did (specifically my friends Miriam Hobbes, Amanda Brown and Brenda Walton). Everyone who made chorale deserved it and I will try next semester to become one of these people.
I might not be a Bible expert but I do know that God knows what’s best for me and definitely is not finshed with me yet, because in Jeremiah 29:11 it says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you. plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Peace out and God Bless,
*elaine*
Saturday, September 03, 2005
No Better Medicine
I’m not the kind of person that eats my sorrows away…I shop my sorrows away. 
As you all know, from my last entry, yesterday wasn’t the best day for me. In addition, many of my friends left for the weekend, so there weren’t many options left on what to do. Well, my friend Kris, my roomate Lauren, and I decided to take matters into our own hands.
There was nothing like…
dinner…
http://oc.smugmug.com/photos/34516408-S.jpg
a good half-hour of shopping…
and an excellent movie all at Quail Springs Mall…
to lift my spirits up!
I had a marvelous Friday night…did you?
Peace out and God Bless,
*elaine*
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Don’t hate…Participate
So, voting for the freshmen class officers took place yesterday and today during lunch. The speeches took place last week, and even if you missed those, your vote does count. The speeches were very informational for me, though not in the typical respect. Not only did I get to know the candidates running for each office, more importantly, I also found out who they were and what they looked like.
The campaigning has been very creative and some of the posters are very unique. This one is my favorite (because I love Marilyn Monroe):
Although it won’t be easy to choose which candidate will be the best for the task at hand (especially since each person is highly qualified for the position),
pray about it and choose wisely.
Peace out and God Bless,
*elaine*
Confessions of a Shop-a-holic
I have a confession to make. I am a shop-a-holic. I have an unhealthy addiction to shopping for everything from shirts and sweaters to purses and shoes. I would love to blame my problem on the crazy Oklahoma weather, but I can’t because I have always been this way.
It’s not as if I get my self-worth or sense of purpose from material things (that come from the Lord), it’s just that I love to keep my options open and have various things to choose from. However, this attitude does have its drawbacks.
I had to fly from Sacramento with five bags and one carry-on filled to the brim with my possessions. It took me way too long to unload my suitcases and unpack all my stuff, but I learned not one thing from my unpacking ordeal that first day we were allowed to move in.
If you are like me, then you too believe that the closets and chests provided to us in our dorms do not provide enough space (see pictures below). Maybe if someone in the near future donates enough money, the school will renovate the dorms to include walk-in closets equipped with rotating closets…maybe.
For now, I’ll just keep my clothes crammed in plastic storage cases and my fingers crossed.
Peace out and God Bless,
*elaine*
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Crash!
*DISCLAIMER: I have been informed that the event I am going to describe happens to everyone at least once in his/her career at OC.
Tonight was far from the most embarrassing moment in my life (in fact, it doesn’t even come close). *note the sarcasm. Anyway, I ate dinner with my sister and her friends, as usual (even though I don’t believe the chicken was completely dead). I just made it in the caf before they began closing it down, so I was pretty proud of myself.
Since, we were cutting it somewhat close (timewise), we decided to leave. And things continued to go downhill…fast. There were a few people placing their trays on the conveyor belt ahead of me, so I decided to save time and effort (on the cafeteria workers’ parts) by placing my tray vertically between two other trays.
Of course, by now most of you have figured out what happened. Yes, the tray flipped over in my direction and my plate went crashing to the floor (along with the questionable fowl). Alos, my attempts to catch my tray failed.
However, this isn’t the worst part of the evening. My older sister, Elizabeth, was standing right next to me during this entire episode and when it happened she screamed, “Omigosh! You’re such an idiot!” over and over until she got the entire dining hall’s attention (And if you know my sister, then you know she can reach extremely high decibel levels. So this didn’t take very long). Then, all the people in the room applauded me.
I was neither horrified nor totally embarrassed. Rather, you would have found me picking up the broken pieces of my plate laughing almost as hard as my sister. Yeah, I just want to end by saying that if this happens to you, you are not alone…it also happened to me. 
Peace out and God Bless,
*elaine*
Agape
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up just as in fact you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11
This Bible verse was the basis for Dr. Nichom’s message during chapel. It is also the foundation upon which the group Agape was established. For those of you who din’t know what agape is, it means “love.” Even more specifically, it is the unconditional, uninhibited love God has for us and is also the love Christ calls his people to have for one another.
Agape (the fellowship) consists of a group of students who get together every Thursday evening to write a few letters of encouragement to people on campus. The writer of the note may or may not know the person they are writing to, but that is beside the point. The intent of this service is to give us a chance for us to step out of ourselves for a time and lift each other up.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to participate in this activity, but my friends convinced me that this would benefit me as much as it would benefit the people to whom I am writing. Even though I only knew one of the three people I wrote, I was happy to make someone’s day brighter.
Miriam Hobbes, Benjamin Hobbes and Chelsea Teague are holding up the Agape cards sent to students at random.
This is a close-up of one of the Agape cards.
Peace and God Bless,
*elaine*
Thursday Night Devos
These are great group of sophomores and juniors who attended the devo tonight.
In couple of my earlier blogs, I mentioned that solely going to church or attending chapel is not enough to satisfy our fellowshiping needs. We need to get together more often out of choice rather than obligation, and Thursday night devos (and View 63 on Monday nights) are a great way to do so.
Every week, at 10 o’clock, there is a devo in the Forum for all students. It is a wonderful thing to attend because it not only gives us all a chance to take a break from school, but also a chance to praise the Lord in song and devotion together.
Although I don’t know every song we sing, I still love listening to the chorus of voices under a blanket of twinkling stars (I don’t mean to be so cheesy). The guest speakers are always interesting and insightful, and tonight was no exception. Chris Malan gave a wonderful message on family, and he’s from Australia!
The post-devotion fellowship has also been pretty awesome. On the first night, a group of us were doing some stomp and met two great guys with amazing talent, and tonight, I listened to Raymond Mobley and Elizabeth Ekpo sing some Gavin DeGraw songs.
Devos are a great way for me to get closer with God, my friends, and strangers I meet that night.
Peace out and God Bless,
*elaine*
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Bump, Set, Spike?
Actually, it was more like bump, trip, fall. Tonight, I played some volleyball with Cara, Melody and Miriam at the OC apartments. It had been like a year-and-a-half since I last played vollyeball, so it was great for me to be able to fit some playing time into my day.
The volleyball we played was nowhere near the ability and excitement level of a professional volleyball game, however, it was tons of fun. After the vigorous game, we headed back to their apartment and watched the hilarious Miss Congeniality until about 12:30am.
I had plenty of fun hanging out with my sister and her roomates, but many other people participated in another activity. Today was the first Open House at OC, and it went rather well. Open House is an event where the girls are allowed to host the male population in their dorm rooms from 7:00pm to 10:00pm (under strict supervision, of course). It is a time for friends to bond and have fun together, as long as the rules are honored. I expect this Open House went pretty smoothly, so we can expect more to come.
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
Peace out and God Bless,
*elaine*
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Unwinding
Note: This blog contains a lot of pictures and may be extra-long because of this.
So, today all I did was study and do homework at my sister’s apartment. I am determined not to start my first year at college off on the wrong foot by slacking off and procrastinating, so I wanted to do as much of my homework as I could.
Of course, this meant that I didn’t have much time for fun, and that’s why I wanted to do something fun at night. So, when my friends Lindsay and Kris invited me to go ice-skating with them and whole bunch of people at the Arctic Edge Skating Arena, I immediately agreed.
Not once throughout the evening did I regret my decision to go ice skating…even when I was practically eating the ice off the floor because I tripped on my ice skate. The night was so much fun and I bonded even more with all the girls. I met a lot of new people and made some new friends.
The girls….the guys…aren’t we hot?
Amanda Brown and Justin Fletcher show off their amazing skate skills.
We sure know how to have fun!
Lindsay is an awesome figure skater (she made us all look so bad ;D).
Peace out and God Bless,
*elaine*