Are you ready to JAM? (Jay Stovall)

Intramural Basketball is always my favorite sport.

I've grown up playing basketball my entire life, and it has definitely become a major passion of mine. I have always loved watching, teaching, and most importantly of all, playing the game. This year, there were so many teams formed that two different brackets had to be made. I am a member of the team known as...... SPACE JAM!

Yes, SPACE JAM featuring Michael Jordan (Me), Bugs Bunny (Joey Logan), Tweety (John Walker), Yosemite Sam (Adam Cook), Foghorn Leghorn (Tim Hawley), Elmer Fudd (Brad Claypool), Marvin the Martian (Steven Torna), Daffy Duck (Jeff W.), Sylvester the cat (Tyler N.), and Taz (Art Price). We all tried to pick the best cartoon characters that either represented us - or for other reasons - we just wanted to be funny. John Walker, who is the tallest person on our team standing around 6'7, represents probably the smallest cartoon character, Tweety Bird, on his jersey. Either way, the whole idea represents how we all have taken on this intramural challenge and want to have fun with it. Before our first game you could hear the Space Jam theme song playing in the background as we warmed up. Fans brought signs, halftime snacks, and loud cheers. So far, the games have been extremely competitive and fun. We have had a good first win, a come-from-behind win, and, as of recently, a last-second win - on a last-second shot by yours truly! As a team, it is the first time for many of us playing with one another, so I'm sure after a while we will start to hit our groove in full stride, and when that happens, other teams better WATCH OUT! Haha.

Well, if you are ever in need of a treat or a good game, be sure to come out and watch the games on the nights of Mondays-Wednesdays! And if your coming out to watch us, you better be ready to JAM!!!

Be Blessed,

Jay

RA Madness! (Alison Moore)

This week has been all about RA APPLICATIONS! Woo hoo! Applications were due by 9 a.m. on Wednesday, and immediately the ball was rolling. That same Wednesday night at 10 p.m. we were asked to attend a dessert night to mix and mingle with fellow applicants and then sign up for an interview time. Just two days later, it was time for Group Processing night! This night is by far my favorite part of the application/interviewing process. It's a chance to play games, make friends, be goofy, and share ideas. Ignore the fact that you're being observed like an experiment and pay no attention to the person in the corner writing notes on your behavior, and it's a great time! We were broken down into groups, within which we completed three different activities. The first one was to build a tower using only straws and paperclips. The second was to prioritize a list of several issues that very well may present themselves to an RA. And the third, to create and perform a commercial advertising CBU. These three tasks, while being fun and kind of goofy, truly stretched and demonstrated our teamwork, listening skills, and showed us all the various types of leadership there really are. As a fellow group member continuously said throughout the night, "Lets just go crazy!" I don't know what that means exactly, but we "went crazy," and we had a blast doing it. ;)

Bible Study (Brent Pino)

One of the cool things about all my close friends here at CBU is the fact that we have, and do, pretty much talk about everything... but I recently noticed that even though we talk about everything, we rarely get together and talk about what matters most: Jesus Christ. Of course when I first thought about it, I tried to think of the reasons why we rarely do, and I came up with a bunch of reasons.  But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that at the end of the day, Christ should be the center of every facet of our lives, every single day.

With this train of thought in mind, I talked to my roommate, Matt, about getting a couple of our friends together and doing a Bible study for us guys so that we can grow closer together with Christ being the center focus. It is pretty amazing when you see God working firsthand, because right after I asked Matt about starting one, he told me that he felt God putting that on his heart earlier that day. So we both figured that it was God's will for us to start one. I guess one of the things you guys could learn from this is just to look at what your conversations consist of when you are talking to your friends - or even other people - and notice how often you bring God into the conversation.  Then reflect upon where your own relationship with God lies and how that ties into your relationships with your friends. If you are comfortable with what you come up with, that's good.  If not, don't be afraid to share your love for God with your friends and express your thankfulness for what He has done for you and in you.

Made in His Image. (Kelli Rice)

You were made in the image of God. That was last week's theme here at CBU for "In His Image Week." This was to remind students that though we as humans are not perfect, we bear the image of an incredibly perfect God. We were made by Him and for Him.

The week started off with booths set up around Stamps Courtyard. Information of all kinds was at student's fingertips. We were given all kinds of information that could be used to help us realize and put to use the image we represent. Of course, some free T-shirts were there to help us remember our image too. A late-night pancake breakfast was served and Brian Zunigha and Amy Stumpf led a discussion on "My Body." Lunch discussions were held on eating disorders and interracial couples. All events were to help inform us how God sees us and how we represent Him.

Closing events took place Thursday night. Girls and guys were split up and had a panel of the opposite sex they could ask questions to. The food for the events was so fitting. Guys had wings and the girls got chocolate. I feel like both sexes feel like they got the better deal. For us ladies, we had a panel of different godly men from our CBU staff. They ranged in age and stories. Some were married while others were still single. Where one man may have lacked the knowledge in an area, the other made it up. The men openly and honestly answered the questions the girls had for them. Questions such as, "Who should do the pursuing in a relationship?" were asked. The girls definitely gave these men a run for their money. All in all, the men did a great job answering the questions. They did awesome in making us girls feel loved. They shared that their desires for all of the CBU ladies would be that they have a deep relationship with God. A relationship that is so much more meaningful than any man can give.

"In His Image Week" was a good reminder to me that I am made in the image of God. It was an even better reminder that I bear His image though, and that the way I act needs to reflect that image. He is perfect and though I will never be, I need to live remembering I bear His wonderfully perfect image.

"God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female he created them" Genesis 1:27

Still Raining & Ring by Spring (Jay Stovall)

It stilled rained here at school, and rained, and rained, and well... rained some more!

Some places around campus looked like a battlefield! Thunder was heard and lighting was seen as rain poured all over our campus throughout the entire week. Even the news said something about a tornado in California! Yes folks, a TORNADO.

I thought I was really going to be having to say "Theres no place like home, Theres no place like home." -tribute to the Wizard of Oz :) Classic!

Anyways, now that we have dry land for a few days, allow me to change subjects. Here at California Bridal University or CBU, there has always been this saying of getting that "RING by SPRING." Man, if this year hasn't been any indication that the statement is true, I don't know what is. It is like a fever around here, people getting proposed to, weddings being planned, and some of them even my close friends!! I've had three guys from my RA staff propose to their significant others this year, and three other close friends, including my roommate Grant, who have proposed to their future wives. Grant's actually happened this past weekend as he is now engaged to his soon-to-be better half Tiffeny. Wow, it really hits when my own ROOMMATE is getting married. Haha. Well, rest assured, I'm pretty sure the only ring in my future is, well... a CLASS RING if that. :) but, CONGRATS to my friends:

Well anyways, God is good all the time. So I hope everyone remembers that. As for me, until next time. Hoping for great weather, basketball, friends and fellowship!

Be blessed,

Jay

Positivity (Alison Moore)

This week has been full of hoods, umbrellas, soggy pants and flooded streets. The rain was absolutely ridiculous; appreciated at first, but now has got to go! Don't get me wrong, I love the rain when I can curl up on the couch and enjoy it from the indoors. I just feel that everything is more hectic when it's raining. Getting to class became quite the task. I felt like I was in some sort of video game having to dodge the various obstacles that came my way. I hopped over puddles, tip-toed across curbs, and dodged oncoming vehicles to avoid the splashing of rivers. I would get to class winded and drenched. I must have changed my clothes about three times a day simply to stay warm. I developed an awful cough which I'm surprised didn't keep my roommate up in the wee hours of the night, and I was just exhausted all week.

The one highlight of all this was the thunder and lightning. I absolutely love thunderstorms. I think they're gorgeous. That might sound odd, but they excite me. The rain did give us a break for the weekend and gave us a chance to see those amazing snow-covered mountains. God is so good and He is quite evident in the world around us. We can complain all we want, which I just did about the rain, but if you know where to look you can focus on the beauty that surrounds us each and every day. You can see Him in the mountains, you can see Him in this annoying yet lovely rain, and you can see Him in every sunset and sunrise. I encourage you to look for Him. You'll be a happier person because of it, because while complaining seems to be a natural reaction to certain things, it shouldn't be our first reaction nor should it be what we dwell on. So keep it positive!

Rain :) (Brent Pino)

I am not going lie to you guys, but I am honestly missing the rain right now. Now I know what you're thinking: "What the heck, Brent? It was raining so much last week that I was thinking a second flood was coming!" But you guys have to admit that it was a lot of fun, and I honestly do like rain. ...Well it was fun for me and my friends at least. Every single day, one of us would have a funny story that had to do with the rain in some form. Like earlier in the week, I was walking with my friend Marcos into the caf, and Marcos ended up slipping, (He didn't hurt himself.) because he was in such a hurry to get in line for food, and then he got up like nothing happened, but right then this random girl told him, "Very smooth," and we both started cracking up.

One thing I learned last week about getting around in the rain without an umbrella, especially when it's hardcore-pouring, is it's definitely NOT a good idea to sprint to your destination. How do I know that, you ask? Good question. Remember when it started pouring last Tuesday around 1:40-1:50? Well, that's when I learned that lesson. I sprinted from my apartment to my Microbio. lab, and I was pretty much soaked from my head down to my Converse.  I have to admit that it was funny... come to think of it, it would have been more funny for the people watching me, some guy just randomly running in the rain for no reason at all. At least I probably made someone's day from that. Well, here's hoping that we actually get some rain tonight... or tomorrow morning. Have a good week guys!

20th Birthday Saga (Kelli Rice)

My birthday celebration is officially over. My actual birthday was almost 2 weeks ago and yet the party lived on. Here's how it went:

I woke up on my birthday to get ready for class and my wonderful roommates made me pancakes for breakfast. They all sang, and of course I had to wear our princess birthday hat. I got cards in the mail from my family and friends all wishing me a happy birthday. Since last year I commuted to SFSU. This was my first birthday spent away from home. My parents sent me presents in the mail and then we skyped so I could open them "together." It was kind of strange but I love that I got to still "be" with them while I opened my gifts. That evening, my friends and sister took me out to dinner at BJ's. It was an amazing time to hang out with all my friends and laugh. I am so thankful to have each one of them in my life! Little did I know that the night was just beginning. I got into my sweats and was ready to relax when I had my friends show up at my apartment. Soon enough, my sister arrived with a birthday cake and my friends, roommates, and sister all once again wished me a happy birthday. It was a good day.

I spent the 3-day weekend at home with my family and went to San Francisco to celebrate my birthday. Once I was back at school there was still one thing to be done. I still had to celebrate with my roommates. Saturday night we did just that. We got dressed up and went to PF Changs. Can I just say how much I love that place? So tasty. I live with some of the most amazing girls. (Tiffany, Jessica, Desiree, Kristi, and Bradyn--I am so lucky to have you all in my life.) We laughed and just had an awesome time out with one another while enjoying some delicious food. After they took me to Cherry On Top for dessert and we came back to the apartment to relax and just be able to laugh and be with one another.

It was an amazing birthday celebration, and thank you to everyone who made it special. It's hard to believe that I have 20 years down already. I look forward to this 20th year and all that it holds!

3-Day Weekend!!

I adore three-day weekends. I'm a person who loves to be happy, loves to relax and loves to smile.  Three-day weekends are yet another excuse for me to do all three. My weekend was eventful yet completely restful. It was filled with a trip to Victoria Gardens, escapades to the movie theater, watching rented/old movies (if you can't tell, I truly love movies), late mornings, a wonderful devotional, and a slumber party! Friday night was my first trip to Victoria Gardens and it was quite pleasant. There's really a great atmosphere there, and it's a nice place to go to do nothing. My friends and I just wandered around and had fun poking around in random stores.

I went to the theater twice.  Once to see the movie "Lovely Bones" and again to see "Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus." "Lovely Bones" is based on a book that my roommates and I have all read, so we went to see it together. I wasn't a big fan of the book, and I didn't like the movie any better. "Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus" is the last movie that Heath Ledger was working on. He actually died during the making, so it was rewritten in order to keep him in and still finish the movie. It was a bizarre and twisted movie, and honestly, if you asked me what it was about I wouldn't be able to tell you. So instead, if you're curious HERE is a trailer.

Sunday, I had a wonderful devotional on John chapter 10, and I think I have discovered one of my new favorite verses. Verse 28 reads, "I give them eternal life and they will never perish and no one will snatch them out of my hand." It just gives me a wonderful feeling to know that I am always within my Father's hand, safe in His grasp. Later we had some friends stay the night and stayed up until 3 in the morning eating junk food, watching movies, and playing ridiculously funny games. I'll admit that I have homework that probably should have been done over the weekend. I'll have to rush and do it tonight, but I regret nothing. Sometimes it's necessary to simply sit back and be at peace.  Keep that in mind this week.

When it rains, it pours (Jay Stovall)

You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it. --Isaiah 45:8

Rain! Need I say more? On this luxurious 3-day weekend we had from school, we were blessed by an abundant amount of rain. Boy, did we get lots of it! I looked outside of my apartment only to see water everywhere. Living in UP (University Place), there is only one real downfall, and that is the many lakes of water that build up along apartments and walkways. We often try to find the paths that fill our socks and shoes with the least amount of water, yet that doesn't always work as well as we'd like. Needless to say, by the time the rain had taken a "break," I had received so many pictures of how there were mini lakes forming all around campus.

My roommates and I wanted to enjoy the rain on MLK day so we decided to walk down the way to Adams Plaza to the Original House of Pancakes. It was my second time there and I decided to go with the chocolate chip pancakes. I was definitely not disappointed! As we finished eating, it just began to pour even harder outside. On our walk back, I was met by a shower full of water that was so kindly splashed up on me by a nice white van that had driven past us. I was soaked, to say the least :)

After eating, we all decided to have a time to ourselves and listen to all the songs we have made throughout this school year so far. It was great! Our songs range from how we got our fist tickets, our cars, our laptops, our apartment, to where we were born and raised. We definitely have a music contract to sign within our upcoming future! haha.

All in all, for some people, they may want the rain to go away, but for me, it seemed to have come at just the right time. Although it may rain this entire upcoming week, I look forward to everything else that could happen. Who knows, maybe it will actually rain cats and dogs??!

Be blessed,

Jay