Judson College :: Academics/Digital Judson

...Creative Crazies, Artistic Aficionados? Nah, sounds silly. Anybody have any ideas for a catchy name for the art club?

Today was the first official meeting of Judson College’s art club for this semester. We discussed the possibility of creating a new snazzy name for the club, since because just the plain old “Art Club” is kind of boring and we are creative people, right? We also discussed lots of awesome ideas for projects and activities this year. I’m really looking forward to getting things in gear. Get ready; it’s going to be great!

Lately everyone has seemed a little busy and preoccupied. It’s getting close to midterms and I know that the papers and tests are starting to loom large. (It’s times like this that I really wish I had my kitties to cuddle. )While I was reading my Bible this morning, this verse came up and I know it was custom made for times like this, so I thought I’d share it here:

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what... is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

It’s so easy to get swamped by all of the things you have to do and forget that God wants to spend time with us too. Sometimes I put aside my daily time in the word and my days are different without it. God is shaping us through our everyday experiences into the women he wants us to be. I just need to remember that I need to spend some time with my heavenly father every day.

Also: completely unrelated, this photo really makes me want to dance around singing "Jesus on the Mainline." So, maybe it's not completely unrelated. Spending time in prayer, Jesus on the Mainline, telephone, get it? Alright, just pretend I'm funny.

…to me! Today I turn 21, but I don’t really feel any different. I’m not any more mature and I didn’t sprout up a couple inches overnight, not such a big deal really. The super awesome seal party last week was though! Wednesday, last week, my big sister threw a party on the school seal in Jewett (what we call a ‘seal party’) for my twin and my birthdays (I refer to my Judson big sister and Judson twin sister).

She made the cutest cupcake cakes for my twin and me. It’s too bad I don’t have any photos of them, but you’ll have to take my word for it, they were adorable (and tasty too!).  We had tons of fun running around the bottom floors of Jewett competing to complete a scavenger hunt.

Anyways, back to today. Whenever a student has a birthday here at Judson College, the senior class sings happy birthday to them, usually at lunch, and today was no exception. I have to say I prefer singing to people rather than being sung to. It is nice to have your friends and classmates all singing and smiling and wishing you success.

Yesterday Cat and I took a walk around campus looking for some artistic inspiration. She brought her sketchbook and I grabbed my camera. We went around Bean Hall, where the Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame is housed and the rose arbor. I know I’ve probably said it before, but I really love this campus, in a non-cheesy and very sincere way. Every time I go out with my camera I find something new to capture in my lens - whether it be a pretty flower, gorgeous clouds, a building at an angle I’ve never noticed before, or the texture of old bricks.

 I do not love mosquitoes though. Take my word for it, if you’re going to go out near dusk in Alabama, bring some bug spray and wear pants. You’d think I’d know better being from Florida.

Yesterday was the first Judson College and Marion Military Institute (MMI) field day of the year. I’ve been told that there are more of these in the works and I think it’s a great idea! I was only able to stay for one game of Frisbee golf, but I wish I had stayed longer! Based on other’s photos, it looks like everyone had a blast. Curse you cell biology homework! (Just kidding, I actually called my mommy and had a good long talk with her.)

After the field day games, a big group of us brought our books and some snacks down to the WMU (dorm) lobby and watched some Saturday college football. It’s great having some good-natured rivalry going on as the football season starts. I can’t believe I’ve missed it that much. So, I’ve been a Gator fan most of my life and I certainly wasn’t going to change that when I came to Marion, Alabama for school. I still proudly wear my team shirts and such, so there. Still, as long as my team isn’t playing, I’m more than willing to root for whichever team my friends are supporting. Saturdays are definitely a time for students to gather in the lobbies and cheer on their teams.

I’ve noticed that a lot of the students who leave on the weekends don’t branch out as much and meet new people. Ok, well maybe that’s generalizing a bit. During the week I spend most of my time studying or chilling with my roommate and people on my hallway. I know that I tend to interact with different people at meals during the weekend, hang out with people in other dorms more and I definitely interact with classmates outside of the science building. So, in short, I encourage you to spend a weekend or two on campus. You might make some new friends!

Plus, this field day thing is pretty cool.

Today I joined the choir at Siloam Baptist Church. I’m trying out the idea that you get from your experiences what you put into them. Instead of just showing up for minimal activities and fellowship at my local churches, I’m going to try and actively participate. Hopefully I’ll make some new friends and gain a new respect for the community. I’ve already met several sweet ladies in the church who seem to be overjoyed to see new faces in the choir loft.

Just think about it. If I were to put as much effort and time into class work, my faith and friends, as I do into useless things (-cough- facebook -cough-) I’d get so much more out of my life. So, I’m going to try to live more “actively,” if that makes any sense, and stop waiting for things to “just happen.” Try to reach out to people instead of waiting for them to make a move.

Anyways, Cat and I walked to church this evening for choir practice. There we made some new acquaintances, chatted with some old ones and learned a few new songs. I’d forgotten how much I loved singing in choirs. Step sings are the closest I’ve been to any sort of choral performance in several years.

Like I mentioned before, tomorrow is the first night of Pageant practice for my little sisters. I spent some time this weekend making some signs to encourage them and tonight I dripped them each a bottle. I’m really happy with how cute they turned out. I’d post a picture for everyone to see, but I don’t want them getting a peak, now do I?

Small group signup starts this week. My friends and I are starting the bible study group up again. This time we’ll be reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. The introductory meeting will be Tuesday night. This summer my pastor taught a message out of this text and it was really encouraging.  I’m really looking forward it!