Hello
and welcome to my blog!I'm
Brittany, and I'm majoring in Music here at Judson College. I have a passion for Christ, music, and people; and I love
quotes, polka dots, and the color purple. I live about two hours away in the small town of Dadeville,
Alabama, and I like to think of Judson as my home away from home. Some
of you may
have followed me through last year’s blogs as I had my first
experiences as a freshman. I
invite you to join me this year as I share new experiences as a
sophomore, and keep you informed about Judson’s music ensembles.
One year ago I attended a banquet and officially signed in to Judson sisterhood with my big sis, Bethany Rush. If I do say so myself, I've changed a lot since that day. I've experienced several Judson traditions, including Pageant (and survived!). My big sister has been there for me all the way, from making signs and leading me through each Judson tradition, to being a friend and offering sisterly advice, and I am so thankful for it!
Today, I attended a banquet, became a big sister to three girls: Angie Crowe, Maggie Ingram, and Olivia Breimhurst, and watched as they signed in to Judson sisterhood. Each of my littles are different, but we all share the common bond of sisterhood and friendship. I'm looking forward to the following years of watching each of them grow during their time at Judson, and do the same things my big sister has done for me.
Whether through blood or through sisterhood, a big sister plays a key role in a little sister's life. She serves as the confidant, a partner in good times and bad, a friend, a shoulder to cry on or a voice to laugh with, and someone to look up to. I've seen these things come true both with my (real) little sister and my big sister here at Judson.
I can hardly believe I'm already a big sister! I am looking forward to leading each of my little sisters through all of Judson's traditions and watching them grow during their time at Judson!
Welcome to the Pig Family, girls!!
I <3 MLS(x3)
"Sisterhood is the essence of all the wisdom of the ages, distilled into a single word. You cannot see sisterhood, neither can you hear it nor taste it. But you can feel it a hundred times a day. It is a pat on the back, a smile of encouragement. It's someone to share with, to celebrate your achievements."
It is that time of the year again! Christmas time may signal finals on the Judson campus, but that does not mean we don't have a great time during the Christmas season! Here are just a few of the events that happen around the Judson Campus in December.
Dress up day
Imagine walking around campus, and suddenly you see a girl wearing a candy cane headband (with the candy canes sticking up!), a Christmas sweater and pants, and some really bold Christmas socks...and none of it matches! Welcome to Wacky Tacky Christmas Day! It's a really fun chance to bring out the candy cane socks, snowflake sunglasses, reindeer headbands, and anything that looks like Christmas, matching or not!
Christmas Tea
Christmas Tea is a formal tea held in Jewett Parlors to begin Judson's official celebration of Christmas. The Social Committee decides on a theme and decorations. The afternoon of the tea, all decorations in the Parlors are unveiled! My freshman year, I discovered that Judson has some pretty amazing Wassail (commonly known apple cider), and I can't wait to try some out again. Christmas tea is also a great chance for my friends and I to get Christmas pictures all dressed up in formals!
Vespers
After the Christmas Tea, the Music Department presents a program for Christmas. The word Vesper is a Latin term meaning "evening." We have worked so hard on this music in FAITH and Choir, and I'm excited that we finally get to present our hard work! This year our service is based on a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College in Cambridge, England. It's sure to be a program you won't want to miss!
Check-off list
One of the first things I do when finals are approaching and things are wrapping up on campus is to make a list of the assignments and finals I have over the last two weeks. I find it rewarding to come in after a day of classes or a test and cross one more thing off my list. It always helps to see an end to the hard work of the semester! =)
Christmas Parties!
One of the best ways to see Christmas in the air (besides the amazing decorations everywhere...and Christmas music...) is the Christmas parties! Dirty Santa, good food, fellowship, and games are all things that make these parties something special. Next week, I get to go to two - One for Ambassadors and bloggers, and one for choir. Not only are these fun to attend, but it also gives a chance to get away from the books for a good break. I believe fun is in the air! =)
Seasons of Love
More than anything, it's important to remember the reason for the season. Christmas isn't just about the fun, food, gifts, decorations, and nice break from school; it's about celebrating the birth of Jesus. At risk of sounding cliché, Jesus really is the reason for the season. I hope we can each remember that this Christmas in the midst of the hustle and bustle.
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
The first week of school was definitely an interesting one. Classes were cancelled for two "snow days" due to possible "winter weather" conditions. While it didn't end up snowing, my roommate and I took advantage of having only 1 day of classes and rearranged our room. We both like it so much more now. :)
Friday night, I went with a group of girls to a local restaurant here in Marion. The name of the restaurant is J and Rs, and each Friday and Saturday night they have Karaoke. They have these 3-ring binders packed full of songs you can sing! You pick out a song, write down the code, turn it in, and wait for them to call you up to sing. At first, I was just going to watch, but I ended up singing several songs. A few of the girls even went up in groups and sang together. We had so much fun Friday night that we decided to go back for more Saturday, with one change...
I still hadn't asked Bethany to be my big sister. We both like songs from Alvin and the Chipmunks, so I decided to ask her by changing the words to "Christmas Don't Be Late." I just had to figure out how I was going to set it up. When it came up to go to J and Rs, I thought it would be perfect - she would be there, and I could just act like I was going to sing. Of course, there are three chipmunks, and the professor, so I had to have some help. Audra volunteered to be the professor, and Ashley and Holly Beth were Simon and Theodore. Audra and I headed over early to talk to the man in charge, make sure it was okay, and inform him of our plans. When it was finally time to sing, we all went up, sang, and the last line of the song asked her to be my big sis...she said yes! After the song we took pictures and enjoyed the rest of the night. I'm so glad to have such a great (potential) big sister. I can't wait for it to be official at the banquet at the end of the month!
Wow, what a busy day! Judson's annual Christmas Tea and Vespers was today. For the Christmas Tea, Judson girls get dressed up and head to the Parlors for lots of pictures, finger food, time with friends, and of course, a Step Sing. The day ends with a Christmas concert (Vespers) full of Christmas music performed by the Judson Singers, Faith, and Handbells.
After lunch, we headed back to the dorms to get all dressed up for the Christmas Tea. I thought four girls trying to get ready for the same thing in the same space would be hectic, but it wasn't bad at all. :) After getting ready for the Christmas Tea, I made sure my music and choir outfit was ready to go for Vespers that night. My family made it to Judson about that time, and we walked over to Jewett to mingle with friends. The social committee did such a great job with the decorations - they were so pretty! We took lots of pictures, talked, and of course, had some tasty wassail. :)
Next was the Step Sing. We filled up the Jewett stairs and serenaded our visitors with Christmas songs from Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer to Silent Night, along with a few traditional Step Sing Songs. After we finished the Step Sing, I headed back to the dorm to get ready for Vespers. We all met in the choir room to go over a few last minute things, warm up, and of course, sing some silly songs with Mrs. Leah while we waited to start the concert.
During the concert, the Choir, Faith, and handbells each had a chance to perform and the congregation joined in several hymns as well. At the end, Dr. Potts recognized and spoke a few words of wisdom to the seniors. The choir filled the aisles of the Alumnae Auditorium, and sang one last song with the audience while holding lit candles. The entire service was very touching, and it was a great feeling knowing that all those hours in the choir room preparing for this one night had prepared us well. Before Vespers, I just assumed it would be just like any other performance. After Vespers ended, I realized this was Judson's way of celebrating the birth of Jesus, honoring our graduating seniors, and quite possibly one of the most touching services I've ever been a part of.
"After [Joseph] had considered all these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
