B.R.E.A.K.

It’s Mid-Sem and campus is barren. Dining Services is shut down, the Library is locked up and there are a total of 3 people on my floor, including my RA. Mid-Sem has the ability to be very, very boring, for those of us staying on campus, so my friends and I made sure to rock break like it’s never been rocked before. 

Step One: Build a giant fort. My roommate went home for the weekend, so my friend, Emma, and I took the opportunity to turn my empty room into a party. It covers my entire room, except for a couple feet right inside the door. Taking a picture of it was actually a little difficult because of the vastness of it, but I did what I could. It took a lot of blankets and some duct tape, but it was totally worth it. Now my empty room is a lot more inviting and we have a cool club house to hang out in.   

Step Two: Be lazy. The best part of break is not having school and not having classes means a chance to be super lazy. Nothing but sweatpants and shorts and lots of movies and junk food. Since DS is closed, and I have no desire to cook anything more difficult than pizza, I’ve had a lot of ramen, easy mac and raw cookie dough. Pop Tarts and nachos are also common favorites. 

Step Three: Take the time to do things never done before! I’ve been learning how to long board which is both super fun and hard. Since no one is on campus, the sidewalks are completely empty which is prime time to take a long board around. I’ve been having so much fun with the board I borrowed from my RA, I actually just purchased my very own. It’s scheduled to come on Thursday! My friends and I also went to the mall to look at Forever 21 (which just opened!) and to pet all the adorable puppies. We found an adorable one and named it Bruce Wayne and almost took it back with us. But I guess the college has rules about having dogs in dorm rooms…  I also got my lip pierced, which was super scary but also very exciting. It still hurts a bit, but it was a lot of fun.

Break has been a pretty good time, even though it could have been potentially really boring and lonely. My friends are the best for wanting to have a crazy time with me. I guess now that I’ve done all that, I should maybe get a start on all my homework.

Homeless and Hungry

This weekend, the Fargo-Moorhead area had an opportunity to take part in something fantastic. This amazing event was Homeless and Hungry. The idea is simple. Sleep outside in cardboard boxes to raise awareness about homelessness in the area and money to help try and combat it. Throughout the area, students raised over $130,000 and 40,000 pounds of donated items. This money will be distributed throughout the FM Area to families and individuals in need.

With an event this big, of course Concordia was involved. On Saturday night, there was a dance which served to raise awareness and money and also get everyone excited about helping those in need. Students who brought $5 could also make blankets that would be donated. Then the students headed outside to sleep in boxes. It got down to about 30 degrees that night. Brr.

It’s always incredibly heartwarming to see so many people come together for a great cause. Students of all ages across the area joined to fight homelessness and hunger and it’s something that many FM residents will be forever thankful for.

What a Beautiful Day

To be alive! It has been absolutely gorgeous on campus the past couple weeks. The sun has been shining on the beautiful faces of the students and faculty and life has been good. Nothing feels better than wearing shorts in the middle of October, especially since a year ago, it had already snowed. Living in Moorhead all my life, you'd think I'd get used to the cold weather, but alas, every fall/winter the cold temperature sneaks up on me and does not make me a happy camper. I handle this by making the beautiful days count.

So what to do when it's so nice out?

1. Study Outside!

Okay, so I guess I get a little more distracted when I study outside, but it's so relaxing. It's a great way to de-stress after a tough day of classes and it's also helpful to soak in a little vitamin D. I would recommend Prexy's Pond or Olin Hill. Both equally awesome for doing homework (or falling asleep, if the sun is shining just right).

 
2. Play Outside!
The fall is the perfect time to play outside. Not as many bugs because of the chilly nights and plenty of fun, crunchy leaves. My friend Tessa and I like to toss a football around when it's nice out. It's a great way to be active (we're totally against the Freshman-15) and it's a ton of fun! Plus, you never know, we could get so good by next year, the football team will be begging us to join.

3. Sun bathe!
Tanning salons are expensive. Take advantage of the sun. It's free. Even better, take a nap while you're getting a nice tan. Or tan and do homework. So many things to do.

4. Read a book!
Books for fun are much more exciting than doing homework. Read Harry Potter or Catch-22. Exercise that brain in a fun way.

5. Take Advantage of the Campus WiFi...
...and check Facebook on Olin Hill. It's oddly satisfying. It's also a ton of fun to Skype outside.

Just being outside is awesome, no matter what it is I've decided to do. I hope this weather lasts for awhile!

Compassion

I honestly believe that if this world had just a little bit more compassion, we would all be better off. At least in my case, compassion drives my actions. I genuinely feel for people who tend to be worse off and it compels me to do something about it. Every food drive, every fundraiser, every person that just needs someone to listen - I jump at the chance to get involved and do my part.

With Extreme Home Makeover finishing up and National Coming Out Week just beginning, the Fargo-Moorhead area is bursting with compassion. Unfortunately, there's also a lot of hate floating around this week. It makes me sad to see it. If we all just had a little more tolerance, a bit more love and yes, compassion, I have no doubt that living around here would just be that much better.

I think Concordia does a great job of fostering compassion. There are so many clubs and groups that promote love, tolerance and kindness. I feel so loved when I step foot on this campus and the only possible explanation as to why I feel that way is because I truly am loved! The Professors care about me, the faculty and staff are so incredibly nice and the students that I'm surrounded by have so much kindness in them. This school is so warm and inviting. I only wish the rest of the world would follow suit.

BREW

Ever since I’ve arrived on campus, I feel like I haven’t heard anything talked about quite as much as BREW, or, Becoming Responsible Engaged in the Word, which is part of the Mission Statement. For the most part, I’ve just been nodding and agreeing, without really thinking about what that means.

In a care package my youngest cousin gave me, I got 100 quotes. One-a-day for the next 100 days. So far they’ve all been just pretty fun, happy things that add a little brightness to my day, but today’s was different.

“The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” – William James

It was like BREW was hitting me in the face with my morning coffee. Being responsibly engaged in the world means something important. It’s making the world a better place, improving the lives of those less fortunate, learning through service and most importantly, living the way Christians should.

One thing I’m really excited for is Brew Week. I actually was fortunate enough to be able to make one of the bowls that they’re selling during that week for the Empty Bowls Campaign. It was so much fun and I love being able to help out the homeless and hungry in my community. I think I’ve always had the mindset for BREW, I just didn’t really connect it to my education until, like, this morning. I’m glad I made that connection now, at least, and not later.

Homecoming 2010

Homecoming was amazing. Beyond words, almost. This weekend was packed full of friends, family, excitement and entertainment. I was so impressed by all the Freshman talent that was showcased at Frosh Frolics and the bonfire was one of the most legit fire-related things I've ever been to. I'd never seen a fire quite so big in my entire life. I could feel the heat no matter where I stood. The fireworks were also super awesome.

The parade was also super exciting! I'd been in the Concordia Homecoming parade before with my high school's marching band but throwing candy was a lot more fun than playing drums, not gonna lie. 

The game was also fun, even though we lost. The final score was 14 - 38 but honestly, I had a great time just being surrounded by my friends and family, I wasn't too heartbroken over the loss (plus, I don't think my high school won a homecoming game all 4 years I went there, so I'm used to it). The Johnny Holms dance was also super fun, even though I didn't stay too long.

Honestly, even with all the jollification around me, the most exciting part of the weekend was to see my family. My cousin went to Concordia and graduated this past spring, so I'm not really used to her not being around quite yet. It was really nice to get to see her again.

All in all, I enjoyed every single minute of this past weekend (aside from Fjelstad's fire alarm going off at 3 am Sunday morning). Everything I expirience just reinforces the thought that I really do indeed belong here.