Anna’s Blog

...Or... so said my supervisor Liane as we drove over the border from Delaware into Maryland.

This weekend we represented PBU at the Convention Center in Ocean City, MD -- which was hosting Impact, a Youth for Christ-sponsored event - themed LIVING IN HIGH DEFINITION.

Our days consisted of attempting to get students to stop at our table (while we were situated next to a competing college and a few others were being represented on the other side of the exhibitors hall). This in itself was an interesting experience. Liane and I brainstormed interesting poll questions to excite interest in our display...

"Who would win in a fight, Jack Bauer or Chuck Norris?"

This, I thought, was a no-brainer. Apparently not. The group we countered with this question (predominantly girls) thought it through like this: "Well...I really like him. Jack Bauer. He's really cool. I'm a big fan of 24..." and on and on. I didn't know this was a popularity contest. If it were a battle of the wits, a matter of saving the free world from terrorist activity, I might tend to consider Jack Bauer - and even then with some hesitation. Chuck Norris IS. This isn't heresy, blasphemy or sacrilege. Because everyone knows Chuck Norris' tears can cure cancer. ...It's a shame he never cries. :(

Another tactic Liane utilized to some level of success... shouting greetings to students as they walked past our table (probably on their way to sing mediocre karaoke or play Wii). A girl had her name embroidered on her sweatshirt, so Liane shouted, "Hey Bethany!" ...I swear Bethany's heart stopped for about three point four seconds before she realized what was going on... Liane was also known to shout, "Aloha!" to the girls wearing Hawaiian-style leis, to a lady carrying a drink from McDonald's: "Are you loving it?"

Hilarious entertainment. Oh, and the convention was successful, too. We had more than fifteen people fill out cards to get more information about PBU - and one high schooler even turned in his application! We met up with a number of PBU alumn - which is always fun... reminiscing about old professors, various traditions, and some of the things that makes PBU great.

I love the bond that we have... not just because we share an alma mater, but more significantly the bond of the Blood. And that's what I found all throughout the weekend - youth leaders, teens, and those inbetween. It's not every day you hear hundreds of people walking past where you're sitting, humming "Awesome God" along with the karaoke over the loudspeaker. It's exciting to see young people getting excited about Christ - and living for Him in HIGH DEFINITION.

Me, from our hotel balcony. Ocean City is quite the desirable spot for a vacay... in the summer, I presume. Please note that I'm not POSING, per se, but I'm trying to keep the wind from blowing my hair over my face. :P

Posted by Anna at 7:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yes, again, it's been a while. I think it's safe to say life is happening for me... a quote that comes to mind:

"Let me explain... no, there is too much. Let me sum up."

Spring break was incredibly restful. I caught a ride back to Ohio with my boyfriend and his band (they recorded all week at Cedarville, where they have a friend who needed something for his senior project), and my dad drove the rest of the way to pick me up and get me home. Once home, I spent most of my days relaxing and reading - getting caught up on my R&R.

A slight blip in my relaxation, though... the dentist office. This in itself is somewhat of a funny story - at least, I hope it will be for you... it wasn't so much for me at the time. My mom called me one morning from work to tell me that she had scheduled a routine cleaning at the dentist office. I grumbled my complaint, and she said that technically, she couldn't force me to go (as I'm older than 18) and I could call to cancel. After these words were out of her mouth and I was vocally rejoicing and jumping around the room in delight at avoiding the dentist, she... changed her mind. To make a rather long story short, she guilted me into NOT canceling my appointment. And I drove myself to my appointment the next day. To make another long story short, they found two cavities. And they conveniently had an opening the next morning for my fillings. Ugh.

Two consecutive days at the dentist. My cavities were taken care of without much ado, and I was pleased (considering the last experience I had had with such a procedure--the novacaine didn't work). I headed home, glad to have taken care of the issue with such ease and speed. That night, I brushed my teeth and put in my bite splint (a contraption similar to a mouthguard that I have to wear to keep me from grinding my teeth). It no longer fit. Ugh. Double ugh. The next morning, I called the office to schedule YET ANOTHER appointment to get my bite splint ground down in order for it to fit over my new fillings.

Moral of the story... I spent 3 out of 6 days of my break at the dentist. And I wouldn't have even had to go ONCE if I hadn't submitted to my mother's vehement request/demand. Ah. That's life. And that's my story.

I love my mother. I do. I promise. She's great. :)

I suppose I can be thankful I haven't had to have THAT much dental work done...

Posted by Anna at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It seems it's been a while since I last wrote... and I'm sorry for that! Life is BUSY nowadays! Between various papers I've got to write, working extra hours in the Admissions Office, chorale rehearsals and concerts... and balancing all of that with a social life... it's almost needless to say I have much to report, but little time in which to express it via blog. Ha. My life. Midterms.

One interesting thing to report: for Foundations of Special Education, we are required to observe 20 classroom hours at Woods Services - a Special Education 'community' and school not four minutes from PBU campus. So far, it has been an awesome and eye-opening experience... but I want to tell you about my very first day there.

Although I've had some experience with special needs kids, it has been typically on a one-to-one basis... NEVER a classroom setting. So as I walked into the Gardner building, preparing to meet my classroom, not really knowing at all what to expect, I took a minute to think. And to pray. Holy cow, I have no idea what I'm getting into. I felt anxious. I don't get anxious. What if something happens? I don't have any desire to pursue a career in Special Education, what am I doing here?

And then a verse jumped to mind. (God is good like that.) Matthew 25:40... That which you have done to the least of these brothers of Mine, you did it to Me. Truly, the LORD loves these kids just as much as He loves me. They may be 'unlovely' to the world, to my eyes, whatever, but to HIM - they are worthy of Love. They are worth dying for. Once the Holy Spirit had put that idea in my head, I couldn't shake it. Father, let me love them like You love them. Show me how to love them. Enable me to love them. And immediately, the anxiousness left me. I was wholly secure in the knowledge that the Lord gives strength and peace to those who ask it of Him.

Since then, I've so enjoyed getting to know the kids - and they welcomed me with open arms. I was immediately 'adopted' by a little girl who crawled up into my lap and made me clap my hands with hers to the beat of some song they were listening to.

And although I may not be pursuing Special Education as a career, I see the validity and NECESSITY of such a career path. I praise the Lord that He equips us with grace - and the grace to have compassion and patience and understanding. Because that is NOT of myself.

Posted by Anna at 3:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Call me slow, but I only recently discovered and have begun participating in the craze that is Picnik.com.

Ahhhhhhh I hope my studies don't suffer *too* much at this new infatuation...

TODAY, however, is a SNOW DAY - which I can spend however I wish! :)

HAPPY PICNIK-ING, EVERYONE! :D

Posted by Anna at 4:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)