Allo! My name is Rachel...a.k.a. R.P. I’m a Biblical Studies, Business Administration, and Organizational
Leadership major. Other than the triple-degrees, I’m not your typical business student. My secret: I love
having fun! You’ll find that PBU business students break the mold. When I’m cold I make funny noises
and I add random sound effects throughout my daily activities. Oh, and I’m always the first one at the food
table. Ask anyone.
November 10, 2009
What's your story??
Ok. So people are thinking...Arkansas?? What?! I know...I thought the same thing. ;)
From Wed., Nov. 4 - Thurs., Nov. 5), SIFE USA, along with Walmart headquarters and Regis (SIFE-sponsoring companies) hosted the Top to Future Top forum. Since Walmart home offices is located in Bentonville, AR, the event was held in that location (makes sense now, yea??). At this event SIFE students are invited to join executives from various Fortune 500 companies to discuss...this and that...;) For our forum, we discussed the economy.
Here's Brittany from SIFE USA telling us what SIFE is all about, why we were in AR, what the Top to Future Top Forum is all about, and advice for potential SIFE-ers.
Here's a fellow student and SIFE-er's perspective, my man: Joe Ervin, III. How cool is his name?? ;) hehe. He was Ethan's roommate. Great guy.
I just want to say that PBU-SIFE has offered some really great opportunities for me...some of these experiences I could never have gotten without PBU-SIFE. If there is one piece of advice I can give you for college, it's: GET INVOLVED. This doesn't necessarily mean in SIFE (although, you should really look into that too. hehe.) - but sports, a club, a student org...something. Once you're past high school, it's really hard to distinguish yourself...even at a small university like PBU. Doing well in your classes are just as important, but that can't be the only thing. Make sure you put in what you want to get out of your education. I know, I know - sounds like some warning your parents would give before you're off to college, yea?? Well, they say it because it's true and it's probably a lesson they learned the hard way. Appreciate that they're trying to keep you from learning it the hard way too. ;) All the opportunities are there for you; but you need to take initiative too. So check out what PBU has beyond the education. Trust me, it is never too early to prepare for your future.
Ok. So~~~ guess where I am: Ar-Kansas! (hahaha. I heard someone call it that...must be his first time here too.) ;)
Bentonville, AR - totally random, yea??
I'm here with one of my fav. SIFE-ers: E.
There is so much to share (and no worries, I didn't forget about pics and videos from Can-O-Treat...it's just that life moves along so quickly...and there's been so much happening).
Wow, where to start...there are so many stories... I will totally try to catch you up, but first, here are the a few teaser videos. :)
Definitely more to come...there just needs some serious editing done. I'm sorry, but it is really late now and I have to be up early tomorrow for our flight home. I'm afraid I'm going to leave you in suspense for now about why in the world I'm in AR and the stories about our adventures. When I have time to sit down to do this all (and catch up on hw - we've been here since Wednesday) I will totally share about Ar-Kansas, videos + pics and all...plus updates for Can-O-Treat. Ye-yeah!! :)
Awww~~~ poor E only got 45 min. of sleep...can you tell?? ;)
Anyhoo, as you hear - we weren't so happy about our experience in the Atanta airport. Ridiculous.
Ok. So I don't sound so happy...but really, in real life, I'm a lot more chipper. ;) I had been in heels and dressed up all day...and I was sooo relieved to just sit down and get a cool drink down my throat. Just sharing the little happy things of life with y'all~~~ :)
He has a thing for awkward pauses. hahaha. J/K.
Ethan's first time trying a Green Tea frap... Good stuff yo.
Can-O-Treat! Smell my feet, give me something good to eat.
Ever heard of Can-O-Treating??
Some may, some may not. Maybe most can figure what it's all about...~
On Sat., Oct. 31 (yes, that is Halloween day) the PBU-SIFE team is going Can-O-Treating in the Newtown area. Last Saturday, we went door-to-door marketing, hanging up some pretty hott door hangers to let the community know we'd be coming around. We hit more than 450 houses in less than 1.5hrs! This means that our goal of collecting 1000 cans this year, is totally no biggie. ;) It's happening from 5pm-9pm - with an awesome pizza party dinner at Mrs. B's house and some mad intense competition to follow. keke. We are definitely dividing up into teams and seeing who can collect the most cans~~~ Competition means: PRIZES! :)
Also, caramel fondue to follow our hard work. YES! ;) hehehe.
This our 2nd year doing Can-O-Treating. It's great because the community already expects kiddies to come knocking and asking for treats. We're utilizing this opportunity to launch our "Let's CAN Hunger" campaign and raise public awareness about the issue of hunger in our own country. SIFE teams across the nation, as well Canada, Mexico, and Australia are taking part in this competition hosted by Campbell's. More details at: letscanhunger.com. Pretty easy to remember, yea?? :)
Last year the community had a really wonderful and positive response to Can-O-Treat, so I'm really excited to be doing it again this year.
All our food proceeds will benefit the Penndel Food Pantry - not even a mile from PBU! All y'all Penndel residents can see it from your apartment window...
Anyhoo, I'll bring you all some more details after Saturday...and hopefully some fun pictures too! We have a great group going...it's going to be so much fun!! We have so many funny people on the team... Anyhoo, I'm quite excited...if you can't tell. ;) I even made a homemade candy-bag out of a cereal box. Hey~~~ the neighbors want to share some candy with the canned foods, then I will not be so rude to deny it... ;)
Check out our awesome flyer!! YE~YEAH!! hehe.
Shout out again to Matt and Leo.
They worked hard on this one (not that they ever don't) but I was making all these "suggestions" while they were working...and I'm kinda picky. Our friend, M, is a bit sensitive...but it looks good, so there!! keke. J/K. I always love my SIFE boys <3 ~ They do well putting up with me. :)
This video is actually a few years old.
Leo & Matt will probably make another awesome and new and updated one for the upcoming Career Fair, but I still wanted to share this one. I find it quite hilarious, and a few of my favorite people are in it (Bralex!). I know, I seem to have a lot favorite people...but what can I say, its just so easy to love some people at PBU! :)
More information to come, but Career Fair - Wednesday, Nov. 18 (10am - 3pm) in the gym!
Here's the new flyer for the upcoming Career Fair.
Shout out to Matt W. and Leo D again!!! Ugh~ I love those boys. :)
Haha. I bet you're all wondering, ohmygoodness, what is she about to say?? ;)
This semester one of my favorite classes is an MOL class called: Understanding the Multicultural Organization. As the nature of graduate courses go, the class is mainly discussion based. I love the discussions. The wisdom, experiences, perspective...everything that the students bring has taught me so much. It's quite an interesting dynamic - in all the best ways. We only have six students, but each is so individually diverse. We have two different military representatives, from different generations. There is an immigrant. Another student is in a bi-racial marriage. One student was raised deep in the city, but knows none of the stereotypes and did not live the statistics which accompany that specific city. We have a mom, single males and females, a father, a new bride, and a bride-to-be. One student is a youth leader. Another is in HR. One student works with handicapped individuals, another with bi-lingual students, and another with inner-city youth. We are all Organizational Leadership students (stemming from the School of Business and Leadership), but our professor comes from a Social Work background. Real interesting.
When I first signed up for the class, I had to because it was the only one that fit my schedule - and I was going to graduate in May '10 no matter what it took. I must admit, I had my criticisms. How much learning could I gain from a diversity class at PBU?? I know, this sounds really bad, I love PBU, but there are honest truths that I admit about it in my cynicism... Anyways, not the best mindset to have, but just being honest.
In one of our first classes, we talked about race and racism. (Of course diversity and multiculturalism is much more than race, but it just so happened to be the topic we were on). While we discussed our own experiences of race, a student asked "Where did racism come from?". We had been talking about the history of the United States and different racial issues which the country has had to deal with in its past, but racism itself goes back much farther. The follow-up question was, "Is race bad?" I think the student was asking if making distinctions between different races added to the problem of racism. As I thought about these questions, being the good Christian that I am ;) I looked to the Bible. First off, I don't think racial distinctions is wrong. God separated people at the Tower of Babel. We know different people groups came from Noah's sons as they re-populated the earth. There is no denying the differences we see in each other and between different people grouops. Where then, did racism come from? Racism actually exists in the Bible too (remember the story of Moses and how God's people were oppressed by Pharaoh??) Given that, then the easy answer out is to say man's sinful nature - and that's what I said. ;) Really though, think eschatologically. God did not create a Kingdom that should support racism. Furthermore, as we look towards Christ's return and the new Kingdom of God, we think about everything ideal. While we may not be able to reach a Utopian society (considering a humanist view), there will one day be the perfect Kingdom of God. Regardless of whether that comes in our lifetime or not, we as Christians have the authority and responsibility under Christ to live for such a thing.
Thus, race in and of itself is not wrong, but I think man in our sinful has used it to create something evil (racism). Don't blush, but the example I used is intimacy. God created intimacy for a man and woman to share in marriage. It is something sacred, something quite beautiful and with a purpose to be used to glorify God through reproduction. However, I don't think I need to go into detail how much intimacy has been tainted, violated, and turned into an act that is sinful and against God. Race too is beautiful. It is part of God's creation, part of His purpose for this world, and something that every individual can share in its uniqueness but also contribute to unity. While man's sinful nature may support racism, with fear and hatred and judgment of each other, God did not create us, as His children to support it. We are new creations under Christ, and thus have the ability to love genuinely. Share the love~~~
This was just a discussion I really enjoyed in the class and so wanted to share it with y'all. Besides, I was enjoying night classes (plural) while the undergraduate population was on Fall Break...so food for thought.
Here are the books we've had to read for this class. Good stuff. Some of it is out-of-date, but it covers a lot of issues which still exist...just under a different name.
Yo~ check it. Hahaha! I don't know why I find this video so funny, but it really just cracks me up.
I love PBU. Such colorful people. :)
Look at what a good education can do and the loads of words Nick knows. ;)
Thanks to E, the camera man.
Silly boys. This is just a little fun after class. ;)
Actually, the best things in life are from the Lord~
It has been one of those weeks...in the good way. The weather couldn't be more perfect, and so even amidst the rough days, you just gotta love life. So, here are some things which I am always thankful for. When the dog bites, I think upon my favorite things... Thank you, Father.
Ok. So, I know these pics are much belated, but it's not that I forgot about the SIFE Cabinet Retreat (ya know, with the hint: under water camera?)...it's just that I took a while getting the pictures developed. :) hehehe. I know the pictures aren't under water - don't worry, didn't miss that minor detail - but the camera did get extremely wet...and I was not going to let my digital camera get wet...so the under water camera served its purpose for me. :)
So~~~ PICTURES! from our adventures down the DE River. It wasn't white water rafting. Just rafting. Basically, we floated down the DE for like 4 hours. I know, I know - but when you're in good company, it's quite fun.
Ok. First off, introducing my raft: Team Awesome.
haha. Oh E - always awkward. J/K. Sokay~ you make me laugh. ;) Matt has an awesome smile. Yay! :)
Boat 2. No name. keke. Still, a few of my favorite people~
Human motor. Check out all that water splashing! Go Leo~~~
hehe. Leo looks a little tired out. Wonder why?? ;) Jess is definitely doing the Rachel pose.
hahaha! I love these boys~ Oh, matthan.
Me. :) itty bitty living space.
hahaha. dude with umbrella. in the raft. on the river. yea...
under my umbrella~ella~ella~eh~eh?? ;)
PBU-SIFE hosts the annual: From Red to Black seminar!!! (haha. Clever name~ get it??)
Couple years ago, there was an article in the newspaper (sorry, this is bad, but I can't remember which one) that said the average college student possesses $40,000 in college loan debt! Ah! Sounds like big money, yea?? Well think about how much tuition costs on average per year (or even semester)...then times that by 4 or 5 years...yea, now you're doing the math. xp Also, now it's going to be even harder for college students to get credit cards. Starting next year, if you're under 21, you will not be able to get a credit card without parents co-signing. If your parents know you well...well you decide if they'll co-sign for you...xp
Ok, so all this to say, that we all could use some hints, tips, lessons...basically help, on how to manage finances, get a credit card (and use it wisely to help build credit!), get a loan...and pay back that loan, and as Christians, just be good stewards of all that God has graciously loaned to us. That's what this From Red to Black seminar is for!
Trust me, this is not something for later. It's never to early to be thinking about this. Didn't you have piggy banks when you were younger?! (If you didn't, get one now!) All y'all on campus: Come to the ADR (that's in the MAC. Really, it's ok if you don't know where that is, so ask around) this Wednesday (9/16) from 6pm-8pm. This is open to everyone. We know life is hard and schedules are busy, so we are providing FREE Ben & Jerry's ice cream to make it all a little more sah~weet. :) Also, stay to the end and you could be the lucky winner of some awesome gift cards (Wawa, BP gas cards)! Yes! I love free schtuff~~~ ;)
Why in the world am I parading the Nittany Lion for PennState??
No worries, I am not regretting my 4 years at PBU or considering transfering (omgoodness, I only have 1 year left!).
I am up at State College this weekend, visiting someone quite special. This particular PennState gradate student has shared with me some of the many perks of going to such a large university. Did you know State College (city where PennState is located - creative name, eh?) even has its own zip code?! Ridculous. It's huge (well, at least for a university)! Anyhoo, the city is basically built around PennState - literally - physically and financially/economically. Businesses are focused on on catering towards individuals who are somehow affiliated with PennState. I visited the local Walmart and Sam's Club, Wegmens, bank, restaurants - every single place sells PennState attire, PennState gadgets...anything with the university logo on it. It's kind of exciting for the "tourists" (I am a traitor, I got a really cute PennState hoodie...but hey, you can never have too many hoodies!) and I thought how it would be awesome if PBU could offer some big deals like these to the students and have connections with the entire city to give discounts, special offers, promos, etc. to those affiliated with the university.
Then, I thought: is it worth it? PennState works for those who choose to go to such a large university, but I chose PBU with the specific goal not to be only a number. An alumnus of PennState was mentioning that while the $1 movies were great, he was only known by his social security number. Like I said, that works for some; but, I would not give up the personal relationships I share with my professors for anything. It is rare to find a school with such a small professor: student ratio. Did you know I can walk the halls and bump into our university President - and he has the friendliest smile and "hello" to share with his students. I've been to my professors' homes and shared a meal with their families. My professors have taken me out to a meal on a bad day. Faculty and staff alike put aside what they are doing when I come seeking for help. Administrators know my name and make a it point to share a greeting with me. It's a rare find these experiences. True, it may not be for everyone, but when it comes to colleges, we have usually reached a point where can make our own choices. Many will influence us, and trust me, I loyally market PBU aggressively, but in the end, we are left to make the final decision. Also note, PBU isn't for everybody. No university is. Still, PBU has much to offer. As Christians, we have the choice too to trust in God's sovereignty. This is my shpeel about PBU, but really, I think it was mostly for reaffirming my appreciation that over time I have taken granted for. I made a decision based on my own choices, and if I do say so myself, I think I made quite an awesome on! ;)
