Fall Break was lovely, but now it is time to be back in school, get serious, and GO TRICK-OR-TREATING!!! :) Autumn is definitely in the air, and it is time for fall festivities. Grace College has a campus trick-or-treat that happens every year, and it is always a blast to see tons of college kids in costumes (Grace College appropriate, of course)...because you can't get candy unless you're dressed up. There is definitely a spirit of excitement and outdoorsy-ness (?) in everyone I've run into today. Creative minds are whirring and Goodwill has been raided many times over by Gracies, I'm sure. My freshman year I was a yellow crayon, and those facebook pictures still make me laugh. Last year I had no clue what to be, but at the last minute my friend Bekah and I went as salt and pepper shakers (I was pepper!). Haha! I know many of us are really glad that Grace isn't uptight about Halloween or trick-or-treating, but turns them into an opportunity for the campus to fellowship and have fun with each other. Give a CHEER for the Student Activities always offered at just the right times to keep the campus alive and interesting! YAY!!!!!

P.S. Tonight.......................I'm Lucille Ball from I Love Lucy!

Ohio State or Grace?

I was pleased to talk with Dave from Columbus, Ohio about the value of a Christian education. I was equally pleased when he started talking about quality education that he immediately talked about Grace. I guess I had the thought he could have mentioned that one university in Columbus, Ohio that is has a football program. But he didn't mention Ohio State or the fact that Penn State beat the Buckeyes this past weekend in football.



Kudos to Dave for his straight talk about Grace College!

Cutting Carbs = Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth

Today begins the directing of my one act play for my directing class. My four peers and I held auditions this afternoon, and tonight we will be sending out the "Congratulations," or the "I'm really sorry, but there just wasn't a part for you this time; please, don't bash my head into the sidewalk," emails. I hope it all goes well. I look forward to working with and getting to know my cast. I'm being a bit ambitious in doing a show that I wrote that calls for a cast of eleven, and that's if I double cast characters, but when has not making a smart decision ever stopped me? Technically, I didn't have to do that show, but I wrote it for the purpose of directing it this semester. It's called, " The Creation of Theatre," and explains how God made theatre in seven days, as he made the world. I think it's pretty funny, but I suppose we will find out for sure on December 7th when it's performed in Little Theatre. Please come. Please laugh. Please. (I'm making puppy dog eyes so adorable that the Grinch's heart would swell into cardiac arrest.)

In other news, fall break is this weekend. I'm going to stay with my dad and grandma in Nashville, TN. I'll come back with a twang and a large cowboy hat. Don't judge me. We're going to an improv show to see a theatre company that I trained with this past summer. Spending time with my dad and grandma is always a good time, so I'm sure I'll enjoy the weekend. (And by "the weekend," I mean, "their fabulous Southern cooking." Sans carbs, of course. *Sigh*)

My friend and I have been dieting together for three weeks now. We've cut out carbs in an attempt to look like Tyra. (Only a little whiter and not quite as fierce.) Cutting carbs in Alpha Dining has been a nightmare. I've had so many burger patties that driving by a farm with cows in the pasture gives me a Nam-like flashback and I end up crying in the fetal position, chanting, "No more beef. No more beef." I'm also afraid all the salad I've been eating is going to turn my skin green, and I'll look like a much wimpier version of The Incredible Hulk and instead of "Hulk smash!" it's "Hulk buy shoes!" Arg. (That is the sound of hunger and utter desperation.) Well, at least I have a million things on my plate to keep me busy so I don't have to think about food. "On my plate..." That was kind of ironic...and sad. I'm going to go eat a handful of peanuts. Keep on truckin'!

Ice Packs and Corn Mazes

I had hoped to start off writing with a post about the Corn Maze/Fall Party that was hosted last night by the Student Activities Board (SAB). The night consisted of (or at least it was suppose to) a corn maze, pumpkin slinging, hayrides, and a bonfire. I was expecting to go and enjoy the festivities with fellow students. However, Thursday night ended up being the deciding factor of whether or not I went. 

On my way to Beta (one of the dorms) to watch The Office on Thursday night, I tripped, fell flat on my face, and strained all those fun things in my ankle. I didn't think anything of it because I trip fairly often and so continued with my plan of joining around 30 other students to watch The Office. It's a favorite on campus. It wasn't until later that night that I realized how much pain I was in.

The next morning, after sleeping on the couch because I couldn't climb into my lofted bed, I visited the nurse. She looked at it, gave me an ice pack, and wrapped it up for me. Her instructions? To stay off of it as much as possible. Those were not words I wanted to hear. While I could still go to the Corn Maze, I was advised to sit and not run around. I decided on not going because I knew that if I went I would run around in pain instead of being a good girl and sitting. 

My evening ended up being a lot of fun. It consisted of movies, a walk, and simply hanging out. It was great to be able to hang out with people I don't always hang out with and be able to relax at the same time. That is one of the highlights for a people-lover like me; you can always find someone to hang out with and something to do. Well, homework and ice packs are calling me. Have a great weekend!

Worldview of Grace College

Now, that title was really just to lure you in...hope it worked.....because I don't really want to talk about the worldview of Grace College in general. I actually want to remember back to what brought ME to Grace (in response to the blog "What's Bringing you to Grace?" by Mark Weinstein). I was one of those people who was looking for the school that was way out of my league, so I could feel worthy going there. I remember criticizing Grace College for its small-town feel and the School of Music for being in its growth spurt. But I also remember sitting down after my audition with the board of music faculty, and asking Dr. Kavanaugh, dean of the music school, what his worldview for the vocal department was. And you know what he said? "I think that Christian performers should be musicians of excellence, the best they can be, and I want to send them out into the secular performing arts to make a difference with Christ's love and bring glory to God alone!" WOAH!!! Nowhere in my search for a Christian liberal arts education did I find the desire to send musicians into the "dark world of the SECULAR arts"! That is what made me come to Grace, knowing that I would have the chance to grow in my faith as well as musicianship, and be supported in my desire to be a performer in the professional secular field of opera for God's Glory! :)

So, by way of advertisement, Chamber Singers is giving a Madrigal Dinner as a fundraiser for our trip to South Korea this December! PLEASE COME, one and all!!!!!!! It will be much fun and entertainment, along with a great dinner. I don't know prices or times yet, but the dates are November 21 & 22. Email me if you want to know more about it, or our Korea trip.

All the trees on campus are orange now, it's pretty cool. Don't forget to bundle up!!! (or for those of us thin-blooded people from warmer climates, don't lose hope, it really is possible to survive Indiana winters... ;-b)

What's bringing You to Grace?

I was intrigued when I came across some video that was taken by Cara McNamara at the start of the current school year. What I learned is that people are seeing Grace as a great place to get an education--one that will prepare them for life! These students talked about the positive relationships, the Christian atmosphere, and the gifted faculty.

So why did you come to Grace? Or, why should you come to Grace College?

Moving Forward

It may not be on the same level as space travel or becoming major league baseball's home run hitting king, but Grace College's decision to offer a degree completion program, named GOAL, will revolutionize higher education in northern Indiana.

The first class of adult learners is set to begin in January 2009. Thursday, Dr. Manahan and a group from Grace, visited Ivy Tech for the purpose of signing an agreement with the Community College. This agreement will allow all Ivy Tech graduates to automatically enroll in Grace's GOAL program.

In the picture below, Dr. Manahan (center left) and Randy Maxson (center right), vice chancellor and Dean from Ivy Tech, are joined with others during the agreement signing ceremony. Attending from Grace were Cindy Sisson, director of graduate and adult enrollment, Bill Katip, provost, and Steve Grill, dean of adult and community education.

To see the enthusiasm from both schools was rewarding. For years, Grace has focused on traditional higher education and, seemingly, never entered in the Warsaw world. That has now changed in a big way and everyone, including Grace and residents throughout Kosciusko County, are the significant winners.

Who Will Buy?

I don't know if you're familiar with musical theatre, however, this morning was one of those "Oliver!" moments. On a beautiful English morning, Oliver sings, "Who will buy this wonderful morning. Such a sight, you never did see. Who will tie it up with a ribbon and put it in a box for me." As I walked to Personal Finance, a Tuesday routine that I dread, I was awakened by the sound of crunching leaves and the smell of fall. I couldn't help but wish I could somehow box up the moment to return to it at a later date. The way I work though, I would probably box it up and forget about it, just to find it two years later, expired and useless.

On a different note entirely, I got into the fall play, Flowers for Algernon. I have a small role, which is wonderful, because I have my work cut out for me with costuming. My friend, David, got some books for me from the library about fashion trends from the 60's and 70's, which is wonderfully helpful as long as I don't dress the cast like David Bowie.

This past weekend was the 3rd Annual Acting on Aids Lip Sync at Grace. David Lepor (the same from the aforementioned paragraph) and I served as the emcees. It was so much fun. You can find the video of David and I emceeing at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xroFc1ZuP8. I emceed the variety show in high school, so I was glad to have some experience, but I had completely forgotten how much I enjoy emceeing and improv. If the Acting on Aids leaders read this and would like to find an emcee for next year, I'm sure I'll be available. *nudge, nudge* This post is getting a bit long, so I'll go ahead and wrap this up. You should be outside enjoying fall anyway. Have a lovely week. Keep on truckin'!

Catalyst

This past week was quite a bit different from weeks in the past. I had the chance to go to Atlanta, GA to a leadership conference. I went along with other Grace students and some other community leaders on a 12 hour drive to GA. The conference was full of amazing Christian speakers. Messages from Andy Stanley, Dave Ramsey; even Billy Graham’s son was there. The experience was amazing! Surrounded by 12,000 other believers, worshiping the Savior and Lord Jesus Christ was like a little glimpse of heaven. I was able to learn applicable ideas to apply to our campus ministry outreach programs and can honestly say my faith will never be the same. I just want to say thanks for Grace for this opportunity and would recommend this conference to everyone!
http://www.catalystconference.com

I'm a baby blogger!!! :)

Well, here I am taking my first steps as a blogger!!! Actually, I feel a little conceited because here I am writing about my life so other people can read it. Weird, haha. :)

I had a revelation this week: I forget what I believe sometimes. I am in Understanding World Religions class, which for my music major is a liberal arts course. Pretty interesting, you know, but not life-changing...until, believe it or not, I had to read 4 articles on the integrity of Christianity and write a review on them. Now wouldn't you think, BORING?!? Yep that was me. BUT, as a critical thinker who has struggled many times with the illogical side of the Christian culture because they don't want to critically think about faith and its relevancy in the 21st century, I was refreshed by the information I read. Without shirking reason or facts or educated arguments, the articles patiently took its reader through the fundamental questions of faith and reminded me that Truth cannot be misrepresented or altered and still be Truth. The Christian faith IS reasonable and modern! Thank God!

Also, in other equally important issues ;), just when I thought Grace School of Music couldn't offer any more excitement for me as I finish up my last couple years, Dr. Jim Kraft tells me that I can pick ANYWHERE to perform my senior recital! In the past I've only seen music majors give their recital in Byers Music Department, but he said that isn't a requirement. So I am getting really excited now, my voice teacher and I are looking into these beautiful music pieces for me to learn, and I'm looking for a great accoustical environment to do it justice. YAY I can't wait, this is such a motivation as a musician!!!

Till next time, when hopefully I'll have a picture and everything for my profile! :)

What a day!

I have bounced around campus today like a rubber ball. Meetings with Jim Swanson and Aaron Crabtree in the morning, student ambassadors in the afternoon, followed by a chiropractor's appointment late in the day. What a pleasant day it has been--and did I say that it is 70 degrees and there are no clouds in the sky?

But, that's not the best part of today. The best part was when I learned in a meeting about the incredible unity and harmony that exists on campus among faculty, staff and students. This is quite unusual on college campuses. At least it has been unusual at the four other colleges that I've worked over the past 22 years.

This is a tribute to the great students who are learning at Grace. Keep it up because you (the students) make this a fun place to be every day of the week.

We are GC

BAGPIPES!! Who would have thought I could write a blog about bagpipes, and it still be about Grace too? So it’s fall, and soccer is in full swing. The student section at the games is CRAZY fun, and one of the main reasons is the bagpipes. There is a young man from the guys dorm (Beta 2 South) who owns bagpipes, and I must say is a fun addition to the student cheering section. Here’s the scenario… The game is tied 1-1 and there is a minute left. The Grace soccer team needs some encouragement, so what do we need? Let’s get some bagpipes!! Everyone starts clapping with the music, the team feels inspired, the kick…and it’s GOOD!!!! Grace wins, and the bagpipes play on. So the next time you are at the Grace soccer game listen up for the amazing tune coming from none other than bagpipes :) I wonder if he will be at the basketball games?