Inside the Fro

I have NO idea what I’m going to take next quarter.  I have to take 3 classes in order to graduate.  But there is so many choices!  I HAVE to take an Econ elective but I have no idea which one.  I HAVE to take my art making GE but the times are weird and some classes have very low rated professors (One consistently had 10% approval).  And then there is one class that I can take for fun but I don’t know which one.

So far, it’s     Econ 141, Spanish 1D, Vis 70

But the econ class is pointless, spanish is a lot of work (but i need to refresh on my Espanol), and vis is during bible study. V_V

I need help on what to take next quarter

So I’ve been harassed by pretty much everyone about updating this blog.  Heck, I usually forget that I have one.  So I shall try to attempt to keep this updated (although I will probably fail in a couple of days).

So I have a new goal!!! I don’t think I’ve told anyone.

This quarter, I am taking CAT 125, Sixth college’s final writing class. The main point of this class is to write a 3,700 word essay about a specific college experience, written as a speech.  After that is written, everyone has to present their essay in front of their sections.  Each section then selects one person to present in front of the entire class.

And that’s where the goal comes in.

The first and pretty much only thing that comes to mind is my faith (of course).  One day during section, we each had to pair up with someone and discuss our ideas about our paper.  My partner was sharing how much he hated college for the lack of a social life he had.  Other than that, he was clueless on what to write about.  Then, I shared with him that the only thing I would write about is my Christian faith.  I shared with him how I could either write my experience as a new believer (freshmen year), Dorm Leader (sophomore year), struggling believer (junior year), or the time I went up in front of Large group to speak.  He then curiously asked me what I talked about.  I didn’t say much but I shared with him what my freshman shared.  My classmate was so moved and inspired.  Going along with what he shared with me earlier, he shared how he longed to be part of a community as well.  With a big smile on his face, he said that he wants to go back to church and is now figuring out ways to not work on Sundays.  I really hope he was being genuine (and I honestly think he was).  But I realize that even sharing a short little story had an impact on him.  So my goal is … to speak in front of the entire classroom!  I want my essay to help non-believers understand that God is real.  But first, I would have to write an amazing essay. Then, I would have to do a good job at presenting it in front of my section. Then finally, it has to be voted as the best in section.

I really hope I can achieve this goal!

I just watched this video LITERALLY over 100 times.

I CAN’T STOP LAUGHING!

I’m a person that loves to remember good memories.  If you know me pretty well, you know I love to tell stories about the past.  Because I don’t feel like studying right now, I quickly want to share one of my favorite memories here in college.  Actually, I think I’m going to write down all my favorite memories from college down in this blog (Need to catch up on the blogging).  This will be good hopefully because it will remind me how God has always been good to me.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Bible study night at Sixth College.  I was leading worship that night.  The night before I was at Passion Conference in LA.  Chris Tomlin played his new song there called ‘Sing Sing Sing.’  I decided that I wanted to play that song at bible study the next day.  I also played Hosanna that night (yeah I still remember the worship set of that night).  After doing my worship set, our guest bible study leader, Jesse Jacobs, said, “Aren’t you guys glad to have a great leader like Austin?” I remember how nobody said anything or even do any sort of movement when Jesse said that.  I hated myself.  I was close to saying it out loud that moment.  I’m not a great leader.  I’m nobody.  I was the only worship leader for the study.  I led every single week despite being a horrible guitar player and quite possible the worst singer ever.  I felt that all my freshmen hated the fact that they have to listen to me every single week.  What was I doing there in the first place?  Jesse then proceeded to leading Luke 5:1-11 (Calling of the first disciples) and did an amazing job.  I led 3 bible studies prior to this and I sucked.  During the study, Jesse asked the question, “Who here has been a Christian for less than 3 years?”  I was the only person to raise their hand.  Pathetic.  I should have paid more attention in Catholic school.  I would have known God sooner and would have saved me all the trouble I went through in life.  It was in that moment that I wanted to quit Dorm Team.  I was a failure.  My team didn’t like me.  My freshmen learned nothing from me.  I sucked at bible studies and worship.  It was probably best to quit.  And Jesse was there, what a sign.  At the end of bible study, I was going to go up to Jesse to resign from Dorm Team.  I was ready.  I was pumped.  I was going to do something right for once.  I was set.  Right before the end of bible study, we split of into pairs to discuss the passage and pray for one another.  I was paired with Daniel Toledo.  We were both silent.  Being the leader, I was going to make the first move by asking, “how was the passage for you?” Typical question.  Before I was able to finish my question, Daniel said, “Hold up!”  What!?  I didn’t expect that from him.  That was a bit out of the ordinary.  Why did he interrupt me?  I asked him what was up.  Daniel’s speech began.

(I don’t remember the exact quotes.  What I am going to write down is how I remembered the quotes)  Austin, you are a great leader and a good role model.  You lead worship every week and you lead with joy.  You ask me to lead worship but I keep refusing.  Yet you’re always okay.  You have been a Christian for less than 3 years yet it seems like you’ve been a Christian your whole life.  I remember when I first saw you, you were helping people move in.  I thought of how cool that was and how awesome you were.  Then I met you at the Intervarsity table and you reached out to me.  You made me feel welcomed.  You have a great heart.

I cried a good amount during that time.  Daniel said a lot of other stuff that made me smile and that brought so much healing into my life.  I couldn’t quit Dorm Team after that.  I did have an effect on people.  I was making a difference.

I like (and also kinda don’t like) how God waits till the very last moment.  Till you’re so broken.  That’s when he comes to the rescue.  He wants us to have moments like this.  So that we will remember them forever.  Of how much God cares.  Because in moments like these, we see God’s glory.  God WILL rescue you.  God DOES hear your cries. God CARES.

So I rarely get anything special in the mail (with the exception of the occasional bills, which are definitely not special). But today, there was an envelope from Starbucks. Since I live with 2 coffee addicts, I assumed it was for them. It wasn’t till I got back to my place that I realized it was for me. Why me? I hate Starbucks. I hate coffee. I haven’t been there in a long time and that was to study with Carla (Carla being the #1 addict of coffee [She knows this]). Being the very curious person that I am, I opened it up. I immediately realized the entire thing is in Spanish. Ugh, those racists! Think I can’t speak English!? To give everyone a quick summary of what it said, it said that they wanted to help me find my favorite drink. ??? Confused, I kept looking on and I then realized there was a gift card for 5 dollars!

Oh yeah, some people are jealous

Free stuff is AWESOME! I plan to rub it in the faces of all my coffee addict friends. Then, Idk if I actually want to use it. Maybe I should give it away…hmm, haven’t decided yet.

But what a great marketing technique by Starbucks. Trying to get me hooked so then I can spend at least $20 a week there. Smart, but they ain’t getting me =)

(Wish it was a gift card from Chipotle. That would RULE!)

so after 9-10 days of retreating, I finally got my day of rest. Man did I really need it.

Today I sorta learned how to swim! The only thing I can’t do is the coming up to breathe. I keep swallowing water V_V . But everything else is perfect. Maybe someone can help me out…

I also took some time to pray. I went to my favorite prayer spot my freshmen year which is the top of Gilman Parking Structure. It was a good time of prayer. I know God will be moving in 6th college this year.

The day finished off with a Japanese movie my apartmentmates forced me to watch. It was quite good actually. Don’t remember the title of the movie. It definitely makes me want to watch more foreign movies.

Just one more day of rest until the 6th freshmen move in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wish I could blog about everything God did at the retreats…but a lot of it is secret stuff ;)

In a couple of hours, the sun will rise. And then I will have to take a final. It will be a final based on intuition, on how the stock market works. Sigh, I’m so unmotivated to study. Why?

Everyone else seems done V_V and then my co-leaders are here! Yet, I am unable to hang out with them.

Sigh…almost there…then DORM TEAM RETREAT!!!