Check-out weekend

Last weekend, Meghan and I undertook the task of cleaning up our floor for the year.

We had to take out the trash that accumulated in our elbow lounge. When we were trying to throw a bag of trash into the dumpster, we missed and it split open and fell on our heads...

We were grossed out...and it's possible that we were cursing our residents...

Then when we were emptying a different trash can, we dropped it in the dumpster, so I had to go after it...

During our trash run, a few other staffmates came over to see what the screaming and laughing was about...so we took a few pictures :)

While we were packing up our floor supplies, we found some party balloons...and decided to fill them with water...

and throw them out our windows at the people below...
But we needed to get a better angle...
After a hard day of work, we decided to take a coffee break...and take more pictures :)

By the time we got back from coffee (and visiting our new houses) we rounded up the staff and went to Chili's for dinner...

While at Chili's, Meghan and I's water balloon adventures were disclosed! However instead of a revolt, the rest of the staff suggested a large scale water balloon fight! So we went to Wal-Mart to buy more water balloons...

Tyler found a cute little bike...

I found a Shark Truck...

Aryn and CJ found Fun Noodles...

Tyler found that he wanted to strangle CJ with a Fun Noodle...

CJ found the camera...

One more stop after walmart: Cold Stone!










When we got back to school, Erin and I started on the task of filling the 750 water balloons...

Because of prior transgressions, Tyler dumped a pot of water on Meghan...sad day
Overall, it was a weekend of many laughs that just added to goodness that this year has been :)

Dear California,

I think we need to take a break. Our relationship has always been a little rocky...on for four months, off for one, then on again for four months, then off again for three. I always come back to you. You have been more than generous in waiting for me. But doing this for the past three years is beginning to wear on me. I feel that we have known each other long enough to make a stronger commitment. However, I am not ready for that. I feel like I have let this go on too long and there are feeling developing on both sides. I do not want to lead you on any longer. I must be honest with you.

I hate to break your heart, but there is someone else. I have always loved Washington. I don't know if you could ever fill the hole that the mountains and rain would carve out, should I leave them. You have admirable qualities as well, but it is far too difficult to get over your first love. I'm not sure I want to do that.

The two of you have places in my heart. Please do not doubt that I care deeply about you, California. However, I need some space to think through this dual love. I am going to visit a friend this summer, Africa, to hopefully gain some perspective.

Please do not cry dear California. You are far too beautiful to let tears stain your face.

Regretfully torn in two,

Amanda

Year 3

Done!


It was a good one.

A Quick Africa Update

Well, Africa is about a month and a half away. I have met most of the team. I have sent out postcards and letters (if you did not get one, let me know and I'll sent one your way!). I have started fundraising. I have looked at flights.

As school is finishing up, I am beginning to shift my focus to prepare for this trip.

Now the questions start to surface:

• What do I take?
• Do I need shots?
• Do I need to look into currency exchange?
• What is the best flight deal?
• What if I have to travel by myself?
• How many books can I take to read?
• Will my cell phone work in Africa?
• Will I have internet access?
• What if my fundraising doesn't come in?
• And on the list goes...

Honestly, everything about Africa scares me. I have never been out of the country (minus Mexico), let alone, having to coordinate the travel plans by myself. It is an unknown area. The trip has an unknown schedule. I don't really know the other people going. It would be easy to pull the plug; to just stay home for the summer. To claim the "lack of finances" card and give up my place. But even in my ceaseless worry, God is prodding my heart to trust him. For every doubt that I have come up against, I have seen twice as many confirmations.

Last week, I received a letter for someone refusing to financially support me because they questioned the validity of using business to bring spiritual restoration to Africa. In tears, I cried out to God, "You have called me to this internship, but I don't see how I am going to get there!" Within 24 hours of this cry of dejection, two people offered to pray for me, my fundraising, and this trip and someone else expressed a desire to financially support me, despite their own personal economic situation. I have nothing but endless gratitude for these people.

I have confidence that God will provide in his time so, I continue to press on in prayer and thanksgiving for the opportunity that God is giving me this summer to see His plan for the integration of business and missions.

So that is where I am at: Short on financing, but Full of confidence :)

A few prayer requests:

• I currently have $800 raised, but need $2,000 by the end of May to buy my plane ticket and $5,000 total by the end of June to fund the rest of the trip
• I really am anxious about traveling and all the aspects that come with that
• I am exhausted from school and need rest

Please keep me and this trip (the team, the leaders, the people of Africa) in your prayers!

Much Love,

Amanda

R.A.cademy Awards

Last Sunday I attended the 100th annual R.A.cademy Awards...No, no, I did not change my major to film or go to a real award show in L.A. This was our end of the year R.A. banquet. Since we could not go off campus for dinner, the RDs got real creative for the theme of the banquet. We even had a RESLIFE sign (as in the HOLLYWOOD sign in Burbank...)

This was just a fun night of celebrating the time and effort that we have poured into our residents for the past year. It has been such a blessing to have been a part of the Reslife program here at Biola University. I have been impacted by people and programs that have contributed to the shaping of who I am today.

It's been a good run and I won't soon forget all the memories :)

In case you were wondering, our staff won Best Musical Comedy

A train somewhere...

So I already posted this on our staff blog, but I liked it so much that I decided to double dip :)
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So my sister is getting her wisdom teeth out this week. That thought took me on an adventure...

Wisdom teeth...
Puffy cheeks...
Squirrels...
Chipmunks...
Chip and Dale...
Rescue Rangers...

Ch-ch-ch-ch-chip n' dale!

Anyone up for a study break???

P.S.I've been in the library for a while...I think the books are taunting me :\

To my mom...

Dear Mom,

I love you more than you can know.

You have stood by me and helped my walk with courage.
You have stood in front of my and led me down the right paths as well as protected me from harm.
You have stood behind me and supported my decisions and given me a foundation to build on.
You have been a beautiful example of a godly women who loves her husband, her parents, her siblings and her children.

You have done everything right in raising Jon, Caitlin, and me. I just wanted to take a minute to tell you how much I appreciate you!

Happy Mother's Day!
I wish I could be with you to celebrate, but I send my love all the same :)

Much Love,
Manda

Caitlin, Mom, Amanda, Jon

Epic Battle

"It was a dark and stormy night, an epic battle raging outside. The enemy is quite the strategist. They attempted a direct attack only to be beaten back. However, this enemy does not surrender easily. They feinted a retreat, but then conducted a sneak attack and overpowered the previously weakened defenses. The heat of the battle has not yet abated. Neither side will surrender, yet neither side is powerful enough to claim absolute victory..."

OK, so it was not a real dark and stormy night. It's actually been quite nice out; some sunshine, a cool breeze, and the parrots are back on campus. However, what makes it dark and stormy is that I'm an sick. I felt it coming on Monday, but it subsided. I thought I was in the clear until Wednesday morning when I woke up and couldn't breathe all that well - congestion plays dirty. My first thought: "This is good. I have 7 hours of straight class and Mock Interviews for Accounting Society..." But other than discovering that my nose has been replaced with a faucet and I have sinus pressure strong enough to rival the oceanic pressure pushing on the Titanic, I'm great! Finals are around the corner and I've never hated 21 units more in my life :D

Overachieving bites you in the butt at the most inconvenient times...