Aaron
Aaron: Back from the Coast!
Another successful weekend at the coast! I had loads of fun with my friend Jack despite the rain, and loved spending time with him catching up on life, our classes, and just college life in general. It’s hard to believe how beautifully moody and overgrown the coast is here in comparison to the more cut back and trimmed coasts I am used to in Southern California. Yet the ocean will always remind me of home, no matter what it looks like. We even went to a Museum near Newport which reminded me of a seventies version of SeaWorld with quaint, little exhibits and feedings of sea otters and a very active octopus!
After my friend moved on back to Portland, I accidentally ended up having a life-changing conversation with a classmate. This were about things I had shared with no one else. At the time, the conversation felt uncomfortable but I realize now the things I had discovered simply by talking and letting my emotions into the open rather than letting them slide away had me grow in a very short period of time. This led me to not be afraid to ask questions of others like my classmate did, just to see if they could open up to me like I did. Including a homeless man I met and gave change to…which led to him telling me about his journey and his perceptions on what has happened in his life. Hearing others’ emotional stories including my own has made me realize the importance of letting go rather than suppressing emotions in order to be able to grow as a person. And through this process I have been able to focus even more on academics and become more confident in my abilities. To me, these experiences this week have taught me to do without always needing to think about it. And that is a lesson I will never forget when discussing my time at Linfield.
My classes have been fantastic this week with me realizing…I am in entire control of my classes and the things that are due in each class. This is because I have given myself a chance to succeed in each class without being afraid of failing. Who knew my own insecurities about my own intelligence could fuel my future insecurities about intelligence as well! My psychology class is still relevant as ever, and my appreciation for music has grown to insane heights through my vocal training class. The simple things have me smile in class and I realize how the intimate class size of each of my classes allows me to learn so much more about each of my subjects through personalization of information and other very important lessons.
Curious to Travel
Since my last blog, things have remained steady! I’ve still remained incredibly interested in my Psychology class and feel I did well on my last test which I’ll recieve tomorrow *crosses fingers*… I participated in my first track meet and felt proud with what I accomplished. It was nice to have my teammates cheer me on during the meet as well. I ultimately feel closer to my team after attending the meet. I attended a team dinner the night before and it was cool to have all of my teammates bring different things and make a meal all on our own. I chipped in with a bag of salad, and thought it was such a smart idea to have them.
I find myself having more “down time” with myself and focusing on the things that interest me most. I’ve decided I have to find a way to explore outside of McMinville because I am very curious to see what’s out there. I’m looking at possibly taking the bus to visit friends in Portland that I miss quite a bit. Especially my best friend, Jack. I’ve been walking around the downtown area of McMinville quite a bit enjoying the sunshine and the shops here. I’ve been cooking at my dorm more, and eating at the dining halls less. Dare I say I’m feeling…rambunctious? Through all the classes I’ve been taking, they’ve reminded me just how curious I really am to explore different philosophies as well as study my surroundings. This has pushed me to the conclusion that I’ll need to study abroad at least once in my college experience. Because I do believe that’s where I belong and what I should be doing. I look at my senior friends and admire how close they all became after going on a study abroad trip to Ireland. Some moved in together, some became best friends…it seems to really bring people closer together and both experience the feelings associated with entering a new country, a new atmosphere.
If I were to study abroad, I know I’d have to go somewhere exotic. To me, I feel that there is a big difference when looking at a trip for education and a trip for recreation. Of course there is time for recreation in studying abroad, however, i believe when choosing a country to study abroad in you should look at a place which WILL make you uncomfortable and have you learn to respect other ways of being and living as well as what happiness consists of. What I mean by this, is that when looking at a country such as India or Guatemala, you will find more opportunities to see less emphases on the things that we hold important, and more emphases on the things we take for granted. And whether we agree with this opinion, you know this way of living at least exists and thrives just as our own culture does. As much as I’d love to study abroad in France, England or Germany, I feel as though I should look for a place that has more differentiation from my own ways of living such as possibly a place that doesn’t worry about cell service, traffic or being late for a job interview. A place that could have me feeling much more in tune to what life is like for those that live such an opposing life to my own.
Hopefully, I can study abroad by my Junior year. However, I really need to look into where and when I could go. I’m thinking I’m overdue in visiting my counselor and figuring out more of my schedule. I feel I need to take more of an initiative to figure out and organize all these grand needs I want from my college experience. I look at my friend, Jack, who has been offered to go to Berlin, New York and San Francisco over the summer and think that I’ve been travelling the world far less than I should be. Hopefully, I can try to find more ways to differentiate my life through travel and have more of a “can-do” attitude in achieving this goal. Thanks to my work study job, maybe I could save up money for the rest of spring semester in order to travel somewhere beautiful over the summer. That is the great thing about Linfield, is that I’ve been given the opportunity to plan out my life and make beautiful things happen. I just need to step up and plan the ways to make this all happen. If anything, I can appreciate the fact that these dreams I have could even become possible.
Spring break is coming up and I feel mixed thoughts on it. I’m very excited to visit my family in Roseburg, Oregon and celebrate Easter dinner with them. However, I feel almost not ready for a break. It feels like things are going very fast! Midterms are following Spring Break and it feels like Spring Semester has just begun. If anything, I know I will enjoy my break and will try to relax as much as possible. However, I have so much on my mind I’m not sure how much relaxation could be possible. It still is hard to believe I won’t be back in California till the summer. In a strange way, I’m not homesick. I feel I am starting to find a place here in Oregon where I didn’t as much in California. And as much as I miss it, I love how open I feel about myself here. Whether it’s more of a personal change than a geographical change, I feel much more that I have a voice here than I did back home thanks to Linfield.
If anything, I’ll be going with my friend to the coast on the week following spring break, which I’m excited for. It’ll be nice to feel mobile and see another beautiful part of Oregon. My favorite part of Oregon, in fact.
P.S: Oh, and if you’re wondering about the picture, that’s me at a nearby park in McMinville just thinking and dreaming. I often go to that beautiful park to think about all of these dreams I have. Also to study. Of course!
P.S. Again: The weather has been beautiful here! The sun’s out and reminds everyone that spring is upon us (Oregon’s best season!!!) Which keeps me optimistic and keeps me going. Love it!
New Beginnings
So, in the last blog entry I talked about my newfound interests in different things academically as well as socially. And I couldn’t be happier! I feel I have given myself a chance to expand and grow as an individual and Linfield has been helping me tremendously in that process. Constantly checking in at the Student Health Center, I feel that my lifelong challenges with concentration and organization have been consitently alleviated and I can focus purely on the task at hand. Thanks Student Health Center! Love you guys!
This week I got to engage in a lot of fun events in which I’ve gotten to bond with all sorts of great people. After visiting some friends at their apartment here on campus, a friend of mine accompanied me to midnight bowling as well as dancing to eighties pop and No Doubt on several occasions… Next weekend I plan to take her to the coast with me with another friend from Lewis & Clark! Hopefully next blog I can upload some great pictures of it!
Academically speaking, I still find myself incredibly interested in Psychology as we’ve moved into even deeper topics such as sexuality and brain activity in ways untouched by my high school Psychology class. With the help of the Student Health Center, I’ve been keeping up on the readings in my classes with a greater ease than ever before during my college experience. Dare I say I’ve been broken into the college life? If not currently, then I do feel that life here will become more and more comfortable the more I explore here.
Aaron: Now onto Spring Semester
Well, it has been quite a journey as I’ve gotten accustomed to college life! Yet, right now, Linfield has honestly offered me te happiest and most fascinating times in my life from the classes I’ve been taking, to the incredible people I have met along my journey. This is my first semester participating in a sport here at linfield, Track and Field, and I had forgotton what a great feeling it is to have regular exercise! I feel as though not only my health and well-being has improved, but also helps me sleep and do homework!
I also have decided to be BOLD this semester and try different classes that aren’t a part of my political science major. As a freshman in college, I felt I needed some extra exploration before I decided entirely that Political Science is the right fit for me. And now, I’m so glad I did! This is because now I find myself intensely interested in my Survey of Psychology class! I also love all my other classes including Voice lessons (And yes, that’s an actual credit), Acting and Critical Thinking!
When I first came back from January break, I felt very homesick and out of place. I felt some frustration and confusion with trying to adjust to the schedule change. However, I feel it was just natural to feel this way, so I tried talking to the Health Center. They were very sensitive to my needs and I really felt they cared to help me. In the end, I feel as though it changed my outlook on the things I need to try to work on such as organization and time management while celebrating my strengths of artistic ability and determination. Through this discovery, I found strength to continue with my schedule despite pressures from home to continue in political science and found out several other passions and interests that I also have. Now, I have found the confidence to make new friends and just try to be happy and relaxed no matter what the circumstances. What I have ultimately found out this semester, is that your happiness the ultimate compass to your successes not only in college but in life as well.
I’m so excited to see where all of these new discoveries of mine will go. But whatever happens, I know I will never regret this semester.
Aaron: Autumn Came Quickly
Fall is upon us! Coming from San Diego area I never knew just how cool season changes are! The leaves are all vibrant golds, reds and purples and leaves fall all around the campus constantly which is really beautiful to watch. There are photo-ops wherever you go here!
So just finished up family weekend and have to say it generated some of the best memories I’ve had since going to Linfield. They took me out to all the DELICIOUS restaurants there are in McMinville and even took me to a football game which was an incredible game where I swear the Linfield Wildcats had three touchdowns in only about five minutes! I got an awesomely Oregon carepackage full of fresh Honeycrisp apples and some of her delicious homemade pickles which I have been snacking on ever since the first night I took them to the dorms! I had so much fun and never had a moment where I was at all bored…that’s for sure.
So far I have been writing countless essays in my classes. It seems to never end I just continue to write and write and write some more. But, overall, I can tell I am improving and focusing my abilities more to focus on what they really want me to get at in each type of essay (hopefully I’ll get an A on one of my papers sometime this semester!!!) In my clases we have been discussing alot about the upcoming election and people’s predictions which has been a great way to engage my classmates as well. Very impressed by that.
I tie dyed shirts with my friend awhile back just to show all the fun activities I’ve been able to participate in including handing out candy to kids on Halloween yesterday. There really is so much to participate in which, hopefully, I will find more time to take part in.
I have been thinking alot about what classes I’m going to take this Spring semester since the day for registration is coming up quicker than I ever thought it would! I think I want to go in a more “English” direction next term considering nearly all of my classes have a political science basis.Creative writing is the class I want to take more than anything next spring I have my fingers crossed that I’ll get in!! But if I don’t I’ll just try to talk to the professor and try to squeeze me in, it’s incredibly easy to meet with them which is always nice!
Overall, things are definitely settling in. Never is there a moment that is dull or without something to do here which works for me. Everything seems to be going at warp speed whereas senior year of high school felt like 20 years which is such a huge change for me. I think the major thing is to just remain positive and be open to change when in college… if you “don’t know” something then ask! The opportunities are really there for students here and I plan on using them as much as possible to make sure I’m doing all I can as a student and as a person to succeed (as corny as that sounds!)