To listen or not to listen to Christmas Music and reflection on my SoCal Winters...

So the industry standard to listen to Christmas music is after Thanksgiving. I've often broken this rule several times because of a certain song by Mariah Carey which I happen to believe should be listened to year round, yes this one... http://www.youtube.co/watch?v=-8rY0Fyws20

After living on the east coast for the last 9 years, a certain thing called snow, has also put me in a mood to start listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving. But what happens when it doesn't snow before Thanksgiving? Is it still ok?
I can't complain that it hasn't snowed yet because this years Western PA winter thus far reminds me of the cold, frigid, rough times of a Southern California winter. I'm not joking that we thought it was freezing in November, December and January. I distinctly remember going to school in a fleece and seeing other classmates in goose down parkas and Starter Jackets (You know what I'm talking about...I always wanted one, a Raiders one of course)


I also thought Winter ended in February and didn't know what being "Closed for the Season" meant until I went to college in Boston. I remember when I went home for Christmas break during my freshman year of college and I forced my high school friends to go to the beach. Anyways, I digress back to original topic, Christmas music.

Reasons to listen before Thanksgiving:
1. 30 days isn't enough to get your fix of songs that you can only listen to during one part of the year.
2. It helps you get into the Christmas Spirit. Not the Jesus is the reason for the season spirit, but the Buddy the Elf Christmas spirit that makes us feel all warm and goosey inside. (And yes maybe this is a reason to not listen to it because Jesus is the reason, but we often forget that)

3. Christmas decorations are up in malls and shops the day after Halloween so we might as well embrace it.
4. There aren't any Thanksgiving songs, except for Adam Sandler's "Turkey Song"

Reasons not to:
1. Some people don't like Christmas music. I will never understand this but I have friends who can't stand it.
2. You can't even say "Merry Christmas" anymore because it's PI, so why would you even think about listening to songs about it?
3. It's the same songs over and over, being sung by different people.



As for myself I have to admit I have sneaked in a little Mariah "All I want" and the Drifters "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas". I'm trying to ease myself into it. I haven't made a Christmas playlist on my itunes yet, but I think it's alright to want that Buddy the Elf feeling and you can only get it once a year, so you might as well try to get it going sooner rather then later.

Jon Foreman- Your Love is Strong

Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I look at the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day

So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us wicked sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons

My Philosophy of Multicultural Affiars in Higher Education

Ok so here was my final assignment for my Philosophical Foundations of Learning and Knowledge Class...

The purpose of higher education can be defined in several various ways, but whatever the motivation for a college degree, the primary objective is to learn. An idealistic hope for those who work in higher education would be for students to gain knowledge to be a better well-rounded individual who with her talents can help further society. College is a unique time where students can figure out who they are, what their likes and dislikes are, what their gifts and talents are, and also what they are passionate about. It is also a time where students will be pushed and molded. Students will not always get what they want, even though they feel entitled to it and will learn from discipline and difficult trials. Knowledge is acquired in the classroom and also outside the classroom by everyday social interactions, and individual decisions. Professionals in student affairs are put in place to help with the knowledge gained outside the classroom.
It is a daunting feeling to realize that you don’t know everything, and that you are one individual in a very vast and diverse world. This realization is the first step in becoming open minded and progressive to new and foreign ideas. Individuals are prideful, which leads to hurt and suffering. This mentality leads people to believe that their own opinions and beliefs are superior to others. Unfortunately no one likes being told what to do, how to think, or that there belief in a certain political party is inferior to another’s. The knowledge gained of taking in another person’s perspective on politics is an example of a social interaction that helps the process of an individuals learning outside of the classroom. How the person uses this experience is a different story.
My passions lie in racial reconciliation. My hope for students who come to college is for them to experience the joys and pains of human culture. As a student learns more about themselves, it is important for them to never stop being satisfied. This is not a call to be negative and pessimistic about everything, but a call for students to not give up on the unanswered, not to lose their inner childlike mindset of curiosity, and to never stop learning. The moment you stop learning and decide that you know everything is the moment that you stop living. No day is the same, and if you spend most of your energy trying to make it comfortable and safe, you miss most of the great things that are passing you by.
It is important for students to relate to others, realize their own gifts and abilities and care for others. These ideas are based off of learning theories of various philosophers, teachers and psychologists. The idea of relating to others is taken from Pablo Freire’s “Pedagogy of the Oppressed”. Freire believed that meeting people where they are would help bridge the gap that individualism creates and the end product would be far more productive. The realization of gifts and abilities is taken from Howard Gardner’s “Theory of Multiple Intelligences”. Gardner believed that each individual has different intelligences whether they be mathematical and rhetoric or musically and spatially. If each person uses his or her intelligences and talents then the world would be a better place. The idea to care for others is taken from Nell Nodding’s “Feminist Learning Theory”. Nodding believed that every person needs to be cared and loved for. This is shown in different ways, but if a person is cared for then the idea is that she will then pass that love to another person, and in turn would cause a domino effect on society.
Many students don’t realize that racism and prejudice opinions still exist in the United States of America. The problem definitely exists, but is somewhat socially accepted through different cultural jokes and undertones. The root of racism is ignorance. Ignorance towards not knowing much about another culture and believing that one’s own culture is superior to others and ignorance that learning of other cultures and ethnicities is unnecessary. It is necessary that students in college learn the importance of culture and ethnicities, while their minds are being shaped, molded and influenced by new thoughts, ideas and concepts. One of the most important ideas that is not being embraced, is multiculturalism. Multiculturalism can be defined in several ways, but my definition of multiculturalism is to understand, and respect different cultures and ethnicities. The biggest deterrent for multiculturalism on campuses is that students do not want to learn and embrace the idea, because as stated before they see no importance in learning about other cultures and ethnicities. As our society becomes more technologically advanced, and communication with other countries becomes more of a regular thing, as our economy continues to struggle and new creative ways of outsourcing products to different business across the world, students better realize that the world does not evolve around the United States of America anymore. Student Affairs must provide opportunities to learn the concept of multiculturalism. If students do not embrace the opportunities then the fault is placed on them, not the faculty and staff.

So you just have to hope...

I am currently taking a Philosophy of Education class and have come to a conclusion that anything that we do, any job that we have, anything that we're passionate about, we're never going to see it fully come to fruition. For example, my passion for racial reconciliation, and racial harmony will probably never be accomplished in my lifetime. It's daunting to look at the big picture (society). It's depressing to look at my immediate surroundings on a Christian college campus. You would think that Christians would be setting the example and loving each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, but we're just as broken and sinful as secular schools. Nevertheless I can't focus on the negatives, all the hoops and the politics. I can't say, "what's the use..." and give up. It's the little battles, the conversations I have with students, coworkers and friends. The blessing to see a persons views change for the better. The grassroots effort to be good stewards of the earth and live in a redemptive state. There is always going to be something wrong, and no matter how many times I achieve the next step, nothing will ever be good enough. Except for God.

At this point in my life I can see 2 stages. The first stage of life is experiencing, growing, and learning about yourself. You try to figure out how God has uniquely wired you as an individual and how you can impact the world with your talents, gifts, and passions.
The second stage of life is trying to figure out how to do what you're passionate about. Even if you are put in a position where you can do what you're passionate about, there will always be trials and tribulations. There will always be hoops and hurdles, and there will ALWAYS be politics. It seems sometimes that we spend 90% of our time fighting the logistical/political brokenness so that we can have the 10% of time to do what we truly love. I just recently had a conversation with my friend Lance. He is going through some political stickiness at work as a youth pastor. With all of the circumstances, only one student showed up to youth group. I told him, "you know what Lance, it's easy to be discouraged by that. But the sweet thing is that one student showed up, which means you got to do what you love and what you're passionate about. You got to love that student and teach him about Christ."

It is SO easy to focus on the negatives. I think it's because we spend the majority of our time focusing on and trying to fix the bad. But we are called to so much more. Think about your life. Think about it as a pie chart. How much of the pie can you fill with blessings, and positive things that are going on in your life right now? I would say the majority of the pie is positive and only a fraction of the pie is negative. We can't let the dark effect the light....the LIGHT always outshines the dark. We only think that the dark outweighs the light, because we're human, sinful, and we don't trust God.

3 Reasons why there is a lack of minorities on Christian College Campuses

I was having a discussion with one of my friends and other RD Austin and the topic of minorities on our campus came up. I came up with a theory of why all Christian Colleges are lacking in this area, and since I don't want to forget my theory, and because I thought the ideas were pretty good I thought I'd share them, so here we go.

1. The cost of a Christian College Education is high.
The new trend in higher education right now especially since our economy is not doing so hot is to attend Jr. College first and then transfer to a 4 year institution. If students are trying save money on State College tuition where does that leave private liberal arts institutions? Most minority students come from lower middle class or lower class families. To be able to afford a private college education would be a stretch.

2. Many minority students are not academically prepared for a Liberal Arts Education.
Speaking from my own experience, I grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles, went to public school my whole life and was in a very good school district. I did fairly well in High School academically but never really applied myself. I struggled mightily when I attended Gordon. I was not prepared at all for the work load, and expectations that my professors had for me. I am just now learning how to study as a graduate student. If I struggled academically coming from a good school district, where does that leave students who come from bad school districts?

The majority of minority students will be found in highly populated areas in and around major cities. The majority of public schools in urban areas are struggling to prepare there students academically. Students are being taught how to pass standardized tests rather than learning knowledge and information that would prove to be useful as they continue to grow physically and mentally. If a student can achieve high marks at their particular school, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are prepared to do well in college, especially at a small private college.

3. Minorities need to be highly adaptable and or have a missionary mindset in order to succeed at a Christian College.
As a minority attending Gordon I had no idea what I was getting into. I grew up in one of most diverse cities in the world and all of sudden my surroundings were the polar opposite. The majority of people around me were caucasian (90%). I had a couple of options at this point.

a. I could adapt to my surroundings and be willing and open to share my experiences and knowledge to other students. With a proper attitude of grace, meaning that I had to recognize that some students might say offensive things but had to recognize that the intent was not to be mean but out of ignorance/innocence.

b. Fully adapt, and not recognize my culture but embrace the majority culture (This is probably the most easiest for Asian students compared to other etnicities). This mentality would look something like this...I'm surrounded by white people, and I am comfortable with white culture, so I will not make race or culture an issue and continue to not step on toes and live as white as possible.

c. Unadapt and embrace my own culture i.e. challenge the status quo and die trying. This would mean fully embracing your racial or ethnic culture and let the majority culture influence you as little as possible. The problem with this option is that the mentality of having a proper attitude of grace mentioned in option a. is usually not taken. This is where the rub comes. White students would view these students as very ethnocentric and over-sensitive to racial issues, maybe to the point where small issues would be turned into much bigger ones.

So what is the solution?

The first obstacle of finances is going to be an ongoing problem for the rest of our lives and for generations to come. To Gordon's credit they did establish a program called the Clarendon Scholars Program for more information about it click here...http://www.gordon.edu/clarendonscholars
The challenge for Christian Colleges is that finances are always tight, especially when they are tuition driven. But if they begin to take a risk and expand the pool of which they try to attract students to markets of students of all types of backgrounds and ethinicities, then the challenge of getting in the numbers will be easier. If you have a bigger pond, there are more fish, more fish means it's easier to catch them...Yes you might be use to trout, but tuna and salmon taste pretty good too.

The second obstacle and third obstacle go hand in hand I believe. This initiative needs to start from the top down, meaning upper administration and board members need to make diversity a priority because major changes need to happen in order to fix these obstacles. Here are some things that I think need to happen at Christian Colleges in order for us to see a major change.

The obvious answer is that there needs to be more of a presence of minorities on faculty and staff. Students need to be able to go to professors of there own ethnicity and culture. This was vital for me at Gordon. I had one professor who was Chinese. She understood the cultural battle I was going through with my parents and was vital in my choices in the career path I took as well as helping me to graduate from college.

Professors need to adapt and change their way of thinking. Tim Clydesdale, author of "First Year Out" mentions the idea that the true academic student is a rare bread. Meaning the student that comes to college to purely learn, and gain knowledge to be a more well rounded person is few and far between. The majority of students come to college because it's just the next step after high school and it will get them a higher paying job. Am I saying that academic standards need to come down? Absolutely not. But the way we teach things does need to change. The lecture and note method isn't as effective anymore, especially to students who grew up in a urban public education system. Interactive learning, and other new creative ways to teach, needs to be the next step for ALL college students not just minorities to succeed.

Administration needs to continue to push diversity programs and racial reconciliation. I don't know how to sugarcoat this so I won't. White students think that racial problems do not exist because they haven't dealt with it first hand (because everyone looks and talks like them). This also means that faculty need to buy in to the fact that diversity is a problem on Christian Campuses. The more Christian Colleges do to recognize that there is a problem the more minority students will notice. It's ugly, it's messy, but it's so worth it. What does it say about the kingdom of God when our Christian product of education can't attract different cultures and races? We're not only failing other cultures but we are failing our students right now, for not giving them a proper perspective of what the world has to offer.

"Light Bulb" Moment

"Don't program just to program" I said to the RA's. Trying to plea to them the idea that if you're passionate about being an RA and what you do, you won't look at programs as a task to check off but something that you desire to do because it will help fulfill your passion. It then hit me personally...how often do I do things because I have to or just to check them off? I love building relationships with students. How many of my requirements in my job are to enable me to build relationships? Doesn't studying make me a more knowledgeble and a well rounded RD? Doesn't putting on hall programs allow me to spend time with students in my building? I then thought about how I need to apply this thought process into my whole life.
My passion for God...
Shouldn't I want to read scripture so I can know him better? I have always struggled with reading scripture and felt guilty because as a Christian I should read the bible everyday. I was looking at this virtue and pulling it down into a worldly level, as a task I needed to do, and often failed to do. I always heard about others and their challenge to desire to want to know God more, and how reading scripture was something you should want to do. I always balked at that idea, why would I desire to do something that I can't make a priority.

This reminds me of a scene in the movie "The Breakup"

Brooke and Gary get into a fight after hosting a dinner for Brooke's family. Gary immediately goes to the living room to play video games after the guests leave. Brooke get's frustrated with Gary because she just cooked a meal and there are dishes piled up in the kitchen. (Gary is somewhat justified for just wanting to relax because he came from a long hard day at work...)
The fight escalates and Gary reluctantly says something like, "ok, ok, I'll do the damn dishes." Brooke then says, "I don't want you to just do the dishes I want you to want to clean the dishes."
Then Gary yells..."Why I would I ever WANT to clean the dishes?"

It's true...why would anyone ever want to do the dishes? But at the same time, if you love someone and know how hard they have worked, you should desire to help them and serve them in any way possible....i.e. to want to clean the dishes. Gary eventually learns this lesson, after he loses Brooke and tells her "It's not about doing the things you love, it's about doing things with the one you love! "

Camp....loved it

So I've been back from camp for about 2 weeks. I started RD training and have been trying to recover physically from a long, tiring, but awesome summer. This summer was a special one because it was my first time back since 2005. I think the craziest and sweetest part about being back was seeing old campers that I worked with now serving on Leadership, as Kitchen Crew Disciplers and Counselors. It was also kind of nice to have some structure to my day. Yes, you might think I'm crazy, but it was nice to get into the habit of getting up at 7 everyday. The days are long at camp, but they fly, just like the weeks, and the months. All of sudden I was done at camp again, and I didn't even realize it.
3rd term was a special one because my parents came out and served. My mom was the camp nurse and my Dad helped out with grounds for 2 weeks. Although it was a really rough start for my Dad, I am really thankful and grateful that they got to experience camp. It's so difficult to explain what happens there, so a lot people assume it's some type of cult (not joking), but for my parents to experience competions betweens Romans and Galatians, Summer Life Nights, Surprise Night, the Wrestling Meet etc...was priceless. They definitely saw that God was working at camp through the counselors and the campers and they saw that I wasn't wasting my summers when I was in college.