Cedarville University

Hey Jessica,

I’m glad to hear you too are a bit leery about sharp pointy objects. The things we do to appease the moms and stay healthy. What are they doing to us?! In all honesty, I certainly see the importance of getting the shot even if it does mean plunging a foreign body through the skin deep into the muscle tissue and dispensing a dead virus into the blood stream! Bring it on!!

This fall I will be transferring to CU as a sophomore from the wonderful state of Washington. I attended Wenatchee Valley College (if you look at a map of Washington State, Wenatchee is located in the middle if it’s even recognized at all). I attended two years and have an AAS degree in Business Management and Accounting. However, I hate business all together and so will be changing my major. I plan to double major in Piano Performance and Composition/Theory. Music is, I feel, what God is calling me to do. Besides God, family and friends, it is something that fills my heart with joy. I have still to audition for admittance into the music department but am enjoying the preparation.

I have most of my Gen Eds completed and so am just a credit or two shy of being a junior. Some of my classes I took at WVC were unable to be transferred due to the fact that they were not Christian based. Plus I took a concentration of business classes instead of taking a more well rounded group of courses. But I can say that I am really looking forward to the selection CU offers in this area.

Currently, I have been asked to room with a friend I met last year. He lives in Palmer on the hill. I’m really excited to live in the dorms around a bunch of other Christian guys.

Have you visited the campus yet? Have you gotten all your finances together? What attracted you to Cedarville? How did you hear about CU? Sorry, it’s hard not to get excited! Just five months left!

Hey Jessica,

I was pretty surprised to find a response after so soon posting my own message. You go girl! And as for being as far as I am in school, let’s just say changing your major midstream isn’t the greatest. Instead of having only two more years to complete a degree, I now have at least three and a half left, that is to say if I take an overload of credits each semester. But these classes are actually of interest to me so will not be so unbearable as the economics and accounting classes I have taken.

It should be pretty nice to have family so close to school. I’m afraid I’ll be terribly homesick when I get over there. I’ve never really been on my own and lived with my mom during my two years of college to save on expenses. So to be without someone familiar will certainly be an adjustment. Consider yourself blessed in that matter.

I have yet to visit the campus due mainly to finances. I’m trying to save up as much as possible so I do not have to borrow as much in student loans. However, I really want to visit CU later this spring. I know I’ll love the college but I still would like to set foot on campus to get a real sense of it all. I would like to talk with Karisa in person and go to one of the chapel services and possibly some of the classes. But for now, I can quote the informational DVD the school sent me last year!

Right now, I have yet to get all my finances in order. I’m still trying to decide which financial institution would best fit my needs. I don’t really know much about student loans so will soon get an education in finance. I’m just trusting the Lord will provide, which really is all we can do. It’s really reassuring to know that we have a caring God who always wants what’s best for us.

When it comes to music, I’m a big fan of most music styles. However, I tend to lean more toward classical and movie soundtracks. Pretty boring sounding but I never have to worry about profanity and cursing. I do enjoy listening to the local Christian radio station and have come to really like Michael W. Smith, Jars of Clay, Accappella, Switchfoot, etc. I really enjoy listening to Charlotte Church and Josh Groban too. How about you?

Reading is a big hobby. I really enjoy the classics, works from Gaston Lareoux, Alexandre Dumas, William Golding, Oscar Wilde, Robert Louis Stevens, Rudyard Kipling, Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, etc. I haven’t really read much of the contemporary authors. I like the writing style of the older folk. They knew how to turn a phrase and make it sound beautiful. Do you like reading? What authors do you like most?

Piano is by far my favorite hobby. It should since I’ll be majoring in it! I’ve played for almost six years but have been told it comes naturally. My favorite composers are Chopin and Debussy. Probably pretty predictable. I seem to remember you were interested in music classes. What instrument do you play and what sort of music do you like?

I also really enjoy the occasional funny movie and quoting it. My best friend and I love quoting movies. However, it’s pretty sad when our entire conversation is nothing but quotes. But we have a blast. What movies do you like to watch?

Okay, I see I’m getting a little carried away with this response so will quit while I’m ahead. Have fun tomorrow shopping for you dorm!

Hey Jessica,

How was your shopping spree? I wanted to respond sooner, in fact it was all I could think about yesterday, but couldn’t find the time to get on the Internet. I feel like I’ve been on this discussion forum all day, every day. It’s addicting…but so much fun! Sorry about the music thing. I must be thinking of someone else though I don’t remember whom. Sad!

Okay, Jessica, you’re a girl after my own heart. I love your taste in music, especially Beauty and the Beast and the Lion King. When I read that, I instinctively cried out, "Yes!" You can’t go wrong with Disney music, especially when it’s composed by Alan Menken/Howard Ashman and Hans Zimmer. So I’m a nut for soundtracks! Some of my favorite composers for the big screen are John Williams, James Horner, John Debney, Danny Elfman, Alan Menken, Alan Sylvestri, and many more. Since I’m interested in orchestrating someday, I find it fascinating to listen for personal style. If you listen really close to a few measures, you can guess who the composer is. Sad!

Great idea, by the way, about storing your DVDs. I was wondering how to get mine over to Ohio. I’m a big fan of action movies, of course…I’m a guy! But every now and then, probably thanks to my mom and sister, the occasional chic flick is great. Movies like Ever After, A Walk to Remember, The Wedding Planner, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, Anna and the King are all really good. Pretty much any movie with a good plot, some intrigue, and plenty of action I enjoy watching. But let’s not forget about comedy. I love Chris Farley and David Spade movies (ie Black Sheep, Tommy Boy, etc.). They have some great lines in them! "Oh! I’ve interrupted happy time…Shut up, Richard." "Well…your head has a thick candy shell." My best friend and I can quote pretty much both movies from start to finish.

Family? I suppose you might say I have a big family. There’s five of us not including in-laws. I have two older brothers and an older sister. Yes, I am the baby and loving it! My older siblings are all out of college and are, therefore, no longer at home. It’s just Mom and me. My oldest brother and his wife live in Bellingham, Washington, while my second oldest brother and his wife live in Tampa, Florida. My sister currently lives in Bellingham but will soon be moving to Tampa. And pretty soon I’ll be off to Ohio! I can’t wait! How about you? Do you have any siblings?

Vacation spot? My favorite vacation spot would have to be somewhere on the West Coast, probably the coast of Oregon. Pretty general, huh? I love the water and boats. My uncle was once a submariner and with his stories of heroics, has passed down a love for the ocean and the Navy. Everything seems to be magnified when you’re near the ocean. The sunsets are more beautiful, the weather is cooler, there’s more rain (I love the rain)…there’s just too many things. What about you? Do you have a favorite vacation spot?

I’m really anxious to get over to Cedarville. Since the first time I watched the informational video my pastor’s daughter gave me, I knew that CU was where God was directing me. I had been looking at other Christian colleges but could not find one that offered what I wanted. Most of them were strictly seminary schools, and I don’t feel called to preach. Others were so small they couldn’t offer much and their campus consisted merely of four buildings. I was getting pretty discouraged and was seriously looking into a secular state school but hated the thought of not being around people of like faith. I’ve seen the influence a secular school has and didn’t want to be taught a bunch of garbage that was going to diminish my faith. So I’m very thankful God is directing me to CU. They offer exactly what I want. The school, itself, is emaculate and the students I’ve met actually have a genuine love for God. There literally is too much about CU that I love.

I have yet to receive my course schedule but will certainly let you know what classes I’m taking. The Bible classes should be really interesting. So far, I’m planning on staying on the Hill in Palmer. That’s where my prospective roommate lives now. I’m still waiting to know for sure. Where do you want to stay? Are you looking to live in a suite or the hall dorms? Do you play any sports? What are your hobbies? What activities do you want to get involved in at CU? Well that’s a start. I’m really excited to someday meet you. Perhaps we’ll be in the same small group come Getting Started Weekend! Exciting!