Wrong Class...

Today is my second day at CSUCI (and I say is because I am still here waiting for my computer class to start) and I have to say there are some definite highlights for today.

1. My SPED/PSY 345 class has a girl that I used to play soccer with named Anna Lee.
2. My SPED/PSY 345 class has a girl from Sarah's class in it named Krista Sweezy.
3. Upon taking role in my SPED/PSY 345 class I come to find out that the girl that sat next to me's last name is also Andrews (the instructor thought we were sisters but it was a total accident that we sat next to each other... I have never seen her before in my life).
4. And yes, for the first time in my life, I went to the wrong class... Now is wasn't as bad as I imagined it would be. I sat in a tini little class alone for about 20 mins before three other people joined me. When it came time for class to begin and no one else was there, I decided to look into it. Turns out the class schedule had posted one room while her syllabus (which I thankfully printed out last night) said another. The four of us hurried to the other class where she didn't even notice we were late.

I am actually really excited about my SPED/PSY345 class. It's a Special Education/Psychology class that discusses Individuals with Disabilities. These Disabilities rang from AD/HD to Cerebral Palsy to Tourette's. It should be a fun class with a lot of writing. My English class is going to be a little rough, but I think I am excited about it. I am excited to work on my writing and hopefully become a better writer. Maybe then people will actually read my blog... (JK!). My computer class is about to begin. Pray that I can remember everything I need to know about Microsoft to be able to test out of this class...

What is a Function?

Def (n): a Function is an assignment between two sets A and B such that any element of A is assigned to exactly one element of B.

Today marked my first official day at Cal State Channel Islands. I only had one class which if you can't tell already was Calculus. Today we did a little review on Functions but I spent most of the time thinking about how all math professors are exactly the same! Has anyone else ever noticed this? I am not sure if it applies to High School math teachers so much... well... maybe it does... Let's see... Most math teachers (and I say most and not all because it's not fair to say all) are tall? Not super tall but in the 5'8" club at least (which is taller than me so I say tall)... Asian (and again, I say most... and it's not a racist comment... just an observation)... Awkward (and I say this because it's true... they walk into the room all quiet and reserved and try and crack jokes that aren't funny... but are funny because they think it's funny)... Quiet and Reserved... and they all have the same sense of humor (they like the puns and play on words... it's crazy but they are all the same).

Class went well today. Syllabus, short intros, how was your summer? all that great stuff. And the best part, we got out early. Tomorrow will be much longer as I have three classes and am going to try and pick up a fourth. I'll let you know how that goes later!

God Is Good... Take 2

Just a little taste of what's going on and how God is good and something you can be praying about... My mom's best friend Trisha is not a Christian... she has spent most of my mom and her friendship making fun of my mom's beliefs (in a loving joking way where she respected it but didn't believe it). On August 9th, Trisha's 14 year old nephew was burned to death in a terrible car accident. This tragedy has completely rocked Trisha and her family but what is amazing is my mom has been able to be there for Trisha through all of it. The funeral is next weekend and my mom is flying up to be with Trisha. My mom walked with Trisha yesterday and she said that God is doing some amazing things in Trisha's life... She can no longer deny that there is a God and she can no longer deny that He loves her... She asked my mom why she would go up north for the funeral when she doesn't even know Hunter (her nephew) or his family. I love that my mom gets to show Trisha Jesus' love through this time... God is good and He has amazing plans for Trisha and her family but please continue to pray for her and her family... they suffered a terrible, tragic loss with Hunter's death but I know God is working through this.

God Is Good

I started this entry a couple of weeks ago when camp actually ended (well maybe that was only a week ago... I've been so busy I kinda lost track of the time) but I haven't really been able to formulate my words. But with school starting tomorrow I better wrap up this chapter before I move onto another.

My summer at Forest Home Ojai Valley was definitely one I will remember forever. There are many things I will remember, both good and bad, but I think the biggest thing I will take away from this summer is that God is good! Pretty simple, I know. Whenever people ask what I learned this summer it's that God is good. I have heard it my whole life and I knew what it meant but it was never really real to me before. I think I just saw so many times this summer that God is good and I heard so many people say it over and over again that it kinda clicked in my head. I don't think anyone can really wrap their heads around how good God is (I don't think our human minds can really contain that full knowledge) but it became more real to me this summer than it ever has.


The summer started off great! It was so nice to work with other Christians and to live somewhere other than my house for the summer (not that living at my house is bad but sometimes I feel like a loser because I am almost 22, living at home with my parents. I know it's the smartest thing for me to be doing right now but it was nice to try something different). My roommates in the beginning were Becca and Kat. I had met Kat previously but never met Becca before camp. It was great getting to know them through sharing Leo Carrillo D. Through some crazy mice inccidents we also become psuedo roommates with the girls of Leo C (our door had a crack at the bottem and mice got it... we had mice for about a week until I moved some furniture and scared them out... we taped up the bottom of the door and had to go through the adjoining room's door... Leo C), Mallory, Alyssa, and Lauren. There are too many stories from Leo C/D to write down. The first week of camp was all "getting to know you" stuff and staff meetings (you know, the sexual harrassment stuff). The meetings were quickly followed by lots and lots of program development. I have never been given the freedom to come up with games and ideas before and it was really neat to be able to participate in that. We had crazy stuff happen with some staff members and some left earlier than planned, which was sad but God is good and He was faithful through it all. Through some of these events, I ended up switching to Leo C and joining Mal, Alyssa, and Lauren for the last three weeks of camp. What's funny is when I moved out, Kat and I started hanging out more than when we lived together. It was neat to spend that time with her and share our hearts with each other for those last three weeks.


When asked what my favorite part of camp was, I think I would have to say the people. The churchs that came, the students, the counselors, the youth pastors, but esspecially the staff. I really felt like I had a family when I was at camp. I trusted each and every one of them and loved getting to know them. I can honestly say I miss each and every one of them and I can't wait to see them again!

Like I said, I have been really busy since camp ended. I have been working almost every day (trying to pick up hours at camp until I start my real job). The tan is looking great (I've been lifeguarding... it's kinda my fav and I didn't get to do it all summer so I am glad I have been able to this last week) and I think I am ready to start school. Good thing too because my first class is tomorrow morning at 8am. Not too early but enough to get me going for the day. I'll try and be better and keeping this updated, but we will see what this semester holds. All I know is that God is good and it is all in His hands.

Sweetly Broken

Two weeks of camp down and I am already feeling it. I love camp. Don't get me wrong. But this week was a little rough for me. I am not sure why. I don't think it was the low numbers (only 50 campers which was different but really neat to be able to connect with all of the campers and to show love to all of them). This week Ryan spoke which made me so happy! It was so nice to have Amber (for the first couple of days) and Ryan and the girls around for the week. So it wasn't the speaker... The band was the same as the week before so it wasn't that... Maybe I'm just tired... Maybe I am just feeling like I have to do everything myself. I know I don't have to. I have amazing people around me who are all there for the same reasons. So why was this week so hard? I don't have an answer right now... Maybe I'll come up with one. Maybe I won't. Maybe it was that the week started out a little stressful. Holly was gone Sunday and Monday (she flew home for her grandpa's funeral) which made me feel like I need to pick up the slack. Not that her leaving creates slack or that it is even my place to pick up the slack, but... Does this make any sense? Don't get me wrong, our staff is amazing and it speaks volumes that Holly was even comfortable and confident enough in our staff to leave for a couple days. Maybe I just need to be thankful and happy for another great week of camp. Maybe the best way I can explain how I feel is that I feel broken. And I think that's ok...

At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

I don't want this to sound like "Woe is me, I am so hurt... BooHoo." I am actually loving camp and everything in it. The people, the campers, the program, the music, and the staff! It's all great and I am so happy! This week was just weird I guess... But camp is great and I love it! I took a lot of pictures this last week (including the 4th of July) and you should go check them out if you have time. Please continue to pray for camp. We have another week with low numbers that we would love to fill. Pray for the continued health of our staff (a lot of people have been sick on and off which makes camp hard). Pray for rest for our staff and energy and excitement to love every person comes into camp.

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb

Program starts tomorrow!!! I can't believe it's already here! I am so excited to have campers around and to actually get to run the program that we have been preparing for the last three weeks. I have loved getting to know our summer family but I am ready for some campers.

This last week was kinda crazy with lifeguard classes, CPR, First Aid... We did some surf training on Thursday and let's just say, there is probably a very good reason I have never surfed before... The ocean scares me! I don't like the waves and the cold and the salt... gross... I tried it out for a bit but kept freaking out. Maybe another time and another place. We finished up our opener and skits Thursday night (earlier than previous years which makes me feel pretty confident in our staff). We are doing a STOMP routine for the opener which is super fun and I hope it goes well tomorrow... Next week I will be a team lead for the Green Fenders which basically means I (with the help of other staff members on my team; Jay, Lauren, and Derek) am in charge of around 50ish students and counselors. We will lead them in cheers, games, and solo time debriefs. I will also be driving the surf vehicles on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (the kids can sign up for surf classes and the staff members who are 21 and older and trained on vehicles, drive them back and forth from Mondos beach...). I will also be working some recreation throughout the week and helping Murphy with A/V stuff (sound, lights, PPT) for our evening gatherings and Camp's Got Talent.

As far as the title of this entry goes, one of our games we will be playing this week is called Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb. It involves two sets of three campers in two very large TShirts filled with McDonalds balls and Water Balloons running to the end of the field and back... We had to practice all of our competitions and this one was probably my favorite! We also have Kick N Slide, Octopuzzle, and Surf O War... So Fun! Time for Program! Please keep myself and the rest of our staff in your prayers as we start Program tomorrow. Also please pray for the churches and campers that will be joining us this summer. There are a few weeks of camp with very low number so please pray that camp will fill. If you know of any youth groups who are looking for a camp send them our way. We would love to have some campers!

Bitchin' Tub!

Two weeks into camp and I can't wait for campers to arrive! I met my new summer family two weeks ago and have been so blessed to spend so much time with each and every one of them. The first week was full of the usual meetings (sexual harassment, fire extinguisher training, cart training, driver's ed, clean sweep... ). Ok, maybe only the first two are your "typical" meetings, but the others were no less awesome! Last weekend most of our summer family came over to relax, watch movies and eat... and I even got to go to church last weekend... I nearly died laughing (not really cause that would be really embarrassing) when Pastor Paul started a new series on Restoration (it's our camp theme for the summer and I found it pretty ironic). Last week was full of programing and planning for campers to arrive... Next week will be rehearsing and prep for our first week of camp. I am so excited!

We have all been creating so many new memories from camp (including at least 10 hours of road trip time) and I will leave you with the reason for the title of this entry.

1) Family dinner night.
The full time staff at FHOV made dinner for all of us and we all went to their different houses for dinner and then to Sharon's new house for dessert. They are remodeling the house and it wasn't quite finished yet so we played some Sardines. Towards the end of the game, we were all crammed into a tini toilet closet in the bathroom... we were all completely silent and out of the blue Bree (A-Team lead and great new friend!) says, "Bitchin' Tub!" We all died laughing and gave away our position...

Camp really has been great so far but please continue to pray for all of us. People have been getting sick and tired so please pray that we all stay healthy and get everything done this week (before campers arrive).

Obsessed

This last weekend I took some of my kids to see Obsessed (don't worry... not the elementary kids... another staff member who could drive a van took them to see the Hannah Montana movie...). The movie was pretty wild and definitely had it's creepy parts but what I liked the most was my kids reaction to the movie.

Have you ever been in a movie where people clap and cheer when good things happen? Well this weekend, those annoying kids that clap and cheer like they are at home where my kids. The movie Obsessed is about this man who gets a promotion and is stalked by at temp worker in his new building. At one point (well actually several points) in the movie she throws herself at him and he sternly rejects her because he loves his wife and he would never cheat on her. As he stormed out of the bathroom (that she had followed him into) my kids erupted in cheers and applause. I had to tell them to keep it down a few times (there were other people in the theater and I felt bad) but what they don't know is I was actually really proud of them. How many movies do we see now-a-days where the husband is cheating on the wife or the wife is cheating on the husband or whatever. My kids love that stuff (I watch that stuff too and it doesn't seem to phase me)... But for them to actually recognize that it is wrong for a husband (or a wife) to cheat on their spouse... I am proud.

Outdoor Ed is Wednesday which starts a very busy three weeks before camp. I also got offered a photography job helping to shoot my friend's wedding. I really want to make it work out but I'm not sure if I can get off work... I hope I can because that would be super fun and a great experience!

Prisoner of Hope

Allie Moss came out with an new EP and this is probably my favorite of the 7 songs. I really like the lyrics and Allie's voice is just beautiful. If you get a chance, you should check it out.

Prisoner of Hope
by Allie Moss

The bar is set so high that I can walk right under
Can't reach even on my tippy toes
No matter how far I've run in training for this marathon
I trip and fall, lose by a nose

Then something taps me on the shoulder
I listen when it's older than me

CHORUS:
It says, Look up
Reach out your hand
You can't see anything new
'til you change where you stand
I'll throw you a rope
You know you're just a fellow prisoner of hope

Another day, another no
Sucker punch leaves me bunched on the floor (woe is me)
This is when I fall into a downward spiral
Negative thoughts feed vanity (and I'm so hungry)
Then something taps me on the shoulder
I listen when it's older than me

CHORUS
It says, Look up
Reach out your hand
You can't see anything new
'til you change where you stand
I'll throw you a rope
You know you're just a fellow prisoner of hope

From the high wall
Sometimes all we see is how hard we could fall
So what if we do
Rise mud-scraped and bruised
Maybe we have to be a little bit broken to hear hope call

CHORUS
It says, Look up
Reach out your hand
You can't see anything new
'til you change where you stand
I'll throw you a rope
You know you're just a fellow prisoner of hope

I think my favorite line is "Maybe we have to be a little bit broken to hear hope call"...

This weekend at work was my last sleepover duty of this school year. It was a really long weekend with Friday being up with a kid until 1am (long story that I can't share but you can pray for her) but I felt this overwhelming sense that God really wanted me there this weekend. I had traded sleepover duties with another dorm parent so I can go to my friend's wedding in two weeks and I know that God has His hand in that. Not only with Friday night but also Saturday night. I walked into one of my kid's rooms to say goodnight and turn the lights out and found two other girls (who were not supposed to be in there because it was lights out and they are supposed to be in their own rooms when it's lights out). One of the girls asked me, "Miss Michaela, what's the difference between Catholic and Christian?" I knew the one girl asking was Catholic (she's from Mexico and it's usually safe to assume that they are Catholic) but the other girl, from what I understand, has no beliefs in any sort of god. I chatted with them for a bit explaining the difference between Catholic/Christian/Jewish Beliefs then the other girl (the one who doesn't believe in God but apparently has a Jewish background) said, "I don't believe in God because how could a god let all of this bad stuff happen? If there was a god, wouldn't he just stop all of the bad things from happening?" Oh the age old question. I talked to her about Creation and the fall of man and how we all have a choice to do what it right and wrong. The conversation probably lasted a good 20 minutes (after lights out mind you...). I eventually had to tell her that I would love to talk to her more about any sort of questions she has but she needed to go to bed because it was way past lights out and I still had to go say goodnight to the rest of the dorm. Despite the long weekend, I was really glad I was there to deal with Friday night and this conversation on Saturday night.

Three more weekends for this school year and then it's off to Forest Home (haha... off to... it's down the street... but you know what I mean...). I am finishing up a Term Paper Outline (it was supposed to be a 5 page Term Paper but he decided to make it easy on us and made it just an outline). Math homework is done, I just have to finish up the review problems to study for the final which I will take on Monday. It's almost summer and I am so excited!

Let The Sunshine In!

Yes! The sun is back (both literally and figuratively I guess...) and I am so happy! I can't stand this back and forth weather... I would just like to see the sun from now until late fall thank you!

Last week as kinda a downer. I went swimming Tuesday night at OVS (the pool is being heated again so it's super nice!) and I put my hand down on a bee... My middle finger was about twice it's normal size and hurt pretty bad which was not fun. I did however discover that we didn't have a bee kit down at the pool which could be a huge safety issue if one of the kids got stung and not me... I also got a letter Tuesday night from CSUCI denying my transfer for this fall semester... I know I've been out of the whole school thing for about a year but the last few months I have been really excited about finishing school and moving towards a teaching career so the news really sucked and made me super sad! They said that I hadn't completed my math requirements which is a lie because I got a 5 on the AP Calculus test (4 years ago...). But since I didn't send them my scores, it didn't count... Thankfully I decided to take a Pre-Calc class this semester (just for a little review... the class was online and it's super easy... I got 100% on the midterm... easy...). The transcripts I sent CSUCI didn't show that I was currently taking a math class so I dropped off some new transcripts showing my current class load and after a couple days they reconsidered and accepted me on a conditional basis... you know... as long as I don't fail my math class...

Last night we took the kids to see Earth. It's this new Disney documentary... The whole time I was just reminded of how great our God is. How everything fits together so perfectly that only a Creator could have designed... It was pretty awesome... I also came to the realization last night that I love my kids... They are rude, inconsiderate, disrespectful, mean, and spoiled brats... but I love them.

That's all... Just a few realization and a good day and I am happy. Six more weeks of this school year and then camp starts up and I can't wait!

Also... I took some photos a couple weeks ago and I like how they turned out... Thanks for letting me use your camera Ryan!